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 54
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 54
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 54
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- LE SIMENSON, of Farmington town- ship, La Crosse county, is another one of the enterprising and successful men of Wisconsin who dates their birth in Nor- way. He was born in February, 1848, the oldest in the family of eight children of Simon and Martha (Transon) Simmerson. Ilis parents were born, reared and married in Sweden. The family came to this country in 1872. All are married and settled in life except Ole and Otto, the oldest and youngest, who reside with their parents. Of the others we record that Thom, Simon, Mat and Matilda live in Cass county, North Dakota, and that Emma is a resident of La Crosse.
Ole Simenson was reared in his native land, and attended school there until he was fifteen years of age. Ile has a fair education in both his own and the English languages. In 1866 he went to Minnesota, was employed at farm work, and remained there two years. We next find him working in the woods in Clark county, Wisconsin, being employed by Ilixon & Witte of La Crosse. Young, strong 30
and energetic, he was well suited for that work and was successful in the woods and on the drive. In 1574 he came to Lewis valley and purchased a farm of Mr. Killcer. It had previously been owned by a Mr. Palmer. Mr. Simenson has since added to his original purchase, and is now the owner of 360 aeres of rich and productive land, well improved and kept in good shape. Hle has a frame residenee and one of the best barns in the county. His barn is 36 x 60 feet and has a rock basement. He also has other buildings for the protection of his stock, has an engine- honse, modern wind pump, good fences, and all necessary conveniences and improvements for successfully carrying on agricultural pur- suits. He keeps sixteen eows, ten horses, and sheep and hogs. In company with Peter Gulliekson he owns and operated a threshing machine. Their separator is of the Edwin's make, and they have a reputation for doing good work. Each year their threshing busi- ness nets them about $1,000.
Mr. Simenson is a self-made man. Ile is well informed on the current events of the day, and is broad and progressive in his views. IFe is in the prime of life, frank and jovial, and is regarded as one of the solid men of the township.
ICHARD FAHEY, huberman. The lumber trade is one which flourishes wherever there is population and growth, and in La Crosse it forms an important in- dustry, not only supplying the immediate wants of the city, but also that of the sur- rounding States. Mr. Fahey has been so prominently identified with the limber inter- ests of this section, that a history of La Crosse county would be incomplete without making mention of him, and the admirable
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nse to which he has devoted his talents. He was a soldier in the great civil war, and as snch deserves honorable mention. From the Soldier's Album, the following article is gleaned :
" Richard Fahey was born April 12, 1844, at Fonda, New York. His parents are Pat- rick and Catherine (Ryan) Fahey. His father was born in 1795 at Castle Claghan, county Kings, Ireland; his mother, a native of the same county, was born April 2, 1801. The parents crossed the ocean in the '30s, and resided successively in Canada, Fonda, and Onalaska, Wisconsin, locating in the latter place in the fall of 1855. The father died August 19, 1881; the mother passed away May 4, 1877.
" Mr. and Mrs. Fahey became the parents of the following children: Mary, wife of S. W. North, residing at Onalaska; Ann is the widow of Edward Howard, who was killed in the pineries of Grand Forks, Dakota; James married Mila Hines, of Geneseo, and died at the Soldiers' Ilome in Milwaukee, in August, 1890; Richard comes next in order of birth; Edward married a lady in San Francisco, where he has lived for a number of years; and Elizabeth, the wife of Ira S. Farrand, resides at Galesville, Trempealean connty, Wisconsin.
the reconnoissance of Blackburn's Ford, the company lost its first man, and in the battle of Bull Run its history was coincident with that of the regiment which fought courage- ously without officers and preserved its or- ganization. No researches revealed the truth about its field officers, and the command re- turned to Fort Corcoran, under nminerous orders (when not needed), Captain Colwell conducting his men thither in the best of order.
" The regiment remained at Fort Tilling- hast until spring, then went to the Rappa- hannock and on an expedition to the Orange Courthouse and Bowling Green. They were then recalled and ordered to reinforce Banks at Slaughter Mountain, where they arrived early in the morning and found a flag of truce out, and assisted in burying the dead whom the rebels had abandoned. After a night at Warrenton they moved to Gainesville, where their Colonel was killed, after which they went to Manassas Junction, the supply sta- tion, where everything was burned. On that day the second battle of Bull Run was fought, following which they went to Arlington Heights, then crossed the Potomac river to Frederick City and took part in the engage- ments at South Mountain and Antietam. In the former engagement. September 14, 1862, Captain Colwell was killed, and on the 17th Mr. Fahey received a wound from a rifle ball, which passed through both his shoulders, and necessitated his removal to the hospital. The surgeon declared his case to be hopeless, and the next day he was removed to Cadys- ville, and later to the Frederick City Hospital, where, notwithstanding the grim forebodings of the man of science, he fully recovered from his wound. In the fall he rejoined his regiment at Aqnia ereek, but after a time was found to be unfitted for active service,
" Richard Fahey attended the common schools of the various places in which he re- sided with his parents, but the coming clash of arms caused him to cast aside personal considerations, and in 1861, at the early age of seventeen years, he joined the company commanded by Captain Wilson Colwell, Com- 1 pany B, and was mustered into the Second Wisconsin Infantry for three years, or during the war. His company was the first to take possession of Camp Randall at Madison, but it was soon ordered to Washington, District of Columbia, and next to Fort Corcoran. In , such as his regiment was engaged in, and he
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was sent on detached duty to Windmill Point, and afterwards on the hospital supply steamer John Tucker, plying between points on the Potomac river. Three months later he was sent to the convalescent eamp at Ar- lington Heights, and about a month later was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, September 12, 1863, doing duty at Mount Pleasant Hospital. June 11, 1864, he re- ceived liis final discharge and returned to his home.
" Had he not been a man of indomitable will, he would have sneeumbed to the hardships he was compelled to undergo mueh sooner than he did; but as long as his physical powers sustained him he bravely remained at the post of duty. No braver soldier ever trod the crimson turf of a battle field, and lie was always conspicuous for his strict adherence to duty."
He has sinee been engaged in the lumber trade, and is the confidential agent of S. & J. C. Atlee, lumber dealers of Fort Madison, Iowa, and has charge of their logging inter- ests in the Wisconsin pineries. In partner- ship with N. B. Holway he is also engaged in rafting, which business he follows during the summer seasons, and rafts about 30,000,000 feet of logs.
He was married July 4, 1866, at Sparta, Wiseonsin, to Elizabeth, daughter of Jere- miah and Sarah Bennette. Mr. and Mrs. Fahey have two children: Frank E., born March 21, 1870, and Winnifred, born June 1, 1877. Mr. Fahey has attained to the Com- mandery in the A. F. & A. M., and politi- cally is a Democrat, and on that ticket was a candidate for Sheriff in 1879, having served as Deputy under H. S. Phillips in 1877. Though Mr. Fahey's path in lite has been strewn with many diffienlties, he has pressed onward, undaunted by trials, and his efforts have been abundantly rewarded. lle holds a | and also in 1879-'50-'81, serving five terms
high place in the business and social circles of La Crosse, and is considere.l a substantial and useful eitizen. His wife is a most lov- able woman; easy and graceful in manners, a fluent and entertaining conversationalist and decidedly prepossessing in personal appear- anee.
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ON. JOHN BRADLEY, a retired farmer and ex-Representative, has been a resident of this State for many years. Ile was born in Litehfield county, Connecti- eut, April 29, 1817, a son of Horace Bradley, deceased, a native of the same place. His father, Captain Aaron Bradley, was a Captain in the Revolutionary war on the American side, and was also a native of Connectient. He was a son of Leman Bradley, a native of England, who came to this country with the early colonists.
John Bradley, our subject, was reared to farm life, and received his edneation in the common schools of his native county. Hle removed to Chenango county, New York, in 1839, where he worked on a farm and in the lumber woods until 1844, and in that year removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, being one of the two first settlers of Trenton town- ship, the other being Edward Boomer, with whom our subject became acquainted on the road. They settled down together, and for two years kept bach and farmed on the prai- rie. Dodge county was organized the year before Mr. Bradley came here, and the Meno- monie Indians were still numerous but peace- able. He came to this county in 1855, settling in Burns township, where he purchased 320 aeres in burr-oak openings, and still owns 240 acres of valuable land in that township. HIe was elected to the Legislature in 1574-175,
,
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in all. He cast the first vote for Angos | occupation a lumberman ; politically, a Demo- Cameron for United States Senator, and has always been a Republican in his political views.
Mr. Bradley was married, in October, 1847, in Dodge county, to Elizabeth Stevens, a na- tive of Chautauqua county, New York, and they have had six children, four of whom survive, viz .: Walter, Frank, Cora and William. One daughter, Amelia. was mar- ried to Timothy Canghlin, and died leaving one child. Amelia, whom her father is now raising. The eldest son, John, died at the age of twenty six years. He was married to Clara Hnrlbut, and left three children: John, Horaee and Nellie. Walter married Hannah Beek, resides at Watertown, and has five chil- dren: Frank, Hannah. Amelia, Blanche and Russell. Cora married Julins Wood, and had two children: Luverne and John. Mr. Wood died, and she afterward married Daniel Carter. of Traverse City, Michigan. Frank, who mar- ried Belle Clark, lives on the old homestead, and has two children: Clyde and Clark; William married Rebecca Shane, and resides in West Salem, this county. Mr. Bradley is a member of no church, but his creed is the golden rule and to provide for the widows and orphans. He was baptized by Rev. Lyman Beecher when an infant, and was reared in the Presbyterian faith.
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crat; in religion, a believer in universal salva- tion. The mother of Daniel K. was nee Polly Kelly, and she, too, was a native of New Hampshire. Her father, Dudley Kelly, was of Irish ancestry, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Gordon is now a resident of Holland township. this county, and has reached her eighty-sixth year. They had a family of four children. Dudley died in this county in 1877. During the war he served in a Minnesota regiment. Sarah is the wife of Jacob Hoyt, and lives in Trem- pealean county. Wisconsin.
Daniel K. Gordon was reared on a farm in his native county and received his education at Orono, above Bangor. He was a youth of thirteen years when he came to Wisconsin. Here he worked on a farm, and one winter he spent in attending school in Illinois. In the fall of 1863 he returned East and enlisted in the Ninth Maine Infantry Volunteers, Company I, and served about two years. He I was first stationed on Morris Island, near Charleston. South Carolina: was in the army of the James. under General Ben Butler; was with his regiment in front of Petersburg for a time in 1864; in 1864-'65 wintered at Chapin's farm, in Virginia; was at the capture of Fort Fisher; marched to North Carolina with General Scofield and joined General Sherman's victorious troops at Raleigh, where was held a grand review. He was honorably discharged at Augusta, Maine, after which he returned to La Crosse county, Wisconsin,
ANIEL K. GORDON was born in Penobscot county, Maine, October 7, ; and here he has since made his home.
1839. Ilis father, Eliphalet Gordon, Mr. Gordon owns a good farm of ninety acres. Ilis house was built in 1889, and is located on a natural building site. In the fall of 1860 Mr. Gordon was united in marriage with Miss Anna Irvin, who was born in Nova Scotia, and who was eleven years of age when was a native of New Hampshire and a son of Eliphalet Gordon, Sr., who was a descendant of Seotch ancestry. He came West. and was among the pioneer settlers of Oshkosh, Wis- eonsin. Subsequently returning to Maine. he died there in July, 1854 He was by I she came to Wisconsin. Ilere she was reared
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and educated. Her parents were Scotch-Irish and were born in Belfast, Ireland. They had a family of ten children, of whom three sons and four daughters are living. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have had tive children, viz .: Dudley J. is married and lives in New Amsterdam, Wisconsin; Anna, wife of Ed Henry, died in the fall of 1890, leaving two children: Polly and Winfred; Maggie, wife of Martin Han- son, of Holland township, this county, has three children: lhenry, Ruth and Dudley; William F., of Dakota, and John Eliphalet.
Mr. Gordon is a good converser and a genial and jovial fireside companion. During twenty winters he was engaged in working in the woods and driving team. Politically he is a Democrat. He has served as Assessor for three years, and has also been Clerk. Well informed on general topies, broad and pro- gressive in his views, he is a man whose opinion is sought for and valned, and a man whose good influence is ever felt in the com- munity where he resides.
ICHARD HOSSFELD .- The life and character of this publie-spirited citizen of La Crosse county will bear a much more detailed history and analysis than are presented on this page. Though just in the meridian of life he has wielded a wide influ- ence for good in many respects, and in addition to being upright in every worthy particular he commenced life with but little means and is now in affluent circumstances. IIe was born in Saxony, Germany, February 29, 1844, a son of Adelbert and Thressia (Deusseng) Hossfeld, both natives of Saxony, and with them came to America, in 1851. The father died at Stockton, Minnesota, when seventy-seven years of age, but his widow survives him, at the age of seventy-six years.
Richard Hossfeld obtained a fair education in the public schools of Germany, and after coming to this country with his parents was a resident of Davenport, lowa. In 1851 they removed to Winona county, Minnesota. Richard learned the butcher's trade in La Crosse, which occupation received his atten- tion for many years. He went to Chicago during the war and worked in a packing- house there; next was in business for himself a short time, and then returned to La Crosse, continuing in the same business. In 1874 he settled on his present farm, on which he has since lived and greatly improved. It comprises 181 acres of arable land, two and one half miles from Holmen, on which is a good residence on a natural building site. The barns, sheds, granaries, fences, ete., are all of the best and the land is well laid off. and in good condition. lle keeps eighteen cows, a number of good horses and a large drove of hogs.
May 29, 1870, he was married to Miss Thankful Ann Nutting, a woman of much intelligence, judgment and executive ability. She was born in Skowhegan, Maine, and was five years of age when her parents came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin. Her father, Abel Nutting, kept a popular tavern here for many years, and died in November, 1875. Ilis wife was Clarinda Blackwell, who died in May, 1880. She bore him six children, four of whom are now living: Sarah, wife of George Willie, of Onalaska; Abner, of Win- neshiek county, Iowa; Melissa, wife of Frank Mcclellan, and Mrs. Hossfeld. The latter has borne her husband the following children: Ida, wife of James Doherty, of this county; Melissa, Gustavus and Frank.
Mr. Hossfeld is a Democrat, has served as a member of the school board, belongs to the 1. O. O. F., the K. of Il. and Hermann's Sons, and is wide-awake to all the current
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issues of the day. He is a good business man, a popular citizen and is frank and gen- ial in disposition.
HOMAS J. BARNEY, Under-Sheriff of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, is a native of this city. State and county, was born March 26, 1558, a son of Robert and Bridget (Buckley) Barney, natives of Ire- land. The father was born in county Kil- kenny, and the mother came from county Tipperary, parish of Lattan. Robert Barney emigrated to America at the age of twenty- two years, and remained for a while in the East, spending the greater portion of his time in New York city. About the year 1853 he came to the West, spending two years in Du- buque, Iowa, where he worked at the plaster- ers trade. In 1855 he came to La Crosse, and here passed the remainder of his days. He and his wife reared a family of two sons and two daughters: Thomas J., the subject of this biographical sketeh; Mary Ann, Cath- erine, and the Rev. John A., the present parish priest of Hudson, Wisconsin.
Thomas J. grew to manhood in La Crosse county, and received a good education in the parochial and public schools. In early life he decided to adopt his father's calling, and added thereto a knowledge of brick-laying. Ile has been connected with the construction of some of the finest buildings in La Crosse, among which may be mentioned the Odd Fellows' block for which he furnished the or- namental plaster work and moulding, the new La Crosse theater, the United States Government building and postoffice, St. James church, and the Wheeler & Seeder factory.
Mr. Barney was united in marriage, at Portage, Wisconsin, to Miss Catharine Riley,
a native of that place and the daughter of Timothy Riley and Catherine (Gerrity) Riley, natives of Ireland. Of this union three sons and one daughter were born: John, William, Mary and Thomas.
The parents are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Barney belongs to the Catholic Knights of America, to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, to the Ancient Order of llibernians, to the Jefferson Club, of which he is a charter member, and to the Germania Society; in all but the last named association he has held honorable official po- sitions. [Fe is a member of the La Crosse Business Men's Association, of the Builders' Exchange, and of the Bricklayers' Union.
ILLIAM KRUEGER is a German by birth and has inculcated in him the sterling principles of the better class of citizens of his native land. He was born in Brandenburg, Prussia, March 13, 1527. and as soon as old enough was placed in school, where he acquired a good practical education. His parents, Martin and Anna (Grames) Krueger, were born in the same province and were well-to-do in worldly goods.
After he had attained his fifteenth year William Krueger began working on a farm, during which time he learned the business of cheese-making, and this occupation he fol- lowed for about eight years. In 1552 he sailed from Bremen to New York city, and landed at Castle Garden after an eight weeks' voyage on the vessel Lewes. He landed on the 28th of April and went successively to Albany, Buffalo, Detroit and Milwaukee, re- maining in the last mentioned city for some time. In the fall he went to the Mississippi river via Peoria, and was afterwards at Cairo,
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St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans, and remained in the South two and a half years, the most of this time working as a gardener. He afterwards obtained a position in a Jesuit College at Springhill, near Mobile, Alabama, having charge of the clothing department. Ile was treated with great kindness while there and no attempt was made to change his religious views. He returned North to St. Louis, Missouri, then went by railroad to Chicago, and soon after settled in La Crosse county, Wisconsin. About this time he re- ceived $2,000 from home, with which he purchased 500 acres of land in Washington township, where he lived until 1870, when he sold out and bought the property on which he is now residing. lle has 240 acres of fine farming land on which is a good two- story residence, large and substantial barns of all kinds, and everything about his place is kept in good condition. Ile also owns prop- erty in Onalaska, and a good dwelling-house and eight lots in North La Crosse, and a three-story brick block on Jay street, La Crosse.
Ile was married March 13, 1863, to Miss Margaretta Schaller, who was born in Ger- many, and when a babe of six months was brought to America by her parents, Nicholas and Elizabeth (Farber) Schaller. The mother died October 25, 1888, but the father survives her and is a resident of Camp- bell township. Mr. and Mrs. Krueger have three children: Emma Amelia, wife of Jew- ett Wylie; Willie Harmon, a merchant of Onalaska, and Frank, at home.
Mr. Krueger is independent in politics, and was treasurer of Washington township in 1863-'64, and the following year was chair- man of the Town Board. He has been liberal in the use of his means for the education of his children, and Willie HI. received excellent advantages in the schools of La Crosse. Mr. | managing the farm until the latter's death,
Krueger is possessed of gennine merit, and owing to the attention he has always paid to each minor detail of his work he has accu- mulated a fair share of this world's goods, and commands the respect of all who know him.
OIIN C. RODDLE is one of the promi- nent and wealthy citizens of the township in which he resides, and as he has re- sided in this section of country ever since 1857, the people have had every opportunity to judge of his character, and although he has often been weighed in the balance he has not been found wanting. Ile was born in Illi- nois May 28, 1851, a son of Charles and Sarah (Jerred) Roddle, both natives of Lon- don, England. The former came to America to seek his fortune at the age of eighteen years, and settled in Cayuga county, New York, where he was married. His wife proved a true helpmate to him throughout their journey through life and still survives him, at the age of seventy years. She is yet strong and active, and is keeping house for her son William.
John C. Roddle, the subject of this sketch, came to Wisconsin with his parents and set- tled at Midway, near where the father en- tered a farm, on which he resided until his death in 1880. ITis worthy wife bore him four children: William C .; Stephen, who died leaving a widow and one son, Charles: John C. and Eliza Jane (Cronk). John C. assisted his father on the home place, and after re- ceiving a practical education in the publie schools he entered Galesville University, where he obtained a practical business edu- cation which has fitted him for the active lite he has led. Ile remained with his father,
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then began an independent career and now has one of the finest farms in this section of the county, comprising 160 acres. On this is a handsome residenee, his barns are also substantial buildings, and through his indns- try are kept in good repair. Ilis division fences are always of the best and he is con- sidered a desirable and accommodating neighbor.
December 28, 1882, he was married to Margaret Ilanna, daughter of William Hanna, who was one of the honored old settlers of this country, a native of county Antrim, Ireland, and a Presbyterian in his religions views. Mr. IIanna was married in Pennsyl- vania to Martha Miller, a native of the same country as himself, but was brought by her parents to America at the age of seven years and was reared and educated in Pennsylvania. Her father was Alexander Miller. William Hanna and his wife came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin. in 1855, and here the father re- sided until his death, September 28, 1890, a Republican in his political views. He and his wife had two children: Margaret (Mrs. Roddle), and Mrs. Henry LaFleur. Mrs. HIanna lives with her daughter, Mrs. Roddle. The latter was educated in the schools of La Crosse, and is a well-informed and intelligent lady. Mr. Roddle ranks among the leading men of his section, and, being of a frank, cor- dial and generous disposition, his friends are numerons and his enemies few.
UDGE CHARLES S. BENTON, de- ceased, was born July 12, 1810, in Frye- burg, Oxford county, Maine, a son of Dr. Joseph Benton and Catharine Britton. In 1824 he was moved by his mother and his brother Nathaniel to Little Falls, Herkimer county, New York, where he commenced to
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