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 50

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 50
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 50
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 50

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A. O. Black was born in Holland township, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, September 20, 1863, son of Ole O. Black, Sr., one of the . pioneer settlers of this township, he having located here in 1852. Ile still lives on the

old home place. The subject of our sketch was reared on his father's farm, receiving his education in the district schools. He subse- quently took a course of study at the La Crosse Business College.

He was married in February, 1889, to Miss Anna Oswald. Of the two children born to them, Oswald is living and Joel Elexo is dead.

Mr. Black is a Republican and is identified with the best elements of his party, being one of its wheel-horses at this place. IIe and his wife are both worthy members of the Lutheran Church. He is progressive in his views, and favors the advancement of educa- tional and religious interests.

Such is a brief review of one of the rep- resentative citizens of La Crosse county.

ETER KEAVENY, one of the oldest employés of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, at La Crosse, was born in Ireland in 1825, a son of John and Mary (Feany) Keaveny. The father died on his native isle in 1860, aged seventy-five years; the mother is now living at La Crosse, with one of her sons, having attained the advanced age of eighty-six years. There were eight children in the family, seven of whom are living, all citizens of La Crosse, highly respected by the entire community. Peter Keaveny emigrated to the United States in 1854, and after landing came to Wisconsin, securing employment with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad; he resided at Sparta until 1858, and then moved on with the road to La Crosse, where he still resides, being in the employ of the same company. About 1867 he was promoted to the position of track master in the yards at La Crosse, which he still holds.

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Mr. Keaveny was united in marriage Oe- tober 2, 1560. to Miss Marguerite MeDonald. a danghter of Hugh and Ann McDonald of Sparta, Wisconsin, who removed from Albany. New York, to this State; they had two chil- dren: Mrs. Keaveny and a son, John IL .; the latter was for many years a passenger con- ductor on the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad. but is now retired and living in St. Paul. To Mr. and Mrs. Keaveny have been born nine children, seven of whom are living: Michael, Franeis, Peter, Thomas, William, Mary Ann and Marguerite; Peter is engaged in railroading in Dakota, and Francis and Michael are both in the employ of the Chi- eago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Com- pany, at La Crosse. The other children are in sehool; the family belong to the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Keaveny is a member of the Ancient Order of Ilibernians. Polit ically he adheres to the principles of the Demo- cratie party, and is an ardent supporter o the issues of that body.

W. NUTTING, hotel proprietor, Mid- way. Wisconsin -- The poet who found "his warmest welcome in an inn" must have had in mind one of those hostel- ries in which the conveniences of home are forever present without the disagreeable and exaeting duties that make home life domestic slavery. Such an abode is that of the Charleston House of Midway, a family hotel, of which Mr. Nutting is the genial proprio- tor. This is a commodion- structure, two sto ries in height. and fitted with all the modern conveniences. What is of primary impor tance in this connection is the quality of the enisine and the service. These, like all other arrangements of this comfortable house are of the best order. The whole aspect of the

house and the interior arrangements, as more close acquaintance will specify. are suggestive of comfort,the best word of all to those who seek a home. There is a good hall in the upper story of the house, and this is used for public entertainments of all kinds, leetures, shows, dances, etc. Mr. Nutting, who is host and proprietor. has had twenty years experi- enee in this business and is master of the dlithienlt art of hotel-keeping.

Ile was born in Somerset county, Maine, January 3, 1839, and is a son of Seth and Beersheba (Blackwell) Nutting, both of Scotch deseent: the father was a stone-mason by trade, and in polities was a stauneh Dedi- oerat. He and wife received their final summons in Maine, the mother dying when C. W. Nutting was a babe, and the father at the age of seventy-six.

One of their sons, Jewitt Nutting, was a member of the First Maine Cavalry, and served all through the war. He participated in thirty-six prominent engagements, and had three horses shot from under him. He is now a resident of the Pine Tree State.

C. W. Nutting was reared in his native State and was thoroughly educated in the common schools. In 1952 he went to Cali- fornia, by way of the Isthmus, and for eighteen months was engaged in mining. He returned to Maine in 1855 and subsequently came to Wisconsin, where for six years he worked in the woods and on the river. In 1861 he settled at Midway and embarked in the hotel business, which he has since carried on.

He was married in La Crosse county, Wis- consin, to Miss Alice May Welch, a native of Walworth county, Wisconsin, and the danghter of Freeborn Welch, one of the oldest settlers of the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Nutting's union has been blessed by the birth of five children, all sons: Adelbert S .. born February 23, 1>72, died

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October 14, 1880; Jewitt, Ray and George.

Mr. Nutting is a member of the I. O. O. F. and in polities affiliates with the Democratic party.

lle is the owner of some fine colts that give promise of being good road and track horses. One is sired by Robin and another by Good-bye.

Mr. Nutting is an extensive traveler, is well informed, and is a jovial and popular man.

ALVER E. STRAND was born in Nor- way, October 23, 1843, a son of Eric and Rachel (Halverson) Strand. The father was a farmer by trade and lived to be fifty years old. He emigrated to America with his family in 1856, and the following year he passed to his rest beyond. There were eight children in the family, six of whom are now living: Mrs. Julia Olson Mary, wife of Ole Severson; Rachel, wife of Sever Julson, Halver E., the subject of this notice; Ole and Betsey, wife of Ulrick Knutson. Themother died in La Crosse at the home of her son, Halver, in December, 1889, having reached the age of four-score years.

Mr. Strand was a lad of thirteen years when the family crossed the sea and landed on American shores. He received his edu- cation both in this country and his native land. Agriculture was the first business to which he turned his attention, and in 1884, he came to La Crosse for the purpose of embarking in another enterprise, that of iner. chandising. He is a man of great enterprise, quick perceptions, and good judgment. Ile has always employed business methods above question, is conscientious, courteous, and uni- formly fair in all his dealings. Before estab- lishing his business in La Crosse, Mr. Strand

had been a resident of the State of lowa for a period of seventeen years; he held public office in Monona county, where he owned lands, which he still retains.

Ile was united in marriage, in 1868, to Miss Mary A. Tollefson, a daughter of Ole Tollef- son, and the oldest of a family of six children named as follows: Sarah, wife of Halver 1. Ileyer; Tollef, who married Lissie Wage; Louisa, wife of Carl AAlbrecktson; Emma, wife of O. N. Tweet, and Julia, wife of John Knutson. Mr. and Mrs. Strand have two children living, Lillie M. and Emma L., pupils of the public schools. The parents are consistent members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

AMES A. MOSIIER .- This gentleman, who resides near Ilolmen in Holland township, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, is one of the early settlers of this section of the country. Hle came here in 1852, when this place was a frontier settlement, and in La Crosse county he has since made his home.

James A. Mosher was born in Montgomery county, New York, September 1, 1826. His father, Peter Mosher, was of German ex- traction, and was also a native of the Empire State, while his mother, whose maiden name was Sally Aimes, was born in Connecticut and was a descendant of an old Connecticut family. They had a family of thirteen chil- dren, six sons and seven daughters. The mother died in the town of Holland, La Crosse county. His father and mother, came to Wisconsin at an early day, and died in this county, at the age of fifty-six. Four of their sons-Millford, Peter Josiah, William and James A .-- served in the late war; two are still living.

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The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm in New York, and received a common- school education. In early life he was em- ployed as a lumberman, working in the woods. Then for a number of years he was engaged in boating, first on the Erie Canal, six or seven years on the Allegheny river. for a time on the Ohio river, and afterward for one season on the lakes. In 1552, as already stated. he took up his abode in La Crosse county, and here for three winter, he worked in the woods. During the war he enlisted, January 1, 1564. in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, Company L (afterward Company B), and was on the Red River ex- pedition with General Banks. He was with his regiment at Memphis for some time, and afterward participated in a number of other engagements. He was honorably discharged and returned to Wisconsin, where he has since been engaged in farming and working in the woods and on the river. He owns an eighty-acre farm with a cottage home on it. and other suitable farm buildings.

Mr. Mosher has been twice married. At the age of twenty-one he wedded Harriette N. Bill. a native of New York State, and a daughter of Amos and Hannah Bill. She bore him four children, two of whom are living, viz .: Martha, wife of William Dale, , knowledge of the fundamental principles of of this township, and Harriette, wife of

the "three R's." AAt the age of eighteen James Dale. also of Holland township. His years he began working at the earpenter's wife died in January, I>>5, and the follow- ing year he was united in marriage with Caroline Swenson, his present companion. She was born in this township, daughter of Gooden and Lena Swenson. Their union has been blessed with two children: Laura May and Millford Anthony.

Mr. Mosher is a man in whose make-up are found those elements which are character- istie of the pioneer. He has traveled in seventeen different States, and during his ex-

tensive travels has had many experiences that, were they written up. would make an interesting volume of no small proportions. lle is a fair type of the early settler. the lumberman, and the war veteran, and is withal a genial, whole-souled man, and a most worthy citizen.

22222.02.2020

HARLES SCILALLER, who is sneeess- fully engaged in the business of con- tracting and building in Onalaska, Wisconsin, has aided very materially in de- veloping the resources of the county, and is entitled to representation in this work. Hle was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May S, 1855, and is a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Schaller. The father was born in Germany, but emigrated to the United States in early life; he is still living, but his wife passed away in 1988. In 1857 they removed to La Crosse county and settled in Campbell town- ship, where the father now resides. Charles was reared on a farm, and in his youth be- came accustomed to the hard work aceom- panying the settlement of a new country. Ile attended the distriet school which was near the old homestead, and there seeured a

trade, being convinced that agriculture was not his calling. By faithful, conscientious work he has arisen to a high position among the contractors and builders of his county; he employs good material in all his construc- tion, and his assistants are skilled workmen. One very important piece of work which he did was on the bridge for wagons, crossing the Mississippi at La Crosse: he had the con- tract for all the wood-work and pile- driving, and carried it out to the letter, giving great

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satisfaction to all parties concerned. lle also built the bridge over Black river at Onalaska, and has been connected with the construction of many other bridges in the county. During the busy season he has in his employ six men. Several of the best modern residences in Onalaska have been erected under his supervision. His own dwelling is one of the most attractive in the place; it was erected in 1887, is of a good style of architecture, and is an unusually convenient house.

Mr. Schaller was united in marriage at West Salem, January 21, 1886, to Miss Sarah Erickson, a native of Norway and a daughter of Hans and Mary (Fossum) Erickson, natives of the same country. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schaller, Agnes Beat- rice, whose birthday was February 16, 1891.

Politically our subject is identified with the Democratic party. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of Onalaska.

Mr. Schaller is a member of the prosper- ous mereantile firin of Gunderson, Krueger & . Co., of Onalaska. IIe is yet a young man in the prime of life, and being possessed of excellent business qualifications he has every prospect of future success.

OHN ASSELIN has been a resident of this county since 1856, but was born in Quebec, Canada, January 6, 1836, a son of John and Josephine (Chamberlain) Asse- lin, both of whom were born and reared near Quebec, Canada, and there resided until their respective deaths. John attained manhood in his native city, in the schools of which city he obtained a thorough knowledge of books. At the age of twenty he came West and first found work near St. Paul, Minne- sota, at eutting cord wood, later working in ·a brick-yard. Succeeding this he came to La

Crosse county, where he was engaged in cut- ting, rafting and selling cord wood. He has been a driver on the river in rafting logs, and his many years of experience in this work and in the woods admirably fitted him for the lumber business. In 1869 he purchased a small farm, but is now the owner of 360 acres of valuable land, on which are good buildings of all descriptions and a fine wind- mill.

He was married on the 17th of September, 1860, to Miss Clara Seals, who is an intelli- gent lady and has made him a model wife. She was born at Nauvoo, Hancock county, Illinois, a daughter of Charles Seals, who was born in Montreal, Canada, but who died in La Crosse county, Wiseonsin. in 1857. His wife died when Mrs. Asselin was a babe. Mrs. Asselin has a brother, William Seals, and a sister, Mary Bruett, who reside in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Asselin have ten children: Charles, who is married and has three children; Ilwick, who was born in Canada while his parents were there on a visit, is married; Maggie is the wife of James Cotty; Ella; Josephine; Willie and Tillie are living, and the following, who are deceased: Joseph, who died at the age of thirteen months; William, who died when nine months old, and Exelina, who died at the age of three years. Mr. Asselin is a well posted man and is a patron of all good works. In 1882 he was Supervisor of the town of Campbell; since 1883 he has been Assessor of the same town, and he has been Clerk of the School District for the last ten years.

TOHN J. OTT, deceased, late of section 35, Bangor township, was born in Ba- varia, Germany, August 12, 1824, eame to this country in 1847, and for many years

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making his headquarters at Chicago. removed to this county in 1557, settling on the southeast quarter of section 35. Bangor township, where his widow now resides. Ile owned 206 aeres of valuable land, where he built a fine two-story brick residence in 1878. lle was married in Chicago. October 25, 1854, to Agatha Weber, a daughter of Joseph Weber, now deceased, who brought his family to the United States from Bavaria in 1948, settling in Chicago, where he worked at the carpenter's trade several years. Ile died in Milwaukee in May, 1586. Mr. and Mrs. Ott had six children, five of whom are now living: Matthias, Joseph, Mary A .. Edmund, John G. One son, Frank A., died at the age of fourteen years. Joseph was married to Josephine Cavadine, by whom he had one child, Katie 1. The wife died, after which he married Gertrude Bedessen, and now lives in North La Crosse, where he works in a sawmill. Mr. Ott was a mem- ber of the school board many years. HIe died March 29, 1891, at his home in Bangor, a member of the orders of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and also of the Catholie Church. of which his family were also mem- ber -.

worked in various parts of the United States, seeond cousin of General Putnam. Renben He Putnam, Jr .. married Eleanor Abbott, a na- tive of New England, descended from Puri- tan stock, and to them were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters, eight of whom survived in 1891. The parents re- moved to Cook county, Illinois, and there passed the remainder of their lives; the father died at the age of seventy years, and the mother attained the age of eighty-nine. Alden Putnam was reared in Vermont, and at the age of twenty years was driving a stage for A. W. Hyde. Two years later he came to the West, arriving in Chicago in 1540, and seenred a situation with Frink & Walker, the most widely-known stage men in the Mississippi valley; he remained with them three years, driving from Chicago to Joliet, from Rockford to Galena, and other points: he often drove six horses, carrying freight, passengers and large sums of money. Hle became acquainted with many distin- guished men in those days, and gained a wide knowledge of human nature.

In 1544 he purchased some land in Lake county, Illinois, and engaged in farming. When the gold excitement reached Illinois. he abandoned every enterprise and went over- land to the scene of the craze. The journey consumed six months; he was one of four men to discover Grass valley, and was en- gaged at "Rough and Ready Diggings." In 1850 he came back to Illinois, where he resided until 1857; in that year he removed to Jackson county, Wisconsin, and settled twelve miles from Black River Falls: he purchased a fine farm of 417 aeres, in an ad- vanced state of enltivation and well improved with good buildings. In 1572 he went to Balek River Falls and conducted the Mer- chants' Hotel of that place for six years; he was in the hotel business at other points

LDEN PUTNAM is a prominent pio- neer of both Monroe and La Crosse counties, and is entitled to an extended notiee in this history of the heroie men and women who braved the hardships and dan- gers of the frontier to prepare the way for the advance of civilization. Mr Putnam was born in Bethel, Windsor county. Ver- mont. November 26. 1815; his father, Reu- ben Putnam, was born in the same place, and was a son of Reuben Putnam, Sr., a until 1888, when he came to Onalaska and

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erected a residence on Second street, where he is pleasantly surrounded with many of the comforts of life,

Mr. Putnam was married at Dundee, Illi- nois, at the age of twenty-eight years, to Miss Eliza Smith, a daughter of Orrin Smith, an honored pioneer of the county. Two sons were born of this union: Hosea Ballon, a railroad conductor of Los Angeles, Califor- nia, and Theodore, deceased. Mrs. Putnam departed this life in August, 1891.

Mr. Putnam affiliates with the Republican party ; he has served as Justice of the Peace, but has not been an aspirant for political honors. Ile has been a Mason for twenty- five years, and in every association of life he has shown hinself a genial companion, a loyal citizen, and a tried and stanch friend.

OIIN CROOK. JR., dealer in groceries, provisions and feed, La Crosse, Wiscon- sin, was born in Devonshire, England, August 13. 1848, a son of John and Charlotte Crook. natives of the same place. The parents moved to Cornwall, England, and resided there until 1854, emigrating thence with their family to the United States. They settled in Vernon county, Wisconsin. John Crook was connected with his father in the farming business until he was twenty- two years of age. Mr. Crook was married November 13, 1870, to Miss Frances Letta, whose parents were George and Nathaniel Letta, of Vernon county. The father is liv- ing, at the age of seventy-one; but the mo- ther died in 1873, at the age of fifty-one years; and so also Mr. Crooks' mother died, the 11th of February, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Crook, Jr., have three children born to them.

Lewis Crook is at present at the wholesale house of Mr. Diebold, the provision dealer

and he has proved himself successful as clerk in the store. Austin Crook is at present in the store with his father; John Crook, Jr., and Lewis and Austin belong to the Epworth League of the Cohnan Church at La Crosse. Dotty also belonged to that and the W. C. T. U. Both the boys also belong to the Y. M. C. A. of La Crosse.

Miss Dotty Crook, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Crook. Jr .. No. 1425 Market street, died at her home November 13, 1891. The deceased was born near Virogna, May 28, 1871; she was therefore a little over twenty years of age. She was educated at Viroqua, where she became quite an accom- plished organist, and received a county cer- tificate to teach before she was fourteen years of age. Preferring, however, to clerk in a store rather than teach, she began a very suc- cessful career as such at Westby, which was continned at La Crosse with much satisfaction to the family, herself and her employers. Dotty was proficient in three languages,- English, German and Norwegian. At the age of twelve she was converted, but a change of residence of the parents hindered church membership, so that she did not join the church until the winter of 1888. From child- hood she manifested a great interest in re- ligious work, and aided those who thus needed Christian help or advice in a manner much beyond her years. She won the love and respect of all who knew her, as was amply attested by the very large audience which gathered at Colman Church Sunday afternoon amidst a driving rain to pay their last tokens of respect to the one they held most dear. Many said it was the saddest funeral they ever attended. Rev. Mr. Chalfant, of Mel- rose, a former pastor, was present and pro- nounced the funeral sermon from John 14: 1 3. Rev. Mr. Benson, pastor of Colman Church, and W. S. Sweet, of the First Bap-

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tist Church. assisted. This being the first time the dark angel had entered this family, it was felt most keenly, and all said indeed that " Death loves a shining mark." The sympathy of a large circle of friends is most sincerely extended to the father, mother and brothers, and also to him whose life-plans were bound up in the one that was taken. Our loss is her gain, and therefore let us comfort one another with these words: " Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God: believe also in me."

ter August 17, of the year last named, and the following October came to America, in company with Pastor Muhlhausen, then of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Arriving here and becoming a member of the Wisconsin Synod, he was assigned to missionary duties, his first work being the organization of a church at Green Bay, Wis- consin. In this enterprise he was eminently successful. and became the pastor of the new church at Green Bay, serving that people until May, 1870, when he was transferred to We miss thee from our home, dear Dottie; We miss thee from thy place ; A shadow o'er our life is cast ; We miss the sunshine of thy face. La Crosse. Mr. Reim's superiors in the church in Württemburg desired him to go to Afriea as a missionary: but being in rather delicate health his physician did not consent. We miss thy kind and willing hand, Thy fond and earnest care ; Our home is dark without thee; We miss thee everywhere. and hence permission was granted him to come to America. Friedens-Gemeinde (Peace Society) is the German name of the church But how very lonely is the home In which she left a vacant chair ! She's missed by all who go or come; She's missed in time of family prayer. over which Mr. Reim has presided for the last twenty-one years. This society was or- ganized in 1559. The first minister was Rev. Fachtman, who remained till the autumn Yes, our dear daughter has gone to rest ; Iler loving voice we no longer hear; But God knows all things best, And has taken one we loved so dear. of 1862. Rev. Stark succeeded him, who remained till September, 1865, and was suc- eceded by Rev. Kittel, who remained till the coming of Rev. Mr. Reim. The church in which the congregation now worship was commenced in 1565, and completed sutli- EV. CARL GOTTLIEB REIM, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (German), residence 336 South Fifth street, is a native of Oberturkeim. kingdom of Württemburg, Germany, where he was born March 14, 1536, and received his edu- ciently to be used the following year, though the church debt and the building of the tower and inside furnishing were largely provided for under the administration of Rev. Mr. Reim. In 1573 the old parsonage was purchased, and a new one built in 1886, eation principally in his native country. He ! and a new schoolhouse in 1850. The ok was a student at Stuttgart from 1842 to church was extensively repaired in 1888-'89, having. A new roof, windows and side gal- leries, a new organ had been added some years previously. 1854, and then engaged in teaching for three years, but his avowed purpose was to become a missionary, and he entered a theological institution at Basle. Switzerland, with this . In the school are 110 children of the end in view. He pursued his studies here parishioners, who are taught the English and from 1557 to 1562, being ordained a minis- German languages in connection with the

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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