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 52
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 52
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 52
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Dolf. natives of Germany and Switzerland respectively. Her father died when she was a babe, and her mother was subsequently married to William Pfaff, by whom she had nine children, five of whom are living. Iler mother departed this life at Burr Oak, Wis- consin, at the age of sixty-one years. Anna M. was reared in Racine and Walworth eoun- ties, this State, and when she was fourteen years of age came with her mother to this county. She and her family ocenpy respected and useful positions in society.
- LE NYHUS, one of the oldest and most favorably known of the contractors and builders of La Crosse, was born in Nor- way. in 1534, a son of Peter and Carrie Nyhus. Ilis father was a farmer by occupation: the parents are both deceased. Young Nyhus obtained an education in the common schools, which he attended until he was sixteen years of age: he then went to learn his trade, and passed through all the grades, as required of appren- tices in that country. Ile followed the busi- ness in his native place until 1866, when he emigrated to the United States, believing that the opportunities were greater for young and ambitious men than in his own land. Ile came directly to La Crosse, where he has been identified with the growth and develop- ment of the eity, and has won a place in the front ranks of the members of his craft. IIe has erected some of the best buildings in the city, among them, the county jail, Scandia HIall, some of the largest churches and many of the most beautiful residences.
Ile is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Norden Society. He takes an active
She was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, interest in all the work of these various
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bodies, where his efforts are fully appreciated.
Mr. Nyhus was married in Norway, to Miss Tonette Hanson. whose parents were also of Norwegian birth: her father is de- ceased, but the mother survives, at the age of eighty-four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Nyhus have been born two children: Edward is a traveling salesman for a St. Paul drug house, he married Miss Louisa Peterson, and they have one daughter, Helen; the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Nyhus is deceased.
ABEZ B. COMAN, Mindoro, who is ranked with the intelligent and prosper- ous citizens of La Crosse county, also elaims a place with the early settlers of the connty, he having taken up his abode here in September, 1852. A brief outline of his life is as follows:
Jabez B. Coman was born at Glens Falls, Warren county, New York, September 18, 1834. His father, Allen Coman, a native of Salem, Washington county, New York, was a son of Isaac Coman, who was born at Providence, Rhode Island, a descendant of English ancestry. The mother of our sub- jeet was, before her marriage, Miss Ennice Briggs. She was born in Queensbury, War- ren county, New York. daughter of Walter Briggs, a native of Connecticut. Allen Co- man and his family came to Wisconsin in 1845 and settled in Walworth county, and in 1852 they moved to La Crosse county and located in Lewis valley. At the latter place Mr. Coman and his wife passed the remain- der of their days and died. They had seven children, viz .: Clara, wife of John Kenriek, died February 23, 1846; Cynthia, wife of Nelson Cameron; Eunice, who died Septem- ber 10, 1846; Walter B. died in May, 1880; Wallace died June 3, 1853; Warren died in
Indiana, December 20, 1876; and Jabez B., whose name heads this sketch. The parents were honored and respected by all who knew them, and they reared a family of children that as they grew up occupied useful and honored positions in life. Before he came to this State the father was engaged as a lum- berman, and was Sheriff and Colleetor for a number of years, and a prominent man in politics. After removing to Wisconsin his principal pursuit was farming. Ile departed this life May 24, 1867, at the age of seventy years. The mother died in Mindoro, De- eember 11, 1889, at the age of ninety-five.
Jabez B. was a youth of eighteen when they came to La Crosse eounty. He had re- ceived his education in Elkhorn, Beloit and Milton, this State, and in the winter of 1852 and 1853 was engaged in teaching school here, he being one of the first teachers in this part of the county. For a number of years he was a snecessful and popular teacher here, and for five years was Superintendent of Schools. In other ways he was also prominently identified with the early history of this county: served two terms as Town Clerk: was chairman of the Board of Super- visors, and was Postmaster for a time. In 1869 he went to Chicago and engaged in the drug business, subsequently turning his at- tention to the stock business, and being en- gaged in it for a number of years. At present he is successfully conducting a mer- cantile business at Mindoro.
Mr. Coman was married July 4, 1856, at Lewis Valley, to Angela Arnold, who was born in Chenango county, New York, daugh- ter of John F. and Ruth (Brown) Arnold, both natives of New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Coman have two children, Wallace and Eunice Elberta. The former was born Sep- tember 19, 1859, and was reared and educated here. April 16, 1886, he married Ella Pfaff,
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daughter of John and Loretta Pfaff, by whom he has two children, Angela and Wendell. The latter is now the wife of F. A. Phillips. of Chicago, and has one child, Harry.
Mr. Coman has been a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity since 1559. Hle is a popular and progressive citizen, and a man whose in- finenee is ever felt for good in the commu- nity where he resides.
was in their employ four years, when he be- came connected with Nathan Clark, whom he served until March, 1891.
The firm of Gunderson, Krueger & Co. was then organized; this is one of the most reliable and popular business houses in Onalaska; they carry a line of staple and fancy groceries, boots and shoes and hard- ware. each department having a large and well selected stock. The extensive acquaint- ance and high reputation of Mr. Gunderson have added greatly to their patronage, which is drawn from a wide range of territory.
ALVOR GUNDERSON, a member of the firm of Gunderson, Krueger & Co .. Politically Mr. Gunderson is a Republi- ean, stanch and true, being one of the wheel- horses of the party in his township. He was considered the most available member of his party as candidate for Sheriff in 1890, but shared the defeat of the rest of the tieket. He has served as City Treasurer three terms, and has been Clerk of the school board, re- Meeting great eredit upon himself and giving entire satisfaction to his constituents. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen, lodge No. 418. has been a resident of La Crosse eoun- ty since 1867. He was born in Norway. May 23, 1845, a son of Norske parents, who were born, reared and edneated in Scandina- via. Ile remained in his own country until he was nineteen years of age; he received a good education in his native language, at- tending school until he was fifteen. Ambi- tions to advance his interests in the business world, he determined to come to America, believing his opportunities would be greater. In the spring of 1867 he arrived at La , Mr. Gunderson was married at Half-way Creek, to Mariam Anderson Bjerke, and to them were born two ebildren: Matilda, a popular teacher, and Caroline. Our subject is one of the most progressive men in On- alaska: he liberally supports all educational and religious enterprises, and makes every effort to advance the best interests of the place. fle is a man of striet integrity of character, and no man is held in higher esteem by his fellow eitizens. Crosse, and in a short time had located at Half-way Creck: the first winter he was in this country he went to school in order to gain a better knowledge of the language. After a few months he removed to Onalaska, where he obtained employment with the Nichols Lumber Company : he was with this firm for two years, and at the end of that time returned to Half- way Creek; there he turned his attention to agriculture, and also served as Postmaster of Half-way Creek, to which position he was appointed May, 1575. - It was in 18\3 that he once more returned to Onalaska; for one year he was with the 3 0 (. KAYLOR is closely connected with the business interests of North La ('rosse, and is well worthy of the Nichols Lumber Company, and then he ac- cepted a position with the leading mercantile house of the town, Bailey & Thompson; he ' space that has been accorded him in this
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history of La Crosse county. Ile is a "IIoo- sier," born at Pierceton, Kosciusko county, Indiana, in 1854, the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Weaver) Kaylor. The parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Indiana in 1845, settling on a farm; the father was a teacher by profession, and was numbered among the pioneer educators of the State. He removed from his farm to Pierceton, where he was Justice of the Peace for sixteen consecutive years; he was also pension agent during his residence at Pierce- ton. He was a musician of note and led the choir of his church for many years; he and his wife were devoted and consistent mein- bers of the Baptist church; he also belonged to the 1. O. O. F., and was Worthy Grand of the order during the last fifteen years of his life. He was a man held in the highest estimation by his fellow-citizens, and merited the confidence he universally commanded; his death occurred in 1886, and his wife passed away in 1874. They reared to years of maturity five children, two of whom are yet living, the subject of this brief notice and George A., a citizen of St. Louis, Mo.
A. C. Kaylor attended school in his native town until 1872, when he went to Elkhart, Indiana, for the purpose of learning the plas- terer's trade. He served an apprenticeship of two years, returning to Pierceton at the end of that time; there he followed his voca- tion for twelve years. In 1885 he came to La Crosse, and since that time has estab. lished himself in business here; he deals in lime, hair and building material, and is steadily increasing his patronage; during the season of 1891 he handled about 1,350 bar- rels of lime. He is a man of superior business qualifications, and is an acquisition to the business circles of La Crosse.
Mr. Kaylor was married in 1875 to Miss Elsie G. Pierce, a daughter of James II. and
Anna (Utter) Pierce. Mrs. Kaylor's pater- nal grandfather was Truman Pierce, who came from New York to Wisconsin and settled at Delavan, Walworth county, in 1844; the maternal grandparents were Joseph and Nancy Utter, natives of England, who emigrated to America and settled in War- saw, New York, about the year 1810. Jo- seph Utter was killed by the giving way of a bridge over which he was driving with a load of salt; this accident occurred in 1824, on the road from Warsaw to New York. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are now living in La Crosse connty. neighbors to Mr. and Mrs. Kaylor; they are both remarkably well pre- served, being able to walk four or five miles a day with the ease of a person of thirty years; their ages are seventy-six and seventy- two years respectively ; they are worthy members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Pierce affiliates with the Republican party. To Mr. and Mrs. Kaylor has been born one child, Gertie, aged eleven? years, who is receiving both a literary and musical educa- tion.
AUL SULLIVAN is one of the pioneer settlers of La Crosse county, and is entitled to a space in this record of her leading citizens. Like many of Wisconsin's prominent and patriotic sons lie is a native of Ireland, county Limerick, born June 25, 1844. His parents, Timothy and Agnes (Christy) Sullivan, were natives of the same county; the father died when our subject was about four years of age. A sister, Mary, died at the age of four years, in Ireland. In 1852 the three brothers Patrick. John and l'anl, emigrated to America; their mother had come a year previously. After their arrival in this country the mother married
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John Park; her death occurred in 1864. John Sullivan died in 1871, leaving a widow and three children: Mary Agnes, William Ilenry and Eva Jane. He was a gallant sol- dier in the late war, and gave four years' loyal service to his adopted country.
Patrick Sullivan lived in this county until 1857, when he went to Kansas, loeating in Humboldt county, where he was one of the first settlers; thence he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and finally went to New York and lived in Rensselaer county until his death ; he was unmarried.
Paul Sullivan, the subject of this brief biography, was reared to farm life and ob- tained his education in the common schools. In 1859 he located on his present farm and followed agricultural pursuits until 1864, when he enlisted in the service of the United States Government; he was out about one year, when he received an honorable dis- charge. Ile then resumed the more peaceful oceupation of tilling the soil. Ile has a fine farm of 280 aeres, well improved with good buildings and supplied with all the modern appliances of agriculture.
Mr. Sullivan was married May 16, 1870, to Miss Elsie Eliza Downer, a native of La Crosse and a daughter of Milo Downer, who was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1811; Mrs. Sullivan's mother was Julia Speer, a native of New Jersey; her parents were married in Michigan and were among the first settlers of Lewis valley, La Crosse county; they had a family of six children, three of whom grew to maturity: David served three years and eight months in the civil war; Elsie Eliza is the wife of Paul Sullivan, and IIelen mar- ried De Witte Strader. Milo Downer was twice married, and two children were born of the first union: Simeon, who was a soldier in the Rebellion, and Mary.
three children: Milo Martin, born February 12, 1871; Jennie F., born June 14, 1873, a popular and successful teacher, and Julia Agnes, born June 12, 1875. Mr. Sullivan is a Republican in his polities, and is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He is progressive, enterprising and thrifty, and is numbered among the leading farmers of the community.
AMES GAY has made his home in La Crosse county since October, 1859. Ile was born in Wiltshire, England, Janu- ary 28, 1828, son of William and Sarah Gay, who passed their lives and died at that place. James was reared on a farm in England, and was married there when a young man to Feleeia Noyes. Three children were born to them, of whom two are living: Frederiek James and a daughter. The other child, Walter, fell from a vessel into the sea and was drowned.
In 1857 Mr. Gay came to America, land- ing here after a voyage of two weeks. After spending some time in Cleveland, Chicago and Milwaukee, he went to Waukesha county, where he has a sister living. In 1859, as above stated, he came to this county, and in 1866 he settled on his present farm.
In August, 1862, when President Lincoln called for 600,000 more, Mr. Gay was among those who responded to the call. Ile enlisted in Company B, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, and served two years and nine months. IIe took part in a number of engagements and was on scouting and picket duty. While in the service he contracted a chronic disease, from which he has never recovered; also had his shoulder and arm severely injured by falling from a horse'at White river, Arkan- sas, and from this is still a sufferer. He was
Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan are the parents of ' honorably discharged and returned to Wis-
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eonsin. Ile spent three years in La Crosse, and the rest of the time he has been on his farm. Ile owns ninety-seven acres of well improved land in Lewis valley.
In the fall of 1859 Mr. Gay was married at Bangor, Wisconsin, to Mrs. Jane Luke, whose maiden name was Paul. IIer first husband was a Mr. Gear, and by him she had two sons: Tom Paul and Matthew William. Mr. and Mrs. Gear, with their two little sons, came to Milwaukee from Somersetshire, England, in 1844.
Mr. Gay is in politics a Republican. IIe is associated with the G. A. R. Post of La Crosse.
D. ROBINSON, a well-known citizen of La Crosse county, is a native of
o the State of Wisconsin, born in Rock county, near Janesville, November 18, 1848, a son of Findley and Sarah (Bener) Robinson. His father was born August 17, 1800, and was the son of Scotch parents; Sarah Bener was born December 3, 1809, in the State of New York; they reared a family of four sons: Ifenry, who was a soldier in the late war; Albert a resident of Yankton, South Dakota; O. D., the subject of this notice; and Huron, who is now desk sergeant in the office of the chief of police in La Crosse. The father was a tailor by trade and followed this calling through life, dying December 9, 1870. Politically he affiliated with the Democratic party. The mother survives and lives with her son, O. D.
Mr. Robinson grew to manhood surrounded by the wilderness of the frontier, and was early inured to the hard labor of the farm; he acquired an education in the common schools, and at the age of fifteen years, in July, 1863, he enlisted in Company 1, Eighth
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. in what was known as the Eagle Regiment; he partici- pated in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee. and also in the engagement at Oxford, Mis- sissippi. He was wounded December 16. 1864, at Nashville, the ball entering his right lung, where it lies imbedded. Ife was lion- orably discharged in Alabama, in September, 1865, and at once returned to his Wisconsin home. He was reared a Democrat and still adheres to the doctrines. He is a member of the G. A. R., and takes a deep interest in the organization.
Ile was married July 8, 1880, to Miss E. Sliger, a native of La Crosse county, and a daughter of George and Margaret Sliger. Two children have been born of this union: Margaret Sarah and George Findley. Mr. Robinson was married when he was twenty- one years of age, to Miss Clara Jane Jones. and they had tive children, four of whom are living: Eddy Stevens, Albert R., Maud S., and Marcus K.
Mr. Robinson is a man of sterling traits and great integrity of character, and is justly proud of his military record.
M ICHAEL DARMS, a farmer near Bangor. was born in Switzerland, February 28, 1830, a son of Major and Anna (Cawiezel) Darms. The father brought his family to the United States in 1847, settling in Sauk county, Wisconsin, which was then a Territory. The parents had eight children, four of whom are now living: Agnes, Anna, Casper and Michael. One son, John, died in this county, in 1882.
Michael Darms, our subject, came to this county in 1851, settling in Bangor township. two miles southeast of Bangor, which was then a wild country. There were six fami-
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lies who came together, and Mr. Darms is the only one left, all the others being de- ceased exeept his brother-in-law, Joseph Zimmerman, who lives in Colorado. He settled on his present place in 1880, which now joins the village. He owns 100 acres here, but farms 320 acres southwest of Bangor. Mr. Darms was married Jannary 1, 1852, to Dorothy Thile, and they had ten ehildren, five of whom survive, viz .: Amelia, Emma, Louise, Dora and Anna. Three sons died after reaching maturity: Frederic, Michael and Major. The mother died Mareh 22, 1869, and the father was again married September 3, 1872, to Janette Wakeman, who was born in Monroe county, Wiseonsin, November 8, 1851, a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Buggins) Wakeman. They have had six children, four of whom are now living, namely: lda, Michael, Nettie and Elsie. Socially Mr. Darms is a member of the A. O. U. W., politieally a Democrat, and religiously both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Our sub- ject being the first settler on the prairie southeast of Bangor, that locality is properly called Darms' Prairie, and he also named Fish Creek. three miles east of Bangor, as it contains myriads of fish. Ile has labored long and hard to build up this part of the country, and thus prepare the way for the prosperity of future generations.
M ARTIN BERGII, attorney and coun- selor at law, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is an American eitizen by adoption, his birthplace being Christiania, Norway, where he first saw the light September 16, 1862. His parents, Erik and Anna Bergh, were natives of Norway and Sweden respectively. They emigrated to America in 1868, and lo-
eated at La Crosse, Wisconsin. The father is a furniture dealer in this eity, where he has conducted a business for himself since 1878. There have been three children in the family, all boys, of whom Martin Bergh is the only survivor. Ilis twin brother, Odin Bergh, died in this city June 28, 1887, at the age of twenty five.
Martin Bergh received his education in the public schools of La Crosse, being graduated in the high-school class of 1882. lle began the study of the law under the direction of old practitioners, and was admitted to the bar in 1885, having passed an examination be- fore the then newly created State Board of Examiners. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Wisconsin in 1889, and to the United States Distriet and Circuit Courts in 1890. ITe began his legal work in this city in partnership with J. H. A. Ginder, the firm name being Ginder & Bergh. This relationship continued until May, 1888, when Mr. Ginder removed from the State, sinee which time Mr. Bergh has been in practice alone.
Ile has given careful study and attention to the practice of his profession, and has been rewarded with a large and important business, which is steadily growing. lle is attorney for the Provident Loan and Building Asso- ciation of La Crosse, president of the Scandia Hall Association, which controls Scandia Hall and Park Theatre, and has for many years been secretary of Badger State Council, No. 1, Order of Chosen Friends. Ile is a mem- ber of Frontier Lodge, No. 45, F. & A. M., Smith Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M., and of La Crosse Commandery, No. 9, Knights Tem- płar, and is also a member of the La Crosse Board of Trade, as well as of several social organizations in the city.
In 1881 he enlisted in the La Crosse Light Gnards, Company C, Third Regiment, Wis-
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consin National Guards, and served the full term of five years in the State militia; the last year of his service was in the Governor's Gnards, Company B, of the same regiment.
He is an earnest supporter of the Republi- ean party, and takes an active and prominent interest in loeal and national politics. He has for several years served as secretary of the Young Men's Republican Club of La Crosse; has twiee represented his party in State Conventions, and as a speaker and worker has rendered able and efficient service in politieal campaigns. In 1890 he was a candidate for Distriet Attorney, but suffered defeat with his party.
Mr. Bergh was nnited in marriage, in 1890, to Miss Hannah C. Fleischer, who was born in La Crosse in 1871. Her father, Frederick Fleischer, now deceased, was a journalist in La Crosse, being proprietor and editor of Fædrelandet & Emigranten, which was at the time the oldest newspaper in the Scandinavian languages published in the United States. He held various offices of trust and responsibility in the community, and was well and favorably known in publie life. His widow, Josephine Fleischer, sur- vives him, and makes her home in La Crosse.
1. JOHN E. WILLIAMS, one of the most prominent and successful farmers of Hamilton township, is a citizen of the United States by adoption, his native land being Wales, where he was born May 18, 1833. His parents, Edward and Margaret (Pritehard) Williams, were natives of Wales; the father emigrated to America in 1842, and settled in Oneida county, New York, where he established himself in business; he was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and was widely known as a very superior workman; later in
life he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Hle and his wife were consistent members of the Congregational Church. Ile died May 15, 1873, aged eiglity years; and she passed away September 19, aged eighty-four years. They reared a family of ten children: Edward and Richard both gave their lives in the service of their country; William and David both live in New Jersey; Eleanor married Mr. Vaughn, who is now deceased; Ann is the wife of James Stevens; Elizabeth deceased, was the wife of D. J. Jones; Margaret mar- ried James Linsey, deceased; Mary is the wife of C. Evans; John E., the subject of this no- tice, was eight years of age when his parents emigrated to this country. At the age of twelve years he went out in the world, and engaged his services to farmers in the neigh- borhood of his home.
It was in 1858 that he came to La Crosse county and settled in Bangor township; there he bought 120 acres of wild land, which he improved and to which he made additions until 1867, when he sold it; he had other land in Adams valley, Burns township, which he still owns; his farm consists of 278 acres, in an advanced state of enltivation, and well adapted for either stock or grain; the build- ings are neat and substantial, and well suited to the demands of agrienltural pursuits. While a resident of Burns township, Mr. Williams was one of the leading farmers. Ile removed to West Salem in April, 1891, and has resided there sinee that time; he owns seven acres of land just out of the town.
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