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 53

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 53
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 53
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 53

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He was united in marriage Jannary S, 1865, to Miss Eleanor Pierce, a daughter of Richard and Eleanor Pieree. Mrs. Williams was seven years of age when her father emigrated to America and settled in Racine, Wisconsin. There they lived four years, and then came to La Crosse and took up land in 1852; the father died in May, 1889, aged seventy-seven

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years; the mother, in 1863, at the age of agricultural pursuits for one year. The fol- lowing year he came to La Crosse county, and for two years he worked in the pine- forty-seven years. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and were devout followers of their faith. They reared a fam- I ries. His experience in agricultural pursuits ily of nine children: Jane, deceased wife of Benton Simonton; Mary, deceased wife of E. R. Roberts; Mrs. Williams; HIngh, deceased; Hugh F., who still survives; Margaret, widow of John C. Williams; Anna, wife of N. M. Buttles, of Onalaska; John M. and William R.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of seven children: Nellie J., wife of Otto Mose, was one of the most successful educators in La Crosse county; Edward Jesse, a student at Beloit, Wisconsin; Richard Wallace, a student at the Deaf Mute College, Washing- ton, District Columbia; Margaretta, a teacher of La Crosse, of wide experience; Mary, Anna and Elizabeth, the three younger children being pupils in the West Salem schools. The family are connected with the Congregational Church. Mr. Williams is a member of the A. O. U. W. Ile is a man of liberal and progressive views, and has given a cordial support to those enterprises which tend to elevate the religious and educational stand- ards in the community.

HRISTIAN LARSON was born in Norway, June 13, 1821, a son of Louis and Martha (Knutson) Larson, also natives of Scandinavia. The father was a farmer by occupation. 1Ie gave five years of the prime of life to the service of the Government, but was never engaged in active warfare. Christian Larson determined to try his fortunes in America, and in 1850 bade farewell to his home and friends and native land. and sailed away to the New World. Upon his arrival here he located in Dane county, Wisconsin, and engaged in

having been quite satisfactory, he decided to purchase some land and give husbandry his undivided attention. In 1853 he bought a quarter section of land, to which he has added by different purchases until he owns 370 acres, one-half of which is under culti- vation. In common with his fellow-country- men he is more than ordinarily successful in this calling. The principal products of his place are wheat, eorn, oats, hay and potatoes; he gives especial attention to the breeding and raising of the better grades of live-stock.

Mr. Larson was married in 1855, to Miss Cornelia Johnson, a native of Norway; who came to America with her parents in 1850. Her father died before the voyage was com- pleted, aged sixty-seven years; her mother survives at the age of eighty-one years. To Mr. and Mrs. Larson have been born eleven children: Ludwig, Mrs. JJ. K. Johnson, Carl Ben, who is assisting his father on the farm; Mattie, Julia, Mrs. Ludwig Johnson, Ed- ward, Clarissa Amelia, Oscar, Johnie and Clara. The parents are consistent members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. In his political convictions Mr. Larson affiliates with the Republican party.

SCAR BOWEN, of section 16, Burns township, was born in Onondaga coun- ty, New York, October 2, 1843, a son of Le Roy Bowen, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. Our subjeet came with his parentsto White Water, Wisconsin, in 1849, and thence to this county in 1853, settling on section 10, Burns township, in the Burnham valley. He served in the late

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war one year, in Company K, Third Wiscon- sin Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Dardanelles and Saline, Arkansas. They were on the trail of the bushwhackers mostly. After the war Mr. Bowen resumed farming, and in 1867 went to Buffalo county, Wiscon- sin, Modina township, and farmed two years, after which he sold out and purchased his present farm of sixty acres of Sperry Rock- well, which then consisted of but fifty acres.

Mr. Bowen was married August 19, 1864, to Mary J. Hanton, a daughter of Joseph Hanton, deceased, an carly settler of this county from Canada. Her mother still lives on section 10, this township, on the old homestead, at the age of seventy years. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have three sons: John E., who married Lillie, daughter of William Hemstock, of Burnham valley; Ralph W., who is traveling for a wholesale house in La Crosse; and LeRoy, at home. Mr. Bowen was town treasurer two years, a member of the Side Board two years, on the School Board many years, was census enumerator for this township in 1890, and is a member of the M. W. of A. and G. A. R.

the degree of A. B. Ile then began his pro- fessional work, reading under the direction of Dr. MeClelland, of Knoxville, for one year. At the end of that period he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, and was graduated in February, 1883. He then en- tered the Marine Hospital service, in the em- ploy of the United States Government, being stationed at Chicago, and finally at St. Louis although he was in the latter place only tem- porarily. This engagement continned four years, during which time the Doctor had ex- cellent opportunities for the study and prac- tice of surgery. Upon leaving the Govern- ment employ he came to La Crosse, and for one year and a half practiced his profession alone. It was at this time that he associated himself with Dr. D. F. Powell, the relation- ship still existing. Dr. Powell is now located at St. Panł, Dr. Rowles attending to the La Crosse practice They have a very large business, and enjoy the esteem and confidence of the entire community, and the highest re- gard of their patrons.

Dr. Rowles was married October 9, 1889, to Miss Mary I. McMillan, who was born in La Crosse in January, 1869, and is a daugh- ter of D. D. McMillan. president of the First National Bank of La Crosse. One son, Dun- can Alonzo, has been born to them, his birth- day being April 4, 1891. Dr. and Mrs. Rowles are members of the Presbyterian Church; the Doctor is superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and Mrs. Rowles is one of the teachers. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.

OHIN A. ROWLES, M. D., of the firm of Powell & Rowles, is one of the lead- ing professional men of La Crosse. Ile was born in Belmont county, Ohio, August 1, 1854, and is a son of Hezekiah and Mary (Coe) Rowles, natives of Maryland and Ohio respectively. The father was born in March, 1820, and the mother in December of the same year; both are living, residents of Knoxville, Illinois. The Doctor is one of a family of six children. He received his AMES M. GILFILLAN, one of the prominent business men of West Salem, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Cale- literary education in the public schools and at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, from which he was graduated in June, 1878, with |donia county, Vermont, June 29, 1841, and

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is a son of William and Aurelia (Redding) Gilfillan, who were also natives of the Green Mountain State. The father was a farmer by occupation; in 1848 he removed with his family to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and set- tled on a farm, where he remained until 1854, coming in that year to La Crosse county, and locating on a farm in Burns township. In 1868 he went to West Salem and there lived a retired life until his death, which occurred April 1, 1884, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife died in 1852, at the age of forty years. They were both devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were people of great force of character. They reared a family of eight children, one dying in infancy; seven of the family survive.

James M. was reared to the life of a farmer and received his education in the log school- house of " ye olden time." He abandoned agricultural pursuits to engage in grain-buy- ing, which he followed for fifteen years. He has also had some interest in the Inmber industry, and at one time was traveling for a mercantile establishment. He has been Treasurer of the town three terms, and has been a member of the school board for many years; in the discharge of these duties he has given entire satisfaction to the public, and has reflected great credit upon himself.

Mr. Gilfillan was married, in 1865, to Miss IHenrietta Caldwell, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Caldwell, who were widely and favor- ably known in La Crosse county; the father died in 1862, at the age of seventy years; his wife died in 1576, aged eighty years. They had a family of thirteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, and eight of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Gilfillan are the par- ents of four children: Minnie is the wife of Frank P. Coburn, the present member of Congress, eleeted in 1890; Jesse died at the age of five years; Wayne and Ray. Our sub-

ject and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, to which they give a liberal support. Mr. Giltillan belongs to the Masonic frater- nity, and in his political opinions adheres to the principles of the Republican party. Ile is firm in his convictions of right and wrong, is a lover of law and order, and enjoys the confidence of the entire community.

RS. MARY HARDEN .- There are in every community some persons who, on account of their industry, and practical management of the affairs which fall to their lot, deserve special credit; and snch is Mrs. Harden. She is the relict of William Harden, late of Campbell township, who was one of the respected early settlers. Mr. Harden came to La Crosse county in 1859, and here resided until his death, which occur- red February 6, 1887. He was born in Dub- lin, Ireland, in 1826, and was the son of Samuel and Jane (Murphy) Harden, natives also of the Evergreen Isle, they having been born, reared and married in Wicklow. There they passed the closing scenes of their lives. William Harden grew to manhood and re- ceived a good education in Dublin. When twenty-five years of age he came to the United States, located at Hartford, Connecticut, and there worked in a paper mill for a number of years. He subsequently came to the city of La Crosse. Wisconsin, worked for George Farman three years, and then worked by the day and afterwards the month in La Crosse valley. By this time he had saved consider- able means, and he invested this in eighty acres of land, paying $1,800 for the same. This has since been increased to 108 acres of very productive land, and here Mrs. Ilarden resides at the present time. A nice two-story residence has lately been erected, and the barn,

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cribs, etc., are all in good condition. Many other improvements have been made. Mr. Harden was married on February 9, 1868, to Miss Mary A. Agnew, an intelligent lady and a worthy helpmate to her husband. She was born in Leeds, Canada, and there grew to womanhood and secured a fair education. She is the daughter of Henry and Ann (Mur- phy) Agnew, both natives of county Lowth, Ireland. Mr. Agnew and family left Ireland in 1843, located in Canada, but later came to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where their days terminated. Mrs. Harden came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1865. By her marriage to William Harden she became the mother of eight children: Henry, John, Samuel, Frank, Charles, Jennie, Lizzie, and Saddie. The sons are all bright and energetic and work hard to assist the mother. William HIarden was a Democrat in politics, and was a mem- ber of the Roman Catholic Church, his wife and children holding membership in the same. He was an excellent citizen, a kind husband and affectionate father, and was esteemed by the entire community.

RNEST HORNER .-- There is in the development of every snecessful life a principle which is a lesson to every man following in its footsteps-a lesson lead- ing to higher and more honorable position than the ordinary. Let a mnan be industri- onsly ambitious, and honorable in his ambi- tions, and he will rise whether having the prestige of family or the obscurity of pov- erty. We are led to these reflections by a study of the life of the subject of this sketch. Ernest Horner. Ile was born in Bow, Eng- land, November 5, 1551, a son of Edward A. and Anne (Stewart) Ilorner, also natives of England, and in 1859 came with his father

to America and to Janesville, Wisconsin. From there they moved to La Crosse county, and the father was engaged in the mercantile business in La Crosse until the big fire on Main street a few years ago, when he re- moved to Houston, Minnesota, at which place he is engaged in the same business. The mother died in England.

Ernest Horner attended boarding school two years at Shoreham, England, and after coming to Wisconsin he attended the public schools of Janesville and La Crosse. When but a boy his active spirit and independent character led him to mark out his own career in life. He began working upon his farin for Joseph Richmond, where he heard scareely anything but French, and it was very lone- some for him during the four months he was there employed; but he interested himself in learning French, also, which elicited greater friendship in his employer. who offered him forty acres of land and a team if he would remain with him until he was twenty-one years of age. He did not stay, however, and when he reached the age of twenty-one years owned as much land as Mr. Richmond! After working for Mr. Richmond eighteen months, at 86 a month, and saving 846. he bought six calves and a eolt and began work- ing for Robert Ross by the day; but he soon ascertained that this was not the best method, and he took a small job from Mr. Ross in catching logs and rafts on the river. A]- though this was rather a hard school for one so young, yet it promoted independent thought and developed his bodily as well as mental strength, and he was promoted from time to time; and in every position he filled performed his duties in a manner high y sat- isfactory to those concerned. For the past fifteen years he has managed the rafting operations for such prominent lumbermen as l'. S. Davidson, W. W. Crosby, J. J. Hogan,

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A. S. Trow & Co., G. C. Hixon and the H. Stoddard Lumber Company of Dubuque, lowa. Ilis years of experience have been of good service to him and he is now an active and successful man of business, and his lum- ber as well as his farming interests are con- stantly on the increase. Upon locating on his present farm in 1869 it was wild land, but his home place, which contains 1,200 acres, is one of the finest upland farms in the connty. His residence is a good frame build- ing, built in modern style, and is handsomely and tastefully furnished and is surrounded by shade and pine trees. He has three good barns besides granaries, sheds, etc., and his home is conveniently located one mile from the town. Here Mr. Horner and his family are enjoying all the comforts that money ean procure, and extend a refined hospitality to their numerous friends. He was married April 10, 1871, to Miss Delphiney Lee, a native of Brandon, Rutland county, Ver- mont, and a daughter of William and Har- riet (Lessor) Lee, natives of New England and Canada respectively. Mrs. Horner was reared and educated in New England and came with her people to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1868, where her father died April 10, 1889, and the mother April 30, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Ilorner have five chil- dren: Harriet A., wife of Will Matthewson, of Brule, Wisconsin; Delphiney R .: Ernest, ; Jr .; Evelina, and Pateronilla. They lost three children, a baby not named, Philip and Godfrey. Mr. Horner is a Democrat and in his religious views is an Episcopalian. His wife is a worthy member of St. James' Church, of La Crosse. Mr. Ilorner is now in the prime of life, and although forty years of age he looks much younger. Ile possesses a fine physique and is seldom ill. Hle pos- sesses excellent business qualifications, and what is best is perfectly honorable in all his

business transactions. His numerous excel- lent qualities have endeared him to a host of friends, and he is a most agreeable man with whom to have business relations.

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TEPHEN STEENSEN is one of the reliable eitizeus of La Crosse county for whom the community is indebted to the Fatherland. He was born in the northern part of the German Empire, Sep- tember 9, 1841, and is a son of John and Margaret (Carsen) Steensen. The father died at the age of thirty-two years, but the mother still survives, aged eighty years; they reared a family of eight children, six of whom are living. Stephen, a brother and sister left their native land and eame to the United States; the two latter made the journey in 1864 and 1883, and were followed a few years later by our subjeet.

Mr. Steenson has been a miller since he was sixteen years of age, having learned the business in the old country. Like many of his countrymen he has made the most of his opportunities and has established himself in a profitable business. He is a man of strong determination and has applied himself dili- gently to accomplishing his purpose. When he first came to La Crosse county he oper- ated a water mill on La Crosse river, and in 1885 came to his present location. One year since that time, however, has been spent in the Barre mills. The mill which he now owns is located one and a half miles from West Salem, and is one of the best in the county. Mr. Steenson has spent $4.000 in repairs and in placing new and improved machinery, and is prepared to do a general milling business. In addition to his mill property, he owns seven acres of good land, a pleasant residence and has the necessary

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buildings for the care of a limited number of live-stock.

He was married in 1866 to Miss Margaret Hanson, a daughter of J. C. Ilanson, until re- cently a resident of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Steensen have been born nine children: James C. married Miss Alma Darrow; Cath- erine, who died at the age of sixteen years; Johanna, who died at the age of fourteen years; Eika; Christina; Agnes; Matilda; John and Augusta. The parents are men- bers of the Evangelieal Lutheran Church of Bostwick valley. Mr. Steensen is a worthy member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is independent, casting his suffrage for the man whom he considers best fitted for the duties of the office in question.

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OHN FRAYN, a resident of Farmington township, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1833, son of Richard and Mary (Exateble) Frayn, both natives of that place.

He was a lad of fifteen years when he eame to America and located near London, in Middlesex county, Canada. There he re- mained, engaged in farm work, for eleven years, and from that place came to Lewis valley, Wisconsin. In 1864 he joined the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, Eagle Regiment, and served in a number of important engage- ments. At the close of the war he was hon- orably discharged, and returned to this county.

Mr. Frayn was united in marriage, in La Crosse county, to Elizabeth Hodge, a native of England and a daughter of George and Mary (Hodge) Ilodge. Of the eight children born to them only three are living, namely: Mary, wife of D. N. Barclay; James and

John. Mrs. Frayn and two of the children: William and Robert, died in July, 1886. She was a most estimable woman and was highly esteemed by all who knew her.

Politieally, Mr. Frayn is a Republican. He is a charter member of Nelson Quygle Post, No. 233, G. A. R.

JAMES FRAYN, son of the above named gentleman, and an enterprising and success- ful farmer of Farmington township, was born here June 2, 1864. He is the oldest of the three children living. Reared on the farm and educated in the district school, he was early tanght honesty, sobriety and industry, and has been engaged in farming since he was old enough to work at anything.

Mr. Frayn was married June 13, 1888, to Miss Jennie Barclay, danghter of James and Elizabeth Barclay. Her father, a Scotchman by birth, is one of the oldest settlers of this county, and is an extensive land owner. Mr. and Mrs. Frayn have one child, Bessie.

Mr. Frayn is the owner of 160 acres of land adjoining Mindoro on the east. His larm is well improved and consists of as good soil as can be found in the Lewis valley. Here he is engaged in general farming and dairying, keeping a number of cows. Like his father, Mr. Frayn is politically a Repub- liean.

ETHI HART, a well-known citizen of Farmington township, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, was born in Mor- gan county, Ohio April 9, 1840. The Ilarts were among the first settlers of Mor- gan county, and his father, Seal Ilart, Sr., was born there. Grandfather Seth Hart was a native of Vermont. The mother of our subject was Sarah Rusk, a cousin of ex- Gov- ernor Rusk of Wiseonsin, and a daughter of

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John M. Rusk, who was an Irishman by birth. In thespring of 1856 Mr. Hart's parents came West, down the Ohio and up the Miss- issippi to Victory, Wisconsin, and settled near the town of Franklin. Vernon county. They had a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters. The father passed his whole life on a farmi; was politically a Whig; religiously a Presbyterian. His death oc- curred September 4, 1865. The mother is still living and is now in Muscatine county, Iowa.

Seth Hart received his education in Ohio. and was sixteen years of age when the family located in Vernon county, Wisconsin. Sep- tember 1, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Forty-second Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, and was actively engaged in the service until the war closed, receiving an honorable dis- charge June 20, 1865. During that time he contracted a chronic disease from which he has never recovered.

Returning to Vernon county after the war, he was engaged in farming there until 1874. Being in poor health, he moved to Sparta, where he lived three years. In 1877 he eame to La Crosse county, and settled on his present farm, which had been improved and which he purchased of Ephraim Stevens. This farm contains 143 acres of tine land, has good buildings, fences, etc., and is kept in the best of order. Mr. Hart gives his atten- tion to general farming, stock-raising and dairying.

He was married in Vernon county, Wis- consin, April 30, 1862, to Miss Margaret MeSharry, who was born at Bellevue, Iowa, and reared and educated in Galena, Illinois. Her father, James McSharry, was a native of Dublin, Ireland, came to America when a boy, and grew up in New York State, receiv- ing his education there. Ile was married at Galena, Illinois, to Ellen Thornton, a na-

tive of Missouri and a daughter of George and Ellen Thornton. Mr. McSharry died at Rising Sun, Crawford county, Wiseonsin, at the age of seventy-five years. Ilis widow is now a resident of Grand Forks, North Da- kota. She is seventy years of age, and makes her home with her son. To her and her hus- band were born nine children.

Mr. and Mrs. Hart have had ten children, nine of whom are living, namely: Sarah E., wife of Leonard Loveland, of La Crosse; John M., of Trempealean county; Frances E., wife of Perry Gaven of this county; Kate, James F., Eugene, Grace, George T., and Mary Sophia. Their second child, Mary Belle, died while Mr. Hart was in the army.

Mr. Hart affiliates with the Republican party, and is a member of Nelson Quygle Post, No. 233, G. A. R., of Mindoro. Ile and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.

ENRY LA FLEUR, New Amsterdam, is a highly respected citizen of Holland township, La Crosse county, Wisconsin. He was born here on the old farm where he now lives, April 9, 1859, son of Daniel La Fleur, a prominent and well known early set- tler of this township. His mother's name was Isabelle, and both parents were natives of Holland, Europe. They came here in 1853, among the pioneers of the county. The father died in 1873, and the mother passed away in 1889. They had a family of six children, viz .: Mary Van Loon, Catherine, Sophia, Elizabeth, Renert and Henry.

Henry La Fleur was reared on the old home- stead and attended the district schools. He is the owner of 160 acres of land, one of the best farms in the township. He has a comfortable two-story residence, good barns,

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modern windmill and other farm improve- ments, and keeps every thing in first-class order.

Hle was married November 26, 1885, to Mary Hanna, a native of this county and a daughter of William and Martha (Miller) Hanna, both of Seoteh-Irish deseent and natives of the North of Ireland. Her father died in 1890, and her mother is still a resi- dent of La Crosse county. Mrs. Maggie Roddle is a sister of Mrs. La Fleur. Mr. La Fleur and his wife are the parents of four children: Daniel William, Martha, Henry Ross and Isabell Gertrude. Mr. La Fleur is a Republican and a member of the Farmers' Alliance.

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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