History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 156

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 156
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 156

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).

Samuel Jones came to Wisconsin in 1855 but did not immediately locate in this county. He was born in Greene Co., N. Y., July 13, 1820, where he was reared upon a farm, and obtained

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

his education in the common schools. He was married Aug. 24, 1845, to Mary A. Vantassel, also a native of Greene county, born Dec. 10, 1826. He purchased a farm in his native coun- ty, town of Cairo, where he lived until he came to Wisconsin. He then sold his farm, and, accompanied by his family, made the journey by rail, to Madison, where he hired a team to take them to Dover, Iowa county. He engaged to work upon a railroad bridge which was then being built. across the Wisconsin river, near Spring Green. Ile was thus employed until the fall of 1856, when he came to Richland county. He purchased 120 acres of unimproved land on sections 5 and 6, town of Ithaca ; erected a log honse upon section 6 and immediately began improving his farm. A few years later be built a good frame house. In 1868 he bought his present farm, located on the south half of sec- tion 6. To this place he moved his frame house and built a frame barn. He has engaged in raising grain and stock, and, like many others, at one time tried hops. Ile bas been successful in his undertakings and is now the owner of one of the best farms on the Little Willow. His wife died June 11, 1882, leaving five children -- John W., George W., Samuel Eugene, M. Eva and Paul H. Their eldest child died at the age of three years, and another in infancy. Mr. Jones has since been married to Elizabeth Schoonover, widow of Elias Tanner. She is a native of Ohio.

Horace L. Burnham came to Richland county in 1856. Ile purchased the northeast of the southeast quarter of section 36, town 10, range 1 east; also eighty acres adjoining in Sank county. On the first was a log cabin with a sod roof, into which he moved, and soon after re- placed the sod roof by one of shingles. He has since erected a neat cottage house and frame barn. He has resided here since that time, with the exception of the four years that he served as county treasurer, which he spent in Richland Center. Hle is a native of the Green Mountain State, born in Addison county,

July 12, 1828. He obtained his early education in the district school, and afterwards attended the academy at Bakersfield, Vt., one term, also one term at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. After completing his education he engaged in teaching school winters, and farming the re- mainder of the year. In 1850, Susan C. Lowell became his wife. She was born in Orange Co., Vt., Feb. 13, 1830. They resided in Addison county until 1857. Mr. Burnham bas been prominent in administrative affairs of both town and county, having been superintendent of schools of the town of Ithaca, a member of the town board, town treasurer ten years, and county treasurer four years. Mr. and Mrs. Burnham have four children-Alice, Frank W., John W. and Herbert F.

Benjamin Winterburn, an extensive farmer in the town of Ithaca, came here in 1857 and purchased the northwest quarter of section 11, town 9, range 2 east, upon which was a log cabin and some small improvement. He en- gaged in raising grain a few years, but of late, has been engaged in the dairy business. He is the owner of 440 acres of land, 260 of which are under cultivation; and has good frame buildings, including a commodious house, barn, granary and other farm buildings. Mr. Winter- burn is a native of England, born near London, March 1, 1830. When he was tive years old, his parents emigrated to America and settled in Pittsburg, Penn. At the age of ten years, he left home and went into the country to live upon a farm, where he grew to manhood, ob- taining his education in the district schools. He was married Oct. 26, 1856, to Mary .I. Phillips, who was a native of Alleghany Co., Penn., born Sept. 18, 1836. They remained in Pennsylvania until they came to Richland county in 1857. Mrs. Winterburn died Nov. 26, 1872, leaving six children-John II., Eliza- beth J., Anna B., Benjamin F., Jennie and Ralph. In 1875 Mr. Winterburn was again married to Cynthia J. MeKittrick, who was born in Oswego, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1838.

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Hon. J. M. Thomas came to Richland county in 1857. He first lived in the town of Buena Vista, for three years, when he purchased eighty acres of his present farm, located on section 1, town 9, range 2 east, included in the town of Ithaca. There was a little improve- ment on this land at the time, consisting of a log cabin and stable, with thirty acres under cultivation. He has improved this place and added to it until his present farm contains 335 acres. The buildings are good substantial structures, and the grounds are made attract- ive and pleasant by shade and ornamental trees. This farm is situated in the justly celebrated Bear creek valley, which has been settled to a great extent by men, who, like himself, were reared in the dairy districts of New York State; came to this county and following the same business, have been successful, and made this valley the richest part of the county. This section of country seems admirably adapted to this industry, and those engaged in it, find it a profitable investment, and no one branch of trade tends more to develop the resources of the county. Mr. Thomas was born in Herki- mer Co., N. Y., Aug. 23, 1829, and spent his younger days at school and on the farm. As soon as he had obtained sufficient education, he commenced teaching, and followed that occupa- tion during the winter season and farming in the summer. In 1855 he came to Wisconsin, traveled through the eastern and southern part of the State, and made his first visit to Rich- land county, after which he returned to his native county and remained until 1857, when, as before stated, he came to this county. Ile has been twice married, first in March, 1858, to Ellen J. Eaton, who bore him two children- Jennie and Libbie. Jennie was born April 12, 1860, and died Dec. 10, 1870. Mrs. Thomas was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., April 28, 1838, and died June 7, 1867. His second wife was Adelia E. Reynolds, widow of Cornelius Young, who was also born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., June 28, 1827. Mr. Thomas has been one

of the prominent representative men of the county, has been chairman of the board a number of terms, and was chosen in 1869 to represent his district in the Assembly, was elected again in 1878 and re-elected in 1879, serving with honor to himself and satisfaction to his con- stituency. His father, Henry Thomas, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1795, and was there joined in marriage, in 1827, to Jane Mott, who was a native of the same county, born in 1794. Meanwhile he moved to Herkimer county and settled on a farm, where his wife died in the fall of 1860, leaving two children- Joseph M. and Maria. The latter was born Nov. 29, 1833, married C. E. Brace, settled in Bear Valley and died in 1870. His second wife, to whom he was married in 1861, was Dorcus Searing. She was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1809. They remained in Herkimer county until 1867, then came to Richland county and make their home with J. M. Thomas. They are both members of the Society of Friends, and at an advanced age, are in good spirits and in the enjoyment of good health. The subject of this sketch is a republican politically.

Anthony Dederich was the first German set- tler in that part of Bear Creek valley lying in the town of Ithaca. He came here in July, 1862, and purchased two lots in the village of Peters- burg. Upon one of these lots was a frame shanty, in which the family lived two months while a frame house was being built. He opened a wagon shop and worked at his trade. Two or three years later he established a black- smith business, and about the same time opened a store with a general stock of goods adapted to the country trade. Ile also enlarged his resi- dence and has, for some years, entertained travelers. Ile is also quite an extensive land holder, owning upwards of 400 acres and is en- gaged in farming. Mr. Dederich is a native of Prussia, born Sept. 17, 1822, in the village of Florsheim, Rhine province. He attended school steadily from the age of six to sixteen. He then commenced to learn the wagon maker's

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trade of his father. At the age of twenty-one he joined the army and served three years in the engineer corps, building pontoon bridges, after which he resumed work at his trade until 1848, when he was again called upon to serve his country, but at the end of a month was dis- charged. In 1849 he came to America, landed in New York September 14, and came directly west, stopping at Milwaukee where he worked one year at his trade, then went to Madison and worked as journeyman six months. Hle then opened a shop and established business for himself, continned two and a half years, then went to Cross Plains and there opened a shop, an·I remained until he came to Petersburg. His wife was formerly Mary Schafer, a native of Rhine province, Prussia. They were married in 1851, and are the parents of ten children- Margaret, Gertrude, Peter, Adolph, Anthony, Dennis, Joseph, Francis, Gerhard and Remiz- ius. Dennis has operated a shoe shop since 18: 3 with good success.

Joseph C. McCorkle settled in Rich'and county in 1862. He purchased a farm on sec- tion 6, town 9, range 2 east. In 1866 he bought timber land on section 12, of town 9, range 1 cast, included in the town of Ithaca, erected a small frame house and immediately commenced clearing his present farm. He is now the owner of 300 acres, 150 of which are in a good state of cultivation. This is one of the choice farms of the county. He has erected a frame house 17x32 feet, and two stories in height. Mr. Me- Corkle is a native of the State of New York, born in the town of South Hampton, Suffolk Co., L. I., Sept. 7, 1834, where his younger days were spent. When eighteen years old he start- ed on a whaling voyage. He made two voy- ages and was absent from home thirty-three months each trip. He was married May 14, 1862, to Letitia, daughter of Jacob and Eliza- beth (McCloud) Krouskop. Five children have been born to them-Carrie Belle, Wil- liam Stanley, Jacob Clark, Samuel Clyde and George Krouskop.

Hon. William Dixon was an early settler in the town of Ithaca and a native of England, born in Beverly, Yorkshire, Oct. 27, 1808. In 1817 his parents emigrated to America and landed at Philadelphia July 11th of that year, where they remained two years. In that city the subject of this sketch attended school a short time, and then engaged as errand boy in a map publishing house. From there he went with the family to Trenton, N. J. His father was a weaver by trade, and there William com- menced to learn the business of his father. In 1827 they again moved, going to New Hartford, Oneida Co., N. Y., where he engaged to dress yarn in a cotton factory, remaining there until 1836, when he went to Lockport, where he set up 1,000 spindles in a cotton factory and after- wards took charge of a weaving room until 1840, when he worked on the Erie canal a few months, taking charge of 'a gang of hands; thence he went to Rochester and took charge of a weaving room in a factory there. Mean- while he had purchased a farm in the town of Exeter, Otsego Co., N. Y., upon which he set- tled in 1841, making that his home until 1854, when he started for Wisconsin, coming by rail- road and boat as far as Stoughton, thence by stage to Signet postoffice, in the town of Buena Vista. Hle rented a farm in that town and re- mained there until the spring of 1855, then moved to land he had purchased on section 1, town 9, range 2 east, now included in the town of Ithaca. lle erected a small frame house and immediately commenced improving the land. This farm is pleasantly located in Bear Valley, where he now has seventy acres well improved, has built a large addition to his frame house, erected a good barn and other convenient buildings. Mr. Dixon has been a man of fine executive ability, and as a consequence has been prominently identified with the history of this county. The people, having confidence in his ability and integrity, have kept him almost con- tinnally in office. In 1856 he was elected jus- tice of the peace, an office he yet holds. In

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1858 he was elected chairman of the town board, and has been chosen for that position a number of times since. He was elected to the Assembly in 1858 and again in 1872. He was appointed notary public by Gov. Randall in 1859, and has held the position continually since. Thus it may be seen he has made an ac- ceptable public man, and being in every way qualified for these positions, he has given generał satisfaction. He was married in 1830 to Philea, daughter of Benjamin Carswell, who was born in the town of Argyle, Washington Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1810. Two children blessed this union-Benjamin and Adelina. Benjamin was born Oct. 28, 1830, and died June 21, 1845. Adelina was born Feb. 11, 1833, married Jacob Runyan and died in the town of Ithaca Feb. 6, 1861. Mr. Dixon was formerly a whig, but has been connected with the republican party since its organization. He went to Madison on foot to take part in the organization in the State, and has ever since been prominently identified with its history in this section of the country.

D. B. Ostrander opened a hardware store in Sextonville in 1880, the first in that village. He keeps a general stock of hardware and agri- cultural implements. A tinshop, furnished with the necessary machinery for making all kinds of tinware, is connected with the store. Mr. Ostrander is a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., born Aug. 12, 1823. When he was ten years old his parents removed to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. There he attained his majority, spending his time working on the farm and in attending school. At the age of twenty-two he went to Oriskany Falls and worked in a woolen-mill. Three years later he became a partner in the business, and remained there, in all, seven years; then sold his interest and returned to Cattaraugus county, where he engaged in farm- ing and afterwards at the carpenter and joiner's trade, remaining there until 1864. In that year he came to Richland county and purchased a farm in Little Willow valley, section 18, town

of Ithaca, which, four years later, he sold, and bought a farm in the town of Richland, where he remained two years, then went to Ithaca and engaged in mercantile trade two years, after which he purchased his old farm on section 18, of Ithaca, living there until 1878, when he re- moved to the village and sold his farm soon after. In 1880 he came to Sextonville, as be- fore stated, purchased land and erected a com- modious frame house. Mrs. Ostrander was formerly Margaret German, a native of Wales. They were married in 1848 and have three chil- dren-Eugene E., Edward G. and Cynthia M.

Levi J. Lincoln (deceased) settled in the town of Ithaca in 1865. He purchased a farin on section 5, on which he at first built a small frame house, and afterwards a large frame house and frame barn. Hle resided here until the time of his death, July 27, 1877. He was an industrious man and owned 280 acres of land. From an obituary, written by an un- known friend and published in the Republican and Observer, we extract the following: "He was a man of marked individuality, active and positive in his undertakings. For conspicuous virtues, he commanded the esteem of his fel- lows; as a teacher in the public school of his district, for five consecutive winters, he won the approbation and grateful recollection of his pupils; as a testimonial of their respect and af- fection, the children of the neighborhood marched in a band to the grave. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Loomis. His remains were consigned to their last resting place in Neptune cemetery, to which they were followed by a large concourse of people." The following letter appeared in the next issue of the same paper: "I would add this tribute to the memory of Mr. Lincoln, notice of whose death appeared in your last issue. He was one of the noblest of God's works, an honest man, and a useful one. He was always the first to lend a helping hand to those in distress. A man of first-class intellect, good heart, and great independence and force of character. His

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views on all subjects were freely expressed. He had faults, like the rest of mankind, but they were overbalanced by his many virtues." He was a native of Connecticut, born in the town of Windham, Windham county, March 4, 1830, where he grew to manhood, spending his time in working upon the farm and in school. When he arrived at a seasonable age he began teaching school winters, being engaged in agri- cultural pursuits the remainder of the year. He was united in marriage with Fannie E. Allen Ang. 22, 1852. She was born in the town of Scotland, Windham Co , Conn., Nov. 3, 1829. Ile eame to Wisconsin in 1856 in search of health. Hle located at Blooming Grove, Dane Co., Wis., where they remained until 1865, then came to Richland county and settled in Ithaca. They have four living children-Oscar B., born in Connecticut, Ang. 31, 1854; Abra- ham, born in Blooming Grove, Dane county. Ilis birth occurred Oct. 19, 1860, in the midst of that exciting Presidential campaign, when Abraham Lincoln was first running for Presi- dent, and he was immediately named for the future President, Abraham. The news at onee spread, and the newspaper reporter, ever on the alert for items, heard that Abraham Lin- colu had arrived in town, and that he was a relative of Levi J. The next issue of the Madi- son Democrat contained the following item: "Abraham Lincoln arrived at Blooming Grove, this county, Thursday evening last, on a visit to his friend and relative, Levi J. Lincoln, of that town." The youngest son, Pearl, was born in the town of Ithaca. Cora is the second child, and now the wife of Frank Bowen. of Richland Center. Abraham, although but sey- enteen years old when his father died, under- took the management of the farm, which he has sinee carried on with signal ability. Mrs. Lincoln is a lady of education and refinement, social and entertaining in conversation, and well fitted to shine in any circle of society. Edward L. was the fourth child, born at Ithaca, March 29, 1867, and died March 9, 1871. When Mr. |

Lincoln was twenty-one years of age he sus- tained a fracture of the left hip joint, which impaired his health, and was the primary cause of his seeking a new location in the west. Ilis death was the result of this fracture, although he regained his health so as to be able to labor most of the time.

Mrs. Mathias Joseph Schmitz came to the town of Ithaca from Fond du Lac county, in 1867. She bought the northwest quarter of section 1, town 9, range 2 east, upon which there was small improvement ineluding a log cabin and stable. She has, since that time, with the assistance of her children, improved the land, erected a large frame barn with a stone base- ment, also a commodious frame house which is now occupied by the family. Mrs. Schmitz is a native of Prussia, and there grew to woman- hood. In 1846 she left her native country for America and located in Fond du Lac county, where she was married in 1848 to Mathias Joseph Schmitz. He also was born in Prussia and came to the United States in 1846. He pur- chased land in Fond du Lac county, improved a farm, making his home there until the time of his death, which occurred Oct. 16, 1864. Ile left a wife and eight children to mourn his loss. The names of the children are-Katie, Annie Mary, John E., Celia, Gertrude, Margaretta, Ilelena and Susanna Eva. John E. manages the farm.

Alexander B. Grafton settled on section 6, town of Orion, in September, 1867. Upon this place was a small traet of cleared land, and a log cabin, in which he lived a few years and then erected a frame house. In 1882 he sold this place and bought the farm he now owns and occupies. It is located on section 8, town of Ithaca, and includes the "Britton" homestead, the first place settled in the town. The farm contains 155 acres, ninety of which are improved and enclosed. He has a good frame house and barn and other farm buildings. Mr. Grafton was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Jan. 2, 1833. Ilis early life was spent in his native State,

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where he attended the common school and worked upon a farm. In 1860 he engaged with a photographer to learn the art. He was thus employed until 1862, when he enlisted, Ang- ust 20, in company D, 126th Ohio Volunteers and went to Virginia and joined the Army of the Potomac. He served until the close of the war, participating in many engagements, among which were the following: Martinsburg, Ma- nassa's Gap. Kelley's Ford, Locust Grove, Win- chester, Cedar Creek and the battle of the Wilderness, where he received a gunshot wound in his arm, May 6, 1864. Ile was sent to the hospital at Washington, D. C., where he re- mained a few days. He was there granted a furlough of thirty days, at the expiration of which, he returned to the hospital. On August 30th, he returned to his command and found the regiment in the midst of an engagement near Mine Run. After this he participated in sev- eral engagements, the most important of which was the battle before Petersburg, where he was again wounded, on April 2, 1865. He was sent to McClellan Hospital, Philadelphia, from whence he was honorably discharged, May 31, of the same year, and returned to his home. Ile first visited Richland county in 1866, and at

that time purchased the land upon which he af- terwards settled, in Orion. He returned to Ohio and there, July 4, 1867, he was married to Catharine A. Morrow, a native of Jefferson county. The following September they came to Richland county and located permanently. They have one son, William M., and an adopted daughter, Martha May. Mr. Grafton is an earn- est advocate of the temperance cause and a member of Valley Lodge of I. O. G. T.

Rev. Henry Koenig was born Oct. 7, 1835, in Heiligenstadt, Prussia, Germany. The home of his birth had about 6,500 inhabitants. His childhood days were spent in that city, and now it is only with fondest recollections that he thinks of those early days. After absolving the gymnasium in his birthplace, he went to Rome, Italy, to study philosophy and theology. Here he was ordained priest, May 9, 1859. Ile soon afterwards started for America, landing in New York city, Oct. 3, 1859. He labored in his ministerial duties in La Fayette and Mish- awaka, Ind., for about twelve years. Then in Louisville, Ky., Rochester, N. Y., Leavenworth, Kan., Toronto, Canada and Cumberland, Ind., for about five years; and since Jan. 1, 1877, at Keyesville, Richland Co., Wis.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXVII.

TOWN OF MARSHALL.

'This town embraces congressional township 11 north, range 1 west. It is bounded on the west by the town of Sylvan; on the north by Bloom; on the east by Rockbridge; and on the south by Dayton. The town is inhabited by a purely agricultural population, and has no villages of any importance. In 1880 the census gave Marshall a population of 991. It has 167 farms, all in a high state of cultivation. The surface features here are very similar to those of the balance of Richland county's towns.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first permanent settlement within the limits now comprising the town of Marshall was made in 1852. During the spring of that year John G. and Simon Marshall, natives of Jefferson Co., Ohio, came here and entered 160 acres of land on sections 3, 4, 9 and 10. In the fall of 1852 their mother, then a widow, came, accompanied by two sons, Mahlon and George. They lived together until 1855, when Simon died, and soon afterward the mother was taken sick and went to live with her daughter, Mrs. John Hart, where she died Dec. 25, 1855. John G. went to the mountains and engaged in min- ing for a time; then returned and settled on the southwest quarter of section 6. He now lives in Tennessee. Mahlon died in 1879. George now ocunpies a portion of the old homestead.

A. P. Hyde came here from the State of New York in 1851, and claimed the east half of the northeast quarter of section 24. In 1853 he sold the claim and moved to Richland Center. He now lives in the town of Rockbridge.

Archibald Wanlass, a native of West Vir- ginia, came here in the spring of 1852 and en- tered the southwest quarter of section 5. He settled here in the fall of 1854 and has since made this his home.

Robert R. Wilson came from the eastern part of the State in 1852 and claimed the northeast quarter of section 10. In 1853 he sold to Josiah McCaskey and removed to Vernon county, where he laid out the village of Kickapoo Cen- ter, and still lives there.

Josiah McCasky entered the land Mr. Wilson had claimed, and improved the farm, remain- ing here until the time of his death.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 156

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