History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 108

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 108
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 108

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).

DIRECTORY-1884.

The following directory will show the busi- ness and other interests of the village of Wan- zeka, Jan. 1, 1884:

Fay & Bisbee, manufacturers of loose and tight barrel staves and heading.

John Rausin, manufacturer of and dealer in hoop poles.

W. A. Vanghan & Co., dealers in general merchandise.

J. N. Feldman, dealer in general merchan- dise.

George Beier, dealer in boots and shoes.

J. G. Widmann, hardware.

Daniel Volmar, restaurant.

G. W. Ranney, proprietor of the Ranney llotel.

Robert Moran, proprietor of the Wauzeka Hlouse.

W. G. Bailey, wagon-maker and carpenter.

Joseph Berren, blacksmith.

W. E. Hazelwood, blacksmith.

John Steinbach, harness shop.

Curry & Ranney, saw-mill.

llattie Rosencrantz, milliner.

L. C. Halsted, justice of the peace and phy- sician and surgeon.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Ralph Smith, one of the pioneers of Crawford county, was born in 1811, in Berlin, Washing- ton Co., Vt. In 1831 he removed with his father's family to Plainfield, in what was then a part of Cook, now Will Co., Ill., when he was appointed postmaster in 1837, and held the office three years. Soon after the arrival of the family at Detroit on their journey west, Mr. Smith, accompanied by his father and a hired man, started out on a tour of exploration on foot, with a view of finding a suitable place to locate, traveling the entire distance on foot from Detroit to Chicago, in 1831. There were no roads from Ypsilanti west, an Indian trail being the only guide to travelers, not a frame house having then been erected on the present site of the city of Chicago. His father located in Will county, and engaged in the mercantile business in Plainfield. Mr. Ralph Smith was engaged in business with his father; also built by contract a half mile of the Illinois and Mich- igan canal in the years 1833, 1834 and 1835. Ile settled in Crawford county in 1840, coming to Prairie du Chien. Soon after he leased the hotel in Lower Town, known as the Granite House, and owned by Alexander McGregor. Conducting this for about one year and a half, he leased for one year a farm of Judge James II. Lockwood. He then engaged in mercantile trade also took a contract from the government for transporting Indian annuities from Prairie du Chien to Fort Atchison, Iowa. During these years Mr. Smith was associated in business with different individuals. The firm being first known as Thomas & Smith, then Bugbee & Smith, and afterwards Savage & Smith. A. Savage succeeded Savage & Smith. Mr. Smith engaged in the lumber business, which he fol- lowed for twenty years. In 1849 he came to Wauzeka, and purchased the saw-mill on Plum creek near its entrance into the Kickapoo. In 1846 this mill was erected by Thomas and Miller, and was the first mill erected in Wauzeka. After two years he abandoned this mill and

built one further down Plum creek and nearer the Kickapoo, which he run for ten years, manufacturing lumber from the pine logs, which floated down the Kickapoo from the head waters of that stream. At the end of ten years he moved from Plum creek to the village of Wauzeka, where he and Markham Foster built a steam mill, continuing in the lumber business till 1876, when he closed out his mill- ing business, and in September, 1877, took a residence in Dakota, Moody county. During his long residence in Crawford county, Mr. Smith has been known as a successful business man, also an honorable, upright citizen. He has been twice married, first to Betsy Goss, born in Montpelier, Vt., Sept 18, 1814, and who died in 1845 at Prairie du Chien, leaving six chil- dren, all have since died except two-Charles and Hanor. In 1847 he married Sarah L. Lockwood, born in Champlain, Clinton Co., N. Y. They have eight children-Maggie L., John L., Ilardedine, Helen M., James Il., Carrie H, Marian G. and Mary N. In 1874 Mr. Smith was appointed by the Chicago & Tomah Railway Company (narrow guage) as a trustee and still holds that position.

Frank Chapek, who resides on section 14, is a son-in-law of Henry Stuckey, who made a claim of this farm in 1838. Mr. Stuckey was a native of Prussia, born Dec. 13, 1811. He was the oldest child of his parents, and came to the United States when quite a young man. He resided for several years in the State of New York, moved from there to Pennsylvania, then to Galena, Ill. From here he went to St. Louis, coming to Prairie du Chien in 1837 or 1838. He was married in Prairie du Chien, Ang. 15, 1841, to Mary L. Herdelbrink, a native of Ilano- ver, Germany. Immediately after his marriage he located on the farm now owned by his son- in-law, Mr. Chapek. He had erected a house and made other improvements previous to that time, being one of the well known early set- tlers of this town. His general business was I farming aud dealing in live stock, though be

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

kept a hotel and store for some time, doing quite an extensive business during the construc- tion of the railroad through this vicinity. The first hotel and store here were kept by Mr. Stuckey also the first postoffice, being called the Stuckville post-office. The office was dis- continued when the office at Wauzeka was es- tablished. He died Nov. 20, 1880, at the home- stead. Henry Stuckey from his habits of indus- try and frugality acquired additions to his farm, until it numbers 720 acres, the income of which supplies all his wants in his declining years. He was among the first settlers of the town, and assisted in the organization of the first school district in the town, and did what he could to foster and support the common school in which he always took a deep interest. Ilis oldest child, wife of Mr. Chapek was born Ang. 21, 1842, at the homestead, and was probably the first white child born in the town. Mr. Chapek was born in Bohemia in 1851, and came with his parents to the United States in 1869. They have six chil- dren-Caroline Lily, Caroline Louise, William H., Frank J., Emma M. and Matthias F.

L. L. Lathrop was born Jan. 9, 1818, in Rut- land Co., Vt. For some time prior to coming to Wisconsin he lived in Canada. Coming to Grant county from Canada, in 1837, one year later he took up his residence in Prairie du Chien. In 1847 he removed to Wanzeka, locating where he now lives, and owns a tract of 800 aeres of land, on which has been found con- siderable lead ore, and investigations which he is now making promise further developments. Hle was married Nov. 3, 1844, in Prairie du Chien, to Samantha McCappee, born in Chatau- qua Co., N. Y. They have nine children-five girls (only two living) and four sons. In poli ties Mr. Lathrop is a republican, and a warm advocate of the principles of that party. He is a man of extensive reading, and though he has to a great extent lost his hearing, he is well in- formed on the general topics of the day.

H. L. Richmaun, of the village of Wanzeka, is the son of Henry Richmann, an early settler, having settled in 1852 on section 13, town 7, range 5 west. Ile is one of the large farmers of this town, owning about 1,000 acres of land. II. L. Richmann is proprietor of a saloon in Wauzeka. He was born in Prussia in 1848, living at the homestead till May, 1880, when he came to the village and engaged in his present business. He married Julia Bower, of Marietta.

They have one daughter, Jennie, born Jan. 6, 1883.

John McHarg, one of the prominent and well- known early settlers of Wauzeka, was born in 1815 in Scotland. His mother died when he was a child, and soon after her death his father, with the family, moved to Ireland. When nine- teen years of age, he emigrated to Canada, mak- ing his home with a brother who had preceded him by several years to America. In 1846 he went to Chicago. At that time the Mexican war was in progress, and enlistments were being made for service in the conflict. Mr. Mellarg enlisted, Feb. 23, 1847, to serve till the close of the war. He was assigned to the 6th regi- ment, United States Infantry, and was honorably discharged. July 31, 1848, having participated in the battles of Cherubusco, Molino del Rey, Contreras and was present at the capture of the city of Mexico by Gen. Scott. He was a non- commissioned officer, filling the position of color guard. At the close of the war, he re-en- listed in the same command, which was sta- tioned at Prairie du Chien. In 1849 his regi- ment was transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Kan. During his second term of enlistment, which was for five years, he held the position of sergeant, and was connected with the quar- termaster's department. When his time ex- pired, his regiment was stationed at Fort Ri- ley, which was built by the command to which he belonged. The captain of his company, Charles Lovill, gave him, on his discharge from service, the following letter, which illus- trates his life as a soldier: "He has always been a faithful, steady, and excellent non-com- missioned officer, in which capacity he has served his entire term of enlistment, five years. Every confidence may be placed in his integrity. "Signed, Capt. CHARLES L. LOVILL. "Fort Riley, August 1, 1853."

Mr. Mellarg has been a resident of Wauzeka, since May, 1855. In 1849 he had secured by a land warrant, obtained for service in the Mexi- can War, 160 acres, which includes the present

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

site of Wauzeka, but on the building of the railroad in 1856, he sold this quarter section to Mr. Dousman, who laid out the town. He then settled on section 17, where he has since lived, engaged in farming. In politics he is a republican. He was chairman of the town board of Wanzeka for ten years, and in 1880 was census enumerator for his district. He was married at Fort Leavenworth, while a soldier, to Fanny Ormsby, a native of Ireland, but reared in New Orleans. They have had twelve chil- dren, ten of whom are living-Ann, Rebecca, Lizzie, William, Agnes, John, Fannie, Cottie, Ormsby and Ella. Mr. MeHarg and family re- moved to Dakota in the spring of 1884, a number of their children now residing in that territory.

Christian Rice was born in 1829, in Wurtem- burg, Germany. When twelve years old, he lost his father, and in 1855 came to the United States, first living for two years in Fulton Co., Ohio, then moving to Green Bay. From there he went to Grant county, coming here in Feb- ruary, 1856, where he still resides. He was engaged in milling for many years, and for eighteen years has been head sawyer in the saw mill of Ralph Smith. Mr. Rice was married in Germany to Margaret Schuld. They have seven children, three sons and four daughters. lle has been treasurer of Wanzeka sinee 1874, except an interval of two years. No present resident of the village was here before Mr. Rice.

James Degnan, Jr., was born Ang. 4, 1842, in Ireland, and came to the United States, with his parents in 1848. They lived in New York, five years, and removed to Jo Daviess Co., Ill., in 1853, where they resided till the spring of 1860, when they came to Crawford Co., Wis., and they settled on section 35, in the town of Eastman. In 1866 Mr. Degnan bought the farm where he lives, located on section 2, town 7, range 5 west, from Emily E. Lemons. He is one of the prominent citizens of Wanzeka, being elected town clerk in 1869, he served six years; was also chairman of the town board of Wanzeka, two terms. He married Mary E. Dunne, of Eastman.

They have eight children, two sons and six daughters

Charles N. Mumford was born in Lewis Co , N. Y., in 1816, and is the youngest son of a Revolutionary soldier. When three years of age, his parents removed to Fredonia Chautau- qua Co., N. Y., where Charles grew to manhood. In October, 1836, he married Clarrissa Black- ney, born in Columbia Co., N. Y. In 1839 his father's family, accompanied by himself, wife and babe, removed to MeDonough Co., I!I., and followed farming there about three years. His father died the first year of their residence there; his mother died the same week. In 1841 Charles N. moved his family to Lafayette Co., Iowa, remaining there until 1845, when he came to Wisconsin, locating in town of Highland, Iowa county. During his residence in Iowa county, Mr. Mumford kept hotel at Mineral Point, and on Blue river. Ile did some min- ing, and served as sheriff of Iowa County be- ing elected to that position, in 1852. Mr. Mum- ford was postmaster for several years at Blue river, and was one of the active men of that time and locality. He came to Wauzeka in 1860, settling on section 36, town 8, range 5, where he still resides; owns 160 acres of land, and is a much respected citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Mumford have nine children-Henry W., born in New York, April 16, 1838; Manley E., born in Illinois, Jan. 2, 1841; Corelelia, born in Iowa July 20, 1843, married Amos B. Foster, and died in Illinois, April 16, 1880; Adeline, born in Iowa Co., Wis., Sept. 17, 1846, wife of Jacob Lemons, of Missouri; Edward born in Iowa Co., Wis., Sept. 9, 1848, died June 12, 1872; Frank, born in Iowa Co., Wis., July 16, 1850, resident of Idaho; Mary C., born Oct. 16, 1852, wife of J. P. Kendall, of Iowa; Jane, born Aug. 18, 1855, wife of J. F. Beardsley, of Loue Rock, Wis .; Marian A., born Nov. 25, 1859, and is residing at home.

W. A. Vanghan is one of the two general merchants at Wauzeka, the firm name being Vaughan & Co. The business was established

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

in August, 1876. He is a son of J. A. Vanghan, who settled in the town of Wanzeka, in Septem- ber 1860. I. A Vaughan was born at Whitehall Vt., in 1803, where he lived till about twenty- five years of age. Then he removed to New York, and from thence to what is now Corry, Penn. From Pennsylvania, he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and from thence, in the fall of 1845, to Kankakee, III. He came to Wisconsin in 1855, and located at Black Earth, Dane coun- ty, where he lived five years. lle came to Wanzeka in 1860. Ile located near the village of Wauzeka, where he residel till his decease, Nov. 26, 1876. He was twice married; his first wife was a Miss Clark, also a native of Ver- mont; his second wife, Sarah Coon, whom he married in Pennsylvania. She was born and reared in New York, and died in this town in March, 1874. Mr. Vaughan had four children by first marriage, who grew to maturity, two of whom are still living-Annis, who lives in Kansas, and Esther, in Pennsylvania. He had six children by his second wife, five of whom are living-Sarah, Harriet, Washington A., Or- lando and Lorenzo, all of whom are residents of this town, excepting Lorenzo, who lives in Dakota. W. A., was born in Ohio, in 1845. He enlisted in the War of the rebellion, in company A., 11th regiment, Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, serving the last two years of the war. He participated in all the campaigns and battles in which his command took part, after he entered the army, including the seige and capture of Mobile; and was wounded in the charge on the defences of that city. After the war, he was engaged in teaching and farming for a number of years. In 1872 he was elected register of deeds, for Crawford county, and at the expiration of his term of service, was elec- ted clerk of the court, serving one term. llis wife was Miss M. L. Koch, a daughter of John Koch, of Prairie du Chien. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan have three children-Walter, Irving and Grace. He has also served as town elerk, and treasurer of this town.

O. P. Vaughan was born in Kankakee Co., Ill., in 1848. ITis father J. A. Vanghan removed to Black Earth, Wis., in 1855, and in 1860 moved to Wanzeka. In 1872 O. P. Vaughan _married in De Soto, Wis., Delia Cutting, of Lansing, Iowa. They have five children-Orla P., born in 1874; Roy A., born in 1876; Lulu, born in 1878; Florence, born in 1880, and II. Leon, born in 1883. Mr. Vaughan resides on section 12, town 7, range 5, where he owns 160 acres, and also forty acres on section 18. lle was chair- man of the town board of supervisors in 1883, and is one of the most active men in public affairs in his town. He served in the 49th regi- ment, Wisconsin Volunteers, for abont nine months in the last year of the war, being but sixteen years of age when he enlisted.

Andrew Miller was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1827. When a child, his parents removed to Trumbull Co., Ohio; his father, Peter Miller, died there. Andrew was married in November, 1848, to Clarinda Courtwright, also a native of New York. In 1825, Mr. Mil- ler went westward to Genesee Co., Mich., and fol- lowed farming there two years, then removed to Ingham county in the same State, and lived in that and Wayne counties until November, 1859, when he came to Wisconsin, and located at Mt. Hope, Grant Co., two years. In 1861, Mr. Mil- ler came to Wanzeka, and bought land on section 7, town 7, range 4 west, improved it, making a good home, where he still resides. His mother, Betsy Miller, lived with him until her death, which occurred in 1865. They have two child- ren living-Jay, born in Ohio, in 1853, and Emma, born in Michigan, in 1858. Margaret was born the year after they came to this town, and died in 1864; two infant children were buried in Ohio. Emma resides near her parents, and is the wife of William Atche-on. Jay mar- ried Ocena Seely, Jan. 3, 1881. One child has been given to them-Stella, born Jan. 16, 1883. Jay lives on the old homestead with his parents. Andrew Miller is one of the striving men of Wauzeka. Mr. Miller and son Jay, own 177 aeres of land, fifty of which are under cultivation.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Jacob Jetter was born Oct. 19, 1820, in Wur- temburg, Germany. He came to the United States in 1853, residing in New York a short time, then going to Canada. In 1859 he went west to the Pacific coast, visiting California, and the other States and territories. He settled in Carson valley, Nevada, where he erected a hotel and hot spring bathing house, living there six years. In 1867, he returned to Europe, visiting his old home in Germany, and came back in the spring of 1868, making his home in Wauzeka, and engaging in the saloon business. He mar- ried Mrs. Johanne F. (Keler) Christ, widow of George Christ, who died Jan. 24, 1880, leaving her with seven children-five sons and two daughters. Four of the sons live in Mari- etta and one in Boscobel. The oldest daughter lives in Illinois, the younger at home. Mrs. Jetter has lost three children, from her first marriage.

William Atcheson, Sr , resides on section 12, town 7, range 4 west. He owns, on this section, 210 acres of land, of which ninety acres are under cultivation. His son, William Jr., mar- ried Emma Miller, Jan, 4, 1881. They have one child-William A., born July 2, 1883. William Jr., lives with his father and conducts the farm; father and son are both intelligent and enter- prising citizens. William Atcheson, Sr., was born in County Antrim, Ireland, June 26, 1823. In 1847, he embarked at Belfast for Quebec, and from there he went to Erin, Canada West, buy- ing and clearing 100 acres of heavliy timbered land. Ile was married in March, 1859, to Jesse Harris. They had born to them four children --- William, born in 1860; Jane, born in 1862; John Henry, born in 1864 and James, born in 1867. Mr Atcheson was bereaved by the death of his wife in 1869. The spring of the following year he came to Wanzeka, and made his present location. Jane was married Feb. 4, 1884, to Theodore La- mere, who owns a farm in the town of Eastman.

George Beier was born in 1850, in Mechlen- burg, Germany, and came with his parents to the United States in 1865, they settling in Wau-

kesha, Wis. He learned his trade, that of boot and shoemaker, in Waukesha, coming to Wau- zeka in 1873. In 1874 he established a general store of ready made goods, but still mannfac- tured custom work, and does repairing. IIe is the only exclusive boot and shoe dealer in the place, carries a good stock of goods, and has a good trade. He was married April 4, 1874, at Waukesha, to Minnie Timmerman, born in Germany. They have four children-May, Walter, Salma and William.

John Nicholas Feldmann was born Nov. 18, 1843, in Schleiswig, Germany. When a bov he went to sea with an uncle, following the life of a sailor for seven years. In 1864 he came to the United States, accompanied by a sister and her four children, her husband having preceded his family to this country by four years, and engag- ing in Boscobel, Grant county. Mr. Feldmann engaged in ship building at Manhattan, near Boscobel for a time, after which he was em- ployed on the Wisconsin and Fox river in- provement enterprise. He came to Wanzeka in 1871, and was employed in the boat yard for a time, but did not come here permanently until 1876. Mr. Feldmann has one of the two general stores at Wauzeka, engaging in business Dec. 27, 1877, as successor to Leo Oswold, de- ceased He is a wide awake, successful busi- ness man, and has a prosperous trade. He has been twice married. First, to Mrs. Anna (Schevert) Oswold, widow of Leo Oswold, who died Dec. 22, 1878, leaving one son-Alexander. ITis present wife was Maggie Harold, daughter of Bernard Harold, one of the early settlerk of Wauzeka. They have two children - Charles and Mary.

John G. Widmann was born in 1851, in Wur- temburg, Germany. He learned his trade, that of tinning, in Lowell, Dodge county, with Henry Stokes, and came here in the spring of 1878. He is the hardware dealer of Wauzeka, including in his stock, general hardware, such as stoves, tinware, farming implements and sewing machines. His wife was Maggie Wag- ner, born in Saxony, Germany. Mr. Widmann was previously married to Dora Schmalenber- ger, who died in 1879, leaving two children- Louis and Emma. He also has one son by his present wife-John G.

HISTORY

RICHLAND COUNTY,

WISCONSIN.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

E Wach year, as it rolls its resistless way along the { mighty pathway of time, is fast thinning the ranks of the hardy pioneers, who, in their adventurous way, first broke the broad pathway of emigration into what is now the bright val- leys and beautiful hills of Richland county. The relentless hand of death, pursuing his re- moreless and unceasing avocation, is cutting down, one by one, the hardy and brave men and women who first established the "broad blaze" and footmarks of civilization and progress in this, then, great wilderness, whose only inhabi- tants were the cruel red man and his hardly less wild congener, the savage beast.

backs upon it all, many of them forever, and wandered away into the broad domain of the mighty west, there to hew themselves out, lit- erally, homes in the vast primeval solitudes.

The weather-beaten form, the furrowed brow, the prematurely hoary locks, are sad, yet eloquent evidences, that theirs was no holiday life, while weathering the storms and turmoil of pioneer life. Pennry, hardship and often abso- lute want were their lot, while trying to con- quer dame nature and establish homes for them- selves and their families in this boundless wilderness.

Let us hasten then to put down the words, as they fall from their lips, of the grandly heroic deeds done in those early days that their actions may find the niche in history which they de- serve. Let their words and deeds form a mon- ument that shall long outlast the stone or

No tongue can tell, no pen portray the hard- ships and ernel vicissitudes of fortune endured in those early days by this little band of Argo- nants, who, thirty-five and forty years ago, bid- ding adien to the home roof-tree, in the older homes of civilization and comfort, turned their | bronze which must ere long mark the place of

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

their rest. Let their epitaph be: "They have builded better than they knew."

But before we take up the history of historic times it is the duty of the historian to record the facts as they have existed "down through the dim and misty vista of time, before man was. Therefore, it becomes quite necessary for us to ascertain something of the history of the earth beneath, as it was formed in the vast, pre- historie era, before man had lived and moved upon its surface; history not written upon the puny records of man, but grandly engraved by the hand of creation upon the rocks and granite of the everlasting hills; let us, therefore, begin at the

TOPOGRAPHY OF THE COUNTY.

Richland county, in common with nearly all the State of Wisconsin, presents many remark- able and interesting topographical features, and according to the now accepted theory, developed by patient research, of the highest authority, was once, in those far distant primeval days, buried far beneath the bosom of a broad and waving ocean. The boldly marked inequalities that mark its surface are due, in a large measure, to three different agents, acting at different times and under different conditions; these are:

1st. During that long cycle of time that existed between the emergence of the land from its bed in the vasty deep, and what is known as the drift period, the numerous streams and rivers were ploughing their beds deeper and deeper into the primeval rocks, and render- ing the former level surface more and more irregular. The softer rocks being more readily eroded than the harder ones increased their unevenness, there being a constant tendency of the streams to follow the softer strata wherever the slope of the land favored, and as these run in a northerly and southerly direction generally throughout the county, the main streams have that general course. The little streams gathered into the larger ones are not unlike the branches of the forest tree as they gather into the parent stem. The erosion of this nature produced in

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 108

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