History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 147

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 147
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 147

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).

D. W. Bear started a blacksmith shop near Rodolf's mill in 1876. At that time he erected a building 20x31 feet. Since that year he has built on additions, until he has quite an exten- sive shop. Horse shoeing at first formed a con- siderable part of his business, but he has since given up that branch, and attends to general repair work in all its branches in wood and iron, and manufactures buggies. His shop is furnished with all the tools and machinery for this class of work. In 1883 he added to his business a stock of hardware, and later a stock |

of groceries. He was born in that part of Marion, now known as Richland Co., Ohio, April 9, 1848. When he was but an infant his parents emigrated to Wisconsin and located in Spring Green, Sauk county, where they were pioneers. His father purchased 100 acres of land and improved a farm, and five years later died there, and his widow married again after fourteen years. The subject of this sketch lived with his mother until eleven years old, then returned to Ohio and made his home with an uncle three years, and then returned to Spring Green and engaged with a brother-in- law at carpentering a short time, then the two years following he was engaged in farming. He enlisted in February, 1865, in the 47th Wis- consin, company E, went south and served until the following October, then returned home and in company with his sister opened a photograph gallery in Richland Center. A few months later he embarked in the same business in Muscoda, where he continued a few months, then went to Spring Green, engaged in a harness-shop, where he worked one year, then went to Prairie du Sac and engaged to learn the blacksmith trade; there he worked for three years, then came to Richland county and opened a shop in Ithaca, re- maining there until 1875, when he went to Rich- land Center and worked as journeyman for a time, then opened a shop and remained there until he went to the town of Eagle. IIe was married July 10, 1869, to Calinda Daniels. They have three children-Ulysses, Lillie May and Daisy May. In 1876 he erected a neat cot- tage house, to which he has since made an addi- tion, and now has a pleasant home. He and his wife are members of the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder.

George F. Roth was an early settler in Bear Den Hollow, town of Eagle. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born Nov. 22, 1818. When he was quite young his mother died, and his father with his family of six children emigrated to Indiana and settled in Blackford county. Here he was married March 12, 1846, to Bar-

1041

HISTORY OF RICHILAND COUNTY.

bara Leffler. She was born in Perry Co., Ohio. Ile had previously purchased land in Blackford county, and at the time of his marriage they settled on that land. He cleared a farm and remained there until 1856, then came to Rich- land county and entered land on section 17, town of Eagle, and commenced clearing a farm. He enlisted March 12, 1862, in company 1, 19th Wisconsin. He died the 27th day of the same month at Racine, Wis. His body was brought home and laid to rest in Basswood cemetery. llis wife was left with six small children to provide for. She was equal to the emergency, and these children are now all grown to man and womanhood. Mrs. Roth has purchased ad- ditional land and now has a comfortable home. The names of the children are-Sarah E., Eliza J., Milton H., Rachel M., Daniel and Frances. Sarah E. is now the wife of Cassius M. C. Col- lins. Ile was born in Cameron Co., Penn., in 1847. When but five years of age his parents emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in Sank county. Here he made his home with his parents until March, 1864, when he enlisted in company A, 37th Wisconsin, and with the regi- ment joined the Army of the Potomae and participated in a number of engagements, of which we mention the following: battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Cokl Harbor, Petersburg; his brigade was the first to make a charge after the mine explosion before Petersburg; Yellow Tavern, Ream's Station, Hatches Run and Five Forks. He was dis- charged in August, 1865, and returned home. In 1868 he came to Eagle, and two years later purchased his present farm on section 17. Ile was married Dec. 30, 1871. llis father, John Collins, was also a soldier in the Union army. He enlisted in 1862 in the 17th Wisconsin, but was soon after transferred to the 11th Missouri Light Artillery. He died while in the service, at Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 7, 1862, while on his way home. He was born at Williamsport, Penn., in February, 1808. When quite young his parents moved to Clearfield county, where he

grew to manhood. Ile was married in 1832 to Rosanna Jordan. They lived in Pennsylvania until 1852, then removed to Sauk Co., Wis., and purchased land in the town of Lavalle. Three years later he sold out and moved to Reedsburg, where he remained until the time of his enlist- ment. His son, Hugh, was born in Cameron Co., Penn., in 1845. He enlisted in 1861 in the 19th Wisconsin, company A, and joined the Army of the Potomac six months later. He was discharged on account of disability and re- turned home. He re-enlisted in January, 1864, in company D), 19th regiment, and served until the close of the war. He returned home sick, and died two years later Mrs. Collins makes her home with her son, Cassius M. C: Collins, in the town of Eagle.

Theodore Wheaton came to Richland county in 1865 and settled. lle was born in Monroe Co., Ohio, Dec. 11, 1846. Ilis younger days were spent in school and on the farm. In the autumn following his sixteenth birthday, he enlisted in company D, of the 92d Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, went south and joined Sherman's army at Chattanooga, was with him on his "march to the sea," and through the Carolinas to Washington, participating in many of the important battles of that noted campaign. Hle was transferred at Washington to the 131st Ohio, and was discharged with that regiment at Columbus, Ohio, in July, 1865. During the war his parents had moved to Richland county and settled in the town of Eagle, where he joined them soon after his discharge. He was married in 1869 to Abigail, daughter of Rev. John and Rhoda Crandall. He rented land on section 32 for five years, then purchased land on the same section, built a house, and lived there two years. Ile then rented the farm of his father-in-law, on sections 31 and 32. Six years later he pur- chased his present farm on sections 13 and 20. He also has forty acres on section 29, on which there is some improvement. Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton have four children living-Ida L., Mary R., Eliza and Ella. Johnnie, their

1042

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

only son, was born Dec. 15, 1877, and died May 4, 1883. Mr. Wheaton has taken an interest in town affairs and has been several times a member of the town board.

T. A. Manchester, proprietor of the black- smith and wagon shop at Muscoda Bridge, was born in Geauga Co., Ohio, in 1846. His younger days were spent on the farm and in attending school. When seventeen years of age he went into the army, and when nineteen was appren- ticed to a blacksmith at Ravenna, Portage Co., Ohio, to learn the trade and served three years; after which he worked as journeyman in differ- ent places, including Cleveland, where he worked five years. In 1874 he opened a shop in Newbury, Geauga county, where he continued in business one year, then resumed work as journeyman. In 1878 he came to Richland county and located at Muscoda Bridge, where he built a shop 14x20 feet but business increas- ing, in 1880 he erected a building 18x50 feet to be used for a wagon shop. In 1881 he took pos- session of the building he now occupies, which is 20x48 feet. A. R. Moon has charge of the wagon shop. He doing the wood, and Mr. Man- chester the iron work. He also does horse shoe- ing and general repairing. Ile is a skilled me- chanic and is doing an extensive and prosper- ons business. He was married in 1879 to Nettie Dunston, who was born in Richland Co., Wis. They have one child-Frederick A. They

have acomfortable and pleasant residence, at a convenient distance from his place of business.

Alexander Barrett came to Richland county in 1870 and purchased a farm on section 5, town of Eagle, lived there a short time and then moved to Dayton and purchased a farm on sec- tion 32, where he remained nine years; then went to Akan and purchased a farm. He re- mained there only a short time when he re- turned to Dayton and purchased the McNally farm on section 28, where he lived until 1883, then purchased his present farm located on sec- tion 28, town of Eagle. It is pleasantly located in the richest belt of land in the county and is one of the best farms. It was formerly owned and improved by Alvin Pepein who built the frame house now on it. Mr. Barrett was born in Geanga Co., Ohio, in January, 1836, where he spent his younger days on the farm and at- tending school. He was married Nov. 22, 1856, to Jennett Manchester, also a native of Geauga county, where they lived three years, then came to Wisconsin and settled in LaCrosse Valley, LaCrosse county, where they were among the early settlers. He engaged in farming and lived there until 1863, then moved to Minnesota and lived in the town of Milton, Dodge county, until 1867, then went to Douglass county and took a homestead which he improved and sold three years afterward, and came to Rich- land county as before stated. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett have two children-Alanson and Walter.

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

1043

CHAPTER XXIV.

TOWN OF FOREST.

The town of Forest forms the northwest corner of Richland county, being composed of congressional township 12 north, range 2 west. It is bounded on the north and west by Vernon county, and on the cast and south by the towns of Bloom and Sylvan respectively. The surface of this town is very broken and uneven, the Kickapoo river traversing the northwestern portion .. Some portions of the valley of this river is excellent farming land, having a soil of rich black loam, made up chiefly of wash- ings from the surrounding hills. It is well adapted to raising all cereals common to this latitude, and being well watered it makes ex- cellent pasturage for stock. The Kickapoo river enters the town by way of section 6, and passing through sections 6, 7, 18 and 19, leaves through the latter section. This stream fur- nishes splendid water power privileges, which have to a large extent been improved. South branch of Bear creek has its source on section 2, and flowing northward leaves the town by way of the same section. Camp creek enters the town from the east and flows across the center of the town to empty into the Kickapoo. These streams have many spring tributaries, some small, while others are of considerable size, which abundantly water territory more re- mote from the larger streams. U'pon the higher and more uneven lands the soil is made up of a clayey loam; the original soil of black loam having by the action of the clements been largely washed into the valleys.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

two brothers who came together from Pennsyl- vania. Daniel entered 160 acres of land on section 32, where the first house in the town was erected and where he still lives. William entered 160 acres of land on section 29, where he still lives.

In the following June (1854) the Bender broth- ers were joined by Laal Cliff, who entered forty acres on section 7, where he still lives; and William Cliff, who selected eighty acres on seetion 8. William now resides in Minne- sota. The Cliffs were natives of Vermont.

Jeremiah D. Black came during the same year and entered eighty aeres on section 15. He is now dead.

On the 17th of September, 1854, quite a party of pioneers arrived, consisting of Cyrus D. Turner, Salma Rogers, Hartwell L. Turner, William Turner, J. L. Jackson and John Ful- ler. Cyrus Turner entered 320 acres of land on sections 18 and 19. Ile is now dead. Mr. Rogers selected the forty acres of land on section 19 which he still occupies. H. L. Turner en- tered 320 acres on section 19, but now resides just over the line in Vernon county. William Turner entered forty acres on section 18. J. L. Jackson entered land in the town of Liberty, Vernon county. John Fuller remained ouly a short time and then went to California, where he died.

John II. Crandall, a Baptist preacher, came here from Indiana in 1854, and entered 320 acres of land on sections 19 and 30. lle lived here a few years, then removed to the town of

The first settlement in this town was made in April, 1854, by Daniel and William Bender, Eagle. Ile is now dead.

1044

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

E. P. Fay came in 1854 and entered land on section 18. He settled there in 1855. He is now dead.

Jacob Bennett came here in 1854, and the year following located on section 7. He is dead.

George Fruit and James Guthrie came at an early day and located on section 12, where they still live.

Levi Knable also came in 1854, and entered land on section 30, where he now resides.

David Johns came in October, 1854, and en- tered eighty acres of land on section 30.

He was followed the same year by J. K., II. W. and J. W. Ambrose. J. K. entered 120 acres of land on section 34, where he now re- sides. II. W. entered 120 acres on section 28, where he still lives. J. W. selected 120 acres on section 34, where he died in 1881.

J. P. Neher came in 1854 and entered eighty acres on section 34. He now resides in Cali- fornia.

Jeremiah Clark came in 1854 and entered 160 acres of land on section 26, where he still lives.

R. J. Darnell was also one of the settlers of 1854. He bought a farm of eighty acres on section 36. He removed to Kansas from here, but now lives in Illinois.

Levi Gochenour came in 1854 and entered 160 acres of land on section 27. He remained there until the time of his death, in 1861. His widow still lives there.

In 1855 George Croninger, Andrew Carpen- ter, John Booher, Isaac Phifer, James Rock- well and Mr. Todd all came. Mr. Croninger bought land on sections 8 and 17, erecting a house on the former section, where he still lives. Mr. Carpenter settled on the southeast quarter of section 10. John Booher located on section 11. Mr. Rockwell located on section 10. He is now dead. His son, H. L., who came with him, now lives on section 3. Mr. Phifer settled on section 11. He now lives in Iowa.

Alfred Loveless, a native of the State of New York, came here in 1856 and bought forty acres of land on section 18, where he lived until the time of his death. He was a prominent man in the county and held many positions of trust and responsibility. Ilis son, J. A. Loveless, still occupies the old homestead.

VARIOUS MATTERS.

The first house within the present limits of the town of Forest was erected in May, 1854, by William and Daniel Bender, upon the farm that Daniel Bender now owns.

The first marriage in the town was that of George Croninger to Nancy Smart in 1855. The ceremony was performed by Oliver Guess, justice of the peace.

The first birth in the town was that of Viola M. Mack, a daughter of William and Julia Mack, born in May, 1856.

The first sermon in the town was preached by Rev. J. P. Neher, in 1855, at the residence of Cyrus D. Turner.

The first school in the town was taught in 1855 at the residence of Cyrus D. Turner by Helen Jackson.

The first school house in the town was erected at the village of Viola in 1856.

The first death in the town was that of Mrs. Margaret Bender, wife of Daniel Bender, who died in 1854.

The first saw mill in the town was erected by S. Rogers and Adam Shambaugh, on section 2 in 1857-8.

The first grist mill in the town was erected by Adam Shambaugh in 1860 on section 2.

The first bridge in the town was constructed by S. Rogers and H. L. Turner in 1855. It spanned the Kickapoo river, being 150 feet long, the covering being of poles. It was built by contribution, not a cent changing hands be- cause of its erection.

The first road was laid ont in 1854 by R. J. Darnell. It passes through sections 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36.

1045

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

The first church edifice in the town was erected on the northeastern part of section 11, by the United Brethren denomination. This was prior to the breaking out of the war.

The first male child born in the town was Jasper, a son of Andrew and Lucy Hull. The birth occurred on the present site of Viola, Oct. 4, 1856. Jasper is still a resident of the village.

There is a Free Will Baptist church on Goose creek, which is of hewn logs and a sub- stantial building.

The Baptists have a church building on sec- tion 22.

POSTOFFICES.

Bear postoffice was established at an early day with Adam Shambaugh as postmaster.

Forest postoffice was established in 1855. R. J. Darnell was the first postmaster. A few years later Jeremiah Clark was appointed post- master and the office was moved to section 26. The office has been moved several times since.

SAW MILL.

In the fall of 1883 Blakely Sons & Rogers put up a steam saw-mill on section 4. Atwenty- eight horse power steam engine was put in, and the mill was equipped with a circular saw. It does custom work.

ORGANIC.

The town of Forest was first organized in April, 1855. For some time the town embraced congressional townships 11 and 12, range 2 west. In 1856 the town of Sylvan was ereated, embracing township 11, range 2 west, leaving the boundaries of the town of Forest as they are to-day. The first town officers of Forest were as follows : Supervisors, Jesse Harness, chairman, J. V. Bennett and William Mathews; H. L. Turner, clerk; Andrew Carpenter, treas- urer; Levi Kuable, assessor.

The following is a list of the officers elected in April, 1883: Supervisors, I. A. Loveless, chairman, J. II. Shroader, J. M. Clark; Jona- than Turner, clerk ; J. S. Kanable, treasurer;

J. W. Sellars, assessor; R. II. De Lap, and II. L. Rockwell, justices.

THE VILLAGE OF VIOLA.

The village of Viola was laid out in the sum- mer of 1855, by Cyrus D. Turner and his brother Hartwell. The name was suggested by HI. L. Turner, in honor of Viola Buek, who had been the teacher of the Turner boys in New York State.

The first house upon the site was erected by Cyrus D. Turner. He also opened the first store in 1854.

The first wagon maker was John Cummings, who located here in 1866.

The first shoemaker was John Gribble, who came here in 1861.

The first saw mill was erected in 1556 by II. L. Turner. It stood just across the line in Vernon county.

The first grist-mill was erected in 1857 by the same person. It contained one run of buhrs.

The first school was taught in 1855 by Miss Helen Jackson.

The first sermon was preached by Rev. Jacob Neher at the residence of Cyrus D. Turner in 1855.

'The first child born was Viola May Mack, a daughter William II. and Julia Mack, born in May, 1856. Cyrus D. Turner gave the child a village lot for the privilege of naming her, and bestowed the name of Viola May, in honor of the village and month in which the birth occurred.

The first physician here was Dr. DeLap, who is still a resident.

The first hotel in the village was erected and opened by A. II. Hull in 1856.

In 1883 the village was doing a thriving busi- ness and had excellent prospects for the fu- ture. The following is a business directory of the village :

General merchandise, Burgor & Mathews, W.

J. Waggoner, Cushman & Sons and G. H. Tato. Drugs, Burgor & Mathews.

Hardware, G. H. Tate and W. J. Waggoner.

1046

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Furniture, Jones & Gorsuch.

Blacksmith and wagon shops, A. W. Guess, Cleophas Pepein and B. Osterout.

Grist-mills, Cushman & Sons and W. J. Waggoner.

Saw-mills, Cushman & Sons and Benjamin W. Lawton.

Physicians, Drs. R. H. De Lap and Joseph Goyer.

Veterinary Surgeon-N. D. Ward.

The village has organizations of the follow- ing societies : G. A. R, I. O. G. T. and I. O. O. F.

In the spring of 1883 a cheese factory was established at Viola by Peter Young, furnished with all the necessary apparatus for producing a first elass article. The enterprise has been very successful. The productions are marketed mostly at Viroqua and LaCrosse.

The Viola postoffice was established in 1858, with Cyrus D. Turner as postmaster. He was succeeded by G. HI. Tate, and then came W. J. Waggoner, the present postmaster. There are mail routes from here to Norwalk, Richland Center, Readstown and Viroqua. Those to Riehland Center and Norwalk are tri-weekly ; while those to . Viroqua and Readstown are weekly.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was organized on the 23d of July, 1870, with the following as its officers and charter members : John Gribble, P. S .; J. A. Cummings, R. S .; Jonathan Turner, T .; Salma Rodgers, V. G .; Harley Trobridge, N. G. In 1883 the society had a membership of forty-two. The officers in the fall of 1883 were: L. R. Gribble, N. G .; M. A. Gill, R. S .; N. D. Ward, P. S .; W. J. Wag- goner, T .; B. Robbitt, R. S. N. G .; William Clark, L. S. N. G .; C. W. Shultz, W .; R. H. De Lap, C .; G. W. Wilson, R. S. S .; G. Harris, L. S. S .; E. B. Waggoner, O. G .; J. Stone- brook, J. G .; R. H. Buchanan, R. V. G .; Peter Pippen, L. S. V. G. Trustees, Dr. R. H. De Lap and James Dowell.

The present Good Templars Lodge was or- ganized Jan. 12, 1872. The following were the first officers and charter members: John A. Cummings, W. C. T .; Mrs. Lucy A. Tate, V. T .; Norman H. Stiles, chaplain; Perlie V. Bess, secretary ; Dr. R. HI. De Lap, M .; Civilian West, O. G .; Mrs. S. K. De Lap, P. W. C. T. The organization now has a membership of thirty.

JERRY TURNER POST NO. 85.

A post of the Grand Army of the Republic was instituted at Viola, May 23, 1883, by mus- tering officer A. P. Clayton, assisted by com- rades Charles Pearce, Irvin Gribble, J. W. Liek and H. Allen, of Riehland Center. The post was named in honor of one of Riehland county's gallant soldiers who was killed in battle, Capt. J J. Turner, of company H, 5th Wisconsin Infantry regiment, who fell while leading his men at the storming of Mary's Heights, at the battle of Fredericksburg, May 3, 1883. The following is a complete roster of the organization, which starts under very favorable auspiees and a large membership :

Officers .- Commander, Salma Rogers; Senior Vice Commander, D. B. Sommars; Junior Vice Commander, J. L. Simmons ; Adjutant, M. V. B. Richards; Surgeon, Dr. R. II. DeLap; Chap- lain, J. B. Snow ; Quartermaster, W. J. Wag- goner; Officer of the Day, E B. Waggoner; Officer of the Guard, Jacob Benn ; Sergeant Major, J. M. Clark; Quartermaster Sergeant, J. M. Saubert.

Charter members .- R. H. DeLap, Salma Rog- ers, W. J. Waggoner, J. B. Snow, D. B. Som- mars, M. V. B. Richards, Adam Barton, Joseph Goyer, S. D. Wiltrout, Jacob Benn, J. M. Clark, T. D. Risin, David Austin, J. M. Saubert, Thomas Morris, A. A. Wiltrout, E. C. Gill, E. B. Waggoner, G. W. Wise, James Morrow, Peter Fazel, Alonzo Clark, T M. McCullongh, J. L. simmons, I. G. B. Ott, L. S. Kellogg, A. E. Clark, J. S. Kanable, J. R. Campbell and L. C. Gates,

1047

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

In 1883 and 1984 the post erected a building at Viola, at a cost of about $1,500. It is two stories in height, and about 24x48 feet in size. The upper story has been arranged as a lodge room, and the lower will be occupied with a store. Salma Rogers was the builder.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Viola, was organized in 1856, by Rev. James S. Lake, in the school house. Services were held in the school house until 1876, when the society erected a church building 26x36 feet in size, at a cost of $600. The Church now has a mem- bership of about forty. The officers of the Church in 1883 were: Pastor, Rev. Wooley; trustees, Dr. R. H. DeLap, R. A. Tubbs and Joseph Goyer.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

The following biographical sketches are of the representative citizens of this town:

Albert W. Guess, proprietor of the Viola Hlouse, Viola, Wis., was born in Carroll Co, Ohio, March 29, 1849. When five years of age, his parents, Oliver and Henrietta (Adams Gness, removed to Wisconsin, and became pio- neer settlers in Sylvan town. Albert W. passed his early life in Richland county, assisting hi: father on the farm and in the latter's mill, and attending the district school during the winter seasons. When seventeen years of age, he went to Richland Center, and served an apprentice- ship of two years at the blacksmith trade. The two years following, he traveled in Minnesota and lowa, working at his trade at various points in those States. Returning home, he erected a blacksmith shop on his father's farm, and there worked at his trade until the fall of 1869. He then came to Viola, and in the spring of 1870 rented a shop, and, in connection with his trade, engaged in the manufacture of wagons, buggies and cutters. In July of the same year he pur- chased the buildings, and the land on which they were located which comprised lot 3, of block 1, Ilull's addition to Viola. In 1881 he erected a large and substantial frame building which he opened as a hotel. Hle carried on the 1

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 147

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