History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 159

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 159
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 159

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).

John Hart, deceased, one of the pioneers and representative men of Richland county, was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, March 17, 1826. Here his childhood and youth were spent, his time being occupied in going to school and working upon the farm. He was married in 1844 to Eleanor Marshall, who was also born in Columbiana Co., July 2, 1824. They remained in Ohio until 1854, when they came to Richland county. He entered timber land on section 11, town 11, range 1 west, in the present town of Marshall. The first tree cut on the place was for the pioneer log cabin, afterwards replaced by a neat frame house. He also cleared a large

1121

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

farm and erected a large frame barn. Here he lived until the time of his death, April 14, 1876. He had lived to see the wilderness in which he settled transformed into a finely improved and cultivated country, with good schools and churches. Mr. and Mrs. Ilart were the parents of ten children, five of whom are now living- Maria, Thomas, Millard Fillmore, Caroline and Georgia. Maria is now the wife of James Truesdale. Georgia is married to Frank Doud- na. Millard Fillmore occupies the home- stead with his mother. He was born in 1855, July 15, and was married in 1877 to Olive, daughter of John and Elvina (Steele) Trues- dale. They have one child -Julian G. Mr. Hart while living had the respect and confidence of his fellow men to a remarkable degree, and his death was a loss not only to his family but to the community and county in which he liveal.

Daniel Noble is one of the pioneers of Rich- land county. He is a native of Scotland and was but ten months old when his parents left their native home and came to America, set- tling in Columbiana Co., Ohio. Here his child- hood and youth were spent. Hiseducation was obtained in a subscription school, that being the only opportunity at that time. He was married in 1838 to Margaret Dreghorn, also a native of Scotland, born in Kelmarnich, March 21, 1814. They remained in Columbiana county until 1854, then came to Richland county and entered land in town 11, range I west, now the town of Marshall. They came by water as far as Galena, taking passage at Wellsville, Ohio, on the steamer Minnesota Belle. They were twenty-one days in reaching Galena, where they embarked with teams, for Fancy creek. On their arrival they stopped with a neighbor for a short time, while he selected his claim and built a log cabin. The first year he rented a small piece of cleared land and raised a crop of corn and vegetables. lle raised the first erop on his own land in 1855, and sowed the first wheat in the fall of that year. He lived upon

the farm until 1878. In the month of Septem- ber of that year, he met with an irreparable loss in the death of his wife. Since that time he has made his home with his son, Daniel L. He still owns his farm, which contains 320 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Noble were the parents of six children, two now living-William and Daniel L. His son Daniel L. was born Oct. 20, 1848, and was married Dec. 29, 1870, to Annie, daugh- ter of Alexander and Elizabeth (McDonald) Smith. Three children have blessed their union -- Daniel Alexander, Margaret E. and Mary L. After his marriage, he lived on section 3, for three years, then located upon his present farm on seetion 24, and lived in the pioneer log cabin until 1883, except two years, 1879 and 1880, when he was elected sheriff and removed to Richland Center, when he built a large frame house. He is an enterprising man and is engaged, not only in farming, but is dealing in stock. Ile has taken a lively interest in public affairs and has served as town clerk, and in 1878 was elected sheriff of Richland county, discharging his duties in a manner satisfactory to his con- stituents. William J., the older brother, now lives on the old homestead. He was married to Delilah Copenhefer, during the winter of 1879. They have had three children, one now living- Emma Alice.

William Richards, (deceased) one of the ear- liest settlers of English Ridge, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, Sept. 6, ISIG. He was married Jan. 19, 1846, to Mary Minett, who was born in Cambridgeshire, July 11, 1823. In 1850 they came to America, landed at New York and came directly to Wisconsin and lo cated in Walworth county, remaining there until 1855, when they came to Richland county and settled on section 27, of the town of Mar- shall. llere he cleared a farm and built a log cabin, which, a few years later, was replaced by a frame house, in which he lived until the time of his death. He was an enterprising and in- dustrious man, respected by all who knew him. Mr. and Mrs. Richards are the parents of seven

1122

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

children-William, John, Sarah, James, Ella, Harriet and Lucy. Ella died March 13, 1881, aged twenty-three years and five months. The family still live at the homestead.

Ilon. J. B. McGrew, one of the prominent representative men of Richland county, was born near Smithfield, Jefferson Co., Ohio, Jan. 28, 1829. His education was such as could be obtained at that time in the district school, which he attended as opportunity offered until he was fifteen years old. Meanwhile his father had leased a flouring mill on Yellow creek, and Joseph at the age of fifteen years, was engaged therein, and, giving strict attention to business, soon learned the milling trade. Here he re- mained about four years; continued milling business until after twenty-one years old, when he rented a farm on Cross creek, in Jefferson county, and remained two years. During the time lie formed the acquaintance of Maria E. Brown, a very estimable lady, and a native of Wayne town, to whom he was united in mar- riage on Dec. 21, 1854. Miss Brown was a lady of refinement and education, and was a teacher in the public schools. During the spring of 1855 they removed to Wisconsin and pre-empted Iand on section 30, town of Richland, Richland county, where they commenced pioneer life by building a log house and making preparations to "open up" a farm. In a short time he re- moved to Sextonville, where he was taken sick with ague. This had a discouraging effect, and after about four weeks of "chilling and shaking," a sensation known only to those who have had actual, personal experience with this disease, he sold his claim and returned to Jefferson Co., Ohio. IIere his experience in his father's mill proved an available resource, and he rented Wood's flouring mill, on MeIntire creek. This business was continued here until the spring of 1857, when he removed to Mereer Co., III. Meanwhile he was not altogether satisfied, a taste of the western country having given him an appetite for a larger experience. His thoughts continually wandered to the State he had vis-

ited, and consequently, in about a year, he re- turned to Richland county and bought eighty acres of the same land he had previously pre- empted, erected a house, and went to work put- ting the land in preparation for a farm. In the spring of 1861 he again removed to Sextonville, and was engaged in George Krouskop's mill for four years, then returned to his farm, having purchased an additional eighty joining. In 1880, having a good opportunity, he sold out and again returned to Ohio, with the intention of purchasing a flour mill, but, for some reason, the owner concluding not to sell, he immediate- ly became a permanent resident of Richland county, and purchased a farm on section 8, town of Richland, which he sold in 1882 and bought the McKy farm, consisting of 200 acres, and has since added forty acres, all of which is lo- cated in the town of Marshall, where he now resides. Mr. McGrew has been a man of intel- ligence and sterling qualities, which could not but be appreciated in any community where he resided. He was not an office seeker, but on account of intrinsic merit and personal popu- larity, he was, in 1873, elected to the Legisla- ture, and in 1879 was a member of the Senate. lle has filled those places, and minor offices from time to time, with honor to himself and eredit to his constituency. IIe was chairman of the town board nine years, was sheriff in 1868, was chairman of the county board in 1872, was under-sheriff in 1870, and assessor in 1866. Thus it may be seen he was eminently popular and successful as a public man. The people were unanimous in their wish to be represented by him in the Assembly, and so expressed themselves at the polls. Being careful and painstaking in all matters of interest to the public, perfectly free from egotisin, and deter- mined in his opposition to any measure caleu- lated to abridge the rights of the people, his participation in public matters, earned for him- self an enviable reputation. and, indeed, his en- tire action proved eminently satisfactory. Mr. and Mrs. McGrew have reared six children,

1123

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

four now living-Ella S., Mary B., Lizzie K. and Jay B. Eva F., a twin sister of Ella, was born Sept. 5, 1857, and died Sept. 10, 1878. Maggie H. was born July 16, 1859, and died April 24, 1879.

Joseph Moon was one of the first settlers on English Ridge, having come there in the fall of 1855. He had previously entered land on sec- tion 27. He has cleared a good farm and erected a neat frame house, in which he is now living. lle is a native of England, born in Cambridge- shire, in May, 1812. He was reared to agricul- tural pursuits, and in 1835 was married to Sarah Richards, also a native of Cambridgeshire, born in June, 1815. In 185] they left their native land for America, taking passage in a sailing vessel. They were six weeks in crossing the ocean, and landed in New York in December of that year. They spent the winter in Buffalo; and removed to Wisconsin in the spring. He rented a farm in Walworth county, where they remained until 1855, then came to Richland county. Nine children have been born to them, four of whom are now living-Maria, (now the wife of William Minett), John R., William and Arthur. Mrs. Moon died June 18, 1880. Their son, William, was born in Cambridgeshire, Eng- land, Ang. 7, 1845, and came to Richland county with his parents and lived with them until the time of his marriage in 1874 to Sarah MeKy, who was born in Tippecanoe Co., Ind. They have three children-Nellie Z, Jay W. and Louie C.

William Coulter, one of the early settlers of the town of Marshall, is a native of Ohio. Ile was born in Clinton county, Sept. 27, 1815. His , then came to Richland county and purchased

father was a soldier in the War of 1812 and died while in the United States service, in 1815, four months previous to the birth of the subject of this sketch. When he was two years of age his mother was married to Amos Wilson, and con- tinued to reside in Clinton county where he grew to manhood, obtaining his education in the district school. At twenty-two years of age he left home and went to Indiana and located

in Delaware county. Ile was married there to Barbara Babb, who was born in Clinton county, March 4, 1817. He purchased land in Dela- ware county and improved a farm. In 1855 he came to Richland county and entered land on section 7, town of Marshall. Ile then returned to Indiana and remained until August, 1856, then, in company with his family, started with a pair of oxen and a span of horses for their new home, taking their household goods and cook- ing utensils with them. They camped out upon the way and arrived at their destination after three weeks of travel. They first moved into a log cabin in Sylvan, while he could erect one on his land. The following winter, while Mr. Coulter was absent from home, one of the chil- dren informed Mrs. Coulter that there was a deer near by. She armed herself with the rifle and went out and shot it. When her husband returned he found her and the children engaged in skinning the animal. Mr. Conlter has since cleared a large farm and the log cabin has been replaced by the neat frame dwelling, which they now occupy. Mr. and Mrs. Coulter have four children-Calvin W., John B., Smith G. and Eli S. John B. is still living at home with his parents and he is the present town treasurer.

Joseph Benton, Sr., (deceased) one of the early settlers of Marshall, was a native of Seot- land, born in Aberdeenshire, April 20, 1803. His wife, whose maiden name was Janet David- son, was a native of Banffshire, born in 1806. In 1834 they emigrated to America and settled in Jefferson Co., Ohio, where they bought and improved a farm, living there until 1951. They timber land on section 13, town 11, range 1 west, now known as Marshall. Here he im- proved a farm and lived until the time of his death, which occurred July 14, 1880. He left four children-Joseph, George, Robert and Margaret, now the wife of Olney Hoskins. Ilis widow still ocenpies the homestead.

Joseph Benton, Jr., was born in Elginshire, Scotland, Nov. 19, 1826, and came to America

1124

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

with his parents when in his eighth year. He grew to manhood in Jefferson Co., Ohio, obtain- ing his education in the public schools. In 1852 he came to Richland county and entered land on section 14, town 11, range 1 west, now known as Marshall. After entering this land he re- turned to Ohio, where he was married in 1854 to Jane Russell, a native of Jefferson county. In 1855 they started for their new home in the far west, traveling. by rail as far as Warren, Ill., the nearest railroad station. The remainder of the journey was accomplished by team. He first built a log cabin, which by mistake was located on land that did not belong to him. Soon after he built a hewed log house upon his own land. In 1875 he erected the neat frame house in which he now lives. They have three children-Robert K., Rebecca J. (now the wife of Arthur Moon) and James, Mr. Benton is a man of sound judgment and has the respect and confidence of his fellowmen to a remarkable degree. lle has been successful as a farmer, and now owns a good place in the fertile valley of Fancy creek.

Levi Peckham (deceased,) was born in Jeffer- son Co., Ohio, Sept. 12, 1829. Here his younger days were spent upon a farm. In 1842 he was united in marriage with Mary Clark, who was born in Jefferson county, Nov. 12; 1830. They continued living in Ohio until 1855, at which time they came to Richland county, locating in town 12, range 1 west, now the town of Bloom, and living there until 1861 when he purchased a tract of land on section 2, town of Marshall, and immediately commenced clearing his pres- ent farm. March 17, 1865, he was drafted into the service, and went to Madison where he was taken sick and died May 16 of the same year, leaving a wife and seven children-Caroline D., Hugh C., William S., Orrin S., Matthew, John W. and Levi R. Orrin died at the age of eleven. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Peckham has carried on the farm successfully, and with the aid of her children cleared a large tract.

George Davis, one the early settlers of the town of Marshall, was born in Londoun Co., Va., in August, 1823. When he was twelve years of age his parents moved to Ohio and settled in Knox county. Here he grew to manhood and was married in 1850 to Margaret Kerby, born in Knox Co., Oct. 25, 1827. In 1855 they start- ed west to seek a home and came to Richland county, making the journey overland with four horses and a pair of oxen, bringing their house- hold goods with them. They worked and camped on the way, and after four weeks travel reached their destination. Ile entered land on section 30 of the town of Marshall as before stated. Here he first erected a log cabin cover- ing it with shakes, and split puncheon for the floor. Ile lived in this humble abode for sev- eral years, then erected a frame house in which he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are now the parents of two children-Joseph E. and Harrison O. Joseph E. was born Jan. 7, 1852, went to Richland county and grew to manhood in the town of Marshall, receiving his educa- tion in the district school. lle was married in 1877 to Mary L. Queen. He built a hewed log house on his father's farm and lived there until 1883, when he bought a farm on the northeast quarter of section 29. Ile has three children -Grace L., Myron C. and Minnie M.

Henry Merrill, a pioneer settler of Fancy creek valley, was born in Stark Co., Ohio, March 5, 1826. When he was five years old, his parents moved to Carroll county. His father, there purchased timber land and cleared a farm, in which the subject of this sketch as- sisted him. Taking advantage of the oppor- tunities then offered, he received a fair educa- tion. lle was married Aug. 25, 1847, to Eliza McNelly. She was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Feb. 23, 1824. Ile bought land in Car- roll county and remained there until 1855, when he settled on his present farm in Richland county. In coming here he traveled by rail as far as Warren, Ill., which was then the nearest railroad station. There he hired a horse and

1125

HISTORY OF RICIILAND COUNTY.

sled and completed the journey. He first built a rude cabin of round logs, covered it with "shakes" and made puncheon for the floor. This humble abode was his home until 1866, when he erected the frame house he now occupies. Mrs. Merrill was one of the first members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Merrill, though not a member of the Church, lends willing aid, and was one of the committee in charge of building the new church. Henry MeNelly, a nephew of Mrs. Merrill, was reared by her, she having had charge of him from the ten- der age of eleven months. He was married in 1875 to Salina, daughter of William and Mary (Thompson) Francis. They have two children-Lester Everett and Francis Clark.

Henry Kepler, one of the pioneers of Mar- shall, was born in Greene Co., Penn., in February, 1811. When he was ten years old, his parents emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Columbiana county, where he grew to manhood. While a young man he was engaged in a mill, and learned the trade of carding and cloth making. In April, 1834, he was married to Jane Patten. She was born in Beaver Co., Penn., Jan. 27, 1814. They lived in Pennsylvania until 1838, then moved to Ohio and settled in Columbiana county. They remained there three and a half years, then removed to Meigs county, remaining there until 1855, when they started west to seek a home, taking with them a yoke of oxen, a span of horses and two wagons ; also household goods and cooking utensils. They camped by the way. After traveling forty days, they ar- rived at Mill creek, and settled on land that he had entered a few months previously. He at first built a round log house, and later one of hewed logs, which in a few years gave way to the frame house which he now occupies. Mr. and Mrs. Kepler have had three sons born to them-William F., Joseph and Sylvester. The oldest son, Wiliam F., came to Richland county with his parents and has always lived at the homestead, and is one of the most extensive farmers in the town. He built on this farm the

secon I frame barn erected in the town, which is still standing, and in good repair. He has since erected another frame barn, also a large frame house which is one of the finest resi- dences in the county. He was born in Beaver Co., Penn., Dec. 18, 1834, and was three and a half years old when his parents moved to Ohio, where he received a liberal education in the district schools. When he was fourteen years of age he was engaged in a shop and learned to make spinning wheels. Ile continued to work there three or four years, then engaged in carpentering. In 1854 he went to Mississippi, where he spent the winter, working at builling a cotton-gin and feed mill, returning in the spring, and in company with his father, came to Riehland county and selected the site of their present farm. For a few years after com- ing to Marshall, he worked at his trade as ear- penter. In the year 1860 he erected a barn and tannery for Judge Fries at Richland Con- ter. Many of the spinning wheels in the county were made by him. In 1980 he purchased the saw-mill on Millereek, of Mr. Saltsman, put in new machinery, and now operates the same as a business. He has been twice married. llis first wife was Rachel Kerby, who bore him two children-Elmer and Almond. His second wife was Mariam Bailey, daughter of Isaac and Martha Doudna, who died in 1881, leaving one child-Isolla.

Thomas Parsons, the subject of this sketch, was born in London, England, May 12, 1812. His father died when he was but eight years oldl, and he was sent into the country to live, where he grew to man's estate. Ile came to America in 1811 and located in Canada, where he made the acquaintance of Mary Harris, who was the daughter of John and Mary Harris, and to whom he was married in the year 1843. In 1844 they moved to the State of New York and purchased a home in Onondaga town, Ononda- ga county. There he was employed on public works, remaining there until 1856, and then coming to Richland county. Here be purchased

1126

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

a tract of timber land on section 28, built a house and continued to reside there until the time of his death, which occurred .Jan. 25, 1876. He was a very industrious man, and had the satisfaction of leaving his family provided with a good home. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have had nine children born to them, five of whom are now living-William, David, George, Jane and John. Mrs. Parsons was again married in 1876 to James Ward, who is also a native of Eng- land, born in Cambridgeshire in 1820. He had come to America in 1851 and located in Wiscon- sin, living in Walworth and Rock counties until the fall of 1854, when he came to Richland county and settled on section 35, town 11, range 1 west, in the present town of Marshall, where he still resides. He has been three times mar- ried. The first time, in 1841, to Maria Graham who died a few years after his settlement in Richland county. Three of her children are living-Edward, Alfred and Angeline. ITis second wife was Annie Dunford. She died in 1871, leaving five children-Alice, Rose, Carrie, Annie M. and Ellie.

William Saltsman was born in Knox town, Jefferson Co., Ohio, Dec. 5, 1810. He was among the pioneers of the town of Marshall, coming there in 1856. Ilis early life, until he was seventeen years of age, was spent upon a farm, and he improved such opportunities as of- fered to gain an education. At that age he was apprenticed to a shoemaker to learn the trade, served three years, then worked as journeyman two years. He then engaged with an uncle, farming during the summer season, and in a saw-mill winters, which he continued eight years. In the month of March, 1835, he was married to Kesiah Maple, who was born in Jef- ferson Co., Ohio. He went to Iowa in 1842, and remained for a short time; returned to Jef- ferson county and purchased a farm in Salina town, which be sold in 1852 and went to Ilam- mondsville, where he was employed in a ware- honse until 1856, at which date he came to Richland county, as before stated, and settled

upon land on section 19, in the town of Mar- shall. He made the journey as far as Daven- port by rail, thence by boat to Prairie du Chien, and from there in a wagon to Muscoda; at that place they hired a conveyance to take. them to their new home. They stayed at the house of Samnel Groves, in the town of Sylvan, until a round log cabin could be built. The same year he commenced building a saw-mill on Mill creek, which he completed the following year. He continued to operate this mill in connection with farming until 1880, when he sold out there and bought his present home, an im- proved farm, and good frame house and barn, located on section 10.

Lyman Ilart, a pioneer of the town of Mar- shall, came here in 1856 and purchased 160 acres of heavily timbered land on section 1. He first built a log cabin in the valley, and com- menced with his ax to "hew out" a farm. In 1862 he erected a comfortable frame house, at that time considered quite elegant, frame houses being then the exception. It is pleas- antly located on a ridge near the center of his farm. He has engaged in the raising of stock as well as grain, and been quite successful as a fruit grower. Mr. Hart is a native of Columbi- ana Co., Ohio, born July 24, 1824. He was brought up on a farm, and obtained his edu- cation in the common schools. In November, 1851, he was married to Sarah Clark, a native of Jefferson county. They resided in Columbi- ana county three years, when they removed to Jefferson county and lived there until 1856. They then came to Richland county, traveling by rail as far as Mazomanie, then the nearest. railway station, where he hired a conveyance to take them to Richland Center. The remainder of the journey was performed with an ox team. They remained with the family of Alanson Clark until the cabin was completed. Mr. Ilart is, and always has been, a republican.

Isaac Doudna, the present assessor of the town of Marshall, first settled there in 1861, having purchased land on section 28. In 1864

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 159

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