History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 155

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 155
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 155

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).

until his place was increased to 600 acres. He lived on section 31 two years, then removed to section 4, and commenced improvements on his land. He laid out the village of Neptune, erected a saw mill and made this his home until the time of his death which occurred in Sep- tember, 1870. His wife died in July, 1880. 1Ic had quite an extensive practice in the county, and was well and favorably known. Seven of his children are now living-Minerva, who married Menzies Manley (deceased), she now lives in Sanborn, Iowa. Hannah, widow of H. L. Welton now living in Kansas. Martha, wife of John Stockton now living in Richland Cen- ter. Lydia, wife of Daniel Dodge, now living in Kansas. Precilla, wife of Abel Ragles now in this town. Rebecca, wife of Valentine Stoddard now living in the town of Willow, and Thomas. The latter is the only son and now occupies a portion of the original home- stead, where he has a farm of upwards of 300 acres and is extensively engaged in dairy and stock farming. He was born in the town of Hinkley, Medina Co., Ohio, April 3, 1835. The year following his father removed to Indi- ana, where his younger days were spent in school, on the farm and in his father's store. He came to Richland county with his parents and made his home with them until 1857, when he was married to Laura E. Welton. Her parents were natives of York State, but she was brought up in the State of Ohio. He then settled on the south west quarter of the north- west quarter of section 4, where he lived until 1870, then moved to the southwest quarter of the same section. He has erected a good frame house, a frame barn with stone basement and now has a good farm well improved. Ile has been a member of the board and is at present town treasurer, and has been justice of the peace -the latter office he has held almost continually for eighteen years, and during all this time it is remarkable that none of his decisions have ever been reversed, or a change of venue taken or asked, which faet in itself speaks volumes

1095

HISTORY OF RICHILAND COUNTY.

for the good judgment and honesty of this set- tler. Mr. and Mrs. Sippy are the parents of two children-Asher Francello and Bertram W; a daughter named Cora died when three years old. These people were trne pioneers and en- dured the hardships and inconveniences of such a life. Remote from mill and market, various methods were devised to meet the necessities of life. In the absence of a mill Dr. Sippy's large mortar, with a wheel for a pestle, did the work of grinding for the neighborhood. Thus the people of that day met every difficulty, overcame every obstacle, and in consequence a goodly land with every convenience may here be found, where within comparatively a short time a wilderness prevailed.

Elijah Nourse, (deceased) a pioneer of Rich- land county, was a native of New Hampshire, born in Bedford, Hillsborough county of that State, in 1797, where he was brought up on a farm. Ilis wife was Mehitable Towns, who was born in Hillsborough county Nov. 24, 1798. Soon after marriage they emigrated to Orange Co., Vt., and settled in the town of Topsham, and remained until 1836, then moved to Washington county of the same State, and located in Moretown where he purchased a farm, which he improved and lived upon until 1839. Ile then sold out and started for the ter- ritory of Wisconsin, traveling with teams to Buffalo, put teams and wagons on board steam- boat for Detroit, where they embarked and completed the journey to Kenosha, (then South- port). Here their eldest son, William, was taken sick and died. They lived there one year only and then went to Ohio making the trip overland; remained one year and returned to Wisconsin, passing through Chicago on the way, which was then a mere hamlet. Ile loea- ted in Roek county, where he purchased a traet of land, now in the city limits of Janesville, on Rock river, upon which was a slight im- provement, including a log cabin, the first ever built on Rock river in that county. The loca- tion proved unhealthy, and four of their chil-

dren sickened and died. In 1852 he sold his farm and came to Richland county; purchased the south half of the northeast quarter and the north half of the southeast quarter of see- tion 6, town 9 north, range 2 east, now included in the town of Ithaca, there improved a farm and erected a good frame house. Mr. Nourse was an industrious man, a good farmer, and in comfortable eireumstances at the time of his death which occurred April 3, 1877. His wife died Feb. 23, 1877. Their son Franklin, the only one of their children now living occupies the homestead, and since his father's death has carried on the farm. He has built a large frame barn with a stone basement, and the place is now one of the best improved in the county. Franklin Nourse was born in Topsham, Orange Co., Vt., March 12, 1830, and was never separ- ated from his parents for any length of time. In 1856 he visited his native town and there, February 25th, was married to Hannah Fellows, also a native of Topsham. They have five children-Ella, Dora, Lilla, Frank and Lulu.

Menzies Phelps Manley, one of the first set- tlers on Little Willow creek, is a native of Connecticut, born in the township of Tolland, Hartford county, March 6, 1829. When six years of age his parents emigrated to Ohio and located in Medina county, township of Brunswick, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving his education in the pioneer schools which at that time were very erude, compared with our present system of common schools. The school house itself being a rude log structure, with a fire place in one end. The benehes consisted of split logs, flat side up, with four legs. When twelve years old, his parents removed to Indiana and located in the village of Akron, Fulton county. Here he re- mained with his parents for three years, when they removed from the village of Akron, on to a farm three miles east. On this farm he re- mained for three years assisting his father in agricultural pursuits, During these three years, at times the whole family of eight were stricken

1096

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

down with ague. Phelps being the main stay of the family, was obliged to work, when weak na- ture said "go to bed." Plowing day after day, having no support save the plow handles. In the month of April, after he was eighteen years of age he hired out to Messrs. Kent & Elam, who were proprietors of a brick yard, which was located a mile and a half south of Rochester, the county seat of Fulton county. Here he worked until the 1st of October, off- bearing brick from the moulder. His regular days work being 5,000 brick. During the next winter, 1847-8, he was engaged in cutting cord wood for John Elam at twenty-five cents per cord. The next summer he attended masons on the court house at Rochester. In the fall of 1848, in company with a young man by name of John Shamp, he went to Niles, Mich. Not finding any work at that place, they went to New Buffalo, their only guide being the survey of the Michigan Central railroad. Their effect on this journey consisted of an extra shirt done up in a bandanna handkerchief, and $1.50 in money apiece. Still they were proud to say they sponged not a meal of victuals or a night's lodging from any one. At New Buffalo they worked in a steam-mill until the Ist of June, when they returned to a point eight miles from New Buffalo, on the Michigan Central railroad. Here they worked for the railroad company until the following June, cutting cord wood, making ties and clearing track for the grade. In June, 1849, he returned to La Porte Co., Ind., and hired out to a farmer by the name of Charles W. Henry, who lived on Stillwell prairie. Here he worked till the fall of 1852, when he took his span of horses and went to Fulton county to see his parents, who were still living near Akron. While at home he purchased for- ty acres of land, paying the sum of $1.25 per acre. This piece of land he sold after locating in Richland county. In September, 1852, he started for Richland Co., Wis., taking with his team a load of goods for Dr. Sippy, who emi- grated to Richland county at that time. They

were a month on the road and brought forty head of cattle with them. Soon after his ar- rival he traded his team to I. P. Welton for eighty aeres of land-the south half of the southwest quarter of section 32, town 10, range 2 east. This team consisted of two beautiful dapple grays, and were highly prized by Mr. Manley. Mr. Welton traded them to an Indian by the name of William Butler, who kept them for twenty years. They lived to a great age and till perfectly white. They were at one time owned by Berney M. Jarvis, of Cazenovia. Mr. Manley did not settle on this land, but sold it to his father, who settled on it in the fall of 1853. In October, 1852, Mr. Manley engaged with James Cap in his saw-mill as sawyer. Soon after going to work he injured his foot on the saw and was not able to resume until March following. IIe worked in the mill for Mr. Cap until the spring of 1854, when he rented the mill and operated it for one year. In June, 1853, Mr. Manley, in company with Daniel, Benjamin and Addison Rance, West Southard and a man named Page, started out to look for land. Leaving Dr. Sippy's place, they followed up Little Willow creek to the head, thence down the Alwood hollow, and camped for the night on the spot where Mr. MeCorkle's flour- ing mills now stand. During the afternoon West Southard got lost. His companions re- mained up till late in the night, firing guns at intervals and keeping up a bright fire to attract his attention; but finally becoming discouraged with their efforts, they rolled up in their blank- ets and went to sleep. The next morning the lost one put in his appearance. He had chanced to find his way to Benjamin Smith's cabin, as had many other wanderers before him. The old pioneer gladly gave him the much needed advice and sent him on his way rejoicing. Manley did not seleet land on this trip, but was favorably impressed with Little Willow valley. The bottom lands of Little Willow at that time were wet and swampy, but he concluded that by a little drainage they could be made tillable,

1097

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

and in June, 1854, he entered the south half of the northwest quarter, and the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter, and the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 6, town 10, range 2 east. In 1856 he sold the last named forties to his two brothers, Asa and Joseph Manley, who divided the two forties lengthwise the line, retaining the same to the present time. In the fall of 1854 he built a rude lumber shanty and lived in that till the following February, when he moved into the house in which he now resides. In 1869 Mr. Manley bought forty acres of land (the south- west quarter of the northeast quarter-remain- der of description the same as before men- tioned). Of this 120 acres, ninety-five are im- proved-the balance retained for wood and other purposes. Mr. Manley was married to Harriet (Hamilton) Tompson on March 26, 1854. They have seven children-George S .. J. Willard, Flora L., Cora A., Dora J., David F. and Albert E. The oldest child, George S .. is married and living on a farm at the mouth of Little Willow. For the greater part of the last five years Mrs. Manley has been confined to her bed with nervous prostration. Six of thei: children are now at home to take care of and assist their mother in her illness.

Mathias M. Smith, a pioneer of Richland county, was born in Litchfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Feb. 23, 1827, where his early life was spent in school and on the farm. When he was nineteen years old, his father sold the farm upon which he had lived for fifty-three years, and removed to Bedford, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, where the subject of this sketch remained until he was twenty-three years of age. He then started out to see something of the world. Ile visited the cities of Cincinnati and St. Louis, then went to Illinois, and engaged in farming in Greene and Jersey counties. From there, he went to Hancock county, in the same State, where he was employed by a Massa- chusetts firm to sell clocks in the States of Illinois and Iowa, in which business

he continued about a year. He then re- turned to Bedford, Ohio, and Dec. 24, 1852 was married to Elizabeth Thomas. She was born in Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., Feb. 20, 1831. In the spring of 1853, they started for Wiscon- sin. They came from Cleveland to Milwaukee on the lakes; from thence by team to Sexton- ville. Here they stopped for a time with Mrs. Smith's father, Anthony Thomas, and also with her brother, Willard H. Thomas, who lived on section 8, in town 10. He built a temporary frame building, 14x18 feet in size, in which the family lived until 1861, when he erected a good frame house which they still occupy. Mr. Smith, in company with James B. Smith, his brother, who came from Ohio in 1858, owns 265 acres of land, of which 120 aeres are improved. They have engaged in raising grain and stock, and of late years have kept a dairy. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five children-Frederick A., James W., Kate B., Frank M. and Annie E.

William Lunenschloss, the pioneer German settler of the town of Ithaca, was born in the city of Cologne, (which then belonged to the French Empire) Nov. 23, 1816. He obtained a good education in the schools of his native city, attending three terms at a high school. Ile then engaged in the grain trade. At the age of twenty he entered the army and served one and a half years, after which he resumed his former occupation. In 1852 he took passage in the steamship "City of Glasgow," bound for America, landed in Philadelphia and went di- rectly to Milwaukee, where he remained two months. From there he went to Dodge county and engaged in buying grain and other farm produce until June, 1854; then, accompanied by his family, started with a pair of horses for Richland county. lle bought 120 acres of land on section 16. The family moved into a va- cant log cabin on section 22 and lived there three months. In the meantime he erected a small frame house on the northeast of the south- east of section 16. He commenced farming ly raising grain and stock. In 1867 be engaged

1098

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

in the culture of hops, and is the only man in the town who has continued that industry. He, however, has made it a paying business. He has erected a neat cottage house, enclosed the yard and beautified it by the planting of orna- mental trees and shrubs. He has two stables, one log and the other frame, a hop house and granary. The latter is 20x50 feet. In 1875 he engaged in the hop trade, buying in Wisconsin and selling abroad. In 1878 he removed to Richland Center and bought grain until 1882, when he returned to his farm. He was married in 1852 to Eliza Thernes, also a native of the city of Cologne. They have four children- Frank, Charles B., Eliza and William.

John A. Shontz was one of the pioneers of Ithaca, having come here in 1854, accompanied by his brother, Loren Shontz. They purchased land on section 36, town 10, range 2 east, now included in the town of Ithaca. They erected a small frame house and commenced improving the land. They were both unmarried at that time, and a sister kept house for them. In 1856, John A. returned to his home in Penn- sylvania and was there married September 23, to Rebecca MeFadden, who was born in Craw- ford Co., Penn., Nov. 2, 1832. He then came back to Wisconsin with his bride. Loren then returned to his eastern home, made a short visit, then went to Missouri, where he was taken sick and died. Mrs. Shontz was very homesick, so, in 1857, they rented the farm and returned to Pennsylvania, where Mr. Shontz engaged in the lumber business until 1862. In that year they came back to his farm in Rich- land county, where they have since resided. IIe has built an addition to the house, and a frame barn with a stone basement. His farm now contains 200 acres, all fenced and improved. It is located in Bear Valley. Mr. Shontz was born in Crawford Co., Penn., Jan. 25, 1828, where he was brought up on a farm. He ob- tained his education in the common schools. At the age of eighteen, he engaged in the lumber business in company with his brother, buying

1 standing timber and having it manufactured into lumber and shingles. He was thus em- ployed until the date of his coming to Ithaca. Mr. and Mrs. Shontz have four children-Lola . Kate, Clara L., Florence H. and George M. Mr. Shontz is postmaster of the Bear Valley postoffice,

William Misslich, one of the pioneers of Richland county, was born in the city of Cologne, Rhine province, Prussia,- in 1795. Here he attended school in his younger days, and later, devoted his time to agricultural pur- suits. He was married in 1823 to Agnes Heinen, who was born in Rhine province in 1793. In 1850 they came to America and set- tled first in Waukesha Co., Wis., where he bought forty acres of land. He improved this land and lived upon it until 1855. In that year he came to Richland county and settled upon section 14, town 10, range 2 east, now known as the town of Ithaca, where he lived until the time of his death in 1868. Mrs. Misslich died in 1878. His son Albert was born in Rhine province, Prussia, in 1831, came with his par- ents to America and remained with them until 1851. He then went to California, making the trip overland, with an ox team, and was five months and twenty-two days on the road. He returned in 1855 by water, crossing the isth- mus at Nicaragua, joined his parents and came with them to Richland county. He entered land on sections 13 and 14, where he resided about fourteen years, then moved to his present location on section 26. In 1855 he was married to Mary Weitzel, a native of Rhine province. They have nine children. Mr. Misslich has taken a lively interest in town and county affairs He is the present chairman of the town board of supervisors, which office he has held six years. Their son, Paul, was born in Rhine province, Oct. 14, 1834. He obtained a good education in the common schools of his native country and was seventeen years old when he came with his parents to America. He lived with them until his marriage, Nov.

1099

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

27, 1858, to Elizabeth Bodendine, also a native of Rhine province. They are the parents of . six children-William, Agnes, Albert, Mar- garet, Mary and Anna. Mr. Misslich has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. His farm is located on section 14. He has been postmaster of the Keyesville postoffice ever since its establishment in 1872. lle is also notary public, having been appointed by Gov. Smith, in April, 1880.

Isaac O. Smith was an early settler in the town of Buena Vista, having come there in 1855. Ile purchased 215 acres of land on sec- tion 10, town 9, range 2 east, upon which he created a small frame house and made other improvements. His resided there until 1867, when he bought the "Lawrence" farm, located on the northwest quarter of section 2, town of Ithaca. He has built a large frame barn and frame house, and is engaged in raising grain and stock, also keeps a large dairy. Mr. Smith was born in Brook Haven, Suffolk Co., L. I., in November, 1823, where he spent his childhood, helping upon the farm and going to school. At the age of fourteen he went to sea, and sailed before the mast until he was twenty-one years old. He then became master of a vessel and followed the sea until 1855, then being tired of a seafaring life, coneluded to become a farmer, and came to Richland county. His surround- ings prove his success in that business. lle has been twice married, first in November 1857 to Jane E. Lawrence, a native of New York. She was born in August, 1838, and died in Buena Vista, Sept. 4, 1858, leaving one son-Charles M. He was again married, June 19, 1867, to Flora A., daughter of Lucius and Polly Me- Dowl Tracy. She was born March 22, 1841, in Erie Co., Penn.

J. G. Lamberson, dealer in real estate and live stock, came to Richland county with his parents when a boy. Here his younger days were spent in acquiring an education. He enlisted in December, 1863, in the 6th Wisconsin Bat- tery, went south and served in Tennessee, Ala-

bama and Georgia, until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged at Madison, in July, 1865. He returned to Sextonville, entered the high school and graduated, after which he engaged in teaching in Sylvan, afterwards in Richland City and Sextonville. In 1868 he en- gaged in mercantile trade in the latter place. Ile carried a general stock and did a thriving business, which he continued until 1878. Dur- ing the time he also dealt in live stock, which business he still continues. Hle was born in Elkhorn, Walworth county, territory of Wis- consin, Aug. 27, 1846, and came from there to Richland county. Ile was married in Decem- ber, 1872, to Jennie Ward, a native of DeKalb Co., Ill. They have four children-Mabel, El- bert, and Lelia Maud and Laura Blanche, twins. Mr. Lamberson is what may be called a self- made man. Starting in life with a good mind and sound body as capital, he has, by perse- verance and industry, accumulated a considera- ble property, now owning 1,000 acres of land in the county, mostly worked by tenants, and is among the best class of business men. lle early appreciated the advantage to be derived from securing a good education, and bent his energy to obtain the same, which, having se- eured, he put into practical use, and his indom- itable energy, combined with good judgment, have made him a successful man in all his un- lertakings. Courteous and affable in his man- ner, he is deservedly popular among his fellow- men.

William Simpson, an early settler of Ithaca, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, Jan. 4, 1827. When he was four years old, his parents removed to Carroll Co., Ind., where they were early set- tlers. His father purchased timber land which William assisted in clearing. He resided with his parents until 1848. In October of that year, he was married to Rachel Morrison. She was born Aug. 15, 1829, in Pennsylvania. They removed to Will Co., Ill., where he rented a farm and lived until 1856, then taking his family and his household goods loaded upon a

1100

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

wagon, started overland for Wisconsin. After traveling nine days they reached their destina- tion in the town of Buena Vista, now the town of Ithaca. His father several years before had laid out three patents, on one of which William moved. It comprised eighty acres of land on section 30, and his brother had built a small frame house for him, into which the family moved. Since that time he has built a commodious frame house and barn. His farm, which is well watered by Willow creek, is well improved and enclosed. Mrs. Simpson died May 16, 1858, leaving three children-Mary E., Sarah R. and Robert A. March 31, 1859, Mr. Simpson was again married to Lucinda Mc- Namar, who was born in Lewis Co., Va., March 31, 1840. Eight children have blessed this union-William R., Joshua D., Marshall L., Elijah E., Frederick N., Ilarry E., Edward G. and George H. The second Mrs. Simpson died Jan. 6, 1881.

Abel Ragles is a native of Pennsylvania, born in what was formerly Mercer, but now Law- rence county, Jan. 28, 1824. When he was five years old his parents moved to what was then Medina, now Summit Co., Ohio. At the age of thirteen he went with a neighbor to Indiana to assist in driving cattle. He remained with this man in Fulton county one year, then engaged to work for his uncle, Dr. Sippy, with whom he lived until twenty-one years old. He was then married to Priscilla, daughter of Joseph and Martha (Cogswell) Sippy. His father-in-law gave him a tract of land in Wabash county, which he improved and lived upon until 1854 In May of that year he sold his farm and came to Wisconsin in search of a location. On the 10th of June he entered a tract of land on section 4, town 10, range 2 east, then returned to Indiana, gathered his crops and remained until fall, when he removed his family to their new home. They came overland with teams, bringing their household goods and provisions and camping on the way. They were sixteen days on the road. They first rented a small

shanty in which they lived a few days, in the meantime, with the assistance of the neighbors, he erected a rnde log cabin into which they moved. During the following winter their supply of provision. ran very low and it was necessary to do something to "keep. the wolf from the door," so Mr. Ragles and his neighbor, Henry Short, whose stock of provisions was in about the same condition, started, each taking a load of Inmber, to go to Sextonville, where they tried in vain to sell or trade their lumber for provisions. Mr. Ragles, however, bought two bushels of corn and a bushel of beans, and Mr. Short two bushels of corn. They returned, arriving at Mr. Ragles' about midnight tired and hungry, having eaten nothing since morn- ing. The family had gone to bed hungry, but they got up and Mrs. Ragles hastily cooked some of the beans which they ate with a relish. In June, 1857, his corn crop was cut off by the frost and the prospect was gloomy indeed. About that time there became a demand for ginseng and he and his family went to work with a will to gather it. At this em- ployment they soon earned enough to put them out of the reach of want for the time being. In fact it proved a turning point in their fortunes, from which they prospered and were soon able to build a small frame house, and later, a frame barn, which was destroyed by fire a few years afterwards together with all its contents, hay, grain and some stock. He has built another barn and a large frame upright part to his house. Ile is the owner of 202 acres, eighty of which are well improved, and is engaged in raising grain and stock, also keeps a dairy. Mr. and Mrs. Ragles have eight children. The eldest three, Martha, Thomas J. and Annie J. were born in Indiana; Hubert S., Clarence J., Robert B., Emma and William are natives of Richland county.

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 155

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