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 36

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 36
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 36
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 36

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In 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss

is a member of the Lutheran Church. In polities he is a Republican. He is one of the active young men of the village, being

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foremost in all enterprises that are for the benefit of the town. especially patriotic measures.

OBERT STOGDILL, who has retired from active business pursuits, is one of La Crosse county's most substantial citizens, and since his residence here, which began in 1873, he has been identified with the most progressive elements of the com- munity. He was born in Westchester county, New York, June 21, 1817, the son of Henry and Cornelia (Ingersol) Stogdill, natives of Connecticut and New York respectively. The father was a shoemaker by occupation, and he served as a soldier in the war of 1812; he died January 10, 1871, at the age of seventy six years. In his religious belief he was inclined to the Quaker faith. His wife died December 26, 1869, at the age of eighty-one years. They had a family of three children: Robert, the subject of this notice, is the oldest; William H., and Har- riet, who died at the age of five years. The paternal grandfather, Robert Stogdill, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and served through the seven years under General Mont- gomery, and later under General Putnam; his wife, Sarah Stogdill, drew a pension from the Government for a number of years; her deatlı occurred at the age of eighty years. Their daughter, Sarah Rowell, who was born in 1800, is still living, in Connecticut; Mont- gomery, born in 1805, resides in Newark, New Jersey.

Robert Stogdill, the subject of this notice, has been a resident of La Crosse since 1873, as before stated. He was united in marriage April 26, 1840, to Miss Mary Gibson, a daughter of John and Mary Gibson, natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson emi-

grated to America in 1823, and settled in New York city: the former was a blacksmith by trade. Ile died in 1838, at the age of fifty years. The wife passed away in 1832; her illness was cholera, and continued from 11 A. M. to 7 p. M. They had a family of five children, two of whom survive, Mrs. Stogdill and a sister, Miss Sarah A. Gibson, who re- sides in Greeley, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Stogdill have no children but an adopted daughter, Grace Burnham Fassett, a grand- niece of Mrs. Stogdill.

At the early age of twelve years Mr. Stog- dill started out in life for himself, and soon evinced an aptitude for business operations which assured his success in the commercial world. He was first employed in a tobacco and cigar factory, and there acquired a full knowledge of the business. He went to New York city, where he worked at his trade, and subsequently carried on a prosperous busi- ness. Attracted by the healthful climate of La Crosse, lie located here, and is regarded as one of the most estimable gentlemen. He is a member of the Masonic order, and takes an interest in local polities, now serving as Supervisor of the Eighth Ward.

JOHN HALVERSON, a valued employé of the Mons Anderson Company, of La Crosse, was born in Norway. July 10, 1825, a son of Halver and Pernilla Johnson. The father was a farmer by trade, and passed his life in his native land. The mother after- wards emigrated to America in 1846. with her three daughters, Mary, Sarah and Jane, and her son Gilbert, and died at her daugh- ter's home in Vernon county, Wisconsin, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. They had a family of six children, five of whom are living.

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landing in New York, July 5. In his own country he had learned the wagonmaker's trade, five years as an apprentice, he to fur- nish his own clothes and washing, and had thoroughly mastered every detail of the busi- ness, and began at onee to work in this line, except only one week's rest with his mother and relatives in Dane county. Wisconsin. After his removal to Rock county he settled in Janesville, and there went into a wayon shop. Hle remained there until October, 1951. Desiring to secure some land, he came to La Crosse county and selected a tract in Barre township, in May, 1851, and his adoption. afterwards donated the land on which Barre Mills is located. He erected a house on this land, to be occupied by his mother and brother.

Having secured the land, he again turned his attention to his trade, which he followed in La Crosse until 1854. Business became so dull at that time that he was obliged to abandon his vocation and go to his farm. Ile sold his shop and the lot on which it stood to a Mr. Jenkins, of Bangor. From this time until 1860 he was absorbed in agri- cultural pursuits, and was succeeding well, when a misfortune in the shape of an injury to his back. from heavy hitting, overtook him.

He disposed of his farm and secured a position with the Mons Anderson Company. entering their employ November 13. 1560. This relationship has been most satisfactory to all parties, and its long duration is evi- dence of the stanch fidelity of both employer and employé.

While a resident of Barre township Mr. Halverson filled many of the local offices, He was Assessor two years. School Clerk for the same length of time, Treasurer of the township one year, and was a member of the a good husband and a kind and loving father.

John Halverson came to America in 1545, Board of School Trustees. The county was then thinly settled, the houses in the town- ship not numbering above one dozen in May. 1551, but increased considerably by fall.

Mr. Halverson was married in Dane county, Wisconsin, March 25, 1952. to Miss Cornelia G. Hanson, a daughter of Kitl Hanson, now deceased. Her mother's maiden name was Dagne, and she is living, at the age of ninety years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Halver- son are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Halverson is an ardent sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party, and is a loyal citizen of the country of

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RS. L. RENNER. - For quiet, com- fortable, home-like surroundings and superior bill of fare at moderate prices, the popular hotel, conducted by Mrs. L. Renner, is one of the best stopping places in La Crosse. Mrs. Renner is one of the pioneer settlers of this city. locating here in 1861, and is the widow of Lonis Renner, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1532. Mr. Renner came to the United States in 1×45, remained in Waverly, Ohio, until 1551, when he came to La Crosse and engaged in the grocery basiness on Main street. Ile was married to Miss Julia Dimmel. who was of German descent, her parents having spent their entire lives in that country. Mr. Ren- ner remained on Main street one year and then built a hotel on Front street where he remained nine years. Hle then sokl out and built the present Park Hotel in 1952. This he condneted successfully until his death in ISSO. of enlargement of the heart. He was a man universally respected, and in his death the county lost one of its best men. He was

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His marriage resulted in the birth of five children: Emma, Ida, Anna, Julia and Minnie, all with the mother in the hotel. When Mr. Renner came to La Crosse he had very little capital, but he had the push and energy to accomplish what he undertook and succeed in making a home for himself and family. He was a United Workman, and in politics was a life-long Democrat. The fam- ily are members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Renner and daughters still continue the hotel business, and they are meeting with well deserved success.

EORGE ATKINSON is a real estate agent at 431 Main street, La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is reliable in all his dealings, prompt, honorable in carrying out his undertakings, and he has deservedly se- cured the confidence and favor of the public. He was born in Somerset county, Maine, Oc- tober 14, 1531, but his father, Christopher At- kinson, was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. . He remained in the State of his birth until he was thirty years of age, then went to Maine and began following his trade of hat maker. He was a strong Abolitionist and voted the Democratic ticket until the nomi- nation of Fremont, when he and his nine sons cast their vote for the brave "path finder," and they have continued to affiliate ; with the party of which he was a member, ever since. Ile and his sons voted for Franklin Pierce for President, and while on a visit to a sister at Fredericksburg, Virginia. during Pieree's administration, he ealled on the President and informed him that he and his eight sons had voted for him, but did not divulge the fact that it was the last Deino- crat he should ever vote while slavery existed, but such proved to be the case. Ile

came to Baraboo, Wisconsin, with his family, in the fall of 1856, and in that town made his home until his death, which occurred in his ninety-eighth year, in 1872. His widow survived him until 1877, dying at the age of eighty-four years. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and reared a large family in that faith. Of fourteen children born to them all lived to mature years. At the age of eighteen years George Atkinson began the battle of life for himself, and for a number of years during the winter months he worked in the pineries of Maine. Upon first leaving the State of his birth he went to Massachusetts, but after a few months returned to Maine and in 1856 came West and settled in La Crosse. Ile purchased a farmi near Baraboo soon after, on which he lived for twelve years, and in 1870 returned to this city and the same year was elected lumber inspector, which position he held during Governor Washburne's administra- tion. His next move was to West Salem, but after five years spent in tilling the soil he returned to La Crosse, which place has since been his home. He is now one of the popular business men of the city, and is held in high esteem by his numerous friends and patrons. He was one of the "boys in blue," enlisting in Company M, First Heavy Wis- consin Artillery, in September, 1864, and his command relieved a regiment of heavy artillery at Alexandria, Virginia, a New York regiment. This command left for the front 2,200 strong, and returned with only eighty men. At the end of eighteen months Mr. Atkinson's regiment was mustered out of the service in June, 1865, and although his will was good his flesh was weak and he returned home much shattered in health and unable to do a full day's work. Ile weighed 175 pounds on entering the service and 125 pounds when he returned home. While

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holding the position of Alderman of La in the fall of 1552. At that time Onalaska Crosse, he resigned this office to go to West was as large as La Crosse. and it was indeed thought that the former place would be the main city. Mr. Nichols opened a store there and started a mill at the same time, and was successful in running both. Having been well educated and a school-teacher, he was here placed in charge of all the schools in the vicinity. He had also studied with a view of becoming a physician, but he afterward aseertained that his health would not permit of such exposure as that calling would entail, and he held varions offices, and was a man of affairs, well and favorably known. Salem, where he lived several years, elosing his business there in 1579. He was married March 7. 1857, in Vermont, to Miss Amanda Witham, a native of Maine, whose father was from Hartford, Connecticet. Ile is now a resident of Concord, Maine, and is eighty- one years of age. Hle was formerly a farmer and sawmill operator. His wife was buried in 18\1 at the age of seventy-five, at Port- land, Maine. Three of the nine children horn to them are still living: Melissa Thomp. son, who resides near Bismarek, Dakota; Olive Dickinson, of Boston, Massachusetts. and The mill he sold out to his sons abont 1876; his store he had disposed of many years before, and during the remainder of his days he lived a retired life. He died in 1877, at the age of sixty-four years; his wife died just two years previously. They had seven children, four of whom died young: the other three are Frank E., our subject; Mrs. Fannie Pooler, of Onalaska, and Fred, born April 5, 1555, and died in 1855. By a former mar- riage, however, Mr. Nichols had had four children: George and Charles, both deceased; Mary, wife of George Dre-bach, both of whom also are deceased; and Jane, wife of Charles Conway, living at Dresbach, Minne- sota. Mrs. Atkinson. The latter has borne her hns- band three children: Frank, married to Emma Miner, and a resident of La Crosse, has been engaged in farming and is the owner of a fine farm in Minnesota, which is rented; he is the father of a little daughter. Geneva: Alice is the wife of C. W. Sprague, was married in April, 1591, and is a resident of Tacoma, Washington; and Nettie, who is the wife of C. W. Isham, of La Crosse, by whom she has two promising children: Helen and Woodard. Mr. Atkinson is a member of the G. A. R., and his wife belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps. They are highly respected and worthy people, and have taken an active interest in that which pertains to the welfare of the connty.

Mr. Nichols, the subject of this sketch, began the lumber business at the age of six- teen years, and has followed it ever since, with signal snecess, although he has been burned ont several times. At the age of

RANK E. NICHOLS, of the C. HI. twenty-one years he became a partner. The Nichols Lumber Company, was born in first Inmberman of Onalaska was C. M. Madison, Wisconsin, August 10, 1545. Nichols, and when Frank E. became a part- His parents, C. M. (a native of New York) ner, with a one-third interest, the firm name became C. M. Nichols & Co .; when the father died the firm name was changed to C. Il. Nichol- & Co .: and a few years ago it was changed to a stock company, and the style and Jane M. (Filkins) Nichols, came to Madi- son at a very early day, where the father em. barked in the mercantile business, which he followed until he came to La Crosse county

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changed to the C. Il. Nichols Lumber Com- pany; have been incorporated for four years. This is the oldest lumber company on Black river, building the first mill in these parts.

Their mill does the largest business of all in Onalaska, employing on an average a hundred men in summer and about 125 in winter. They have about 100,000,000 feet of standing lumber, which will be work for the mill for the next eight years. The lum- ber business has made La Crosse, Onalaska and other points along the river.

Mr. Nichols was married November 26, 1874, to Miss Dora Green, daughter of J. II. and Louisa (Sinkhoff) Green, natives respect- ively of Norway and Germany. They have five children, namely: Charles Mason, who died at the age of two years, in 1877; Dora Nell, Raymond Eugene, Frank, Plato and Reese Haskell. The family are members of the Episcopal Church at Onalaska. They built their house of worship and deeded it to the village. The father and his family are also members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Frank E. Nichols and the other voters of the family take little interest in politics, but affiliate with the Democratic party.

- AMES SYKES, an early settler and suc- cessful farmer of Farmington township, has been a resident of La Crosse county since 1849, and is entitled to a space in this record of Wisconsin pioneers. He is a native of England, born near Manchester, March 30, 1821, a son of James and Sarah (Shaw) Sykes, natives of the same country. Our subject spent his youth in service in a cotton factory. He was married February 27, 1841, to Miss Rebecca Broadbent, a playmate of his childhood and a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Broadbent. Mrs. Sykes is one of

a family of twelve children. Her parents emigrated to the United States, and settled in Green eounty, Wisconsin. After coming to this country, Mr. Sykes spent some time in the East, and was a resident of Philadel- phia for eight years. When he came West he made the journey by water the greater portion of the way, and spent his first winter in Green county, Wisconsin. In 1549 he took up a Government claim in Farmington township, La Crosse county, and worked in the woods through the first winter. In the spring of 1850 his wife and four children eame to the frontier, and for two years they lived on this claim. Mr. Sykes then sold out to John Kendrick and improved another farm, which he disposed of in 1857; he then settled on the land he now occupies. The winter of 1858-'59 he spent in the far West, as Kansas was then called, engaged in hunt- ing and trapping.

During the civil war Mr. Sykes enlisted in the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Eagle Regiment, Company I, and served from September 22, 1861, for a period of two years; at the end of that time he was discharged on account of disability.

Mr. Sykes has added to his farm as his means have permitted, until now he owns 400 acres, improved with every modern con- venience; his buildings are substantial; he has one of the best equipped sorghum mills in the connty, and is surrounded with all the comforts of modern ingennity.

Onr subject and wife are the parents of eight children, four of whom were born in Pennsylvania, and four in Wisconsin: Sarah F. is the wife of Chester Andrews, a farmer of Farmington township; William is a resi- dent farmer in the State of Washington; Martha A. wedded Alex. Burr, and resides in Minnesota: Rebecca C. became the wife of Alex. Clark, and died Mareh 9. 1887;

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John Il. died in Washington, December 16. 1559, leaving a widow and two children; Ennice A. is the wife of Samuel Clark, who is engaged in farming in Nebraska; and James L. resides on the old homestead, mar- ried Stella, daughter of L. Frank, by whom he has one daughter, Olive.

Mr. Sykes is an ardent Republican, and has held several of the township offices. lle this country, and the following year was is a member of Nelson Quiggle Post, No. 233, joined by his wife and his parents. La G. A. R. Ile and his wife belong to the

C'rosse at that time contained only a few Methodist Episcopal Church, of North Bend. houses, and a trading post kept by John Levy. They have seen many privations and hard-

Mr. Anderson's first home here was a log ships sinee coming to Wisconsin, but they cabin, which subsequently gave way to his have received a well-merited reward; Mrs. present residence, a frame house, 18 x 26 feet, with an addition 16 x 16 feet. He has a good barn, 30x50 feet. Other improvements on his farm are a modern windmill, eribs, fences, ete .. and everything about the premises indi- cate thrift and prosperity. Sykes was strong and robust in her earlier days, and assisted her husband in every way possible; she raised potatoes, which she sold, and purchased their first cow with the pro- ceeds of the sale; she also worked with him in the woods, proving herself a most worthy helpmeet. They are of a kindly. hospitable disposition, and are among the most highly respected pioneers of the county.

OIIN ANDERSON .- To this gentleman belongs the distinction of being the first Norwegian settler in La Crosse county. Wiseonsin, he having located here in 1549. Mr. Anderson was born in Norway, Ja.mary 10, 1522, son of Andrew Johnson and Mary (Olson) Anderson. He attended school until he was sixteen years of age, after which he learned the carpenter's trade and for some years worked at it. 'At the age of twenty- eight he was united im marriage with Care- line Olson, who was born and reared in Nor- way. daughter of Ole and Betsy Olson. Mrs. Anderson's parents came to this country in 1855, passed the remainder of their lives in La Crosse county, and died here.

In 1849 Mr. Anderson sailed from Chris- tiania to New York, landing at the latter place after a voyage of eight weeks. From New York he went direet to Buffalo, and from there came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, thenee to La Crosse county, by ox team. This was before there were any railroads in Wisconsin. Mr. Anderson eame alone to

To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson seven children were born. Of these four have passed away. viz .: Anton, who died at the age of twelve years; Clara, at eight years: Ottilla, at eighteen months: and Julia, at the age of thirty-two years. Julia was the wife of John E. Olson. She left a family of four chil- dren, namely: Clara. Anna, Jennieand Lottie. The three living children are as follows: Mary, wife of Andrew Ofstedahl, a Norwe- gian and a prominent man of La Crosse county, has seven children: Julien. Allida, Clara, Mathias, Arthur, Royna and Lydia; Ellise, wife of John Olson. a merchant of Milton. North Dakota, has three children: Oscar. Clarence and Ruth: and Nettie, wife of Otto Krogrstad, a druggist of Grafton, North Dakota. They are the parents of two children: Lottie and Nora.

During the many years of his residence here Mr. Anderson has been identified with the best interests of the county. He believes in the advancement of education, good morals

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and religion, and his influence has ever been exerted with the best elements of the com- munity in which he resides.

Such is a brief review of one of the well- known early settlers of La Crosse county.

AVID BROWN, a prominent and wealtby citizen of Farmington town- ship, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, first identitied himself with the interests of this section of the country in 1856.

Mr. Brown was born in Germany. April 13, 1826, son of Christian and Katharine (Notter) Brown. His parents were born, reared, educated and married at Wittenberg, Germany. His father was an expert wheel- wright. He died on the sea, and had valuable tools that were lost. The mother came to America, and lier death occurred at Onalaska, Wisconsin, in December, 1888. Ten chil- dren were given to them, of whom five are now living, namely: Katharine Spring, of Onalaska; David, John, a Inmber merchant, of Buffalo, New York; Fred, foreman of Is- land Mill at Onalaska; William, foreman of a mill at Hannibal, Missouri.

David Brown received a fair education, attending school until he reached his four- teenth year. He then learned the trade of millwright and made himself master of the business in all its details. In 1848 he bade adieu to his native land and came to America, first locating in Philadelphia. We next find hin in New Jersey, where he worked one year at his trade. Later, he operated mills in the woods of Pennsylvania, and in 1856 lie came to La Crosse connty, Wisconsin. He built the first steam sawmill at Onalaska, having brought the machinery for it from Philadelphia. Onalaska at that time con- tained only about five or six houses. A year

later Mr. Brown went to New Amsterdam, where he was in business for three years. lle operated a mill and built a honse there. From that place he went to Bostwick Valley, where he ran a flour mill two years. At the end of that time he traded his mill for the farm he now owns, which was then nnim- proved. In 1883 he went to La Crosse, and in that city built a house and engaged in business. Soon afterward, however, he re- turned to the old homestead. Here he owns 440 acres of fine land, well improved. lis house is 18 x 30 feet, with an L. 16 x 24 feet, all a story and a half, and a kitchen, 14 x 14 feet. He has two barns. One is 42 x 56 feet in dimension, with stone basement, and the other is 18 x 24 feet. His granary is 18 x 22 feet; crib, 18 x 24 feet; and shop, 12 x 20 feet. He has a modern wind pump, and has the water piped across the road to a large tank. Indeed, everything on this farm is arranged with reference to convenience, and he has all the latest improved machinery for conducting agricultural pursuits in the most approved manner, his machinery embracing everything from a hoe to a threshing-machine and being valued at 82,000.

Mr. Brown was married, June 17, 1851, to Hortense Huber, who has shared his joys and sorrows for the past forty years, and who has done her part in bringing about their present prosperity. She was born in Austria, August 15, 1832, daughter of Joseph and Theresa ( Ab ner) Huber. The former died in Germany and the latter came to America, and departed this life in La Crosse, aged eighty-two. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had eleven children, and all are still living save three. Their names are as follows: Ed. C., of Shelby township, La Crosse county ; David, Jr., of Onalaska; Charles L. C., also of Onalaska; Lewis L., who has been a mail-carrier in La Crosse for six years; Leonard W., who lives on the old

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farm, was married July 23. 1989, to Agnes Having accumulated some capital and a rich Ellens, of Minnesota, and has one child, fund of experience, he went into the business Rosa Anna: and Henry, Frank A. and Anna of contracting for slabs of the lumber mills and selling to the dealers. Ile is now de- voting his energies to contraeting in La K. are at home. Those deceased are Minnie, their second child, who died at the age of four years; Mary, the fifth-born, died at the Crosse, and has met with gratifying snecess. age of eleven years ; and Johnny. the youngest, was ten years old when he died.

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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