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 47

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 47
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 47
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 47

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Mareh 30, 1869, Mr. Yonng married Emma Jane Pfaff. She was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, June 3, 1851, daughter of William and Margaret (Batalya) Pfaff, natives of Germany and Switzerland respeet- ively. Mrs. Young was reared and educated in this county. To Mr. Young and his wife six children have been born, five of whom are living: George C., Libbie E., wife of Frank Rommel, of Burns, this county; Wal- ter A., William M. and Elwin F. Osear M. died at the age of seventeen months. The parents are members of the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Young is a Republican, and a member of Nelson Quygle Post, No. 233, G. A. R., of Mindoro. He is a man of the strietest integrity. is frank and eordial with all, and and stands high in the community where he resides.

ATHANIEL O. PITTENGER is a good example of what can be accomplished in life when thorough determination to sneeeed is coupled with energy, perseverance and a elose application in the directions ehosen. Mr. Pittenger was brought up to a farm life, applied himself to his calling upon starting out for himself, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 165 acres. He is one of the old settlers and prominent citizens of Onalaska, and is popular and well liked by all who have liad business relations with him. He was born in Riehland county, Ohio, November 25, 1822, a son of Abraham Pittenger, who was born near Cadiz, Ohio, and grandson of Peter Pittenger, of Virginia, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, the latter being a son of a Revolutionary soldier of Dutch descent. The family was first rep-

resented in this country by three brothers, who came to America before the Revolu- tion, and they have always been classed among the useful residents of this country, many members of whom have won enviable reputations as soldiers and statesmen. Abra- ham Pittenger was married to Eleanor Ferguson, daughter of John Ferguson. She was born and reared near Cadiz, Ohio, and inherited Seotch blood of her ancestors, a number of the early members of which family were Revolutionary soldiers and par- tieipants in the war of 1812. Mrs. Pittenger was called from life in 1846, having borne seven sons and two daughters: James, who was a Union soldier, and died at Harper's Ferry, while still in early manhood. Abraham Pittenger took for his second wife Luey Rand, who bore him three sons and one daughter. He came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1852, followed the calling of a farmer throughout life, and died in Tempea- leau county, this State, in 1879. He was a Republican in politics during the latter part of his life, and was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Nathaniel (). Pittenger was educated in the public schools, and after reaching manhood lived for eleven years in Williams county, but became a resi- dent of La Crosse county in 1565, and pur- chased the William Bowman farm of 165 acres, on which he erected a good residence, 16 x 24 feet, and a barn, 22 x 36 feet. This farm is well cultivated and well watered, and is considered a valuable one. He was mar- ried in 1846, to Miss Ann Stevenson, a woman of mueh intelligence. who was born, reared and educated in Richland connty, Ohio, a daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Kennedy) Stevenson, the former a native of Pennsylvania. To Mr. Pittenger and his wife two children have been born: Abraham, who was born in Richland county, Ohio,

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August 20. 1\51. received his education in December 16, 1523, daughter of Thomas that and Williams county, was married in Rogers and Martha (Riddy) Rogers, and 1575. to Eva Sanderson, of Michigan, dangh- ter of Cyrus and Phoebe (Weston) Sanderson, and by her is the father of two children: Burton and Cora. He has a good farm of 106 acres near his father, in a good state of cultivation and well improved with buildings. He has been a member of the A. F. & .A. M. lodge at La Crosse since 1874. The other child born to Nathaniel O. Pittenger is Mary Ellen, wife of J. C. Keizer, a merchant of Midway. Mr. Pittenger's children who are deceased are as follows: Alfred, who died at the age of twenty-one year>; Levi, who died at twenty-eight, leaving three children: Wes- ley, Milton and Laura; and Samuel, who died while a student at Galesville College, on a farm, and the country was a complete when nineteen years oldl. Mr. Pittenger is a Democrat, and has been a Mason since 1552. He has held a number of minor positions in his township, and is one of the most substan- tial citizens of La Crosse county. He is now sixty-nine years of age, and twenty-five years of his early life was spent at blacksmithing.

M RS. CHARLOTTE FRENCH is the relict of Joseph French, one of the first settlers of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, who came here in May, 1851. Ile was born in Great Bowden, Leicester- shire. England. December 3, 1\21. a son of Joseph and Hannah (Gill) French, the former of whom was a farmer and cattle dealer, and became a well-to-do man. He died at the

granddaughter of John Rogers. Thomas and Martha Rogers became the parents of nine children: Charlotte, John and Elizabeth (twins), Robert, Mary Ann, William. Emily, Rebecca and George. Thomas Rogers died in England in 1977 at the age of seventy- eight years, and his wife passed from life in her native land February 6, 1890, at the age of ninety. Seven years after his marriage Joseph French came to America, sailing from Liverpool and landing at New York, and soon after came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. and then to La Crosse, which at that time con- sisted of seven or eight houses. He made the first road to the place. where he settled wilderness, inhabited by wild animals and numerous Indians. March 7, 1565, he enlisted in the U'nion army: his service closed in August, when he was honorably discharged, and he returned home. The farm which he now owns, consisting of 360 acres, is one of the oldest in the county, but the soil is still exceedingly productive and is carefully tilled. It is improved with good buildings of all descriptions and is a valuable place. The following are the names of his children: Martha E., George G., natives of England; Charlotte E., of Winona, Minnesota, now Mrs. Webb; Joseph O., of thi. township: Emily I., at home; Robert R., also at home; and the following children, that are also de- ecased: Charlotte Ann, Willie Gill, Lydia Maria and Alice Agnes.

Joseph French, the father, was called from age of sixty five years, at which time of life life July 6, 1559, when in his sixty- eighth his wife also died, in this county. They were the parents of three children: Hannah Martha. deceased; Lydia, still living, and Joseph. The latter was married April 21, 1s11. to Miss Charlotte Rogers, who was born in England year. He had been a prominent man of his township, but aside from holding the position of school Treasurer twenty-one years, he held no other office. He was a member of John Flynn Post, No. 77, of North La Crosse, and

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in his business and social relations showed that he was a man of broad views. He was kind and considerate in his family, and his death was deemed a great loss to the com- munity in which he resided. Mrs. French is a remarkably well preserved woman, and her agreeable and cordial manners have ob- tained for her the affection and respect of a large circle of acquaintances.

OIIN HOBBS .- This gentleman has been a resident of La Crosse county since 1851. He was born in Cornwall, England, near the city of Bristol, July 15, 1832, and his parents, Archleus Hobbs and nee Mary Jol- ler, were natives of the same place. He was fifteen months of age when the family sailed for America, landing here after a stormy voyage of nine weeks. They settled near Albany, New York, where they lived for seven years, after which they moved to a place near Sandusky, Huron county, Ohio. Later they emigrated to Canada and settled Dear Fort Malden. Their next move was to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin. In 1851 the subject of our sketch came to La Crosse county and purchased 160 acres, the first land sold here-State land-for which he paid 81.25 per acre. A short time afterward he was joined by his parents. His father was twice married, and John was the only child by the second marriage. By the first union four children were born, three sons and one daughter. One son lives in Kansas City, Missouri, and another in Arizona. The daughter resides in Nebraska. Mrs. Hobbs died here in 1870, at the age of seventy years, and Mr. Hobbs passed away in 1874, at the age of seventy-four. The latter was a farmer by occupation; politically, a Whig; relig- iously, an Episcopalian.

John Hobbs was reared to farm life and was educated in the common schools. Ile was among the first settlers in this county. La Crosse, in 1851, contained only a few houses and log cabins, and Deacon Smith and Rublee had started a store just before Mr. Ilobbs came here. Mr. Hobbs at first built a log cabin on his farm, which was subse- quently replaced by a board house.

On the 17th of November, 1861, Mr. Ilobbs enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, a regiment that made a good record by valiant service. He participated in a num- ber of important engagements, and at one time was thrown from a horse, receiving serious injuri », from the effects of which he has never recovered. During the latter part of the war he was in Texas with General Custer. He was honorably discharged at Austin, Texas, after a service of four years and one month.

Mr. Hobbs now owns a good farm of 240 acres, near Mindoro, in Farmington town- ship; has a two-story residence, substantial barn and other improvements; and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

Ile was married at the age of twenty-three, to Miss Mary Newcom, a native of Penn- sylvania, and a daughter of Herald and Sarah (Spencer) Newcom, natives respectively of New York State and England. They died in Arcadia, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs have eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, viz .: John G., of Wyoming; Mary E., wife of Ilarry Duffield, of Billings, Mon- tana: Rachel, wife of William Barclay, of Red Lodge, Montana; Clara A., wife of James Barclay, also of Red Lodge; Elva Isabella and Martha Eleanor, of the same place; Sarah T., at home; Gracie E., also at home; Cyrus Edwin and Bishop II., of North La Crosse; and Albert Monroe, of Billings, Montana.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Mr. Hobbs is a Republican, and a member competent clerks. Their prosperity is due to of Nelson Quygle Post. No. 233, being a good management, honorable dealing, and an charter member and Junior Vice-Commander of the same. carnest desire to supply the demands of the market. Their location is easy of access, and their patronage is probably the largest in this portion of the county.

Mr. Larson has always made it a point to LARSON, a member of the firm of investigate all publie movements and to give Johnson & Larson, general merchants, a generous support to those enterprises which West Salem, is one of the most promi- have for their object the best interests of the community. Politically he a lheres to the principals of the Republican party.

nent business men in La Crosse county. He is an American citizen by adoption. his native country being Norway, where he was born February 11, 1556. His parents, Christian and Camelia (Johnson) Larson, are also natives of Norway, but are now residents of this county; the father is a farmer by ocen- pation, but when he emigrated to America in 1>50 he came withont capital excepting that with which nature had endowed him. He went to work with a will and determination. was frugal and industrious, and is now the owner of 390 acres of land, the greater por- tion of which is under cultivation. He was married in this country in 1853, and has reared a family of ten children: the oldest one is the subject of this biography: Nettie, the wife of J. K. Johnson; Mattie. Ben, Julia, the wife of L. Johnson; Edward, Theresa A .. Oscar, John and Clara. L. Lar. son was raised on a farm, and followed agri- culture with good success until 1991, when he embarked in mercantile trade, having formed a partnership with Mr. Johnson at West Sdem. This is next to the oldest firm in the place in the general mercantile trade. They keep a large and well selected stock oľ dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, hats and caps, groceries, crockery, and glassware, and their sales probably aggregate more than any other firm in town. Their trade has been increasing from year to year, and has no es. sitated the addition from time to time of

In the year 1983, October 24. he was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Johnson, a daughter of Christian Johnson and Helen Johnson. Two children have blessed this union: Clyde C. and Harvey G. Both the father and mother are members of the Noir- wegin Lutheran Church. They are people of sterling traits of character, and live a life according to their highest convictions.

EV. JOHN J. VAUGHAN. acontrac- tor and builder at Bangor, Wisconsin, a son of JJohn and Jane Vanghan, de- eea-ed, was born in North Wales, Great Britain, April 19, 1526.

The father of the subject of this sketch brought his family to Oneida county. New York, in 1831, settling on a farm in Remseu township, and was a laborer during the build- ing of the New York Central railroad. between Troy and Schenectady. Our subject's early boyhood was spent on a farm. and re- ceived his education at Whitestown Seminary. New York, and he attended the Biblical In - stitute, which was then a part of said semi- nary. Hle afterward pursued a theological course in the Baptist Theological Seminary at Morgan Park, near Chicago, Illinois.

He helped raise several companies for the

Henry S. Bliss.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Union army. He took on active part in the , John J., Jr., born November 18. 1588; their campaign of 1860, and also in the campaign little daughter, Margretta May, was born May 7, 1891. of 1864, in electing Roscoe Conkling to Con- gress; he likewise used his influence to secure Roscoe Conkling's first nomination to Con- gress in 1858.

Mr. Vaughan served as a Justice of the Peace for two years. Ile is a Republican politically, and was present at one of the first conventions when the Republican party was formed in 1855. He was one of the first to

Mr. Vaughan taught school many winters both before and after the war. He received a State certificate from the Department of oppose the "Know- Nothing" party in his Public Instruction at Albany, New York, locality. when the Hon. V. M. Riee was the State Superintendent. A great number of his - former pupils enlisted in the Union army, and every one acted his part well in service of his country.

IIe came to Wisconsin in 1865, and located cept three or four summers which he spent in Brown and Clark counties, South Dakota. He taught three winters at Bangor, and also eight terms in the Prairie school, two miles southeast of Bangor village, and six winters at Rockland, Wisconsin.

He was pastor of the Baptist Church at Bangor, four years, and has acted as a supply for several years besides. He has followed the carpenter's trade at different times since he came to Wisconsin, except while he was in Dakota, where he was employed as a mis- sionary, and while there he helped organize three or four churches, paying much of his own funds in erecting church edifices, etc.

ENRY I. BLISS, La Crosse, Wisconsin, a civil engineer and a member of the American Society of Engineers, is one

at Bangor, where has resided ever since, ex- of the pioneers of La Crosse county, and has

for many years held positions of trust in the same. He was born in Hartford, Connecti- cut, graduated at Yale in the class of 1853, and has since graduation practiced his pro- fession excepting that during three months in 1855 he was engaged as principal of the classical department of the High School of

Hartford, Connecticut. Before coming West he was engaged on the survey of the New York & Boston Air Line Railroad; afterward, at the West, on the survey of the Milwaukee & Fond du Lac Railroad: subsequently on the survey and construction of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad, the Southern Min- nesota Railroad, the La Crosse & Prairie du Chien Railroad, the La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott Railroad, a preliminary survey of a line of railroad from La Crosse to Winona: also several preliminary and trial railroad lines in Southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.

Mr. Vaughan was twice married. IIe was married the first time to Miss Mary A. Thomas, a native of Oneida county, New York, a daughter of Richard E. and Mary Thomas. There were three children born to them-two survive: Richard M. and Jennie, his first born. Mrs. Vaughan died Septem- Ile came to La Crosse in the fall of 1855, but did not locate here permanently until the spring of 1858, since which time till the present he has had an office here for the ber 27, 1873. On December 31, 1885, he was married the second time, to Maggie E., daugh- ter of John T. Edwards, of Leon, Monroe county, Wisconsin. They have two children: practice of civil engineering and surveying, 27

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

at first in partnership with George Gregory, ; they move, leading spirits withont whom afterward with Mr. Gregory and Wallace M. Spear, then with Mr. Spear until 1560, since which time he has had no partner.

From the commencement of the city gov- ernment in 1856 until 1560, either he or one of his partners held the office of City Engi- neer, and after 1560 he held it until 1554. Hle also held the other of County Surveyor of La Crosse county for a considerable 'ime. IJe planned the La Crosse City Water Works. and, with a few other citizens, against the vigorons opposition of a large majority of voters, succeeded in securing their construc- tion. He has always been forward in the : ment he seeured was in the lumber industry; promotion of public improvements, and has for three years he was on the river and in the woods, and then he went to Clarksville, Pike county, Missouri, where he remained two years. Returning to La Crosse county in 1971. he became a member of the C. 11. Nichols Lumber Company, and since that time has been one of the most energetic and influen- tial of the company's forces. Afterwards Col. Nichols sold his interest to Charles H. and Frank E. Nichols, his sons, and Frank Pooler, his son-in-law; he gave to each of his sons $10,000, and loaned to the new firm carried on, in connection with his civil engi- neering and surveying, a real-estate business for Western Wisconsin and Southern Minne- sota, and by the sale of cheap lots in La Crosse city to be built upon and oeenpied, he has greatly promoted the growth of the city. In 1570, with Alex. McMillan and W. R. Sill. he contracted with the Postoffice De- partment of the United States Government for the rental of a postoffice to them and crested the block on the northeast corner of Main and Third streets, in the corner room : $20,000.

of which the La Crosse postoffice was located for a term of ten years.

lle is a Congregationalist, and was for many years a deacon of the First Congrega- tional Church of La Crosse and a trustee of the society. He has been a Republican in polities since the origin of the party.

ON. FRANK POOLER, a member of the C. HI. Nichols Lumber Company. Onalaska, Wisconsin, is one of those en. cerprising and progressive business men who give life and activity to all cireles in which

there would be no growth, no development. lle was born in Somerset county, Maine. October 23, 1847, a son of George and Har- riet ( Rogers) Pooler, natives of Canada and people of great stability of character; they went from the Dominion to Maine. where they were married, and in 1876 removed to Onalaska. Their son Frank, the subject of this biographical sketch, received his educa- tion in his native state. At the age of eight- een years he concluded that he would try his fortune in the West, and accordingly in 1865 he came to Wisconsin. The first employ-

Mr. Pooler was united in marriage January 6. 1570, to Miss Cornelia F. Nichols, a danghter of Colonel C. M. Nichols, a native of Dane county, Wisconsin. Four children have been born of this anion: Blanche N., Earl, Don Cameron and Vanee B.

In addition to the enterprise already men- tioned. Mr. Pooler has time to devote to the Following corporations: he is a director of the Black River Improvement Company, of the Black River Driving Association, of the East Fork Improvement Company, in the organization of which he assisted, and of the Street Railway Company, of which he was a director at the time of its organization in

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1890. Ile has represented the people of La Crosse connty in the State Legislature, where he guarded their interests with such fidelity as to win their entire confidence. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party; he has been a member of the county board of Supervisors, of which he was chairman for two years. He belongs to the Masonic order, being a member of the blue lodge, chapter, and consistory. The family attend the Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Pooler con- tributes a generous support.

Ile has also served as Mayor of the city, in addition to other positions of trust and honor which have been accorded him, but in no condition or surroundings has he ever wavered from the course which he esteemed the true one, and best adapted to the needs of those whom he represented.

ETER FIERS, farmer, Midway, Wis- eonsin, ranks among the well-known and successful men of foreign birth who make their home in La Crosse county, Wisconsin. He was born in Holland, on the 25th day of June. 1845 and is a son of Peter Fiers. Sr., the surname having been for seven generations in the family, it being a favorite. The mother's maiden name was Anna Yans Van Hasinga, and both she and her husband were born, reared and educated in Ilolland. They were well respected and passed their entire lives in their native country. They were the parents of two children: Henrietta, who died in Holland, and Peter, Jr. The father was a man of education and for more than twenty-five years was a successful school teacher. He was secretary of an insurance company and held the position of trustee and Notary Publie for years.

Peter Fiers, Jr., received a good education

in his native country, for his father wanted him to follow the same professson as him- self. Peter, Jr., was not of the same mind, and his greatest desire was to be a sailor and go round the world He ran away two or three times, but was returned, for he could not leave the port without his father's consent. How- ever, on the 7th of March, 1869, he left Har- lingen, Holland, and went to Hull, England, thenee to Liverpool and took the ship "Ne- vada" for New York. He was thirteen days in making the voyage to the United States, and here he has made his home ever sinee. He has worked on the railroads, steamboats. at lumbering and farming. He has visited his native country twice, once in 1974, and again in 1876, when his father was very sick. Mr. Fiers located on his present farm in March, 1888, and has 228 acres of excellent land, two dwelling-houses on it and two barus. He is thoroughgoing and progress- ive, and is one of the substantial men in this section ..

He was married on the 3d of Marel, 1871. to Miss Anna Mary Ingelbery, a native of Stanga, Norway, near Christiania. She was reared and educated in her native country and when eighteen years of age eame to the United States, settling in Wisconsin. Iler parents, Ingelbery and Mary (Gilbert) Ingel- bery, were natives of Norway and there passed their entire lives.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fiers were born eight living children: Peter William, at home; Edwin, Mary, Henrietta, Gustalf Adolph, Anna Dorotha, Lawren C., John and Ma- bel Grace. One son, John, died at a little over eleven months. He was the sixth child in order of birth.

In politics Mr. Fiers is a Democrat and socially he is a member of the Farmers' Alli- ance. In religion he was reared a Mennon- ite, but his wife holds membership in the

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Lutheran Church. She is the only one of and in 1591 to more than $4,000. He car- her family now living. Mr. Fiers is a man of learning and has seen much of the world.

most enterprising business men of that place, and is entitled to more than passing mention in this record of the leading citizens of La Crosse county. He is a native of Nor- way, born October 6, 1856. and is a son of Jacob and Helga Johaneson: they are also natives of Norway, but emigrated with their family to America in 1965; they settled on a farm in Trempealean county, Wisconsin, and resided there six years; thence they removed to Martin county, Minnesota, and at the end of four years went to Hamilton county. lowa. where they are now living: the father is seventy eight years of age, and the mother is ten years younger. They reared a family of ten children: Johanes, Ingeborg, Magrete, Lars, Ed, Martha. Jacob. Burt. the subject of this notice: Angel, and Maggie, the wife of Ole Maakestad.

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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