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 95
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 95
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 95
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C. E. Scott remained on the homestead farm until twenty years of age, when he went · West, his first settlement being in Emmett county, Michigan. He moved thence to Ma- quoketa. Jackson county, Iowa, where he re- mained one and a half years, but in 1858 he returned to New York. In Angust, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, which organization, although it retained the name under which it entered the service, served as infantry during the war. Mr. Scott was actively engaged with his regiment during his entire service, and participated in some of the most important events in the war for the Union. He was with his regiment in the battle of Cold Har- bor, under General Grant, and in the siege of Petersburg. When General Sheridan was detached from the Army of the Potomac and entered upon his famous campaign in the Shenandoah valley in 1864, the command to which Mr. Seott belonged formed a part of Sheridan's army. Ile participated in all the noted battles in that valley, including the famous battle of Winchester, or Cedar Creek, where "Sheridan, twenty miles away," made
his famous ride and saved the day after the army had been ronted by the Rebel General Early. When the Confederate forces had been driven from the valley by the army of Sheridan, the latter rejoined the army of Grant at Petersburg. Mr. Scott continued in the army until the close of the Rebellion, and was present at the final surrender at Ap- pomattox.
He returned to the State of New York when discharged from the army, and in the spring of 1866 came to Coral City, where he remained eight years, and in 1874 eame to Whitehall, where he erected a store and en- gaged in the mercantile business, and has been a leading merchant at that place since that time. He has now, however, practically retired from merchandising, having been snc- ceeded by his sons. His time is occupied at present chiefly in attending to his farm in- terests, being the owner of a place adjoining the town plat. Mr. Scott was married in Michigan, to Miss Mary C. Miller, a native of Illinois. IIer parents were George and Mary (Fry) Miller, natives of Virginia, and representatives of old and well-known fami- lies of that State, the mother having been a eonsin of President James Madison. Mr. Miller removed with his family from Michi- gan to Maquoketa, Iowa, and thence to Illi- nois. Later the mother went to California, and died at the home of her son in that State. Mr. and Mrs. Seott have four sons: Walter, Fred, George and Harry. The two eldest are successors of their father, having also a branch store at Elk Creek: the third is an artist by profession, and the youngest, a printer by trade, is now employed on the Whitehall Times. Mr. Scott is one of the well-known citizens of Trempealeau county, has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for ten years, has also been AAssessor, and is the present Coroner of this county. He was
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one of the charter members of Winfield Scott Post, No. 104, at Whitehall, and is the present Commander. Politically Mr. Scott affiliates with the Republican party, having cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and has voted for every succeeding Republican candidate since that time. He is esteemed as a liberal and enter- prising citizen.
M ARTIN POLIN, of Alma, Wiscon- sin, was born February 13, 1840, at Zillis, Switzerland. Ilis parents, Jousan and Elizabeth (Cameriesct) Polin, were natives of that country, and died there, the father in 1871 and the mother abont seven years later. By his first marriage Mr. Polin had two children: Anna and Peter, and by his wife, Elizabeth, he had five: Antone, Rosa, Martin, Ursula and Sebastian. He was engaged in farming and also kept a hotel.
Martin Polin lived with his parents until seventeen years of age. He received his education in the canton schools of Switzer- land, and gained from his father a knowledge of business which has been of much benefit to him ever since he left the parental home. In 1857 he emigrated to the United States, landed at New York and from there came West to Alna, Wisconsin, where his brother, who had preceded him here, was living and engaged in the general mercantile business. The same year he moved to Stillwater, Minne- sota, and became a elerk in a general store, being thus employed about a year and a half. He then went to Dubuque and engaged in clerking for Wood, Look & Co., remaining with them about a year. We next find him at Wabasha, Minnesota, doing a general mer- chandise business in partnership with Rudoph Kahaus. After conducting this store a year
and a half they sold out. Mr. Polin went to New York city and enlisted as a private in Company F, Fifty-third New York Infantry, and joined the regiment at Newport News; was in Key's corps, Cox's division, and Peek's brigade. His first engagement was at Will- iamsburg, May 15, 1862. They were charged on by the enemy, whom, after a hard fight, they repulsed. The next movement was to Fair Oaks, and he participated in that battle, May 31, 1862. His regiment was on the left flank of Mcclellan's army, and was the first regiment brought out after Cass's division was driven back. The loss of the regiment in this engagement was fearful, only about one-half reporting for duty after the battle. He was in the seven days' tight following, in the same left flank, in which the regiment suffered terribly, not more than 100 men be- ing fit for duty after the battle. Subse- quently the regiment was transferred to the Thirty-eighth New York. Arriving at Harri- son's Landing, Mr. Polin was taken sick with typhoid fever, and was sent to the field hos- pital. Later he was sent to Philadelphia, and remained there about five months, at one time abont at the point of death. He was discharged at the hospital in February, 1863, on account of disability. He then went to Chicago, and was employed as clerk for A. J. Dawns & Co., Lake street, with whom he remained till 1866. He then came to Alma, Wiseonsin, where he engaged in selling agri- cultural machinery and also in buying grain. Ile continued this business till 1871, when he paid a visit to his native land, Switzer- land, coming back in December of the same year. Ile was then in Government employ at Rock Island about two months, after which he returned to Alma and purehased the busi- ness of Tester & Polin, general merchants. This business he has since eontinned, enlarg- ing and extending it, and now having one of
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the largest business houses in this section of the country.
Mr. Polin was married, December 15, 1872, at Alma, to Magdelina, widow of Peter Palm, and daughter of Claus Liesch. Their union has been blessed with five children: Eliza- beth, Rosa Louise, Osear M., Alga and Magdalina.
Mr. Polin is a member of the A. O. U. W. In politics he is a Republican, and is as- sociated with Fimian Post, No. 52, G. A. R. He was the first Mayor of the city of Alma, and signed the first set of ordinances, June 1, 1885, adopted by the city. While out on the Pacific coast, attending the National En- campment of the Grand Army in 1886, he made an investment there, purchasing with Mr. Tester a 900-acre tract of land in San Luis Obispo county, California. Mr. Polin · and his family are among the best citizens of Alma, and are highly esteemed by all who know them.
years later by Rev. Sherven, under whose anspices the building was erected. The church was remodeled in the fall of 1890 and spring of 1891, and dedicated June 23 of the latter year by Right Rev. O. lnul, from Chicago. The church building is a fine and commodious one, and the parish con- tains about 110 families.
Rev. (. 1. Myhre was born in Sandefjord, Norway, in 1865. He was educated at the University of Christiania, where he was a student from 1883 to 1890, receiving his theological education at this institution. lle was called to his present church soon after his graduation. His parents are still resi- dents of Norway, and the only member be- sides himself in this country is a brother. Rev. Myhre has much labor to perform be- sides that which pertains to the French Creek Church, having to attend churches in Arcadia, Preston and Gale, Trempealean county, and in Melrose, Jackson county.
Rev. Myhre was married in Christiania, April 9, 1590, to Nora Sivertsen.
EV. O. A. MYHRE is the pastor of Freneh Creek Norwegian Lutheran Church, of Ettrick, Trempealeau JENRY TEEPLE, who resides on sec- tion 14, town of Albion, is one of the early settlers of this town. He was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, February 18, 1832, son of John and Rhenamy (Crum) Teeple, both natives of Ohio. The Teeple family was formerly from New Jersey, but Leonard Teeple (our subject's grandfather). with his two brothers, early settled in Ham- ilton county, Ohio, being among the pioneers of that county, and there he lived for the balance of his life. John Teeple finally re- moved to Shelby county, Indiana. where he died a number of years ago. Ilis widow still survives at Shelbyville, Indiana, at the county. The present church building was erected in 1878, the pastor at that time be- ing Rev. L. Sherven, who remained six years, and is now at Rock Prairie, Rock county. He was succeeded by Rev. G. A Lunde, now of Nebraska, who came in 1880 and re- mained nine and a half years; next eame Rev. O. A. Myhre, who came from Norway May 1, 1890. Previous to the erection of the church in 1878 services were held at private houses and in the barns of the earlier settlers. According to the church records l Rev. I. B. Frick was the first pastor in this vieinity, who was followed by Rev. O. Wal- deland, next by Rev. S. Svennungson, four advanced age of eighty-three years. Of the
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ten ebildren born to them seven still survive. llenry Teeple lived at home until the age of twenty-three years. At the age of twenty- two years married Miss Mary Catherine Rice, and in 1855 started westward. Ile located at the town of Vermont, Dane county, where he bought a farm, which he improved, and there he lived until 1865, when he came here, whither his father-in-law, James Rice, liad already come. James Rice was a native of Kentucky. He settled in the town of Albion in 1863, but later moved to Wadena county, Minnesota, where several of his children were living, and there he has since died. Ilis widow still survives. When Mr. Teeple settled where he now resides, a quarter of a century since, but little improvement had been made, all being wild and new, and he and family endured all the suffering and privation incident to pioneer life. His mar- ried life has been blessed with three children, two sons and one daughter, viz .: John P., the eldest, was born in Dane county in 1857; Byron B. was born in Trempealeau county, February 12, 1866. The daughter, Lillian M., is the wife of Wilber Rhodes. In his political views Mr. Teeple was in early life a Democrat, but when the late war broke out he supported the Government in a loyal man- ner, voting for Lincoln in 1864, and has ever since been a Republican.
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this trip by Peter Case, another well-known early settler of this county: Their intention was to settle in Iowa, but they changed their minds and were induced to locate in the town of Glencoe, and their families followed soon after. James Bigham lost his first wife in the State of New York, but later re-married. He continued to reside in the town of Glen- coe for a number of years and then removed to section 21, town 20, range 10 west, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1870. He was the father of fifteen children, all of whom grew to maturity except one, but several of whom are now deceased. Daniel Bigham, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was born in Putnam county, New York, November 25, 1843, and at the age of fourteen years went to Buffalo county, Wis- consin, whither his father had already moved. He remained at home until he was sixteen years of age and then started in life for him- self, and for eight years was employed by the lumber firm of Hixon & Crosby, of La Crosse, but during several winters of this period lie attended school at home, and for two winters of the time was in the service of the firm in the pineries of Wisconsin. Later he worked for Andrew Shepard near Black River Falls for two years, and in fact was in the employ- ment of several different parties before he settled down to farming. The first land that he owned was a forty-acre tract on section 1, which forms a part of his present farm. He began the improvement of his land in 1866, but in 1867, wishing to engage in business that would furnish him some ready money, he leased his farm and going to La Crosse engaged in the service of the lumber firm of Hixon & Withee, but after one season re- turned to the improvement of his land. He has since added to his first possessions until he has a fine farm of 200 acres. March 24,
ANIEL BIGHAM, a worthy resi- dent of Trempealeau county, is a son of James Bigham, who was born in the North of Ireland, of Scotch parentage, and reared in his native country. He there mar- ried Catherine MeVoy and emigrated to America about 1838, settling in Putnam county, New York. In 1855 he came West to look for a home, and was accompanied on : 1868, witnessed his marriage to Miss Flor-
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enee Caldwell, daughter of James Caldwell, who emigrated to Fountain City from Clin- tonville, New York, in 1855, and died in July of the following year. The mother now lives in the village of Arcadia. Mrs. Bigham was born in the State of New York, having been eight years old when she came to Wis- consin with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Big- ham have three children, two daughters and a son, viz .: Orrie May, who was born March 12, 1869; Alice Myrtle, who was born July 21, 1871, and a son born May 30, 1879. Mrs. Bigham was one of eleven children, several of whom died in early life and four of whom are now living. The survivors are Judson Caldwell, of Buffalo county; Mrs. Ursula Jane Van Valkenburg, of Barron county, Wisconsin; Mrs. Bigham, who is next in order of birth, and Mrs. Ella Moore. .Mr. Bigham is one of the representative men of his town and a progressive, enterprising citizen. He was Assessor of his town for seven years, and has sinee served as chairman of the town board. Formerly a Republican, as issues changed he believed he saw his duty elsewhere and has lately affiliated with the Democratic party. In his religious views he is liberal and tolerant.
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LMON A. JOHNSON, a pioneer of Trempealeau county, resides ou seetion 32, in the town of Trempealeau. He came to this county in March. 1856, and first settled one mile east of the village of Gales- ville, on what is known as the William Andrews farm, where he continued to reside until the spring of 1868, when he settled on his present farm. He was born in Trumbull county. Ohio, October 21, 1820, the son of Anson Johnson. ITis father, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a pioneer of
Trumbull county. Anson Johnson married Maria Oviatt, a daughter of Samuel Oviatt, who was also a pioneer of that county, set- tling there when that portion of Ohio was the extreme Western frontier of civilization. Both the paternal and maternal ancestors of our subject were from the State of Connecti- cut, the Johnson branch of the family being from Cornell, and the Oviatts from the town of Goshen. Anson Johnson and wife con- tinned to live in Trumbull county, Ohio, until death. They were the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters, who grew to mature years, and three brothers and a sister are now living, namely: Elmer O., the eldest of the children, resides at Hastings, Michigan; Sallie, the widow of lIenry Ilyde. resides at Sullivan, Ashland county, Ohio; Almon A. is the next in order of birth; Homer U., the youngest of the family, lives at Orville. Trumbull eounty.
Almon A. Johnson, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native county, and was married in Summit county, Ohio, to Elizabeth C. Robinson, a native of that county, born July 21. 1825. Her parents were Leonard and Catherine (Farrer) John- son, early settlers of what is now Summit county, but then a part of Medina county, Ohio. They were of New England parent- age, and continued to live in Summit county until their death. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Johnson resided in Lorain county for a number of years, removing thence to Columbia county, Wisconsin, and loeating in the town of Hampden, twenty miles east of Portage, and subsequently came to Trempea- leau county. They have had ten children, eight sons and two daughters. of whom three sons and a daughter are now deceased. The surviving children are: Leonard A., Edward R., Homer E., Franklin S., Mary I. and Auren M. Their eldest son, Samuel A., was
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a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, being a member of Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Ile was a gallant soldier, and was in active service during the whole time of his enlistment. He died of disease contracted in the army, March 7, 1872, at the age of nearly twenty six years. William E. died July 6, 18SS, at the age of twenty- eight years; Chauncey N. died March 1. 1884, aged twenty-one years; Emma E. died March 18, 1890, at the age of nearly twenty- three years.
In his political affiliations Mr. Johnson was formerly a Whig, but his father, how- ever, was a Jackson Democrat, and served in the war of 1812, under General Harrison. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Johnson was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, so that it will be seen that his family have been represented in the three great wars of this country, viz .: the war of the Revolution, the war of 1812 and the Civil war of 1861. Since the organization of the Republican party Mr. Johnson has affiliated with that great national body. Both Mr. and Mrs. i Johnson are numbered among the esteemed and respected residents of Trempealeau county, where they have lived for the long period of twenty-six years. They have had their full share of affliction in the loss of four of their children after they had attained to manhood and womanhood. They have a pleasant home and possess the comforts of life, the result of their own industry, and are well worthy a place in the permanent record of the old settlers ot Trempealean county.
which they reside, or who have contributed more toward its material development and political progress, than the man whose name heads this sketch.
Mr. De Groff, late Postmaster at Alma, Wisconsin, was born in the town of Metz, Cayuga county, New York, October 12, 1843, and is the oldest son of Johu S. and Eliza (Barner) De Groff. The elder De Groff was born in the same county, May 17, 1817, a descendant of German ancestry. His father, who emigrated to this country at an early day, was born in Germany. His wife, Eliza, was born in Ulster county, on the Hudson, in 1820. He has all his life been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Eight children were given to them, five sons and three daughters, whose names are as follows: John Wesley, Margaret, now Mrs. James W. Warner; Eliza, who died in infancy: Allen II., a resi- dent of Misha Mokwa, and Junior Vice- Commander of the G. A. R., Department of Wisconsin; Hattie, who died at the age of sixteen years; William J., a farmer in South Dakota; Samuel D., who was a printer by trade, died in 1879, at the age of nineteen; and Charles F., who is now a student in the Agricultural College of South Dakota. The parents are still living, in Misha Mokwa, Wisconsin. The father lett New York in 1844 for the West, and settled in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he began the im- provement of a farm. John W. followed with his mother in 1845, coming around the lakes to Milwaukee and then on to the new home. He remained with his parents, assist- , ing in farm work, and attending the district schools when he could. His father suffered in the panic of 1856, and was obliged to sell his farm. He then removed to Buffalo county and located where he now resides.
OHN WESLEY DE GROFF .- There are few men in the State that have had a more varied or interesting career, or who have done more toward the intellectual In the spring of 1860 the subject of onr advancement of the section of country in sketch left home to make his own way in the
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world, and went to Durand, this State, to were the first regiment that formed in line learn the cabinet trade.
He worked at this business and at keel- boating on the Chippewa river until the spring of 1862, when he enlisted in Colonel Post's regiment of United States Sharp- shooters. He was taken to Fort Snelling. Minnesota, where he was rejected by the ex- amining surgeon of the army. He returned to Durand and went to work at his trade.
Angust 4, 1862, he re-enlisted in Company G, Twenty fifth Wisconsin Infantry, and was mustered into the service at La Crosse, Wis- consin; was ordered to report at Fort Snell- ing, where the command was used in guard- ing the frontier. In December they were ordered South, arriving at Columbus, Ken- tueky, in January. 1863; did gnard duty in Kentucky until the campaign of Vicksburg, when they were ordered there and formed the rear line. They were in the Sixteenth Army Corps, Second Division and Second Brigade. After the fall of Vicksburg they were doing gnard daty in Arkansas and Mississippi until about January 1, 1564, when they were ordered to Chattanooga, and had one engagement at Decatur, Alabama; were still in the Sixteenth Corps, under Dodge. They remained in Ala- bama until the opening of the Atlanta cam- paign, when they were ordered forward to Chattanooga by way of Huntsville, and then joined the forees under Sherman and were in the engagement at Resaca, May 14, support- ing General Logan. They defeated the enemy. He with his regiment participated in every engagement up to the fall of Atlanta. On the 22d of July the regiment lost one-fourth of its command, and was subsequently filled up with new recruits and was reorganized, becoming a part of the Second Brigade, First Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps. November 15, 1864. the command started on the ever-memorable march to the sea. They 49
before Savannah after crossing Ogeechee canal, and were in that attack and the cap- ture of Savannah. January 3, 1865. they marched through Savannah and embarked at Thunderbolt bay for Beaufort, South Caro- lina. From Beaufort they began the march through the Carolinas on January 13. They captured the Poeataligo railroad on the way. February 2 they met the enemy on the Salke- hatchie river, in the swamps. Their division was the first to break the line at that river, which caused the evacuation of Charleston. They participated in the last battle of Sher- man's army, at Bentonville, North Carolina, Marelı 15. From Bentonville they moved to Goldsborough and went into camp. April 10 they again moved out after Joe Johnston. reaching Raleigh on the 14th of April; were at the surrender of Johnston's army. April 26. May 1 they started on their homeward march. passing through Richmond, and ar- riving in Washington May 24. where they participated in the grand review. They were mustered out June 7 and ordered home, reaching the State capital June 11, where they were finally discharged.
After the war Mr. De Groff went to work at his trade at Menomonie. In the winter of 1865-'66 he taught school, and the follow- ing summer he spent in Winona, Minnesota. In the fall he returned to Buffalo county and was nominated for County Clerk by the Re- publican party, and was elected. He served as County Clerk seven years, being defeated for re-election in 1873. In 1872 he pur- chased the Buffalo County Journal, which he conducted till September 1, 1890, with marked success. In 1575 he was elected Clerk of the Cirenit Court, which office he held continuously for thirteen years. In 1879 he was elected a member of the Assem- bly. The year before he was appointed As.
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sistant Chief Clerk of the Senate. In 1882 he was appointed Assistant Chief Clerk of the Assembly, and served two terms. In 1887 he was chosen Senator, representing the counties of Buffalo and Trempealeau. In the first session he served on the committee on judiciary; the last session, on the com- mittee on insurance, banks and banking, and military affairs, and was chairman of the committee on enrolled bills. December 20, 1890, he received the appointment of Post- master of Alma. In 1876 he was elected president of the Board of Trustees of Alma. and chairman of the county Board of Super- visors. After the organization of the city he was elected Mayor. This was in 1887-'88- '89. Recently the Colonel has disposed of his realty in Alma, resigned his postoffice, and removed to Marshfield. Wood county, Wisconsin, where he is engaged in the publi- cation of the Marshfield Times, and will make Marshfield his future home.
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