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 55

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 55
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 55
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 55

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learn the tanners' trade. In 1830 he entered upon the study of law; in 1835 he was ad- mitted to practice in the Court of Common Pleas, and in 1836 in the Supreme Court of that State. During this time he edited the Mohawk Courier and Little Falls Gazette for two years eommeneing in 1832; and he was editor and correspondent for the Courier until he came West. In 1837 he was ap- pointed, by Governor Marey, Surrogate for llerkimer county. In 1842 he was elected to Congress from the Seventeenth Congres- sional distriet of New York, and re-elected in 1844. In 1847 he was Clerk of the Court of Appeals of that State, which office he held two terms. In 1855 he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he bought a one-third in- terest in the News, which newspaper he edited for one year. In 1856 he was ap- pointed by President Pierce, Registrar of land at La Crosse, Wisconsin, and held that office until the administration of President Lincoln. In 1865 he moved to Galesburg. Illinois, where he engaged in farming for four years, at the end of which time he re- turned to La Crosse. In 1873 he was elected County Judge of La Crosse county, for four years, and re-elected in 1877. and continued to serve in that eapaeity until 1881, when he resigned on account of failure of health, which resulted in death, May 4, 1882.

Hle was married in 1840, to Miss Emiline Fuller, of Little Falls, New York, by whom he had one son, Linn Boyd Benton, who lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a type founder. He was married again in 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Babcock Reynolds, of Os- wego, New York, by whom he had also a son, Charles R. Benton, who lives in La Crosse, and is an accountant.

Mrs. Benton, daughter of S. Hubbell Rey- nolds and Elizabeth G. Babeoek, is a native of New York, as were her parents, who were

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of prosperous families in that State. She has lived in La Crosse continuously since 1856, except four years during which she lived in Illinois, whither her husband and father had gone to engage in farming.

Mr. Benton was a life-long Demoerat and always an aggressive partisan. However, his knowledge of the proper limits of party strife was such that, for his personal ends, he had a strong support among his politieal opponents. Ile was a member of the Epis- copal Church, and he and Mrs. Benton were active in organizing the society in La Crosse.

M RS. MARGARET Mo KENZIE, widow of John McKenzie, late of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, is a lady whose intelligence and refinement fit her for any social position. Her husband, who was one of the old settlers of the county, and one of its most prominent citizens, was born at Alderness, Scotland, on March 18, 1835, and the son of Alexander and Mary ( Mckenzie) Mckenzie, natives also of Scotland, where they passed their entire lives.

John MeKenzie was reared a farmer and drover, and was married at Alderness, near Inverness, on April 23, 1853, to Miss Marga- ret Ross, a native of the parish of Tain, Scot- land, born April, 1828, and the daughter of John and Jenette (Murray) Ross, both natives of Scotland. Soon after marriage Mr. Mc- Kenzie and wife took passage on the ship Spring Hill, commanded by Captain Ed Ellicott, and after six weeks' sea voyage landed at Quebee. From there they went to Montreal, where Mr. MeKenzie worked for a Mr. McGilbra for one season. The follow- ing year he rented a small farm, but the house in which he lived burned down and most of his household goods were destroyed. In 1855

he moved to St. Lawrence county, western part, and there remained until 1861, when he moved his family to La Crosse county, Wis- consin. Ile resided in La Crosse one winter and then bought land of Almon Clark, which he began improving and cultivating. The farin, situated five miles from La Crosse and consisting of 150 acres, is one of the most productive in the section and the fine build- ings on the same add much to its appearance. Mr. Mckenzie was a very successful stoek- raiser, and his many horses, eattle and sheep were of a superior breed. To Mr. and Mrs. MeKenzie were born six children, four now living: Alexander, of Pullman, Washington. proprietor of Rolling Mill and Electric Light Plant; John, of Onalaska township; Lillie Grace, wife of II. M. Phillips, of South La Crosse; and Isabella D., wife of II. W. Baird, who is in company with Alexander at Pullman, Washington. The children deceased were: Margaret Jane, wife of A. E. Allen was born May 30, 1858, and died February 28, 1852, at the age of twenty-four, and Jessie died at the age of twelve years. Mr. Mckenzie was a good man in every sense of the term and his honesty and uprightness were well known in the county. He was a man of good judgment, possessed of excel- lent business acumen, and was broad and liberal in his views. Ile was a kind father and a popular eitizen. His death, which oc- curred in ISSS, was the occasion of uni- versal sorrow, for all felt the loss that would be sustained by the departure of such a man. Mrs. MeKenzie has eight grandchildren: Magaret Jane left three children, Flora B., Levi J. and Albert Lawrence; Isabella has two, Loyd A. and a daughter, Lillie; Lillie has a son, Milton Donald, and John has two sons, John Archibald and Ralph Engene.

Alexander Mckenzie is an expert hunter as well as a business man. On his journey

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West he killed a buffalo, bear, wild hog, mountain lion, panthers and any amount of foxes, coons and wild cats. John is now living in Green's Cooley, is a well-to-do farmer, a good provider and a kind husband. On the 5th of November, 1891, he and his neighbor, Mr. Glover, killed a black bear in Campbell, a little way from his home.

HESTER DARLING. deceased, recently of section 5, Bangor township, was born in Caledonia, Vermont, January 29, 1821. His father, Jonathan Darling, also a native of Vermont, came to Bangor in 1852, where he died in 1860. Our subject emigrated to Lieking county, Ohio, in 1840, where he worked at the carpenter's trade six years, and then moved to Dane county, Wis- consin, and in 1853 to Hamilton township, this county. After the death of his first wife, Sallie Emery, he married Hester Cooley, by whom he had nine children, five now living. His second wife. IIester, died December 25. 1573, and July 13, 1874, he was again mar- ried, to Phobe C. Darling, with whom he lived until his death, March 29, 1892, at the age of seventy one years and two months.

ENRY A. KENRICK .- This gentle- man has been identified with Farming- ton township, La Crosse county, Wis- eunsin, since 1852, and is elassed among the best citizens of the county. The following facts in reference to his life and deseriptive of his home will be found of interest.

Henry A. Kenrick was born in Essex county, New York, near Lake Champlain September 15, 1841, son of John and Clara (Coman) Kenrick. Of John Kenrick, one of

the prominent early settlers of Mindoro, hon- orable mention will be found on another page of this volume. When Mr. Kenrick was abont four years old his mother died, leaving a son and daughter. The latter, Eunice Antoinette, is now the wife of J. L. Pettingill, of La Crosse. The maternal grandfather, Allen Coman, is one of the pioneers of this county.

llenry A. came to Wisconsin with the Coman family. They first settled in Wal- worth county, and in 1852 came to La Crosse county. He was reared on a farm and re- ceived a common-sehool education. When a young man he spent two winters at work in the woods. In 1883 he located on his present farm, which was known as the Hugh Kenedy farm. It comprises 320 acres of fine land, is well improved, and with its numerous build- ings all painted and kept in the best of order; it presents the appearance of a neat little vil- lage. The two-story residence is beautifully located and surrounded by forest trees whose friendly branches afford a delightful shade in summer. The barn is 32 x 46 feet; granary aud carriage house, 20 x 42 feet; ice and milk house, 14 x 24 feet; honey house, 12 x 18 feet; poultry house, 12 x 16 feet. Water is supplied by a modern wind pump. The farm is divided into fields of convenient size for cultivation and for stock purposes, and the whole is well fenced. Mr. Kenrick de- votes his attention to general farming and stock-raising. He has an apiary and keeps from sixty-five to 100 stands of bees. In this industry his wife is especially interested, and is probably as well posted on bee culture as any woman in Wisconsin, having made a study of the subject for number of years and having had an extensive practical experience. One season they sold 8720 worth of honey, besides bees to the amount of $45.

Mr. Kenrick was married February 28,

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1867, in Lewis valley, this county, to Her- retta Mathewson, who was born in Chenango county, New York, daughter of Loren Mathewson,, a well-known old settler of Lewis valley and now a resident of Onalaska. Two children have been born to them, namely: Clara Jane, wife of Fred Fillner, of Farmington township; and May Antoinette, at home. Mrs. Kenrick is a woman of rare accomplishments, and is in every sense of the word a true helpmate to her husband. She is equally at home in the apiary, the kitchen or the parlor, entertaining guests in her cor- dial and graceful way and presiding at her hospitable board in a charming manner that her visitors do not soon forget.

- MADSON, merchant tailor at No. 1210 Caledonia street. La Crosse, was born in Norway in 1852, a son of Martinus and Karen Madson. His father was also a tailor, and a very superior workman; he died in his native land, in 1867, aged forty-seven years: the mother is still living, and has at- tained the age of seventy-eight years. The subjeet of this notice emigrated to the United States in 1880, and first settled in the great Western metropolis, Chicago, where he worked at his trade for one and a half years; he then moved to Merillon, Jackson county, Wiscon- sin, for one and a half years; next he removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and followed his trade in that eity for three and a half years. In 1886 he came to Onalaska, and opened a clothing store and tailor shop for three years. In 1887 he opened a tailor shop in La Crosse, at his present stand. He employs from four to six men, and has a fine patronage. Ilis many years of experience with this line of trade in two of the largest cities of the West, and the thorough training he received during

his apprenticeship, all fitted him well for the place he has taken in commercial eireles in La Crosse. He is esteemed one of the most reliable business men in the place, and enjoys the entire confidence of a wide cirele of ac- quaintanees. In connection with the business already mentioned, he finds time to give to the ageney of all steamship lines, which he is able to make quite profitable.

Mr. Madson was married in the old country, to Miss Dorothea Gunderson, and of this union two children were born; the mother and one child died in Chicago, in 1880. Mr. Madson was married a second time in 1882, to Miss Bertha Anderson, daughter of Neils Anderson, of Trempealean county, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Madson are consistent mem- bers of the United Lutheran Church, and also belong to the Total Abstinence Society of North La Crosse.

ETER GULLICKSON, one of the intel- ligent, enterprising and snecessful men of La Crosse county, resides near Min- doro, in Farmington township. Ile has lived here since 1870, and is well known in this vicinity. Like many of Wisconsin's well-to- do citizens, he was born in Norway, the date of his birth being February 10, 1858. His parents, Isaac and Ingebaar Gulliekson, both natives of Norway, were reared, educated and married there. Peter was a lad of twelve years when the family came to America. The father preceded thiem to this country, arriving here in 1866. For four years he worked hard, preparing a home for his wife and chil- dren, and while they were on their way to join him he died. Ilis death was the result of an accident, he having eaten wild parsnip. The mother and her family settled in Farmington township. The names of her seven children

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are as follows: Lena, who died in 1877; Gun- der, of West Salem, Wisconsin; George, of Hamilton township, this county; Oliver, of West Salem; Peter, the subject of our sketch; Hansene, wife of Ole Eveson, of Farmington township; and Thorwald, of West Salem. The mother was afterward married to Gilbert Gilberson, and she is now a resident of Min- doro, this eounty.

As already stated, Peter Gullickson was twelve years of age when he landed on Ameri- ean soil. Ile had attended school six years in his native land, and after he came here went to the common schools, thus securing a fair education in both languages. The first land he owned he sold to Paul Sullivan, and subsequently purchased a farm near by, the one on which he now lives, one of the best farms in the Lewis valley. He has 280 acres of well improved land. His residence, 30 x 35 feet, is two stories, is located on a natural building site, and is one of the most attractive homes in this vicinity. It is located one mile from the village of Mindoro. His barn is 36 x 50 feet, and has a rock basement. A modern wind pump supplies water for his stock. Mr. Gullickson gives his attention to general farming and stock-raising, and during the autumn season operates a threshing-ma- chine. In the threshing business he is in partnership with Ole Simenson, and does about 8600 to $800 worth of work each year.

November 26, 1850, Mr. Gulliekson wed- ded Ilelen Olson, a native of Norway. She came with her parents to this country when she was six months old, and here she was reared and educated. Iler father and mother, Ole and Jane Olson, are residents of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Gullickson have five children, namely: Ingvald Irwin, Olga Josephine. John Albert, Ida Nikoline and May Luella. Their fourth child, Abel Gil- bert, died at the age of eleven months.

Mr. Gullickson affiliates with the Demo- cratie party, and is an enthusiastic worker in party ranks. Ile has served two years as Assessor of his township. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Any movement that has for its objeet the advancement of educa- tional, moral or religious interests, finds in him a hearty supporter.

ENRY LUETHI .- In no part of Wis- consin is agriculture in a more flourish- ing condition than in La Crosse county, and here Mr. Lueth is considered one of the leading tillers of the soil. Ilis present sub- stantial position in life has been reached entirely through his own perseverance, and the facts connected with his operations and their results only show what a person, with courage and enlightened views, can accomplish. His reputation for honesty and integrity have been tried and not found wanting; his finan- cial ability has been more than once put to the test, but never without credit to himself, and his social qualities are well-known and appreciated. He was born in Germany, December 8, 1844, to John and Dora S. Lueth, who came to America from their na- tive land in 1849, landing in the city of New York. They soon after came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, then went by team and wagon to Galena, Illinois, thence to Dubuque, Iowa, where the father worked at the mason's trade (which he had learned and followed in his native land), until the fall of 1854, when he came with his family to La Crosse and here worked as a mason until his death in October, 1867, his wife's death occurring at the age of eighty years. She died May 10, 1891. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living: Sophia who resides at Dubuque, lowa; Dora, also a resident of that

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city; Edward, a machinist of La Crosse, who has been in the employ of Dean & Smith for over twenty years, and Henry.

The latter was a lad of ten years when he came to this county and his knowledge of the " world of books " was acquired in the schools of Salem and La Crosse. At the age of seven- teen years he began working in the Wiscon- sin pineries and on the Mississippi river as a common hand. His ability soon became appreciated, and he was promoted to the posi- tion of foreman, which he held with ability for over twenty years. In 1575 he settled on his present farm of 210 acres, of which ninety- six acres are under cultivation, and are well and carefully tilled. Ilis residence and barns are kept in excellent condition, his fences in good repair, and he is considered an accom- mnodating and desirable neighbor.

Ile was married, October 8, 1567, in this county, to Miss Esther Ayer, a native of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, a lady whose intelligence, natural refinement and many domestic virtues make her a pleasing and entertaining companion. She is a daughter of Jonas and Leah (Nutting) Ayer. who were born in Somerset county, Maine. The father died in Onalaska in 1872, atthe age of sixty- seven years, and his widow is now a resident of Galesville, Wisconsin. A family of twelve children blessed their union, four sons and eight daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Lueth have four children: Milton Henry; Emmett was drowned when three years of age; Clinton Douglas and Esther. Mr. Lueth has always supported the principles of Democracy, and has held minor official positions in his town- ship. He is a member of the I. O. O. F .. and has been a member of that worthy order -the Masonic fraternity-sinee 1876. Dur- ing the civil war he enlisted in the service twice, but as he was under age his father would not allow him to enter the service,

which was a damper, indeed, to his youthful enthusiasm and ambition. He is a jovial and agreeable gentleman, a pleasant companion, and has numerous friends. In personal appearance he is prepossessing, has a fine physique and weighs 230 pounds. Ile was reared a Presbyterian.

R. BLANCHARD, wholesale dealer in butter and eggs at La Crosse, Wis- consin .- The house of which Mr. Blanchard is the proprietor is one of the most enterprising and reliable institutions of La Crosse, and partienlarly deserves mention for the success it has achieved in a compara- tively short time in building up an extensive trade and taking a stand with the oldest and strongest in its special field of activity in the city. The nucleus from which this enter- prise grew was laid by D. R. Blanchard in 1882, in which year he came to the State of Wisconsin. Ile was born in Somerset county, Maine, in 1546, to Theron and Martha (Reed) Blanchard, both natives of Massachusetts. The father was an honest "son of the soil" during his working years. He died in 1858, at the age of eighty-four years; the mother, who is a member of the Congregational Church. is a resident of Madison, Maine, and is in her eighty-first year.

D. R. Blanchard was the sixth of their eleven children, the names of the members of the family being as follows: Theron, Martha, wife of Sheldon Reed; Hannah G., Watson, Samnel N., Daniel R., Mary E., Rnel, who died at the age of nineteen years, and three that died in infancy. Theron Blanchard, the father, who was born in Massachusetts on the 27th of May, 1805, was a son of Jesse Blanchard, who died in 1805. His wife was a Miss Brown, who died in 1556, having

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borne her husband three sons: Jesse, Quincy and Theron, all of whom are deceased. The latter removed from Massachusetts to Maine about 1825, and had been a resident of the last named State sixty years when he died. The maternal grandfather, Daniel Reed, was a farmer of Maine, to which State he re- moved in 1916, and there he died in 1883, at the advanced age of 103 years. He was first married to Hannah Gurney, and his second wife was a Miss Snow, who died at an ad- vanced age. Mrs. Blanchard, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was the fourth in a family of five children: Edward, who mar- ried Sophia Whittier, who survives him; Mary, who died unmarried; John, who mar- ried Hannah French; Mrs. Blanchard, and Turner, who married Ann Flowers. D. R. Blanchard is a wide-awake man of business, a good eitizen, and although he has only been a resident of La Crosse a few years, he has beeome well known and his reputation is unblemished. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.

ILARLES H. MILLER, proprietor of the La Crosse Steam Laundry, was born at Waterloo, Dodge county, Wisconsin, December 23, 1855. His parents, who were natives of Germany, emigrated to America and died when Charles H. was a child. They left a family of three sons and two danghters. After the death of his father and mother, our subject went to live in Minnesota, near Owatonna, where he spent his boyhood and youth. At the age of eighteen years he started out in life for himself, and lived for a number of years in Michigan. The pros- perity attending all commercial enterprises of La Crosse strongly recommended this city

to the favor of Mr. Miller, and in 1884 he came here and went into the laundry busi- ness. He has accomplished very satisfactory results to himself, and has given to the city one more progressive and energetie business man.

Ile was married while a resident of Michi- gan, to Miss Matilda Johnson, a native of Sweden, born near the city of Stockholm, and of this union two sons have been born: Ira Abel and Edwin Ray.

Mr. Miller is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 27, at La Crosse, and is the present Master of Finanee.

A. TRUMBOWER, station agent of the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Rail- way Company at Onalaska, and a resi- dent of this place sinee October, 1889, was born near Brookville, Ogle county, Illinois, October 7, 1863, son of J. R. Trumbower, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania and married Amelia Butts. The name Trumbower is of German origin. The fam- ily were early and prominent settlers of Ogle county. The grandfather, Jacob Trumbower, located at Chambers' grove, sixteen miles from Freeport, Illinois. Mr. Trumbower's mother was a daughter of Aaron Butts, who was one of the first settlers in Black Hawk county, Iowa. J. R. Trumbower, the father of the subject of this sketch, moved in 1876 to the vicinity of Ackley, lowa, where he en- gaged in farming, and the son received his education in Franklin county, that State, and entered business. For a time he was tele- graph operator, as "extra," on the Central Iowa, railroad, and afterwards at Milledge- ville, Illinois, and in October, 1889, was transferred to Onalaska. IIe is a capable and efficient man for the business.

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Ile was married at Milledgeville, Illinois, June 15, 1889, to Miss Ethel Myrta Steele, a lady of intelligence and of a good family, born at De Soto, Wisconsin, a daughter of D. Abbott Steele, of Rock Falls, Illinois. During their residence at Onalaska Mr. and Mrs. Trumbower had a daughter, Edith Pearl who died at the age of nine months.

Mr. Trumbower is an intelligent young man and of extended information, and frank and cordial in disposition.

RA E. GREEN, is well known and highly respected throughout La Crosse county, Wisconsin, as one of its worthy and intelli- gent citizens, public-spirited and of sterling integrity. He deserves more than ordinary mention as a successful farmer, for he began life at the foot of the ladder but by industry, economy and thrift, he has conquered adver- sity and has made himself one of the leading and influential citizens of the community in which he lives. He was born at Rock Prairie, Rock county, Wisconsin, a son of Henry II. and Abigail (Vought) Green, the former of whom was born in Orange county, New York and the latter in Pennsylvania, although she was reared and educated in Orange county, New York. The paternal grand- father was of English deseent and was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary war, taking sides with the Colonists in their struggle for lib- erty. Heury Green came with his family to Roek county, Wisconsin, in 1840, of which place they were among the first settlers, and when their son Ira E. was a babe they came to Onalaska and settled one mile east of the town. To them a family of fifteen children were born, nine of whom are living. The father died in California in 1860, to which State he had gone in 1856, but his widow

still survives him and has attained the age of seventy-six years, and is residing in La ('rosse.

Ira E. Green was brought up on a farm, and was given the benefit of the common schools in the vieinity of his home. In early manhood he went to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, where he entered some land un- der the homestead law, and resided on this land for eight years. After returning to his home and remaining here three years he went to HIelena, Montana, where he was in the lumber business two and a half years. Upon returning once more to this county, he loca- ted at Midway where he conducted a mercan- tile establishment for two years and then sold ont, and bought his present farm, which for- merly belonged to William Ruddle. This place is a valuable one and the value of the land itself is augmented by the erection of commodious and substantial buildings of all kinds and a fine windmill. all of which are kept in good repair. Everything about his place indicates that a man of thrift and en- ergy is at the helm, and that he possesses intelligence of a high order and sound and practical views.

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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