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 25

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 25
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 25
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 25

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He was not alone of his family to serve the Union canse in the service of arms. His father had but three sons, all of whom were in the army. Colonel Bryant's oldest brother, John E. Bryant, was Captain in the Eighth Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry. He entered the service with his regiment in 1861, and served three years. The young- est brother, Thomas C. Bryant, enlisted in 1863 in the Third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and served there until the close of the war.

After returning from his military service Colonel Bryant completed his legal studies at Norwalk, Ohio, in the office where he had commenced them in 1861, and was admitted

to the bar in April, 1866, at the spring term of the District Court for Huron county, and at once began to practice law there. Ile was married near the close of the war, to Miss Augusta A. Stevens, of North Fayette, Maine. She was educated at Kent's Ilill, at the semi- nary which he had attended, and also at the female college there. In 1866 the young couple took up their residence at Norwalk, Ohio, and remained until the spring of 1868, when they removed to La Crosse in May, which has been their home to the present day.

Few men have settled in La Crosse who made their presence felt more quickly and positively than Judge Bryant. He had an exceeding grace and suavity of manner that sometimes made his Irish friends inquire what part of the "ould sod" claimed the honor of his birth. When occasion arose for a publie speech he stepped in an instant into popular favor. His language was scholarly, forcible, poetical if occasion required, with a pungent savor of wit, and his method was at once persuasive and forcible. From the start Colonel Bryant was in such demand by the Republican party that his law practice would have fared ill had not good Yankee business sense set a limit upon too impor- tunate party demands. As it was he was forced against his intention, and almost against his will, into public life. He was County Judge of La Crosse county for one term of four years-from 1870 to 1874. IIe has been elected to the office of District At- torney of that county for three terms of two years each. In April, 1875, he was ap- pointed United States Pension Agent at La Crosse, and held the office until it was con- solidated, in July, 1877, with the St. Paul and Milwaukee agencies. From October, 1882 to September, 1ss5, he was Postmas- ter at La Crosse. Governor C. C. Washburn

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

and also Governor William E. Smith, of Wis- a short time to prepare, the outline of a speech quickly takes shape in his mind, both as to what he should say and the order of ar- rangement. Close observation of current affairs throughout the world, the study of ancient history, especially the history of gov- ernments, and an exceptional familiarity with consin, appointed him Aid-de-eamp on their staffs with rank of Colonel. He has also been active and prominent in the Grand Army; was a charter member and has been Commander of Wilson Colwell Post, G. A. R., of La Crosse; has also served as Senior Viee-Commander and Department Com- the best literature, both ancient and modern, mander of this Department. He was one of have stored his mind with ideas which are the incorporators of the Wisconsin Veteran Home, established in 1887 under the ans- pices of the Grand Army of that State, and has been a member of the Board of Directors and treasurer of that institution.

always subject to the call of a retentive memory. That such a man should be both an elegant and eloquent speaker need hardly be said. That he is a logical and accurate debater has been proven in many warm political contests in Wisconsin. His speeches on patriotie occasions are models for all America. He inculcates a devotion to the ideas underlying our form of government, and the flag that symbolizes them, "that touches the right spot," as his hearers say, and makes one of his addresses a lesson in patriotism for old and young. To sum up his broad-gauge character in a phrase, it may be said that Colonel Bryant is a true cosmo- politan. The rugged experiences of early tarm life put stores of vitality into a phy- sique not apparently robust ; his years at that sedate and most dignified seat of learning, old Bowdoin, imparted the seholastie air which time and later eireumstances have not changed; the study and practice of law has eliminated haste or prejudice in judgment; the bitter experiences of war has made patriot- ism an active principle worthy of entering into all the affairs of life; the filling of pub- lic offices widely differing in character has imparted a knowledge not only of affairs, but

It is, perhaps, well that some more ex- tended allusion should be made to Judge Bry- ant in his capacity as a public speaker. In his practice he is best known as an advo cate, though he never goes into court with a case without knowing thoroughly all the law bearing upon it. If the announcement is made that Judge Bryant is to address the jury, people make it a point to get around and hear what he has to say. lle likes very well to compose an address-to set his thoughts elearly and logically in array with felicitons simile and apt quotations; but he is also one of the few men who can make a speech under the inspiration of the hour that will, withont addition or omendation, read like a polished essay when it appears in print. A notable instance of this faculty is found in his speech at the annual encamp- ment of the Grand Army of the Republic at Milwaukee in 1887, on the Dependent Pen- sion bill, which was taken down by the stenographers as spoken, and printed withont revision, a shoech made without preparation of men, and to these latter qualities twenty and called out by the occasion, but that stands years of experience as a public speaker have contributed more than words can readily ex- press. To all this something equal to all may as one of the ablest and most eloquent ad- dresses ever delivered in Wisconsin. While Colonel Bryant rarely speaks without some be added: a wife capable of aiding as well preparation, still, when called upon with but | as appreciating. Mrs. Bryant is so charm-

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ing in society that only those who know her well realize all the graces of her amply stored mind, her judgment of art and literature, her clear insight of character, and her kind and charitable disposition. Their home is a model of quiet elegance, and whoever enters feels at once the pervading atmosphere of refinement. It is the model American home of a model American citizen.

E. BENTLEY is the efficient cashier of one of the most popular, strong and flourishing financial institutions of the State of Wisconsin-the Batavian Bank of La Crosse, Wisconsin, with which he has been connected since 1866, first in the capacity of messenger boy, and lastly as cashier, doing effective service in each and every department. Ile was born in Scho- harie county, New York, October 22, 1843, to Edwin S. and N. M. (Gallup) Bentley, both natives of the State of New York. The parents came to Madison, Wisconsin, in the spring of 1855, and in the fall of the same year took up their abode in La Crosse, where the father followed the calling of a painter, his trade being that of a mechanic. Ile was a very devout man and was as highly re- speeted as he was widely known. He was converted to Christianity at the early age of nineteen years, and soon after united with the Methodist Episcopal Church-the church of his choice. He was a tireless worker in the vineyard of his Master, and as layman filled all the important offices with great efficiency, and his life was fully rounded out and filled with the deeds and benevolences which mark the truly Christian character. In the more intimate and sacred relationships of domestic life, as husband and father, he became all these words imply; and in this inner circle,

where his noble character won love, venera- tion and filial reverence in overflowing measures, his death left a void that can never be filled. lle was married on the 24th of September, 1834, to Miss Nancy M. Gallup, of Gallupville, New York, a village named in honor of her uncle, and she became to him a true, faithful and loving helpmate. She was a woman whose many acts of kindness and charity gave her an exalted position in the affections of the community in which she lived, and she was in every way worthy of being the life companion of such a man as her husband. Their many deeds of Christian charity will stand as living monuments for many years to come, and their lives point a moral which all would do well to heed. Mr. Bentley died December 25, 1866, at the age of fifty six years, his widow surviving him until May 24, 1884, when she passed away, at the age of seventy-two years. The follow- ing are the names of the five children born to their union: Abbie S., Clara M., Charles S., E. E., the subject of this sketch, and William I. E. E. Bentley first received a public-school education, but later finished a classical course in the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity, graduating in the class of 1865. after which he followed the calling of a pedagogue in Hamilton, Ohio, and also in Wisconsin, winning the reputation of being a eonseien- tions and able educator and a fine disciplina- rian. Ile was first married in 1869, to Miss Susan N., daughter of Alfred Shepard, of La Crosse, the only issue of which marriage is a daughter, Susan M., who is a pupil in the Ohio Wesleyan University, and will graduate in the classical department in the class of '92. Mr. Bentley was called upon to mourn the death of his wife in 1872, who (lied at the untimely age of twenty-seven years, having been a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from girlhood.

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In 1879 Miss Emma E. Langdon, daughter only good locally, but politically. The young of Walter M. and Sallie E. Langdon, of La men educated in them will contribute much by their sentiments and actions to form pub- lie opinion, and will constitute what has been called by Burke, . the cheap defense of na- tions."" All over the world, where they have sprung up by the thousands, and especially in our own land, where they have been most systematically and comprehensively develop- ed, they are pointed to with confidence by all classes as conservators of the greatest force of any nation, -the power of young manhood. Crosse, became his sceond wife, and the fruits of this union are the following children: Charles E., Wayne and Percy D. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been trustee and steward. He was a lay delegate to the General Conference of this church. which was held in New York city in 1sss. and has been a member of the Lay Electoral Conference one term. He is president of the Y. M. C. A. of La Crosse, an organization of While by no means possessing a mode! association in every respect, owing to local restrictions, yet La Crosse may well take pride in her Young Men's Christian Asso- which the city is justly proud. In 1864, while attending college, Mr. Bentley, with many other students, dropped his books to become a votary of Mars, and enlisted in the ciation. In 1583 a publie meeting was called I'nion service from Delaware, Ohio. Daring to consider the advisability of opening a reading room for young men. Previous ex. perience, which had resulted in failure, even under most favorable auspices, decided against any effort in this direction that was not an- chored to some sure and tried principle, and it was thought best to organize as a young men's christian association. State Secretary Lewis, of cherished memory, and Secretary Willis, of the Milwaukee Association, aided in the initiatory steps. the four months that he was in the service he was principally on guard duty. The Ad- I jutant of the regiment was W. II. Moore, and Richard Reynolds was the Captain of his company. As will be seen, Mr. Bentley has held positions of preferment in social, moral, financial and edneational organiza- tions, and as an honored citizen has the re- spect and confidence of a large circle of ac- naintances, and is held in high esteem for his many excellences of character.

Perhaps this is as good a place as any to give a sketch of the Young Men's Christian Association of La Crosse, with which Mr. Bentley has been so prominently connected.

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Among all the agencies for the good of man- kind and the betterment of his moral, physical and spiritual natures, probably no one has arm of the church known as the Young Men's Christian Association. As the late Earl of Shaftesbury said in speaking of their work, "they areofimmense importance. They are not

The formal organization took place April 30, 1883, at the office of II. B. Smith, and the following persons signed the constitution : E. E. Bentley, E. B. Magill, L. B. Coleman, M. B. Greenwood, G. W. Burton, J. M. Holley, H. B. Smith, Geo. McMillan, S. F. Clinton, J. T. Van Valkenberg, Alfred James, John James, Joseph James. E. R. Montagne, F. W. Lange, Robert Nourse, A. R. Gustaf- son, Gilbert Shepard, N. AArneson. J. Bangs-

proved more practical and efficient than that ; berg, Il. B. Smith, Jr., II. I. Bliss, E. D. Loomis, Win. W. Jones, J. B. Canterbury, Ilenry A. Salzer. The first board of direc- tors were as follows: President, E. E. Bentley; Vice- President, J. T. Van Valkenberg, Re-

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cording Secretary, J. M. Holley; Treasurer, II. B. Smith; Directors, G. R. Montagne, Geo. McMillan, A. R. Gustafson, Joseph James, Henry A. Salzer.

Great interest was at once manifested in the organization, and it at once sprang into popn- lar favor. Mr. M. B. Williams, General Sec- retary of the Elmira, New York Association, was called to take charge as general seeretary, and, under his skilltul and experienced man- agement the work was suecessfully developed along all lines. In 1886 Mr. Williams re- signed to aeeept an offer to become State seeretary of Virginia, and was sueceeded by Mr. James R. Pratt, who continued to act as general seeretary until 1889, when he ae- eepted a position tendered him upon the State foree, afterwards succeeding to the po- sition of State secretary, npon the death of Mr. Lewis. Mr. Pratt was followed as gen- eral seeretary by Mr. W. B. Miller, who had just finished his studies at Appleton. Mr. Miller remained in charge only eight months, when he was offered, and accepted, a position in the office of the Twenty-third Street Branch, New York city, and was succeeded in April, 1890, by Mr. F. D. Hopkins, the present general seeretary.

The first quarters occupied by the associa- tion were on Main street, between Front and Second, where the Vordstern now has its office. The rooms were considered very de- sirable at the time, but in 1884 the associa- tion took advantage of the ereetion of the building where the rooms are now located at Nos. 423-425 Main street, to have rooms especially arranged for them, and in October of that year occupied them. Great credit should be given the ladies' auxiliary for their help, not only at this time in furnishing the rooms but for their efficient aid from the very beginning of the association.

The rooms now occupied consist of a read-

ing room, pleasantly furnished and supplied with all the leading publications of the day: a parlor, furnished in good taste with piano, etc .; recreation room, furnished with suitable amusements and games; assembly room, for meetings; gymnasium, with fair equipment; bath-rooms with tubs and shower baths ; toilet room, and secretary's office.

The association has a total membership of about 325. including a junior department of fifty members for boys between the ages of twelve and sixteen.

Early in the history of the work its ne- cessity of special work on the North Side was recognized, and a branch was started with Mr. George Tummings, now general secretary, at Chippewa Falls. in charge. In 1885 this was made an independent railroad department, and is now partially supported by the Chi- eago, Milwaukee and St Paul Railroad Company. They occupy a very tastefully furnished suite of rooms on Rose street, in- eluding all the advantages mentioned in con- neetion with the South Side rooms. Mr. George A. Kidder, a former active member of the South Side department, is now the efficient general secretary, and the associa- tion is in a most prosperous condition.

The result of the work in La Crosse can only be estimated. Briefly summarized, over 450,000 visits by young men have been made to the rooms, 60,000 have attended its re- ligious meetings, over 500 known conversions reported, and scores each year kept from leading evil lives; hundreds have come here strangers and aided by the association have found good companions, good boarding places and employment; thousands of letters have been written, thousands of baths given, while free lectures, medieal talks. entertainments, educational classes, gymnasium instructions, etc., etc., have all aided in rounding out a grand work.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

The present officers of the South Side .As- they have eight children; Frederick married sociation are: President. E. E. Bentley; Vice- Caroline Danz, and they have nine children. President, I. T. Van Valkenberg; Recording Charles Linse purchased his father's prop- Secretary, J. J. Hartley; Treasurer, Geo. H. erty in 1564, and the same year was married Clark: Directors, T. B. Lawrence. I. M. to Miss Iulia Tausche, a native of Austria, Holley, C. F. Emery, I. Cuvilear, J. P. Sal- born in 1542. Her parents crossed the sea zer, D. B. Stowell. General Secretary, F. D. Hopkins.

The officers of the North Side Association are: E. G. Boynton, President; W. E. Kit- tredge, Vice-President; R. P. Howard. Re- cording Secretary; T. C. Dodds, Treasurer; Directors, D. E. Bice. A. R. Van Nocker, 1. Ranum, S. A. Brown, C. C. Prescott, G. Il. Taylor. F. C. Green, HI. P. Magill. A. S. Sather. E. B. Nelson.

to America in 1855, but both are now de- ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Linse were born nine children, six of whom are living at the present time: Charles married Miss Harriet Reinhart, and resides in Chippewa Falls, to- gether with his brother William: Valentine, Joseph, Anna and Ida are all at home. The mother of these children died in 1979, and three of the children died in infancy. Mr. Linse was married a second time in 1984. to Miss Margueritte Pfunt, and of this union three children were born: Adolph. Julia and Matilda.

Mr. Linse owns a good farm of 400 acres of finely improved land in Mormon valley, well fitted for carrying on the dairy business. lle runs a dairy of about fifty cows, making it his business to produce the finest quality of butter, for which he receives the top mar- ket prices, both in La Crosse and St. Paul. In connection with his dairy he is also en- gaged heavily in raising hogs, selling about 100 head annually.

HARLES LINSE, one of the most prominent agriculturists of La Crosse county, was born in Germany in 1535. His parents, William and Ida (Knelin) Linse, emigrated to the I'nited States in 1548, and settled in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where they remained one year: thence they removed to Columbia county, near Portage, Wiscon- sin, and lived there until 1853, coming in that year to La Crosse county. Mr. Linse pre-empted Government land, improved it At various times Mr. Linse has held nearly all the offices of his township, and in 1554- '85 he was a member of the State Legislature. Ile is president of the Farmers' La Crosse County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which covers nearly all the farm buildings in La Crosse county and four townships of Ver- non county. It was organized in 1875, and Mr. Linse has held his present office since its inception. Like all good citizens he is in- terested in the political welfare of the county and State and Union, and, believing the prin- ciples of the Republican party best suited to one year, and then sold out his claim; he next bought a tract of 160 acres, on which he and his wife lived until 1\64. In that year they gave up housekeeping and went to live with their children. William Linse died in 1873, at the age of seventy years; his wife died in 1879, aged seventy-nine years. They rearel a family of five children, of whom Charles is the oldest; Emielie married Au- gust Landerbach, and they have four chil- dren: Herman married Fredericka Breixze. and they are the parents ot eight children; Matilda is the wife of Adolph Pfunt. and , the demands of the nation. he has cast his

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suffrage with that body. Ile and his wife Leavenworth, where horses were added to are devout members of the Evangelical their outfit. Lutheran Church.

SON. FREDERICK ALLEN COPE- LAND, a prominent citizen of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born July 14, 1846. at Ypsilanti, Michigan, whither his parents, Allen A. and Mary A. (Kittridge) Copeland, removed about 1840 from Lowell. Massachusetts. In both lines of deseent he belongs to stock of New England origin. Ilis father was a merchant at Lowell and conducted a similar business at Ypsilanti for ten years, removing thence to Battle Creek, Michigan, and in 1853 to a farm near Paw Paw, Michigan. In 1860 he went to Baraboo, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1869, the date of his removal to Winona, Minne- sota. In 1872 he removed to Weaver, Minne- sota, and while a resident of that place lie revisited his old home in Massachusetts. Before the end of his visit he died at Mans- field in November, 1892; his wite still sur- vives. Six of their eleven children are living: Edward A., George N., Frederick A., Lucius D., Ilarriett A. and Willis E. Harriett married Hon. A. S. Batchelor, of Littleton, New Hampshire, a prominent Democrat and at present State Ilistorian.

At the tender age of fifteen years Mr. Copeland enlisted in the service of his coun- try. Ile enrolled December 3, 1861, at Baraboo, Wisconsin, and was mustered in during the same month with Company F, Third Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry. In the spring following the regiment went to the front, leaving the State March 26, 1962. stopping at St. Louis for partial equipments, and went thence to Kansas, arriving at Fort 17

Up to that time Mr. Copeland had acted as clerk for his Captain, David S. Vittum, who had taken a great interest in him. After the regiment was fully equipped, the Second Battalion, under command of Major B. S. Henning, was ordered to Fort Scott, Kansa. In the meantime Captain Vittum was put on detached service at Fort Leavenworth. Mr. Copeland had his choice to remain with Cap- tain Vittum or go South with the company in the same capacity with Lieutenant l'lows, who was in command. Being of an adven- turesome disposition he chose the latter, but soon found that he was not with his good friend, the Captain, but a would-be tyrant. and rather than be treated as a servant he concluded to take his chances with the boys, returning to the ranks.

Fort Scott was the border of the frontier, and the last defense. The command there engaged in all sorts of frontier service, chiefly scattering guerrillas. Mr. Copeland was in- troduced to one of the worst features of war at Montevallo, Missouri, with the command of Colonel Coffee. He next had a similar experience in the nnequal fight at Prairie Grove, Arkansas, December 7, 1862. where the Rebels, under General Hindman, were whipped by a Union force one-third as great through the prowess of Wisconsin soldiers. The next move of the Third was to Van Buren, Arkansas, and thence to Forsyth, Missouri, encountering before reaching Van Buren a force of Texas Rangers, whom they seattered while taking their breakfast. Mr. Copeland lost his horse, and had to substitute an old mule, which he bought for ten dollars. This mounted he started with his command, and had the distinction of always bringing the rear at night, and received the title of Balaam. At Van Buren they burned several

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

steamers belonging to the Rebels going np to Arkansas with supplies. They went from there to Forsyth, and thence to Salem, Mis- sonri, sending impediments by way of Spring- field. In the spring of 1\63 they went to Fort Seott, and Companies A. C. D and E remained there until the spring of 1565. guarding the outposts of the frontier and seouting between Missouri, Kansas and the Indian Territory. Soon after arriving at Fort Scott Mr. Copeland was detailed as Chief Clerk at General C. W. Blair's headquarters.

January 4, 1861. he veteranized and took veteran furlough. In the fall he was relieved of detached duty to become Commissary Ser- geant of his company, which he joined at Camp Insley, seventeen miles east of Fort Scott in Missouri. At the reorganization of the regiment in the spring of 1565. Com- piny A was made Company K. and Mr. Copeland was commissioned Second Lieu- tenant, to date from April. In June follow- ing Companies F and K were sent to Fort Leavenworth, and on arrival there were or- dered to Marysville, Kansas, and remained there protecting and escorting Government trains. Mr. Copeland was made Quarter- master of the battalion. In October the regi- inent was ordered to Madison, and the sol- diers were mustered out October 23. 1565.

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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