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 61
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 61
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 61
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Jones came to this county in 1856, by steam- boat. as did also his father, making the trip in eleven days. He located on his present farm. of 160 acres, February 1, 1582, where he is engaged in farming, stock-raising and dairying.
Ile was married March 12, 1858, in Ham- ilton county, Ohio, to Elizabeth MeFarland, a native of that county, and danghter of James and Ann (Decraft) MeFarland. the former a native of Scotland, and the latter of London, England. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have eight children: Anna, Lillie, Martha, George. Abbie. J. Newton, Eldridge, and Joseph. Anna married William Sherman, of La Crosse, and has three children: Roger, Abbie and Leslie. Lillie married Enos Streeton, of this township; Martha married Charles Sherman, a brother of William, of La Crosse, and has two children, Lillie and Benjamin; George and Abbie are well-known teachers of this county. Mr. Jones is a member of the A. O. U. W., the Farmers' Alliance, and of the Baptist Church of Bangor. Ile was a deacon in the church of West Salem before moving to his present farm. and is also a deacon of the Bangor Church.
OHIN TORGERSON, one of the prom- inent and progressive farmers of La Crosse county, resides in Hamilton town- ship, where he owns one of the best tracts of land in the country. He is a native of Nor- way. born July 8, 1836, and is a son of Torger and Mary Johnson. The parents emigrated to America in 1554, and settled in La Crosse county; they first purchased forty acres of wild land and set themselves the task of re- dueing it to a state of cultivation. Our sub. ject now owns this tract, and has added to it 120 acres. He is one of the most intelligent
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agriculturists of the township, and merits ; until the day after he was twenty years of the prosperity that has attended him. llis ; age, when he enlisted in Galena, in Company principal crops are wheat, oats and corn. Ile also gives some attention to the raising of live-stock, and keeps some of the best grades of horses and hogs. One of the most val- uable features of this farm is the spring situ- ated in the back portion; this furnishes an abundant supply of water to the house and barn, being pumped by a windmill and car- ried in pipes to the desired points. A, Ninety sixth Regiment Ilinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in the army of the Com- berland. He participated in the battles of Franklin, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, and through the Atlanta campaign, when he was under fire 110 days, and was then in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. lle was in the Fourth Army Corps. He returned home with his company in 1865, and was mnstered out in Galena in June, 1865, after serving three years. He was slightly wounded twice, but was never taken prisoner. After this he was engaged in steamboating on the Mississippi river, from St. Louis to St. Paul, as steward.
Mr. Torgerson has been a member of the town board for twenty years, and during these two decades some of the most import- ant questions have been settled and some of the most valuable improvements have been made. llis official services have given a high degree of satisfaction, a fact that has been attested by his continued re-election to the office. Ile is a member of the Republican party.
From the history of the Ninety-sixth Illinois is copied the following: " Sergeant William S. Holmes, aged twenty, born in Jefferson county, Ohio, enlisted from Galena, Ile was married in 1879 to Miss Martha Simenson, of La Crosse county, a daughter of Genures and Mary Simenson, natives of Nor- way, who emigrated to America in 1850; they now reside on a farin in Barnes county, North Dakota Our worthy subject and wife are the parents of two children: Theodore G. was appointed Sergeant at the organization of the company, participated in all the en- gagements of the regiment but escaped se- vere wounds, was struck in the foot by a piece of shell at the battle of Chiekamanga July 20, 1863. Since has been steamboating on the Mississippi from St. Louis to St. and Margaretta. They are members of the | Panl. Is now part proprietor of a hotel at Norwegian Lutheran Church and are highly | Beatrice, Nebraska." Mr. Holmes followed respected members of the community.
steamboating until 1855, was then in the hotel business until he was appointed to his present position in 1889, under President Ilarrison's administration, receiving the ap- pointment July 1. Ile was married in April, 1867, to Miss Frances II. Graham, at Galena, daughter of William Graham, who is a prominent business man, manufacturer of furniture, and a well-known and respected citizen.
S. HOLMES, Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, Postoffice Build- ing, La Crosse, Wisconsin, owes his nativity to the Buckeye State, his birth oc- curring in Jefferson county, July 29, 1842. His parents are William and Eliza (Vorhees) Holmes (see sketch of La Fayette Ilolmes). To Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have been born four children: Mabel, who assists her father W. S. Holmes began for himself in the lead mines at Galena, Illinois, and continued there ' in the office; Sadie, a pupil of the high school;
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Raymond, Blaine and Russell. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are members of the Universalist Church. Mr. Holmes is a member of the Wilson Colwell Post, No. 38, La Crosse, Wisconsin, and is also a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen. In politics he is a strong advocate of the Republican party, and has been secretary of the city Republican Cen- tral Committee for several years. Mr. Holmes is a gentleman of natural business ability, is unusually intelligent, and is esteemed by all.
P. JACOBS, deceased, one of the most highly esteemed and respected 6 citizens of the community in which he resided, was born in Loveland county, Pennsylvania, June 16. 1823, and was of German descent. Ilis paternal grandfather came from Germany at an early day, and was among the first settlers of Lovelace county. Ile was the owner of rolling mills, smelting iron ore, etc., which he conducted snecess- fully for many years. He died in Loveland county. Ilis son, and the father of our sub- ject. William Jacobs, carried on the same business started so successfully by his father until his death many years ago. llis wife was of a Quaker family, and she was of that belief. She is also deceased, and with her husband lies buried in a cemetery in Loveland connty. W. P. JJacobs, the only son and the youngest in a family of seven children, was edueated in Philadelphia, and is & man of more than ordinary ability, being well-read and a very fine conversationalist. While liv- ing in his native State he was engaged with his father in the milling business.
Ile was subsequently engaged in business in Erie, Pennsylvania, and on the 16th of August. 1855, he was married to Miss Pan- line II. Geer, a native of Hamburg, Erie
county, Pennsylvania, near Buffalo. Her parents, Josiah and Hnldah (Green) Geer, were natives of Vermont, where their nup- tials were celebrated. Mrs. Jacobs is the youngest of fifteen children, three of whom are still living: Mrs. Caroline Endicott, widow of James Endieott, at Burr Oak, Wisconsin, and Mrs. John II. Willard, of Melrose, Wis- eonsin. Mr. Jacobs and wife came from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Belvidere, Illinois, in 1855, and there Mr. Jacobs followed merchandising for two years. Selling out he moved to Ken- tueky (Frankfort and Lexington), and trav- eled all over the State. From there he went to Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1858, and was there engaged in the wagon-making business for about two years. He subsequently went to St. Louis, where he manufactured soda water and light drinks. In 1863 they moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and on the 22d of August of the following year, Mr. Jacobs en- listed in Company L, First Regiment Wis- consin Artillery Volunteers. Ilis discharge dates from June 20, 1865, at Fort Lyon. Vir- ginia. He was a man who had been un- nsnally healthy up to the time he enlisted, but he returned to his home an invalid after peace was declared. Ile embarked in blacksmithing and wagon-making, but his shops were burned in 1867. After this he went on the railroad (Southern Minnesota), as civil engineer, and eontinned on the same for two years, when his health failed. lle was troubled with heart disease, and on the 6th of November, 1871, he went to Florida for his health. Ilis death occurred on the 19th of April, 1872, when but forty-nine years of age. Ile was for many years a devont and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and had been Sunday-school Superintendent at his home in Loveland, Pennsylvania, for many years. He was a good citizen, a worthy man in every respect, and one who gave character
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to a community. llis funeral occurred April 20, 1872, and he lies buried in Mount Pleas- ant Cemetery, Florida.
IMOTHY A. LEWIS .- The name of Timothy A. Lewis has long been ac- tively and prominently identified with the building up of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and the ereetion of many of her largest and most stately editiees. He is now in a measure retired from the active duties of life, and is enjoying the fruits of his early labors. Hle was born in Selioharie county, New York, March 12, 1831, to James and Susie (Hoge- land) Lewis, the former a native of Lyons, France, who was taken by his parents to Can- ada in 1818. He followed farming through- out life, and was one of the noblest and best of Christian gentlemen. Ile was a member of and an officer in the Presbyterian Church. was an earnest believer in the promises of the Bible, and died in the triumphs of a Christian faith, October 12, 1877. his birth having veeurred on the 9th of September, 1795. His wife was born October 12, 1794, of German parents, and died May 5, 1844, at which time she was also in full com- inunion with the Presbyterian Church. Ten sons and two daughters were born to their union, but only four members of this family are now living: Benoni was Captain of a New York battery, and died in 1891 in the Soldiers' Home at Corning, New York; Abraham resides at Leeds, New York; Elisha H. lives at Union, Oregon; Timothy A .; Winslow Page is an engineer in New York city. Timothy A. Lewis left home at an early day and learned the carpenter and cabi- net-maker's trade, a calling he followed for many years, except while in the Union army.
December 23, 1863, he enlisted in Com-
pany F, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry, under Jerry Rusk, of national fame, and took part in all the battles from Resaca to Atlanta. On the 2224 of July, 1564, he was wounded by a shell at Decatur, Georgia, and about twenty-five minutes later was wounded in the face, losing most of his teeth, which has cansed him much discomfort and pain ever since. Ten minutes later he was taken pris- oner, but a short time afterwards was re- turned to his regiment, and the next morn- ing was sent to the hospital, where he remained until the war closed. HEis discharge dlates May 10, 1865, which shows him to have served about seventeen months. Although he was often sent to the hospital, his interest in the cause he espoused would not allow him to remain inactive, and he would rejoin his regiment, although many times unfitted to do so.
Upon his return home after the war was over, he resumed contraeting and building, and this occupied his attention until a few years since, when his means permitted him to retire from the active duties of life. He became very skillful in his calling, and being a natural mechanie. ean make almost anything that can be built from wood. Al- though he has held some minor official posi- tions, he has not been a political aspirant, mneh preferring to devote his time and at- tention to his business, rather than mixing in the strife and turmoil of the political arena. He was married at Montrose. Penn- sylvania, July 24, 1852, to Miss Miranda Newcomb, daughter of B. S. and Lueinda (Decker) Neweomb. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had three children: George, residing in Atlanta, is retired, having been erippled while working on the railroad: his wife was formerly Mabel Harris, and by her he has one child, George; May. after several years of married life, resumed her maiden name
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of Lewis; she has two children, George and in the Merchant's National Bank of Balti- Gny; and Kate, wife of John S. Van Clure, more, and passed through all the grades of Professor of Music in the Wesleyan College at Cincinnati, Ohio. The Professor lost his sight through sickness when he was seven years of age. He is a remarkable scholar and musician, as his position would indicate, lle is a graduate of three colleges and an alumnos of the Ohio Wesleyan University, class of 1871. He is a remarkable man in many respects, and is held in high esteem for his many excellences of character. His wife is a charming and gifted young lady, who is a soprano singer of considerable celebrity. Their only child is named Paul. Mr. Lewis and his wife have an adopted son whom they love as one of their own children, and are esteemed and honored by him in re- turn. He has been with them since his second year, and is a young man of much promise, especially as regards music, to which be has devoted his attention for the past three years, and which he expects to make his call- ing through life. service until he was made cashier, a position which he held until the failure of his health in 1875; he was an officer of the bank for thirty-eight years and never lost a day from illness during this long service. He was held in the highest esteem by the officials of the institution, and during the last fifteen years of his service the president, Johns Hopkins, made him a Christmas present each year of twenty-five percent. of his salary. He was a stanch churchman, as was also his wife and contributed liberally to the support of the same: he was one of the most thorough and profound of bible students, His death occurred in Baltimore, November 5, 1873, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife died the previous year, at the age of fifty- two years. Ile was the father of twelve children, ten of them being the result of his third marriage, which was to Mary Ridgely; they all lived to mature years, and are all living at the present time, excepting one
Mr. Lewis is a member of the G. A. R., daughter.
and in polities is an ardent Republican. Ile is a man of great foree of character, is of a genial and generons disposition, and is pub- lic-spirited and progressive in his views.
II. 11. Harrison was educated at St. Tino- thy's Hall, a school in charge of the Episco- pal Church near Baltimore. He completed a thorough English course, and then began clerking in a hardware store in Baltimore, where he remained for three years. In 1875 he and his brother, W. N., went to the plan-
II. HARRISON, a sugar broker of tation owned by their father, and for several La Crosse, representing all the sugar . years were employed in lumbering and log-
refineries of New Orleans, Boston and ging, as the plantation contained a large tract of virgin white-oak timber. In 1881 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, his first trip to the West. Ile established the Artificial Stone Company and conducted the business until 1886, meet- ing with gratifying success; he then sold ont and went to Minneapolis as the representa- tive of the sugar refiners. Atter three years l'hiladelphia, was born in Baltimore, Mary- land, May 28, 1852, a son of Charles Harri- son, Jr., and Mary ( Ridgely) Harrison. Both the paternal and maternal forefathers, Benja- min Ilarrison, of Virginia, and John Ridgely, Hampden, were signers of the Declaration of Independence. Charles Harrison, Jr., began his career in the business world as errand boy , he came co La Crosse, February 2, 1889, and
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has been filling his present position with great satisfaction to his employers.
Mr. Harrison was married June 25, 1890. to Miss Gertrude Alice Barron, a daughter of William II. and Edna Barron, of La Crosse. Mr. Barron was for nearly a quarter of a cen- tury division freight agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. but is now retired; he and his wife are natives of Ver- mont, and Mrs. Harrison is their only ehild. To Mr. and Mrs. Harrison has been born a bright and promising boy, Herbert Stanley. They are both members of the Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Harrison affiliates with the Republican party. He is a thorough business man, honorable in all his dealings. courteous in manner and fully deserving of the liberal patronage he has received.
ILLIAM J. SCOTT, ex-Sheriff of La C'rosse county, is a native of Ireland and a son of John and Mary J. (Rogers) Scott, who were also born on the Emerald Isle. The parents emigrated to America in 1850, and settled in Pennsylvania, where they engaged in farming. In 1557 they removed to La Crosse county, Wiscon- sin, and are among the honored pioneers of this State. While a resident of Pennsylvania. the father had some lumber interests and operated a saw-mill, but since coming to this county he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits; he is now eighty-seven years of age, and his wife is eighty-three. To them were born eight children: Ellen, wife of William Blackley, departed this life in August, 1877; Joseph P. married Ella Me Donald; during the late war he was a soldier in the Second Wiseonsin Calvary, and did valiant service; he was elected Sheriff of the county in 1565. and discharged his duties with great satisfae-
tion to the publie; he has also filled positions of honor and trust in this city; Robert A. is Postmaster of La Crosse; he was a soldier in the late war, and passed through all the ex- perienees of fighting, imprisonment, and being wounded ; he has served as Sheritl' of La Crosse county three years: he married Miss Elsie Gile, a daughter of Abner Gile, who is men- tioned more fully on another page of this volume: Elizabeth died in early childhood; Hadessah is the wife of John E. Davis, of St. Paul; William J., the subject of this notice; Lizzie died in 1870, at the age of eighteen years; Richard R. is living in Michigan.
William J. received his education in the public schools of La Crosse, and at the age of fourteen years he went into the Brick Pome- roy printing office, where he remained until he went into the one-hundred-day service in 1864; his regiment was stationed at Memphis, Tennessee, and was on garrison duty much of the time. At the close of his term of enlist- ment he returned to his home, and from 1570 to 1877 he traveled through the South, Southwest and West. over Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and old Mexico, returning to La Crosse in April, 1877. In 1879 he was appointed under Sheriff, M. M. Buttles being Sheriff; he continued to fill this posi- tion seven years. Mr. Buttles being succeeded by R. A. Scott, and he in turn by Ole Jenson. In the fall of 1888 he was nominated for Sheriff of the county, and was elected by a handsome majority. He was a very capable official, and performed his duties to the entire satisfaction of his constituency. Upon the expiration of his term of office he embarked in the mercantile trade, and has met with mueh encouragement in this enterprise: his wide acquaintance in the county has brought him a large patronage, which he holds by uniformly honorable dealings.
Mr. Scott was married, February 14, 1>>4,
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to Miss Jennette M. Lang, a daughter of John and Ellen Lang, of Onalaska. Wis- consin. Mr. Lang died June 14, 1856, aged sixty-three years; his wife survives him, at the age of sixty-nine. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been born three children: John L., Robert G., who died at the age of twelve months, and another child who died in infancy.
Mr. Scott is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the G. A. R. He takes an interest in the movements of the great political parties, and casts his suffrage with the Republicans. February 22, 1892, he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal for the Western Dis- triet of Wisconsin, but declined to accept. He is one of the most substantial citizens of La Crosse, and has made a record both in private and official life that is an honor to himself, to his family and to his country.
one of the oldest Masons of his locality. having joined that worthy order in 1837. Ilis widow is now sixty-eight years of age and resides on the old homestead at East Somerville, Massachusetts.
Captain G. HI. Allen is an only child, and in his youth was an attendant of the public schools of his native State, in which he ac- quired a practical education. Upon attaining a suitable age he entered his father's store, bnt left it to engage in the express business, which calling he continued to follow for abont ten years, principally in the United States. He took the first run for the New England Express Company, and when this company sold out he was the last employé to leave. Following this for five years he was connected with the United States Express Company, and his next move was to come to La Crosse and enter upon the duties of his present position. His services have been ex- tremely satisfactory, and in his business of looking after passengers and freight, he is courtesy and kindness itself, his accommo- dating spirit and agreeable manner winning him the hearty good- will and respect of his fellows. He is a man with whom it is a pleasure to have business relations, for in addition to being the soul of honor he is wise in judgment and shrewd and far-seeing in his views.
APTAIN G. H. ALLEN, agent of the Diamond Jo. Line of Steamers, plying on the Mississippi river, has been a resident of La Crosse only since 1889, but has already formed many acquaintances and friendships and has won the unreserved re- spect of all with whom he has had either busi- ness or social relations. Ile was born on Bunker Hill, Boston, July 11. 1852, to David He was first married in 1873, to Miss Ma- rion A. Hanchett, danghter of P. S. Hanchett of Massachusetts, but in 1879, at the un- timely age of twenty-eight years, she was called from life. She bore her husband two children: Florence, who has quite a reputa- tion as a singer and musician, and Arthur, who is a resident of Summerville, Massachu- setts. Captain Allen's second marriage was consummated in 1583, Flora L., the daughter of Jackson Carl of Birmingham. Massachu- and Mary J. (Kennison) Allen, who were born in the Granite State, and settled in Massachusetts in the springtime of their lives. The father was one of the earliest provision dealers of Charleston, and in the pursuit of this calling made a comfortable competency for himself and family. Ile died in 1575, at the age of seventy-one years, at which time he was a member in good standing of the Congregational Church, of which his widow is also a member. He was setts, becoming his wife and eventually the
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mother of his two children: Ralph and Carl.
Captain Allen is a charter member of the Royal Arcanum, becoming a member of the first lodge organized in the United States, at Boston, in 1877. Hle takes but little interest in politics, generally allowing the man, who in his estimation is best fitted for the office, to determine his party preference. He and his wife are considered acquisitions to the social circles of La Crosse, and their home, which is a charming and hospitable one, is a favorite resort of their numerous friends.
OHIN W. KLICK, who has been for many years identified with the building interests of La Crosse, was born in Bo- hemia, Austria, in 1847, a son of Simon and Theresa Klick; his parents emigrated to La Crosse in 1872, and are now residents of this city. He obtained his education in his native land, attending both the common schools and university, and in 1866 he crossed the sea to America in search of the fortune the New World might have for him. He had learned the stone-mason's trade, and upon his arrival in this country he settled in La Crosse, Wis- consin, hoping to secure employment at his trade; this, however, he was not able to do for one year, but the end of that time the way opened, and since then he has been en- gaged in business, meeting with marked suc- cess. Since 1872, he has been taking con- tracts for the erection of stone buildings; from 1879 to 1881, lie built two of the large edifices at the State Reform School at Wauke- sha. In 1871 he had the contract for the brick and stone work of the large mills of N. B. Holway & Co., of this city, and many other brick and stone buildings in and about La Crosse have been put up under his diree- tion. He has won an enviable reputation as
a conscientious and reliable builder, and enjoys the highest regard of his fellow- craftsmen and patrons.
Mr. Klick was united in marriage in 1871, to Miss Barbara Karbuski, whose parents were of European birth; her father died when she was a child, but the mother is still living, at the age of sixty-five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Klick have been born four children: Samuel, Charles, John and Carrie.
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