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 71
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 71
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 71
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Since that time I have been engaged chiefly in attending to my real-estate business. Not- withstanding my many losses. I have paid all my debts, and if I do not enter into any wild- cat speculations and do not live too long, have enough lett to keep the wolf from the door.
I have now, dear Mayor, performed as well as lies within my power the things requested of me by the city of La Crosse, and with the deepest gratitude for the kindness exhibited toward me, and expressing again the great affection for the eity and its people, which 1
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assure you will continue with me as long as I shall live, I have the honor to subscribe myself, with great consideration,
Your most obedient servant, N. MYRICK.
D. HHITCHCOCK, one of the re- presentative citizens of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and manager of the R. G. Dun & Co. Mercantile Agency, with office in the Batavian building, was born in Litch- field, Conneetient. Jannary 21, 1858. Ile was the youngest of a family of eight chil- dren born to J. R. and Lois (Cobb) Hitch- eoek. Jason R. Hitchcock was one of the successful and intelligent farmers of the county in which he resided, was quite a popu- lar man, was thoroughly honest and emi- nently practical in all his business relations, and had the unbounded confidence of a large circle of acquaintances. Hle held local publie positions much of his time during life, and was a devout and earnest worker in, as well as liberal contributor to, the Baptist Church. IIis death occurred in 1867, when fifty-four years of age. His wife, who was also a worthy member of the Baptist Church, was a devoted wife and a noble woman of rare ability in her sphere. She died in 1871, at the age of fifty-four.
Mr. N. D. Hliteheock had the advantages of a common-school education in his native : born to John and Eliza (AAshman) Thornbury, State, and subsequently rounded up his edu- cation at the South Berkshire Institute at New Marlborough, Massachusetts, after which he learned the drug business, and followed it for eight years in Massachusetts and Vermont. | After this he spent one year as commercial traveler for a wholesale firm in Chicago, and in 1884 he became eity reporter for R. G. Dan Mr. Thornbury was educated in Ontario, & Co., at Milwaukee, hokling that position Canada; when sixteen years of age, began
four years. In 1888 was sent to La Crosse to assume management of that district. Two years later Winona ( Minnesota) district was added to his territory, giving him seven counties to look after. Ile has been quite successful in his business relations and has an easy and pleasant adaptability for his work.
In January, 1883, he wedded Miss Ida Colvin, only child of Edwin and Martha (Barry) Colvin. Mr. Colvin was one of the early settlers of Chicago and located there when it would have required but a few dollars to have purchased many acres on the west side of the city. For forty years he was an esteemed eitizen of Racine, Wisconsin, and now spending his declining years in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is eighty-four years of age, but time has dealt leniently with him and he is quite active and vigorous for his years. Mrs. Colvin died in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock's marriage has been blessed by the birth of three children: Roy N., Irena and Robert E. Politically Mr. Hitchcock affiliates with the Republican party. He is a man of intelligence and natural business aenmen, an energetie, liberal minded citizen.
OUIN E. THORNBURY, manager of the Trade Palace, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Canada in 1850, and is the fourth son in a family of thirteen children both natives of Ireland. The parents came from their native land to Canada in 1829 and the father is still living, healthy and hearty, at the age of seventy-five. Ile followed farming and was quite successful. He took part in the MeKenzie rebellion. His wife died in 1981, when sixty-five years of age.
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clerking in a dry-goods establishment, and handling dry goods has been his chief busi- ness in life. He was for some time at Lind- say, Canada. two years in Minneapolis, Min- nesota, and was on the road for John Wanamaker of Philadelphia for four years. He came to his present responsible position in February, 1890, where he has the oversight of over thirty clerks. He has a remarkable aptness for this business, has few equals in his line of work, and is the right person in the right place.
In 1874 he selected for his wife Miss Minnie Cook, a lady prominent in musical and social circles and an excellent alto singer. Mr. Thornbury is equally good in his part, the first bass, and they are two of the best singers in the city. Mrs. Thornbury's par- ents, William and Lucy Cook, were natives of Montreal, Canada. Her father died July 4, 1886, at the age of seventy. The mother lives with her son, Francis Cook, in Min- neapolis, Minnesota, and she has reached the allotted age of three-score years and ten. She is well preserved in both body and mind. To Mr. and Mrs. Thornbury have been born three children: Edgar Woods; Ada Clark and Kathleen May. Mr. Thornbury has held the office of trustec in his church and is one of the prominent members. Like his father, he is a member of the Masonic order and in polities a Demoerat.
ENRY OTTEN, a member of the firm of Otten & Hammer, contractors, paint- ers and decorators, was born at Waupun. Wisconsin, March 14. 1857, and is a son of John II. and Jeanette (Garrison) Otten. The father was a native of Germany and a painter by occupation. Ile emigrated to America about the year 1854, and after
spending some time in Milwaukee settled in Waupun, where he passed the remainder of his days; his death occurred in 1887. Ile was a man of much more than ordinary in- telligence and was a superior workman. Ilis wife died in 1886; they were both consistent members of the Congregational Church. Mrs. Otten was a native of Holland, and was married in her native country to the father of our subjeet. Henry Otten passed his childhood and youth in Waupun, where he received his edueation; he was instructed by his father in the business which he is now carrying on so successfully. Ile spent a few years as a journeyman, working in various places in the West. In 1881 he came to La Crosse, and five years later embarked in the business of contracting in addition to his other occupation. Ile is a member of the Builders' Exchange, and has won a reputa- tion as an honorable and reliable business man.
Mr. Otten was married in La Crosse to Miss Magdaline Mary Springer. who was born in this city. a daughter of John and Rena Springer. To Mr. and Mrs. Otten have been born one son and one daughter: John Springer and Verena Gertrude.
LE P. LARSEN, a member of the firm of Larsen & Selund, contractors, paint- ers and decorators, La Crosse, Wiscon- sin, was born in Christiania, Norway, December IS. 1858, and is a son of Louis and Bertha (Christiansen) Larsen. The mother died in 1865. Ole P. received his education in his native eity, being gradnated from the Polytechnic School of Christiania in 1879. Ile learned his trade in early man- hood, and worked as a journeyman in Ger- many, Denmark and Sweden until 1882. In
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that year he erossed the sea to America, and spent two years in traveling through the Canadian cities and those of the Eastern States. In the summer of 1884 he eame West and located permanently in the eity of La Crosse, where he has since carried on the business of contracting, painting and deco- rating. In March, 1885, he formed a part- nership with Berndt Selund, and they have conducted a successful business. . They have been engaged on many of the best residences of the eity, among which may be mentioned those of Henry Esperson, Samuel Anderson, M. Fnnk. W. H. Parker and J. C. Easton.
Mr. Larsen is an active member of the Builders' Exchange; he also belongs to the I. O. O. F., to the Norwegian Workingmen's Society, and to the Normanna Singing So- eiety. lle is a man of excellent business qualifications, and has established an enviable reputation as a contractor and builder. He is a skilled painter and decorator, and con- duets this branch of the business with equally satisfactory results.
RED RING, secretary and treasurer for the Madison Elevator Company at La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Lon- don, England, April 24, 1835, is a son of Fred and Jane (Owen) Ring, both of whom were born in England. The father was a solieitor and followed this calling all his life, following it after his arrival in America, which oceurred in the year 1857. He settled in North Prairie, Waukesha county, Wis- consin, where he afterward became Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors, which po- sition he filled for one term. le proved himself to be a man of sound and practical views, and his easy, cordial and sincere man- ners were of material benefit to him in social
and business life. His death occurred in 1882, at the age of seventy-three years. His widow survives him, at the age of eighty- three years, an honored and highly esteemed resident of Milwaukee. They became the parents of two children: Fred and Mrs. Ben- jamin Skidmore, the latter a pioneer of Mil- wankee, where she has resided for many years.
Fred Ring was educated in the city of London, and graduated from a college in 1854, from which time until 1857 he worked on a railroad as booking clerk until he came to America. Upon his arrival in this country he began working on the Milwaukee & Mis- sissippi, now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Panl railroad, with which he remained for twenty-nine years in various capacities, clos- ing his career as a railroad man in 1887 as a ticket agent at La Crosse, Wisconsin. Ile was then elected the first Comptroller of La Crosse, and during the four years that he served in this capacity he rendered an excel- lent account of himself and discharged his duties in a very satisfactory manner. Since then he has filled his present position, the headquarters of which company are in La Crosse, Wisconsin. J. B. Canterbury is President; W. J. Diehl, Vice-President, and Mr. Ring, Secretary and Treasurer. While a resident of Waukesha, in 1859, he was the village Clerk for some time, and in that, as well as in every other position in life, his record was a very commendable one. He has taken some interest in politics and usually votes with the Republican party.
On May 9, 1860, he was married to Miss Regnihilda Gunbjornsen, daughter of Reier and Christie Gunbjornsen, natives of Nor- way, from which country they came to America in 1840. To Mr. and Mrs. Ring one child was born, but it died in infancy. Mrs. Ring is a member of the Baptist Church,
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and Mr. Ring belongs to the A. F. & A. M., in which he has attained to the commandery. He is the present Depnty Grand Master of the State. He is one of the highly esteemed citizens of La Crosse, for, besides being pub- lic-spirited and charitable, he is courteous and accommodating and possesses excellent business qualifications.
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AY PETTINGILL is a member of one of the pioneer families of La Crosse county. IIe was born in Otsego county, New York, March 22, 1837, the son of Alonzo Pettingill, Esq., now one of the honored old citizens of La Crosse. The senior Mr. Pettingill was born in Massachu- setts, and his wife, nee Luey Davis, was a native of Rhode Island and a descendant of Welsh ancestry. They had a family of five sons and two daughters, the subject of this sketch being the fourth-born. The mother died in this county, in February, 1986, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Jay Pettingill was reared on a farm at Butternut, Otsego county, New York, and received his education in the common schools near his old home, and at the South New Berlin high school. In 1856 the
Mr. Pettingill has been twice married. He first wedded Adaline Sage, daughter of Simeon and Debora (Homes) Sage, natives of New York. This union was blessed by the birth of three children: Fred G., who died in his sixth year; Gertrude, who died at the age of fifteen months; and Stella, wife of J. T. Attwater. She has one daughter, Millie. Mrs. Pettingill died in February, 1888. She was a woman of many amiable traits of character, and was loved by all who knew her. She was an earnest Christian and a member of the Second Adventist Church. October 14, 1891, Mr. Pettingill married Jennie Erickson, widow of Evan Erickson, late of La Crosse county. Mr. Erickson was for many years a prominent and influential citizen of Farmington township. He and his wife were the parents of four children, namely: Willie, who died at the age of five months; John N., who died when a year old; Robert A., who died when six years old; and Bessie, who is still living. Mrs. Pettingill was born in Scotland, the daughter of Robert Ilogg, who kept a store at Union Mills, Wis- consin, for a number of years, and died December 15, 1883, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife died when Mrs. Pettingill was a babe.
Mr. Pettingill is a man of broad and pro- Pettingill family came West and located in gressive views; is industrions, enterprising La Crosse county. near Mindoro, where they lived for a number of years. The father owned a fine farm there. a portion of which his son Jay purchased and improved with and snecesstul. In politics he is Republican. He has served the public three years as a member of the town board; seven years on the side board: and twelve years on the good buildings. making it a valuable prop- . school board. For the past twenty years he erty. Jay Pettingill soll his farm in 1889, has been associated with the Masonie fra- and bought the W. L. Matthewson place. ternity. The latter he sold to Peter Gullickson. llis present farm, near Stevenstown, Farmington township, consists of 140 acres; has good improvements, and is under a high state of cultivation.
RANK SACIA, who has been a resident of Holland township, La Crosse county, since 1852, was born in Jefferson eoun-
Ro Po . Latein
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ty, Wisconsin, July 8, 1846. He is a son of Harmon Sacia, a prominent pioneer of this State and a veteran of the late war, who is now a resident of Galesville, Trempealean county. The senior Mr. Sacia was born in Schenectady county, New York, the descend- ant of French and German ancestors. Ile wedded Cordelia Packard, who was born in Vermont, of an old New England family. and he and his wife were among the early settlers of Milwaukee. They afterward went to Lake View, where Mr. Sacia Still owns property. From there they moved to Jefferson county, this State, and their next move was to Galena, Illinois, where he was engaged in lead-mining two years. After that they came to La Crosse county and settled in the neighborhood of Holmen. Here he developed a fine farm and reared his children. Since 1886 he has been a resident of Galesville, Trempealeau county. IIe and his wife had a family of four daughters and six sons. One of the sons, Marion, served five years in the regular army.
Frank Sacia grew up on the farm and re- ceived a common-school education. Ile spent two winters working in the woods. During the civil war he enlisted, September 4, 1864, in Company 1, Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, Eagle Regiment, and served until the war closed. IIe was wounded at the bat- tle of Nashville, a fragment of shell striking his left arm and leaving the bone exposed. Ile was at the siege of Spanish Fort thirteen days, and was with his regiment at Union- town, Alabama, when General Lee surren- dered. After receiving an honorable dis- R. D. La Fleur was a mechanic, and for charge he returned to his home in La Crosse . several years was a strandmaster of the de- partment of the five divisions of interior sea dykes, and for some years previous to his death received a pension from the govern- ment. His death occurred in his native land in 1560, and his wife's death in 1570. Their
county. Ile has lived on his present farm for nineteen years. This place consists of 120 aeres of valuable land, and is well im- proved with a story-and-a-half cottage, located on a natural building site; good barn, stable. 38
fences, etc .- everything kept in good order. Ilere he is successfully engaged in general farming, stock-raising and dairying.
Mr. Sacia was united in marriage, October 2. 1572, to Miss Rosalie Costly, who, before her marriage, was a popular and successful teacher. She was born in Steuben county. New York, and was reared in Pennsylvania and Iowa. Her father, Cleveland Costly, died in 1856, and her mother, nee Alvira Jackson, a native of New York. She has six children. Mr. and Mrs. Sacia have three sons, viz .: Frederick Laverne, who is engaged in teaching; Percy Dore, and Cleveland. They have an adopted daughter, Myrtle Morrow, a niece of Mr. Sacia.
Mr. Sacia is a Republican, and a member of Nelson Quygle Post, No. 233, G. A. R .. of Mindoro. He has served as Supervisor and as a member of the school board.
- C1 INNERD R. LA FLEUR, who resides on his beautiful farm, Fairview, near New Amsterdam, La Crosse county, is one of the most prominent men and early settlers of the township of Holland. Mr. La Fleur was born at Firdgum, in the kingdom of the Netherlands, June 17, 1820, a son of Rinnerd D. and Aaltji J. (Bakker) La Fleur, both of whom were natives of that country. The name is derived from one of the ances- tors, who changed his name at the time of the French Revolution, to enable him to hold his land.
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remains were interred in the beantfiul ceme- tery in the town of Firdgnm, where in Sep- tember, 1882, their son, R. R., the subject of this sketch, had a handsome monument erected to their memory.
R. R. La Fleur was the seventh-born in a family of three sons and five daughters, and is the only one now living. Of this family but two others came to America; Daniel, who came to La Crosse county in 1856, engaged in farming in Holland township, and died at his home in 1871; and Banke B., who was a widow Van Loon, but after her arrival mar- ried William Haag, and died about 1861. Our subject was reared on a farm in his na- tive land, and there received a liberal educa- tion. IIe learned the trade of baker, at which he was employed some time. In 1841 he was married to Miss Michia Y. Swart, who was born, reared and educated in the Netherlands. After the death of his wife, which occurred in 1845, he returned to his father's home, where he lived for about ten years. In 1855 he embarked for the United States, landing at New York June 29, after a voyage of thirty-six days. Since that year he has made his home in La Crosse county. occupies. His home property is one of the best farms in the neighborhood. It consists of 275 acres, well improved, with good build- ings, etc. Ilis cottage is situated on a natural building site, and is surrounded with ever- greens and other shade-trees. Besides this he owns other land in the county, amounting in all to 1,100 acres.
in 1857, 1869, 1873, and again in 1874. On his return in 1873, he brought with him several valuable and rare specimens of old silverware, that have descended to him from his Dutch ancestors. They consist of trays, cups, spoons, ete., of various peculiar and and unique designs, some of them bearing the dates of 1645 and 1688. Such a collec- tion would be an acquisition to any museum in the land, but as heirlooms they are of special value and interest to their possessor.
Mr. La Fleur is a member of the Presby- terian Church, and contributes liberally to its support. Ile has passed his three-score years and ten, and is still active and in the enjoyment of good health. If he has a large share of this world's goods he has earned them; if he enjoys the confidence and respect of the community he deserves it, for the life of this good old man has been useful and deserving of emulation.
OWELL M. GODDARD is the efficient secretary of the Goddard Lumber Mill Company of North La Crosse; has oc- and since 1874 has lived on the farm he now ! cupied his present position for the past two years, during which time he has been most active in promoting the development of the business, and is justly entitled to rank among the leading business men of the city. Al- though his career has been a somewhat varied one, he has proven that the old adage, "A rolling stone gathers no inoss," is not true in his case, for he has accumulated a fair com- peteney, and is rich in the friendship of a wide circle of acquaintances to whom he has endeared himself by his upright methods of conducting business, by his kindness of heart and by his liberality to those who have been less fortunate than himself. He was born in
In polities he is a stanch Democrat, and has always taken a commendable interest in the affairs of the town and county. In 1862 he served as Supervisor of the town of Hol- land, and was Treasurer of the same about four years. Ile has made four visits to his native land since he located in this country. . Massachusetts, December 17, 1833, and in his
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youth was made familiar with the details of eral store at Watsontown, Pennsylvania, and farming. In September, 1857, he came West is one of the reliable and successful citizens. lle is sixty-seven and his wife sixty-five years of age at the present writing (1591). They reared five children, all still living and all residents of the Keystone State except our subject, who is the oldest. with his brother lliram, and has since fol- lowed various occupations. Ile was in the real-estate business for some years, after which he invested his means in a machine shop and foundry, which, at the end of a few years, caught fire and burned to the ground. Ile is thoroughly competent, is faithful in the discharge of his duties, and has the interests of the establishment at heart. Ile was mar- ried in 1862 to Miss Carrie Bennett, daughter of Joel Bennett of Pennsylvania, who moved with his family to Wisconsin about the time of his daughter's marriage. She has borne her husband three children: Stella is the wife of George HI. Gordon, of La Crosse, who was the District Attorney for some three terms, and is now a successful attorney of the county and the counsel for the Building and Loan Association. They have four children: Rob- ert; Stanley M; Fred L., who is a elerk in Moss & Burr's shoe store on Main street, and Ernest Adelbert, who died at the age of eleven years. Mr. Goddard is a member of the Presbyterian Church and he is a Repub- liean politically, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, dis- charging the duties of the last mentioned position for seven years, with efficiency and faithfulness.
The latter was educated in the public schools of Pennsylvania, and when thirteen years of age began learning telegraphy. Since then he has been connected with rail- roads. Ile first engaged with the Pennsyl- vania railroad, with which he remained six- teen years in the capacity of telegraph operator, chief train-dispatcher, superintendent of tel- egraph, ete. In 1880 he left the service of this railroad company and went to Texas. where he was superintendent of the Southern Pacific railroad until 1866, after which he went to Philadelphia as superintendent of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and in 1887 to Dubuque, Iowa, as superintendent of the Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City railroad. There he remained until 1538, when he be- gan for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, and has been with this company ever since. In 1588 he went to Minneapolis as the superintendent of the Iowa and Minne- sota division of said company, and in 1890 he went to Austin, Minnesota, as superinten- dent of the Southern Minnesota division. In May of the same year the office was moved to La Crosse, where he now resides. He has had quite a varied experience but a very success-
ILBERT IRWIN, superintendent of ful one as well. While a resident of Renovo, the Southern Minnesota Division of , Clinton county, Pennsylvania, he was town Auditor for one term.
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, is a native Pennsylvanian, born in |
Mr. Irwin was married Inne 9, 1866, to Lycoming county, March 19, 1849. Ilis Miss Amelia E. Nightwine, they being seven- parents are Ira P. and Anna M. (Mears) . teen and sixteen years old respectively, at the Irwin, both natives of Pennsylvania, now time of their marriage, and to them have been living in Northumberland county. The father born two children: Wilbert Irwin. Jr., who is engaged in merchandising, keeping a gen- i is roadmaster at Horicon, Wisconsin. Ile
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graduated from the high school at Houston, Texas, and afterwards entered the engineering department of the Southern Pacific railroad, in the Lone Star State, remaining with them until 1886. when he accompanied his parents to Philadelphia and ocenpied the same posi- tion on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. When his father left the Baltimore & Ohio, Wilbert, Jr., held the same position on the Pennsylvania Company, and remained with them until a year ago (1891), when he became roadmaster as above stated. Ile is now twenty-four years of age and has had an ex- tended experience. Ilis services are ever in demand, and he never spends time hunting for a position, as the position seeks the man. The other child born to Mr. and Mrs. Irwin, Josie Wells, is a ripe scholar, a lover of books and music, and very proficient in the latter. She has attended school in Houston, Texas; Philadelphia, Austin (Minnesota), Dubuque and Minneapolis. She is a member of the Episcopal Church of La Crosse. Mr. Irwin is a member of the Masonic fraternity, hold- ing the position of Past Master of Renovo Lodge, No. 495, and he is a member of the LaCrosse Club. In politics he has ever been a Republican, though not officions in public affairs.
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