USA > Wisconsin > Biographical sketches of old settlers and prominent people of Wisconsin > Part 12
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Michael Anselm Jacobs was married November 24, 1884. at St. Kilian, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, to Miss Theresa Mary, daughter of John Michael and Elizabeth (Galles) Flasch, of Ashford, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, who was born January 23, 1859. The result of this marriage is seven children, six boys and one girl, namely: Peter Ray- mond, born August 25, 1885; Albert Ferdinand, born January 24, 1888; Frank Michael, born April 8, 1890; Edward Henry, born January, 22, 1892; Agnes Mary, born August 20, 1893; Michael John, born Febru- ary 28, 1897, and Raymond, born February 1, 1899.
M A. Jacobs is a shining example of the fact that meritorious works are the result of time, close application, punctuality and labor, and that important things cannot be accomplished by inattention or mere wish-" Labor conquers all things."
JOSEPH H. WINTERLING.
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JOSEPH HENRY WINTERLING.
ITH a firm determination to accomplish something, obstacles or no obstacles, with a firm determination to make a way, if no way was open, and with the fundamental rule of his life toalways do his best, Joseph Henry Winterling, who was born in Bavaria, Europe, June 18, 1846, began life. He is the son of John Nickolas and Catherine (Schadell) Winterling, who were born in Bavaria and emi grated to America in 1848, when Joseph was two years old, settling on a farm in Section 5, of the town of Jefferson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
Joseph Henry Winterling lived with his parents on the farm until he was 30 years of age, when he was united in marriage June 1, 1870, to Sarah Jane Austin, daughter of Caspar Austin, one of the early settlers of the town of Medina, Dane County, Misconsin. She was born March 18, 1849. One son, Bert Austin, was born to them, July 29, 1881, who is now a student at the High School in Jefferson.
Mr. interli ng has a beautiful farm of one hundred and twenty acres, about two miles west of the center of the City of Jefferson, which is known as the "Spring Valley Farm," on which he makes his home, and from which he can see the city, and lying on the banks of the Crawfish river. The land is rich bottom land, which he has by a thor- ough system of drainage brought to a high state of productiveness.
Mr. Winterling is a lover of fine stock, of which he has some fine specimens. He gives his attention, however, principally to the dairy business.
One thing we should mention is the fine flowing well at the road- side, where he has built a large trough for public use, which is always full of clear, cold water, thus showing his love for the dumb animals.
Perhaps the best way to judge a man's character is to visit the neighborhood where he has spent the most of his life, and thus get a true estimate of his reputation and standing. This the writer did, and bears witness to the universal expression of confidence reposed in our subject as a gentleman of integrity and honor, and whose word in all business transactions is as good as a bond.
Mr. Winterling is a "hail fellow well met," and numbers as many warm personal friends as any citizen of Jefferson County; and perhaps there is no man in that or the adjoining counties who is better known, especially among those who annually visit the Jefferson County fair, of which Mr. Winterling has been Marshal for many years.
Familiarly known as "Joe," he is a man who is always ready to re- lieve distress, or do a favor for a friend, and to co-operate in theadvance- mentof the common weal, and ever ready togive a hearty hand-claspand a cheering word.
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JOSEPH DORR CLAPP.
HAT is not the most successful life in which a man gets the most pleasure, the most money, the most power; but that in which a man secures the most manhood, and performs the greatest of use- ful work and human duty.
As an example of a high-minded business man, trained in upright habits of business, and known among men for his justice, truthfulness and honesty of dealing in all things, the career of Joseph Dorr Clapp may be briefly referred to.
Joseph Dorr Clapp was born in Westminister, Vermont, December 31, 1811. He was the son of Caleb and Nancy Dorr Clapp, originally of Boston, Massachusetts.
The Clapp family was one of the prominent families in Vermont, and identified closely with the history of that state. Mr. Clapp's father, was born May 9, 1764 and married Nancy Door, April 8, 1793, she was born May 31, 1770, and died in Wisconsin, September 17, 1840. They had six children, namely: Ann, born September 18, 1795, married Cyprian Stevens September 28, 1817, who died at Detroit, Michigan, July 21, 1830, and his wife died in Madison, Wisconsin, November 20, 1864; Susan Dorr, born March 18, 1797, married Joseph Willard, who died in the 54th year of his age. She died in Charleston, N. H., January 12, 1890. They were the parents of the somewhat noted Willard family of Washington, D. C .; Mark Richards, born March 3, 1803, married Olivia Holton, who died May 9, 1888, he died April 23, 1891; Frances E., born August 22, 1809, married Judge N. F. Hyer, and died in Fort At- kinson, Wisconsin, December 3, 1888; Joseph Door, our subject, and Sarah B., born March 22, 1814, married Levi P. Drake, who was born September 17, 1812. He was a very competent and successful surveyor, and laid out many of the roads in Southern Wisconsin in an early day. Mr. Drake died in Denver, Colorado, March 4, 1893, and his wife died in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, November 12, 1896.
Joseph Dorr Clapp's father having died in Westminster, Vermont, he came with other members of his family to Wisconsin in 1839, locating at Milford, Jefferson County. In company with his brother, Mark Rich- ards, he bought 800 acres of government land and followed farming un- til 1857, when he purchased, and removed to his present residence in Fort Atkinson. He was married in the year 1841 to Zida Ann May, who died February 14, 1868. They had an adopted daughter, Ida May Clapp. who is now the wife of E. D. Scott of Chicago.
Mr. Clapp was married the second time to Mrs. Samaria C. Weld. widow of the late Dr. Weld of Terre Haute, Indiana. She had two chil- dren, Dr. W. H. Weld of Milwaukee, and Nellie C. Weld, now the wife of Norman M. Hopkins of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.
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JOSEPH DORR CLAPP.
MRS. J. D. CLAPP.
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SCHUYLER HYER, [DECEASED. ]
O history of Wisconsin would be complete without mention of the Hyer family, who were among the earliest white people to invade the territory. Walter Hyer, (grandfather of Schuyler Hyer), was a native of Connecticut, and was living there when the father of our subject, David Roscoe Hyer, was born, November 7, 1774. He after- wards moved to Vermont, and settled in Putney, Windham County. Here, 1796, he married Miss Sally Smith of that place, who was born August 9, 1797, and died in Deerfield, Dane County, Wisconsin, July 8, 1851. They resided there about four years, when Mr. Hyer decided to engage in the fur trade in Southern Canada and Western New York. In order to have his family nearer his business, he moved with them to St. Lawrence County, New York, where he built the first frame house where now stands the city of Ogdensburg. His family remained there some seven years, he following his business of trading with the Indians.
In the year 1801 he traveled as far west as Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he remained some time buying furs of the Indians.
It was very interesting to his friends to hear him relate anecdotes and experiences while living and dealing with the wild men of the for- est. During the time of his residence there he filled the office of Indian Agent in that county. He then moved with his family back to Vermont, and in 1820 again moved to the state of New York, settling in the town of Wilney, where he spent the remainder of his life working at his trade of carpenter and joiner and cabinetmaker. He died there Sep- tember 24, 1835.
His family consisted of eight children, namely: Walter S., born Octo- ber 30, 1797, who married Miss Patience Dwinnells, and had four children namely: Hiram, Charles, Louisa and Elma. He came to Wisconsin in 1839, settling in Milford on a farm, and worked at farming and carpenter business, and died there February 7, 1844; Schuler, our subject; Apolonia, born March 16, 1801, married Lewis Becker, lived and died in Wilna, New York; Laura, born May 25, 1803, married Thomas Bray- ton March 9, 1829. She died March 21, 1843. He was born December 12, 1790, and died December 19, 1853; Nathaniel Fisher, born March 2, 1807, in Arlington, Bennington County, Vermont. He learned land sur- veying, and took a course in law and was admitted to the bar. He came to Wisconsin and located in Milwaukee, May 5, 1836, and was soon em- ployed as magistrate and in surveying out roads, etc. During his res- idence in Milwaukee he was appointed to fill the office of Probate Judge, being the firstman to fill that office in Milwaukee. About the year 1837, he, in company with his nephew, James Brayton, started west, following an Indian trail about fifty miles, where they found some curious ancient
SCHUYLER HYER.
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mounds. which. upon investigation. led them to believe that they were the work of the Aztecs, a long-forgotten race. Concluding that it was the proper place for a town site, they then and there named it Aztalan, and proceeded to build a house, which was among the first frame build- ings in that vicinity. He was married to Frances Elizabeth Clapp, who was born August 22, 1809, in Westminster, Vermont. Owing to poor health, and being advised by his physician to seek a warmer climate, about 1850 he went to St. Louis, and later to New Orleans, where he was engaged in topographical engineering, being on General Banks' staff. About 1877, feeling that age was creeping on him. he returned to Wis- consin and settled in Fort Atkinson. Wisconsin, where passed the re- mainder of his days. dying September 12; 1886. He was one of the framers of the Constitution of Wisconsin. His wife died in Fort Atkinson Decem- ber 3. 1888: Esther, born April 6, 1810. married Burick Ingraham. in Antwerp. New York; David R., born July 12, 1812. in Bennington. Ver- mont. and was married three times, first to Sarah Hawkins, about 1837. She died in Wisconsin in 1839. He then married Maria Campbell of Milford. Wisconsin, and three children were the result of this union. David, Frederick and Walter. She died about 1850, and he married for his third wife Miss Eliza Hyer, of Aztalan, by whom he had one son, Walter. He came to Wisconsin in 1839, settling first in Aztalan and later in Deerfield, Dane County, where he built a house on the stage line from Milwaukee to Madison. where he kept a station. In 1862 he moved to Springfield (Hyer's Corners, P. O.), Dane County, where he farmed and kept hotel and postoffice for about thirty years. In 1891, he sold out and purchased a farm near King's Corners, Sauk County. Wisconsin. where he resided until he died, January 22, 1897, at the age of 84 years. 6 months and 10 days. His widow and son Walter still live on the farm: Lucy Sabin, born September 26. 1815. married Lewis Foster of Antwerp, New York. June 12. 1836. They came to Wisconsin and settled in Aztalan in 1839. Later he moved to Madison, Wisconsin. He was elected to the Assembly one term. They had two children. Elma and Frances. He died October 9. 1891. and his wife died September 17, 1871. He was known as "Squire" Foster, as he had been a Justice of the Peace for many years.
Schuyler Hver, the subject of this sketch, was born in Putney. Windham County. Vermont. September 10. 1799, and lived with his parents until he was 21 years of age, when he moved with them to Wilney. New York, in 1820, where, August 17, 1823. he was married to Miss Emily Brayton, who was born in Martinsburg, New York. April 25. 1804. She traces her ancestry back to Francis Brayton of Rhode Island, who was born in 1612. She was the youngest daughter of Asa Brayton. Esq., and Sally (Carr) Brayton of St. Lawrence County. Now York. Her father was a native of Connecticut, but spent the most of his life in New York. following his profession of Civil Engineer, and with his son contracted for and built several miles of the Erie Canal. Her father kept toll-gate on what was then known as the Russel turnpike, and she well remembered the soldiers of the war of 1812 passing through their toll-gate. When she was 18 years of age her father, to whom she was greatly attached. died. Through mismanage-
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ment of the estate she and her mother were left with limited means, and then it was that she, under the influence of a loving mother. learned lessons of economy and patience which developed her kind and sympa- thetic nature.
Schuyler and Emily Hyer had five children, four sons and one daughter born to them, namely: Nelson Carr, born August 8. 1825. married Sarah Jane Berzee, who died August 15, 1874, they had five children, Mary Saloma, born September 10, 1855, died February 16, 1872; Ella Marie, born March 4, 1858; Homer Nelson, born June 10. 1860; Horace Henry, born April 9, 1865: Emily Jane. born April 15, 1874. died in 1874. When the Civil War began Nelson was living in the Village of Portland, Dodge County, Wisconsin, and enlisted September 12. 1861, in Company C, Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was in sev- eral battles, and at the siege of Vicksburg. May 22. 1863, he was shot in the breast, which caused his discharge in 1864. He moved to the state of Missouri in 1879. settling in Kansas City, where he worked at his trade, carpenter and joiner, for several years. September 28. 1886. he married Miss Julia Ann Chaney, of that city. Later he moved to Mound City, Missouri, and finally settled at Napier. Holt County. Missouri. where he died February 14, 1899, and was buried at Mound City in the Soldiers' Cemetery: William Rozell. born May 18. 1827. died October 28, 1846. aged 19 years. 5 months and 10 days: James Brayton. born September 9, 1830, died October 16, 1846. aged 16 years. 1 month and 7 days; Sarah Augusta, born October 17. 1840, married December 25. 1860, to Andrew C. Muzzy, who was born May 21. 1838, she died very suddenly December 2, 1875. in Medina. Wisconsin, leaving three child- ren, Albert Nelson. born September 14. 1862. Willie Herbert. born November 19, 1870. and Herman Henry, born November 29. 1875: Henry Harrison, born in Aztalan September 11. 1843. who, being the youngest in the family. remained at home with his parents. In their advanced vears the full control of the farm and their affairs devolved upon him. He was married October 25, 1887. to Miss Lizzie Frances Hyer, who was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. October 9. 1862. She was the adopted daughter of Judge N. F. and Frances E. Hyer. Two children were born to them. namely: Emily Frances, born August 13. 1888. and James Dorr. born August 6, 1889. both born on the old homestead in the town of Medina. in Section 14. Desiring to give his children the advan- tages of better school facilities, he rented his farm and built a home in the Village of Waterloo, to which, in the summer of 1896. he moved with his family, consisting of his wife and children and his aged father. Henry studied land surveying when a boy, and is now following that profes- sion.
Schuyler Hver. after his marriage, lived in New York State about eighteen years. He worked at his trade as carpenter and joiner, but hearing flattering accounts of the West from his brothers and friends who had emigrated some two years previons, he resolved to try his fortune in the then Territory of Wisconsin. So in 1841. bidding farewell to their friends and relatives, he with his wife and family of four children started over the lakes to Milwaukee. They found Milwaukee to be a small village. surrounded by rough and barren hills: and with a sick child, and their
MRS. SCHUYLER HYER.
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money nearly gone, they felt quite discouraged. But Schuyler Hyer was not the kind of a man to allow discouragements to overcome him. He succeeded in engaging a man with a yoke of oxen to take them and their few effects to Aztalan, which, after fording bridgeless streams and encountering bad roads and inclement weather, they finally reached after several days of travel. Without money, and being some in debt, they with strong hearts and determined wills set about to make them- selves a home. In doing so they encountered many obstacles and suffered privations, going without many of the comforts of life, but they struggled on. After two years' residence in Aztalan their son, Henry H., was born. As soon as Mrs. Hyer's health would permit, she being sick for nearly a year, they moved to the Village of Lake Mills, and from there to the town of Waterloo in 1844, where Mr. Hyer purchased 40 acres of land, which he afterward sold to Asa Favil, and entered from the government the place now occupied by Mr. Fink, about one mile east of the Village of Portland, Dodge County. It was while living there that they were called to mourn the death of two of their sons, William R. and James B., who died within two weeks of each other. Disposing of that farm, Mr. Hyer moved into the Village of Portland, where he remained until 1854, when he exchanged his prop- erty in Portland for a farm in the town of Medina, Dane County, which he put under the management of his son Henry, and where they lived for forty-two years, and where his wife died, December 9, 1893, after a few weeks illness, from grip, which developed into pneumonia. She was 89 years, 8 months and 14 days old.
The Waterloo (Wis.) Journal, in an obituary notice of Mrs. Hyer, says: "Mrs. Emily Hyer always bore her trials and troubles with for- titude and patience, and was ever ready to do a kind act and give a kind word to those in trouble. She was a great reader and took a deep in- terest in temperance reform, and by her precepts and example all through her long life will she be long remembered by those who knew her best. Although she was quite feeble and out of health for some time, she was confined to her bed but one week. She retained her mind and memory to the last, manifesting a perfect willingness to submit to the will of Divine Providence. In her last hours she called her family to her bedside, and kissing them good-by, with blessings on her lips, she peacefully passed from earth to that better land."
Schuyler Hyer died at the home of his son in Waterlo, December 27, 1896, at the ripe age of 97 years, 3 months and 17 days. He had always been a hardworking, industrious man, one who always had a due re- spect for his word, which was considered as good as a bond. He was thoroughly respected by all who knew him. Until the birth of the Re- publican party he was an old-line Whig, but after that was always a staunch Republican, although he never cared to enter the arena of poli- tics, notwithstanding he held several local offices.
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CAPTAIN GEORGE HYER BRAYTON. [DECEASED. ]
HE ancestry of our subject can be traced back in direct line for some five generations, to one Francis Brayton, who was born in Ports- mouth, Rhode Island, in 1612, and died in 1692. The grandfather of our subject was Thomas Brayton, who was born November 1, 1767, who was the son of Gideon Brayton. Thomas Brayton was married twice, first to Hannah Colgrove, by whom he had three children, namely: Thomas B., father of our subject, Jeremiah and William. He married for his second wife Mrs. Ruby Bingham, by whom he had three chil- dren, Johnson A., Charles D. and Mary A.
Captain George Hyer Brayton was the son of Thomas Brayton who was born December 12, 1790, who was twice married, first to Lora Pellet, March 3, 1813, who died May 5, 1828, by whom he had three children, namely: Alfred Augustus, James Colgrove and Lucy Ann. He was then married to Miss Laura Hyer, who was born May 25, 1803, and died March 21, 1843. They were married March 9, 1829, in the state of New York, and had six children, namely: Annette Apolonia, born June 30, 1830, married January 6, 1853, to Edmund Beatty, who was born April 25, 1827, and now reside in Mantorville, Minnesota, and three children were born to them, namely: Frank Edmund, born November 26, 1853, and is now First Lieutenant United States navy and was in the battle of Manilla, he was married April 29, 1891, to Annie M. Peachy in Washing- ton, D. C., where he makes his home. They have two children, Emma Appleton, born March 23, 1892, and Frank Edward, born June 17, 1894; Elma Estella, born August 20, 1857, married January 21, 1879, to Edward Gibbs Edgerton, and reside in Yankton, South Dakota, and have four children, Jessie Kasson, born December 26, 1882, Frank Beatty, born March 16, 1885, died May 14, 1894; Lulu, born April 27, 1887; Ruth Curtis, born June 3, 1893; Lulu Brayton, born March 12, 1864; Mary Estelle, born August 26, 1833, died January 5, 1834; Sarah Esther, born February 9, 1839, died April 2, 1839; George Hyer (our subject); Thomas Milo (twin); born march 21, 1843, died May 22, 1866, from disease contracted in the army, was First Lieutenant Com- pany G, Forty-seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry; Laura Hyer (twin), born March 21, 1843, died September 17, 1843.
Captain George Hyer Brayton was born August 17, 1840. After the death of his father in 1853, lived in the family of his half-brother, Alfred A. He was a young man of great promise, conscientious, and of clear and quick perception. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he was very active in raising recruits, and one of the first to enlist. His addressat a public meet- ing at that time is still extant, and shows great talent as well as patriot- ism. He was made First Sergeant of Company B, Seventh Wisconsin
CAPT. GEORGE HYER BRAYTON.
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Volunteer Infantry, one of the Regiments of the famous Iron Brigade at the time of its organization, and was promoted to Captain. He was killed in a skirmish at Gainesville, Virginia, August 28, 1862, about four months after his promotion. A Post of the Grand Army of the Re- public of Wisconsin, at Fall River, Wisconsin, is named in his honor. He was unmarried.
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BURICK INGRAHAM.
URICK INGRAHAM was born in Denmark, Lewis County, New York, August 25, 1808, and is the son of - Ingraham, who was born in Rhode Island, and Sally (Chapman) Ingraham. He came to Wisconsin in 1839, settling at Aztalan, and after sev- eral years' residence there, he removed to Deerfield, Wisconsin, where he lived for a number of years, when about 1880 he went to Lake Mills, Wisconsin, where he remained until the summer of 1899 when he moved to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and late that fall moved with his daughter to Minnesota where he now resides. During his young manhood he drove stage on the line from Milwaukee to Madison, and afterwards be- came a farmer. He was twice married, first to Miss Esther Hyer, who was born April 6, 1810 and who died about 1850, and there were four children born to them, namely: Laura, who married Noah Kaiser, and died in Madison, Wisconsin; Sarah E., born July 13, 1845, who married Joseph Kaiser and had four children; Henry, married and lives in Colo- rado, and Cynthia, deceased. About 1855 he married Maria Adsit, who was born March 8, 1816, at Stillwater, Saratoga County, New York, and by her had one child who died in infancy.
Mr. Ingraham comes from good old English stock, and his ancestors are reported to have had great wealth, and it is claimed that today a very large legacy, amounting to many millions is tied up in the City of Leeds, England, to which our subject is one of the direct heirs.
Burick Ingraham, though past his 91st year, is still active for one of his advanced age. A remarkable incident in his life is the fact that he never indulged in the use of intoxicating liquors, or used tobacco in any form. His memory, until quite recently was phenomenal, and often a wonder to his friends. He has always been a good citizen, indus- trious, honest and truthful, and the world will certainly be better for his having lived in it, and his example is one worthy of emulation.
[FOR PORTRAIT see page 249.]
JUDGE JAMES J. DICK.
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HON. JAMES J. DICK.
HOROUGHNESS and accuracy, decision and promptitude were principles which were adopted in early youth by our subject, and to these principles, carefully nurtured, he is largely in- debted for his present high standing among the successful men of Wisconsin.
James J. Dick was born in Westfield, Chautauqua County, New York, September 6, 1836, and through his veins courses the sturdy, honest Scotch blood, for in the land of "thistles" was James Dick, his grandfather born, and lived until eighteen years of age, when he sought a home in America. He settled in Vermont where he married, and among his children was James Dick, the father of our subject, who was born in Vermont, and where, while yet in his boyhood, he learned a trade, then moving to Western New York he married Miss Mahala Rogers, who was born in Pennsylvania, but was of Holland descent, and he fonnd in her an affectionate and faithful wife, and a true help- mate. In the spring of 1856, he, with his family moved to Wisconsin, settling at Westfield, Marquette County, where he was one of the first manufacturers of boots and shoes, and where he spent a busy life until . his death, April 30, 1893, at the advanced age of 80 years.
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