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 21
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 21
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 21
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a considerable talent for music, and has made tem of pipes to all the buildings. Three advanced progress in its study. The Doctor acres of another traut of nine aeres are set to tobacco: this industry is not a large one, but is conducted to prove the possibility of rais- ing tobacco with profit in this latitude. and his wife are both worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the most highly esteemed members of social circles in La Crosse.
ILLIAM R. SPARLING. an old and highly respected citizen of La C'rosse county, has been a resident of the State of Wisconsin since 1846. He was born in Tioga county, New York, in 1825. and is a son of Peter and Lydia (Rose) Sparling. natives of New Jersey: they were reared on the banks of the Delaware river, were mar- ried in their native State, and came to New York shortly after this event. The father was a farmer by occupation, and pursued this calling with rare intelligence. He died in Tioga county, New York, in 1849. at the age of sixty five years: his wife died in 1837; they had born to them a family of eight chil- dren, six of whom are now living. At the age of sixteen years William R. Sparling entered upon the responsibilities of life. lle learned the trade of a blacksmith in New York State, and then came west to Columbia county, Wisconsin. in 1846; for ten years he followed this calling quite successfully, and then came to La Crosse county, locating four miles from the present site of West Salem: there he conducted a farm and blacksmith's shop until 1$66, when he removed to West Salem, settling in the house he now occupies. He owns 100 acres of land, which he has rented; the principal products are grain and fruit, and to the cultivation of the latter he has given especial attention. The improve- ments of this farm are of a most substantial character, the brick residence being erected at a cost of 83,000; water is carried by a sys-
Mr. Sparling was married September 24, 1851. to Miss Cornelia Young, of Fall River, Wisconsin, a daughter of Thomas Young, of Saratoga, New York. Four children have been born of this nnion: Will e died at the age of five years, and Bertie, when six months old: Fayette K. married Edith Roby, and they have one child, Neal; they reside on a farm in Bangor township; Adella, wife of Frank H. Nye, lives on a farm in Hamilton township, and has two children, Mark and Pattie Belle. Mrs. Sparkling departed this life April 16, 1991, at the age of sixty-four years. She was for many years a member of the Baptist Church and was a devout Chris- tian; she was a fond and faithful wife, and an indulgent mother.
During all the years of his residence in La Crosse county, Mr. Sparling has been al- lied with those movements which have tended to develop the best resources of both the county and State, and he is numbered among the first citizens of West Salem.
EV . FATHER J. E. PRUCILA, pastor of St. Wenceslaus' Bohemian Catholic Church, Winnebago street, La Crosse. Wisconsin, is the subject of the following biographical sketch. He was born in New York City December 22, 1865, and in his youth was a student at the Jesuit Sixteenth Street College; later he took a classical course at St. Vincent's Benedictine Abbey. Latrobe, Pennsylvania. His philosophical and theo- logical training was received at St. Francis' Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After he
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had finished the course of the latter institu- tion, he was sent by Bishop Flasch to his present pastorate. Ilere he has charge of a large congregation of Bohemians, whom he addresses in their native tongue. Something over 150 families are communicants of the church. The present building, capable of accommodating 350 people, is found inade- quate, so that a new and larger editiee is in contemplation. A parochial school is con- dneted under the general superintendenee of Father Prucha; the building, containing three rooms, stands adjacent to the church; three teachers, one lay teacher and two Fran- ciscan Sisters are employed in giving instruc- tion to the children; the Bohemian language is taught half an hour each day, and in the highest grade Bohemian grammar is taught twice a week; the rudimentary studies are taught in the English language.
A pleasant home, a good library and refined surroundings relieve the isolation from the world. Father Prucha is a young man of fine literary attaininents, and is deeply de- voted to the duties of his calling.
The church was erected in 1873 by Rev. Leo Suchy, at the present time a resident of Milwaukee; the structure cost a little more than $9,000; the lots were donated by Brother Bernard. The first religious services were held in a small chapel, which is a part of the present sanctuary. The following clergymen have been in charge of this congregation since the present edifice was ereeted: Father Leo Suchy came in 1873; Father G. W. Weid- lich, in 1875; Father Fideles Bannwarth, in 1876, who died suddenly November 3, 1877; Father Alois IIeller was next in charge, re- inaining four months; Father Augustine Lang eame in the same year; he died in New York in 1885; Father Alois J. Blaschke came in 1881, and Father Prucha August 3, 1888.
The societies of the church are: St. Wen- ceslans, which has a membership of about eighty, and a capital of $2,000; Uniformed Bohemian Knights of St. George, member- ship, fifty: St. John's Society, the society of the old men of the congregation, numbers twenty members; and the Young Men's Society, with thirty-five members. The ladies of the church have four societies, and there is a dramatic society open to both sexes. Under Father Prucha's ministrations the in- terest of the congregation has been greatly extended, and the spiritual condition elevated. The various societies are made up of enthusi- astic workers, and the ontlook is most favor- able.
OHIN WACKER is an American citizen by adoption, his native land being Switz- erland. Ile was born October 14, 1833, and is a son of George and Barbara (Schlat- ter) Waeker, who spent their lives in their own country. The father was a miller by trade, and, as was the custom in that time, also kept a tavern. He was a quiet, unpre- tentions man, always attending closely to his own affairs. Ile was born in 1792, and died at the age of fifty four years; his wife died at the age of sixty-four years. Of the family there are five living in America and three still reside in the old country. It was in 1851 that John Wacker emigrated to the United States, settling in Alna, Wisconsin, at that time called "the Twelve Mile Bluff." In 1852, with Mathias Hummer, he made a claim of a piece of land on which Butfalo City now stands; the following year they surrendered the claim, but if they had held it a few months longer they would have realized from it $1,500. It was purchased by a Cin- cinnati company. Victor Probst, John C. Wacker and Joseph Berni were the most
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prominent settlers there at that time. Mr. 1575, and Arthur F., born September 4, 1889. Wacker remained in the neighborhood of Mr. Wacker is a member of the I. O. O. F .. having passed all the chairs of that order. He takes an interest in the political questions employed at Mount Vernon and Galena. It "of the day, and votes with the Democratie "Twelve Mile Bluff" for two years, and then spent a year among relatives: later he was was about this time that he determined to party. learn the blacksmith's trade, but enfortu- nately lie was taken with a severe illness and was thus compelled to abandon the plan. Ile then secured such light employment as he conld. From 1536 to 1561 he owned and ran the restaurant and bar of a Mississippi steamer; and in 1861 he engaged in his present business, which he has carried on since that time.
Mr. Wacker is one of the oldest settlers of the county, and prominent as a pioncer. Ile was Alderman of the eity for six years, and rendered most efficient service in this capac- ity. Ile has ever been a liberal supporter of those enterprises tending to advance the in- terests of the city, and has been true to the confidence reposed in him by her citizens.
He was married in 1569 to Miss Mary Beckel, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Frank) Beckel, an old citizen of La Crosse, who died at the age of seventy-two years; his wife was about fifty years of age when she died. Mrs. Wacker is the oldest of a family of nine children, eight of whom are living. Upon emigrating to this country from Ger- many in 1845 her parents settled near Dayton, Ohio; the father made a trip to Wisconsin, and finally removed his family to La Crosse county, settling in Shelby township. He was a man of sterling traits of character and ex- cellent business qualifications. For twenty- five years he was Postmaster of Shelby, and was numbered among her leading citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Wacker are the parents of five children: Lonisa C., born May 29, 1870; Olga, born January 20, 1872; John W., born September 28, 1873; Cora E., born June 23.
N. BORRESEN, Vice-President of the State Bank of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a recognized authority on banking and finance, is a shrewd and practical man of business, and is a vigorousexponent of sound commereial principles. All the facilities consistent with sound and conservative bank- ing are extended to customers, and this bank is a factor fully appreciated in sustaining the high reputation La Crosse has acquired as a business center. Mr. Borresen was born in Lille-hammer, Norway, January 21, 1547, to B. II. and Elizabeth Borresen, the former of whom died in 1876, when sixty-nine years of age, and the latter still living in Christiania, Norway, at the age of seventy nine years. E. N. Borresen is one of their twelve children, and the youngest of four brothers who came to America, which land he reached in 1868. Carl came in 1870, Peter in 1572, and Henry from Paris, in 1887. They all now reside in La Crosse. Mr. Borresen was first a clerk in a clothing store of T. D. Servis, in La Crosse, and his next move was to join the Batavian Bank as bookkeeper, which position he re- tained for nine years. In 1579 J. M. Holley and Mr. Borresen engaged in the banking business for themselves, under the firm name of Holley & Borresen, and the previous ex- perience they had gained now stood them in good stead, for Mr. Holley had been teller in the Batavian bank for nine years. In 1553 they organized the State Bank of La Crosse, and Mr. Borresen has held the position of
V. 16. Wither
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vice-president ever since. The capital of this concern is $50,000, with $25,000 surplus and undivided profits. The president is D. D. McMillan, and J. M. Holley is cashier. These gentlemen are widely and favorably known capitalists, possess the soundest judgment, and have had a wide range of practical experience. They are thoroughly conservative in their methods, and the success of their bank is as substantial as it is well merited. Mr. Borresen deserves much credit for the success which has at- tended his efforts, for upon coming to this country he had bat little means and was un- acquainted with the English language. His own pluek and perseverance have carried him safely over many difficulties, and he is now sailing on a prosperous sea with the wind and tide in his favor.
In 1871 he was married to Miss Nettie Ranberg, daughter of E. Ranberg, and in time a family of three children gathered about their hearthstone: Hildah, Fred and Willie. Mr. and Mrs. Borresen are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
ON. NIRAN II. WITHIEE, deceased .- The life record of him whose name ap- pears above has been one of more than usual interest, and his career was of such benefit and wielded sneh a wide influence over the people, not only of La Crosse but also the surrounding counties, that a sketch of his career will convey some idea of his usefulness in the different walks of life. He was born in Norridgewock, Maine, June 21, 1827, to Zachariah and Polly (Longly) Withee, who were also born in the " Pine Tree State," the father of Irish and the mother of English extraction. Zachariah Withee was born in Norridgewock, Maine, March 21, 1794, and
was a leading agriculturist of the section in which he resided, a soldier in the war of 1>12, and for services rendered the Government in that capacity he received a land warrant. His wife was one of the noble-t of women and possessed that breadth of character which en- abled her to befriend the distressed and needy as well as to feel perfectly at ease in the pres. ence of learned and highly cultured people. For over fifty years she and her husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in that faith they were called from life. He died in La Crosse, Wisconsin, June 6, 1875. His wife, also boru in Nor- ridgewock, September 28, 1794, died in La Crosse, May 24, 1871.
Mr. Niran 11. Withee, one of the seven children of the above, was given the rndi- ments of an academic education.
When the tide of emigration swept west- ward, Mr. Withee embraced the opportunity then afforded of being one of the pioneers of La Crosse county, Wiseonsin, and in 1852 settled in this region, with the commercial interests of which he thoroughly identified himself, and eventually became one of the most snecessful business men and extensive land-owners of the county. Soon after his arrival he embarked in the lumber business, and his operations in that line became so ex- tensive that in 1870 he removeed to Clark county. From 1857, however, he was closely identified with the logging interests of the Black river country in La Crosse county, and he was a prominent figure in all the progres- sive business movements in the Black river valley in the lumber and flooding-dam com- panies, and was scarcely ever without heavy official responsibility of some kind. He did much to shape the policy and manage the affairs of Clark county, and was its Treas- urer from 1875 mutil his brother Hliram succeeded him in 1882. Ile represented that
15
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county in the General Assembly of the State two terms, where his ability as an able leader was felt and acknowledged: his great integrity and uprightness of character won for him the honor of his contemporaries, and his clear. analytical and well-poised mind and quick perception brought him into immediate recognition. Ilis activity and keen business foresight led him into many important enterprises which have been of permanent benefit to the community, and his generous impulses won him numerons friends, whom he rarely lost.
At Hemlock he owned a large grist and saw mill. He was connected with the leading lumber firms of the city and was the moving spirit in the Island Mill Company of La Crosse. Soon after his removal to Clark county he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, during which time the best in- terests of an appreciative constitueney were well looked after. llis manly character and true worth inspired confidence, and a faith- ful performance of duty secured its con- tinuance. He was modest in his estimate of himself, never forced himself upon public attention, and only filled public positions at the earnest solicitation of his numerous friends. He was diligent in business, amassed a large fortune, and gave freely to all benev- olent enterprises.
Ile was married to Mrs. Lonisa (Wood) Stratton, widow of Avery Stratton, of New York. and danghterof Colonel Artemas Wood, of New Berlin, Chenango county, New York, the latter being a Colonel in the State Militia.
To Mr. and Mrs. Withee the following children were born: Niran Haskell, William Wood; Theodore Owen, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Withee was a Republican in politics. In social life he was highly esteemed for his cordial and agreeable man- ners, and in the domestic circle he was a
model husband and father, loved his family with extreme devotion, and made their hap- piness and comfort his chief aim and object in lite. He never violated a friendship nor forgot a kind action done him, and although charitable in his deeds he was one of those who would that "the left hand should not know what the right hand doeth." He de- parted this life July 2, 1557, at the age of sixty years and eleven days.
EV. RICHARD SIEGLER is the reg- ularly ordained minister of the Evan- gelical Lutheran Church, of Barre township, and for the past eight years he has been laboring in the vineyard of his Master. Ile was born in Wollin, East Prussia, but at the age of two years was brought by his par- ents to America. His father, Charles Siegler, came to this country in 1564, and settled in Watertown, Wisconsin, where he made his home until his death. which occurred in 1573, at the age of fifty-five years. The wife of the latter, Wilhelmina Benke, died in 1856, at the age of sixty two years, having borne her husband seven children, six of whom are still living: Albert, the eldest, is a minister of the gospel, stationed at Two Rivers, Wis- consin, where he has been for the past four years. Rev. Richard Siegler received his classical education in the Northwestern Uni- versity at Watertown. Wisconsin, completing the regular course of seven years, and graduat- ing with the class of 1551. He then entered the Theological Seminary at Milwaukee, where he completed his theological studies in 1583, ocenpying a pulpit a portion of the time while attending this institution. October 28, of the same year he was ordained for the ministry at Ellington. Ontagamie county, Wisconsin. After having filled the pulpit in
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that place successfully for two and a half Peter Collins, is now living in La Crosse with years, he was called to his present pastorate her two sons, James and JJohn: Patrick, the older brother, is living in Monroe county.
of St. John's Lutheran Church, where he has! been since 1886. Ilis work here covers a | Wisconsin, and John M. is the subject of period of six years, and his long continuance this notice. He attended school in his native country until the death of his father, when he went to England: there he was thrown upon his own responsibilities, but valuing a good education he went to school as much as possible until he was eighteen years of age. By that time he had saved enough money to pay his passage to America, so he bade fare- well to the British Isles and crossed the sea to the United States. When he reached New York, however, his funds were exhausted: so he sought employment at once. He secured a position in a store and worked there for one year, when he pushed his way further in the work for the same church evinces the high esteem and the valuable services ren- dered by him during that time. His congre- gation at first embraced ninety families, but it now numbers more than 150, showing a splendid increase of over ten per cent. annually. Since entering upon his duties a new church has been erected, which in archi- tecture, furnishings and surroundings, would be a credit to any city. The cost of the church, including pipe organ, was $10,000. The building is pleasantly located on a natural building site about the center of Bost- wick valley. The school connected with this , westward, reaching Janesville, Wisconsin, in church, costing $1,300, was built in 1890, and has a seating capacity of abont 100, and has increased in abont the same proportion as the church. Rer. Siegler is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Wiscon- sin. He possesses a good library of stand- ard theological and classical works. He has proven the right man in the right place and his efforts have been rewarded in the love and respect, not only of his own immediate con- gregation but also of all who know him.
1856. Ile was hired by the railroad com- pany then running a line through this point, and soon he began taking small contracts on other roads, enlarging the contracts as his means increased. This he followed until 1870, when he went to work on the Pitts- burgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad. The contracts taken on this road were very profit- able, but he was defrauded by a dishonest partner. In 1873 he removed to La Crosse, and there he has since made his home. Ile has taken occasional contracts of railroad and other work. Afterwards for three years he was engaged in the tea trade, having the agency of an Eastern house -- importers from China and Japan.
OHN M. FINN, a retired contractor and one of the old and substantial citizens of La Crosse, was born in county Sligo, Ire- Mr. Finn was united in marriage, in 1962, in La Crosse, to Miss Ellen Barry, a daugh- ter of Edmond and Johanna (Barry) Barry, natives of Ireland, but for many years resi- dents of Monroe county, Wisconsin. IIer father died in 1886, and her mother in 1\5 ?. Mr. and Mrs. Finn are the parents of thirteen land, in 1838, a son of Patrick, a native of the county of Mayo, and Elizabeth (Boland) Finn, a native of the county of Sligo, in the Emerald Isle; there they lived and died, the mother in 1841, and the father in 1548. They had a family of seven children, three of whom are now living: Mary, the widow of ! children, four of whom are deceased: Patrick
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married Miss Mary Clare: John married and conscientious in the discharge of his Miss Sarah Matthews, of Dakota; Helen is duties, and has won the entire confidence of the wife of Henry Lowell: James, Hannah, the railroad officials with whom he has been Mary, Catherine and Agnes. The family are connected. all devout members of the Roman Catholic Church.
JJ. LEMON, passenger conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, a son of Robert and Mary E. (Gilham) Lemon, the father also a native of Pennsylvania. and the mother of Virginia. The parents removed to St. Louis, Missouri. when T. J. was an infant. The father was a steamboat earpenter, and followed this cz Hing twenty-five years on the boats running up the Mississippi. Missouri and Arkansas rivers. Ile was in the river transportation depart- ment during the war, trom 1861 to 1565. He died January 3, 1585, at the age of sixty- eight years; the mother passed away Febru- ary 26. 1879, aged fifty-seven years. Both were devont members of the Congregational Church. Our subject received his edneation in the public schools of St. Louis, graduating from the high school. Then, following his father's inclinations and tastes, he passed ten years on the steamboats, the first two years as a clerk, and eight years as a pilot. In 1>71 he left the river for the railroad, seenring a position with the Missouri Pacific, and was conductor for nine years. He next went to the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and was in the employ of this company as con- ductor for eight years. He ran a way freight on the Fort Scott & Gulf road about six months, and in 1556 went to work for the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Company in the capacity of conductor, a position which he still holds. He has been most faithful
Mr. Lemon was married October 9, 1565, to Miss Irene E. Jacobs, a daughter of Cap- tain J. M. and Mary D. Jacobs, of St Louis. Of this union six children have been born: Mary D., the wife of T. M. Wamsby, of De Soto, Missouri, and a eonduetor on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway; they have three children: Nellie G. married Charles A. Burger, engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad; Reginald T. resides in Colorado on a ranch; Harry Brent is a student at Wayland University, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; Edgar is at home, a pupil in the La Crosse schools. The parents were be- reaved by the death of their oldest son, who passed from this life in 1867, at the age of one year.
Mr. and Mrs. Lemon are devout members of the Baptist Church Mr. Lemon is one of the directors of the Y. M. C. A., and is an active member of the same, accomplishing much good among the railroad men. Politi- cally he adheres to the principles of the Democratic party.
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ILLIAM E. JONES resides in one of the most beautiful and productive sections in the State of Wisconsin, the La Crosse valley, and is numbered among the advanced agriculturists of the community. He is a native of Wales, born May 20, 1533, and is a son of Evan and Mary Jones, who were also of Welsh birth. The father is a farmer by occupation; in 1841 he emigrated from Wales and settled on a farm in Canada, where he lived for eight years. He then came to Wisconsin and located on a farm near
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Bangor, in La Crosse county. He has a tract of 300 acres, which has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and in accomplishing this he experienced all the privations and hardships of the frontier. Ile is now eighty - seven years old. His wife died in Wales in 1842. They had a family of five children: William E., the subject of this notice: David, who died at the age of forty years; John, a resident of Bangor, Wisconsin; Morgan, who lives in Dakota, and one child that died in Wales.
William E. Jones remained under the pa- rental roof until he was twenty-five years of age, and then started out in life for himself; he engaged in agricultural pursuits, but did not loeate on the farm which is now his home until 1862: he owns 160 acres of choiee land, his residence being one mile east of West Salem; it is pleasantly situated, commanding a fine view of the valley, and presenting an attractive appearance from the railroad and the public highway. The barns and sheds are substantially built, and the entire place wears an air of thrift and prosperity.
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