History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 150

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 150
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 150

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF RICHILAND COUNTY.

was energetic and industrious, and devoted his leisure time to reading and study and after- ward practiced medicine, and later engaged in the manufacture of white lead in Cincinnati. He was a leading Mason and assisted in the or- ganization of the first lodge in the State of Wisconsin. He was a member of the territor- ial Legislature, and a delegate from Iowa county to the first constitutional convention in Wisconsin. He died in Lafayette county in 1865. Thus it may be seen the subject of this sketch is from a sturdy, energetic stock, and he retains those eminent characteristics to a marked degree. He is a man of generous im- pulses and pure motives, and has the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen, and can truly be classed among Richland county's best citizens.

ing school in New Jersey at the time of the re- moval of the family to Wisconsin, but joined them in 1854, and afterwards taught here. He died four or five years later. JJohn M. was born in Windham Co., Vt., March 17, 1833. . He came to Wisconsin with his parents and lived with them until 1861, when he was married January 20th to Nancy A. Judkins, daughter of Joel Judkins, an early settler of Rockbridge. He settled at the time of his marriage on his present farm, which he had pre-empted in 1854. He has cleared a good farm and built a frame house and barn. He enlisted on Feb. 14, 1865, in the 46th Wisconsin, company E, and went south, served until after the close of Wie war, and was discharged Oct. 6, 1865. Ile was a member of the first board of supervisors of the town of Henrietta. Addison was born April 24, 1838. Ile came to Wisconsin with his parents and remained with them as long as they lived, and he now occupies the homestead. He was married in 1876 to Julia, daughter of Wil- liam and Bethany (Carey) Jordan, early settlers of Greenwood, Vernon county. They have two children-Frederick and James A.

William W. Garfield, deceased, the pioneer settler of IIenrietta, was born in Windham Co., Vt., March 9, 1807, where his childhood and youth were spent. He was married April 1, 1830, to Fannie Willard, who was born in Weathersfield, Vt., April 16, 1804. Five children were born to them-William, John M., Eliza A., Addison and Caroline. They remained in Windham county until 1852, when they started Carlos Joslin, in June, 1847, pre-empted the southeast quarter of section 9, town 9 north, range 1 cast, of the 4th principal meridian, now Orion, and in September of the same year re- moved his wife and three children from Mineral Point to this place. He resided on his pre- emption but one year, when he sokt to Fred- eriek Schurman, and then entered the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 10, in the same town. Here he toiled to improve the land, and, in common with the rest of the early settlers on Ash creek, endured the hard- ships and enjoyed the pastimes of pioneer life. In 1853 Mr. Joslin moved to the north part of the county and became one of the early settlers in the town of Henrietta, where he still resides, an aged and respected citizen. Mr. Joslin was born in Chittenden Co., Vt., Nov. 30, 1805. His parents died when he was but a small boy, for the west to seek a home. He left his family in Waukesha while he came to Richland county to select a location. He entered land on section 35, town 12, range least, now in the town of Henrietta, and returned to Waukesha and spent the winter. In the spring of 1853 he took his family and started with an ox team for their new home in the then unbroken wilderness. They were about two weeks on the road, and on their arrival moved into a hunter's cabin, in which they lived one year. Ile then built a frame house, which was afterwards burned, when he built another, which was his home un- til the time of his death, Oet. 25, 1879. Mrs. Garfield died May 5, 1878. Their oldest dangh- ter is the wife of Demas Wherry The young- est daughter died July 11, 1865, at home, of small-pox contracted while teaching school at Debello. Their oldest son, William, was teach- | and be subsequently resided with his guardian,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

with whom, in abont 1819, he removed to the State of New York. In 1825, near Rochester, he married Mary Bostwick, a native of Canada. In about 1828 he emigrated to Michigan, and in 1841. came to Wisconsin and first settled at Madison, where he resided until November, 1846, then removed to Mineral Point, whence he came to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Joslin have five children-Lucy H., now the wife of Lattimer Renick; William HI., James W., Mary A., now the wife of O. Carl, and Albert E.

Thomas J. Leatherberry, one of the early set- tlers of Richland county, is a native of Ohio, born in Jefferson county, in January, 1829, where he made his home until 1854. In that year he came with his parents to Rockbridge. In 1855 he entered land on section 20, town 12, range 1 east, now known as Henrietta. He did not, however, settle upon this land, but soon traded it for property at Richland Center, and rented land on section 17. In 1860 he traded his vil- lage property for land on section 15, the east half of the southeast quarter. He has since purchased the south half of the south west quar- ter of section 14, and his farm now contains 160 acres. He was united in marriage in 1858 with Maria, daughter of George and Mary (Welsh) Norman. Eight children have been born to them-Leroy D., George J., Henry W., Joshua S., Dora E., Mary J., Robert G. and Lal- lie J.

Demas Wherry, one of the pioneers of Rich- land county, was born in Washington Co., Peun., Nov. 14, 1824. When he was one and a half years old his parents moved to Ohio and settled in Carroll county, where his younger days were spent in going to school and working upon the farm. He first visited Richland coun- ty in 1853, and entered land on section 31, town 12, range I east, now known as Henrietta. He remained a short time, and returned to In- diana, where he lived until 1854, then came back to Wisconsin and settled on his land and began improving it. He soon sold it, however, and purchased other land on sections 5, of the

town of Rockbridge, and 32, of the town of Henrietta, where he has cleared a farm and built a large frame barn and a good frame house. He has been twice married, first in 1851, to Elizabeth Nickilson, who died a few years later, leaving one child-Elizabeth; and again, in 1858, to Eliza A., daughter of William M. and Fannie (Willard) Garfield. They have seven children-Irving L., Lillie M., Rose, Nettie, John, Bert and Alice. Mr. Wherry has been prominent in town affairs, and has held many of the different offices. He has been chairman of the board, assessor, superintendent of schools and town clerk.

Bronson Greaves, one of the pioneers of Richland county, was born in Fairfield, Frank- lin Co., Vt., Sept. 8, 1818. When he was young his parents moved to the State of New York and settled in Malone, where he grew to manhood's estate. He was employed in a saw- inill, where he learned to be a sawyer. In 1849 he started west to seek a home, came to R.ch- land county and entered land on section 27, of town 11, range I east. He was then a single man, and did not settle upon the land at that time, but went to what is now the village of Rockbridge, and worked in Mr. Hazeltine's mill one year, then went to Black Earth, Dane county, and from there to West Bend, where he remained until 1851, when he returned to New York State. In 1852 he came again to Dane county, and rented a saw-mill at Black Earth. He was there married, in the fall of 1863, to Julia F. Hubbard, who was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., July 20, 1830. In the spring of 1854 they came to Rockbridge, and settled upon his land. They built a frame shanty and lived there two years. They then moved to town 12, range 1 east, now known as Henrietta. He had previously entered land on section 17, of that town. The same year he commenced building a grist-mill, but, his health failing, he was obliged to abandon the project, and he devoted his time to his farm, where he lived until the time of his death, which occurred

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

March 10, 1874. Hle cleared a good farm and erected good frame buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Greaves were the parents of three children- Mary J., David E. and Norman D. Mary J. is now the wife of Oswald Palmer, and lives on seetion 21. Mrs. Greaves and her two sons oc- cupy the homestead. Mr. Greaves was a good business man, honest in all his dealings, and much respected in the community. He had filled various town offices, and was known as a good citizen.

Albert S. Neff, one of the prominent men and pioneers of Richland county, is a son of Sam- nel and Mary Neff, and was born Sept. 9, 1821, in the town of Chaplin, Windham Co., Conn. Here his younger days were spent upon a farm, and in obtaining such instructions as op- portunity offered in the public school. At the age of eighteen he commenced to learn the trade of plasterer, mason and brick layer, serv- ing two years in Norwich and one year in Hart- ford. He then came to Milwaukee where he worked as journeyman three years. He then engaged as contractor and builder two years, after which he removed to Watertown, Jeffer- son Co., Wis., and there engaged in the same business until 1855, when he came to Richland county, purchased the hotel property in Rich- land Center, and named it the American House. Ile kept hotel six and a half years, and then traded it for land on section 31, of the town of Henrietta, where he has since engaged in farm- ing. Forty-one acres of his land is south of the village, adjoining the plat, and seventy-one acres north of the plat. Mr. Neff has cleared quite a tract of this land. lle has built a large frame house and barn and other buildings. Be- ing neat and commodious, he has one of the pleasantest residences in the county. He has been prominent in both town and county affairs. Hle has served as under-sheriff, six years, and has also been deputy sheriff, chairman of the town board, justice of the peace, besides filling various other offices. He was married in 1845 to Mary, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Dillon)

Manning Mr. Neff has the confidence and es- teem of his fellow men and is numbered among the best elass of Richland county's citizens.

Rev. Thomas Mason, (deceased) one of the pioneer preachers of Richland county, was born in Pennsylvania in 1818. Hle commenced preaching in Richland Co., Ill., and was married there in 1847 to Almira Bradshaw, a native of Wayne Co., Ill. lle continued preaching in Illinois until 1855, when he came to Richland Co., Wis., and settled on section 30, of town 12, range 1 east, in the present town of Henrietta. He immediately joined the Northwestern Cou- ference, and was appointed to the West Branch cirenit. In 1857 he went to Salem, La Crosse county, and preached one year, tlen to Mendota, where he remained two years, then to Augusta, in Eau Clair county remaining there two years, next to Galesville in Trempelean county. He then enlisted as private in the 14th Wisconsin, company D, and went to the front. He was killed at the battle of Corinth. He had been appointed chaplain of his regiment, but had not taken the position at the time of his death. Ile left a wife and six children to mourn his loss. The children are-Shadrach, Elijah, Sarah, Ma- hala, Maggie and James E. The two eldest sons, Shadrach and Elijah, were in the same regiment and company with their father. Shad- rach was severely wounded in the same battle in which his father was killed. Ile was dis- charged on account of disability, and returned . home. He soon re-enlisted and died in the ser- vice. Elijah served till the close of the war, and is now living in Illinois. Mrs. Mason is now the wife of Henry T. Walser, a resident of Woodstock.

James Edward, son of Thomas and Almira (Bradshaw) Mason, was born in the town of Henrietta, Feb. 28, 1861. He attended the dis- triet school, and later, the seminary at Elroy, and the high school at Sextonville. At the age of twelve he entered the employ of William Bradshaw as clerk. He continued in the same employment, excepting the time spent in school,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

until 1881, when he purchased the stock and good will of William Bradshaw and has since been engaged in trade. He keeps a good stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, glass ware and crockery, notions, etc. He was mar- ried in 1881 to Viola, daughter of Simon S. and Mary (Ambrose) Blake, who was born in the town of Orion. They have three children-Ray and Roy, twins, and Chester.

George Norman, Sr., one of the pioneers of Henrietta is a native of England, born in Som- ersetshire, July 17, 1811, where he spent his younger days. At the age of twenty-one he left his native land and came to America, and settled in the province of Ontario. Ile pur- chased land in what is now the town of Ora. Upon this land, which was heavily timbered, he built a log house and cleared a farm, and lived there until 1850. He then sold out and came to Wisconsin, settled in Jefferson county, where he brought property in Watertown, and lived there until 1855. In that year he came to Richland county and entered land on seetion 20, of town 12, range i east, now known as Henrietta. He built a log house and then be- gan clearing his farin. He occupied the log house until 1859, when he built a neat frame honse, in which he now lives, on section 17. He was married in 1834 to Mary Welsh. They have eight children-George, Robert and Maria, twins; Joshna J., Caleb II., James, Thomas and Mary J.

Their eldest son, George, was born in the town of Ora, province of Ontario, Jan. 22, 1837, and came to Wisconsin with his parents and assisted his father in clearing a farm. He enlisted in 1863 in the 11th Wisconsin, com- pany D, and went south. He was in the Red river expedition under Banks, and afterwards went to Alabama and participated in the siege and capture of Fort Blakely. He was dis- charged with the regiment in September, 1865, and returned home. He was married in 1868 to Elizabeth, daughter of Quinton and Susan (Morrell) Nicks. Four children have been born

to them-Willie, Ephraim, Loretta and Leo. Mr. Norman settled upon his present farm at the time of his marriage. It is on sections 20 and 17, in the locality known as Norman valley.

Joshna J. Norman was born in Ora, province of Ontario, June 3, 1840. He came with his parents to Wisconsin and lived with them nntil 1862, when he enlisted in March, in the 12th Wisconsin Battery, and went south. He par- ticipated in the following engagements: Cor- inth, Iuka, Vicksburg and Chattanooga and was with Sherman on his march through Georgia to the sea and through the Carolinas, taking a part in most of the battles of that noted cam- paign. He returned home at the expiration of the time for which he enlisted. He was joined in marriage in August, 1869, to Margaret Householder, a native of Ohio. They are the parents of six children-James B., Daniel I., Elgin S., Mary L., Rollie R. and Arthur J. Mr. Norman's farm, where he settled at the time of his marriage, is located on section 32, of the town of Henrietta. Ile has a good frame house and a log stable 20x90 feet. Sixty acres of the farm are cleared and under cultivation.

Caleb H. Norman was born in the town of Ora, May 17, 1844, and came to Wisconsin with his parents. He assisted his father and brother in clearing the farm. In January, 1865, he en- listed in the 46th Wisconsin, company G, serv- ing as fifer in the band. Ile was discharged in October, 1865, and returned home. He was married Nov. 10, 1867, to Angelina A. Bron- hard, who was born in Marion Co., Ind. They have four children-Nettie J., Ettie M., Mertie E. and Mary Belle. His farm is in the Nor- man valley, where he settled at the time of his marriage, on section 20.

James Norman, also a native of the town of Ora, was born Feb. 8, 1846, and was four years of age when his parents emigrated to Wiscon- sin, where he grew up with the country, living with his parents until 1875 In that year he purchased the old homestead, and his parents moved to section 17, where they now reside.

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IHISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Ile was married in November to Delia A., daughter of Perry and Sophronia (Blodgett) Brown. They have two children-Mary J and James Eliner.

Robert M. Stockwell, one of the eary settlers of Richland county, is a native of Vermont, born in Chittenden county, March 7, 1829. When he was seven years of age his parents moved to Washington Co., Vt. and here he grew to manhood's estate, obtaining his educa- tion in the district school. He was married in 1855 to Amelia D., daughter of Benjamin and Amelia (Hazeltine) Davis, who was born in Mooretown, Washington Co., Vt. They re- mained in Vermont until 1856 and then came to Wisconsin and first located on Fancy creek, where he rented a farm. In 1861 he purchased timber land on section 21, town of Henrietta, built a log cabin, into which his family moved, and he then commenced clearing his present farm. In November, 1863, he was drafted in the 37th Wisconsin, company H, and joined the Army of the Potomac in front of Petersburg. and served with the regiment until the close of the war, and was discharged July 27, 1865. He may well be considered one of the most successful farmers of Richland county Ilis farm now contains 260 acres. In 1883 he erected a neat frame house. Mr. and Mrs. Stockwell have five children living-Eli, Carlos, Ezra, Le- lah and Abbie.

Henry Travers, an carly settler of Henrietta, is a native of Indiana, born in Posey county, Dec. 22, 1827. At the age of eleven he re- moved with his parents to Wayne Co., Ill., where they were among the early settlers and the subject of this sketch began his pioneer life His father purchased wild land, which he assisted in clearing. He was married in 1851 to Sabrina Bradshaw, a native of Illinois. He purchased land in Ramsey township, Wayne county, and lived their until 1857. when he sold out and started with two pairs of oxen and a wagon to seek a home in the far west. His | fumnily accompanied him, and he drove thirty

head of stock. After traveling twenty-one days they arrived at Woodstock. He purchased timber land on section 30, town of Henrietta, and immediately began clearing. The family lived in a log house until 1873, when he built a good frame dwelling. Mr. Travers has been three times married. His first wife died March 19, 1876, leaving seven children-Arthur, Mary, Ella, Orilla, Emma, Willie and Ina. He mar- ried again, in 1878, to Nancy Silbaugh, a native of Ohio who died in 1880. His present wife was Susan Ensie. One child has blessed this union-Frederick.

HIis son, Arthur W., was born in Wayne Co., Ill., March 7, 1853. He came to this county, town of Henrietta, with his parents in 1857, where he grew to manhood. He was educated in the district school and at the seminary at Elroy, Wis. In September, 1875, he engaged in the mercantile business in the village of Woodstock, town of Henrietta, purchasing at that time the stock and good-will of Bradshaw Brothers. On Dec. 24, 1875, he was married to Rosa Hoyt, a native of Ohio. One child blessed this union-Harry, born May 30, 1878. In 18-0 Andrew Snyder became his partner in business and the firm is now known as Trav- ers & Snyder. They keep a general stock of dry goods, notions, groceries, boots and shoes, hats and caps and farming implements and repairs for the same. They are also produce shippers and live stock brokers.

Anson Stowell was an early settler in Rock- bridge. He came there in 1857 and bought land on section 14, and built a substantial log house, 18x24 feet, which at that time was called Buck Creek mansion. He sold the following year to John Clarson, and moved to Henrietta, purchased land on section 32, and built a frame house. He cleared a portion of the land and lived there until 1861, when he traded for land on section 5, town of Rockbridge. He cleared some of this land, built a log house and frame barn, and remained here till 1867, when he re- turned to Henrietta and settled on section 17.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

IIere he erected another log house and a com- modious frame barn. In 1881 he bought the Perry Brown farm on section 18, and now makes that his home. Upon this place there is a nice frame house, built by Perry Brown. Mr. Stowell has built a frame barn upon this farm making the fourth built by him in the county. Hle has some of the best improvements in the town. He is a native of the State of New York, born in Rensselaer county, March 3, 1830. When he was twelve years old his parents moved to Onieda county, where he attained his majority. He was married Dec. 29, 1849, to Martha R., daughter of Holsey and Sarah (Van- netar) Carpenter. They are the parents of ten children-James W., Mary A., IIarland P., Miranda, Sarah E., Charles H., Dudley II., Fannie A., William E. and Samuel E.

Robert Douglas Meeker, part owner of the Yuba flouring mill and also of the Woodstock mills, is an only son of John A. and Matilda (Stevenson) Meeker, born in Iowa Co., Wis., Aug. 2, 1849. When he was nine years of age his parents moved to Richland county and he commenced learning the miller's trade in his father's mill at Woodstock. lle was engaged in 1862-3 in brickmaking at Woodstock. In February, 1865, he enlisted in the 50th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, but was sent as a reeruit to company D, 7th Wisconsin, and joined the regiment in front of Petersburg, remaining at the front until March 28, when he was taken sick and sent to the hospital. He lost his speech and did not regain it for three months. Ile was honorably discharged- in June, 1865, when he returned home. In 1868 he went to Milwaukee an I worked in a machine shop ten months, he then returned to Woodstock and engaged in milling two years and next to Rich- land Center, where he worked as sawyer in Par- frey & Pease's mill. Ile then returned to Woodstock and again engaged in milling, re- maining there until 1882, when he built his present mill. Mr. Meeker is a natural mechanic and readily turns his hand to anything in that

line. He has been employed to quite an extent in the capacity of millwright. He was married in 1872 to Elizabeth, daughter of Demas and Elizabeth (Nicholson) Wherry. They have three children-Jessie R, Lee and Alice.

Jeremiah Koch settled in the town of Hen- rietta in 1861. He purchased land on seetion 36. He has since cleared a farm, and erected a neat frame house, a commodious log barn and also a saw-mill. He is a native of Pennsylva- nia, born in York county. When he was eight years of age, his parents moved to Perry county and continued to reside there until he was eighteen years old, when he moved to Cumber- land county. In the fall of 1834 he went to Ohio and spent the winter, and in the spring of 1835 he emigrated to Indiana and settled in Cass county, where they were among the early settlers. Here the subject of this sketch was married, in 1838, to Mary Shueya, a native of Pennsylvania. They remained in Cass county until 1852, and then came to Wisconsin and set- tled in Sauk county. Ile bought eighty acres of land in Spring Green, where he improved a farm and lived until 1861, when, as before sta- ted, he came to Henrietta. Mr. Koch has taken an interest in public affairs, and has filled offices of trust in the town. Mr. and Mrs. Koch have been blessed with thirteen children, ten of whom are now living - John H., Catharine, Sophia, Jeremiah Mattison, William, Michael, Eliza, Rebecca, Jane and Amos.

John Fowler settled in Henrietta in 1861. He was born in Hancock Co., W. Va., July 25, 1812, where his younger days were spent upon a farm. In 1854 he visited Michigan for the purpose of finding a desirable place to locate. After remaining there a short time, he returned home without purchasing land. In the fall of 1855, taking his family, he started with two teams for Wisconsin. They carried their own provisions and camped on the way. After four weeks' travel they reached Sank City, where they spent the winter. In the spring of 1856, he went to Sauk Prairie and engaged in farming,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

remaining there until February, 1861, when he came to Henrietta, and settled on land on sec- tion 7, the south half of the northeast quarter, which he had purchased in 1857. He has cleared quite a piece of this land, and built a good frame house and barn. In June, 1856, he bought the northwest quarter of the north west quarter of section 18, driving the first wagon from Debello, Vernon county, to Yuba, that was ever driven down the valley, and now makes this his home. He, in company with his son John W., is engaged in farming and stock raising, making a specialty of Merino sheep, of which they have a large flock of full bloods. lle was joined in marriage Sept. 3, 1835, to Sarah Allison, who was born in Hancock Co., W. Va., June 15, 1816. They have seven children-Richard J., Allison, James B., Mary, Burgess, Sarah S. and Jobn W. He settled at the time of his marriage on a farm lying on sections 8 and 18, that he had bought in company with his brother in 1870. In 1880 he bought his brother's farm, the Wil- liam Joslyn place, on section 7, the north half of the southeast quarter, and now makes this his home. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler are the parents of two children-David P. and Bertha A.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 150

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