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 92
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 92
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 92
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Mr. Wingad was bereft of his wife by death on the 6th of August, 1871, and in March, 1874, he removed to his present place of residence. He has three children, two sons and one daughter, viz .: Hezekiah, the oldest, born October 10, 1859; Alice, the only daughter, born November 10, 1862; and Albert, the younger son, born November 12, 1866. One daughter, Ida, died of diphtheria, at the age of twelve years. Alice was born while her father was in the service of his country, and was about three years of age when he returned. As an amusing fact it may be stated that in her childish innocence she would not recognize him as her father, calling him "that boy!" A short time after his return from the army, and while doing some work about home, the mother sent the
child for her father, but after looking about for a time she returned to the house and toht her mother she "couldn't find that boy." Mr. Wingad has one of the most beautiful homes in Trempealeau county, and is num- bered among the well- known and substantial citizens of this section. Ilis buildings are first-class in their character, and his fine farm of 400 aeres is under an excellent state of cultivation. Mr. Wingad paid a visit to his old home in England in the winter of 1885- '89, being away about four months.
AVID WINGAD is another of the pio- neers of Wisconsin. He resides on section 24, town of Albion, where he settled in 1873. Ile was born in Lincoln- shire, England, March 1, 1822, and in Jan- uary, 1842, came to America, going to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in labor in the iron works of that city. In the fall of 1847, while it was still a territory, he came to Wisconsin. Going to Arena, Iowa county, he engaged in work by the month for about two years and then pur- chased a farm, on which he resided until he came to Trempealean county in September, 1873, where he has since lived. October 20, 1855, witnessed his marriage in Arena, Iowa county, to Miss Margaret T. Beaumont, daughter of William II. and Cynthia (IIall) Beaumont, both of New England origin. They removed to Iowa county, Wisconsin, in 1853, and there the father died many years ago, but the mother is still living and makes her home with her eldest son in lowa county. Mrs. Wingad was one of eight children, tive sons and three daughters, of whom she is the eldest. David Wingad enlisted September 28, 1861, in Company G, Eleventh Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged
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November 18, 1864, after a service of over , turesque banks of the Mississippi, may take three years. Hle took part in many important a retrospective view of the past and well feel proud that he has been able to accomplish so much; that by the thoroughly rigid princi- ples of honor and integrity he has been able to place himself in fair circumstances. He stands to-day at the head of the well-known and popular firm of Charles Sehaettle & Son. For the last twenty-six years he has resided whose welfare he has always been warmly and zealously interested. He hails from events of the war, ineluding the battle of Cotton Plant, Arkansas, Port Gibson, Ray- mond, Mississippi. Black River Bridge, and siege of Vicksburg under General Grant. In the famous charge on the enemy's works at Vicksburg he received a severe gunshot wound which nearly proved fatal, the ball passing entirely through the back part of his at AAlma, a city in whose advancement and neck. He fell on the field, where he lay four hours without water or assistance of any kind. When he finally recovered Oberndorf, Württemberg, Germany, where he consciousness he found that a dead soldier, first saw the light of day, January 20, 1827, whose weight must have been 200 pounds | a son of Andrew and Aloysia (Stoffer) Schaet- at least, was lying across him. IIe had tle. Andrew Schaettle died when his son considerable difficulty in removing the dead , Charles was about two years old. Charles weight from his person, but finally suc- | was always of a studions and a thorough mind, ceeded in doing so. His wound proved a and after attaining a good education he was apprenticed to the mercantile business in the city of Murrhardt, in 1842, where he re- mained nearly three years. He then engaged as a clerk until 1848, and after living in London eighteen months he determined to emigrate to the United States. He arrived painful and severe one. and he has never fully recovered from its effects, or from the effects ' of the exposure and suffering incident to his life as a soldier. He was taken to Adams Hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, where he remained until March, 1864, when he re- joined his regiment, with which he continued . in New York in the fall of that year. went until the expiration of his term of service.
Mr. and Mrs Wingad have six children, three sons and three daughters, viz .: Eliza- beth, Robert, Henriette, David, Cora and Frank. They have a pleasant home, are sur- rounded by all the comforts of life, and have the respect and esteem of all who know them.
JIARLES SCHAETTLE. There is probably no citizen in Buffalo county more widely known and more exten- sively beloved than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. In the evening of an active and successful career, Mr. Schaettle, reposing in his comfortable home on the pic-
direct to Cincinnati, and there secured a po- sition as elerk in a leather store. Having learned the English language while in Lon- don, he was able to do business with Ameri- can as well as German customers, thus ren- dering him a valuable employé. Snbse- quently we find this young man, who but a few years previons landed on American soil without a relative, and indeed with a very meager purse, established as a partner in a leather business. This rapidly grew to an extensive and flourishing business, and while thus engaged Mr. Schaettle frequently sold goods to Jesse Grant. Being rather poorly in health, and being warmly solicited to join an association which was about to migrate, he finally after some reluctance disposed of
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his interest in the establishment, direeted his course West and located in Buffalo City, Wisconsin. There, in 1858, he opened a general mercantile and grain business. This he soon followed by the establishment of a sawmill, in connection with Fred Lane, un- der the firm name of Lane & Sehaettle. le also started a brewery, opened a hotel and a large publie hall. Here he continued for several years, strenuonsly and successfully contending with the many obstacles and diffi- eulties which are always eneonntered in a newly settled country. Railroads were un- known to this country in those years. The only medium of transportation was the river, on whose eastern bank the newly founded little city lay. Soon the Father of Waters changed his eourse, shifted his channel along the opposite bank, between which lay, as an additional barrier, an island. Thus Buffalo City, which budded out so auspicionsly, largely through the indefatigable efforts, push and popularity of Charles Sehaettle, was shut out of the world of traffic. Aceord- ingly, Mr. Sehaettle, in 1866, transferred his mercantile business to Alma. The sawmill was already moved to Alna, and was operated under the old firm name for two years, when Mr. Schaettle withdrew; he also built a ware- house and began dealing in grain. In 1874 he took as partner R. R. Kempter, but in 1878 the firm dissolved, Mr. Sehaettle eou- tinuing in the mercantile business, which has gradually grown, until it stands to-day as one of the first business houses in his seetion. Mr. Schaettle also assisted in the organiza- tion and was a director of the Beef Slough Booming, Log Driving and Transportation Company, which has since developed into probably the largest enterprise of its kind in the world. While he has been earnestly devoted to his business, Mr. Schaettle has always taken an active interest in public
affairs. He has, however, refused all politi- cal positions or offices, with one exception. Soon after he settled in Buffalo City he ac- cepted the appointment of Postmaster, which he held until he left the place. The office was worth $50 a year. and it eost him $200 to run it.
Mr. Schaettle was joined in matrimony at Cincinnati, Ohio, June 7, 1852, to Julia, daughter of Joseph and Anna Kemp- ter. This happy nnion has been blessed with nine children, of whom five are living, namely: Anna, now Mrs. George Seiler; Charles, Frank, George and Romeo. Mrs. Schaettle, who is the embodiment of amia- bility, kindness and maternal love, has been a true and loving companion, always ready to share with her husband, not only the joys, but also the sorrows and vicissitudes which are the common fate of all. She is a domes- tie woman, is warmly attached to her family in whose bosom she always finds sweet con- tent and happiness supreme. Mr. Sehaettle, too, is mueh attached to his home, and it has been his earnest desire to give his children excellent education and fit them for honor- able positions in life. Upon his arrival to this country, Mr. Sehaettle attached himself to the Free Soil party, with which he atlili- ated until the formation of the Republican party in 1856. Ile was among the first to help organize the latter party in Buffalo county, and was the first chairman. For some years past he has given his vote and influence with the Demoeratie party, feeling that he could not conscientiously support some of the measures of the party to which he gave his first allegiance. Mr. Schaettle has fixed his impress upon the community with which he has so long been associated. lIe has contributed largely towards building up its business interests and developing its resources, and no one is more highly esti-
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mated, for while he has prospered he has always been ready to assist where assistance was needed. By his integrity, his generosity, his paternal affection,-by his warm. genial disposition always sparkling and radiating with humor and . good will to all men,"- he has erected a monument within the hearts of his children and with those with whom he has so long dwelt that will outlive those of marble. Now, as the shadows of age advance, he can look back over a well-spent life, and when the inevitable end comes he can confi- dently expect the welcome plaudit, " Well done, thou good and noble servant!"
RANKLIN BENDER, who resides on section 6, Caledonia township, Trein- pealeau county, was born in Manlius township, Onondaga county, New York, in 1843, where he lived until fourteen years of age. llis father. Nelson Bender, was born in the same township, and his father, Jacob Bender, was also born in the State of New York. Nelson Bender married Sarah E. Meyers, a native of Onondaga county, and in 1857 they removed to Waukesha county, Wisconsin. In 1867 they came to Trein- pealeau county, settling in Caledonia town- ship, where he died of a cancer November 27, 1890, at the age of seventy seven years; his wife died October 14, 1876. They were the parents of three children who grew to mature years, namely: Mary, the eldest. is the wife of A. (. Iludson, of Caledonia township; the subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth; Sarah, the youngest, married Henry Converse, and died May 14, 1882, leaving three children.
Franklin Bender was a soldier in the war for the Union, having enlisted August 14, 1862, in Company B, Twenty-eighth Regi-
ment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged at Clarksville, Texas, August 1, 1865. The greater part of his army service was in the State of Arkansas, although he served for a time in Mississippi, Alabama and Texas. He took part in the famous trip down the Yazoo Pass in 1863, was at the battle of Helena in the same year, went on the expedi- tion to Little Rock. and thence to Pine Bluff. During Banks' Red river campaign, Mr. Bender started with his command to provision the troops engaged in that enter- prise, but Banks had retreated in the mean- time, and the troops to which Mr. Bender belonged were attacked by the Confederates and forced to retreat, thereby failing to give relief to Banks' army. Mr. Bender took part in the battle and siege of Spanish Fort, moved thence to Mobile and up the Alabama river, next to Texas, and, having been taken sick, was discharged at Clarksville a few days before the regiment was discharged. Mr. Bender's health was much broken in the army, and he has never fully recovered from the effects of his army service.
Returning to his father's home in Waukesha county, at the close of the war, he came to Trempealean county with his family in 1867.
Ile was married in December of that year to Miss Jennie Skilton, a daughter of Thomas and Martha Skilton, who settled on the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Bender now live, in June, 1856. The father died October 11, 1881, at the age of seventy-two years. He was born in London, England, where he grew to man- hood, and married Martha Miller. They came to the United States about 1834 and settled in the State of New York, removing thence to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and next to Trempealeau county. Mrs. Skilton is still living at the homestead, having attained to the advanced age of eighty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Skilton were the parents of three
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children: Annie E., the wife of Calvin Ter- and courteous to all, and has already won his pena, of Brown's valley, Minnesota; George way to popular favor. Ilis father, Gideon Palmer, is also a native of Canada, where he still lives, the subject of this sketch being the only one of the family in Wisconsin. T., who was a member of the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Regiment in the war of the Re- bellion. Ile was wounded at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, and died in the hospital at Washington, from the effects of his wound September 19, following, at the age of twenty- one years. Mrs. Bender is the youngest of OHN ROSENOW, like the majority of his countrymen who have sought homes in this free land of ours, has been pros- perons in his undertakings, and is now enjoy- ing the fruits of his years of labor. Ile resides in Montana township, and is one of the sturdy and well-to-do farmers of Buffalo county. the family, having been born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, August 17, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Bender have seven children, three sons and four daughters, viz .: Martha A., Thomas N., Ida Edna, Warren W., Alice M., Cora Bell and Frank G. Mr. Bender was a gallant soldier in the war of the Union, and is a worthy and esteemed citizen. He is a mem- ber of Charles H. Ford Post, at Galesville.
Mr. Rosenow was born in Germany, April 19, 1847. Ilis parents, Fred and Caroline (Loetz) Rosenow, were natives of that coun- try, and his father was a farmer by occupa- tion. Both parents passed their lives and died in Germany. They reared a family of seven children, whose names are as follows; Fred, Caroline, wife of Fred Schroder, of Alma, Wisconsin; Fredericka, widow of the late William Ileyden, of Wanmandee; Charles; Mary, now Mrs. Henry Stern, resid- ing near Buffalo, this county; and John and William. As far as known all are still liv- ing. ('harles served all through the war as a member of the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry.
UDSON A. PALMER, M. D., located at Areadia and engaged in the practice of his profession since Angust 1, 1891. Dr. Palmer was born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, in 1868. He received his literary education at Wardsville, Ontario, where he pursued a liberal course of study. While pursuing his literary course he had in view the profession of medicine. In 1887 he entered the medical department of the Mich- igan State University, from which he grad- uated in June, 1890, and soon after located The early lite of Mr. Rosenow was spent at home and in attending school. When he was fifteen years old, he and his brother-in- law, Fred Schroder, came to the United States, landing in New York in May, 1563. They eame direct to Wisconsin and located in Wanmandee township, Buffalo county, where the latter had a farm. Young Rose- now worked at farming until October 24, of at Fosston, Polk county, Minnesota, and went thence to Red Wing in the same State. In the summer of 1891 a favorable oppor- tunity presented itself for him to locate in Arcadia as the successor of Dr. W. T. Eng- lish. Improving this opportunity he at once ; entered into the large and luerative practice of his predecessor and his business is con- stantly increasing. Dr. Palmer is a well , the following year, when he enlisted in the educated and intelligent gentleman, affable ariny, becoming a member of Company II.
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Seventh Wisconsin Infantry. Ever since he set foot on American soil he has been identi- fied with her best interests; boy that he was, he risked his young life to help save his adopted country. Joining the regiment be- fore Petersburg about the last of October, he was under command of General Richardson, and was placed on the siege line in front of Petersburg. Hle remained with his regiment in all its movements and engagements about Petersburg and Richmond, and was at Appo- mattox at the time of the surrender of Lee; was also at the grand review at Washington. He was mustered out at Jeffersonville, Indi- ana, came to Madison, Wisconsin, via Mil- waukee, and was paid off and received his final discharge from the Government, July 7, 1865.
Returning to Waumnandee he was employed in a briek-yard for three years, after which he purchased the establishment and continued the manufacture of brick four years, making a sneeess financially. Ile then sold out and removed to Alma, where he lived two years, engaged in the saw-mill business. He next bought a farm near the town of Montana and lived on it five years, and atter selling it rented land in Montana township, which he conducted eight years. In the fall of 1885 le purchased his present farm of 210 acres, 160 acres of which are under cultivation. Since he came into possession of this farm he has made some improvements ou it, and every thing about the premises shows the thrift and prosperity of the owner. Ilis chief product is grain. Among his stock are Ilolstein cattle and Clydesdale horses. At present he milks twelve cows, and sells the milk to a cheese factory.
liam. Edward, Henry, Lydia and Louis. Mrs. Rosenow died February 13, 1886. May 26, 1888, he wedded Emilia, daughter of William and Caroline (Tesh) Kiepoefer, and by her has one child, Reuben. Mrs. Rosenow's par- ents were born in Germany, her father is deceased, and her mother is now living in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Rosenow are members of the Evangelical Church, and he is now pres- ident of the board of trustees of that church. Ilis political affiliations are with the Repub- lican party. He has served several times as Supervisor, and is at present chairman of the Board of Supervisors; has also been Road- master a number of times.
Sueh, in brief, is a sketch of one of the worthy citizens of Buffalo county.
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M ICHAEL SENDELBACH, of Buť- falo county, Wisconsin, and one of the earliest settlers of what was called Martin's valley, Waumandee township, was born in Bien, Bavaria, Germany, June 2, 1836. His parents, George and Katherine (Hartman) Sendelbach, were natives of Ba- varia, and were farmers. Their family was composed of three children: Maggie, Michael and Joseph. The elder Mr. Sendelbach died I in 1842. Ilis widow some time later became the wife of George Ruppert, and they had one boy, named Charles. The family emi- grated to the United States, crossing the ocean in a sail vessel and landing at New Orleans, in Angust, 1847. after a voyage of nearly four months. Coming North, they located on a farm in Harrison county, In- diana.
Mr. Rosenow was married, at Waumnandee, November 9, 1870, to Juthith, daughter of After coming to America, Mr. Sendelbach began to learn the eigar trade; was for five Ilenry and Magdaline (Volkart) Oertle. Six children were born to them: Louise, Wil- years engaged in the manufacture of cigars.
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Ile then turned his attention to tin smithing and worked at that business two years. Coming to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, he began farming in 1857 with his father-in- law, Casper Neth, in Waumandee township. He remained there about three years. Then he bought eighty acres of unimproved land in section 2, built a cabin, and to this place, in 1860, he moved his family and began farming on his own account. The land was nearly all prairie, and the first year he broke and planted thirty acres. After living in the cabin ten years, they moved into their new frame honse. Mr. Sendelbach built his barn in 1872. In 1860 he homesteaded forty acres of land that joined his purchase in sec- tion 2; in 1880 bought forty acres in the same section, chietly bluff land, covered with timber; in 1881 purchased another forty-acre tract adjoining him, that had been partly im- proved. He now has about 140 acres under cultivation, and is engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising.
When Mr. Sendelbach took up his abode in this valley there were but few settlers here- his father-in-law, brother-in-law, a Mr. Roath and Mr. Martin. He took his produce to llolmes' Landing and exchanged it for sup- plies, it being difficult at first to get any money. The farmers had to build their own roads then.
and Casper. Joseph is married and is en- gaged in farming near his father.
Mr. Sendelbach has generally declined to take office. He has, however, served as Road- master and Constable. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is in politics a Democrat. lle and his family are devout members of the Catholic Church, and are dis- tingnished for their benevolence and genial hospitality.
ETER CASE, of the town of Arcadia, Trempealean county, resides on section 31, town 21, range 9 west, where he settled in 1864. He has made all the im- provements on his place, none having been made when he purchased his farm. Mr. Case was born in Putnam county. New York, January 18, 1830, a son of Caleb Case, a na- tive of Duchess county, New York, and Eliza (Furgeson) Case. The subject of this sketch left his home in the Empire State for the West in 1855, accompanied by his father-in- law, James Bigham. Their destination was the State of lowa, where they contemplated making settlement, but after entering that State, before they had reached Howard county, they met parties who discouraged them from going further, and at the same time spoke very highly of the region about Fountain City. They were thereby induced to change their ininds, and returning to the Mississippi river took a steamer for Fountain City. They pre-empted land in the town of Glencoe, Buffalo county, but Mr. Case soon after sold proved and sold, and then bought his farm of 240 acres where he now lives, and which he
Mr. Sendelbach was married in Wauman- dee, September 25. 1857, to Rosina, daughter of Casper and Margaret Neth. Their union has been blessed by the birth of ten chil- dren, viz .: Joseph, born October 18, 1858; Maggie, February 11, 1861; Mary, April 15. 1863; Casper, June 21, 1865; Mary M., out and took a claim adjoining, which he im- April 16, 1867, is now Mrs. William Teisen: Anthon, March 29, 1869: Valentine, March 4, 1871; Katie, August 12. 1873; Michael, has under a good state of cultivation. Mr. November 18, 1875; Aloys, November 4. Case was married in the State of New York, 1877. All are living except Maggie, Mary . in 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Bigham, to which
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union six children were born, three sons and three daughters, viz .: George W., the eldest of the children, who died at the age of seven years, eight months; Augusta is the wife of Charles Rook, of Estelline, South Dakota; Walker C., the eldest surviving son, was born in Buffalo county, August 31, 1861; William M., the third son lives in St. Paul, Minnesota: Emma J. is a teacher by occupa- tion; Ida Viola, the youngest, is at home, as is also her brother, Walker C. Mr. Case was bereft of his wife by death several years ago. Mr. Case is a well-known pioneer of this part of the county, and is esteemed as a good citizen. Beginning life poor, he has by in- dustry secured a well-improved farm and a comfortable home.
ACOB KINDSCHIY .-- Among the prom- inent and respected farmers of Buffalo county is the man whose name heads this sketch.
He was born in Sauk county. Wisconsin, December 22, 1843, and is the son of Chris- tian and Elizabeth ( Runker) Kindschy. The elder Kindschy was born in Masance, canton of Granbinton, Switzerland, December 15, 1815, and his wife, Elizabeth, in Tamitz, Switzerland, April 19, 1816. They were married there, and emigrated to the United States in 1847. The father was a stonemason by trade. From New York they came direct to Sank county, Wisconsin, locating in the township of Black Hawk, where the father purchased a tract of land and began its im- provement. Ile remained there eight years, and then sold out and moved, in the spring of 1855, to Buffalo county. His household effeets were transported in an ox wagon. After looking about he selected a tract in section 36, Government land, and pur-
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