History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 101

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298

USA > Wisconsin > Richland County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 101
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 101

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

William Mindham was born in Norfolk, England, Sept. 9, 1831. When seventeen years of age he started out in life for himself, and emigrated to the United States, landing at New York. He went west to Chicago, and from there to Cottage Hills, fifteen miles out of the city of Chicago, entering the employ of the Chicago & Galena railroad, then owning less than five miles of traek. He lived there five years, then went to Geneva, where, April 15, 1854, he married Martha Ward. She was born in Birmingham, England, and came to America in 1848, living in New York up to the time of her marriage. In 1857 he left the employ of the railroad and came to Crawford . county, staying one year with his father, Benja- min Mindham, who had settled in 1855 on sec- tion 29, Clayton town. In 1858 Mr. Mindham bought land on section 50, Scott town, where he now owns and occupies 200 acres, having a fine farm with valuable improvements. In 1862 he enlisted in company B, 33d Wisconsin Volun- teers. He was absent from but one engage- ment in which his regiment took part, being a non-commissioned officer when mustered out of service.

Ethan A. Bowen was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, March 22, 1822. When twenty-one years of age he married Sarah Wannamaker. In 1843 Mr. Bowen moved to Grant Co., Wis., where he purchased a farm of 100 acres, and was for several years engaged in farming and running a breaking team, turning over soil for new set- tlers. In 1857 he moved to Marietta, Crawford county, and in 1859 to Scott town, where he purchased 200 acres of land on section 36. When the war broke out he enlisted, and with the exception of service spent in the army, he has since made this his home. He has been a useful man in the community. He has served twenty years as justice, much of the time on the district school board, and as a member of the board of supervisors.

Alfred A. Rogers was born in 1822, in Trum- bull Co., Ohio. When twenty-two years of age he married Mary A. Newcom, and the same year, 1845, with his young bride, came west, stopping at Exeter, Green Co., Wis., where he engaged in farming four or five years, then go- ing to Blue Mounds, he followed lead-mining eighteen or twenty months. He then moved to Wingville, Grant Co, where he followed lead- mining till 1857, then came to Crawford county, living the first two years in Georgetown, Mari- etta town. In 1859 he came to Scott, and bought land the following year on section 36, in what is now called Hoover Valley, being one of the first settlers in the valley, and where, except during the time of his service in the army, from Aug. 15, 1862, to the mustering out of his regiment, he has lived. He was a good soldier in company B, S3d Wisconsin Volun- teers. Ile has always been an honorable, industrious and esteemed citizen. During the three years he was in the army, his wife man aged the farm prudently. They have had four children, two of whom are living-Libbie B., wife of William Wilt, of Scott; Eva M., wife of William Lawrence, of Scott.

William B. Walton was born in Birmingham, England, in 1826. In 1856, he emigrated to the

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United States, coming directly to Madison, Wis., being there employed by P. McCabe, city surveyor, on the city survey. Ile was after- wards employed by D. W. Jones, secretary of State, in the platting of the State school lands. Mr. Walton was married in Worcestershire, England, June 19, 1851, to Sarah J. daughter of William and Jane Butler, who came to this country in 1854, and made a home in Haverhill, · Mass., where Mrs. Butler still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Walton have had seven children, six of whom are living-Eleanor Jane, Caroline Lou- isa, William F., Maria E., Francis E., Alice E. and Joseph E. William F. was accidentally drowned in the Wisconsin river, while bathing, June 18, 1882. In the fall of 1859, Mr. Walton came from Madison, to Scott town, Crawford county, purchasing 160 acres of school land on section 5, which he has improved, and upon which he now resides. Coming into the town the year that gave organization to Scott, as it now is, Mr. Walton has watched the growth and progress of the town with a great deal of interest, and has had no small part in the labor of this work. He was commissioned by Gov. Bashford, notary publie, and is at present court commissioner and town clerk. Ile has also held the offices of county surveyor and deputy clerk of court.

Jacob Graham resides on section 22. He was born in Mercer Co., Penn., Feb. 8, 1819. Ile was married in 1845, to Margaret Moreland, and emigrated to Illinois in 1846. Ile there resided four years and then came to Lafayette Co., Wis., and lived there three years; thence to Iowa, Co., Wis., and in 1860, he came to the town of Scott, purchasing eighty acres of land, which he has improved, and since occupied. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have had eight children -Martha P., William, Mary Ann, Maria, de- ceased; James, Robert, Adam, and John. Four of these children are living, and four deceased.

Theodore F. Pickett, son of William Pickett was born in Vevay, Switzerland Co., Ind., in 1848. When seven years of age, his parents

moved to Stephenson Co., Ill., where they lived until 1859. They then moved to Grant Co., Wis., and from there to Crawford county. They resided for one year at Prairie du Chien, then, in 1860, came to town of Scott, settling on section 22. Mr. Pickett was married Oct. 2, 1870, to Arvilla, daughter of Leander Blakes- lee, and now resides with his mother-in-law on the Blakeslee homestead, on section 16. Mr. and Mrs. Pickett have had five children, four of whom are living-Annie V,. Nettie L., Jesse S. and Pearl P. Cora was born March 1, 1872, and died the same month. Mrs. Pickett's father, Leander S. Blakeslee, was born in Bristol; Conn., in 1810. Ile was brought up to the clock-maker's trade, at which he worked the greater portion of his life. Ile came to Scott town in 1865, purchasing 120 acres of land on section 16, which he improved, making it his home until his death in 1880.

L. II. McCullick was born in Wells Co., Ind., in 1813. In 1859 his father, John McCullick, moved with his family to Haney town, Craw- ford county, purchasing 300 acres of land in Scott, Haney and Utica towns. He settled on the Utica purchase, remaining there until his death in October, 1875. His mother, Lavina McCul- lick, died in December, 1861. Mr. McCulliek married in February, 1863, Eliza J. Coleman. They have had four children, three of whom are living-Lavina, wife of J. W. Spencer ; Laura and John. Emmett died Feb. 5, 1877. After his marriage Mr. McCullick lived in Haney town about twenty months. He then moved to his present residence on section 6, Scott town, on lands which he purchased of his father. He is at present a member of the town board of supervisors.

William Wilt was born in Mercer Co., Penn., in 1840. Hle came to the town of Scott in 1864, and for several years made his home with Jacob Graham (though not engaged in his employ), with the exception of one year at Prairie du Chien. In 1865 he bought eighty acres of land on section 23. In 1871 he bought an adjoining

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

eighty acres, and these two tracts constitute his landed possessions. He commenced to purchase a farm before his marriage, which event occurred Dee 25, 1871. His wife was Libby, daughter of Alfred A. Rogers. They have had six chil- dren, four living-Mary, born Oct. 13, 1872; Bolser G., born Jan. 25, 1865 ; Alfred, born Oct. 27, 1879, and Charles, born Feb. 21, 1882. The deceased children are : Katie, born in Novem- ber, 1876, and died in July, 1878, and an infant that died in September, 1878. Mr. Wilt has served as deputy sheriff four years, and in 1883 was town assessor. Ile is one of the prominent young farmers of the town of Scott.

Richard B. Laurence was born in 1826, near Ilavre de Grace, Md., and went with his parents to Lancaster Co., Penn. When six years of age he accompanied his parents to Mereer Co., Penn. In 1850 the family moved to St. Clair Co., Ill., and Richard returned to Pennsylvania in 185z. That same year he married, in Law- rence county, Betsy Grim. In 1855 he went to Iowa, thence to Illinois, thence to Louisiana, and returned to Pennsylvania in 1856. In 1865 he came to Scott town, purchasing land on sec- tion 23, where he has since remained. Mr. and Mrs. Laurence have four children-Bolser G., born in 1853 ; William F., born in 1855 ; Mary Ann, born in 1858, and Adam, born in 1862. Bolser G. resides on section 14, this town; William F. is living on section 36, town of Scott; Mary Ann is the wife of William E. Vanhorn, residing on section 22, town of Scott, and Adam resides at home. Mr. Laurence served two terms as chairman of the town board of supervisors, and one term each as justice of the peace, constable and deputy sheriff.

J. W. MeDougal came to the town of Scott, after his discharge from the army in 1865, pur- chasing eighty acres of land on section 24, and living there two years, He then sold, and moved to Richland county, and in 1868 he re- moved to Iowa Co., lowa. He remained there five years, and in 1873 returned to Scott town, purchasing the southeast quarter of section 13,

where he now resides. Mr. McDougal was born in Johnstown, Fulton Co., N. Y, in 1826. When thirteen years of age he removed with his parents to Cayuga county. In 1851 he was married to Ann Westfall, by whom he had four children-Darwin, Orin, Ida and Fanny. Mr. McDougal suffered the loss of his wife, and in 1866 be married his present wife, by whom he has had three children-Helen O., aged fifteen; William, age thirteen, and Freddie, aged five years. Mr. McDougal is a live and energetic man, prominent in local affairs, and always ready for duty.

John Miller's residence is on section 9. Ile was born in Monroe Co., Ohio, in 1820. The year he attained his majority (1841), he was married, in Washington Co., Ohio, to Elizabeth Keene. In 1865 Mr. Miller and family came to Crawford county, and located in this town. They have had nine children, five living, and they are here given in the order of their birth and death : Benjamin, born June 12, 1842; Mary Ann, born May 25, 1880, and died in Kansas, in 1880; Amanda, born December 1, 1844, and died July 12, 1870; Margaret, born in November, 1846; Susanna, born in October, 1849, and died in 1855; James Madison, born in November, 1853; Henry, born in March, 1856, and died in 1860 ; Francis Marion, born in October, 1860, and Precious, born in January, 1862. Mr. Mil- ler has been a great sufferer, and has withstood more hard fortune than the average man would feel able to stand under. Still, by good and prudent management, industry and energy, he is in comfortable circumstances In 1868, after being confined to his bed for twenty months, he suffered amputation of his right leg, being nec- essary on account of white swelling. This sickness and trouble cost Mr. Miller about one half of his farm, which he afterward bought back, and it is now in the family, owned by his son, James M.

David Burkholder was born in 1843, in War- saw, Coshocton Co., Ohio. In 1854 his father moved his family to Grant county, settling in

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Harrison town, where he still lives. In 1861, at the age of eighteen, David enlisted in com- pany I, 10th Wisconsin Volunteers, serving till June, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability. Regaining his health, he re-en- listed, in January, 1864, in company C, 7th Wis- consin Volunteers (Iron Brigade) and served till the elose of the war; has been suffering physically from war service ever since. After the war he returned to Grant county, and the same year, in November, 1865, he married Delia L. Blakeslee The winter following, in Feb- ruary, 1866, they came to Scott, where his wife's father, Leander Blakeslee, had proceded them a few months. Living with his father-in-law, about a year, in June, 1867, he settled on some land bought on section 21, where he still lives. They have two children-Amber R., born May 23, 1867, and Edgar E., born May 2, 1871.

George W. Churchill was born in Marysville, Union, Co., Ohio, in 1839. When ten years of age he moved with his parents to Wabash Co, Ind., and in 1858 to Kickapoo town, Vernon Co., Wis., where, in 1863 hisfather died, his mother dying in 1881. Mr. Churchill enlisted Sept. 7, 1861, in company 1, 12th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Ilis army record we will give in words from a private letter, written by Gen. James K. Proudfit, his old commander, whose watchful eye noted every gallant action. Gen. Proudfit says: "I remember Churchill at the battles of Bald Hill, before Atlanta, the 21st and 22d of July, and at the battle of Ezra Church, July 28. On the 21st we lost 153 men in a suc- cessful bayonet charge, not lasting more than fifteen minutes; on the 22d Gen. McPherson the 'Bayard' of our army, was killed; all ranks did nobly and I delight to do them honor. "I remember at Baker's creek bridge, ou the Sherman raid east from Vicksburg, which we repaired under fire, of both artillery and infantry. Calling for volunteers for this deadly work, Churchill was one of the first to respond, and in the work was a right hand man, in short, through the long service of Churchill up to the

time of receiving at Lovejoy station the wound which disabled him, which I well remember, he was a courageous, energetic and obedient sol- dier, and I am glad to do him honor." The bullet received at Lovejoy station Mr. Churchill still earries near the upper part of his left lung. The battle-flag of the 12th Wisconsin is pre- served at Madison, and the following named battles are inscribed thereon: Lamar, Cold water, Hernando, Vicksburg, Jackson, Baker's creek, Hatchie, Meridan, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickar- jack, Bald Hill, Ezra Church, Jonesboro, Love- joy Station, Atlanta, Savannah, Pacataigo, Sol- kahie, Owensburg, Columbia, Bentonville, and Johnson's surrender. He has been as useful in civil life as in military having been chairman of the town board one term, and for several terms a member of the side board. In 1880 he was enumerator of census in district No. 52. He was for two years an employe of the State Sen- ate. Mr. Churchill married, Feb. 2, 1867, Jen- nie M. Haggerty, from Vernon county. He had four children-Frank B., Thaddeus W., Howard W. and Hurley N. After the war Mr. Churchill purchased 160 acres on sections 16 and 18 which he has occupied since 1867. Ile has bought quite a large amount of land in the meantime. In 1883 he visited Nebraska and purchased land, partly improved, in Clay county. He contem- plates making his home there sometime in the future.

John Pittsley eame to Scott town, Crawford county, in 1869, where he owns 120 acres of land on section 28 and forty aeres on section 29, making his home on the latter section. Mr. Pittsley is a native of Allegliany Co., N. Y., where he lived until twenty-two years of age. He then went to Boone C'o., Ill., remaining there several years and, in 1850, going to Grant Co., Wis., and living on Castle Rock until com- ing to Scott town. Mr. Pittsley married, in 1844, in New York, Adeline Halstead. They have had nine children, five of whom are living -Hannah A., wife of John S. Lindsley, of Ne- braska ; Almeda, wife of Jehiel Day, residing

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

in this town ; Theodore, married and is living in this town; Adell, also married, to Salron Tirk is living in this town; Ervin, living at home ; Mary married Jonathan Watron.

M. W. Rowan was born in county Claire, Ire- land, in 1843. He came to America in 1851, his father having preceded him a short time. He resided in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., until the beginning of the war, when he enlisted in the 49th New York Volunteer Infantry. After two years' service he was discharged on account of sickness. Recovering his health, his patriotism prompted him to enlist in the 90th New York Infantry, in which he served one year. In 1869 he came to Crawford Co., Wis., living the first two years in the town of Ilaney, and since that time in the town of Scott. In 1871 he married Mrs. Mary Fitch, widow of John F. Fitch. They have had two children - Katie M. and James P. Mrs. Rowan is a native of Connecticut, born in New London. She came to this county in 1858, and in 1861 married John F. Fitch. He enlisted in the army during the war, and died in the hos- pital at Atlanta. Mr. and Mrs. Rowan now occupy 120 acres of land on section 15. Mr. Rowan served on the board of supervisors for 1882.

William HInghbanks was born in Scott Co., Ind., in 1828. While quite young his parents removed to Cole Co., Ill , and his father subse- quently went to Mineral Point, Wis., while the country was yet new, living there until about 1863, when he moved to Cassville, where he died in 1873. About this time, the subject of this sketch, with his family, settled in the town of Marietta, Crawford Co., Wis. After selling the purchase he then made he came to the town of Scott, and purchased forty aeres on section 32, where he now resides, and eighty acres on section 31. Ile was married in 1851 to May W. Hugo. They have eight children, all living but one-Franklin, James, William, Munroe, George, Charlie and Walter. Mrs. Hughbanks departed this life in 1873 and in 1874 he mar-

ried his present wife, Mary Ann Wayne. They are the parents of three children-Ettie May, Warren and John. Mr. Hughbanks is one of those men who came in the middle stage of de- velopment of Seott town, but since his arrival has done his share of improving and advancing the interests of the town.

Friend A. Phillips was born in 1833, in Wy oming Co., N. Y. When fifteen years of age he removed with his parents to Alleghany county and resided there until thirty years of age. He then went to Brown Co., Wis., living at De Pere two years, and residing ten years in the county. He was married Sept, 24, 1857, in Belmont, N. Y., to Betsy Maria Burt. She died in Brown Co., Wis., Sept. 3, 1872. By this marriage Mr. Phillips had five children, four of whom are living-Curtis A., George W., Sarah, wife of James Elliott, of McPherson Co., Kan .; Georgiana, who married Thomas Spencer and lives in this town; Byron D. was born in 1871, and died when seventeen months old. Mr. Phillips married Sept. 18, 1873, at Boscobel, Mrs. Charlotte M. Vaneuren, sister of his first wife. They have two children-Sheldon J. and John E. Mr. Phillips has served as constable several times. Mrs. Phillips has one son by her former marriage-William Wallace, born June 2, 1866. He was quite young when his father died, remembers but little about him, and has assumed the name of Phillips.

James Putnam, son of William Putnam, was born in Prince Edward Co., Canada West, in 1841. When two years of age his parents moved to Winnebago Co., Ill., and in 1850 to Iowa. James made his home with his father the most of the time until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the 53d Illi- nois Volunteers, and served until the regiment was mustered out July 28, 1865. He partici- pated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, siege of Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss. In the last battle he was so injured by concussion as to permanently affect his hearing. Veteranizing, he was with the regiment in the Atlanta cam-

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

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paign, the battle of Kenesaw Mountain and others. For gallant and meritorious services at Atlanta he was promoted, on the field, from Ist sergeant to captain of his company. He followed Sherman on his march to the sea, and up to the capitol at Washington, where he was in line at the review of Sherman's grand army in June, 1865. While home on a veteran furlongh, in 1864, he married Dulcia Wheeler, of Green Co., Wis. After the war he went to

Oshkosh, where he lived six years, engaging in his profession, that of engineer. lle .went from there to Brown county, in 1872, employed in the same work, and in 1880 he came to Scott town, bought land on section 29, and engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam have had six children, five of whom are living-Mand E., Thadeus, Josephine, Grace and James. Georgia was drowned at Northport in 1875. Mr. Put- nam is a member of the town board.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXV.

TOWN OF SENECA.

Seneca is bounded on the north by the towns of Freeman and Utica ; on the east, by Utica and Haney ; on the south by the town of East- man. It comprises one whole congressional township 9, of range 5 west, and a part of three other townships, namely : Nine whole sections and cleven parts of sections of township 9, of range 6, west ; six entire sections of township 10, of range 5 west; and of township 10, of range 6 west, two full sections and seven fractional sections ; the latter being made frac- tional by the course of the Mississippi river. The greatest width of the town is on its south line, where it is ten miles from east to west; the least width is about seven miles. The distance from the north to the south line of the town is eight miles.

The surface is much broken, with ravine and abrupt bluffs in many places. The principal ridge passes through the middle of the town, entering on section 31, in town 9, of range 5 west, and leaves from section 3, in the same town, passing in an irregular course, across the town. What is known as the Black river road follows this ridge. There are ridges and ravines extending from this line, east and west, the former terminating in the Kickapoo river, and the latter in the Mississippi river. In the ravines or valleys, the soil consists of a rich, black loam, due largely to the washing of the bluffs, through a long geological period. A clay sub-soil is found, both on the ridges and in the valleys. These valleys are especially adapted to raising Indian corn and vegetables of all kinds, while the ridges are more suitable

for wheat and other grains. In the valleys an abundance of good water is found, but on the ridges some difficulty is experienced in getting water. There are a few fractional sections, consisting of islands, in the northwest part of the town, which are of but little real value owing to their liability to overflow.

The principal stream of the town of Seneca, is Copper creek. The west fork of this creek heads on sections 4 and 5 in town 9, of range 5 west, flows in a southwesterly direction and enters Winneshiek slough. on section 27, in town 10, of range 6 west. The east branch of Copper creek rises on section 33, town 10, range 5 west, and flows in a northwest di- rection, finally intersecting the west fork on section 29, in town 10, of range 5 west.

Hall's branch rises on section 10, town 9, of range 5 west, flows in a southeastern direc- tion, leaving the town from section 36, town 9, range 5 west.

Kettle creek (or Michael's creek), rises on section 7, in town 9, of range 5 west, flows west into Winneshiek slough.

Pine creek heads on section 28, in town 9, ' of range 5 west, flows southeast and leaves the town from section 34, in town 9, of range 5 west.

Davidson's creek takes its rise on section 34, in town 9, of range 6 west, and flows west, entering the Mississippi river on fractional section 33.

A creek, sometimes known as Randall's creek, rises on section 24, town 9, range 6 west,

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

and flows northwest, entering the Mississippi from section 23, just south of Lynxville.

The town was never heavily timbered. The ridges were thinly covered with a small growth of the different varieties of oak. The heaviest timber was along the Mississippi river. On the ridges where the fire has been kept ont, a rapid growth of timber has taken place, so that plenty of timber for domestic use is now found. In the ravines on the west, considera- ble butternut and black walnut, generally of second growth, is found ; also, birch, maple, linn and some other varieties.

SETTLEMENT.

The first permanent settler of the town of Seneca was Mitchel Caya, who located south of Lynxville, on section 33, town 9, range 6, in 1846. Mr. Caya entered land two years later; he was still a resident of the town in 1883, having been there thirty-seven years. A short time previous to the coming of Mr. Caya, two brothers, natives of Poland, located above the present site of Lynxville, in what was after- ward known as Polander Hollow, These first comers did not remain long, neither does it ap- pear that they intended to make it their home; they brought some goods with them from Prai- rie du Chien for the purpose of trading with the Indians. They cultivated a small garden spot, remained about two years, and were nov- er heard from afterwards.

Several years passed before other settlements were made. In 1851, William Philamalee made a claim in the southwest quarter of sec- tion 10, town 9, range 5 west; this claim included the present site of the village of Sene- ca. He erected a log house, and sold ont in 1854 to Samuel Langdon, who laid out the vil- lage.

Elihu Daggett and Reuben Randall came on in 1852: the former settled on section 16, town 9, range 5 west, where S. Andrew afterward lived. The latter settled at Lynxville, and a few years later died.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 101

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1298

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298