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 76

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 76
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 76
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 76

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JON. ALFRED WILLIAM NEWMAN. Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Wisconsin, was born in Durham. Greene county, New York, April 5, 1534. His paternal grandfather, William Newman, was a native of New England; he married Surah Hulburt, a member of an early Con- necticut family. She was born in 1769, was the mother of eight children, and lived to be eighty-three years old. Soon after his mar- riage William Newman. Sr., removed with his wife to Greene county, New York. where they passed the remainder of their lives. Their son William, the father of Judge Newman, was born in 1801; he married l'atty Rogers, who was born in Broome, New York, in 1504, a daughter of Daniel and Rachel (Loomis) Rogers, natives of Con- necticut and pioneers of Eastern New York. The Rogers family is of English origin, and

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among their ancestors was John Rogers, the martyr, who suffered death for his religions principles. William Newman and wife lived in New York until death; the latter died February 7, 1845, and the former, October 8, 1873. They were the parents of seven ehil- dren, two sons and five daughters; all grew to maturity, but the two sons are the only survivors of the family; William Newman was a farmer, and the subject of this sketch. remained upon the farm until eighteen years old.

Judge Newman received an academic edu- eation at Ithaca, New York, and at the Dela- ware Literary Institute, Franklin, New York; he also took a collegiate course at Hamilton College, New York, which he entered in 1854, gradnating in 1857. During the last two years he spent in this institution he received instruction in the law department, his pre- ceptor being the Hon. Theodore W. Dwight, who later became the head of the Columbia Law School, a position he occupied for many years.

After his graduation Judge Newman en- tered the law office of Jolin Olney, at Windham Center, and was admitted to the bar Decem- ber 8, 1857, at the general term at Albany, New York. Immediately after this event he started West, going directly to Ahnapee, Kewaunee county, Wisconsin; here he re- mained until March, 1858, when he came to Trempealean county. In April. 1860, he was appointed County Judge, and held that office until January, 1867; and he was Dis- triet Attorney from that time until June, 1876, excepting the years 1871 and 1872. Ile was a member of the Assembly of Wis- consin in 1863, was State Senator in 1868 and 1869; was elected Fudge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in April, 1876, and has been twiee re-elected to the same office without opposition. Ile cast his first presidential

vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and has ever sinee been identified with the Republican party, a warm advocate of the principles of that great national organization.

Coming to Wisconsin when Trempealeau county was one of the newest portions of the State, he has ever been prominently connected with its growth and prosperity. A leading lawyer says of him: " Judge Newman's career has been honorable and progressive. Many important trusts have been committed to his eare and keeping, in all of which he has proved faithful, discharging the duties pertaining to them with a high degree of ability and integ- rity. As a lawyer, legislator and judge, lie has won and retained the confidence of men of all parties and conditions. Political life has never been congenial to Judge Newman's tastes or temperament. Ile is best known in his judicial eareer. As a Judge he is never swayed by any other consideration than a sense of duty. He possesses all the qualiti- cations of judicial character, extensive legal learning, sound morality, urbane and agree- able manners. To him truth and right are more desirable and more lasting than popu- larity."

Judge Newman was married August 15, 1860, to Miss Celia E. Humphrey, who was born in Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York, December 25, 1837, the daughter of Mason C. and Nabby (Thurber) Humphrey. Of this union seven children have been born, four of whom, all boys, died in early infancy; the surviving children are: Mary Johnson, Mark Humphrey and Celia.

UGINA BROTHERS FERTIG CO .. the leading mereantile firm of Trempea- Jean county, established business in 1875, having erected their present fine store

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building in 1878. This is a large double to America, four of whom are now living. viz .: Valentine, the only surviving brother in this country, is now a resident of Winona, Minnesota, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Ruth, of Washington, District of Columbia, and Kate, who married Mr. F. Buhler of Prairie In Sauk, Wisconsin. Five members of the family are still residents of Germany, where the father died in 1858, and where the mother is still living. In 1882 Mr. Fertig returned store, the east part being used for dry goods, groceries and erockery, its dimensions being 25 x 80 feet, and the west part is 32x 60 feet. This is not only one of the principal retail mercantile firms of Trempealean county, but is numbered among the most important in West Wisconsin. Their sales range from $50,000 to $60,000 per annum, and their trade is constantly increasing, and the sales of 1891 promise to exceed that of any former . to Germany and visited the home of his child- year. The entire business of this house is , hood, returning in September of the same under the immediate charge of Mr. Fertig, i year. He was married in 1984, to Miss he being the only resident member of the Mary Gasel, a daughter of Otto Gasel. They firm. The Fugina Brothers, of whom there have three children: Mildred. Maud and are two, are residents of Fountain City, where Leonora. They lost a son, Roscoe. their eldest child, at the age of four years. they have a general store and are engaged in grain-buying, ete.

Mr. Fertig was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1853. He served an apprenticeship of three years in the mercantile trade in his native country. In 1868, accompanied by an elder brother, John S., he came to America and located at Baltimore, Maryland, where he remained for a period of three years, engaged in clerking. Ile then came to Trempealeau county, but the brother, John S .. remained in Baltimore until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1879. After coming to this country Mr. Fertig engaged as clerk for Mr. Storm, at what is known as the old town of Arcadia, and afterward went to Fountain City and engaged as clerk for his present partners at that place, and became a member of the firm when the business was established at Arcadia. In fact the business here was practically established by him, and to his superior management is due the snecess of the business and the importance and extent to which it has attained.

Mr. Fertig is one of a family of eleven children, consisting of eight sons and three daughters. Six members of the family came

JON. KNUT K. HAGESTAD, who re- sides on section 19, Ettrick township, is a well-known and prominent citizen of this county. His father, K. K. Hlagestad, emigrated with his family from Norway to the United States in 1854, and settled in Columbia county, Wisconsin. Six years later they came to Ettrick township, Trempealean county, where the father resided until his death, August 22, 1872, at the age of fifty- two years. llis wife survived him about three years. Mr. Magestad, having been somewhat advanced in life when he came to the United States, never took a very active part in public affairs, but was ever esteemed as a worthy citizen and a Christian gentle- man. Ile and wife were the parents of four children who grew to mature years: Richard. who died at the homestead in Ettrick town- ship in 1982; Daniel K., who resides at Eau Claire, Wisconsin ; Katherine, the only dangh- ter, lives in Jackson county, this State.

K. K. Ilagestad, the eldest of the family,

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was born in Norway in 1846, and was about eight years of age when the family emigrated to America. The father's family having been somewhat numerous, and, like all the early settlers, not in very affluent cir- cumstances, it became necessary that our subject should exert himself in his own be- half from early life. He learned the carpen- ter's trade, at which he worked for a number of years, but after the death of the father he assumed charge of the homestead farm. He has since been engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and such other occupations as pertain thereto. He has been frequently called upon by his fellow-citizens to fill publie positions; has been chairman of the Town Board a number of years, and in 1SS8 was elected to serve in the Legislature of the State. He has always been prominent in whatever tends to promote the interests of the com- munity in which he lives, and in addition to : his other duties he is president and manager of the Ettrick Creamery Association.

Mr. Hagestad's wife was formerly Miss Esther Knutson, a daughter of Andrew Knutson. who emigrated from Norway to America with his family. settling in Dane county, Wisconsin. Hle afterward removed to Ettriek township, where he died June 7, 1891, and his wife and five children survive the husband and father, Mrs. Hagestad being the eldest of the children. Mr. Knutson was an upright and honorable citizen, and especially active in promoting the interests of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Hagestad have had eleven children, eight of whom are still living, viz .: Knut M., Andrew C., Katherine A., Esther, Almina, Clara, William A. and Anna C. The deceased are AAlbert. Cora and Albert. In his political affiliations Mr. Ilage- stad is a Republican, having cast his first Presidential vote for General Grant. Ile may properly be said to be a self-made man, a most eventful voyage. The vessel was an

and with but a limited opportunity for ac- quiring an education he is now well-informed on the general issues of the day. He is a leading member of the Lutheran Church. and takes a deep interest in promoting the re- ligious and educational growth of the com- munity.

JON. GEORGE COWIE settled on his present farm on the 25th of April, 1855, having been the second perma- nent settler of the town of Glencoe, the first being Patrick Mulcare, who passed away a number of years ago. Mr. Cowie was born near Edinburg, Scotland, August 25. 1828, son of George Cowie, Sr., and Janet (Mc- Donald) Cowie, both of whom were natives of Scotland. George Cowie was the eldest of ten children, six sons and four daughters, of whom one daughter and three sons still survive. John Cowie, the next in order of birth, resides at Kanopolis, Kansas, as does also James Cowie, who is manager of the salt works at that place. The surviving daughter and sister of the family, Mary, is the wife of Alex. Eastman, of Columbus, Ohio. George Cowie was reared to the oeen- pation of iron and coal mining in his native land, and in 1848, at the age of nineteen years, came to America. Landing in Nova Scotia, he engaged in mining there for a time, and then went to Pottsville. Pennsyl- vania, where he engaged in the same oceupa- tion. Going thenee to the city of New York, he left that port on the 5th of January, 1850, for California. Going via the Isthmus, he landed at Aspinwall, and thence went across the Isthmus on foot to Panama on the Pa- cific side. At that place he took the steamer Winfield Scott for San Francisco. This proved

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old one, and both yellow fever and cholera broke out on board. The vessel was crowded with 1,000 passengers, 300 of whom were sick, and seventy-five died before the vessel reached the port of San Francisco, and were buried in the sea. On reaching California Mr. Cowie went to Nevada county, where he engaged in gold-mining, and remained on the Pacific coast for about one year, when he returned to his home in Pottsville via the Nicaragua route. Soon after his return home he removed to Lonaconing, Allegany county, Maryland, where he engaged in mining. In the spring of 1855 he started for Wisconsin, going by rail to West Virginia, thence by the Ohio river to Cairo, and thence by steamer to Fountain City (then known as Holmes' ! Landing), an Indian trading post. That, it will be remembered, was thirty-six years ago. La Crosse at that time was but a village, and the existence of Winona had scarcely begun. Mr. Cowie made his present settlement at once, purchasing Government land at $1.25 per acre.

IIe was married in Pennsylvania, at Potts- ville, to Miss Margaret Faulds, also a native of Scotland. Iler father, James Fanlds (now deceased), accompanied Mr. Cowie to Wis- consin, as did his son and daughter, John and Elizabeth Faulds. Here for the long period of thirty-six years has Mr. Cowie lived and ever been prominently identified with the growth and development of the country; he has been called on by his fellow-citizens to serve in various official positions. He was the first Postmaster of Glencoe, filling that office very efficiently for twenty-seven suc- cessive years, and gave the name to the office, which was established in 1862. Ile gave the name Glencoe to his town in honor of a val- ley in the highlands of Scotland called Glen- coe, which was the home of the MeDonalds, from which family he is descended. Ile

also served as chairman of the town for six years, and held nearly all other local offices, and was largely instrumental in the organi- zation of the town of Glencoe. He served in the Legislature in the sessions of 1871- '72, and has the honor of being the first Democrat elected to the Legislature from Buffalo county. Mr. Cowie and wife have had twelve children, six of whom are still living, viz .: James F., George M., Allan J., Albert E., Robert S. and Margaret M. Of the children deceased, four had grown to mature years, viz .: David and Frank, both dying at the age of twenty-one years; Nettie and Anna had attained to womanhood, the former having married Michael Shonesy. George and Louis died at the age of two years. Mr. Cowie, as has been seen, is not only the oldest settler of the town of Glencoe, but one of the earliest pioneers of Buffalo county, and his name is prominently identi- fied with the history of its growth and de- velopment. In all the official positions in which he has been called upon to serve he has ever discharged his duty with ability and fidelity.

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OIIN GILLIES, a farmer of Trempea- lean county, was born in Roxborough, Scotland, July 23, 1809, a son of James Gillies, who died when the son was ten years of age. The mother died in Scotland some years afterward.

Mr. Gillies married Euphemia Thompson, learned the miller's trade, and in 1832 came to America, landing at Quebec. After visit- ing his maternal uncle, George Hope, above Montreal, he went to a large Scoteh settle- ment in Delaware county, New York, and lived there until 1856, when he came to Trempealean county with his family, settling

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where he now lives. Ile is therefore one of the oldest settlers of the town of Trempealeau. He is a gentleman of high character, liberal, and a faithful supporter of good institutions, At one time he served as president of the Trempealean County Agricultural Society, and he has held other local offices.

His four living children are: James, at Trempealean ; Jane, now the wife of Andrew R. Carhart; Mary, now Mrs. Thomas Wilcox, of Trempealeau; and Richard. He lost one daughter and four sons. Mrs. Gillies died January 25, 1888, at the age of seventy-nine years.

HIILP WEISENBERGER, of Wau- mandee, was born November 9, 152S, at Baden, Germany, the son of Philip and Susan (Hoarn) Weisenberger, natives also of Baden, who with seven children came to the United States by sail vessel, landing at New Orleans in 1848. The children were: Joseph, John, Rachmir, Philip, Susan, Jacob and Frank, the last three only now living. The parents were advanced in life when they came to the United States, The father had served under the first Napoleon, and was with him in the Russian campaign and afterward. On coming to this country they located in Harrison county, Indiana. where Mr. Weis- enberger, whose name heads this sketch, worked out for a time and then bought twenty acres of land whereon to earn a livelihood for himself and parents. His father died in 1866. aged eighty-three years, and his mother died in 1863. Mr. Weisenberger added to his first purchase of land and lived in Indiana until 1863.

August 15, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry, which went into camp at Indianapolis, and soon after

joined the regiment, moved towards Angusta, and then joined Sherman's army, marching through Georgia. IIe was in several skir- mishes on the way, especially at the crossing of rivers, where they were almost invariably intercepted. The command arrived in front of Savannah Christmas evening, and remained there until January 20, 1865, when they en- tered South Carolina, and proceeded on to Co- lumbus, the burning of which they witnessed. Mr. Weisenberger assisted in constructing the bridge across the river, when the enemy were sending in their shot thick and fast. Soon they had a fight at Bentonville. After remaining two months at Goldsboro and two weeks at Smithfield, keeping open communi- cation with Raleigh, they at length arrived at the latter place. Thence they proceeded to Richmond, Alexandria, and finally partici- pated in the grand review at Washington, May 24. He was mustered out there June 15, 1865, and returned to Indianapolis and to his farm.

In 1868 he soll the farm and came to Bnf- falo county, this State, loeating in Montana township, where he purchased a farm of 120 acres on section 14, partially improved. In 1872 he built a new house, and in the spring of 1891 a nice frame barn, in the place of two log structures. In 1870 he added to his first purchase of 160 acres, on sections 12 and 13, unimproved. In 1874 he bought eighty acres on section 11. His land now therefore lies on four sections, is all good, and 200 acres are in cultivation. During the same spring he moved to Waumandee, leaving his son Frank in charge of the farm. At first he raised grain principally, but at length drifted into stock-raising.

For twelve years he was chairman of the Town Board, and was School Treasurer for sixteen years. Ile was married in 1850, May 14, in Franklin township, Harrison

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county, Indiana, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Nicholas Balmier, and has had seven chil- dren, namely: Appalona, John P., Frank, Joseph, Margaret, Lisie and Nicholas.

In his political views Mr. Weisenberger is a Demoerat. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.

RS. LEVETTA PFAFF, a resident of Farmington township, is the widow of John Pfaff, an old settler in La Crosse county. Mrs. Pfaff was born in Sax- ony, Germany, February 14, 1526, and is the daughter of George and Austenie (Shamerg) Rumble, who were also natives of Germany; the father died in his native country, and the mother passed away in this county, at the age of eighty-four years. At the age of twenty years, Mrs. Pfaff eame with friends to Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, and in 1851 was married to John Pfaff. IIe was born in Saxony, November 17, 1825, and was a son of Michael and Lizzie Pfaff. In 1854 he came with his wife to La Crosse county, and here he passed the remainder of his days. His farm has been brought to a high state of eultivation, and is well improved with good buildings.

Mr. and Mrs. Pfaff had born to them eleven children, six of whom are living: Pendle, a farmer of the county, is married and has five children,-Myrtie, Ollie, Bertie, Willie and Mabel; Lonisa is married and has three ehil- dren,-Ella, Etta and Lila; Lydia is married to Mr. Ilarmon and they have one child, --- Cordelia; Ella is now Mrs. Coman, and has two children,-Angeline and Wendell; Delia is Mrs. Ilayne, and resides in Jackson county, Wisconsin; she has no children; Frederick is at home; Albert was killed by a threshing- machine; he left a wife and two children, but

the mother and one child are now deceased, Frank being the only surviving member of the family; William was also killed by a thresh - ing-machine, at the age of twenty-four years; he left a widow and two children, -Albert and Stella; Francelia died at the age of two years and eleven months; Frank died at the age of three years, and Henry was of the same age when he passed from this life.

Mr. Pfaff enlisted during the late war in the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infan- try, Company F, and was in the service ten months; he was with Sherman on his famous March to the Sea, and did faithful duty to the eanse he had espoused. After his return to his home he resumed agricultural pursuits, and followed this oceupation until his death, December 6, 1880. Politically he was iden- tified with the Republican party. In his religious views he was liberal, but was of the Methodist faith. Ile was a man of many excellent traits of character, and had a wide eirele of friends. Ile was a fond father and a true and loyal husband.

Mrs. Pfaff is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which she has contribu- tel very liberally, not only of her means but also of her time and energy. She is a woman of unusual executive ability, and is highly regarded by all who know her.

FOIIN FARNER is one of the pioneers of Buffalo county. Ilis fine farm is beautifully located and well cultivated. As a prominent citizen, substantial and thrifty farmer, he is eminently deserving of biographical mention in this work. Briefly given, a review of his life is as follows:

John Farner was born in Zurich, Switzer- land, June 17, 1838. His parents, Jacob and Barbara (Maurer) Farner, were also

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natives of Switzerland, the former born in 1801 and the latter in 1803; and both lived and died there. They had a family of nine children: Barbara, Anna, John, Jacob, Mag- daline, Conrad, Elsbeth, and two who died young. Until he was twelve years old John remained at home, attending the common schools. He then worked out until he was nineteen, when he bade adieu to his native land and sailed for America, landing in New York in the spring of 1857. From there he came West to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and soon afterward to Buffalo county, and set- tled in Waumandee, where he engaged in farm work. In 1860 he returned to Swit- zerland, and after a visit of six months came baek to Waumandee and resumed his former employment.

January 7, 1862, Mr. Farner enlisted, at La Crosse, in Company HI, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, and was inustered in at Camp Wash- burn, Milwaukee. His regiment went to the field about the 1st of April. with Colonel Washburn in command. ' They moved to St. Lonis, where they remained till May, when they were ordered to Jefferson City, Missouri, only being there a short time, however. They were engaged in following up the rebel guerrillas until July, when they went to IJelena. Arkansas, which place continued to be their headquarters until May, 1863. They were first under General Curtiss and later nuder General Washburn, who had been pro- moted. Mr. Farner participated in a num- ber of raids and fights, and went as far South as Mississippi: was at the siege of Vicks- burg, and after the surrender was in the cap- tured city until September 16, 1863. when he was discharged from service on account of disability.

Ile returned home, and, as soon as his health would permit, again gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. On his return

from Europe, in 1861, he had purchased 120 acres of land in section 15, Wanmandee town- ship, and in 1865 began cultivating it. In 1866 he erected a dwelling and other build- ings, but his present home was not built until 1886. To his original purchase he has since added forty acres, adjoining the south end of his farm, and he also bought five acres near his home. He has 120 acres under cultivation, raising all the cereals. His farm is well stocked with shorthorn and Holstein eattle and Clydesdale horses.

Mr. Farner was married, in Waumandee, December 25, 1867, to Paulina, daughter of Casper Ganz, also natives of Switzerland. Following are the issue from this marriage: Emma, John, Rosina, Emil, Eliza, Alwena, William, Henry, Amelia, John, Lonise and Albert. John and an infant are deceased.

Mr. Farner has done much to advance the best interests of his community; has held a number of local offices, always discharging his duty faithfully and conscientiously. He has served as Town Treasurer, as Assessor three years, at different times, and three years as Supervisor, holding the latter posi- tion at the present time. He has also served as Road-master. Ile is a member of the A. O. U. W., Fountain City Lodge, No. 13, and of the Harmonie Society. In politics he is a Republican. For services rendered the country of his adoption he now receives a pension from the Government. Mr. Farner has been financially successful. He has reared a large and interesting family, to whom he is affectionately attached, and in the home cirele he finds his chief pleasure.

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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