History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 122

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 122
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 122

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).

863

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

enlightened citizen. He was court commis- sioner for several years, and has served as jus- tise of the peace. Ilis religious convictions are with the Presbyterian society. Mr. and Mrs. Durnford have reared eleven children, five now living-George, Harriet, now Mrs. J. M. Shireman; Rosa, now Mrs. Lewis James ; Ed- ward II. and Frederick W.

James II. Miner is numbered among those who settled at Richland Centre when that now thriving village was in its infancy, his residence in that place bearing date Aug. 31, 1855, since which time he has given his attention to the legal profession. During the spring of 1856 he was chosen town superintendent of schools and served the people in that capacity one year. In the fall of 1856 he was elected district attorney and held the office for two terms. In 1862 he was deputy United States assessor of revenue. In 1865 he was elected county judge and served one term. In 1870 he represented his district in the Assembly. On the 26th day of July, 1876 he was appointed postmaster at Richland Con- tre and held the office until May, 1881. He served as a member of the State Industrial school for boys at Waukesha in 1880 and isg1. Ile has been court commissioner of the United States district court since 1872. Ile served as president of the village board one year and is now a member of the same. He took an act- ive part in securing the railroad at Richland Centre and was one of the directors of the same. Thus it can be seen he has continually held positions of trust and honor, which fact among many others indicates his ability, and he isto-day justly honored and esteemed by his fellow men. Judge Miner was born in Lockport, N. Y., Feb. 4, 1830. His father Luthur Miner, was of Welch extraction and a farmer by occupation. His mother Eleanor (Grant) Miner, was of Scotch descent, but was born in Delaware. The early life of the subject of this sketch was spent on his father's farm and when eight years old he removed with his parents to Hillsdale Co., Mich., where he received an academic education

and taught school. At the age of eighteen he commenced the study of law with Judge E. H. C. Wilson and subsequently continued with Judge Orsamus Cole. In 1852 he came to Wisconsin, taught school in Grant County, and in April 1855 was admitted to the bar, on the 12th day of May 1855, at Volga city, Iowa, he was married to Sarah Ann Dunn, who was a native of Alle- ghany Co., N. Y. The following winter he taught school in Richland Centre and was the first male teacher employed. The children are- Berkie, the first graduate of the Richland High school, and now the wife of J. II. Berryman; Grant L., Freddie J. (deceased), Carrie and Minnie. Judge Miner in politics was formerly a whig and now acts with the republican party, is a member of the Masonic fraternity having served as Master of Richland Lodge, No. 66, of which he was a charter member.

On the 22nd of February, 1876, the republi- can State convention nominated Mr. Miner, as one of the presidential electors, and remained as such nominee until in October, and then ten- dered his declination for the reason that subse- quent to the nomination he had been appointed postmaster of Richland Centre, which rendered him ineligible. The deelination was accepted by the central committee, and Dr. D. L. Downs, of Richland Centre, was placed upon the ticket to fill the vacancy, and was elected.

J. II. Berryman is a member of the law firm of Miner & Berryman. He was born in La- Fayette Co., Wis., March 31, 1854. His parents were John and Mary A. (Retallach) Berryman. His early life was spent upon a farm. When he was twelve years old, his parents removed to Jo Daviess Co., Ill. He was educated at the Normal sel:ool at Galena, and afterwards taught school. In 1876 he went to Madison, where he acted as assistant State librarian, and also read law; afterwards read law in the office of Lewis, Lewis & Hale, and in November, 1878, was admitted to the bar by the circuit court. In June, 1879, he graduated from the law depart-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

ment of the State University. His residence at Richland Centre, dates from November, 1878. Oct. 30, 1880, Berkie Miner became his wife. They have one daughter-Mary Edith. Mr. Berryman is a republican in polities, and vil- lage attorney. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

F. W. Burnham, of the law firm of Black & Burnham, is a son of H. L. and Susan ( Lowell ) Burnham. Ile was born in Addison Co., Vt., June 25, 1853 ; came with his parents to Wis- consin in 1856. He helped till the soil until eighteen years of age, then took a course at the La Crosse Business College. In the fall of 1875, he commeneed to read law with O. F. Black, a preceptor, and in 1877, was admitted to the bar, and has since been a member of the above named firm. Politically he is a republi- can. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F.

PRESENT COUNTY OFFICIALS.

Michael Murphy, district attorney, is a native of Ireland, born Feb. 2, 1846. His parents were Daniel and Elizabeth (O'Brien), Murphy. The family came to America in 1850, and first stopped in Westehester, N. Y. In 1854 they came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Willow, Richland county, where they engaged in farm- ing until 1872. The parents now reside with the subject of this sketch. The children living, are-James, Kate, Michael, Daniel and Eliza. Michael helped till the soil with his father, and · received a good common school education and subsequently tanght school. In the fall of 1872, he was elected elerk of the circuit court, and held the office six years, During that time he studied law, and was admitted to the bar of Richland county. In 1880, was admitted to pruetice before the Supreme court of the State. In the fall of 1882 he was elected distriet attor- ney and entered upon the duties of the office Jan. 1, 1883. His polities are republican.

In the county elerk's office at this time may be found Homer J. Clark, who was elected to this position in the fall of 1882, and entered upon his

duties January 1, 1883. Mr. Clark is a genial, whole-sonled gentleman, affable and accommo- dating, ever ready to serve any one who may have business in his office, and the people of Richland county certainly exercised good judg- in their selection of an officer to this position. As a public man he has proved himself a satis- factory officer, having served several years as town clerk of Richwood, and one term as clerk of cirenit court, and was assistant enrolling clerk, General Assembly, 1882. lle is a Royal Arch mason, and in politics a republican. Mr. Clark is the only son of Edmund and Sally (Benson) Clark; was born in Schuyler Co., N. Y., on the 20th day of April, 1848. Ile was left motherless when four years old, but subse- quently his father married again, and in 1856 the family came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Richwood, Richland county, and engaged in farming. Homer received a good common school education, and afterwards taught a number of terms. He made farming a busi- ness, and at this time, in connection with his father, owns about 350 acres of land. On the 23d day of October, 1873, he was married to Ada McNelly, daughter of Dr. Henry MeNelly. They have two children-Nora and Ifattie.

W. S. Sweet, the present county superin- tendent of schools, is not an old resident in the county, but a gentleman well quali- fied for the position he occupies. His parents, Abijah and Maria (Rhodes) Sweet, reside at Spring Green, and it was in the district sheools of that vicinity, that he acquired the rudiments of his education, and at the age of fifteen years, taught his first term of school. Being a poor boy, he could not afford to educate himself at once, so he continued teaching, during the winter season, and attending school in the sum- mer. In this way he attended one term at the State University, and afterward, several terms at the State Normal school, at Platteville. In the spring of 1875, he was chosen principal of the schools at Lone Rock, and in the fall of the same year, took charge of the grammar de-

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IIISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

partment of the schools at Richland Center. One year later he was chosen principal of said schools, which position he held for four years. In 1880 he passed the State examination and was granted a State certificate. In the fall of 1881 he was elected to the office he now holds, and entered upon its duties on the first day of January following. Mr. Sweet is the author of a book entitled "The Polity of Home Govern- ment," which supplies a long felt want in the schools. By the aid of this text book the ph- pil may become well-versed in the duties of local affairs, thus fitting himself to become a useful and better citizen. Winfield Scott Sweet was born in Dodge Co., Wis., Jan. 31, 1854, and has always been a resident of the State. Ang. 24, 1876, Jennie C. Fries, daughter of the late Judge Henry W. Fries, became his wife and they now have two children-Bula and Bessie. Mr. Sweet is politically a republican, and in re- ligion, a believer in the Baptist faith.

R. Sutton, register of deeds, is a native of Ripley Co. Ind., born Sept. 3, 1843. Hle is the third of the five sons of A. M. and Jane M. (Wilson) Sutton. His early life was spent upon his father's farm. When the Civil War broke ont, he at or ce enlisted in company A, of the 37th Indiana Volunteer Infantry; re-enlisted in 1863, and served until August, 1865, when the regiment was mustered out of service. He participated in all of the engagements of his regiment and returned home in good health and without a scratch. At the close of the war, he resumed farming, and in 1867, had the misfortune to cut one of his legs with an ax, crippling himself for life. In 1870 he came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Eagle, Richland county, and followed farming until the fall of 1876, when he was elected to the office he now holds, and in which he is now serving his third term. He is an accommodat- ing officer, and well fitted for the position he occupies. In politics he is a republican, and has served several years as town clerk of Eagle town. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, and is present secretary of Richland Lodge, No. 66. Mr. Sutton has been twice married. In 1869 to Mary Gault, who died in 1871, leaving one son-Eminett. In 1873 Eunice E. Beard became his wife. By this union, three children have been born-Ellen R., Mand I. and Clyde E.

The funds. of Richland county are now in charge of Irvin Gribble, who is serving his second term as county treasurer. He was born in Somerset Co., Penn., May 9, 1841, his parents

being John and Rebecca (Kanable) Gribble. In 1844 the family removed to Clinton Co., Ind., and in 1854 came to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Kickapoo, Vernon county. The father owned land in Richland county but on account of water privileges built his cabin in the county of Vernon, and engaged in farming. About the year 1869 the parents removed to Viola, where the father died in April, 1875. The mother is yet living, and now resides with one of her sons. Irvin Gribble assisted his parents on the farm until October, 1861, when he responded to the call of his country, and en- listed in company I, of the 12th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, re-enlisted Jan. 4, 1864, and served nutil Aug. 10, 1865, when the regi- ment was mustered ont of service. Mr. Gribble was chief clerk in the inspector general's de- partment on the day Gen. James B McPherson was killed. Returning from the army, he re- sumed farming. Ile was at one time chairman of the town board of Forest, and at another time treasurer of the same. In politics he is a republican, and in 1880 was a delegate to the State convention, where he cast his ballot and used his influence in favor of James G. Blaine for a Presidential candidate. Ile is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Gribble, in 1872, was married to Sarah Bender, daughter of Elias E. Bender, and now has five children-Lina, Elsie, Ella, Willard and Myra.

James Appleby, the present county surveyor, and pioneer settler of the town of Eagle, was born in county Durham, England, Nov. 27, 1828. At an unusual early age he was sent to the common school, which he attended until eleven years of age. He was then sent to Kirby Academy. When thirteen years old, he, in company with his parents, emigrated from York- shire, England, to America, coming directly to the territory of Wisconsin, and locating in that part of Iowa county now known as La Fayette cont.ty. His father made a claim on a tract of mineral land, at that time held in reserve by the Government. As soon as the land came into the market he purchased it He erected his house nearly on the site, where a few years ho- fore the first lead furnace in that part of La Fayette county was built. Here the subject of our sketch, at the early age of fourteen, engaged in teaching as private tutor for the family of James Murphy, Esq., teaching for him two years, and again engaged for Capt. Matthew Wil- liams during one winter, in the same capacity -- in the intervening time attending the district schools in his neighborhood. lle was married

866

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

in 1846 to Susanna C. Palmer. She was born in Shelby Co., Ky. He went to Jo Daviess Co., Ill., and engaged as clerk in a general store, re- maining there until the spring of 1849, when he came to Richland county and settled in what is now known as the town of Eagle. IIe made his home in that town until 1863, when he removed to Richwood, purchasing land on sections 4 and 5, town 8, range 2 west. He erected a good frame house on section 4, and still makes that his home. Mr. Appleby has been county sur- veyor for seventeen years. His first official sur- vey was made in 1850, for the town of Rich- mond. It was for a road, and commenced in the middle of Commerce street, village of Monongahela, and extended north past Rodolf's mill and terminated at the quarter section corner stake, between sections 25 and 26 of town 9, range 1 west. Ile has been superin- tendent of schools for the town of Eagle, one year, and assessor for the town of Richwood, two years. Mr. Appleby is a member of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, be- longing thereto about twenty-six years, and has filled many important places in his Church, be- ing granted license, by his quarterly conference to preach, being quarterly conference secretary for several years, was recommended to the an- nual conference, accepted, and given license by Bishop Glossbrenner, of Virginia, to preach, passed the several examinations required and ordained as an elder in said Church. He has filled the office of secretary of the Wisconsin Annual Conference. He has been appointed to and filled the most important committees of his conference, and was elected a delegate to the last general conference of his Church, of which privilege, however, he did not avail himself. Notwithstanding his many and arduous duties and labors, he can always find time to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. It would almost seem unnecessary to add that Mr. Appleby is a strong temperance man, upon which he can truly say "I unrse my wrath to keep it warm." Mr. and Mrs. Appleby have nine children- Mary S., J. Marshall, Martha E., Arthur W., Laura I., Emma F., Luther L., Annie V. and Lelia F. Mr. Appleby is well known in all

parts of the county, and enjoys, to the fullest extent, the respect and confidence of the people.

Daniel Lyman Downs, M. D., is a native of Trumbull Co., Ohio, born on the 2d day of December, 1824. His father, Ly- man Downs, a native of Connecticut, was a shoemaker by trade. followed farming to some extent, and for a number of years was engaged in buying butter and cheese on the West- ern reserve. He would sell his hutter and cheese in Cincin- atti, then go east and huy clocks, which he would sell in the southern States; then bny horses and return to Ohio, and bay- ing disposed of them at a remunerative figure would invest the proceeds in butter and cheese. His mother, Esther (Wood- ward) Downs, was of Seoteb descent, and was born in the State of New York. In 1832 the family removed to Michigan and in 1838 to Belvidere, Boone Co., Ill., and settled on a farm. lere the subject of this sketch helped till the soil, attended school a part of the season and at the age of seven- teen entere:l the Belvidere Academy, where he took a two years course. He then commeneed the study of medicine with Dr. Daniel H. Whitney, attended lectures at the Rush Medical College, and in 1847 commenced practice as a physi- eian at Millville, Jo Daviess Co., Ill. In the fall of 1819 he associated Molbry Ripley as a partner and engaged in a gen- eral mereantile and drug business. During the month of February, 1850, accompanied by his partner, hecame to Wis- consin, and about the middle of this month they made their first appearance in Richland eounty. They located at Orion, purchased property and established themselves iu business, re- moving their stoek of goods from Millville. About this time Dr. Downs, failing in health, left his partner in charge of the business, and took a trip to the Pacific coast, engaged in mining in California until February, 1832, then returned to Orion, and in April, 1853, sold his interest in the store to his partner and resumed the practice of medicine. In 1858 he was elected county treasurer, removed to Richland Center and served the people ju that capacity one term. He then purchased the drug business of F. P. Bowen, and in 1860 furnished the necessary capital to build a tannery in this place which was the second enterprise of this character in the county. In January, 1865, he sold a half interest in his drug business to F. P. Bowen, and enlisted in the 46th Wis- consin regiment, and served as assistant surgeon until mus- tered out. lIe then again attended to his drug trade until 1878, when on account of failing eyesight, he sold hisinterest in the business to his partner. In February, 1880, he was appointed county judge as successor to H. W. Freis, and in the spring of 1881, was elected fora full term. Dr. Downs, io politics, was originally a democrat, in 1860 voted for Stephen A. Douglas, hut in 1864 east his ballot for Abraham Lincoln, and has since been a republican. In 1855 be represented his distriet in the Assembly, aod jo 1876-7 was a member of the Senate. He has been a member of the county board for many years, and has often been chairman of the same, holding, meanwhile, various minor offices of publie trust. He is a Royal Areh Mason and a member of the G. A. R. Thus it can be seen that Dr. Downs was one of the early pioneers, and has been one of the most active citizens of the county, and no man within its borders has the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens to a greater degree. Mrs. Downs, for- merly Mary D. Cowen, is a native of Illinois. The children are-Hubert L., Allie, J. Lee, Minnie L. (deceased) and Eno L.

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

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CHAPTER X.

EDUCATIONAL.

Ilistory has furnished no lens powerful enough for us to discern the beginning of the school system, if system it can be called, that in the dawn of human intelligence first under- took to instruct the young. It appears like some fixed star which is lost in the nebulæ of mythology, and is obscured from our eyes in the misty past. We are told of schools of astronomy in Babylon, at least 3,300 years be- fore the Christian era, schools of medicine and science in China but little later. Schools were one of the institutions of Egypt in the time of Moses, and the schools and lyceums of Greece date back to the seige of Troy. But little is known of the mode of teaching in these early days, and, it is not until in the fifteenth century, that anything like an intelligent effort seems to have been made toward the instruction of the masses.

In our own time and country the history of education has been a varied one. The Puritan had no sooner established himself on the wave- washed, stormy coast of New England, than he planted the precious seed of the district school, whose fondation was so solid, whose roots were so deep and far reaching that it secured so strong a foothold, the storms and trials of two centuries and a half have never disturbed, nor interrupted its course, nor loosened its hold in its native soil. The system of district schools, as these mighty reformers planted and nourished it, has endured and does endure to this day in the land where they first raised the banner of universal education.

This system, with such modifications as were suggested by the difference of time and cir- cumstances, was brought from that far away land of our forefathers, by them when they turned their faces toward the setting sun ; and some of the precious seed, so sown, has found a lodgment in this, our noble State of Wisconsin.

For many years after the settlement of Rich- land county, each town had the absolute control of the schools within its limits, and the town superintendent of schools was one of the most important of its officers. It was not until 1861, when the system was changed and the school districts put under the authority of a county superintendent of public instruction. The gentleman who has the honor to first fill this position was J. II. Mathers, who was elected November 5, the year above mentioned. He was succeeded after two years service, in 1863,by W. C. Wright, who also held it for two years. The succeeding superintendents were: V. S. Bennett, G. W. Putnam, William J. Waggoner, David Parsons and W. Scott Sweet, who at present, presides over the destinies of the edu- cational system of Richland county.

It has always been the endeavor to choose such men for this position as were best fitted by nature and education, for the situation, and a highly commendable system has been the out- growth of this foresight.

As has been said, the first school taught in the county was that opened in 1847, in a room of Peter Kinder's house, in Richwood town, and from that small beginning has grown and ramified into the present full tree of education.

868

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

No district is complete without its school houses; in the county are now some 130 buildings used for that purpose, covering an investment of about 840,000, and employing about 210 teachers, who have enrolled in the neighborhood of 7,500 scholars. Behold, from how small a beginning great results may follow.

In 1875 there were enrolled in the various schools of the county 5,429 scholars, out of a total population of 7,094, between the school ages of four and twenty. At that time 127 teachers were employed, and the schools of that period are spoken of as being in fine condition; but those who have lived in the county from an early date say that the last eight years have seen a remarkable improvement over that. This is partly due to the active exertions of W. S. Sweet, the present superintendent, who, to a liberal education and strong natural abilities, brings an earnest desire to raise the standard of excellence and quality of the educational status.

The number of scholars enrolled in the va- rious school districts of the county, during the year 1879, is here given by towns for conven- ience of reference:

Akan, 323; Bloom, 536; Dayton, 440; Bnena Vista, 340; Eagle, 454; Forest, 383; llenrietta, 364; Ithaca, 455; Marshall, 385; Orion, 272; Richland, 663; Richwood, 626; Rockbridge, 492; Sylvan, 434; Westford, 468, and Willow, 380; or a grand total of 7,029 in the whole county. There were at that time, 127 schools, taught by 203 terchers, who were paid salaries that averaged, for males $28.48, and for fe- males $20.34.

The school buildings were valued at $37,- 821, without the apparatus and fittings therein contained. Most of the buildings were in good state of repair, and the county superintendent in his report for that date speaks quite proudly of the efficiency of the corps of teachers.

Teachers' institutes are held annually, and occasionally semi-annually, with a good attend- ance.

A teachers' association is also one of the in- stitutions of the county, which meets weekly for the discussion of educational topics and, also, for mutual improvement. Nearly all the teachers in the county are members of it; but many are deterred by distance, and the duties attendent upon their profession, from a regular attendance. One of the out-growths of this pleasant re-union has been

TIIE TEACHERS' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

This is an association which was organized in the year 1875, for the mutual improvement of the teachers of Richland county. The idea is to have a library which is distributed in some twenty different localities in the county, from which the members can take out volumes to read; these books are changed from place to place twice every year, so as to give all a change of pasture. The society has now about 150 members, and has accumulated the nucleus of a fine library already numbering some 428 vol- umes. The members are required to pay $1 on joining, and an annual dne of twenty-five cents thereafer. The matter has received the support of all those interested in educational progress, and bids fair to he a large factor in the near future in the school system. The management is advised by the county school superintendent, W. S. Sweet, who is president, and who finds no labor too hard or onerons, if it will result in good to the canse he has the interest of, so much at heart.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 122

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