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 22

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 938

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 22
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 22
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 22

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In 1861 Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Mary Francis, a daughter of Daniel and Hannah Francis. They have two chil- dren living, Ilannah and Hattie; the former is staying at home, and the latter is one of the teachers of the county, and has made an enviable reputation in the profession. The father and mother are members of the Con- gregational Church. In his politieal opinions Mr. Jones adheres to the principles of the Republican party.

tist Church, and for many years was a deacon. Ilis wife is still living, and is an honored resident of West Salem; she has attained the advanced age of eighty two years.

HARLES WEINGARTEN, one of the promising young business men of La Crosse county, resides in West Salem, where he is engaged in the jewelry trade. Ile was born in this county January 27, 1865, and is a son of Christopher and Dora (Hem- ker) Weingarten, natives of Germany. The father was a farmer by oceupation and was a man of rare intelligence; he came to America shortly after the close of the civil war and settled on a farm in this county; he rented land for a time and then purchased a tract of 120 acres in llamilton township, which he improved and sold. HIe had learned the butcher's trade in Hanover, and after coming to the United States he and his two elder sons carried on the business to some extent. ITis death occurred in August, 1559, at the age of sixty-one years; his wife died in May, 1879, aged fifty years. They reared a family of eight children: Fred married Miss Cora Whitney; Dora is the wife of Dudrick Es- miller and the mother of one daughter, Lillie; Herman married Miss Mary Sandman, and they have one child; Charles is the sub- ject of this notice; Emma died at the age of nineteen years; Ida is the wife of J. H. My- ers; Louis and Lillie are the younger mem- bers. In his political opinions the father was a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Weingarten be- long to that most worthy class of Germans who have emigrated to this country, leaving home and friends and native land for the sake of giving their children those opportu- nities in the world which the Ohl World does

Daniel and Hannah Francis had born to them ten children, seven of whom are living: Evan, Mrs. Jones, James, Rachel, now Mrs. MeEldowney, Daniel, David, and Ruth, the wife of Harry Raymond. Daniel Francis, the father, died February 22, 1888, aged eighty-one years. He belonged to the Bap- i not afford. They have overcome many ob-

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stacles and richly deserve the confidence and esteem in which they were held. They were both members of the Lutheran Church.

Charles, son of the above, received his education in the common schools of Hamilton township and high school of West Salem. In March, 1591, he purchased the stock of jewelry of George B. Viets, whom he also succeeded as express agent at West Salem. He is a young man of good business qualiti- cations, and his outlook is auspicions. In the capacity of express agent he has given excellent satisfaction, and with diligence and perseverance he is sure to win sneeess.

02222.1222.2

ARVEY B. LAFLIN, M. D., is a lead- ing member of the medieal profession in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, where he has resided since 1873. He was born in Chautauqua county, New York, JJuly 27, 1834, and is a son of Eliakim and Almira (Grover) Laflin; the father was born in Dux- bury, Massachusetts, in 1800, and the mother in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1805: soon after their marriage they located in New York, where they had born to them three sons and two daughters: Lark E., foreman of the eotton factory at Milan. Illinois, and Mrs. Cordelia Melvin, widow of Joseph Melvin, with our subject, are the only surviving members.

Dr. Laflin received his education in the State of New York, and at Rock Island, Illi- nois. When he began his professional study. he entered Bennett Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1973; this school is located in Chicago, and is one of the lead- ing Eelectie institutions of the country. Im- mediately after his graduation he removed to La Crosse and engaged in practice; he has

inet with more than ordinary success, and has more than realized his expectations.

February 5. 1559. the Doctor was married to Miss Jennie B. Baldwin at Yorktown, Illinois. Mrs. Laflin was born at Bennington, Vermont, July 31, 1535. and is a daughter of Jacob and Peres Baldwin, also natives of the Green Mountain State. No children have been born to Dr. Laflin and wife, but they had one adopted danghter, Nellie; she mar- ried .I. A. Raymond, and died at the age of thirty years.

Our worthy subject is a member of the Ecleetie State Medical Society and of the National Medieal Society: he has served as President of the State Medical Society two or three terms, and has been Vice-President and Corresponding Secretary of the National Society. Ile is a member of the Masonic fraternity. belonging to Frontier Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M .; to Smith Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M., and to La Crosse Commandry, No. 9, K. T .: he is also a member of the A. O. H. W., and of the Knights of Honor; he belongs to the La Crosse Board of Trade, and is devoted to the interests of home enter- prises. Ile and Mrs. Laflin are consistent members of the Universalist Church.

OSIAH L. PETTINGILL, engaged in the real-estate, loans, abstract and insur- ance business, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was : born in Chenango county, New York, No- vember 10, 1540, and is a son of Alonzo and Lucy (Davis) Pettingill, who were also na- , tives of Chenango county. They emigrated to Wisconsin in 1856 and located at Lewis Valley, La Crosse county, where the mother died ir. 1878; the father now resides with his son in La Crosse, in his eighty-ninth year;

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previous to his coming to Wisconsin, he and his family had resided two years at Flushing, Flint county, Michigan. Hle and his wife had a family of four sons and two daughters: Luther, deceased; Jay, John A., Joshua, de- ceased; Martha I., wife of John L. Mathew- son; and Eliza, deceased, wife of Fitz J. Arnold.

Josiah L. attended the public schools of New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin. November 19, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss E. Antoinette Kenriek, a native of the State of New York. Mrs. Pet- tingill came with her parents to Wisconsin at the age of five years; her father, John Kenrick, was born in London, England, and her mother was a native of Glens Falls, New York. Following his marriage, Mr. Pettin- gill engaged in farming near Lewis Valley, which he continued until 1872. In the fall of 1871, he was elected to the office of County Clerk of La Crosse county, and removed to the county seat previous to taking charge of the office January 1, 1872. He was re-elected to the office until he had filled the position for a period of eleven years. Prior to his election to the county office, he had served as Clerk of Farmington township for six years. Ile was elected chairman of the Township Board, by virtue of which office he became a member of the County Board of Supervisors. Subsequently he was elected chairman of the County Board, and continued a member of this body until his election to the office of County Clerk. At the end of his eleven years' service as County Clerk, he opened his present business, which he has conducted successfully since 1883. IIe does a general real-estate, loan, abstract, and insurance busi- ness; he owns a full set of abstract books of the county, which he keeps down to date; in insurance he represents the most responsible companies of the country.

Mr. Pettingill affiliates with the Republi- can party, although in 1885, he had the dis tinetion of being chosen City Assessor of La Crosse by a Democratic council. He has been chairman of the Republican County Committee, and was returned to the Board of Supervisors since leaving the clerk's office, serving two years as its chairman. He is a member of the La Crosse Board of Trade.

Mr. and Mrs. Pettingill are the parents of five children : Charles A., who holds a respon- sible position in St. Paul; Cland K., who graduated from the La Crosse high school at the age of eighteen years, is now in the same office with his brother; Mande A., and Grace E., who are students of the public school, and Johnnie, who died at the age of eighteen months.

ENRY E. WEST, secretary of the La Crosse City Railway, was born in Waterbury, Washington county, Ver- mont, March 17, 1840, and is a son of Jona- than P. and Louisa (Bacon) West, who were also natives of the Green Mountain State. The father was a farmer by ocenpation, and was a man whom every one honored and re- spected. Ile died in Lamoille county, Ver- mont, in February, 1872; the mother still survives and resides in La Crosse. There were two sons and three daughters in the family: Justin P., Henry E., the subject of this notice; IIelen, deceased, the wife of George S. Gates; Emma, widow of Richard Trenwith; Anna, the wife of II. L. Holmes, a banker and stock-raiser of North Dakota. Ilenry E. grew to manhood in his native State, and received his education in the com- mon schools and the academy at Morrisville. October 28, 1861, he enlisted in Company E. Second Regiment Berdan's Sharpshooters,

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and went to Washington city, where he re- to Miss Ettie MeMillan, a daughter of John mained until Marel. 22. 1862, when he was Mc Millan. decca-ed. who was a pioneer Ium- berman of the city of La Crosse. To Mr. and Mrs. West has been born one child, Mary Louise, whose birthday was January S, 1865. Mr. West is a member of the Knights of Honor and of the M. W. of 1. discharged on account of disability. Hle re. turned to his home and worked on the farm for a time. and again offered his services to the Government, but was rejected. In 1563 he went to Chicago and was employed as conductor on the street railway of that eity.

Politically he affiliates with the Republican which position he held until he secured a "party and is an ardent supporter of the issnes place with a jewelry firm as bookkeeper. At of that body. His position as secretary of the street railway is one of great responsibil- ity, and he has proven by a long career that he is worthy of the confidence reposed in the end of twelve months he returned to Ver- mont, where he remained three years. His experience in the great city of Illinois had not been altogether unpleasant, and the him. Mrs. West is a member of the Presby- memory of it remained with him, so that he ; terian Church. finally went back and entered the office of the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railway. This line was consolidated with the Lake Shore & Erie, and the office was re- moved to Cleveland, Ohio; Mr. West also went to that city and held a position in the general office until October, 1873, when he accepted a position with the Southern Min- nesota Railroad, and removed to Wells. Min- nesota. This road was absorbed by the Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad in 1979. when he went to Milwaukee and was in the Auditor's office abont one year; he then re- signed his position and came to La Crosse. Here he was first employed as bookkeeper in the office of W. W. Cargill & Bro., grain dealers, and held the position seven years. At the end of that time he resigned on ac- count of ill health, and returned to Wells. Minnesota, where he purchased a hardware store. His physician objected to this ocen- pation for him, so he sold out and returned with his family to La Crosse. The two years following he was not actively engaged in any business, and in February, 1890, he was in- stalled as secretary of the La Crosse Street Railway, a position he now holds.

Mr. West was married December 24. 1977,

OSEPH BOSCHERT, Registrar of Deeds, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, was born in Greenfield township, this county, Jan- nary 9. 1858, and is the eldest of three chil- dren of Gregory and Auna (Tausche) Bo- schert. His parents located in Greenfield township in 1855, being among the earliest settlers in La Crosse county. The father was elected Supervisor of the township in 1857, and served in that office for many years. As the result of industry and frugality he had a fine estate. Of his three children, Helen and Andrew are unmarried and reside at home with their parents. Joseph spent his youth in those occupations which usually fall to a farmer's son, and during the winter season he attended school. In 1977 he began teach- ing. and followed this profession for six months of the year until 1854, when he came to La Crosse. Hle served as clerk of Green- field township in 1551 -'82-'53. lle invested in real estate in La Crosse, and in the fall of 1>>4 he erceted a business building at the corner of Fifth and day streets; there he em- barked in the mercantile trade, having formed

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

a partnership with E. J. Tausche, the firm being Boschert & Tausche. This relationship existed until November, 1885, when Mr. Boschert withdrew, having been appointed Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, First Division of the Sixth District of Wisconsin. In July, 1887, the Second and Sixth Revenue Districts were consolidated, and Mr. Boschert was appointed Deputy Collector; this division comprises nine counties, including La Crosse county. By a change of administration, June 30, 1889, Mr. Holmes succeeded Mr. Bo- schert.

August 7, 1889, our subject bought out his former partner and re-embarked in the mercantile trade at his old stand, continuing there until January 1, 1891, when he sold out with a view to taking charge of his present office, to which he had been elected in the fall of 1890. This is a responsible and profitable position, the term being two years, and the work requiring two clerks be- sides the principal.

Mr. Boschert owns considerable valuable real estate in La Crosse, including several lots, a residence and three business buildings. September 8, 1885, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary McConville, a native of La Crosse county, born in the town of Barre, February 14, 1860. IIer father was a native of Ireland, and her mother was born in Ohio. The mother died in Septemder, 1889, and the father is a resident of La Crosse. They reared the following named children: Rose, Hugh A., Hannah C., Dennis J., Curran, John and Mary; Margaret and Emmett are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Boschert are the parents of three children: Rose M., born June 28, 1886; Annie L., born February 27, . 1888; and John J., born December 24, 1889. Mr. Boschert is a member of the La Crosse Board of Trade, and belongs to the Jefferson Club. He and his wife are both members of

St. Mary's Catholic Church, and he belongs to St. Boniface Benevolent Society. Pre- vious to her marriage Mrs. Boschert was a teacher in the public schools of La Crosse county. She first taught in the district school, and was afterwards appointed a teacher in the city schools.

EORGE EDWARDS .- In recording the history of any country, the growth and development of a community may always be traced to a few sturdy souls who gave not grudgingly, but with their whole hearts, the best offorts of their lives to carry- ing civilization to the frontier, and establish- ing those occupations which distinguish the progressive man from the untutored savage. It is to these men the highest honor is due, and it is their names that lead in the bio- graphical portion of the country's annals. Sneh a man was George Edwards, a retired lumberman of La Crosse, residing on the corner of Sixth and Vine streets. He was born at Windsor, Broome county, New York, December 1. 1818, and is a son of Joseph and Abigail (Buel) Edwards, natives of the State of New York. The father was born April 16, 1791, and died in July, 1853; he was reared in Broome county, New York, on the Susquehanna river. A family of six sons were born to them, four of whom were born in Broome county: the two youngest were born in Chenango county, to which place the family moved about the year 1822. Their names are: Simon B., Francis F., Edward F., Daniel C., deceased; Loren J., deceased, and George, the subject of this biographical sketch, who was the third-born. The mother was born in 1759, and died in 1565. The parents were both consistent members of the Baptist Church for many years. Ebenezer

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BIOGRAPHIICAL HISTORY.

Edwards, the paternal grandfather. was a Inmberman on the Delaware river.

At the age of nineteen years George Edwards went to Lodi Plains, Michigan, where he spent one summer working by the month. In the fall of 1535 he tied his ward- robe up in a red bandana handkerchief and made a tour of the Great Lakes, his object being to investigate the resources of the frontier country; he arrived in Wisconsin just before the land sales, found the people poor and the crops a failure. In spite of all the discouragements he located at Troy. Walworth county, and hired to Augustus Smith to split rails at $12 per month. The profit of his services was in proportion to the bill of fare furnished by his employer, rather meager. In the spring of 1839 he purchased 160 acres of land, and determined to double it within three years. IIe saved his earnings, bonght the land, and built a shanty. and also bought a yoke of oxen. He was then ready to cultivate his own land, but soon after he was taken with inflammatory rheumatism; he was alone in his shanty at the time, but fortun- ately was soon discovered and taken to the home of his brother, who resided in East Troy. He was ill through the entire sum- mer, and eame near passing to the silent beyond. It was during this illness that he sold his land for $1,000. After his recovery he opened a grocery store in East Troy, Wis- consin. While engaged in this business he returned to New York. and August 25, 1847, he was united in marriage to Miss Eleeta Edwards, a daughter of William and Lodama (Smith) Edwards, honored residents of Broome county, New York. He carried on the grocery trade until his health failed, when he spent a winter in Texas; in the spring he returned to East Troy, and in 1553 he came to La Crosse connty and purchased 320 acres of land near West Salem; in 1854

he came to the city of La Crosse, made some purchases of town lots, and moved his family to the place in 1555. He formed a partner- ship with B. P. HIart in the hardware busi- ness, and they condneted a successful trade until 1859, when the store and stock went up in flames. This enterprising firin was not long in recovering from the contlagration, and carried on business three years after the fire.

It was at this time that Mr. Edwards em- barked in the lumber and wheat business, in which enterprises he has been more than ordinarily successful. He is a man of ex- cellent business ability, keen foresight and sound judgment. He has for many years taken a leading place in the commercial eir- eles of La Crosse county, and no man stands higher in the estimation of the people. He was Mayor of La Crosse for one term, but declined re-election, as his private business required his undivided attention. Hle was also Alderman for several terms, and in his official capacity used every effort to advance the interests of the city.

Mr. Edwards has been a wide traveler, having visited every State and Territory in the Union, Cuba, the Bermudas, and old Mexico. lle now has in contemplation a six-months trip to the Gulf of Mexico. Hle and his wife have had born to them four children: Georgia F., wife of William W. Taylor, and the mother of two children; George E. and Bessie A .: Emma L., wife of W. Ernest Polleys; she was the mother of one child, Irene E .; her death occurred June 11, 1591; she was a woman of great benevo- lence, tender-hearted, and the friend of the unfortunate everywhere; Minnie A., the wife of Joseph M. Parsons; the youngest child, Gracie M., died of diphtheria at the age of ten years. The mother of these children died March 20, 1876; she was born April 6,

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

1822, and was one of a family of nine chil- the stock he has put on the market has been dren, only one of whom survives. She was a woman of many rare traits, and greatly ad- mired by a wide circle of friends. Mr. Edwards is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has passed all the chairs of the order.

HILLIP McCONNELL, one of the leading agriculturists of La Crosse county, was born in Wayne county, In- diana, September 20, 1838, and is a son of David and Catherine (Hineman) McConnell, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a wheelwright by trade, but devoted the latter years of his life to farming. Ile removed with his family from Indiana to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1839, and thence to Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, in 1843. In 1852 they came to Farmington, La Crosse county, where they experienced many of the priva- tions of frontier life. Mr. McConnell entered land, and purchased some that had already been improved. He died in 1860, at the age of sixty-six years; his wife died in 1871, at the age of seventy-seven years. Both were worthy members of the Presbyterian Church. They had a family of ten children, five of whom are living. Phillip McConnell began business for himself by teaching school when the system was yet in a primitive state. Ile followed this calling for three years, and then embarked in the mercantile and milling business, at the same time conducting the cultivation of a farm. He afterwards dis- posed of his commercial interests, and for many years gave his entire attention to agri- culture. He made some investments in grain, and lumber and live-stock, but withdrew his money from these enterprises and went baek to farming. He is numbered among the largest and most successful agrieulturists, and

of the best grade. He owns two large farms at the present time, located one-half mile east of the West Salem railroad station. His residence is pleasantly situated on a natural building site, overlooking the wide and fertile valley and affording a beautiful view of the hills beyond; the building is frame and is large and conveniently arranged; the barns and sheds for the live-stock are substantial, and the whole place has an air of thrift and prosperity. Mr. McConnell is progressive in his views, and lends a generous support to those enterprises which tend to the np-build- ing of the community. Ile has been Treasurer of the town, discharging his duties with rare fidelity. Politically he is identified with the Republican party.

ITis marriage, which occurred Jannary 1, 1862, was to Miss Margaret E. Van Ness, a daughter of John Van Ness, a well- known citizen of West Salem. To Mr. and Mrs. McConnell have been born four children: John E, an attorney of La Crosse; Myrtie M., one of the teachers of the county who is now attending the Normal School at Osh- kosh, Wisconsin; Carl P., a member of the senior class of the West Salem High School, and Wesley G. The father and mother are members of the Presbyterian Church.

LEXANDER JOHNSON is numbered among the intelligent, enterprising, and successful men of West Salem. He is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born June 25, 1859, and is a son of Johannes Mikkelson and Maline Thoreson, natives of Norway. The father was a farmer by oceu- pation, and followed that calling after coming to this country. Ile emigrated to America with his family in 1859, and settled nea.

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Farmington, La Crosse county: at the end of youth was spent in his own country, but be- two years he sold out and removed to Hol. land, Wisconsin. He was born April 4, 1513, and died December 30, 1955. His wife was born January 3, 1816, and died November 26, 1891. They had eleven children, eight of whom are living; there were six sons and five daughters.

Alexander Johnson was educated in the common schools of Wisconsin, and also took a course in the La Crosse Business College. At the age of twenty-two years he embarked in business on his own account, opening a drug store in West Salem, and does a thriving business.

In 1589 he was appointed Postmaster of West Salem, and has given good satisfaction in his official position. He is an ardent Re- a substantial trade.

publican, and always gives a zealous support to the movements of that body.

Mr. Johnson was married, June 5, 1853, to Miss Anna K. Gudmundson, a native of Nor- way, and a daughter of Hans and Bolette Gudmundson, highly respected residents of La Crosse valley. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born four children: James II., Melvin B., Abbie J., and Alexander A. The La Crosse Diocesan Life Insurance Com- parents are members of the Norwegian Lu- pany. He has built and improved some city theran Church, and occupy an enviable po- sition among the prosperous citizens of La C'resse county.

ILLIAM A. IMHOFF is one of the of the country he has adopted.

enterprising citizens of La Crosse, and is the proprietor of a prosperous business. Ile was born at Higaland, Iowa county, Wisconsin, April 22, 1860, and is a son of Anton and Christine ( Borichter) Im- hoff, natives of Germany. Both the father and mother were born in Hanover, and the former was a carpenter by trade. His early

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 938

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 938