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 60

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 60
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 60
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 60

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September 16, 1846, in Erie county, New York, he was united in marriage with Miss Phebe, daughter of Levi and Sallie (Trevitt) Ballon. She was born in Otisco, Onondaga county, New York, January 11, 1827, and was descended from a long line of eminent scholars and thinkers. Her parents were natives of the Green Mountain State, and numbered in their family tree many names not nnknown to tame, especially her grand- father, David Ballon, and his brother Rev. Hosea Ballon, the celebrated writer and Universalist divine, and one of the founders of that church.

Mrs. Briggs died at her home in the town of Holland, March 7, 1892, after a long and painful illness, which was the result of in- juries sustained when a young woman, and from which she was almost a constant sufferer. She was a woman of culture, sterling integ-

rity of character and strong individuality. She was loved and respected by all who knew her, and her loss was felt by the whole com- innity; while to the bereaved and aged husband, who has enjoyed her faithful and happy companionship for upwards of forty- five years, the loss is irreparable. The only surviving member of Levi Ballon's family, is Miss Sallie Ballou of Buffalo, New York. Leavitt Ballon, the eldest brother of Mrs. Briggs, died in New Amsterdam, Wisconsin, February 19, 1885, leaving a daughter, Lney D., who afterwards found a pleasant home with Mr. and Mrs. Briggs, and still brightens the home of Mr. Briggs.

POON. TIMOTHY BURNS, a pioneer of La Crosse and the most prominent citi- zen of his time, was born in Dublin, Ireland, May 31, 1820. He was but three months old when his parents brought him to New York city. In the fall of 1837 he came to Wisconsin, settling in Iowa county. He was engaged in mining until the fall of 1844, when he was elected Sheriff of fowa county. In 1846 he was elected to the General Assem- bly for a two-year term; re-elected in 1848, and elected Speaker of the Assembly for the sessions of 1848-'49. In 1850 he was elected a Commissioner of Public Works, and in 1851 elected Lieutenant Governor of the State, which office he held at the time of his death. Ile was endowed with a superior mind, and, notwithstanding he was emphatically a "self- made" man, his political career had not thus ended if his life had been spared him. Ilis influenee was probably more directly felt in all the great State interests generally, and in railroad interests especially, than that of any, if not all, of the administration, although oc- enpying a secondary position.

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In 1847 he passed the point where La Crosse now is, and became captivated with the scenery. After examining into the com- mercial prospects of the situation, he was convinced that very few village sites possessed so many natural advantages. He purchased half the interest held by Myrick & Miller, and in 1850 he moved his family into what then seemed a lonely and almost unapproach- able solitude. From the commanding in- fluence of Mr. Burns in the entire State, and his honest devotion to La Crosse, to him especially belongs the honor of giving the village a real existence. Through his enter- prise a surveyor was employed to lay out a reasonable number of lots. He thus became one of the founders of La Crosse, and was always foremost in promoting any scheme for its advancement.

IIis brilliant and successful political career was terminated by death September 20, 1853, and in his demise Wisconsin lost one of its most gifted statesmen, its councils one of the most sound, energetic minds of which it could boast, and La Crosse its most popular and distinguished citizen.

garet, wife of Nathaniel Ray, and our sub- ject, are the only ones living; her age is ninety years past.

Mr. Giltillan, our subject, has been a hard- working farmer during his active life, and fairly successful. As an early settler he has known much of the hardships and privations incident to Wisconsin pioneer life.

He was married in Vermont, November 21, 1838, to Miss Maria Redding, daughter of Stevens and Abigail (Gilman) Redding, of Vermont. They eame West in 1848, settling first in Dodge county, on a farm ; seven years afterward they came to La Crosse county and settled in Burns township, Adams valley, all wild land. He bought 200 acres and after- ward added to it until it amounted to 500 acres. IIe sold his farm about eight years ago. They have been living in West Salem the past seventeen years. Mr. Giltillan was a farmer during the prime of life, quite suc- cessful and enterprising and numbered among the worthy, responsible and energetic. He has held various offices in the town of Burns, notably as member of the town board, for many terms. His official life was of a satis- factory character, as is evidenced by his re- election to the same office. In Vermont he held the office of First Lieutenant in the militia, taking great delight in the military affairs of those days.

AMES GILFILLAN, Sr., an aged and highly respected citizen of West Salem, was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, He has had four children, namely: Abbie J., a rheumatic invalid for a number of years ; Mary M., wife of Hiram Bowles; James H., one of the hardware merchants of West Salem; William S., connected in business with the West Salem Creamery. November 9, 1810. His parents were Will- iam and Jane (Warden) Giltillan, both from Scotland and married in Vermont. The father, a farmer, left the old country at the | age of twenty-five years, and died on the farm he first bought on coming to America, as did Mr. Giltillan had the serious affliction of losing his sight, having been blind since July 4, 1884, on account of a eataract, which had been forming for some years; there is no possibility of his sight ever being restored. his wife also, at the age of seventy-seven years, though she was seven years younger. They were active members of the old-school Presbyterian Church. They had three sons and two daughters, of whom one sister, Mar- . He and his wife were for many years mem-

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bers of the church. In politics he is a Re- publican. He voted for General William 11. Harrison, and recently for General Benjamin Harrison, and has never missed voting at a presidential election. Ile is a highly es- teemed and worthy citizen, such as gives character to a community.

EV. JOHN N. RAPP, of La Crosse, was born in Germany in 1858, studied the classics in Anstrie, philosophy in Bavaria, and came to America in 1882, since which time he has been "famulus episcopa- lis," living in the bishop's house at 308 Sonth Eleventh street. In 1887 he was ordained clergyman for the diocese of La Crosse, and in 1888 was admitted to citizenship in the United States.

S. MEDARY is the leading member of the J. S. Medary Saddlery Company, which is among the oldest, most exten- sive and reliable wholesale manufacturing concerns in the saddlery trade to be found in the Northwest. In addition to the manufac- ture of saddlery and leather goods, they con- trol a trade of considerable magnitude in saddlery-hardware, shoe findings, leather, etc. This enterprise is the ontgrowth of a busi- ness that had its beginning in 1860, but until 1866 Mr. Medary's business interests in Ga- lena, Illinois, engaged a considerable portion of his attention. In the last mentioned year the firm of Grant, Burke and Co. was sue- ceeded by Messrs. Davis, Medary & Hill. This connection continued until 1871, when Mr. Ilill retired, the firm name becoming Davis & Medary until 1885, when Mr. Me- dary became sole proprietor. January 1, 1891,

the company was incorporated under its present name. The members of this firm are widely known throughout the community as energetic, honorable business men, and their standing and position in both commer- cial and social circles are of the highest and most creditable character. In quality and workmanship the goods of this house have become recognized as first-class. They carry an extensive stock, and do a constantly in- creasing business, employing from three to four traveling salesman, who make their regu- lar trips through Western Wisconsin, Minne- sota, Iowa and the Dakotas. Mr. Medary is also president and treasurer of the Davis, Medary & Platz Co., manufacturers of leather. This important industry was started in 1877, and incorporated in 1883.

M. Medary was born in Clermont county, Ohio, March 12, 1839, a son of A. C. and E. B. (Thornton) Medary, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. The father was called from life about 1846, at the age of thirty-seven years, the mother's death occurring in 1884, when she was aged seventy-five.

J. S. Medary remained in the State of his nativity until he had attained the age of twenty years, when he went to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, but one year later he took mp his residence for a short time in the State of Wisconsin, but did not locate permanently at La Crosse until 1866. Since the last men - tioned date he has been an honored resident of La Crosse, and has been prominently con- nected with her business interests. llis sound and conservative views on all subjects led to his election to the position of city Allerman, the duties of which he discharged in an efficient manner for two terms, his election being a victory of the Republican party, of which he has long been an ardent member. The year 1871 witnessed the cele -

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bration of his marriage to Miss Frances E. Burns, daughter of ex-Lieutenant Governor Timothy Burns, whose sketch will be found on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Medary have three children: Grace, who was for several years a student in Granger Place School, is at present studying music and the languages in Berlin, Germany, and is well versed in all the fine arts-music, painting and drawing; Walter B., a student in Lake Forest Seminary, and Frances E.

OSEPII FAY .- The vast amount of adulteration in wine and brandies in nse at the present day has made the public wary, and they are only too glad to patronize an establishment where only the purest and best of goods are handled, and consequently the establishment of Mr. Fay, located at 309 Main street, La Crosse, has an extended and paying patronage. His assortment embraces the finest im- ported and domestic wines and liquors of all kinds and he does the largest business in his line in the city, amounting to about $60,000 annually.

Mr. Fay was born in Prussia, Germany, February 7, 1821. and on July 3. 1840, first landed on American soil. IIe came thither with his parents, Charles and Eve Fay, whose eighth child was born the day of their arrival, and being in almost destitute circumstances they found it mnost difficult to secure a liveli- hood for a number of years. In 1844 they arrived in Burlington, Wisconsin Territory. and here they suffered all the hardships and privations of frontier life. The first two years of their arrival they lived on corn bread, as flour was $60 per barrel and had to be hauled from Chicago, a distance of seventy miles. The mother lived to the ripe old age

of ninety-six years, dying in 1891, in Burling- ton, Racine county, Wisconsin. She was a noble and self-sacrificing mother, a devoted wife, and was noted for her many womanly virtues. She reared the following children to honorable manhood and womanhood: Marie, wife of John Lever; Margaret, wife of Asa Walter; Kate, wife of Frank Weinbone; Sarah, wife of John Brush; Peter, married to Elizabeth Pfiffner; Anthony, married to Mary Rigger; Mary, wife of Mandice Alresch, and Joseph, who is the eldest of the family.

The latter made his start in this country as a weaver of fine goods, such as table- cloths. etc., in the city of Buffalo, and was there married on April 15, 1845, to Miss Mary Incinburg, who was born in Germany, October 3, 1820, and died August 29, 1851, after having borne Mr. Fay three children: Mary, born September 12, 1846, is the wife of Jacob Ilashley: Carl, and Alice, who died in early childhood. Mr. Fay's second mar- rigge was celebrated on July 29, 1851, to Miss Julia Bushart, by whom he has the fol- lowing children: Sarah Louisa. born Septem- ber 1, 1852, the wife of Joseph Bushart; Charles, born May 16, 1854, married to Katie Moser; Andrew, born January 26, 1856, married to Miss M. Lutz; and Joseph, Jr., born July 8. 1557.

Soon after his first marriage Mr. Fay came to La Crosse to see the country, and being pleased with the ontlook he here determined to pitch his tent. He came hither with his family in 1855, and has been an honored resident of this section ever since. Though past the allotted age of three-score years and ten, he is acknowledged to be a leader in the affairs of this portion of the county, and his intelligence, enterprise and integrity have acquired for him a popularity not derived from any fictitious circumstances, but & per-

Larry & Raud

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manent and spontaneous tribute to his merit, locating in Jackson county, where the father and this has been proven by his eall at differ- died of cancer, at the age of sixty five years, after a residence there of nearly twenty years. Both himself and wife were old-time Methodists all their lives, and died in the triumphs of a living faith. She died at the age of eighty-six, in Brice's Prairie, at the residence of her daughter, bney Pittinger. ent times to positions of trust and responsi- bility. He held the office of Supervisor for five years; Street Commissioner three years; the Aldermanship of La Crosse six years; a member of the City Police for six years; the position of Seeretary and Treasurer of the public schools on numerous occa- sions; treasurer and secretary of the paro- chial school, the duties of which offices he discharged with the same care and fidelity that has ever characterized his career in busi- ness circles. He has been quite an important factor in educational circles, and besides build- ing the Catholic school at La Crosse he built two in Burlington, one in Geneva and one in the city of Buffalo, and another at Nutbush, near Buffalo. Ile is very liberal in the use of his means: is filled with the milk of Imman kindness, and those who know him best recognize in him a warm friend and a useful citizen. Ifis parents celebrated their golden wedding at Burlington, Wisconsin. August 24, 1870. The father died January 18, 1876, at the age of eighty-two years.

AMES B. RAND, proprietor of the livery stable and meat market in Onalaska, with his son-in-law, A. N. Moore, as partner, was born in Brooke county, West Virginia, October 2, 1822. His parents were Robert and Ilettie A. Rand, natives of Vermont, Mr. Robert Rand was one of six brothers who settled in Vermont in pioneer times. He and his wife started from Vermont for the West, and on their way became sick and remained in Brooke county, eventually for , eight years, when they came on to Jefferson county, Ohio, settling near Steubenville. Finally they returned to West Virginia, 33

Mr. James B. Rand, our subjeet, is the seventh in a family of ten children, nine of whom lived to mature years; four sons and one daughter are still living. He began life for himself by digging out grubs and making rails in West Virginia. After that he flat- boated on the Ohio river, loading at Cincin- nati for New Orleans. He commeneed on the river at the early age of sixteen years, and quit at twenty-six, when he came to Wisconsin, settling on Sun Prairie, near Cottage Grove, in Dane county. Ile fol- lowed farming there for three years, and while threshing his third crop of grain he by accident lost his right arm, and at that time was not worth a dollar in property. He had good friends and always a credit when he wanted it. Ile has made much of oppor- tunity. He has owned hundreds of aeres of land, but now only 200 acres.

Quitting the farm, he began logging on the Lemon Wire river, a tributary of the Wisconsin river, and also tenmed from the togging headquarters, Madison, to La Crosse, in the winter ot 1850 -'51, when there were no roads. From this place he emigrated to La Crosse county in 1852. He is now the oldest settler in Onalaska, and one of the oldest in the county. Ile has been engaged in several kinds of business: kept hotel for a time, was Deputy Sheriff for twenty-five years (under the first Sheriff of the county, and under Sheriff's Eldrid, More- Clark, Staley, etc.), and he has been in the cattle business ever since he has been in the county ;

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has speculated in land, and now owns a good farm in the town of Holland. He entered the livery business with his son-in-law, A. N. Moore, in 1884, and in the meat market in 1889. They are doing well in both.

Mr. Rand was married in Jackson county, West Virginia. August 9, 1846. to Elizabeth Latimer, daughter of George and Jane Lati- mer, of Scotch descent. She was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and came to La Crosse in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Rand have six children: Isabel, wife of William Evans; George, the oldest son, is on a farm near Holmen; Artemas R., Martha, wife of Charles Staples, and living in Polk county, Wisconsin (he is a millwright and carpenter); Anna, who married A. N. Moore, November 21, 1883, and resides in Onalaska: and Willie, her twin brother, who died in his second year. in 1867. Mrs. Rand died April 19, 1892, after a long and painful sickness, the result of la grippe.

Mr. Rand's mother's father, Artemas Reed, was a "Green Mountain boy," and was in the Revolutionary war, engaged throughout, commencing as a disguised Indian in aiding to throw British tea overboard in Boston harbor. Thomas Buchanan Read is well known to the literary world as an author and poet. He wrote " Sheridan's Twenty Miles Away." He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is of the same age as Mr. Rand. Mr. Rand's youngest son, Artemas R., is named for his grandfather.

HIRISTIAN BUOL was twenty years of age when he crossed the sea with his father's family, and took up his resi- dence in the United States. Ile is a native of Switzerland, born August 15. 1532, and is a son of John and Sula Bool; the father

was a carpenter by trade and followed this calling in his own country, but upon coming to America he embarked in agricultural pursuits. The mother died in 1842, leaving seven children, all of whom came to this country with their father; they settled in Sank county, Wisconsin, and opened a small farm. Two of the sons, John and Caspar, enlisted in the Ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went out to defend the flag of their adopted country; John had not been on duty long when he was taken ill and died in the hospital; Caspar participated in many of the most severe battles of the war, and was finally shot and instantly killed.

Christian Buol began making his own liv- ing in his youth, his first employment being on a farm, where he received $9 a month for his services. This was a small beginning, but he was royally endowed by nature with perseverance and energy, and so made the most of his opportunities. He worked by the month for several years, saved his earn- ings, and was enabled to purchase a tract of eighty acres in La Crosse valley about the year 1861. It is no light task to convert a wild tract of land into a fertile farm, and it is a difficult thing for the present generation to realize the debt they owe to those sturdy pioneers who made the path for the advance of civilization. Mr. Buol has added to his first purchase from time to time, and now owns 400 acres of land in one tract, and forty acres of timber land. Ile has erected substantial and convenient buildings, and has surrounded himself and family with many of the comforts of life. The land in this farm is well adapted to the raising of live-stock, and Mr. Bnol has given especial attention to the dairy business, keeping forty cows for this purpose; he also runs a cheese factory in company with a partner, which has proved a profitable enterprise. He is one of the most

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advanced agriculturalists of the county, and his judgment in matters pertaining to his vocation carries great weight among the farm- ers of this locality.

Our subject was united in marriage, in 1855. to Miss Anna Ackley, a native of Switzer- land, and one of a family of five children. She emigrated to America in 1847. To Mr. and Mrs. Buol have been born five children: John, Christian, Minnie, wife of Andrew Wolf; Paul and Anna. The parents are members of the German Presbyterian Church, and enjoy the esteem and confidence of the entire community.

2002-22000

ILLIAM J. RADTKE, a jeweler and barber of Bangor, was born in Prus- sia, Germany, April 15, 1842, a son of Ludwig Radtke, deceased. Ile is the eldest of his father's seven children, three of whom survive, viz .: William, our subject : Pauline, of Clinton, Iowa; and George, of La Crosse. The father died when our sub- ject was eleven years of age, after which he caine to Canada with his mother and step- father, Gottlieb Yonkey, in 1855, settling in Preston, Upper Canada. Two years later they removed to Buffalo, New York, and soon afterward to Erie county, same State, where Mr. Yonkey worked at the tailor's trade. Our subject's mother had four chil- dren by her last marriage. namely: Edward, Theodore, Rudolph and Henry.

Mr. Radtke was patriotic during the late war, but his mother refused to give her con- sent and he consequently ran away and en- listed under the name of John Yonkey. Ile was wounded in the left temple in 1862, at OHN N. JONES, of section 30, Burns township, was born in Hamilton county. six miles below Cincinnati, September the battle of Winchester, and a portion of the skull was removed. He was pronounced fatally wounded, and reported killed. In 29, 1\31, a son of William W. Jones, a

1863 he was discharged, but re-enlisted the same year and served until the close of the war. He was again wounded in the left knee by the kiek of a horse, and now draws a pension of 824 a month. His first service was in Company C, Twenty-eighth New York Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Naples, and his second enlistment was in Company I, Second New York Mounted Riflemen, known as the Veteran Regiment. He endured many hardships, and was in the battles of Spott- sylvania, North Anna River, Bethesda Church, Tolopotomy Creek, Cold Harbor, James' Farm, Petersburg, Fort Rice, Weldlon Rail- road, Hatchi's Run, Stony Creek Station and Warrens raid to Garret's Station. He parti- cipated in these battles during his second enlistment. During his first enlistment he fought in the battles of the Wilderness, second Bull Run, Winchester, Gettysburg. Strausburg, Lookont Mountain, Mission Ridge and many others.

After the war. Mr. Radtke condneted a barber shop in Buffalo until 1875, when he came to Norwalk, Wisconsin, and conducted the same business until April 25, 1884. Hle then came to Bangor, where he now carries a stock of clocks, jewelry, cigars, and also repairs watches and clocks.

Hle was married in Lancaster, New York, in August, 1567, to Albertine Wagner, a daughter of Emannel Wagner. deceased. They have five children, namely: William. Emma, Ida, Albert and Henry. Socially Mr. Radtke is a member of the G. A. R. and religiously of the Lutheran Church.

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native of New Jersey. The latter came to Cineinnati in 1811. and was a soldier in the war of 1812, as was also his brother. John W. Jones. The brother was captured at Hull's surrender, and afterward exchanged. Our subject's mother, Mary Hildreth, was a daughter of Rev. George Hildreth, who emi- grated from Cape May, New Jersey, to Cin- einnati in a wagon in 1815, requiring two months to make the trip. Ile was a pioneer preacher of Ohio, and also preached in pri- vate houses and school houses. Ile worked without salary all over that country, and organized Baptist churches in various places. He studied on Saturdays and preached three times on Sunday. He died at Cheviot, six miles west of Cincinnati, May 24, 1839, in his fitty-seventh year, after a life well spent in hard work in his Redeemer's canse. HIe was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church, of Hamilton county. Our subjeet's parents had eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity, namely: Matilda, deceased; Sylvia. deceased; John, our subject; Sarah. the wife of John M. Chapin, of Clear Lake, Iowa; George H., who was killed at Corinth, Mis- sissippi, May 17, 1562, in the Eighth Missouri regiment, while fighting for the Union; Hannah, deceased; William W., of Clear Lake, Iowa; Mary, now Mrs. Charles L. Moe, of Denver, Colorado; and Sabra, deceased. The father died May 1, 1866, in Barry township, at the age of seventy-eight years, and the mother February 9, 1872, at the age of sixty-six.

The subject of this sketch came to Wis- | consin in the fall of 1555, spending the first two years in La Crosse, working for Deacon Smith. In the fall of 1857 he located on a farm in Barry township, and lived there and in Hamilton township for twenty-five years, engaged in teaching school during the win- ters, and in farming in the summers. Mr.

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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