History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 158

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 158
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 158

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).

FANCY CREEK POSTOFFICE.

This postoffice was established in 1856. Jo- siah MeCaskey was appointed the first post master, but was succeeded very soon after his appointment by Joseph Marshall. Mr. Marshall received his commission in September, 1856, and was authorized to remove the office to "Mar- shall's Mill." Mail was received once a week from Richland Center. Since that time the fol- fowing have served as postmaster or deputy- postmaster, of this office-Josiah McCaskey, Joseph Marshall, John Hart, Friend Morrison, Mathew R. Smith, M. C. Davis, William Gross

and M. C. Davis. The last named was post- master when the office was discontinued in 1882. BUCKEYE POSTOFFICE.

This postoffice was established in 1856. Wil- liam Bailey was appointed first postmaster and kept the office at his house on section 20, mail at that time being received once each week from Muscoda. A few years later John Donagan was appointed postmaster, and moved the office to section 34. After a time the postmaster got into trouble. He was indicted and convicted of robbing the mails and was sent to the peniten- tiary at Waupun, and the office was discontin- ned.

GILLINGHAM POSTOFFICE.

This postoffice was established in 1881. Hugh Morrow was appointed postmaster and still keeps the office at his store, on section 13. The office is on the mail route from Richland Center to Viola, mail being received tri-weekly.

ORGANIZATION.

The town of Marshall assumed its present limits in 1856. The first town election was held on the 19th of April, 1856, at the house of Josiah McCaskey. The following were the first town officers elected: Supervisors, Archibald Wan- lass, chairman, Henry Merrill and Abraham Harris; clerk, Andrew Wentz; assessor, John Ewers; treasurer, John Hart; justices of the peace, James Brightman, Andrew Wentz and John Fogo.

At the annual election held in April, 1883, the following town officers were chosen for the ensning year: Supervisors, P. M. Smith, chair- man, William Turnipseed and J. Truesdale; clerk, R. R. Benton; treasurer, J. B. Coulter; assessor, Isaac Doudna; justices, J. Benton, Elihu Bailey and G. W. Putnam; constables, E. Turnipseed, Frank Doudna and Joseph Jones.

CEMETERIES.

The cemetery in connection with the Presby- terian church was laid out by Rev. J H. Ma- thers during the war. The first burial here was of the remains of a daughter of William Smith, who died in 1862.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

In 1876 Thomas Borland surveyed an addi- tion to the cemetery. A tax of $2 was levied on each lot to raise money to fence the grounds and keep the same in repair. The cemetery contains seventy-four lots, each one rod square.

The present officers of the cemetery organiza- tion are: P. M. Smith, Alexander Smith and and Ilenry Merrill, trustees ; P. M. Smith, clerk.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

In the following biographical sketches are to be found some of the oldest pioneers of Rich land county.

William J., son of Daniel and Margaret P. (Iregham) Noble, was born in Colombiana Co., Ohio, July 16, 1841. He came to Richland county with his parents, where he remained until November, 1862, when he enlisted in company F, 2d Cavalry. He was badly wounded at an engagement near Yazoo City, Miss., and was sent to Washington Hospital, at Memphis, where he remained four months. Hle was discharged with the regiment at Austin, Texas, Nov. 15, 1865, returned home and re- sumed farming. On Feb. 4, 1878, he was mar- ried to Deliah, daughter of Martin and Eliza- beth Copenhefer. They have one child-Ella A. He occupies a portion of the old homestead on section 3.

Lot T. Janney, eldest son of Israel and Eliza- beth (Miller) Janney, was born in Logan Co., Ohio, May 4, 1842. He came to Richland county with his parents, and here received his education in the pioneer schools. In 1864, he went with his father to Colorado, where he re- mained for three years, then returned to Rich- land county. Ile was married in April, 1869, to Maggie, daughter of John and Jane Fogo. They have three children, all of whom are now living-John, Mary and Wilburtie. Mr. Jan- ney was engaged in farming until 1881, when he bought a steam saw-mill, which he put in operation in the town of Marshall. In 1883 he disposed of this property and engaged in mer- cantile trade in the same town.

William Janney, a pioneer of Buena Vista town, was born in London Co., Va., Oct. 7, 1815. When he was but fourteen years of age his parents removed to Ohio. When he was seven- teen years old he commenced learning the tailor's trade at Monroe, Mich., and served four years, and then worked at the trade as journey- man, in Logan Co., Ohio. In 1847 he came to Richland county, and made a claim in what is now the town of Buena Vista, and remained two years, then sold and returned to Ohio. In 1852, he again came to Richland county and re- mained until 1859; four years of this time he was a clerk in the register's office. In 1869 he went to California and spent a few months, then re- turned to Ohio and remained three years. Ile then came to Richland Center, and opened a tailor shop, which he run one year, then sold out and went west and spent several years in Colorado, Iowa and Nebraska. Hle now makes his home with his nephew. Lot M. Janney, in the town of Marshall.

Joseph Marshall, a prominent man of Rich- land county, and the pioneer of the town of Marshall, which territory bears his name, was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, March 25, 1820. His father was a large owner of timber land, and the subject of this sketch spent considera- ble of his time clearing portions of the same, while his brothers were employed in farming. He was married in April, 1851, to Margaret Me- Cannon, a native of New Brunswick. The day following they started west to seek a- home, embarked on a steamboat at Wellsville and came to Muscoda, and the next day started in company with Alexander Bartley to seck a desirable location, but the land in that vicinity did not suit him. The party showing him the country inquired what kind of land he wanted, to which Mr. Marshall replied, "I want land where there is plenty of wood and water." "Well" said the man, "we will have to go back in- to Richland county, where you can not clear a farm in a life time." This remark, intended to deter him from going thither, did not have that

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HISTORY OF RICHILAND COUNTY.

effect; he had cleared two farms, and freely understood all about it. So the following day, with Mr. Bartley, started on foot for the wilds of Richland county. They were informed that there were two men, Amasa Haskins and Jule Preston, living in the northern part of the county, engaged in bear hunting. Toward night they chaneed to find a log cabin, roofed on one side only, and a place cut out for a door, the only evidences of an intended habitation. Mr. Marshall suggested that the night be spent at this place, but Mr. Bartley said "nobody lives here." "Then" said Mr. Marshall, "there will not be anyone to put us out," and they accordingly took peacable possession. A few minutes after- ward, Mr. Preston, the owner, returned in com- pany with his wife. The travelers asked if they conld stop all night, and found they were wel- come, and soon they were partaking of a supper of corn bread and venison, with an appetite and relish known only to tired and hungry men. This cabin was located on what is now section 29, town of Rockbridge. In the morning Mr. Preston started out to show them land, and Mr. Marshall selected the north half of section 13, town 11, range I west, and the same day re- turned to Mnscoda. Not wishing to lose any time, the next day he purchased a cow, and the day then following hired a man with a team to transfer his goods, while he and his bride trudged along on foot, driving the cow; arriv- ing at Mr. Preston's cabin they remained over night, and the following morning he took an ax and started for his land, but could not find it and returned. The next morning a man by the name of Meeks, who was stopping at Amasa Haskins, hitched up his horses, loaded up the goods and provisions, and accompanied by Mr. Preston, they started for the land. Arriving at Amasa Haskins, and, finding the team too heavily loaded for the condition of the roads or lack of roads, they left the goods in a fence corner, covered them with shakes, and pro- ceeded on their way, cutting a road as they went, and finally reached their destination.

Here a rude shelter of brush and poles was hastily constructed, and pioneer life commenced in earnest. Mr. Meeks fed his horses some corn brought along for the purpose, and what they did not fully elean up, was gathered by Mr. Marshall and used for seed. He immedi- ately commeneed clearing and chopped in the seed. He thus raised a small crop of corn, potatoes and garden vegetables. They con- tinned to live in their improvised covering, if covering it could be ealled, until fall, then erected a log cabin with puncheon floor and shake roof. That same fall he went to Sexton- ville with George Hancock to purchase pro- visions, and on their way back discovered a pile of lumber on the site of the present vil- lage of Richland Center, which Ira Hazletine had left there to make good a elaim to the land. At that time a few furrows ploughed were the only evidences of improvement.

Mr. Marshall was soon after elected justice of the peace. Among the law cases in his court one is referred to as indicative of primi- tive methods of administering justice. German Tadder had shot George Hancock's dog and the latter thought he must be made to suffer the legal penalty, and came to 'Squire Marshall for advice and methods of redress, insisting that he was the proper officer and must advise him accordingly. Marshall was not much learned in law and tried to have him drop the matter, but all such attempts to dispose of the case proved unavailing, and he finally asked Han- cock if he was able to handle this disturber of the peace; receiving an affirmative reply, he summed up the case and gave the following characteristie verdict: "Then give him a damn good licking the next time you get a good chance," which disposition of the case seemed satisfactory, and Haneock went away. A few weeks after Mr. Marshall had a barn raising and the people for miles around came together, among them were Tedder and Hancock, meet- ing here for the first time since the advice had been given; they there and then settled the

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matter with their fists, Hancock coming out victorious, and they were ever afterward good friends. In 1854 Mr. Marshall went to Galena with a load of goods for a family who we remov- ing back to Illinois. Edward Pinnock sent by him to get a barrel of whisky, and having pur- chased the same he started on his return. Night coming on he applied at the house of an Irish- man for accommodations, but they positively refused to entertain him-said they had nothing to eat and no place for him to sleep. Pleading was of no avail, he must go on. "Well," says Mr. Marshall, "have something to take with me," and he led the way to the wagon. He had already tapped the barrel and had a straw ready. The man and woman each mounted the wagon and took turns at the straw. It was then their hearts were softened and they asked him to spend the night, in fact, he was welcome as long as he had a mind to stop. Soon after this Mr. Marshall was called upon to marry a German who lived in the town of Forest, but re- fused to tie the knot, saying he did not know how. "Yes, you must," says the Dutchman, "be- cause you vas a shustice mit der berce." "No," says Marshall, "I never attended but one marriage in my life and that was my own." "Vell," replied the Dutchman, "Mr. Darnell has been married couple of times, you come mit us to him and he tell you all about it." So they took supper and started on a tramp of nine miles. The road led them by Pinnock's and Mr. Marshall suggested to the Dutchman that he take along some whisky. "Yaw, by shiminy, if I had a sehng," says the Dutchman. They called at Pinnock's and Marshall borrowed a coffee pot, which the Dutchman had filled · with whisky and they proceeded on their way, calling at Mr. Darnell's for instruction. The wedding did not occur until morning, when the couple were made happy by being pronounced husband and wife. Mr. Marshall was an in- dustrious, hard working man, and spent but little time hunting. IIe cleared the greater part of his 320 acres of land, lived there a num-

ber of years, and then purchased another place on sections 13 and 14, where he erected a frame house, and lived in it until 1882, when le built another near by, which he now occupies. He has lived in Marshall continuously since his first settlement, except nine months spent in Colorado in 1860. Mrs. Marshall died in Aug- ust, 1865, leaving five children-Maria, Eliza- beth, Lydia, Thomas and Josie. His second wife, to whom he was married in 1867, was Nettie Starrett; she was born in Washington Co., V1. In February, 1865, he was drafted into the service, went to Madison, and performed guard duty until the close of the war.

George L., son of James and Maria (Gilling- ham) Marsball, was born in Columbiana Co., Chio, Oct. 28, 1839. At the age of thirteen, he came to Richland county with his mother and settled in town 11, range 1 west, now known as Marshall. Three years later, his mother died, and the home circle was broken. He continued to live in the neighborhood, and was employed in farming summers, and attending school, win- ters. In May, 1861, at the first call for "three years" men, he responded by enlisting in com- pany H, of the 5th Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, and with the regiment, joined the Army of the Potomac, serving until August, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. Ile took part in the following engagements: Williams- burg, seven days before Richmond, Chancel- orsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Fredricksburg, battle of the Wilderness and be- fore Petersburg. When discharged he returned to Marshall and resumed farming. He was joined in marriage in 1865 with Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Margret (Dreghorn) Noble, and settled upon the homestead on see- tion 4. Mrs. Marshall died in 1869, leaving one child-Allen. In 1874 he was again married to Ilarriet, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Copenhefer. They have two children-Clara and Ella.

John Fogo, Esq., one of the pioneer settlers, was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

in 1799. Ile received the elements of a good education, in the parish school, which he at- tended until twelve years of age. He was then apprenticed as a weaver, and while learning his trade he enjoyed, among other means of im- provement, free access to the parish library, of which he made good use storing up its contents .in a memory wonderfully retentive. Gifted with a mind of extraordinary capacity, which was thus cultivated to the highest degree, and in the broadest sense of education. At that period he laid the foundation of his great knowledge of history, both ancient and modern, which remained with him until the day of his death. Ile came with his parents to America, in 1820, and settled in Columbiana Co., Ohio, and was among the early pioneers in that sec- tion. At the time of his settlement in Ohio, it was a new and wild country-the foot-prints of the savage were barely cold. Ile removed to Wisconsin in 1853, bringing with him a large family of young children, and settled on Fancy creek, where he again passed through the labors and struggles incident to opening up a new country. Ile was preceded in his settlement on Fancy creek by only three or four families. From that time he was well known in the county. By his neighbors, he was honored and beloved, and was held in great esteem by all who knew him. He was repeatedly honored by his fel- low-townsmen with many offices of honor and trust. He aided in the organization of the town of Marshall; was chairman, which office he held for sixteen years, consentively, al ways being elected without opposition. During his whole life he was a constant attendant upon the preaching of the Gospel, in the Presbyterian church, in which he was baptized. In this Church he was a member in full communion for a number of years. He always had a firm con- vietion in the divine inspiration and truth of the Scriptures, and believed in their inculcations, in order to sustain pure society and a prosper- ous government. At the close of life, by faith in God, through the Scriptures, he found sub-

mission to the divine will, with peace and joy. Mr. Fogo was remarkably genial in his disposi- tion, and his society was highly prized by those who delight in conversation that is intelligent and full of information. Many persons enjoyed his company for an hour or hours, in a very pleasant and profitable manner. His death took place on Friday, Sept. 1, 1876, leaving to mourn his loss, a companion, with whom he lived nearly half a century. Also eight sons and daughters, all of whom, except one, resid- ing in Minnesota, were around the dying bed. Mr. Fogo was a great sufferer for several years, but his final end was free from pain.

Thomas Graham, one of the pioneer settlers of Horse creek valley, is a native of England, born in Cambridgeshire, Dec. 8, 1831, and where his younger days were spent. In 1851 he was married to Elizabeth Martin, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Malpress. She had previ- ously been married to William Martin, who died in 1850. Two children were born to them -Sarah and Mary J. Sarah died Dec. 24, 1854; Mary J. died Dec. 4, 1883. Thomas and Eliza- beth Graham started in 1851 to America, in company with his parents. They landed in New York and immediately proceeded west. At the city of Buffalo they were obliged to stop, on account of the illness of his mother, who had been taken sick on board ship. She continued to grow worse and died in a few days. The bereaved family continued their journey to the west, until reaching Wisconsin, they stopped at East Troy, and remained a short time, and the subject of this sketch obtained work on the Chicago & Milwaukee railroad, then moved to Palmyra, and remained one year, and next to Rock county, living there till 1854. In that year they came to Richland county. Ile and those that came with him were obliged to ent three miles of road before they got to the farms which they now own. Mr. Graham entered land on section 35. He first built a log cabin, then set to work to clear the land. This part of the country at that time was a " howling

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

wilderness," but soon other settlers came in who like him set to work to clear the land and make for themselves homes. He haslived to see a well developed country, supplied with good schools and churches. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Graham-Maria S., Celina S., Al- zena E., John T. and Alice L. All of whom have been well educated, some receiving their education in a district school, and some at col- lege. Alzena was born May 13, 1856, and died at the home of her parents June 7, 1883. Mr. Gra- ham has been an industrions, hard-working man, has cleared quite a large farm. Ilis pioneer cab- in is replaced by a two-story hewed log house, which is located on sections 34 and 35. Ilis son, John T, was born in the town of Marshall, April, 1859, and has always made this his home. He was married in 1880 to Martha Bannister, a native of Milwaukee. They have one child- Oscar G. His farm joins his father's on see- tion 35. On June 11, 1883, a cyclone passed through the farms of Thomas and John Graham, Jr., destroying a large amount of timber. Large trees were uprooted and torn to pieces by the stornì.

Charles, son of John and Susanna (Poole) Graham, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, Jan. 16, 1834, and came to America with his parents. They at first located at East Troy, but remained there only a short time, going from there to Palmyra, Jefferson county, where he engaged in railroading for one year. They then removed to the town of Milton in Rock county, where his father rented a farm. In 1852 his father died, and in November, 1855, he came to Richland county and located on section 35. IIe was unmarried at the time, and boarded with his brother-in-law, James Ward, until 1858. Ile was married in that year, to Sarah E. Stan- baugh, who was born in York Co., Penn. Hle built a hewed log house, which four years later was consumed by fire with all of its contents. The neighbors generously turned out, and two days later, another hewed log house was erected, in which the family resided until 1882, when he

built the neat frame house which they now oc- eupy. Mrs. and Mrs. Graham have six children -James C., Charles W., Lydia F., Arthur E., Lucy E. and Sarah E.

William Minett was born in Cambridgeshire, England, April 11, 1828. Here he grew to manhood and was reared to agricultural par- suits. At the age of twenty-one he left his native land and came to America. He went to Onondaga county in the State of New York, and there remained for ten months employed in teaming. He then came to Wisconsin and located in Walworth county, and was married in 1852 to Mary A., daughter of John and Su- sanna (Poole) Graham. Ile came to Richland county in 1853 and entered land in town 11, range 1 west, in the present town of Marshall, and then in the following year settled here. He at first built a cabin of round logs, which in 1869 was replaced by the neat dwelling which he now occupies. Ile also built a frame barn 30x45 feet, a granary 20x30 feet, with a stone basement and a sheep shed 16x72 feet. June 11, 1883, a cyclone visited this place and de- molished the barn, granary and sheep shed, leveling them to the ground. Mr. Minett, with his accustomed energy, immediately set to work and rebuilt them. He has been a successful farmer. He has purchased land adjoining his farm until it now contains 300 acres, nearly 200 of which are cleared. Mrs. Minett died in 1863 leaving six children - Eliza, George, Charles, Sarah, Emma and Frank. Mr. Minett was again married in 1864 to Maria A., daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Richards) Moon, and widow of Albert Carlton. Six children have blessed this union-Joseph C., Josie, Irving JJ, Walter A., Minnie L. and Robert W. Mrs. Minett has one son by her former marriage-Albert V. Je is now a student at Western College, Tole- da, Iowa, where he is preparing for the minis- try.

Benjamin W. Queen (deceased) was born in Luzerne township, Fayette Co., Penn., Sept. 11, 1823, and was one of the pioneers of Richland

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

county. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving a liberal education in the public schools. The account book which he used in school, such as was common in those days, is now in possession of his family, and is prized highly as a memento of the past. He was married in 1850 to Mena A. Barclay, who was born in Fox township, Carroll Co., Ohio, March 26, 1824. They settled in Fayette C'o., Penn., where they remained until 1854. They then started to seek a home in the west, traveling by steamboat as far as Galena, Ill. They accom- plished the remainder of the journey to Richland county by team. He had previously entered land on section 8, town 11, range 1 west, now the town of Marshall, and had a log cabin built into which the family moved immediately upon their arrival in the month of May. Ile com- menced clearing at once, and that year raised a small erop of corn, potatoes and garden vege- tables. He remained here and continued clear- ing and farming until 1865. In March of that year he joined the 11th regiment, company G, Wisconsin Volunteers, and died in the Marine Hospital at Mobile, Sept. 2, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Queen were the parents of eight children- Elizabeth G. and Mary S., born in Pennsylvania; Phebe C., James B., Sarah E. and Joseph B .; Virginia A. and Benina died in infancy. The four daughters now living are well educated, three of whom have been teachers in the pub- lic schools. The farm contains 240 acres and is carried on by the sons, who make their home with their mother and are engaged in raising grain and stock. Mr. Queen was a member of the democratic party, and up to the time of his death adhered firmly to its principles.

Archibald Wanlass, one of the pioneers of Richland county, was born in Wood Co., V:1., May 12, 1823. When he was two years of age his parents moved to Wheeling where his father, who was a quarryman, worked at his trade, remaining there six or eight months, then removing to Guernsey Co., Ohio, where he worked for one year, and thence to Harrison

county, where his mother died. He was then seven years old. His father next removed to Carroll county, where he grew to manhood, ob- taining his education in the district schools. When he was twenty-three years of age he went to Jefferson county, and was there em- ployed in farming for two years, then went to Belmont county, thence to Richland county in 1851. After a short visit he went to Illinois, where he spent the winter. In the spring of 1852 he again visited Richland county and en- tered land on section 5, town 11, range 1 west, now known as Marshall. He was a single man at the time, and did not immediately settle here, but returned to Ohio, where he remained until fall, then, returning to his land, com- menced clearing. In the spring of 1853 he put in his first crop of corn and potatoes. After planting he returned to Ohio. It was in the fall of 1854 that he came to Richland county and settled permanently. He was married in October, 1855, to Ruth A. Totten, who was born in Carroll Co., Ohio, June 13, 1836. Ten children have been born to them-George, Wil- liam, John, Jonathan E., James, Archibald, Lona Belle, Nora Mand, Christina Mary and Winnie K. Mr. Wanlass has taken an interest in town and county affairs. He has filled offices of honor and trust in the town and county, and was chairman of the first board of the town of Marshall.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 158

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