History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 103

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 103
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 103

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).

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

but Lynxville is the only one which ever amounted to any consideration. The plat of this village is on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 23, town 9, range 6 west, together with lots 3 and 4, on section 14, of same town and range; the former is on land entered by George Mes- sersmith, and the latter is a part of government purchase, by John and James Haney. The site of the village passed from the hands of the first owners into the possession of Reuben Mink, Elmer Graham and James Boyles; these men, together with Iliram and Lyman MeCum- ber, who soon became partners in the enterprise, laid out the village. The survey was made by Pizarro Cook, the same being completed April 10, 1857. Another village was begun about the same time by other parties, north of and nearly adjoining this plat. The former, for the sake of distinction, was called Lower Lynxville, and the latter known as Upper Lynxville ; this term however, has long since been dropped, as the upper village has been absorbed by its rival.

Where the village is situated was formerly known as a steamboat landing; also Ilaney's Point, from John and James Haney, early set- tlers here. It received the name Lynxville, from the government surveyors, who were landed at this point from the steamboat Lynx, and when the village was laid out, the name was applied to that also.

The east channel of the river, at this point, makes a bend into the land, forming what is styled the "Devil's Elbow." On account of this elbow bend in the Mississippi, and the depth of water at this point, an excellent boat landing is afforded.

The first building or what afterward became the plat of Lynxville, was creeted by Elmer Graham, in 1855, two years prior to the survey. He opened a general store, and continued in business for many years. Ile died in 1873.

J. D. Reynolds built the next house, which served as a store and warehouse; he continued in business till his death in November, 1861.

He came to Lynxville from the embryo village of Viola. He attempted to make a village site there, but upon failing to do so, cast his lot with the few pioneers of Lynxville. Ile was a man of good education, and an upright, honest citizen. Ilis widow sold the property, which in 1883 was owned and occupied by John S. Kingsland, grain dealer. The next business was opened by Charles Lyman and George Sappington, who had a general store and warehouse; they soll ont in 1862 and left the county. They were succeeded by L. D. Hop- kins, who died in 1881. In 1883 the building was used by S. C. Prince, steamboat agent.

In 1862 Jewell, Case & Co., erected what is known as the upper warehouse. Ilere they conducted quite a large general merchandising business, and were succeeded in 1865 by John S. Kingsland and Lemuel Allen. Nicholas Morgan also kept a stock of goods in the up- per warehouse in 1868 and 1869. Edward and Thomas Garvey, afterward of the village of Seneca, occupied this building with a stock of goods for a time. In 1883 this building was owned by Peter Young, who purchased it from J. H. Jewell.

John Davidson and John Irwin kept a stock of goods in what is now Kingsland's ware- house about 1866; they failed and left the connty. Simeon Benson opened a grocery store and saloon in the fall of 1874; he finally sold out and went to Oregon. Thomas Bright engaged in business in the upper warehouse in 1875; he was later of the firm of Bright & Vanderbelt. Mr. Davidson was the first Inmber dealer of the village. He afterward engaged in mercantile business under the firm name of Davidson & Irwin.

Ball & Huard were the principal lumber dealers for many years and were succeeded by (. L. Lyttle & Co.

J. L. Reyonds bought the first grain in the place.

Lyman McCumber was the first blacksmith, and Nathan Canfield the first shoemaker.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

The first to entertain travelers at Lynxville was Elmer Graham. Nelson Wade also kept an inn for a time. Nicholas Morgan came next in the hotel line. Ile was succeeded by Charles Lyman, who erected a building on pur- pose for a hotel. The landlord of 1883 was Samuel Armstrong, who had been in the busi- ness since 1865. Ile kept a good house, both he and his excellent wife being well calculated to please the traveling public, who always find good entertainment at this house.

The postoffice was established June 21, 1858, and called Lower Lynxville. Charles Lyman was appointed the first postmaster. He was succeeded by J. D. Reynolds, Dec. 31, 1859. Ile was postmaster till his death, Nov. 3, 1861.

Elmer Graham came next and was finally followed by Mr. Reynolds, who served only a short time and was succeeded by L. D. Hopkins in April, 1862.

Mr. Hopkins kept the office for about ten years and then gave way to S. P. Langdon.

Then came Joseph U. Searle, during whose term of office the clerical work was transacted by N. A. Searle.

L. D. Hopkins was next commissioned Dec. 10, 1880.

The present postmaster, A. Nicetus Searle, received his commission July 14, 1883. The name of the office was at this time changed from Lower Lynxville to its present title, Lynxville.

Lynxville has always been a good trading point, and has long been known as one of the best wood landings along the river, and has had an extensive trade since 1850. Its good land- ing, with an abundant supply of fuel on the islands hard by, and along ridges and ravines of the main land near the river, has always been a great source of revenue and given employ- ment to many of the settlers. A. Russell, who was in the wood trade in 1883, sold over 2,000 cords of wood during the boating season to steamers ply ing the Mississippi river.

The business of this village in December, 1883, was as follows :

Bright & Vanderbelt, general merchants and dealers in wood.

Searle & Vanderbelt, eneral merchants and druggists.

John S. Kingsland, dealer in grain, lime, salt, cement and land plaster.

Lyttle & Co., dealers in lumber and grain. S. C. Prince, steamboat agent.

Samuel Armstrong, hotel.

VILLAGES THAT WERE.

Two villages, Viola and Crawford City, had a brief existence in this town. The former was located on the Mississippi river, about three miles below Lynxville. It was begun by J. D). Reynolds, in the fall of 1856, when he erected a store building.

In the summer of 1858, a man named Dickens, from Philadelphia, put up a three-story build- ing, which he occupied as a residence and a store building. He put in a stock of hardware and groceries, and soon after opening, the build- ing and stock were destroyed by fire. The fire extended to Reynolds' store, which was also consumed. Dickson left the country, but Rey- nolds rebuilt and remained till 1859, when he removed to Lynxville. J. C. Cole erected a dwelling house in the summer of 1858. He was a carpenter by trade, and taught school ; he was also town school superintendent. After Reynolds had removed to Lynxville, Wilkinson occupied his building for a short time, in which he kept a store, but not long after removed to Prairie du Chien, and all efforts to make a town of Viola were abandoned.

In 1858 George J. Millet and Fenner Foster erected a steam saw-mill a short distance below Lynxville. A few other small buildings were put up, and the place was called Crawford City. The mill was operated two years and removed, and with it the embryo city pronounced a a failure.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

The following named citizens are excellent representatives of the character and enterprise of the population of this town. They are given

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

in the order (as near as could be ascertained) in which they made a settlement. It will be noticed that the greater portion came in be- tween the years 1854 and 1858 :

Mitchel Caya, who resides on section 13, town 9, range 6 west, was the first permanent settler of the town of Seneca. He came here first in the spring of 1846, but did not make his entry till two years later. Mr. Cayalocated on eighty acres, but gradually increased the size of his farm to its present large dimensions, now comprising about 500 acres. Mr. Caya is still an older resident of the county than of this town, Iraving come to Prairie du Chien in 1840. Ile was born in Canada, about 1822, of French parentage. 1le came from Canada to Prairie du Chien when he was in his eighteenth year. He came to Wisconsin at the solicitation of his broth- er, who had preceded him to Prairie du Chien two years. Mr. Caya married Rose Loyea, a native of Prairie du Chien. Her father was a native of Canada, but of French parentage, and was among the early settlers of Prairie du Chien. Mrs. Caya died June 15, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Caya had eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, ten of whom are living-Maggie, Charlie, Louis, Leander, Morris, Mitchel, Frank, John, Albert and Julia. Virginia is deceased.

Louis La Force came to this town with Mr. Caya, with whom he lived nine years, being a single man at that time. He afterwards married at Prairie du Chien, where his wife died. He then married Harriet St. German. Mr. La Force lives one mile north of Mr. Caya, where he has resided for many years. He has one child by his first marriage-Emma, and three children by his second marriage-Louis, Julia and Laura.

Lonis Caya, of Lynxville, is the son of Mitchel Caya, the first settler of the town of Seneca. He was born at Prairie du Chien, in March, 1846, being about two weeks old when his parents removed to the present town of Seneca. He has been in busi- ness at Lynxville a number of years, and owns the store building occupied by T. C. Bright &

Co., which he erected in 1868, at a cost of about $600. This building is on the site of the store once owned and occupied by Benson, one of the early business men of the town. Mr. Caya has lived in the village since 1871.

Pizarro Cook resides on section 2, town 9, range 5 west. His residence in Crawford county dates from Nov. 24, 1854. Mr. Cook was born in Cayuga Co, N. Y., in 1826. In the summer of 1848, he went to Grant Co., Wis., and worked the following winter in the lead mines of that region, but returned to New York the following season, where he lived till the year of his settlement in Crawford county. Mr. Cook is by profession a surveyor, and at present (1884) is the county surveyor of Craw- ford county. In his youth he attended the public school of his native town, and received private instruction in mathematics of Prof. Ed- win Dodge, and was always partial to that branch of science. His practical knowledge of surveying was obtained under George Geddes, at that time State engineer of New York. He has been more or less engaged in surveying since 1854. He was elected county surveyor in the fall of 1859, again in 1877, and the third time in 1882. He has also assessed the town of Seneca, and has filled the office of deputy sher- iff. He enlisted, Aug. 9, 1862, in company A, 31st regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served till the end of the war. He partici- pated in a number of important military events, including the siege of Atlanta, Sherman's march to the sea, battle of Bentonville, etc. Mrs. Cook was formerly Sarah Barr, born at St. Johns, Newfoundland, but a resident of Philadelphia, Penn., for many years. They have three children-Mabel, William and John.

Robert Garvey, a prominent merchant of Seneca, settled with his family on section 34, town 9, range 5 west, in June, 1855, where he pre-empted a farm of government land. Mr. Garvey was a native of county Down, Ireland. Ile emigrated to the United States with his family in 1853, locating first on a farm in Grant

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Co., Wis., near Bloomington, where he resided until coming here. He married Susan Magee. Mr. Garvey died in 1872. Mrs. Garvey died in 1876. Mr. Garvey's sons are among the well known business men and farmers of Seneca town Mr. and Mrs. Garvey had nine children, seven of whom are living-Christopher, Pat- rick, Peter, Frances, Edward, Bridget, wife of Robert Morris, of this town, and Thomas.

Ambrose Thompson was born, in July, 1835, in lInron Co., Ohio. In 1855 he came, with his brother Isaae, to Crawford Co., Wis., pre-empt- ing eighty acres of land in Clayton town, where his brother soon afterwards died. His father died in Ohio. His mother came to this county in 1857, settling at Bell Centre. She sub- sequently removed to Boscobel, Grant county. In 1865 Mr. Thompson purchased of D. R. Lawrence, a farm on section 2, town 9, range 5 west, where he now lives, engaged in farming and stock dealing. Ile married Martha Turk, daughter of Ephraim Turk, an early settler of Clayton town. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have six children-George M., Julia A., Jessie M., Lucy M., Sadie A. and Charles A. Willie II. died, aged thirteen months.

A. C. Russell has lived in Seneca town since March, 1854, at which time he entered govern- ment land on sections 7 and 18, town 9, range 5 west. Mr. Russell was born in 1825, in Onon- daga Co., N. Y. When twenty-two years of age he went to Du Page Co., Ill., where he lived until his removal to Crawford county. Ile still owns his original entry of land, on which he has lived for thirty years. Ilis farm consists of 174 acres, eighty of which is broken. Mr. Russell is a carpenter by trade and was one of the first in the town. lle erected many of the first buildings in Seneca town. IIe also erected the warehouses and many other buildings in the village of Lynxville. Mr. Russell has been agent for the sale of lots in Lynxville ever since it was platted, and still has a power of attorney from Mink & MeCumber for that pur- pose. Ile was married in Illinois, to Drusilla

Rose, born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have had ten children, five of whom are living-Ellen, wife of Nathan Can- field; Ralph A., Kate E., Edwin P. and Jason C.

George Dean was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in 1831, where he resided until coming to Crawford county in 1855. Ile settled on his present farm, located on section 20, town 9, range 5 west, Seneea town, in 1858. He has 120 aeres of land. Mr. Dean has been twice married. His first wife was Josephine Searle, born in Walworth Co., Wis., Jan. 30, 1842. She was a danghter of Joseph N. Searle, who settled in Seneca town in 1854. Mrs. Dean died in November, 1863, while her husband was in the army, and he subsequently married Phanata Copper, daughter of Charles Copper, and widow of Thomas McQueen. Mr. Dean enlisted in 1862, in the 31st Wisconsin regiment, serving until the close of the war. He participated in many important battles and campaigns, includ- ing Sherman's march to the sea. He has two children by his first marriage-Jay D., who resides in Oregon, and Phebe .I., wife of Wil- liam West, of Kansas He has one child by his present wife-Charles L. Mrs. Dean has three children by her first marriage-John O., Mary Ida and Margaret D. Mr. Dean's father, Lyman Dean, came to Crawford county in 1855, and re- sided with his son until his decease, which oc- eurred in 1861, at the advanced age of eighty- four years.

Robert Morris was born in Lockport, Ill., in 1838. Ile came to Jefferson Co., Wis., with his parents in the same year. His father, Rob- ert Morris, Sr., was in what is now Wisconsin when the territory was organized, and accom- panied the commissioners who located the eap- ital at Madison. Mr. Morris came to this county in 1855, settling on 320 acres of land in town 8, range 6 west, which his father received from the government. He occupied part of this farm until 1868, when he located on section 28, town 9, range 5 west, where he still resides. Mr. Morris has been assessor of Seneca towu

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

twice, and four times treasurer. Has been pres- ident of the Crawford County Agricultural So- eiety twice, and was chairman of the town board in 1883. He was married in 1868, to Bridget Garvey. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have six children.

Samuel C. Porter resides on section 3, town 9, range 5 west, Seneca town, where he was born Oct. 18, 1855. He married Ida Ertel, a native of Eastman town. They have two chil- dren-John and Archibald. Mr. Porter's father, John Porter, was a native of Ireland. When twelve years of age he came to the United States, and to Crawford county in 1855. Ile died Jan. t, 1883, nearly seventy years of age, His widow, Priscilla Porter, still resides on the homestead.

A. N. Searle, of the firm of Searle & Vander- belt, general merchants, at Lynxville, is a son of Joseph Utter Searle. He was born in Wal- worth Co., Wis., in 1854, and has been a resi- dent of Crawford county since 1855. Mr. Searle married Lizzie Vanderbelt, born in Craw- ford county. Hle engaged in business at Lynx- ville, in May, 1879, under the firm name of Hopkins & Searle. In October, 1881, he bought his partner's interest, and continued alone until the present firm was established, in October, 1883. They keep a general stock of merchan- dise, including drugs. Mr. Searle's father came to Seneca town in 1854, and the following year located on section 32, south of the village of Seneca. He subsequently moved to section 16, same town, and in 1869, to section 14, where he resided at the time of his death, which oc- curred in the summer of 1876. His widow now lives with her youngest daughter, in Oregon. Mr Searle is postmaster at Lynxville.

Samuel Armstrong settled in Lynxville, in 1856. Ile was born in England, in 1829. In 1849 he emigrated to the United States, resided in Delaware for a few months, then went to Constantine, Mich., and from there to Spring- field, Ill. Mr. Armstrong went from Illinois to Baton Rouge, La., in 1852, where he was a vic-

tim of the yellow fever epidemic in the year 1855. Upon recovering, he came north, resid- ing in Portage, Wis., until the winter of 1855-6, and coming to Lynxville the following Septem- ber. He married Catharine Price, born in Richland Co., Ohio. Mr. Armstrong has been engaged in various things since coming to Lynxville. He has kept a hotel since 1866, being the present hotel man of the village.

J. S. Bigelow was born in Connecticut in 1826; lived on a farm till sixteen years of age, when he went to New Ilaven, Conn., and en- gaged in the business of butchering, which business he has followed till now, a period of forty-two years. He remained in New Haven till 1851, then went to Berkshire Co., Mass., making that his home till the spring of 1:54; from there he went to Troy, N. Y., remaining a few months, then going to Florida for the benefit of his health where he remained till April, 1856. In July of that year, coming to Crawford county and locating in Haney town. In 1862 he came to Seneca, and is owner of the Bigelow House. He came to Crawford county with his uncle, George F. Bigelow, who had located in Haney town the previous year, and died on the farm where he first located. Mr. Bigelow's father was Levi L. Bigelow, now living in Connecticut. Ile is a brother of IJobert B. Bigelow, ex-governor of Connecticut. In 1860 he married Mary E. Clarke, born in Illinois, and daughter of William Clarke, an early settler of Utica town.

Thomas Dickson was born in Scotland in 1825, and now resides on section 18, town 9, range 5 west, where he settled in 1856. He came here from Pennsylvania with his brother- in-law, Peter Young, with whom he purchased the farm of William Kenner, Mr. Young tak- ing that part of the land of Mr. Kenner which now constitutes the farm of John Stewart. Mr. Dickson married Marion Young, sister of Peter Young. They have one son-Charles L., born here, April, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson are worthy representatives of those hardy pioneers

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

who have built for themselves homes, and helped to develop the resources of what but a few years since was a rugged wilderness.

Valentine Ertel resides on section 20, town 9. range 5 west, where he located in 1876, pur- chasing his farm of Samuel Robb. Mr. Ertel was born in Newburg-on-Rhine, Germany, in 1831, emigrating to the United States in No- vember, 1851. He resided four years in Penn- sylvania and one year in Clayton Co., Iowa. Mr. Ertel has been a resident of Crawford county since 1856, at which time he located on section 30, same town and range in which he now lives. Mr. Ertel married Hannah Frobson. They have five children. Like many of the carly settlers, Mr. Ertel came here poor, but by industry and enconomy he has secured a pleas- ant and comfortable home.

G. W. Pease is an old resident of Seneca town, Crawford county, having come to Lynx- ville Ang. 28, 1856. He served in the army during the war, being a member of company C, 6th Wisconsin Volunteers. His regiment be- longed to the Iron Brigade. Mr. Pease en- listed April 25, 1861, and was mustered out July 15, 1865, serving over four years, or during the entire war. He participated in all the im- portant battles and campaigns in which the Iron Brigade took part. Mr. Pease now resides on section 2, township 9, range 6 west, where he settled in the spring of 1882, being engaged in farming and also in practicing law. He married Mary A., daughter of William Churchill. Mr. Pease's father, G. P. Pease, came to this county in 1859, remaining until his decease.

William Sharman, Sr., was one of the carly settlers of Sencea town, entering 200 acres of land on sections 24 and 25, town 9, range 5 west, in 1855, on which he settled with his family in 1856. Mr. Sharman was a native of England, born in Apperknowl in Dronfield, Derbyshire, May 20, 1833. He emigrated with his parents to the United States in 1849, settling in Montrose town, Dane Co., Wis., where Mr. Sharman resided until his settlement in Craw-

ford county. He married Elizabeth Huckins Kielley, born Sept. 19, 1816, in Strafford, Staf- ford Co., N. II. Mr. and Mrs. Sharman had four children, two of whom are living-Wil- liam and Samuel. Mr. Sharman died Oct. 22, 1873; his wife dying in April of the same year. Their two sons own and reside on the home- stead.

William Dickson was born in Scotland, in 1829, and came to this country with his brother Thomas. Coming to Crawford county from Pennsylvania in 1857, and settling on section 13, town 9, range 6 west. He has a farm of 200 acres, which he purchased of J. II. Jewell. Ile enlisted in the 52d Wisconsin regiment, serv- ing during the last year of the war. He mar- ried Mrs. Alice (Young) Bright, a sister of Pe- ter Young. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson have three children living-James, Janet and William. They have lost two children-John and Peter. Mrs. Dickson has two children by former mar- riage-Thomas C. Bright and Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Peterson.

North Miller was born in 1816, in Susque- hanna Co., Penn. When eighteen years of age he went to Ohio, and from there to Indiana. In 1857, he came to Seneca town, Crawford county, settling on section 28, town 9, range 5 west. Ilis farm contains 141 acres of land, eighty acres of which, he purchased from Wells Briggs. It is situated on sections 28 and 21, being well improved, the most of which in- provements were made by Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller was married in Ohio, in 1836, to Amanda Bell, a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have five children-Owen E., Helen, Horace, Ambrose and Sarah M. Mr. Miller has been chairman of the town board seven terms; was one of the early county commissioners; has been president of the Crawford County Agricul- ural Society, and was chiefly instrumental in re- organizing the agricultural society, after the war.

James Ingham, resides on section 5, town 9, range 5 west, where he settled in the spring of

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

1858, though he had entered his land two years previous. He came with James Taylor, Samuel Taylor, John Taylor and John Mills. The above named early settlers all came at the same time (1856), made their locations, and set- tled at the same time, two years later. Mr. Ingham entered eighty acres, which forms a part of his present farm of 130 acres; he also owns another farm of eighty acres. He was born in Lancashire, England, July 19, 1824. He came to the United States when twenty-four years of age, and settled in Mercer Co., Penn. He was married in England, to Nancy Andrew, born Dec. 18, 1828. She died Feb. 11, 1881. Mr. Ingham has eight children-Elizabeth A., born Jan. 2, 1851; Emma J., born May 18, 1853; Alice, born Feb. 1, 1856; Mary, born Sept. 22, 1858; Isaiah born Feb. 25, 1861; Samnel, born May 4, 1863; Sarah, born Sept. 12, 1865, and Job, boru Feb. 11, 1868.

Fergus Mills resides on section 14, town 9, range 5, where his father, John Mills, settled in 1858. He was born in England, in 1840. He married Miss M. Copsey, daughter of John Copsey, who settled in Crawford county in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have five children -Walter, Emma, John, Susan and Nellie. Mr. Mills was a member of the House in the Legislative ses- sion of 1876. In 1877 he was chairman of the town board; and in 1883 was treasurer of the board.

Marcus F. Nickerson was born in Vermont in 1838, coming with his parents William S. and Catharine (Tainter) Nickerson, to Prairie du Chien in 1839. They came all the way from Vermont to Prairie du Chien with a team and wagon, except across the lakes, Mr. Nickerson has lived in this town since 1858, at that time settling on section 2, town 9, range 5. In 1864 he enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, serv- ing till the close of the war. The regiment to which he belonged was detached to capture Jefferson Davis after his flight from Richmond, but the 4th Michigan Cavalry having passed around them during the night, effected the

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 103

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