History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 121

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 121
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 121

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to coming here. He was not a man of educa- tion by any means, but was possessed of good natural ability and taet, and while here he had his share of the practice before justice courts. His present whereabouts are unknown, not hav- ing been heard from since the close of the war.

A. C. Eastland was born in the State of New York in 1820. His early life was spent upon his father's farm. When about twenty-one years of age he began the study of law in Michigan, and was admitted to the bar at Kala- mazoo when twenty-four. He located at that place and began the practice of law, remaining

Sextonville. For several years he was engaged in a saw-mill enterprise and then came to Rich- land Centre and resumed the practice of his profession. For a number of years he was alone, after which he was in partnership with his brother, HI. A. Eastland. A. C. Eastland was first married at Kalamazoo. He married his second wife at Sextonville. He remained in Richland Centre until 1881, when he moved to Muscoda, Grant Co., Wis., where he still lives. Ile was a man of a great deal of both natural and ac- quired ability, a well-read lawyer and an able speaker. For many years he was considered one of Richland county's most able lawyers.

J. W. Coffinberry came to Richland county in 1849, from Michigan, and settled with his family at Richland City. He was elected the first county judge of the county, but re- signed in 1852. During 1852 and 1853 he kept a hotel and real estate office in Richland City,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

and was quite a prominent man in public af- fairs. In 1856 he had his name changed by the board of supervisors from "J. W. Coffinberry" to ' C. Bre." It was always a mystery why he took this step. The only reason he offered the board for the change was, that the sound of the name "Coffinberry" when simmered down was really nothing more than "C. Bre." IIe remained in the county until just before the war broke out when he moved to Kansas, he and his wife having separated. His sons hay- ing got into the stock business pretty exten- sively, he now lives with them. Mr. Coffinberry, or perhaps, more properly Mr. Bre, did not en- gage in active practice when he first came to the county, but after resigning the office of county judge, and having his name changed he devoted a good deal, if not all, of his time to the profession. He was a man of a good deal more than ordinary education for those days, and a man of much ability. Ile was affable and pleasant in his manners, and held the re- spect of the early settlers.

A. P. Thompson was an eastern man. Ile was a graduate of the Albany Law School, New York, and came west to pass through pioneer life and secure a foothold in his chosen profes- sion as the country developed. He first located in Sank county and began practice, but in 1852 came to Richland county and settled in Rich- mond, now Orion. He was at that time about thirty-five years old, and was married while there. He remained at Richmond for about fifteen years, when he removed to Grant county, where he still lives. He served Richland coun- ty as district attorney for several years. He was an able and close lawyer, a good speaker, , county, he had one side or the other. He was and a man of much more than ordinary acquire- ments

E. M. Sexton came from New York State at a very early day, and settle l where Sextonville was afterward laid out. The village was platted by and named after him. He served the county and town in which he lived in various offices. Ile was admitted to the bar at an early day,

and devoted some of his time to the practice of law, but never had more than a meagre busi- ness. In 1874 he removed to Barron Co., Wis., where his home remained until the time of his death, in 1878. IJe had a fine legal mind, and was one of the best counselors the county has ever had. He held the respect and esteem of all, and his death was mourned by a large circle of friends.

Byron W. Telfair became a member of the Richland county bar in 1854. He came from New York, being a graduate of the Albany Law School, and located at Sextonville. 1Je had been admitted to the bar prior to his re- moval west, and brought a small library with him. His professional life dates from his ar- rival, for he at once began practice, and con- tinued until the war broke out. At this time he enlisted and went into the service, serving with distinction, and finally becoming captain of his company before his discharge Upon the close of the war he returned to his Rich- land county home, and again took up the prac- tice of law, remaining until his death, which occurred in 1872. His wife and one child sur- vived him, and a few years later they removed to the northern part of the State, where they still live. Byron W. Telfair was a man of much energy in anything he earnestly under_ took, yet he lacked the necessary application to study which must always be a component part of a successful disciple of Blackstone. He was an earnest and forcible jury advocate, and with- al, fairly successful at the bar. He never had much circuit court business, but before the jus- tice court, on nearly all trials in his part of the a democrat in politics.

Josiah MeCaskey was a native of Scotland. He came to Richland county as early as 1852, and settled with his family on Fancy ercek, in the town of Marshall, and through his influence a postoffice was established at that place, with himself as postmaster. He remained there un- til 1874, when he removed to Taylor county,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

where he died in 1879. Josiah MeCaskey was a noted character in Richland county. He was educated in Scotland, and came from the old "blue stocking, Presbyterian stock;" but while studying Greek, as he said, he became con- verted from the Presbyterian to the Baptist doctrine, and was always thereafter a man of strong religious tendencies. He was a man of high moral character, a great lover of books, and a self constituted guardian of the people, always being upon the alert to detect fraud in persons serving in official capacities. He was a very accurate surveyor and an active politician. He was not a very good speaker, but what he had to say he delivered in '"sledge hammer style." In the practice of law he was never very active aside from trials in justice court.

Daniel Badger Priest became a member of the Richland county bar in June, 1855. IIe was born March 9, 1830, in Putnam Co., Ind. His father, Fielding Priest, who emigrated from Kentucky at an early day, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Indiana, was a man of great force of character, acknowledged ability and unsullied reputation. The early life of Daniel was spent upon his father's farm, at- tending school during the winter months. He completed a liberal education at the Asberry University. He chose the profession of law for his life calling, and even before arriving at his majority was well and favorably known to many of the prominent men of his native State. In the fall of 1850 he emigrated to Fort Snel- ling, Minn., near where St. Anthony now stands, and pre-empted 160 acres of land, remaining until the following spring. In 1852 he located for the practice of law, at Monroe, Wis., and soon afterward married Lucy Farrow, of Ken- tucky. Up to the passage of the Kansas- Nebraska act and the repeal of the Missouri compromise, he was a democrat. But in 1854 he was a delegate to the congressional district convention, held at Mineral Point, and with a number of others he dissolved his connection with that party, because the convention refused

to endorse Congressman Eastman in his oppo- sition to the Kansas-Nebraska act. In June, 1855, he removed to Richland Centre and re- mained in the active practice of law until 1861, when he removed to Viroqua, Vernon county. During his residence of seven years at Viroqua, he was twice elected to the office of district at- torney, served two terms in the Assembly, and also discharged the duties of the office of assis- tant assessor of Internal revenue for Vernon county. He was also one of the editors of the Vernon county Censor. In March, 1869, Secre- tary Washburn. tendered to him the appoint- ment of minister to Naples, which he declined, and accepted the appointment of collector of Internal revenue for the sixth district of Wis- consin. In 1869 he removed to Sparta, Wis., where he was connected with the editorial department of the Sparta Eagle for some time. Sparta remained his home until the time of his death, Sept. 6, 1870. While Mr. Priest was a resident of Richland county he made a great many friends. lle was always prominent in all public moves and enterprises, and was a leader among men. When he came here in June. 1855, Richland Centre was without any educa- tional facilities at all. He at once took hold of the matter, worked up an interest, and through his influence, to a very large degree, a school house site was secured and a building erected. lle was ever a champion of public interests and educational progress. When the news of the death of Mr. Priest was received, a meeting of the bar was held and resolutions of respect and regret were passed. At this meeting Hon. James II. Miner, in an address regarding Mr. Priest, said: "I became acquainted with Mr. Priest in Angust, 1855, and formed a law partnership with him in November following, which contin- ned for more than thirteen years. I count myself happy in having formed his acquaintance and receiving the benefits of his presence. * *

* If we are to count the length of life by what is accomplished, he lived long; for he accom- plished much. Some have done more; but the

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

ten thousand times ten thousand have done less. Ilis faults were scarcely perceptible through his many virtues. He was solid and steady, inflexibly just, incapable of using any falsehood, flattery or deceit. Neither elated with honors nor disconcerted with ill snecess, he now fills an honored grave."

William Crawford came to Richland county in 1855, and settled upon a farm in the town of Ithaca. In 1856 he moved into Richland Cen- tre, and began the practice of law, becoming a partner of lawyer Frost, of Mineral Point. Ile had never read very much law, but was a man of much more than ordinary intelligence and information, and had very good success at the bar, before the circuit court.

Amos Nudd came from some of the New England States and settled with his family at Richland Centre, in 1856. The first winter of his residence in Richland county he was en- gaged at teaching school, after which he went into the real estate and loan business with L. D. Gage, and began the study of law. lle was admitted to the bar, and began practice, but only kept his "shingle" out a short time, when he removed to Wanpon, Iowa, where he en- gaged in the manufacture of pumps. He still lives there. Mr. Nudd was a man of high moral character and striet integrity, and held the respect and esteem of all. While he never became very prominently identified with the bar of Richland county, he had very bright prospects for future success in the profession, being a man of ability and education. Ile had a very excellent and intelligent family, his wife being the sister of George James.

Charles G. Rodolf came to Richland county at a very early day, and became a prominent man in all public affairs. He settled at the vil- lage of Orion, where he engaged at general merchandising. Ile began the practice of law in 1855, and was interested in much of the le- gal business in early days. He was very snc- cessful as a lawyer, well read in the law, and a fair speaker, although his language was quite

broken his native German accent being plainly noticeable. Ile now lives at Muscoda, in Grant county.

John S. Wilson came to Richland county with his parents in 1853, and settled at Rich- land Centre. John S., for a number of years, followed teaching school and clerking in stores. In 1856 he was elected clerk of court, and while in this office he read law, and was admitted to the bar. After the expiration of his term as elerk, he opened a law office as partner of Amasa Cobb of Mineral Point, and remained in practice until the war broke out, when he raised a company, became its captain, and went into the service. After the close of the war he returned to Richland Centre, and again opened a law office He remained there for a number of years, when he removed to Kansas, where he is still in the practice of law. While here Mr. Wilson did not have a very large law practice, but with that in which he was interested he was fairly successful. He did a large pen- sion business, and it is thought made money. While here, in 1857, he was married to Jane Hamilton.

Lawrence Van Dusen came originally from the city of New York. In 1854 he located at Milwaukee, Wis., and two years later came to Richland county and settled upon a farm north of Richland Centre. In 1858 he was elected clerk of court, and during his term of office he studied law and was admitted to the bar. About the time the war broke out he began practice and remained until the spring of 1863, when he removed to lowa. He afterwards en- gaged in the practice of medicine, was on the road for a time, and his whereabouts at present are unknown. Mr. Van Dusen was a very shrewd and able politician, having been brought up in Albany, N. Y., where his father was clerk of court and a democratic leader. He was a man of polished manners and of great ability; everybody's friend and a scheming money- maker.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Charles D. Stewart was admitted to the bar in Richland county at the May term of circuit court in 1859. Charley Stewart, as he was familiarly called, came from the State of New York at an early day and settled on Willow creek in the present town of Willow. In No- vember, 1856, he was elected county clerk, and moved to the county seat. He served one term in the office, and during that time began the study of law. In 1859 he was admitted to the bar and engaged in the practice of law in the northern part of the county, locating in the town of Forest. He remained there until the time of his death which occurred in 1873. Mr. Stewart was possessed of a good education, made a good county official, a fair lawyer, and was a prominent man in his part of the county. IIe was a jovial, pleasant fellow, and, it is said, would rather laugh than eat.

W. C. Wright came to Richland county as a lawyer in 1860 and settled at Lone Rock. Ile had been in practice before coming here and was a very well educated man. Ile was a hard- worker, and a good speaker, when he had time to prepare himself. Ile had a fair practice and was very successful at the bar. After practic- ing law for several years he gave it up and be- gan preaching for the Baptist Church. For a number of years he was located at Richland Centre, and the Baptist church at that place was erected during his pastorate. He finally moved to Madison and has subsequently changed his religious doctrine from the Baptist to the Unitarian faith. Ile still lives in Madi- son, where he is engaged at preaching and also teaching music, as he is a very fine musician.

Winfield Scott Black was born in Montgom- ery Co., Va., in 1848. He came to Richland county with his parents in 1854, and settled on Willow creek He received a good education, taking a commercial course at the Chicago Mer- cantile College, and attending the State Univer- sity at Madison. In the spring of 1869 he began reading law with his brother, O. F. Black, of Richland Centre, and was admitted to the bar

in the fall of 1870. He at once began the prac- tice of law in partnership with his brother, and this relation was maintained until the fall of 1875, when W. S. went to Minneapolis as col- lecting agent for O. P. Baker & Co. In 1872, Mr. Black was stricken with paralysis, but partly recovered and was soon able to attend to busi- ness again. In January, 1876, he returned to Richland Centre, from Minneapolis, and died March 22, 1876, from pleuro pneumonia, the effects of the stroke of paralysis he had received. In 1870, Mr. Black had been married to Alla L. Downs, and one son, Buford, blessed this union. The widow and child are still residents of Rich- land Centre. W. Scott Black was a young man of more than ordinary promise, and had the prospect of becoming an honor to the profess- ion. He was bright and keen, a good speaker, and a well read lawyer. He was unusually en- ergetic in everything he undertook.

James Lewis grew up from a young man of twenty-two, in Richland county, having come here at an early day with his parents from Indi- ana, and settled in the town of Richwood. He afterwards married a daughter of L. M. Thorp, of the western part of the county, and settled down to farming. In 1868 he was elected clerk of court, and two years later was re-elected. In 1862 he had settled at Port Andrew where he read law, and began practice. Upon the expir- ation of his term of office he located at Richland Centre, for law practice. In 1872 he was elected prosecuting attorney, and in 1874 was re-elected, serving four years. For a number of years he was in partnership with W. E. Carter, of Platte- ville, and they made a good firm. A few years ago Mr. Lewis removed to Nebraska, where he is now county judge of Greeley county, in which county he resides and has a large farm James Lewis was a sound lawyer; he was not an elo- quent nor even a fair speaker, but he was quick to see a point and was abundantly able to tell "what he had to say." He was what in the pro- fession would be termed an "equity lawyer."

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

E. C. Wulfing was one of the most promising young attorneys who have eyer belonged to the Richland county bar. He was of German de- scent, and came to the county at an early day, settling with his parents upon a farm in the town of Orion. Ile afterwards came to Rich- land Centre, and took a thorough course of read- ing with O. F. Black, and in 1873 was admitted to the bar. For several years he was in part- nership with Hon. James II. Miner, after which he was alone. In 1876 he was elected prosecut- ing attorney for Richland county, and being re- , elected in 1878, served four years, making an efficient officer. He married Kate Downs, daughter of W. H. Downs, of Richland Centre. Mr. Wulfing remained here, acquiring a good practice and making money, until 1882, when he went to Mitchell, Dak., where he is still in practice. He made many friends here, and all speak of him as a young man with the very brightest of prospects for the future.

George Jarvis came here a young man, with his parents, and settled in Richland City. Ile afterward moved to Richland Centre, where he became justice of the peace. He thus became pretty well posted in law and conversant with the detail of practice and was admitted to the bar. He remained here until 1882, when he went to Minnesota, where he engaged in the milling business. While here he devoted a good deal of his time to pension matters.

A. E. Stroud was a lawyer that located at Lone Rock but a few years ago, and after re- maining two years, he left the county. Ile now lives in Milwaukee, where he has become jus- tice of the peace in one of the eity wards.

THE BAR IN 1884.

In 1884 the bar of Richland county was com- posed of the following gentlemen: 11. A. East- land, James H. Miner, Oscar F. Black, Kirk W. Eastland, F. W. Burnham, J. H. Berryman, Michael Murphy and Thomas A. Johnston, all of Richland Centre, and actively engaged in practice. . In addition to the above the foll .w'- ing gentlemen are members of the bar but are

not engaged in practice: David Strickland, S. H. Doolittle, A. Durnford and H. W. East- land, of Richland Centre; Newton Wells, of the town of Eagle; L. M. Thorp, of Excelsior; and Dr. R. M. Miller, of Port Andrew.

II. A. Eastland is the oldest lawyer residing in the county. He located and hung out his shingle at Sextonville in April, 1851. He practiced law at that place for about ten years, then came to Richland Centre, where he has since been en- gaged in a general law and collection business. Mr. Eastland was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., April 4, 1816. In 1833 he emigrated with his parents to Michigan, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. In 1847 he came to Wisconsin and practiced law at Prairie du Sac, until he came to Richland county. He voted with the republican party from its organization until 1876, since that time he has voted the Na- tional greenback ticket. He is an active tem- perance worker. The only office he ever held was that of district attorney. In October, 1851, Mr. Eastland was married to Mrs. Isabelle A. Pierce nee. Briggs. They have two children- K. W. and II. W.

R. W. Eastland is a son of 11. A. Eastland. He was born in Richland county, Oct. 5, 1852. and educated in the schools at Riehland Centre, and subsequently read law. In 1875 he was ad- mitted to the bar and has since devoted his attention to the legal profession. He is a re- publican, politically, and has been district attorney, and is at present town clerk. Ile was married Dec. 23, 1877, to Margaret Os- trander, daughter of D. B. Ostrander, of Sex- tonville. They have one child-Vera B.

Alexander Black was born in Montgomery Co., Va., Feb. 17, 1800. His early life was spent on a farm, and through his own efforts he succeeded in obtaining a good education. He was married at the age of twenty-five, to Eliza- beth MeDonald, who was of Scotch descent, but born in Virginia. Mr. Black held the office of county surveyor in his native State for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Black reared a family of

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

twelve children. The oldest son, Harvey, was a soldier im the Mexican War, and subsequently graduated in the medical department of the University of Virginia. He then, in 1849 or 1850, went to Chicago, purchased a horse, and on horseback went to Green Bay; thence to Mineral Point; purchased land in Richland county, and went to St. Joseph, Mo .; then re- turned through the southwestern States to Vir- ginia The entire trip from Chicago was made on horseback. In 1854, Mr. Black, accompanied by his son, Oscar F., came to Wisconsin to see the land which Harvey Black had purchased. They were, however, intending to go to Texas, but on arriving at Richland county they were so well pleased with the location that Mr. Black purchased a large traet of land on Willow creek, and soon after moved his family from Virginia, and here engaged in farming until his death, which ocenrred Sep. 17, 1872. His wife died May 27, 1880. The children living are- Harvey, a physician in Blacksburg, Va .; Ellen, wife of James Spiekard; Margaret, unmarried; Elizabeth, wife of George Krouskop; Amanda, wife of William Krouskop; James A., Oscar F. and J. Q. Scott Black came with his parents to this county and educated himself for the legal profession. He married a daughter of D. L. Downs. His death took place March 22, 1876. Charles Black died in August, 1856, aged sixteen years.

O. F. Black was born in Virginia, June 1, 1840. Ile came with his father to Wisconsin in 1854, and the first season broke land and raised a erop of corn. During the next five years, assisted by his brother, he broke 400 aeres with ox teams. He was educated at the academy at Richland City, at Albion, and at the University at Madison. In the fall of 1861 he commenced to read law, with John S. Wil- son as preceptor, and afterwards with J . H. Miner. In 1863 he was admitted to the bar. He then read law with H. W. & D. K. Tinney, of Madison, one year, then taught school six months at Muscoda. In the fall of 1864, he

stumped the county for Gen. George B. McClel- lan for the Presidency, in joint debate against D. L. Downs and others. He then clerked in the quartermaster's department at Memphis, Tenn., until the following spring, and since 1866 has given his attention to the legal profes- sion. He now has a good practice. Mr. Black is fond of traveling. He has crossed the plains four times, and has visited nearly all por tions of the United States. His polities are democratic. He has served two terms as dis- triet attorney, and is a member of the F. & A. M. June 16, 1875, Mr. Black was married to Ida Burnham, daughter of Dr. S. Burnham. They have one daughter-Virginia.

Alfred Durnford is a native of England, born in Peckham, near London, May 1, 1818. His father, Andrew Montagne Isaacson Durnford, was lieutenant-colonel in the Third Guards, Brit- ish army, and the family was consequently not permanently settled at any given place ; but re- sided in various parts of Great Britain and Ire- land. Alfred Duruford was educated for the legal profession, and for a number of years was engaged in parliamentary solicitorship. In 1840 be united in marriage with Annie Smith, and in the fall of 1854 emigrated to the United States. He stopped at Milwaukee until the spring following, then came farther west and became one of the early settlers of Richland county. He purchased land on section 2, town of Dayton, and engaged in farming. But as he was admitted to the bar soon after coming to the county, he gave considerable of his time to the practice of law, and as his practice increased he left the farm and removed to Richland Centre and gave his entire attention to the legal pro- fession until 1880, when on account of failing health he retired from practice, and now resides in the north part of the village, where he owns thirty acres of land, and is pleasantly located. He became asssociated with the democratic party soon after coming to America, and still adheres to its ranks, but has never taken any further interest than to perform his duty as an

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 121

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