History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 151

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 151
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 151

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).

Their son Allison was born in Hancock Co., Dec. 12, 1838 and came to Wisconsin with his parents. In 1861, at the first call for three years men, he enlisted in the 6th Wisconsin, company A, and was killed in the battle of Ilatch's Run, in February, 1865. Previous to this he had been wounded three times.

Their son, John W., was born in Hancock county, Oct. 31, 1850, and was in his fifth year when his parents came to Wisconsin Ilis younger days were spent on the farm and in school. He was married Oct. 18, 1874, to Eva M., daughter of Lattimore and Lucy (Joslyn) Renick.

Their son, Burgess, was born in Hancock county, Nov. 30, 1844. IIe came with his par- ents to Wisconsin, and continued to live them until 1863, when he enlisted in the 17th regi-

ment, Wisconsin Volunteers; went to Vicksburg, Miss .; came home on veteran furlough with the regiment; returned to the army in March, 1864; was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee ; was in all the battles in which the 17th army corps was engaged-Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, Lovejoy station, march to the sea, through South and North Carolina to Washington in May, 1865; to Lou- isville, Ky., in June, 1865; sent from Louisville, Ky., to Madison to be discharged, in July, 1865; arrived at home Ang. 5, 1865, and remained there until twenty-six years old. He was then married to May J., daughter of George and Mary (Welsh) Norman, and settled on a farm on section 7, which he had previously purchased of William Joslyn. In 1879, he went to Wone- woc, Wis., and worked at wagon making for fif- teen months. He then engaged in mercantile business at Yuba, where he is now doing a good business. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have two chil- dren- Winnie J. and Willie A.

John W. Ferguson is one of the successful farmers of Henrietta. In 1866 he purchased the first land he ever owned. It was in the town of Bloom, consisting of forty acres. Ile did not settle upon it, however, but soon sold it and bought eighty acres on section 30, town of Henrietta. He cleared a part of this land, built a log house and lived there until 1870, when he sold it and purchased eighty acres on section 19, where he built a good frame house and a large granary, and he now makes this his home. He has since purchased his father's homestead, which adjoins his land, and his farm now contains 215 acres, 120 of which are cleared. He has a log baru, 20x60 feet, and a frame barn 30x40 feet Ile first engaged in raising grain, but has lately turned his attention more to stock raising. Ile is a native of Guern- esey Co., Ohio, born April 15, 1843, and is the son of John T. and Sarah (Robins) Ferguson. He came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1864. That year he joined the 16th Wisconsin, com- pany G, went south and joined Sherman's army

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

at Atlanta; was in the famous march to the sea and through the Carolinas, and was discharged on June 2, 1865. He was married Jan. 15, 1875, to Jane Stout, who was born in Ohio. Three children have been born to them-Nellie May, George Francis and Della A.

Henry T. Walser, proprietor of the Walser mill, is a native of a southern State, having been born in Rowan Co., N. C., in April, 1822. He was eight years of age when his parents moved to Illinois and settled in Edwards county where they were pioneers. His father pur- chased timber land, cleared a farm and lived there until the time of his death. It was here that the subject of this sketch grew to man- hood. When he was seventeen years old, his father built a saw-mill, in which he was em- ployed five years. He then purchased the mill, and built a flour-mill, which he operated in con- neetion with the saw-mill for six years. At the end of that time, he sold out and engaged in mercantile business. Three years later he sold the store, and built another mill in Edwards county, which he operated until 1866, when he came to Richland county and located at Woodstock and engaged again in mercantile business, which he continued until 1869. He then sold out and built the mill which he now operates. Ile has been twice married-first. in 1844, to Patsy Doty, a native of Indiana. They had nine children, siv of whom are now living -Martin, Rebecca, Solomon, Harriet, Lori and Hiram. Mrs. Wal- ser died in 1866. Mr. Walser's second wife was Almira Bradshaw, widow of Rev. Thomas Mason. One child blessed this union, but died in infancy.

Ilis son, Hiram HI. Walser, was born in Edwards Co., Ill., in October, 1860. He came to Woodstock with his parents and received his early education in the district school. At t' e age of sixteen he went to work in his father's mill. He has continued in the same business ever since, and now has charge of the mill. He was married in 1881 to Eva Simmons, a native Green Co., Wis. They have one child-Lewie.

Mr. Walser is town clerk, elected in April, 1883.

John Dunn, the chairman of the town board of Henrietta, is a native of Orange Co., N. Y., born March 2, 1854. When he was three years of age, his parents moved to Wisconsin and located at Madison, Dane county, where they lived four years and then removed to Middle- ton, in the same county, remained there six years and then came to Henrietta, where the subject of this sketch attained his majority, obtaining a liberal edueation in the district school. He was united in marriage, in 1879, with Mary MeDonald. Three children have been born to them-James, Ellen and Frank. At the time of his marriage he settled upon his present farm on section 28. Mr. Dunn is a publie spirited man and has taken an active part in town affairs. He has filled the offices of town clerk and side supervisor, and was elected to his present office in April, 1883.

Wensel Hynek, the present assessor of the town of Henrietta, is a native of Bohemia, born in 1847. When he was but eleven years old, his parents came to America and settled in Vernon county, town of Union, where he grew to manhood, obtaining an education in the district school. He was married in 1867 to Josephine Plachetka. They remained in Ver- non county one year, and then came to Rich- land county and bought timber land on seetion 5, town of Henrietta, and immediately began clearing a farm. In 1883 he erected a two- story, hewed log house, in which he now lives. He has taken a prominent part in town affairs, and was elected to his present office in April, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Hynek are the parents of six children-John, Anna, Joseph, Francis, Josephina and Betty.

Oswald Palmer, a member of the board of supervisors, is a native of England, was born in Northumberland, in 1845, and was there brought up on a farm, receiving his education by private tuition. When he was twenty-one years old he went to Newcastle, and was there

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

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employed as clerk in a store, remaining until 1869, when he came to America, and joined friends in Milwaukee. He remained there but a few days, when he formed the acquaintance of Perry Brown and came with him to Henri- etta. He was married in 1870 to Mary, daughter of Bronson and Julia F. Greaves. lle settled on section 17, where he lived until 1877, when he purchased land on section 21,

and moved on to it. He has been successful as a farmer and now has 350 acres of land. He was elected to his present office in April, 1883. lle has served as justice of the peace, and held different offices in the school district ; and as a publie man, has proven himself worthy in every position he has been called upon to fill. lle is also deacon in the Advent Church, and has the respect of his fellow-men.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXVI.

TOWN OF ITHACA.

The town of Ithaca lies in the eastern tier of Richland county's sub-divisions. It comprises the territory of township 10, range 2 east, and sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and the north half of sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of township 9, range 2 east, and also section I and the north half of seetion 12, township 9, range 1 east. Unlike most of the towns in the county, orig- inally there was but little timber in Ithaca. The Indians, when this was their home, set fires yearly that stripped the surface of its vege- tation. What timber there was in the town was at the head of the smaller valleys, or "pockets," except quite a heavy body of timber on Pine river, and some scattered along on the banks of other streams. Since the advent of the whites a flourishing growth of timber has sprung up and now covers the unimproved lands.

The town is well watered by Willow creek and its tributaries. The creek enters the town from the north by way of section 4, and flows in a general southwesterly course across the surface of the town, to finally make confluence with Pine river. Little Willow, the main branch of the creek just mentioned, enters Ithaca from the north by way of seetion G, from thence it passes through sections 7 and 18, a corner of 19, to section 20, where it flows into the Willow. Pine river touches but a small portion of this town. The celebrated Bear creek passes through the southeastern part of the town. It enters section 36 from Sauk county; takes a general sonthwesterly course through seetions 1 and 11, and touches section 10 on its way to

the town of Buena Vista. There are several tributaries to this beautiful stream, fed by springs.

Ithaca is one of the best towns of Richland county. It was settled with an enterprising and thrifty class of people who took hold of such industries as the county seemed to them to be best adapted. An instance of this is found in the dairy industries, in which this town leads most of the towns in the county. Some of the best land in the town was first thought to be unfit for agricultural purposes on account of its wet and marshy appearance. Es- pecially was this the case in the Little Willow and upper part of Big Willow and Bear val- leys. These lands have been sufficiently drained by cultivation, and here, at the present time, are to be found some of the best farms in the town.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settler within the limits now com- prising the town of Ithaca was Orrin Britton, a native of New llampshire. le came here from Fort Atkinson, Jefferson Co., Wis., in the summer of 1848 and entered the northeast quar- ter of the northwest quarter of section 8, town 9, range 2 east. E. M. Sexton came with him and entered a large tract of land including the present site of the village of Sextonville. Or- rin Britton erected a log cabin on his land, using split puncheon for the floor and shakes to cover the roof. The party then returned to Jefferson county. In December, 1848, Britton returned, accompanied by his family, consisting of himself, wife and six children. The teams

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

then went back to Fort Atkinson for other goods and provisions, and upon their return to Richland county Jacob Essyltine, his son Rod- eriek and Alonzo Britton accompanied them. This party had been employed by E. M. Sex- ton to build him a house. During that winter they boarded with Britton's family, who at that time were the only residents of Ithaca.

In the spring of 1849 E. M. Sexton and R. B. Stewart came from Jefferson county, ac- companied by their families. Mr. Sexton moved his family into the house which had been erected for him on the northeast quarter of section 7. He made this part of the county his home for several years, then removed to Barron county. In 1876 he came back on a a visit. He was sick at the time and told his friends that he had come back to die. He lived buta few weeks, his death occurring at the house of friends in the town of Buena Vista. His remains lie buried in Sextonville cemetery.

R. R. Stewart lived for a time in Sexton- ville, then settled in the town of Buena Vista. In 1853 he located in the town of Willow, where he still resides.

Orrin Britton soon bought and entered other lands in the neighborhood. Ile remained there for three or four years, when he sold out and removed to the LaCrosse valley.

James Bank, a native of England, came here in 1849 and settled on the southeast quarter of section 31. On the 19th of July, 1852, he sold this farm to Dr. Sippy and moved to Bear val- ley, where he located on the southwest quarter of seetion 2. In 1855 he sold out again and re- moved to Sextonville where he opened a hotel and also contracted to carry the mail. Ile died there a few years later.

A Mr. Whelpy was the first settler in that part of Bear creek valley now included in Ith- aca. He came here as early as 1849, and set- tled upon the northeast quarter of the south- east quarter of section 36. Ile erected a log cabin and covered the roof with sod. He re-

mained until 1857 when he sold to II. L. Burn- ham and left the country.

In the fall of 1848 Thomas Derrickson and John Walker came from Indiana. Mr. Derrick- son located a land warrant on the southeast quarter of section 30, town 10, range 2 cast, and still occupies the farm. John Walker en- tered the northeast quarter of section 31. He was a Methodist exhorter, and for a number of years he preached in the neighborhood and tilled his farm; then soll out and moved to La Crosse. lle now lives in Dakota.

Samuel Metcalf also came from Indiana in 1849. He entered the northeast quarter of see- tion 30. Ile lived there until 1853, when he sold to Anthony Thomas and removed to Illi- nois.

F. G. Robinson came here from Indiana at about the same time as did Metcalf, and settled on the southwest quarter of section 20. He made that his home for about one year, when he sold his place to Rolland Bush and returned to Indiana.

Joah Enos came here from Green county in 1849 and claimed the southeast quarter of sec- tion 17. He sojourned here but a few years, selling out at the expiration of that time and removing to California.

William Butler, an Indian half-breed, from the reservation in Onondaga Co., N. Y., came here in 1849 and claimed the northwest quarter of seetion 9. Ile soon sold this claim and en- tered the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 20. In November, 1852, he traded this land to Isaac P. Welton, receiving therefor a pair of horses, harness and wagon, and $45 in gold. In December, of the same year, he moved to section 16 where he spent a few months, and then moved to the town of Willow. In the history of that town will be found an account of the settlement there.

John Lawrence, a native of New York State, and a son-in-law of William Butler, came with Butler, and entered the north half of the north- east quarter of section 17. In the fall of 1851

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

he sold to Amasa Grover, and moved to the town of Richland. He lived there a few years, then returned to Ithaca and lived on section 18 for a time, when he went west. A man named Hademan came here at the same time as Butler and Lawrence, and lived with Butler until 1852, when he started with Enos for California, and died on the plains.

In March, 1850, Charles Devoe, a native of the State of New York and a blacksmith by trade, came and settled on the present site of the village of Sextonville. He entered land on section 5, town 9, range 2 east. He worked at his trade and followed farming, remaining un- til the time of his death.

Alfred H. Bush and James H. Boyd came with Devoe. They were both sons-in-law of Devoe, and natives of New York State. Bush bought land on section 20, and lived there for a short time, then moved to section 30. In 1872 he moved to Franklin Co., Neb., where he now lives. He was a school teacher by profession, and had served as superintendent of schools in Lewis Co., N. Y. After he had been here some years, he became a preacher in the Congrega- tional Church. He was prominent in town and county affairs, and served as county treasurer. He has represented Franklin county in the State Legislature, and is now mail agent on the B. & M. R. R. Boyd took a claim on Little Willow creek and erected a board shanty. Ile spent the summer there, then disposed of the elaim and afterward bought the south half of the northwest quarter of section 5, town 9, range 2 east, and lived here until 1881, when he sold and moved to Jackson county, where he now lives.

Joseph Post, a son-in-law of Charles Devoe, came here from Walworth county in 1850 and entered land on section 4. Ile made his home here until the time of his death. Some of the children still occupy the old homestead. He was well liked and had the confidence of the people. He filled most of the various offices in

the town and was chairman of the board for several years.

Lucius Campbell, a native Vermont, came here in 1849 and entered land on section 6. In 1852 he sold out and returned to Jefferson county.

In 1850 Peter Mickel, a native of New York State, came to Sextonville, and remained until 1853 when he went to the LaCrosse valley. In 1861 he returned to Sextonville, and has since made this his home.

In 1850 James Goodrich came here, with the intention of engaging in merchandising. He re- mained only a couple of years and then removed to Nebraska.

John Perry, a native of New York, came in 1850 and entered land on section 17, which in- cluded the mill privileges. He remained here about five years, when he sold out and went to Iowa, where he died a few years later.

William Beemer was also one of the settlers during 1850. He was a native of Ohio, and after looking around a little he entered tlie southwest quarter, and the north half of the northwest quarter of section 1, town 9, range 1 east; also the southwest quarter of the south- east quarter of section 36, town 10, range 1 east. Ile erected a frame house on the north- east quarter of section 1, which at that time was the only house between Sextonville and Richland Center. Here he opened a tavern, and hung a sign bearing the words painted in black letters. "Pine River House!" This was a favorite stopping place among travelers for many years. Beemer remained there until 1861 when he went to Illinois, and the famous old Pine River House became a thing of the past.

In the fall of 1850 Mr. Rowley, an English- man, came to the town of Ithaca and squatted on the northeast quarter of section 5. IJe made no improvements except putting up a log cabin; and in 1852, accompanied the Enos party to Califor- nia.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Roland Bush, a native of Hampden Co., Mass., came here from the State of New York in 1850, and purchased 320 acres of land. Hle now lives on seetion 19.

Amasa Grover, a native of New York, came from that State in the fall of 1851,and purchased the north half of the northeast quarter of see- tion 17, where he still resides.

At about the same time Dr. Asa McCullom, a native of Ohio, came from Massachusetts, and purchased the north half of the northwest quar- ter of seetion 8, adjoining the plat of Sexton- ville. lle is still an honored resident of the village.

Robert Clement, a native of Ireland, came here from the State of New York in 1851 and bought land on section 10, town 9, range 2 cast. Ile improved a farm and lived here until the time of his death.

In the spring of 1851 Jacob Krouskop came from Ohio and settled on section 6, town 9, rango 2 cast. He remained a resident of the town until the time of his death, Feb. 7, 1878.

William Cratsenburg, a native of the State of New York, came here in 1851, and lived for a few weeks on section 32, then entered land on section 18. In 1853 he sold this land and re- moved to Sextonville, where he opened a shoe shop. In 1855 he bought the building known as "the Ark" and kept tavern for a while. Ilis home is now in the town of Henrietta.

William Richardson came in 1851 [or 1852], and settled on seetion 17. He lived here three years when he removed to La Crosse valley, and later to Ohio.

In 1851 Oscar Briggs, a surveyor, came here from Sauk county and located on section 6. Ile died there in 1852 and was buried upon the place.

Archibald C. and HI. A. Eastland came in 1851 and located at Sextonville. Archibald was agent for his brother, David, for whom he par- chased land. A. C. remained here for several years. Ile is now engaged in the practice of law at Muscoda. II. A. Eastland now lives in | public affairs.

Richland Center, and still follows the legal pro- fession.

Samuel Simpson, a native of Delaware, came here from Illinois in 1851 and settled on seetion 29. lle now lives in the town of Willow. His father, Joshua Simpson, also a native of Dela- ware, came here in 1850 from Carroll Co., Ind , and stopped for a time with his son. He bought land on sections 17 and 20; but did not settle here at that time. He went to Richland City and engaged in mercantile trade. Afew years later he settled on his land. erected a set of buildings and opened a farm. He now lives at Spring Green.

Joseph Irish, a native of New York State, came to Sextonville in 1852. He taught school, was elected county surveyor, and while here, entered the ministry. He was a resident of the county until 1860. Sinee leaving the county he has served as senator from the St. Croix dis- trict. He now lives at Madison, and is financial agent of Lawrence University. In 1883 he was tendered the appointment of minister to France, but declined.

Phineas Janney, a native of Virginia, came here in 1852 and entered land on seetion 12. Ile erected a cabin and remained during the summer, when he sold to David Eastland.

Mr. Eastland was a native of the State of New York, but came here from Mississippi. Ilis home is now on section 7.

Willard H. Thomas, a son of Anthony Thomas, paid a visit to this county in 1851, and the following year came with his family. He shipped his goods at Milwaukee, where he bought ox teams and came the rest of the way overland. He entered land on sections 8 and 9, where he lived until 1855, when he removed to Sextonville and engaged in trade. In 1858 in company with E. M. Sexton and R. C. Field he went to Trempelean county and platted the village of Osseo. He was engaged in mercan- tile pursuits at that place until the time of his death in 1877. He was a prominent man in

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Isaac P. Welton, an Ohioan, came here on the 10th of July, 1852. The following fall he bought forty acres of land on section 21, and entered the south half of the northeast quarter of section 3, and the north half of the northeast quarter of section 10, and the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 21. He set- tled on the Butler quarter and lived there for two years. Ilis home is now on section 1, town 9, range 1 east.

Joseph Sippy, a native of Maryland, came here from Indiana in 1852, and bought the southeast quarter of section 31, and also entered the south half of the southwest quarter of sec- tion 4, and the southwest quarter of the south- east quarter of the same section. In addition to these tracts he bought land in the neighbor- hood amounting in all to 600 acres.

G. W. Mathews, a native of the State of New York, came to Richland county in 1852. In 1854 he settled on section 17, where he still lives.

William Hibbs came from Indiana in 1851 and entered land on section 30. He owned this place for several years; then sold out and went to Indiana.

Paul Andrews was the first settlers in "Simp- son Hollow," taking up his residence there in 1851. Two or three years later he sold out and moved to Sextonville where he remaine I a short time.

James Beebe came in 1852 and entered land on section 2. In 1856 he sold out and went west, but has since returned east.

Elijah Nourse, a native of New Hampshire, came here from Rock Co., Wis., in 1852, and secured the south half of the northeast quarter and the north half of the southeast quarter of section 6, town 9, range 2 east, and also bought the southeast quarter of section 2, town 9, range 1 east. Ile settled on section 6, and made his home there until the time of his death.

In the fall of 1852 James King came here from Watertown, and entered the north half of the southeast quarter and the south half of the '

northeast quarter of section 5. He erected a log house which was soon afterward destroyed by fire and he at once erected another. In 1857 he sold out and removed to Trempelean county, and later went to Minnesota.

In 1853 William Harris was one of the arrivals. He was a native of the State of New York. Hle settled on the northwest quarter of section 1, town 9, range 2 east, and made a "dng-ont" in the side of the hill, in which he lived for two years, and then erected a log house. He lived there until 1864, when he sold out and removed to Wright Co., Iowa.

Peter W. Haskins, a native of the State of New York, came here from Richland City in 1853, and settled on the southeast quarter of section 25. He bought the south half of the southeast quarter, and the east half of the south- west quarter of that section. Here he laid ont a village called Petersburg; started a black- smith shop and built a saw-mill, in which he put one run of stone for grinding corn. IIe sold out several years later, and moved to the town of Buena Vista, where he started a black- smith shop and worked at his trade for a num- ber of years. He has since gone to Dakota.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 151

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