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 32

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 32
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 32
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 32

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Daniel B. Harrison lived in Cincinnati un- ti! 1857, when the father removed with his family to La Crosse; here he completed his apprenticeship to the painter's and decorator's trade, and from that time has been promin- ently identified with the craft.

He was married at Tomah, Wisconsin, to Miss Flora M. King, a native of Massachu- setts and a daughter of Charles W. and Lucy M. (Garfield) King, who were also natives of the old Bay State, and whose ancestors were members of the early colonies of New England; they removed to Wisconsin abont 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are the parents of five sons and one daughter: Charles King, a decorator; Alfred Walter, Edwin Garfield, and Gertrude May; Arthur and Benjamin are both deceased.

of the Union, joining Company G, Fortieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was through the Tennessee Campaign, and was honorably discharged at the elose of the war. Ile is a member of the G. A. R. and takes an active interest in sustaining this organization. Ile and his wife, two elder sons and danghter, belong to the First Baptist Church, with which he has had an official connection for several years.

RI SORENSON, a member of the firm of Davis, Sorenson & Co., is justly en- titled to a space in this record of the leading, substantial men of the county. He was born at Madison, Wisconsin, November 12, 1856, and is a son of David T. and Wil- helmina (Petersen) Sorenson, natives of Copenhagen, Denmark. The United States presenting many attractions and promising many opportunities not afforded by the Old World, the parents of our subject bade fare- well to their home and friends and native land, and crossed the ocean to America about the year 1850, settling in Madison, Wiseon- sin. The father was a contractor by trade, and followed this occupation for many years. He and his wife reared a family of two sons and three daughters.

Ori Sorenson acquired a good education in the common schools and learned the carpen- ter's trade. Ile worked as a journeyman for several years, and then formed a partnership with Mr. Davis, establishing their present business: they have accomplished most satis- factory results, and are building up a trade second to none in the county.

Mr. Sorenson was married in Madison, Wisconsin, to Miss Eva Rounds, a native of the State of New York, and of this union

Mr. Harrison is a member of the Builders' Exchange. In 1864 he enlisted in the service | three sons have been born, named: Clarence,

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- AACOB J. SMITH. M. D., who has been a resident of La Crosse since 1957. is the subject of the following brief bio- graphical sketeh. He was born at Middle- town. Juniata county. Pennsylvania, Febru- ary 9. 1.39, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Jontz) Smith, natives of the Key- stone State, of German ancestry. They removed to Sonth Bend, Indiana. in 1843, and there passed the remainder of their days; the mother died in the fall of 1852. and the father two weeks later. They reared a family of five children: the eldest, Sarah A., mar- ried F. A. Howe, who was accidentally killed in 1857; Rosa H. married T. G. L. Pope, and resides at Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Abraham Il. and Jacob d. are twins, the former being a resident of Memphis, Tennessee; Christian, the youngest of the family, was drowned while bathing in Lake Michigan, at Evanston, Illinois; he was, at the time of his death, a student at the Northwestern University, and was fitting himself for the ministry.

Fred and Edward: the two last are twins. that same month he received a commission Our subject is a member of the Builders' Ex- as Acting Assistant Surgeon in the United change of La Crosse, and belongs to the States Navy; he was ordered to the West Masonie fraternity, of which he is a Worthy Sir Knight. Gulf Squadron, under command of Admiral Farragut, and served until the end of the war. Ile was Assistant Surgeon of the United States Steamship Owaseo, and was temporarily attached to the naval hospital at Pensacola, Florida. In caring for the wounded after the battles of Forts Morgan and Gaines. the Doctor had the honor of dressing the wounds of Admiral Buchanan, who was at the head of the Confederate Navy: he says the Admiral was a gentleman if he were a rebel. The last part of his term of service was spent in a blockade squadron at sea. doing duty in the West Gulf Squadron. He participated in the capture of three blockade-runners off the coast of Texas, and took part in the distribution of prize money. Upon the close of the war he was ordered to the New York Navy Yards, where he was granted a three months' leave of absence with full pay. He received his final discharge from the service at South Bend, Indiana, November 15, 1865.

Dr. Smith practiced medicine at South Bend for two years, and at the same time was physician to the female portion of the pupils at Notre Dame University. In May, 1567, he was married to Miss Rebecca J. Hyde, a native of Ohio, and at the time of her mar- riage a resident of Middlebury, Indiana. They are the parents of four children: Jesse E., born in 1568; William E .. in 1569; Bessie E., in 1876, and Mamie .1., in 1981. Jesse E. is established in business at Middlebury, Indiana. The Doctor continued his practice in Indiana until 1581, when he removed to Kendall, Monroe county, Wisconsin, where he remained six years. He then came to hi

Dr. Smith was reared on his father's farm at South Bend, Indiana, and at the age of eighteen years he entered Wesleyan Seminary, at Albion, Michigan, where he continued his studies two years: he then spent four years reading under the preceptorship of Dr. J. M. Stover, at South Bend. and at the end of that period went to Ann Arbor and took a course of lectures in the University of Michigan; he next went to Philadelphia, entered Jeffer. son Medical College, and was graduated from Crosse in 1887, and during the time of his this honored institution in March, 1864. In residence here he has won a fair practice.

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Ile is a member of the Masonic order, and Munich, Berlin, Constantinople, London, of John Flynn Post No. 77, G. A. R. The father, mother and danghter Bessie are mem- bers of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Smith belongs to the W. C. T. U., and takes a deep interest in its prosperity.

OSEPH W. SKINNER was born at Troy. Ohio, October 22, 1560. The death of his parents which occurred in his child- hood, left him almost alone in the world and threw him upon his own resources, By energy and perseverance he secured a good education, and at the age of twenty-one years he started out on the road as a traveling sales- man. Ile was thus employed for six years, during which time he visited nearly every State in the Union. In March, 1887, he came to La Crosse and took up his permament residence here, having purchased the patent of the Monroe Ink Eraser. Ife at once began the manufacture of this little article, which was destined to become a friend to thousands of writers, book-keepers, accountants, and business men in general. This is the only eraser yet invented that will remove any kind of ink from paper without any abrasion or in- jury to the most delicate surface.

At the time Mr. Skinner purchased this pa- tent, the eraser had been manufactured in a small way for several months, but it remained for him to place it upon the market of the world. After making a few changes to im- prove its appearance, he established a factory and began his system of advertising. Under his skillful management the success of the manufacture was phenomenal, and to-day the trade in this simple produet extends through- ESSE B. WILLIAMS, manager of the firm of Williams & Turnbull, dealers in new and second-hand furniture on Pearl out the civilized world, and carries the name of La Crosse to every quarter of the globe. There are orders from Aberdeen, Glasgow, street, is the son of Jesse and Aurelia 20

Paris, Bombay, Havana, Melbourne, Sydney, eity of Mexico, Rio Janeiro, Valparaiso, and many cities throughout the Americas, West Indies, England, and the Eastern continent. Mr. Skinner also owns a number of other patents on useful artieles, and is a promoter of useful inventions for patentees; and he is also entrusted with other business enter- prises in the city.

The offices of the business are the finest in La Crosse, and active minds and busy hands keep the system moving in perfect order. The correspondence averages from four to five hundred letters per day, requiring a foree of ten to twelve clerks. The advertising ex- penses amount to $1,000 per weck.

Mr. Skinner is quite a traveler, and has lately returned from a four months' business and pleasure trip to Europe, where he has completed arrangements for the establishment of branch honses to supply the growing European trade. He is a lover of all the fine arts, and manages to steal from the cares of business time to gratify a refined and culti- vated taste. Ile is too liberal and is possessed of too many generons impulses ever to be- come avaricious, and believes that the use of money is its only good. Ile is genial, court- eous, of manly bearing, and possessed of straightforward business principles which have established his reputation for honorable and upright dealing. Ile enjoys the warm friendship of all his associates, and is already one of the leaders in the social and business circles of La Crosse.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

(Wakely) Williams, natives of Rutland conn- finally drifted into the second-hand and ty. Vermont. The father was a farmer and new furniture business, of which he is now manager. He was wedded on the 17th of January, 1547. to Miss Lucia Kimpton, from Franklin county, Vermont, and the result of this marriage was the birth of two children: George W., a steamboat engineer, who has resided in Dubuque. lowa, for two years, and who now runs the Standard Lum- ber Company engine in that eity. His wife's name was Miss Edna Sonle and his son's name is B. Fay. The danghter of our sub- ject. Georgia, became the wife of Frank Smith, of Janesville. She died November 27, 1875, when about twenty-three years of age. Mr. Williams is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is class- leader and steward in the same. Ile is a member of the A. O. U. W. and Chosen Friends, and in polities is a Prohibitionist.

followed this ocenpation until his death when about fifty five years of age. Of the eleven children born to this nion only one, Jesse B. Williams, is now living. The latter's birth occurred in Grand Island county. Ver mont. May 10, 1926, and he was not yet three years old when his father died. On the 7th of April. 1557, he came from St. Lawrence county, New York, to Portage City, Wisconsin, and began working at the black- smith trade until his family came in the fall of 1556. Hle then worked on what is now Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad and in 1558 moved to Sparta, where, only a few days later, he and a Mr. Stewart took a con- tract to build ten miles of railroad from Mendota towards Shakopee. They were the first ones to break dirt for a railroad in Minnesota. After this they went on the Northern Pacitic and built five miles on the upper end of the sixty-two and a half 'miles ont from St. Paul. They came to La Crosse in 155%, but were gone much of the time until their contract was completed. After- ward Mr. Willia ns left his family in La Crosse and went to Mississippi where he and Mr. A. Hobert, built two miles on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The war then broke out and he lost heavily. His health failed too, and he returned to La Crosse where he has resided since. lle was engaged in the feed business until his store was destroyed by fire in December, 1865, and he lost everything but a few clothes that the family wore. The insurance was about $300. After this he was Deputy Sheriff for one term, was on the police force for three year- a- a special, boarded the prisoner- for two years, and was Constable For more than twelve years. Ile was also a collection agent for five years. then an auctioneer for three years and

B. EWER, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Ile was originally from Essex county, New York, his birth occurring on the 21st of February. 1>45, and his parents, Jesse and Angeline (Griswold) Ewer, were native- of Vermont. The father was a painter by trade and followed that for forty years. He came from New York to Wisconsin in 1$53, settled in the city of Sheboygan and there followed his trade until his death in 1887. He and wife were members of the Congregational Church. The mother died in 13SS. There were three children in this family: Edward P., the ellest; a sister, who lied in infancy, and A. B. Edward P. re- sides at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, an agent for the Goodrich Steamboat Company. He mar- rie I and became the father of three children: Chester. Evangeline, and Nellie: Nellie, the youngest child. died July, 1591, when about

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fifteen years of age. The Ewers were among and Indian war, and was killed in the battle on Lake Champlain. Ile is buried on one of the islands in that lake. the early settlers of Wisconsin and knew much of the trials and privations incident to pioneer life. A. B. Ewer, subject of this sketeh, was educated in the public schools of Sheboygan, and when thirteen years of age began for himself as elerk in a dry-goods TATILLIAM PENN MORTON, veter- inary surgeon, 505 Sonth Fifth street, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Buffalo, New York, May 1, 1846, and is a son of William Morton, a native of Eng- land; his father was killed accidentally while superintending the driving of piles on the dock at Buffalo, New York, at the age of twenty-eight years; his mother was a native of Ireland; after her husband's death she re- moved her family of two children to Chautau- qua county, New York, remaining there four years; at the end of that time she went to Warren county, Pennsylvania, and there mar- ried Proctor Morton, and is now a resident of Sugar Grove, Warren county, Pennsylvania. David Morton, the brother of our subject. resides at Pittsfield, Pennsylvania, and is a veterinary surgeon by profession. William Penn Morton received his education at Pan- ama, New York, and in Warren county, Pennsylvania. He was a student at Panama two years after he was discharged from the army, and at the age of seventeen years began the neighborhood had a colt with crooked legs, and he gave him a week's work for the animal; he cured the eolt and sold it for $30 in the fall, which was considered a large price at that time. From this time he followed the business without special training until 1886. In that year he entered the Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, studied there a short time, and then went to Chicago; he studied in the veterinary college of that city, and was graduated at the end of two store. IIe has followed clerking and book- keeping up to the present time and no efforts on his part has been spire l to give satisfac- tion. He so'd goods on the road for several different firms, and was quite successful. Hle was married May, 1878, to Miss Susan Girard, daughter of James and Eunice (Knowles) Girard. The Girard and Knowles families are old and prominent ones and trace their ancestors back to the Mayflower. Mrs. Girard, being a direct descendant of Dr. Samuel Fuller, who came over in the Mayflower in 1620. The Girards are related to the Girard family of England, great cotton manufacturers there. Mrs. Ewer is the only one of that family now living, her father hav- ing died in 1866. The mother is still living, is fifty eight years of age, and makes her home with our subject and wife. She has been an honored and highly respected citizen of Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, for many years. She is related to Supreme Judge Fuller of the United States and to the Spragues of Rhode Island. To Mr. and Mrs. practicing veterinary surgery. A farmer in Ewer has been born one child, Girard, a bright little lad of thirteen summers. Both parents are members of the Universalist Church. Mr. Ewer is a member of the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics is a Republican. Simon Knowles, Mrs. Ewer's maternal grandfather, was in the war of 1812 and drew a pension until his deatlı for services there rendered. Simon's father took part in the Revolutionary war and his grandfather fought in the French

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

years from one of the most popular i .: stitu- tions in the country. Before going to Chi- engo he had been located at New Richmond, Wisconsin, and after his graduation he re- turned to that place, remaining abont one year before coming to La Crosse. Here he has won a fine practice, being regularly em- ployed by many of the most influential citi- zens of the place. He owns a pleasant home, and an office where he keeps a complete stock of the drug- needed in his profession. Ile also owns an infirmary capable of accom- modating forty-eight horses, and is excep- tionally equipped for his work; he has $500 worth of instruments, and prides himself upon being able to perform any operation known to the profession. He trains and edu- cates vicious horses, and has been more than ordinarily successful in this line. Hl's busi- ness has increased to such an extent that he has been obliged to call to his assistance Prof. W. P. Freeman, from Parish, New Jersey. a native of Jersey City and a graduate of the Chicago Veterinary College.

Dr. Morton was united in marriage De- eember 25. 1858. to Miss Eva Frank, who was born in Niagara Falls, New York, May 16, 1962. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. In March, 1864, he en- listed in Battery Il, Third Pennsylvania Light Artillery, and served until July, 1865. lle is a member of the G. A. R. He has held the various township offices, and is a stanch supporter of home interests. Mrs. Morton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

AMUEL B. PATTERSON, veterinary surgeon, with office at Clark & Clark's barn, La Crosse, was born in Butler 1585 he sold this and bought ten aeres of county, Pennsylvania, May 11, 1862, a son land in the town of Shelby, adjoining the

of Alexander and Rebecca (Beatty) Patterson, natives of county Derry, Ireland, who came to America with their parents when children, settling in Pittsburg, and finally removing to Butler county. In his parents' family were the following named children in order of birth: Margaret F. (deceased in 1554): George W., Sammel B., Alexander S., Rebecca and Mary.

In veterinary medicine and surgery Mr. Patterson spent four years under the tntor- ship of A. J. Herrick. of Stillwater and a graduate of New York College and River Falls, Wisconsin. Ile has superior capacity for observing and drawing lessons from ex- perience, of which he has had a great deal. He first started in business on his own ac- count in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. where he remained about four years. Moving to River Falls he engaged in practice in company with Dr. Morton. A year afterward, that is, in June, 1590. he came to La Crosse, where he is enjoying a good patronage, which he well deserves by his industry, honesty. thorough knowledge and reasonable prices. For sev- eral years he has made a special study of the diseases of cattle and horses.

HIE LA CROSSE FLOUR AND FEED COMPANY is one of the prosperous enterprises of this city, and the individual members of the same are Frederick Schwarz and Frederick T. Heinken. Mr. Schwarz was born in Germany, in 1840, and came to the States in 15s1, settling first in Ilokal, Minnesota, where he remained only a few months. From there he removed to Onalaska, Wisconsin, and bought a farm, on which he resided for three years. In

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city limits of La Crosse, on which he built his home. He first went to work for his brother George at the trade, bnt at the end of six months abandoned the vocation alto- gether, and engaged with John C. Führ to two houses and set out a vineyard. In No- vember, 1891, Mr. Schwarz associated him- self with Mr. Fred. T. Heinken in the dour and feed business in the city of La Crosse. | learn the tinner's trade. After serving an He was married in 1866, to Miss Ida Michaelis, apprenticeship took a position as foreman a uative also of Germany, and they have one | for Tenney, Oatman & Company, remaining daughter, Bertha, who is now the wife of Fred. T. Heinken, of La Crosse. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Frederick T. Heinken was born in Germany in 1863, to the union of John Henry and Fredereka Heinken, natives also of that eoun- try. The father died in 1865, but the mother is still living in Germany. Mr. Heinken came to the United States in 1886, and has visited nearly every State in the Union sinee his arrival here. In July, 1891, he settled in La Crosse, and was married on the 25th of that month, Miss Bertha Schwarz, daughter of his partner. The firm is com- posed of two very active, energetie and push- ing men, with capital enough for their business, and prospects of a successful future.

CHRISTIAN F. SCHARPF, a native of Württemberg, Germany, was born July 19, 1836, and is a son of John G. and Barbara (Gleser) Seharpf. Ile passed his boyhood and youth upon a farm, and was also early initiated into the mysteries of the weaver's trade. At the age of fifteen years,

with this firm seven years. In 1862 he em- barked in business for himself, forming a partnership with George Edwards, in the hardware and tin business; they were associ- ated together two years, when Mr. Edwards retired, being succeeded by Fred Kroner; two years later Charles H. Bunting formed a partnership with Mr. Scharpf, which existed four years. He was then alone for some time, and in 1875 he went into business with Fred Ring, with whom he was eonneeted un- til 1881, Mr. Ring then being succeded by V. Tausche, the latter buying Mr. Seharpf's interest in 1888. Mr. Scharpf is to a great extent the father of the hardware business in La Crosse, the following gentlemen having been associated with him for a greater or less period of time; all of them are active mer- ehants in that line: Fred Dittman, Fred Kroner, Frank Doerre, Digo Lang, Adam Butch, V. Tansehe, and many others.

When Mr. Scharpf withdrew from the firm in 1888 he intended to retire from aetive business, but so many years of responsibility had unfitted him for a life from which all possibilities of achievement were withdrawn. He, therefore, embarked in the same line of trade and operated a business until the spring of 1891, when he sold his interest, his health rendering it necessary for him to have some release from elose application. Ile has been an indefatigable worker, and has amassed a handsome fortune. Ile is a self-made man, and has truly been the architect of his own fortunes. Ilis cash capital when he came to

with a fair education, he was thrown upon his own resources, and since that time he has not known what it is to depend upon the efforts of another. In 1852 the family emi- grated to America, and he stopped at Galena, Illinois, intending to learn the tailor's trade; he devoted one year to this ealling, and then came to La Crosse where he has sinee made La Crosse was a quarter of a dollar, but this

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

was strongly supplemented by the endow. dren. Our subject was a carpenter and con- tractor by trade, and in later years gave some attention to farming: this occupation soon engrossed his time to the exclusion of his trade. ments of nature. Politically he is a Repub. livan, and is serving his first term as Com- missioner of the Poor, an office to which he was elected by the Council. He is a member of La Crosse Valley Lodge, No. 149, 1. 0. 0. In 1ss9 he was united in marriage to Miss F., and is Secretary of the same. Ile also i Mary Morris, a daughter of Samuel and was the leading spirit in securing funds for the erection of the I. O. O. F. building. He belongs to Frontier Lodge. No. 45, 1. F. & A. M., Smith Chapter. No. 13, R. A. M .. and La Crosse Commandery. No. 9. K. T .; he is Treasurer of the blue lodge, and for eighteen years was Treasurer of the comman- dery: he has in his possession a letter from the last named body, expressing the appreci- ation and esteem in which his services were held. He has been a member of the La Crosse Turner Society for thirty five years, and has held many official positions in the same He is also a member of the La Crosse Board of Trade.

Mr. Scharpl was married January 14, 1866, to Miss Julia II. Pfund. a native of Switzer- land, born March 15. 1848. Mrs. Scharpf was brought to America at the age of eight years. Of this union ninechildren have been born, six of them living: Julia, wife of Charles Lindeman, of Milwaukee: Bertha. Herman C., Albert, Hilda and Freda. The family are ! members of the Lutheran Church; all are well educated, and fully abreast of the times in all lines of thought and action.

JOHN JONES, deceased. who was widely and favorably known in La Crosse county, was born in Wales, a son of Thomas and Sarah Jones. He was the oldest of a family of three children, the younger members of the family being Mary and David; Evan Jones was a half brother to these chil-

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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