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 75

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 75
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 75
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 75


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trated his groin, passed entirely through the pelvic bones, and coming out through the sacrum injured the spinal column. The wound was regarded as fatal by both com- rades and surgeons, but a strong constitution and indomitable will power, together with good nursing, brought him through. He rejoined the regiment near the yellow house in front of Petersburg, September 21, 1864, his wound being still unhealed. He was in the battle at Peebles' Farm, September 29, 1864, and late in the fall went with his regi- ment on a raid into the interior of the enemy's country, and assisted in tearing up and de- stroying twenty-one miles of the Danville & Weldon railroad, thus intercepting and crippling the enemy's line of communication. He participated in two engagements. at Ilatcher's Run, first February 6, and the second March 25, 1865. On the 29th of March occurred the battle at Gravelly Run, and following this a series of severe skir- mishes along Deep Run. Early in April occurred the battle of Five Forks, which re- sulted in a complete rout of the enemy and the evacuation of Richmond. Following this was the final chase after General Lee's re- treating army and the culmination at Appo- mattox. Mr. Fitch, the writer of this sketch, had the pleasure of standing beside Mr. But- ler in the line of battle at Appomatox when Lee's army was surrendered, and the occasion of this write-up is the first time the two " old comrades" have met since their discharge in June, 1865. Modifying the language of the poet a little they might say :


" Backward, turn back ward O, time in your flight ; Make us ' boys' again Just for to-night."


Returning to the parental home in Western Pennsylvania, still suffering from the effects of his wound and diarrhea incurred in the


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army, Mr. Butler spent the first year after the G. A. R., his influence and purse being his discharge 'in recruiting his seriously im- paired health. In the fall of 1865 he came to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, and, feeling that his education was rather deficient, at- tended school the remainder of that year and the first of the next. After this he taught school for five terms. On the 25th of March, 1867, he returned to Pennsylvania, and on the last day of that month he was united in marriage with Miss Annie C. E. Beck, daughter of Daniel and Susanna Beck, then of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. She was born December 22, 1843, and was ac- quainted with her husband from childhood, they being playmates and schoolmates. She corresponded with Mr. Butler during his three years' service in the army, and has since been a faithful and devoted helpmate.


In 1873 Mr. and Mrs. Butler joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and still hold religious connection, though not at present communicants in the church. Mr. Butler served as class-leader and steward, and spent six years in the local ministry, and still preaches occasionally. In the fall of 1855 he sold his farm and engaged in the mercantile business in the village of Fairview, Nelson township, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he is now located. He carries a full line of general merchandise, including dry goods, groceries, provisions, notions, boots and shoes, clothing, patent medicines, ete., and enjoys a good trade. Ile is an ardent Republican, and though not an office-seeker, has nevertheless held various official positions. He has been Justice of the Peace since 1871, with the ex- ception of two years, and is regarded in the community as a useful and intelligent citizen whose exemplary life and upright dealing is a worthy example of which none need be ashamed. He is a member of the Masonic homestead: Rosa married Edmund Giebel, order, and an active and energetic worker in | Ir., and resides in Boone, lowa, where he is


ever ready to aid a worthy comrade. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Butler, eight of whom are living: Kingsley C., the eldest, married Miss Pauline Scharr and resides on the old homestead. Hle has one child, Minnie: Albert Boyd married Miss Isabella Comeau, and is the father of one child, Erma C .; Daniel J. died in early in- fancy; Lillie M. is the wife of David C. Har- per, and resides in Anchorage, in Buffalo county. She is the mother of one child, Lillian Pearl; Charles Gay, Rose B., Ifenry J .. Bessie E. and Annie C .; the last five are under the parental roof. One nameless little boy died in infancy. The children have had the advantages of the public schools, and all who have attained sufficient years have a good common-school education. Mr. Butler's parents came to Wisconsin and located on a farm near what is now Fairview in 1864, as stated above. The family consisted of six sons and four daughters: of the former but three, including our subject, are now living. George A. married Miss Nancy Marsh, of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, in 1563, and now resides in Thorp, Clark county, Wis- consin, where he follows agricultural pursuits; Nancy J. became the wife of David Hetrick, and resides in Fairview; James A. married Miss Harriet Paine, and resides in Nelson, an employé of the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad; Daniel married Miss Alice Hoskins. He met his death in a very mysterious manner, being shot, no one knew how. Mary C. became the wife of Wesley Butler, who is a farmer in Nelson township; Nathaniel II. died when nineteen years of age; William C. died of diphtheria when five "years of age; Rebecca E. became the wife of Charles B. Hutchinson, and lives near the old


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engaged in merchandising. Mrs. Butler's brothers and sisters were: Henrietta M., now Mrs. Rumbaugh, resides at Eddyville, Penn- sylvania; Jacob W. married and resides in Pennsylvania; and Henry R. married Chris- tina J. IIetrick and resides in this township. Mrs. Butler's mother died in April, 1877, and the father, who is now quite an aged man, makes his home with Mrs. Butler. Mr. Butler was appointed Postmaster at Nelson, June 28, 1889, and still holds that position. Ile also filled that position at the same place under Cleveland's administration.


A


ATIIIAS GASS, of Waumanda, Wis- consin, and one of the prominent farmers of Buffalo county, was born in Alsace, Germany, February 2, 1831. Ilis parents, Anthony and Anna Katherine (Farkier) Gass, were also natives of Alsace, the former born in 1800 and the latter in 1799. Both died in their native land. Of their fourteen children, only five are now living, viz .: the subject of our sketch, Mary, Joseph, Anthony and Magdaline.


Mathias spent his early life at home and received his education in the parochial Catho- lie schools. December 27, 1852, he set sail for New York, and arrived in that city Febru- ary 19 of the following year. lle at once went to Chicago, and there and at other places was variously employed for a number of years. a portion of the time being in rail- road employ. Coming to Wisconsin, he located at La Crosse and made his home in that city for ten years. In 1876 he moved to Buffalo eounty and purchased a farm of 160 acres, to which, in 1886, he added eighty acres adjoining it. With the exception of about fifteen aeres, he has it all improved and under a good state of cultivation, and in 1890


erected his barn. He gives his attention to general farming and stoek-raising.


Mr. Gass was married, in Chicago, June 9. 1855, to Katherine, daughter of Martin, and Barbara (Baat) Bierly. To them eight children have been born: Anthony Mary, Michael, Mary (2), Theresa, Martin Joseph and Anna, all living at this writing exeept the two Marys and Joseph. "Mike" the second son, is conducting a very large farm in the town of Montana, where he has a large quantity of live stock. Theresa is the wife of Joseph Reuter, a prosperous saloon and hotel keeper in the town of Lincoln. Anna is the wife of Gallus Zinsle, who is conducting his father's large farm in the town of Montana. Martin is running his father's farm in Waumandee, one of the largest farms in the county, where he raises many horses, cows and hogs, besides a large quantity of grain. Anthony is married and living in La Crosse, engaged in the mann- facture of corniee, roofing, etc. Michael is married and settled on a farm in Montana township; and Martin lives at home with his parents.


In 1878 Mr. Gass served as Supervisor. For five years in snecession, from 1879 to 1884, he was chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and since 1886 has declined office. He is a Democrat, and he and his family are mem- bers of the Catholic Church.


Mr. Gass has one of the best and most beautiful farms in the valley. He is a man of superior intelligence, is genial and charit- able, and finds his chief pleasure in home life.


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M ICHIAEL J. CASIIEL, who died at his home in the town of Gleneoe, Buffalo county, on October 1, 1891, was a representative of one of the pioneer


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families of Buffalo county. The year of his coming was 1857. He was a son of Andrew Cashel, who was born in county Tipperary, Ireland, abont 1809. Andrew Cashel mar- ried Mary Lyons, and emigrated to the United States in 1847, locating in the eity of New York. A year later the family removed to Dutchess county, in the same State, and in the fall of 1851 removed to Springfield, Ohio. In 1855 they started Westward and passed the following winter in Chicago, at which time that now famous city was in its earliest infaney. In the spring of 1857 the family emigrated to Buffalo county, and settled on section 22, in the town of Glencoe, in what is known as Faulds' valley. There the father lived until 1872, after which time he resided with his son, Michael J. The family con- sisted of two sons and two daughters, of whom Michael J. was the oldest; John L., the second son, is the youngest of the family. He is a well-edneated gentleman; was for some time a student at the State University at Madison, and also of the Wayland Univer- sity, at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He grad- nated at the commercial college at La Crosse; was for some time a teacher in the schools of Buffalo county, and later purchased a half interest in the commercial college at La Crosse. where he continued for a time and then went to Rochester, Minnesota, and still later engaged in the abstract business at Faribault, in the same State. In 1881 he removed to Grafton, North Dakota, where he is engaged in banking and real estate. The elder sister, Mary, is the wife of Michael Gleason, of the town of Glencoe. Katherine T. was a teacher for many years, and resides in Glencoe. Mr. Michael J. Cashel was born in Ireland, in 1543. He was educated in the public schools. The first land he owned was in section 22, in the town of Glencoe, which he bought in 1866. No improvements had


been made on the place when he purchased it. He increased his first purchase to 400 acres, part of which lies in Buffalo and Trom- pealeau eonnties. Mr. Cashel was married in 1870 to Miss Mary E. Connole, who was born in Ireland. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cashel, five daughters and one son, viz .: Katherine, Margaret, Andrew, Mary, and Clare and Lanra, twins. Mr. C'ashel was called upon by his fellow-citizens to serve in various official positions. IIc was Chairman of his town for fourteen terms, was Justice of the Peace for four years, and held other local positions. The death of Mr. Cashel, which occurred while he was yet in the prime of life, removed from the com- munity in which he had lived so long a most valued eitizen, who ever took a deep interest in whatever tended to promote the best in- terests of the community in which he lived, and whose honesty and integrity were never questioned. To his family and friends, as well as to the community in general in which he lived, his loss is sincerely felt.


Mr. Cashel had a half-brother, Thomas Downing. He was a son by the first mar- riage of the mother. He served in the Thir- teenth Regiment, United States Infantry, in the war of the Rebellion, from 1863 to 1865, in the army of General Sherman. He re- sides at the home of his brother, Michael J.


HARLES W. LUBS, a general mer- chant at Arcadia, was born in Prussia. in 1863, the son of John Lubs. who died before the birth of his son. The mother came to the United States with her family in 1872, settling on a farm in Buffalo county, Wisconsin. In 1875 they removed to Areadia, where the mother married George Ripple, and still resides in this village. Charles W.


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is the only son of his parents, but he has two sisters. Ile was educated in the schools of Arcadia, and for one year clerked in the general store of Fugina Bros. & Fertig, in Arcadia, and was for four years engaged with Bohiri Bros. & Maurer, having had five years' experience previous to embarking in business for himself.


Ile was married to Miss Amelia Peterson, of Arcadia, and they have three children, two sons, Kurwin and Frank, and an infant daughter. Mr. Lubs is a young man of good business capacity and energy, and by upright dealing and close attention to business he has established a good trade. He has the confidenee of his fellow-citizens. by whom he has been entrusted with the office of City Treasurer, and is now serving his third term in that capacity.


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ETER EKERN, of Pigeon township, is one of the prominent business men of Trempealeau county. IIe is located at Pigeon Falls, and owns and operates the flouring mill at this place, which is supplied with the roller system, and does a large custom business and considerable merchant work. He has a large general store, and in horses, cattle, machinery, ete. At Pigeon fact is the chief business man of this portion . Falls he sueceeed Johnson, Olsen & Co., he of Trempealean county. In addition to his other enterprises he has a fine creamery. which he owns and operates, and which he erected in 1555. Mr. Ekern located at this place in 1$75, at which time he purchased the mill property and engaged in merchandising. lle has been a resident of Trempealean county since 1865.


Our subject was born in Norway, January 25, 1837, and was one of a family of six chil- dren, four sons and two daughters. The first of the family to come to America was a sister,


who resides in Chicago. She was at that time but eighteen years of age, and is now the wife of Edward Klebo. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the family; the next in order of birth is Even Ekern, a mer- chant of Whitehall, Wisconsin; Mrs. Klebo is the next in order of age; Anton is a farmer of Pigeon township; Mark is a resident of Moody county, South Dakota, and Mrs. Maria Shultz, of Des Moines, Iowa, is the youngest of the family. Peter Ekern, our subject, was reared to the occupation of farming, and when but eighteen years of age he purchased a farmi in his native country and engaged in business for himself, under a guardian. In Norway a man cannot legally do business for himself until twenty-five years of age with- out guardianship. In 1866 Mr. Ekern sold his farming interests in Norway, and in 1867. accompanied by his wife and children, came to America. Two brothers and a sister had preceded him to this country, and were then residents of La Crosse, to which place he came directly. He next went to Vernon county, remaining until March, 1868, when he located on a farm in section 36, township 23, range 7 west, Trempealeau county. He continued there unitil he located at Pigeon Falls, where, besides his farming interests, he also dealt in


representing the company for a year and a half previous to 1875, at which time he pur- chased the entire business. Mr. Ekern is also quite a large land-holder, owning 250 aeres, which includes the site of the mill property, and also 120 acres two miles west, eighty aeres three miles south of the mill, and also a farm of 260 acres, a part of which lies in Jackson county.


Mr. Ekern was married before coming to this country, and he and his wife have six children, namely: Ludwig, the ellest, is in


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West Superior; Dr. Andrew Ekern, of Alma, Buffalo county, Wisconsin; Minnie, the wife of B. M. Sletteland, of Pigeon Falls; Joseph- ine, Emma and IInldah. Mr. Ekern is one of the representative citizens of Trempealean county, and has long been identified with its growth and prosperity. Ile has been called npon by his fellow-citizens to serve in various official positions, and was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 1881, has been chairman of the Town Board for many years, and has held various other local offices. In politics he is a Republican.


HIARLES PICKERING, the present Chairman of Caledonia, Trempealean county, is one of the pioneers and re- presentative citizens of this county. His residence is on section 9, and his farm on sections 4, 8 and 9. Ile eame to this eounty in the spring of 1855, and was born in Staffordshire, England, December 17, 1830, the son of Enoch Pickering, who was a mechanic by trade. In 1847 the parents and six children emigrated to the United States, coming at once to the then Territory of Wis consin, where they settled on a new farm in Columbia county, about midway between Fox Lake and Portage city. There the fam- ily lived about two years, when they removed to a location about five miles from Portage city. In 1852 Enoch Pickering removed with his family to Dodge county, where he died in the spring of 1855. Ile was well- known in that part of Wisconsin, where he settled in the early days. He was a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, an upright Christian man, and an esteemed and respected citizen. Ilis first wife, the mother of Charles Pickering, died in England when our son was a child. The father remar-


ried in that country, his second wife surviv. ing until 1889. Enoch Pickering was the father of several children, both by his first and second marriage.


Charles Pickering, onr subject, first visited Trempealean county in 1851. Continuing north he went into the pineries of Wisconsin, where he remained until 1553, and in that year he returned to his father's home in Dodge county. In the spring of 1555 he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Bright, a dangh- ter of William Bright, who emigrated with his family from England to Canada and thenee to Wisconsin. Soon after marriage Mr. Pickering and wife settled in Trempealean county, and here they have lived for the long period of thirty-six years. Their union has been blessed with seven children, four of whom are now living: Ann, the eldest, is the wife of Carlos A. Bugbee, a resident of Trem- pealeau : George W. is a resident of Onalaska; Jane, at home; Mary, the youngest, is the wife of Arthur Gilbert, of Galesville. Their deceased children were: Warren, Arthur and Josephine. Many changes have taken place since Mr. Pickering became a resident of Trempealean county, and the growth and development of the country has indeed been marvelons. When he traveled from Portage city to La Crosse in 1851, he saw but very few houses, and about seventy miles of that distance did not contain a residence, and in the last thirty miles which he traveled before reaching the present city of La Crosse not a home was to be seen. Mr. Pickering has been prominently connected with the develop- ment and growth of Trempealean connty, and enjoys an extended acquaintance, and is widely and favorably known.


Ile has not been a seeker for public posi- tions, but has held many local offices, having been Justice of the Peace, Assessor and School Treasurer: the last named position he held for


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seven years. He was one of the first inspec- tors of the first town election held in Cale- donia after it was organized into a township; was chairman of the County Board for three successive terms, and of the Town Board for nine years. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and was a Whig prior to the organization of the Republican party, casting his first presidential vote for General Win- field Scott in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Pickering have a pleasant home, which is the abode of refinement and hospitality. Mr. Pickering's cordial and genial disposition, fair and honor- able dealings. have won for him the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens.


RIK ALME, of the town of Nelson, Buffalo county, resides on section 11. township 23, range 13 west, where he settled in July, 1856. Mr. Alme was born in Norway, January 29, 1837. His father, Guttorm Alme, never came to America but died many years ago in his native land. The subject of this sketch is one of four children, but the only son of his parents. The sisters are Mrs. Ilansen, of the town of Nelson; Mrs. Maria Otteson, of the same town; and Sarah, the second danghter, who still lives in Norway. Mr. Alme's boyhood was spent in his native land, and there he received his education. At the age of seven- teen he resolved to try his fortune in America and accordingly in 1854 he left his native Norway; arriving in New York he immedi- ately went to Dane County, Wisconsin, where he engaged at work by the month as a farm hand for two years. In the spring of 1856 he came to Buffalo county with his brother- in-law, Mr. Hansen. Ile entered from the Government part of his present farm and took the remainder as a homestead. Besides


his home farm of 200 acres Mr. Alme owns 200 acres elsewhere in the town of Nelson.


Ile was married in this town, in the fall of 1860, to Miss Ellen Ericson, a native of Nor- way, and seven children, three boys and four girls have been born to them, viz .: Anna, Christie, Erik, Carrie, Thomas, Emma S. and John, all of whom were born on the homestead. Mr. Alme has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the county with which he has been for so long identified, and has held many offices of trust and honor. Ile was elected Treasurer of Buffalo county in 1879, the duties of which office he dis- charged so efficiently that he was chosen to serve another term of three years. In his political views Mr. Alme is a Republican, and has ever been a warm advocate of the princi- ples of the great political organization, and has exercised much influence in the local councils of his party. Mr. Alme is recog- nized as an intelligent and progressive citizen and his relations with his fellow mien have ever been characterized by honesty and integrity.


OHN L. UTERMOEIIL, Principal of the Fountain City schools, was born in Sarkwitz, Holstein, Germany, May 8, 1861, and is the son of Detlef I. and Louise M. (Teckenburg) Utermoehl. both natives of Holstein. His father is a farmer by occupa- tion, and both parents are still living. They emigated to the United States in July, 1868, landed in New York and from there came direct to Fountain City. Mr. Uter- moelil was first engaged in farming after he located here and subsequently became sales- man in his brother-in-law's (II. Teckenburg's) lumber yard. For five years he acted as Street Commissioner. To him and his wife


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seven children were born, viz .: John L., Gus- tave, Mary, Henry, Paul, Emil, William,-all now living except Gustave, Mary and Ilenry.


John L. was seven years old when he came with his parents to this country, and his edu- cation was received in the public schools of Fountain City. In 1877, at the age of six- teen, he began teaching in the town of Mil- ton, and was thus employed there for two years. He then taught two years in the intermediate and one year in the grammar department, at Fountain City. At the end of this time he turned his attention to the newspaper business In company with Fred Hepp, he purchased the Buffalo County Republikaner, and for five years had charge of the editorial department. Selling out his interest in the paper, he again engaged in teaching, and for two years and a half was employed in the grammar department. Ile then, in 1890, received the appointment of principal, which position he now holds.


Mr. Utermoehl was united in marriage, at Fountain City, in September, 1881, to Mary, daughter of Fred and Sophia (Multhaup) Ilepp. One child, Mamie, was born to then, and in 1852 the young wife and mother was called to her last home. Ilis second mar- riage occurred in July, 1857, also in this city, to Edith, daughter of Judge A. and Mary (Buesch) Finkelnburg, and their union has been blessed with two children: Esther Myra and Viola Wanda,


Not only professionally, but socially and politically, is Mr. Utermoehl popular in this city. Ile is a member of the I. O. O F., Steuben Lodge, No. 280, of Fountain City, of which he is now Noble Grand. Ile is leader of the male choir, and also of the choir of the Lutheran congregation. In polities he is a Democrat. He was chairman of the Democratic County Committee from 1885 to 1890, and chairman of the Democratie 40


Senatorial Committee, Twenty-ninth Dis- triet, during the same period; is at present a member of the Democratie County Com- mittee. Ile has held the office of City Clerk for four years, and is now occupying that position. He has also held the office of First Foreman of the Fire Department, for three terms, and occupies the position at present, and is secretary and bookkeeper of the Fountain City Brewing Company, agent of several trans-Atlantic steamship lines, etc. Ile is a member of Livers' Orchestra. At the last annual meeting of the Buffalo County Saengerbund he was chosen musical director for the coming year. Is also a mem- ber of the Germania Sharpshooters' Club. Aside from his other duties, Mr. Utermochl is still interested in journalistic work, being a contributor to the Milwakee Sentinel, the Winona Republican and the Alma Journal.




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