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 27

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 27
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 27
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 27

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Madison county, New York, January 23, 1$12. The father was by occupation a farmer. Grandfather Jonathan Osborne was a native of Connecticut and a descendant of an Eng- lish family who made settlement in that State in early Colonial times. About 1810 or 1811 he removed from Connecticut to the central part of New York State, then a new country. He settled in Nelson, Madison county, where he lived until his death. which oceurred in 1543, at the age of seventy-six years. He was a man of strict integrity, an adherent to the Presbyterian faith, and was the father of fifteen children, nearly all of whom grew to manhood.

The father of our subject was one of the youngest of these children. While absent from home on business he was taken ill and died at Groton, Tompkins county, New York, November 19, 1850, at the age of thirty-six years. He left to monrn his loss a widow, three sons and one daughter. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of these children. In 1558 the family eame West and located at La Crosse, where they still remain except the youngest son, who is a member of the pros- perous firm of Osborne & McMillan grain dealers of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Rockwell E. tanght school from the time he was eighteen until he was twenty-three years of age. In the meantime he served as a private in Company D of the Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was en- gaged in the battle of Shiloh, and was dis- charged for disability in August, 1562. In 1564 he assisted in the organization of Com- pany G of the Fortieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and did service in Tennessee. After retiring from the teacher's desk, Mr. Osborne was engaged in various interests of a clerical nature until May. 1579, when he joined Mr. B. E. Edwards in the Imunber business, which

OCKWELL E. OSBORNE, of the firm of Edwards & Osborne. La Crosse, Wis- consin, is a native of the Empire State. He was the son of Jonathan Willis Osborne and Alma R. (Denison) Osborne, both natives of New York State, and was born at Nelson, I they continued until 1587, when they dis-

1411/1

245

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

posed of it, and engaged in other and varied interests.

Mr. Osborne was married in La Crosse, August 17. 1870, to Miss Louise L. Ober, daughter of Levi E. Ober, M. D. She was born in Painesville, Ohio, and is a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary. IIer father was a native of Vermont. He came to La Crosse in 1857, and was an active and useful man, in his profession, a public- spirited citizen, a devout Christian, and a faithful member of the Baptist Church. IIe died in 1881.

Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have one daughter, was appointed Vicar-General of the Diocese Ella Louise, a student of Mt. Ilolyoke Col- Jege, South Hadley, Massachusetts, a bright and promising young lady.

Mr. Osborne is a trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of La Crosse. Hle is also a member of the Nineteenth Cen- tury Club, and of the Hamilton Club of that city.

ments, he was graduated from this seat of learning at the age of twenty-one years. Too young for ordination, he was sent to La Crosse as a sub-deacon, where he performed such duties as his office required. For one year previous to his ordination he preached regu- larly in three different languages, English, German and French. lle was ordained a priest on the feast of Corpus Christi at St. Paul, by Bishop Grace. in 1870, and was then appointed pastor of St. Mary's Church, La Crosse, which position he held to the time of his elevation to the episcopacy. In 1982 he of La Crosse, a position of honor and responsi- bility, and at the death of Father Flasch was appointed administrator of the diocese.

Being of a studious disposition and owning a fine, well-selected library, Right Rev. Father Schwebach devotes much of his time to reading.

On the 30th day of November, 1591, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse. The interesting announcement was received by the candidate at Prairie du Chien,

IGHT REV. FATHER JAMES Sunday, December 13, 1891, while in the act SCHWEBACH, Bishop of the Diocese of blessing the new church at that place. of La Crosse, was born in the Grand , The official letter announcing his promotion Duehy of Luxemburg, Germany, August 15, was received by Right Rev. Father Schwebach through the Archbishop at Milwaukee, to whom it was addressed by the Pope. ile was consecrated on the 25th of February, just twenty-three years from the day of his arrival in La Crosse. 1847. His parents were pious German people, and he was early educated in the | principles of the Roman Catholic Church, to the interests and advancement of which he has thus far devoted his life. While yet a youth in his 'teens, he finished a collegiate The selection is a wise one, and will give general satisfaction, as the newly appointed Bishop is thoroughly conversant with the business of the Diocese, and is loved and re- spected by the clergy and laity therein. In manner he is quiet and unobtrusive, possess- ing a most amiable character. As a spiritual superior he has always been a mild, yet firm course of study in Luxemburg, where he be- camne profieient in the French and German languages. He emigrated to America in 1864 during the trying times of the civil war, and entered St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, where he studied philosophy and theology for five years. Being a young man of rare intelligence and fine mental endow- ' and just ruler. The people of La Crosse,

246

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

who have known him for a quarter of a cen- ' at Savanna, Illinois, where he had charge of tury, speak of him in the highest terms, as a the round-house, and was general foreman of Christian gentleman, and congratulate him upon the distinguished honors recently con- ferred upon him. the Savanna division. In 1859 he was trans- Terred from Savanna to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he now holds the position of general foreman.

To Mr. and Mrs. Frey have been born two daughters: Cora Belle and Eva. The parents are devout members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Frey belongs to the Masonic order, and has filled many important offices of that fraternity. Ile is an ardent believer in the principles of the Republican party, and sup- ports the issues of that body.

ATIIANIEL FREY, who is in the em- ploy of the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad Company, and has been for many years connected with railroad work in the West, was born at Erie, Pennsyl- vania, in the year 1850, the oldest son of Isaac and Anna (Klein) Frey, both natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The father is a direct descendant of the Frey family that emigrated to Lancaster county from Holland in 1657; they are one of the most widely and favorably known families in that county. Isaac Frey was a merchant at Erie until 1870, when he retired from active pursuits; he is now living on a farm in Bow creek, Arkansas.

EV. FATHER A. J. JOERRES, pastor of St. Nicholas' Catholic Church, corner of Thirteenth and South Park streets, is a native of Dueren, near Cologne, Germany, born July 12, 1862. He was educated at the gymnasium in Dueren, but received his theo- Nathaniel Frey acquired his education in logical training in America, at St. Francis' the public schools of his native city; then he . Seminary, Milwaukee. He was ordained a took a business college course, after which he priest by the Right Rev. Bishop Flasch, in served an apprenticeship in a machine shop | St. Joseph's Cathedral, La Crosse, June 29, at Erie.

1885, and was assigned to duty as assistant to Father Thomas Kelly at Hudson, Wiscon-

In 1871, Mr. Frey was married to Miss Sopha Ilans, a daughter of Adam Hans, a , sin, where he remained nine months, at St. merchant tailor of that city, who died in Patrick's Church. Thence he was removed to Colby, Clark county, where he had charge of St. Kilian's Church until May 1, 1891. Hc was then assigned to duty as pastor of St. Nicholas' Church at La Crosse. 1887. When Mr. Frey became a master : machinist, he moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he was employed as foreman of the Laclair Iron Works. Ile also had charge of the water-works until 1574, after which he St. Nicholas' Church has 115 families in the congregation. A parochial school is con- ducted by the Francisean Sisters of Perpetual Adoration during ten months of the year; the school is hell on the first floor of the church. and in 1891, 105 chiklren were enrolled. The present buikling being inadequate to the needs of the congregation, the erection of a largor accepted a position as pit boss for the Roek Island Company. During the construction of the Northern Pacific Road, he accepted a position as general foreman of the shops at Fargo, North Dakota. In 1586 he entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad Company, and was located

247

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

edifice is in contemplation. The instruction of the school is in the English language, but the children are taught to read, write, and spell in German; the course comprises the common-school branches, the catechism and Bible history.

OHIN STEPHENSON is a gentleman of thorough experience in real-estate, both as a means of speculation and permanent investinent, and his long experience has proved of inestimable value not alone to him- self but to his numerous patrons, and for soundness of judgment and keen appreciation of relative values, both present and future, he is acknowledged to have no superior in La Crosse. He was born in Norway July 5, 1848, a son of Matthew Stephenson and grand- son of Carl Stephenson, the latter of whom removed from England to Norway, where he became very wealthy. Matthew is a farmer of New Amsterdam, Wisconsin. John first attended school in Norway, and later en- tered college at Holstein, Germany, where he remained several years and acquired a thorough knowledge of the German language. He then followed merchandising for some time, but in 1867 came to America and set- tled at La Crosse, Wisconsin, but soon opened a liotel at Onalaska, which he ably conducted from 1870 to 1872. For some time there- after his attention was given to the building and loan business, after which, until 1880, he was on a farm. From 1880 to 1882 he con- ducted a hotel in La Crosse, in addition to managing his farm, but sold out his hostelry in 1882 and returned to his farm. After disposing of his farm in 1885 he purchased property in North La Crosse, upon which he built a pleasant and very comfortable resi- dence the same year. He at the same time

started in the real-estate business and has advantageously disposed of thousands of lots, besides houses, stores, ete., and has built over fifty-one houses. Ile erected four store buildings in 1891, and has been very active in his endeavors to build up North La Crosse. Ile and his son Henry conduct a store of gents' and ladies' furnishings, and also keep a large supply of dry goods and clothing. Mr. Stephenson has held the office of Notary Pub- lie the past three years and does a good busi- ness in that line. lle fills ont deeds, mort- gages and all legal papers, and in the real- estate business he negotiates loans and insures. Ile rents houses, and at the present writing controls forty-two houses in the rentals, al- though he has had as high as 100 at one time.

He was married in 1868 to Auna U. Mun- son, a native of Norway, who came to Amer- iea in 1867. Her mother is a resident of Onalaska, and is sixty-eight years of age. Her father died in 1881, aged about sixty. from the kick of a horse which he was showing, be being a blacksmith by occupation. Mrs. Stephenson was the second in a family of eight children, five of whom are living in La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson have a family of twelve children, seven of whom died young. Those living are: Henry, a merchant of La Crosse; Wilhelmina, a fine pianist and a successful music teacher of North La Crosse; Axtel, a good musician and one of the finest performers in the Juvenile Band; Mayer and Ludwick. Both parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and in politics he is an active worker for the Republican party, although not an office-seeker.

M OST REV. MICHAEL IFEISS, First Bishop of La Crosse and Sec- ond Archbishop of Milwaukee, was born in Pfahldorf, Bavaria, April 12, 1818,

24%

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

and entering the Latin school at the age of their care. At the end of ten years the dio. nine was graduated with distinction at the case of La Crosse had thirty-six churches with resident pastors, fifty others regularly visited, forty priests, and forty-five Catholics.

gymnasium of Newburg in 1835. He first studied law, but, feeling called to the service of God, went through a theological course in the University of Munich, where Goerres, Mochler and Dollinger were his professors. He then entered the ecclesiastical seminary at Eichstadt, and was ordained by Cardinal Reisach, October 19, 1840. He received a curacy, but came to the United States in 1843, and was appointed to the Church of the Mother of God, in Covington, Kentucky. On the appointment of Dr. Henni to Mil- waukee, Rev. Mr. Heiss accompanied him, acting as secretary, and doing mission work for fifty miles north of that city. Ile founded St. Mary's Church in 1546; but his health failed and he spent two years in Europe. On his return he became president of the Salesianum, and by learned theological works showed his ability and erndition. On the division of the diocese he was selected for the see of La Crosse, and consecrated September 6. 1966. The diocese which embraces that portion of the State lying north and west of the Wisconsin river had a French settlement at Prairie du Chien as early as about 1689. In the present century it was first visited by a priest in 1517. and the corner-stone of a church was laid in 1839. Under the admin- istration of Bishop Henni religion had made such progress in this part of the State that the new diocese of La Crosse contained forty churches, attended by fifteen priests. Bishop Heiss proceeded to carry forward the good work; he established Franciscan Sisters at La Crosse, and their mother-house soon sup- plied teachers for twenty five parochial schools and two asylums. The Christian Brothers opened St. John's Hospital at Prairie du Chien, and the School Sisters of Notre Dame had excellent schools under

When the failing health ot Archbishop Henni required the aid of a more vigorous prelate, Bishop Heiss was promoted to the see of Adrianople. March 14, 1550, and ap- pointed coadjutor. The whole administra- tion of Milwaukee diocese soon devolved upon him, and on the death of Archbishop Henni he became second archbishop of that sec. As theologian Dr. Heiss took an active part in the councils of St. Louis and the Second Plenary Council of Baltimore. He attended the Vatican Council in 1969-70. and was appointed by Pope Pius IX. a mem- ber of one of the four great commissions, each being composed of twelve bishops, rep- resenting all parts of the world.

The pallium was conferred on Archbishop Ileiss in his cathedral, on the 23d of April, 1882. On the 3d of June in the following year he laid the corner-stone of a new cathe- dral, a building to be worthy of the great and flourishing diocese. He attended the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in November, 1884.

Bishop Heiss died at St. Francis Hospital, La Crosse, March 27, 1890, and his remains were taken to Milwaukee and interred in the vanlt at St. Francis Seminary.

CATHOLICISM IN LA CROSSE.

The first priest residing in La Crosse, Rev. W. Tappert, held divine services in the city August 24. 1855; the meetings were held in private houses in the beginning, and later on in the courthouse. Rev. Father Garlier, the French pastor at Prairie du Chien, had occasionally visited the place previous to the coming of Father Tappert.

The first Catholic Church in La Crosse

249

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

was built by Father Tappert, and was dedi- cated just one year after his coming, Angust 24, 1856. The people were poor but con- tributed liberally to the erection of the modest structure which was called St. Mary's Church, and intended to accommodate all the Catholics in La Crosse county. What is now the city of La Crosse had then about twenty- five Catholic families. One of the pastors of St. Mary's Church, Rev. M. M. Marco, was chosen by Governor Fairchild as a dele- gate of the State of Wisconsin to the Paris Exposition in 1877.

A Sisters' school was opened here in 1856. In 1863 the German-speaking Catholies built a church on the southwest corner of Sixth and Main streets. The Sisters' school was moved into this building. In the same year, that is, 1863, the number of Catholics hav- ing materially increased, it was thought best to divide the one large congregation into two, according to languages, St. Mary's re- taining all the English and French, and St. Joseph's all the German and Bohemian families.

Up to 1858 La Crosse belonged to the dio- cese of Milwaukee, but in that year Milwan- kee was divided into three dioceses: Green Bay, La Crosse and Milwaukee. (La Crosse being the resid nt place of the bishop, it was named Diocese of La Crosse.) The first Bishop of La Crosse diocese was Right Rev. Michael Heiss, whose sketch is given preceding this. During his administra- tion of the affairs of the diocese, nearly all of the institutions of the church were planned, and many buiklings which adorn and beantify the city were erected. St. Joseph's Cathedral, a magnificent structure, was erected in 1869-'70, but it was not com- pleted for some years, owing to heavy debts · which retarded progress. The Sisters of St. Francis, of Jefferson, Wisconsin, also began

the erection of a convent in this city in the same year, and ocenpied the main building in 1871. The orphanage was built in 1875, and given to the mother y care of the Fran- ciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (see sketches of St. Michael's and St. Ann's Orphan Asylums, the former being named in honor of Bishop fleiss, on pages 164 and following). The bishop's house was also erected about this time, a comfortable and convenient home, occupied by the late bishop Flasch at the time of his death. A neat private chapel adjoins the residence, de- signed for the bishop's private use, and those sojourning in the house.

His successor was the right Rev. Bishop K. C. Flasch, whose hi-tory appears elsewhere in this work.

OBERT G. MINER, superintendent of bridges and buildings for the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad, was born in Dale, Wisconsin, October 2, 1862. His parents. Joseph and Mary (Huffman) Miner, are still living, the father seventy-six and the mother sixty-three years of age. They were originally from Switzerland, and the father learned the trade of an architeet in his native country, passing the examination required by the laws of Switzerland. He came to this country about 1850, settled at Dale, Wisconsin, and resides there at the present time, retired from the active duties of life. He and his worthy helpmate reared a family of seven children, four daughters and three sons, all living and residents of Ontagamie county, this State, except Robert G. The latter started out for himself as a house carpenter, and from that to bridge- building in 1880. He began on the Wis- consin Central, and accepted his present posi-

250

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

tion in 1586. He is universally popular and taking a special course of study. In 1858 respected in business and social circles. Mr. he became a student in the Chicago Homeo- Miner is the fifth in order of birth of the above mentioned children. All are members of the Lutheran Church. pathie Medical College, and was graduated in 1890. Immediately after this event he came to La Crosse and began the practice of his profession. He has met with gratifying success, and has established a reputation as an intelligent, careful practitioner.

M. 1. KINNEAR, M. D., residing at June 9, 1886, the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Nellie G. Straw, of Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Kinnear is a daughter of William HI. Straw, who died in the army when she was an infant six months old. Ile was a native of New Hampshire. Her 933 Caledonia street. La Crosse, Wis- con:in. is one of the leading practi- tioners of the homeopathic system of medi- cine in La Crosse county. He was born in New Brunswick. July 1, 1560, and is the son of New Brunswick parents. His father. "mother was born in Massachusetts, and died

at Evanston, Illinois. January 13, 1989. Iler brother, Fred W. Straw, is a member of the Western Wisconsin Conference, stationed at Virogna, Wisconsin. These two were the only children.

Dr. Kinnear is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the I. O. F., and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Edward Kinnear, died in Boston. Ma-sachu- setts, October 26, 1559. ITis mother. whose maiden name was Margaret Dobson, is now living in Manitoba. They reared a family of eight children: George C. lives in Boston, and is foreman of a large machine-shop in that city: Jennie married David Grant, an attorney at Moncton, New Brunswick; the Doctor is the third born; Eliza is the wife of Dr. David Evans, of Boston; Fannie mar- ried Mr. Harries, of Ware, Massachusetts; Sarah, Maggie and Edward are with their mother in Manitoba.

S. MCKOWN, Superintendent of the La Crosse County Iusane Asylum, was In 1565 the family removed from New Brunswick to Boston, and at the end of three years returned to their old home. When our subject was nineteen years of age he returned to Boston, and during his residence there he took a course of reading under the direction of Dr. J. R. Boynton, and by him perhaps born in La Crosse county, Wisconsin. March 14, 1858, and is a son of Samnel and Mary MeKown, who are also residents of this county. The father was in earlier days one of the prominent farmers of the county, but jis now retired from active labor. Ile was born in Ireland, and thirty-six years ago he more than any other one individual was his Teame to this county, and has witnessed the career in life shaped. In 1952 he went back " wonderful development which has taken place to his native country, and he and his father in a little less than four decades. It was in 1852 that he crossed the sea. and the first made a trip to Manitoba; the father decided to locate there, and a year later sent for the "three years in America were passed in New rest of the family. Dr Kinnear remained " York. Our subjeet is one of a family of there until 1586, when he entered the North- 'seven children: Myron; Ida, deceased, was western University at Evanston, Illinois, "the wife of Daniel Thompson; C. S .; Will-

251

BIOGRAPHIICAL HISTORY.

jam, who married Miss Nettie Buttman ; Jane, who died at the age of two years; Al- bert and Alfred, twins; Alfred MeKown married Miss Ellen Wallsted, and is engaged in farmning in the town of Greenfield, Wis- consin; Albert is an attendant in the La Crosse County Asylum.

Mr. Mckown entered upon the realities of a business life at the age of twenty years; he was engaged in the milling business with his brother Myron; afterward he did farming, and then came to the city of La Crosse, where he clerked in a wholesale house; later he was employed in a retail establishment. and then for a year was Deputy Sheriff and Turnkey nnder Sheriff Jensen. On January 1, 1885. he assumed the duties of the position he now holds, to which he was appointed by the board of trustees of the asylum. His wife was at the same time appointed matron of the institution. The excellent condition and management of the hospital show very plainly the exceptional fitness of Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Kown for the responsibility and care of such an establishment. The buildings are models of cleanliness, and the patients are carefully watched, and every effort is made to lessen their physical and mental distress. There are now 100 inmates, but so systematic is the management that the entire machinery moves as in a small, well-ordered family.

The asylum was built in 1881 and located at West Salem, through the influence of Will- iam Van Zandt, who was a member of the County Board of Supervisors and county building committee in 1886, was succeeded in 1887 by Frank B. Smith, the present in- cumbent. There are 210 acres in the grounds, and the building is a brick structure after a modern design.

Mr. MeKown was united in marriage July 17, 1880, to Miss Lizzie M. Sims, a daughter of Sammel and Mary Sims. Two children

have been born to this worthy couple: Sarah Ida and Harry Elmer; the latter died at the age of fifteen months. Mrs. McKown was for many years a successful teacher in the public schools; the same power of control that rendered her discipline effective in the school-room has enabled her to cope with the many difficulties that beset her position in the hospital, and her services here have been greatly appreciated.

Samuel Sims and wife were natives of Eng- land, and emigrated to the United States in 1847, but did not settle in La Crosse county until 1855; Mr. Sims is still living, at the age of three score years and ten, but his wife passed away May 7, 1883, at the age of fifty-six years. In the late civil war he was a sailor, serving as a private in the navy for thirteen months. He and his wife had a family of six children: Sarah, deceased: Liz- zie, who is now Mrs. McKown: John W., Theodore W., Ashby, and James, who died at the age of two years.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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