USA > Wisconsin > Biographical sketches of old settlers and prominent people of Wisconsin > Part 10
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PROMINENT PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN.
MARSHALL J. WOODARD.
E have but to glance at the biographies of great men to find that the most distinguished inventors, artists and thinkers owe their success in a great measure to their indefatigable energy and close application. As this is true of the classes mentioned, so it eminently applies to men in all the walks of business life; and especi- ally so to the subject of this sketch, who, beginning life as a farmer boy, never allowed a legitimate opportunity for improvement to escape him. Thus he honorably worked his way up and won the reward of diligent exercise of qualities of character made potent by the force of applica- cation, industry and integrity.
Marshall John Woodard, (the original name was WOODWARD, but the present generation have dropped the middle "w, " and have adopted the name WOODARD,) the subject of our sketch, was born at New Lon- don, New Hampshire. September 2, 1830, and was the sixth child of John King Woodward, who was born July 9, 1795, and died at Water- town, Wisconsin, November 20, 1873. aged 78 years. 4 months and 11 days, and Mehitable K. (Sargent) Woodward, who was born March 14. 1801, and died at Oak Grove, Wisconsin, January 14, 1862, aged 60 years and 10 months. She was the daughter of John Sargent, and was mar- ried to John K. Woodward August 8, 1820. at New London. New Hamp- shire, and they had nine children, namely: Carlos, born February 3, 1822, and died February 22, 1822; infant, born April 7. 1828, and died the same day; Emily, born June 23, 1825, died July 29, 1826: Stephen S., born October 14, 1826, married Caroline C. Bortle February 25, 1855, and died June 10, 1896, at Watertown, Wisconsin: Daniel J., born July 27, 1828, married May Lowe May 23, 1860, who died February 20, 1866: he then married Abbie P. Booth September 4, 1867, she died February 23. 1891; he died September 11, 1898. at Appleton, Wisconsin; Marshall John, born September 2, 1830: Angeline S., born December 1, 1833. died August 3, 1835 (all the foregoing were born at New London, New Hamp- shire); George S., born at Hanover. New Hampshire, June 5. 1836, mar- ried Josephine Hambright, who died May 20, 1866, he then married Sarah Hambright, the sister of Josephine, and is now living at Apple- ton, Wisconsin; Susan A., born October 25, 1840, married Charles H. Ferry April 9, 1866, and is now residing at Appleton. Wis.
John King Woodward emigrated to Wisconsin in the year 1855.
Marshall J. Woodard is the grandson of Eliphalet Woodward, who was a soldier in the American Revolutionary War, born May 28. 1758. and died February 23, 1826, aged 67 years, 8 months and 25 days, and Martha (Gage) Woodward, who was born July 11, 1758, and died Septem- ber 30, 1847, aged 89 years, 2 months and 19 days. They had eleven children.
MARSHALL J. WOODARD.
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The very best information obtainable regarding the Woodwards in America is, that a family by that name left Ipswich, England, about the year 1634, and coming to America settled in the Province of Massachu- setts, going out from there through different generations into what is now the New England States, and the direct line to which our subject belongs settled in New Hampshire.
Marshall J. Woodard's maternal grandparents were Daniel and Ruth Gage. The Gages in America trace their ancestry back through a long line to De Gaga or De Gage (sometimes written De Gauga), who in 1066 accompanied William the Conqueror from Normandy into England, and after aiding in the conquest were rewarded with large grants of land in the forests of Dean, in the County of Glouchester, near which he resided. The record of the Gages can be traced clearly, without a break, from 1408 to the present time, showing that Daniel Gage is the fourth in the direct line in America.
Marshall J. Woodard came to Wisconsin in 1855, and located on a farm in the town of Oak Grove, spending the greater part of his time at this vocation until the spring of 1864, when he went to Watertown, Wisconsin, where, with his brothers George and Stephen, he estab- lished the bakery business under the firm name of Woodard Brothers, which they continued for six years, when they were joined by Jesse Stone, and the firm name changed to Woodard Brothers and Stone, under which name the business was conducted until its incorporation under the style of Woodard and Stone Company, and which has grown from a small local bakery to a large and profitable manufacturing and wholesale concern.
Marshall J. Woodard was married October 7, 1855, to Mary Spauld- ing, who was born at Augusta, Maine, March 10, 1833, and was the daughter of Ira and Mahala (Swallow) Spaulding. Ira Spaulding was born in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, May 17, 1801, and his wife, Mahala, was born in Dunstable, Massachssetts, September 28, 1804, and they were married in Dunstable November 3, 1823. They had four chil- dren-Asaph, Henry W., Mary and John. Mahala died August, 28, 1 840, in Belgrade, Maine, and Ira married for his second wife Hannah, sister of Mahala, December 20, 1840, and four children blessed this union, namely: Silas C., Emeline F., Ellen A. and Charles I.
To Mr. and Mrs. Marshall J. Woodard six children were born, namely: Frank Elwin, born at Oak Grove, Wis., April 24, 1857, married Sara, daughter of Alexander and Sara Johnson, of Belfast, Ireland, March 10, 1897, now living in Watertown; Dura Marshall, born in New London, New Hampshire, December 18, 1862, married Guynoir Jean, daughter of Robert and Anna Williams Lewis of Watertown, June 29, 1891, now living in Omaha, Nebraska, and have two children, Annice Marie, born February 23, 1896, and Mildred Angie, born July 30, 1897; Minnie Lura, born in Watertown, Wisconsin, August 11, 1870, and died May 7, 1871; Lettie Alice, foster-daughter, born March 17, 1871, married Willis L. Cheney March 26, 1895, in Watertown, now living in Milwau- kee. and have one child, Marshall Calvin, born September 22, 1897; William Henry, born September 21, 1872, in Watertown, married Ella Stewart Hart, daughter of Henry and Elvira (McPherson) Hart, in Fort Atkinson. Wisconsin, November 10, 1898, now living in Watertown; My-
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ron Chester, born January 3, 1875, in Watertown, now living in Tower, Minnesota.
The grandparents of Mrs. Marshall J. Woodard, on the paternal side, were Ira and Joanna (Fletcher) Spaulding. The name "Spauld- ing " has been spelled in various ways-Spalding, Spalden, etc., but the present generation have adopted "Spaulding." As nearly as can be learned, they date back to the Pilgrim Fathers. Originally, Edward Spaulding came from Spalding, Lincolnshire, England, emigrating to America very early in the sixteenth century, settling in Braintree, Massachusetts, and later in Chelmsford. Mrs. Woodard's father, Ira Spaulding, being the eighth in the line of descent. Her maternal grand- parents were Sampson and Ruth (Swallow) Chapman.
Mr. and Mrs. Woodard are now living in a beautiful home in the City of Watertown, respected by all who know them, and enjoying the fruits of a busy life. They recognize the fact that integrity in word and deed is the backbone of character, and that loyal adherence toveracity is its most prominent characteristic.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM GINGLES.
E who tills the soil is indeed a lord of creation and bends not the knee to King, Prince or Potentate. Such a man is William Gingles of Hubbleton, Wisconsin, and who thus shows the true Irish blood that courses his veins. He is the son of John and Jane Gingles (daughter of Ephraim and Mary Wilson). They were both born and married in County Antrim, Ireland, and on emigrating to America set- tled in St. Lawrence County, New York, and in 1854 came to Wisconsin, settling in the town of Portland, Dodge County. They had nine chil- dren-William, the subject of this sketch; John, born February 14, 1836, married Adelaide Ghastin; Ephraim, born 1838, married Margaret Homer, died January 18, 1895; James, born 1840, married Mary Alexander, died December 28, 1894; Wilson, born 1843, married Ann Hannah; Mary, born 1845, married Albert Austin, died December 18, 1885; Margaret, born December 25, 1849, married Andrew Betts; Robert, born 1852, married Margaret Lusk; Jane, born March 24, 1856, died March, 1880.
William Gingles, the subject of this sketch and the eldest son, was born in Belfast, Ireland, March 1, 1835, and was married November 29, 1883, to Frances, daughter of William and Florella (Carr) Wood, who was a lady of rare qualifications, and for several years followed the pro- fession of school teacher. She was born in Sharon, Connecticut, Sep- tember 29, 1854, and four children have been born to them-Mary, born May 31, 1887; Willie, born June 29, 1889; Bessie, born February 4, 1893, and Frances, born February 10, 1895.
Mr. Gingles resides in the town of Shields, Dodge County, is a far- mer, a member of the Presbyterian Church, a Republican in politics, and was Town Treasurer one year, Assessor four years, and has been Clerk of the School Board for about twenty-five years. He is the owner of a nice farm on the Crawfish river near the Village of Hubbleton, and with his wife and their little family they have truly a "Home, Sweet Home.'
Mr. Gingles has always striven to raise the standard of honest labor, and believes that he who is a stranger to industry may possess, but he cannot enjoy, for it is labor which gives relish to pleasure; and he early learned that one of the prime requisites of a young man's suc- cess was his willingness to work as hard as necessary, and that in this work-a-day world success must be sought, steadily, quietly, energeti- cally, constantly; and if in the right spirit it will ennoble a man.
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PROMINENT PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN.
DANIEL CLARK WOOD.
MAN'S own effort is one of the essential things in a successful life, and self-culture calls forth powers, cultivates strength of character and stimulates him to acquire knowledge by the active exercise of his own faculties. It was thus that Daniel Clark Wood started out in life. Being a poor boy, the son of a farmer, one of the first things in his early life was to think seriously about what he wished to be, and then he set about gaining his object. Knowing full well that his own tastes, temperament and environment must be his guide, he be- gan on the lowest round of the ladder, and by his invincible industry, stick-to-it-iveness, honesty and strict attention to business he succeeded in elevating himself to a worthy position among successful men.
Daniel Clark Wood is the grandson of Elijah Wood, who was born in Wales, and died at the advanced age of 96 years. He is the son of William Wood, who was born in Sharon, Connecticut, and Esther (Conkrite) Wood, who was born in Schoharie, New York. They were married at Sharon, Connecticut, in 1809, and spent their lives in the towns of Sharon and Salisbury, Connecticut. Five children were born to them, three sons, George, Harmon and Daniel Clark, and two daughters, Har- riet and Betsey, all born in Sharon, and all dead but Daniel Clark, the subject of this sketch, and Harmon, who is now living in the Village of Lake Mills, Wisconsin.
Daniel Clark Wood was born June 21, 1819, and came to Wisconsin in the year 1843, settling first at Lake Mills, where he has lived ever since on Section 32, town of Waterloo, and Section 5, town of Lake Mills. He was married in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, March 10, 1844, to Nancy, daughter of John and Nancy (Lester) Atwood, who was born in Egre- mont, Massachusetts, and died in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, March 4, 1894, and the following children were born to them: George Lester, Eugene, John Jay, Walter, Fred and Martha Augusta. Mr. Wood married for his second wife Mrs. Eliza Jane (Crosby) Hildreth, daughter of Joshua and Nancy (Johnson) Crosby. She was born March 4, 1828, and married to Mr. Wood May 8, 1896. She had two children, Adelta and Arthur Grant Hildreth. In politics Mr. Wood is one of the leading Republicans of his town. In his earlier days he was a Superintendent of Schools, but of late years has been a prominent farmer, and for over twenty years engaged in making sorgum syrup.
Today, though over 80 years of age, Daniel Clark Wood is one of the best preserved men to be found in Jefferson County, and it may well be said of him that he is not 80 years old, but rather 80 years young. Be- ing a man over six feet tall, erect and straight as an arrow, with an elastic step, a keen eye and a military bearing, he bids fair to be a cen- turion.
DANIEL C. WOOD.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
CHARLES KEEFER.
MONG the class of hardy pioneers who left their Ohio homes, where they were surrounded by the comforts of life and social privileges, and emigrated to what was at that time the Terri- tory of Wisconsin, was Christian W. and his wife Mary (Jacques) Keefer. He was born in Pennsylvania October 1, 1811, and while yet a young man removed to Geauga County, Ohio, where he met and mar- ried his wife October 5, 1836. She was born in New York May 11, 1816, but removed to Geauga County, Ohio, with her parents while quite young.
Mr. Keefer learned the tailor trade, and followed that occupation for over twenty years, when, becoming wearied of such a sedentary life, he resolved to try his fortune in Wisconsin. Accordingly, in the spring of 1847, with his wife and family he started West, settling in the town of Elba, Dodge county, Wisconsin, where they lived with their family for many years. In a new country like this was at that time, they had many trials, hardships and privations to endure in order to clear up the wild land and bring it from a state of nature to a condition highly pro- ductive. But they battled with all the difficulties that met them on every hand, and with strong, brave hearts succeeded in bringing order out of what seemed a chaos. Their family consisted of ten chil- dren, eight sons and two daughters, namely: William Henry Harrison, born September 23, 1837, married Lida A. Hopkins, now lives at Colum- bus, Wisconsin; Francis Elmer, born October 8, 1839, married Ella Hopkins, died in the Civil War; Lenard Scott, born December 6, 1841, married May Rose, now living at Dell Rapids, South Dakota; Thomas, born June 21, 1843, died in infancy; Comfort B., born October 7, 1846, died at the age 16 years; Mary E., born January 20, 1849, married Charles G. Blythe, now living in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee; Lorinda, born Janu- ary 15, 1851, married A. K. M. Pomeroy, now living at Lotis, Wis- consin; Harmon, born January 22, 1853, married Amelia Waddell, now living at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; Clay, born October 1, 1856, married Clara Bromley, now resides at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Charles, born November 25, 1854, on the old homestead in the town of Elba, where he still resides, having married Miss Eva Roberts of Col- umbus December 11, 1878, who was born February 28, 1862. They had three children, Elmer, born September 2, 1880; Marcia, born April 11, 1884, and Laura, born November 20, 1888.
Charles Keefer is recognized as an enterprising and progressive farmer, and a man who from boyhood has taken deep interest in blooded horses, and today is the owner of some very fine speimens of horse flesh.
After fifteen years of married life death entered Mr. Keefer's happy home and took the wife and mother, who died August 27, 1893, and
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who is buried at Columbus. He then struggled for several years alone to keep his little family together, when, November 25, 1896, he married Miss Elizabeth Smith of Elba, Wisconsin, who was born September 25, 1851, and was the daughter of Edward Smith. She has proven herself a kind, companionable, industrious and hospitable wife, and a good mother to his children.
In 1874 Christian Keefer and wife moved from the old homestead, taking up their residence in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where he died June 27, 1885. In September, 1898, Mrs. Keefer (or grandma as she was called) went back to the farm to live with her son, Charles, who, aided by his faithful wife, spared no pains in making the dear old mother happy and comfortable in her declining years. She was called "home " March 11, 1899, respected and mourned by all who knew her. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. T. S. Johnson, and she was laid beside her husband in the beautiful cemetery, "Oakwood, " at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
CHRISTIAN W. KEEFER AND WIFE.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Hon, WILLIAM HENRY ROGERS.
MAN to reach the goal of his ambition, no matter what obstacles he may encounter, must have a firm, unyielding faith in his abilities to succeed, which is one of the prime elements of suc- cess. As the acorn is destined to become the sturdy oak, so must a man who has a determination for success, have entire confidence in his abilities to overcome whatever obstructions he may encounter in the pathway of his life, and if he cannot find a way, it behooves him to make one. The world admires a man of energy and tact, and there is no grander sight in this world than that of a young man, fired with a great purpose, dominated by one unwavering aim, and Chatterson says: "God has sent his creatures into the world with arms long enough to reach anything they choose to be at the trouble to obtain."
William Henry Rogers, of Madison, the eldest son of John and Julia (Buckley) Rogers, who were natives of Ireland, was born in Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York, March 15, 1850. When but two years of age his parents emigrated in 1852 to Wisconsin, settling on a farm in the town of Portland, Dodge county, where as soon as William was old enough he attended the district school, and assisted with the farm work. August 18, 1862, when he was twelve years old, his father enlisted in Company H of the Twenty-ninth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers and went to the front, and later was detailed in the Sixteenth Ohio Battery where he served until the close of the war, being mustered out June 22, 1865. During his father's absence in the army our subject was the "head of the family," consisting of his mother, two younger brothers and two sisters. Those were trying times for the Rogers family, but the young fellow with a stout, brave heart met the difficulties and dis- couragements with a will and determination worthy of a much older per- son. During these years the idol which lay nearest his heart was an education. But his parents were in too meager circumstances to assist him in this, so at the age of fifteen his father, in recognition of his services during his enlistment gave him his time. He then determined to endeavor toreach his highest ambition, to acquire an education. He ente ed the Marshall Academy in Dane County in 1868, from which he graduated in 1871. He then entered the preparatory department of the University of Wisconsin where he pursued a scientific course and graduated in the class of 1875. In the fall of the same year he became a student in the law department of the same University, where he com- pleted his course in June, 1876. During all these years of his study he earned the money for his education running a threshing machine. At the close of his law course he located permanently in Madison to prac- tice his chosen profession, and the same year he was nominated and elected District Attorney of Dane County on the Tilden ticket and ran
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PROMINENT PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN.
over 500 votes ahead of his ticket, receiving a majority of 700 votes, demonstrating at once his immense popularity. During his term of office he formed a partnership with Hon Rufus B. Smith. While yet a student in the University, September 25, 1874, Mr. Rogers married Miss Martha E. Snow, a University student, and three charming daughters have been given them, namely: Martha May; Alma Grace (married to Clark M. Putnam, who have one daughter, Grace Mildred, born No- vember 13, 1899), and Agnes Maude.
In 1883, at the urgent solicitation of his friends, he allowed his name to be placed on the ticket as a candidate for Alderman of the Sec- ond Ward of Madison, and was elected and chosen President of the Common Council and a member of the Board of Education, which posi- tion he filled acceptably for two years. In 1885, under President Cleve- land's administration, he was appointed Assistant United States Dis- trict Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, in which position he served with great credit to himself and entire satisfaction to the De- partment of Justice for four years. In the spring of 1891 Mr. Rogers was elected Mayor of Madison by a majority of 785, and after his inaug- uration he proceeded to put in operation a plan for the improvement of the streets of the city, which at that time were in an almost impassable condition; and today Madison owes its beautiful, well-macadamized streets to the energy, skill and executive ability and good management of Mr. Rogers. Sopopular had he become with the citizens. he was renominated by his party at the close of his first term as Mayor, and the Republicans in convention the same evening placed him at the head of their ticket, an honor never before or since conferred upon any candidate for that office in Madison. He proceeded from one step of improvement to another, always aiming at the greatest perfection possible. To Mr. Rogers' en- ergy and interest in the public weal the city today is indebted for its electric car lines and many other municipal improvements. Such was Mr. Rogers' zeal in the interest of his city, many of his friends have styled him the "Boss Shepherd " of Madison.
In 1893 Mr. Rogers formed a law partnership with Frank Hall, Esq., under the firm name of Rogers and Hall, and in May Congressman A. R. Bushnell was taken into the firm under the firm name of Bushnell, Rogers and Hall. Later this firm dissolved, and after a time, in 1897, he formed a partnership with Colonel George W. Bird and Son, under the firm name of Bird, Rogers and Bird, which is today one of the strongest legal firms in the Capital city.
Mr. Rogers is, and always has been, a friend of the laboring man, and is especially strong among that class, as well as the farmers, and still continues his interest in agriculture both in Wisconsin and No- braska, and in the latter state is the owner of a large and well-stocked farm. It was while on a tour of inspection of his farm in Nebraska some nine years ago that he met and became acquainted with William Jennings Bryan. A warm friendship at once sprung up between them, and as the years rolled by this became stronger. This fact made him the original Bryan man in Wisconsin.
In 1896 the leading Democratic papers of Wisconsin and Chicago strongly advocated his candidacy for Governor, but in order to cement
WILLIAM HENRY ROGERS.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
the different factions, he withdrew his name at the convention, and in a ringing address nominated Judge W. C. Silverthorn of Wausau. His friends then insisted upon his accepting the nomination for Congress from the Second District, but that being the year of the great Repub- lican "land slide," Mr. Rogers, as was every other Democratic candi- date, was defeated. In 1898 his friend and partner, Colonel George W. Bird, presented his name to the Democratic State Convention in Milwau- kee as a candidate for Governor, but not having had the time to make a close canvass, and being bitterly fought by the gold element of his party, he failed in securing the nomination. But those who know him freely assert that there is yet in store for him political honors, even greater than he has sought.
Mr. Rogers is one of the leaders, if not the leader, of the Silver Democrats in this state, and is recognized as Colonel William J. Bryan's "right bower " in Wisconsin politics.
As a public speaker Mr. Rogers is forcible, earnest and convincing, talking straight to the hearts of his audiences, and with all is personally popular with all classes.
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PROMINENT PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN.
THE KUSELS.
THE men who try for the highest results generally reach a point far in advance of that from which they started; and should they fall short of the end proposed, the effort cannot fail to prove very beneficial; and integrity in word and deed is the sure corner- stone of all business transactions. Our subjects are men of this char- acter, and their success has been the legitimate and logical result of the means they seduously employed to secure it. They have risen, step by step, slowly, but surely, to that eminence and distinction in business which ever follows a career of industry, honorably and energetically pur- sued.
DANIEL KUSEL, SR.
Daniel Kusel, Sr., was born in Mecklenberg, Germany, August 30, 1811, where in the earlier years of his life he was a manufacturer of tin and brass goods, but owing to the war in that country in 1848 he emi- grated to the United States of America with his family in April, 1849, locating at Watertown, Wisconsin, June 22, 1849, over fifty years ago. He soon opened a tin shop and hardware store on the present site of the store of the D. and F. Kusel Company, now one among the largest hardware establishments in the Northwest, and whose name is a household word for many miles around. Daniel Kusel, Sr., with the aid of his two oldest sons, Daniel H. and Fred., conducted the business until 1864, when the sons took the active management, and at once set out to enlarge the business under the firm name of D. and F. Kusel, which was incorporated in 1897 as the D. and F. Kusel Company with a capital stock of $50,000, and organized with D. H. Kusel as Presi- dent and Treasurer, Fred. Kusel Vice-President and Louis Kusel Sec- retary. The founder of this mammoth business is still living, and though in his 90th year is still hale and hearty and a familiar figure on the streets of Watertown.
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