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 45
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 45
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 45
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Mr. Roberts was married, May 9. 1958, to Mary Pierce, a daughter of Richard Pierce, deceased. They had three children: Mary, Jane and Frank. The mother died October 9. 1>69. after which, February 23, 1871. the father married Jane Morris, and they had two children: Ilngh E. and Luther JJ. Mrs. Roberts died January 23. 1556, and he was again married, in April, 1990, to Mrs. Maggie E. Jones. She had one son by her first mar- riage, Vaughn E.
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FOIIN HI. DAHIL, dealer in general mer- chandise, Burr Oak, Wisconsin, is one of the well-known and successful business men of the county of La Crosse. Ile came to this county in 1570.
Mr. Dahl was born in Norway in 1553, son of llans llanson and Martha (Olson) Dahl. He attended school until he was- four- teen years of age, and received a fair ednca- tion. While still a youth he was employed in taking care of horses. At the age of seventeen he bade adien to his native land. crossed the ocean and landed at Quebec, from thence coming across the lakes to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and from there to La Crosse county. He found employment on a farm at Half-way creek, and worked there one season. The following winter he obtained a situation with H. Holmboe in a store at Onalaska. In the fall of 1>71. he went to Mindoro, clerking For Mr. Holmboe five years. In 1876 he
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and the following year formed a partnership with A. C. Hanson in the general merchan- dise business, at Rockland, and in 1879 the firm moved to Mindoro, where they did a successful business until 1885. That year Mr. Dahl sold out to his partner. In Feb- rnary, 1886, be purchased a stock of general merchandise from John Scanelton of Burr Oak, and has since been conducting a pros- perous business here. He ereeted a store building, 24 x 60 feet, in which he carries a general line of well assorted goods, and does a business that averages $18,000 per annum. In the spring of 1891 he built a creamery, 23 x 40 feet, with an addition, 16 x 22 feet, which he has equipped with all the modern machinery. run by an eight- horse-power engine. The past four months he has made 600 tubs of butter. Besides his business in- terests at Burr Oak, he also has a general merchandise store at West Salem.
Politically Mr. Dahl is an active and enthusiastic Democrat. He has been a mem- ber of the County Committee several times, and has served as Town Treasurer, and filled other minor offices. A man well informed on the general topics of the day, broad and progressive in his views, honorable in all his business dealings, and frank and cordial with his fellow men. he is a most worthy and popu- lar citizen.
reared. When he was a lad of fifteen years his grandfather died, and he was then thrown upon his own responsibility. He had been trained to the occupation of a farmer, and followed this calling for many years. In 1561, when there was a call for men to go to the defense of the Union, he enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, Company B, and and served until some time in 1963. when his eyes became inflamed so seriously that he secured a furlough and returned to his home for a season; he had been in the hospital in St. Louis for a month previons to his de- parture for home. He lost his sight entirely for two years, and then through Dr. Berry, an oculist, the sight of one eye was restored; in a surgical operation the optic nerve of the other eye was destroyed. He was honorably discharged in June, 1863, and in July his siglit was gone; it was not until June, 1865, that he consulted Dr. Berry. To one who has never suffered the loss of sight, it is im- possible to convey an idea of the joy ex- perienced upon the restoration of that sense, and Mr. Towson proved no exception to the rule. During his army life, he did not spend a single cent of his pay, but sent every dollar to his family; the money he used for himself was earned by doing extra guard or other duty; this is a rather remarkable fact, and is worthy of record. When he enlisted in the service of the Government he had $400 and a house and lot, but after the payment of his doctor's bill he lacked $40 of paying his account. Ile then went to work for David Wright, a man who had shown him much kindness during his affliction; he was in his employ for more than four years, and during this time managed to accumulate a small
BRAM TOWSON, an honored and re spected citizen of La Crosse connty, Wisconsin, was born in the State of New York, in Schoharie county, July 10, 1824, and is a son of John and Mary ( Krank) Towson, who were also natives of the Empire amount of money; he purchased a team, and State. The mother died when Abram was worked on a farm for two years, having rented the land. By industry and wise management three days old, and he was then taken by his grandfather, John Towson, by whom he was he succeeded in buying the land on which he
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now lives; he built a comfortable little house
soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was and as his means increased added to the also the first settler in Marcellus township, home comforts, enlarged the dwelling, and is Onondaga county, New York. Our subject's parents had nine children, only two of whom survive: Le Roy and Almeron, both of this township. now one of the most contented and thrifty of laboring men of the community. Captain Bishop of Company B. was a most consider- ate friend to Mr. Towson, and did much to relieve the tedium of his sightless days.
Le Roy Powen was a carriage and sleigh maker in New York for twenty-five years, Mr. Towson was married Jannary 1. 1554, to Miss Nancy M. Howe, a daughter of Elisha and Bromagen Howe of New York. Two children have been born of this union: Elvira, deceased, married C. Van Etten, and they had two children; Jessie, deeeased, and Gertrude; Martha is the widow of Lyman Allen and the mother of one child: Arthur, who is also deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Towson are members of the Baptist Church. Politically our subject adheres to no party or platform, but casts his suffrage for the man best suited in his estimation to fill the office. Hle is a man of quiet, nnassuming manners, and possessed of those sterling traits which win the respect of the entire community. and also owned a farm at the same time. Ile came to Wisconsin with his family in the fall of 1549, stopping first in White Water, and later traveled through Wisconsin. Iowa and other points. In March. 1553, he came to this county and entered eighty aeres of land where he now lives, laying his father's land warrant on eighty acres, and later entered eighty acres more for himself. He now owns 319 acres, where he has been very snc- cessful. Ile brought his family to this county in the fall of 1553, and his parents came in the fall of 1860, and lived with him until death, the father dying in Jannary. 1861, and the mother in 1863. Mr. Bowen was present at the organization of Burns township, which was named for ex-Lienten- ant. Governor Burns, and was also town chairman eight years and town treasurer one E ROY BOWEN, of section 10. Burns township, and one of the oldest settlers now living in Burnham valley, was born in Marcellus, Onondaga county, New York, year lle is a member of the Grange, at Bangor, and although not a church member he has strong faith in God or the Ruler of the I'niverse. When he first came to this November 15, 1\14. Ilis father, Elijah , county he lived in a shed covered with grass. Bowen, a native of Massachusetts, was a sol- and his wife cooked out of doors, but later they built a shanty of poplar logs, into which they moved November 1, 1\53. It had neither doors, windows nor floor, and here they kept travelers, and also boarded the schoolteacher. Mr. Bowen built the first schoolhouse in Upper Burnham valley, at his own expense. dier in the war of 1512: and his mother, Sylvia Foster, was a daughter of William Foster, a pioneer of Onondaga county, andl a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Our sub- jeet's grandmother, Patty Bowen, nee Cody. was a sister of John Cody, and the latter was the grandfather of William F. Cody, the noted "Buffalo Bill" of to day. Mr. Bowen's He was married Mareb 27. 1539, to Jane grandfather, Elijah Bowen, was born in Wheadon, a daughter of Almon and Abbie Cheshire, Massachusetts, in 1756, and was a (Wooley) Wheadon. The latter died March
.0 July VI
110.
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26, 1891, at the age of ninety-three years. , however, before he had finished the Freshman They were the parents of thirteen children, year. six of whom are now living, namely: Ruth E., now Mrs. Dunham; Sarah E., Mrs. Sweet; Mary E., Mrs. Wright; Eugenia, Mrs. Ben- jamin; Celestia, Mrs. Culpitt; and Oscar. The latter enlisted during the war of the Rebellion, at the age of nineteen years, and served during the war. One son, Arthur, died at the age of thirty-two years; and a danghter, Lora E., died at the age of eighteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have nineteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and the youngest daughter, Celestia, now lives with the'n. She is the wife of George W. Culpitt, and has two children: Effie J. and Lee E. Our subject has had tive gener- ations of his relatives sit at his table all at one time.
ASON C. EASTON, one of the railway magnates of the Northwest, although a resident of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was closely identified with the early settlement and development of Minnesota; and of all the nien who have wrought in this great enterprise, none have effected more important results.
Mr. Easton was born at West Martinsburgh, Lewis county, New York, May 12, 1823, and is a son of Giles and Olive Easton. By de- scent he comes from one of the old New Eng- land familes, his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather being natives of Hartford, Connecticut. His grandfather, Giles Easton, participated in the war of the Revolution. Jason C. enjoyed exceptional educational ad- vantages in his youth, and made the most of his opportunities. He was prepared for col- lege at Lowville, in his native county, and in 1847, entered Yale College; his health failed, 26
Filled with political ambitions and interests in February, 1848 he purchased the Northern Journal, then published in Lowville, New York, in support of the Whig party; he was connected with this publication as editor and proprietor for five years, though not contin- uously. He next tried farming, but with indif- ferent success, despite his early agricultural training. Anticipating the future of the great West, Mr. Easton eame to Minnesota in 1856, and there entered npon a career that has car- ried him to his present high position in the financial world. Going to Chatfield, Fillinore connty, Minnesota, he opened the Root River Bank, a private institution which is still in operation, and has the distinction of being the oldest bank in Minnesota. IIe eontinned its proprietor until May. 1888, when he trans- ferred his interest to George II. Haven- From the first Mr. Easton dealt largely in lands in Minnesota, and is still the owner of a good many improved farms; at one time he owned something like thirty farms which had been enltivated under his personal direction.
In addition to these farms, Mr. Easton owns some thousands of acres of wild lands in Min- nesota and Dakota. He has been instrumen- tal at different times in establishing eleven private banks, but has disposed of most of his interests in that direction.
During 1872 and 1873 he was engaged in the purchase of large shipments of grain and other farm products along the Southern Min- nesota Railroad. As his operations enlarged and his capital increased, he determined to have a part in the railroad enterprises which were destined to develop that section. To record these investments in detail would take Ins beyond the limits of this notice, but the more important movements will be noted, In 1875 he purchased a controlling interest
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
in the stock of the Southern Minnesota Rail- readily attracted to the most extensive private road, which was at that time in the hands of a conservatory within the State's limits. Flow- ers from almost every clime are found here, but space will not admit of mention, even of those most rare. receiver; soon afterward he was elected a member of the Board of Directors. In 1877 the Southern Minnesota Railway Extension Company was organized, of which Mr. Easton was president and a director. This company entered into important negotiations. extended their line, secured rich land grants from the Government, and in May, 1879, sold a large portion of the stock to the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railway Company. Soon afterward the road of the former was merged into the latter corporation.
In June, 1579, Mr. Easton was elected a director of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Panl Railway Company, and remained a member of that board until 1889. In 1881 he organized the Chippewa Valley & Superior Railway Company, of which he was made President. ' In 1882 he and associates purchased the entire stock of the Chicago & Evanston Railroad, of which he was made president. With charac- teristic energy he completed this road from the union station to the village of Evanston, a distance of twelve miles, and secured to the road all the privileges enjoyed by lines enter- ing the Chicago Union Depot. He was also President of the Dakota & Great Southern Railway, and was one of the original promo- ters and stockholders of the Fargo & Southern Railroad.
Ile is at present largely interested in rail- road enterprises in Jamaica, West Indies, and is a stockholder and dircetor of the company, owning the entire system of railway on that island, where he has spent two winters, finding the climate more agreeable than in | dam Belle Brino, by Hambrino; Bradford, a any other part of the world.
In 1883 he removed from Minnesota to La Crosse, where he has invested a large sum in an elegant residence and grounds. L'pon a visit to his home the strangers' attention is : dam by Kingsley; second dam by Black
Mr. Easton is a lover of fine horses, and has recently started the Hillview Stoek Farm, where he has many fine standard-bred animals. This farm is under the supervision of an ex- perienced superintendent and trainer. It is located within the city limits and adjoining both the City Park and the La Crosse Inter- state Fair Grounds, ocenpying a slight eleva- tion from which the beautiful valley of the Mississippi can be viewed in each direction with the grand old bluffs for a back ground. No pains has been spared to make this farm complete in every detail. The barns are of the most modern construction. a fine half- mile track, numerous paddocks and pastures, and cozy cottages for the men complete the grounds and make it a beautiful park. Among the many fine animals found at Hillview the following brood mares are deserving of special mention: Ilebe Von Arnim, by Von Arnim, dam Hebe by Belmont: Belle Von Arnim, by Von Arnim, dam Belle Blackwood, by Blackwood, Jr .; Barrie Patronage, by Pat- ronage, dam Borrie, by Captain; Mamnut, by Nutwood Mambrino, dam by Tramp, and Allie E., by All So, dam Thais, by Thesens.
A valuable addition was made to his stock in October, 1891, when Mr. Easton purchased from wellknown breeders of Lexington, Ken- tucky, the following members of distinguished trotting families: Red Flush. a three-year- old stallion sired by the great Red Wilkes, two-year-old stallion by Almont Wilkes, dam Susan Brady, by C. M. Clay, Jr .; second dam by Abdallah 15; Lillian, brown mare, six years old, sired by Hambletonian Mambrino,
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Prince; Thistle Dew, a two-year-old tilly ments have been made by the present owner with a pacing record of 2:25, sired by Sentinel ' in buildings, feneing, etc. The most im- portant work has been the preparation of a new vineyard. The old vineyard has 1,300 vines, all Concords: the new one has 3,000 vines of choice varieties. It is in charge of a German of long experience in the culture of grapes and is now the largest vineyard in the State.
Wilkes, dam Belle II., by Clark Chief, Jr .; second dam by Live Oak; Red Strath, one- year-old stallion, by Red Wilkes, dam by Strathmore; second dam by Balsora; Me Wil- ton, weanling stallion by Wilton (he by George Wilkes), dam Lady Mckinney (dam of Idol Gift and Yum Yum, each 2:291), by Sweepstakes, second dam by Robert Fill- ingham, Jr .; Electeeo, weanling stallion by Anteeo (he by Electioneer), dam Lillian; and Maestro, by Rumor, dam by Slander; second dam by General Knox. The last three named will be developed early and are expected to give a good account of themselves. He also has the very promising four-year- old stallion, Lucky Cross, by Belmont (sire of Nutwood), dam Mona Wilkes, by George Wilkes; also the fast three-year-old tilly Abbadonne, that got a two-year-old record in 1891 of 2:32; she is sired by Wilkes Boy, dam Lnlu Patchen, by Tom Patchen; also Miss Nutwood, by Nutwood, dam Sister Ruth, by Jim Monroe; also Ioła MeDowell, by King Rene, dam Rebecca, by Hamble- tonian 10.
At Hillview are a number of the sons and daughters of Waxford, the sire of Belmont Prinee, with a three-year-old record of 2:174. Of these Baby Bunting, Lady Woodman, Champion Belle and La Crosse Maid bid fair to become very speedy. Hillview is a new enterprise, and, although under the manage- ment of men skilled in the art of horse- manship, Mr. Easton gives to the business much of his personal attention, and is always pleased to show his stock to lovers of good horses.
The old Hermit farm, now the property of Mr. Easton, comprises 160 acres, most of it rich and level land lying between the bluffs and the prairie sand hills. Many improve-
He has been an extensive traveler, having visited the principal cities of Europe, the Ter- ritory of Alaska and all the principal places of the United States. He has been too closely connected with important business enterprises to give any attention to politics. Ile cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay and the old Whig party and now votes the Republican ticket. He is well preserved physically, and time and the eares of life have dealt very gently with him. He is a man of the highest honor and has employed those strict methods in business which have won for him the entire confidenee of the Northwest, where he is recognized as one of the highest types of the business men of America.
Ile is now practically retired from active business, having only a general oversight of his affairs and leaving details to his son L. F. Easton.
B ENJAMIN B. MERCEREAU, a resi- dent of West Salem, La Crosse county, is a man of that type which gives char- aeter to a community, and is worthy to be recorded among the leading citizens of the country. He was born in Broome county, New York, June 2, 1857, and is a son of Israel P. and Elizabeth M. (Benediet) Mer- cerean, who were also born in that State. The father was for many years a farmer at Union, New York; his death occurred in
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
1577, at the age of sixty-eight years. De the conflict; he marched with General Sher- was an elder in the Presbyterian Church for man to the sea, and took part in the Grand Review at Washington. District of Columbia, after the cessation of hostilities. He was devoted to the Union cause, and rendered his service freely and cheerfully, believing the end worthy of the means. more than forty years, and his wife was also a devont member for a great many years. They were people of those sterling traits of character which won them the respect of all with whom they came in contact. They reared a family of six children, five of whom are living.
Benjamin B. is the youngest child; he was reared to manhood in New York, and learned the undertaking business and furniture trade with his father. In 1857 he came to La Crosse and worked for a year in a sash and blind factory. At the end of twelve months he came to West Salem and opened a store. where he keeps the largest and best selected stock of furniture in the county, ontside of La Crosse. Ile does a thriving business, and his patronage is constantly increasing. He occurred on the farm in New York, where he has won an enviable place in the commercial cireles of the county, and by a continuance of the success that has attended him he will rank second to none in a few years.
Mr. Merceran was married in 1873 to Miss Florence D. Smith, and of this union three children have been born: Florence, Benjamin M. and Lulu. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Mer- rerean is a trustee. He belongs to the Ma- sonie fraternity, and in his political opinions is an ardent Republican.
VERILL E. SAWYER, deceased, was for many years closely connected with the lumber industry of La Crosse county. lle was a native of the State of New York, born in Cattarangus county. November 14, 1827. and a son of Colonel Earl and Polly ( Davis) Sawyer, natives of Vermont. Colonel Sawyer was a farmer, and a man possessing many sterling traits of character. Ilis death felled the first trees and made the first im- provements, about the year 1570; his wife passed away five years later. They had a family of seven sons and five daughters, and four sons still survive. Averill E., the fifth- born, received his education in Western New York, where he had more than ordinary ad- vantages. The first business in which he embarked was the mercantile trade in his native county in New York; he drifted into the lumber business while he was still inter- ested in merchandising. In 1855, however, he bade farewell to the scenes of his youth, and caught in the tide of western emigra- tion. and landed in Beloit, Wisconsin; here he embarked in the Yankee notion business, which he carried on until he came to Prairie du Chien, where he again became interested in the lumbering industry ; he devoted all his time and energies to this enterprise, and after
Two brothers, Peter and Dudley, were both colliers in the late civil war; they enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty second New York Volunteer Infantry. Dudley Mercerean lost his life in the battle of Chancellorsville, May 4, 1563. aged sixteen years; he had seen but five months of service, but it was a young life freely sacrificed in behalf of a cause the young patriot deemed just beyond a question. a few years had made a decided success. Peter served through the entire war, and was Abont thirteen years ago he came to La in many of the most noted engagements of Crosse and established the same business.
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His home for a time was in Black River Falls, and later in Milwaukee, where he died March 14, 1855, aged fifty-eight years.
Ile was very liberal in his religious views, and gave a generous support to all denomi- nations. He was an honored member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows' orders.
Mr. Sawyer was married June 10, 1851, to Miss Lydia J. Baillet, a daughter of Frances E. Baillet, of New York; the father died February, 22, 1880, aged eighty-three years; his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Ilorton, is still living; she was born Novem- ber 27, 1800, and though feeble in body re- tains all the mental vigor of her youth.
William E. Sawyer, son of Averill E. and Lydia J. Sawyer, married Miss Estella La- rowe, of Portage, Wisconsin. He is carrying on the business established by his father, and is exhibiting those sterling traits that ehar- aeterized his father and won him the un- bounded confidenee of all with whom he eame in contact. He is secretary of the Sawyer & Austin Lumber Company.
RANK J. SAMUELS, one of the rising and progressive young business men of La Crosse, is a native of La Crosse county, born February 5, 1861, a son of David and Ann (Thomas) Samuels, natives of Wales. The father was born about the year 1828, and at the age of eight or ten years he emigrated with his brothers and sisters to America. He was reared in the State of Ohio, in the mining distriets, and his first employ- ment was in the coal mines of that locality. Ile remained there until 1856, when he came West with his family and located on the farm which he had previously purchased in Barre Mills township, La Crosse county; the tract consisted of 160 aeres, but it was uncultivated
and without improvements of any kind. Mr. Samuels went resolutely to work, and the results of his efforts have been most satisfac- tory ; he has added to his first purchase until he now has 320 acres, 300 of which are in one body; the buildings are of a substantial style, and meet with all the requirements of modern agriculture. In his early life Mr. Samuels affiliated with the Republican party, but since 1872 he has voted with the Democrats. He is a self-made man, his success in life being due solely to his own efforts.
In 1855 he was united in marriage to Ann Thomas, one of his country-women, born about the year 1842. To them were born eleven children: Daniel T., a resident of Woonsocket, South Dakota; Charles J., a re- sident of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, agent for the Wisconsin Central Railroad; Frank J., the subject of this notice; Annie, Nellie E., the wife of George L. Pettingill, a merchant of Iron River, Wisconsin ; David, Jr., mail agent between Chieago and Minneapolis; Winnie, a student at Winona, Minnesota; Thomas E., Mary, Harry M. and Lillie II. Frank, Nellie, Winnie and David are all well-known teachers in the county. The parents are associated with the Congregational Church.
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