History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 168

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 168
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 168

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).

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.]

burned a few weeks later with most of its con- tents. He then rented a house in which he lived until the fall of that year, 1850, when, as before stated, he came to Richland county. Mr. and Mrs. Waddell reared eleven children- Myron, Jane, William A., Margaret, Virginia, George A., John H., Thomas, Charles H., Mary and Nathan. John H. was born in Gallia Co., Ohio, in 1846. Ile enlisted in January, 1862, in the 19th Wisconsin and went south. At the battle of Fair Oaks he was taken prisoner and confined in Libby prison a while, then trans- ferred to Salisbury, N. C., was taken sick while in prison, and died at the Marine hospital, at Annapolis, soon after being exchanged. George was born in May, 1844. He enlisted in the fall of 1861 in the 11th Wisconsin, company B, and participated in seventeen engagements. Hle contracted disease while in the service from which he died in 1868. Sept. 26, 1883, was the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Waddell. That day they were surprised by a large number of their friends, who assembled to celebrate their golden wedding, and congratu- late them on account of such an extended and happy union, and wish them still a happy con- tinned experience so much enjoyed. A cele- bration of their diamond wedding was a consum- mation devoutly to be wished. On this festive occasion were present forty children, grand- children and great-grandchildren. The aged couple were the recipients of many valuable and useful gifts. A supper was served to which all did ample justice and the day will be long remembered by all present.

Henry Collins, a native of Ohio, was born April 27, 1827. When five years old he re- moved with his parents to Tippecanoe Co., Ind. He served as a soldier in the Mexican War. He afterwards resided in Clinton Co., Ind., where he became acquainted with Mary Daw- son, who, May 6, 1846, became his wife. In December, 1851, he came to Richland county and became a resident, living near Orion two years, then moved to the town of Dayton. In

April, 1860, he went to Pike's Peak and re- mained until December, 1861, when he returned to his family. In the spring of 1862 he re- sponded to the call of his country by enlisting, and was assigned to the Ist Missouri Light Artillery. At the battle of Corinth he was so injured as to be discharged, in October, 1862. He returned home and remained long enough to regain his health, then re-enlisted in com- pany F, of the 43d Wisconsin regiment, and served till the close of the war, after which he lived upon his farm, but was unable to perform hard labor. He died Feb. 7, 1875. He was politically republican, and held the offi- ces of justice of the peace and assessor. Mrs. Collins was born in Clinton Co., Ind. Her parents were Charles and Mary (Miller) Daw- son She married Mr. Collins, as before stated, and was his faithful companion through life. They were the parents of thirteen children, five of whom arrived at adult years. William F., John D., Calvin L. and Mary May are now living. Charles M., the eldest, enlisted with his father, Sept. 4, 1864, being at the time only seventeen years old. lle served as drummer, and died at Clarksville, Tenn., Jan. 6, 1865.

Hon. George Krouskop, one of the pioneer settlers of Richland county, was born in Belle- fontaine, Logan Co., Ohio, May 12, 1832. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (MeCloud) Krouskop. He spent the carly part of his life in Ohio, his father's family removing to Rich- land Co., Wis., in 1851. They located near the village of Sextonville, where his father built a grist and saw-mill, the grist-mill being the first one erected in the county. George Krouskop received a good education in the common schools of his native State, and supplemented this by a thorough academic course at the Geneva College in northern Ohio. His first trip to Richland county was in 1850, when only eighteen years of age. He spent the summer of that year prospecting in this region, but re- turning to his old home in Ohio in the fall, he became so favorably impressed with the ap-

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parent natural advantages and then undeveloped resources of Richland county, which was at that early date in its wild and uncultivated state, that he resolved to make it his future home. When the family came here in 1851 he returned with them. For a year or two he was engaged alternately in teaching school and run- ning his father's saw-mill. In 1854 he em- barked in the mercantile business, and laid the foundation for a successful business career by establishing a store on a small scale near the Sextonville mills. Shortly afterwards he pur- chased the mills, and continued these enterprises until 1865, when he removed to Richland Con- ter, where he also engaged in the mercantile business for a number of years. In 1870 he opened a bank. Mr. Krouskop has always taken a leading part in all public enterprises and improvements which would advance or de- velop the material resources of the town and county, and has aided them liberally both by his influence and ample means. Ile was one of the originators and projectors, as well as one of the principal stockholders in the Pine River Valley & Stevens Point railroad, an enterprise that was built wholly by home capital. Ile was president of the company for several years. Politically, Mr. Krouskop is a democrat. Ile has served two terms as State Senator in the Wisconsin Legislature, representing the district cemposed of Richland and Crawford counties, and was each time elected by a handsome ma- jority over his opponent, and in a district that usually gave a large republican majority. Mr. Krouskop was married Nov. 25, 1855, to Eliza- beth Black. They have two children-William E., unmarried, and Eliza A., who married J. Robert Coumbe, of Excelsior, Richland Co., Wis.

John Klingler, a native of Kentucky, born Nov. 28, 1810, came from Marion Co., Ind., and on the 23d day of June. 1852, settled on the southwest quarter of section 27, Richland, and there engaged in farming until his death, which

occurred May 6, 1874. He left a wife and five chiklren-Orlow, Martha, now the wife of George W. Miller ; Rachel, Frank and John. Mrs. Klingler and her son Frank still reside at the homestead. Orlow Klingler, oldest son of the above, was born in Marion Co., Ind., Aug. 10, 1833. He came with his parents to Wiscon- sin, and on the 6th of September, 1855, was married to Rach.I I Miller. Aug. 13, 1862, he enlisted in compiny B, 25th Wisconsin, and served until the regiment was mustered out of service. Since the war he has been engaged in general fuming an I now owns 235 acres, with first ela . improvements. Mr. Klingler votes the republicin ticket. but takes little interest in political affairs. The only civic society of which he is a member, is the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mr-, Klingler have one daughter-Sarah 1.

John Fay is a native of Ireland, born in the town of Gort, county Galway, June 1, 1818, where his childhood and youth were spent. He came to America March 17, 1849, and first set- tled at Wyoming, Wyoming Co., N. Y. Then on the 16th day of February, 1851, he was united in marriage with Johanna Quinlin, born in Roserea, county Tipperary, Ireland, June 21. 1823. On the 18th day of October, 1852, they emigrated to Wisconsin, and after living one year at Mineral Point, came to Riehland county. On Feb. 16, 1854, Mr. Fay purchased the farm of John T. Higgins, which contained eighty acres, and is located on section 22, Rich- land town, where he now resides. His farm now contains 120 acres. He is in comfortable circumstance and free from debt. Mr. Fay has spent his life in tilling the soil. Hle takes a great interest in the education of his children, and is known as an honorable citizen. There are five children living-Thomas J., Francis, Mary B., Emma L. and Josie M.

Sidney Rose came to Richland Center in the fall of 1854, and purchased one-half of block 50, and one-half of block 51. There was a house upon this property, which was built by a

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Mr. Hyde, of whom he purchased it. Mr. Rose was a mason by trade, and did the mason work upon the first court house of Richland county. In 1861 he enlisted and served in the regimental band of the 6th Wisconsin regi- ment eleven months, when that organization disbanded. He has since followed his trade. He was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 20, 1818, where he learned his trade, and in 1842 was married to Caroline S. Hamilton, danghter of Fillery Hamilton. In 1844 they came to Wisconsin and lived in Rock county, from whence he came to this county. He now re- sides in Henrietta, where he owns a farm of 140 acres.

D. O. Chandler, a promment and representa- tive man of Richland county, settled in the town of Willow in March, 1853, and was there engaged in farming until 1858. He then estab- lished a general mercantile business at Loyd, and carried on the same with marked success. In 1865 Mr. Chandler in order to increase his business removed to Richland Center, erected his present store building, and since 1867 has been engaged in the hardware trade. Ile also owns a one-half interest in the Park Hotel prop- erty, and considerable real estate in town lots and farming land. As a business man he has been energetic and enterprising, and these characteristics, coupled with good judgment, have caused him to make good investments, and thus his business career has proved successful. As a gentleman although blunt, and speaking his mind freely when occasion requires, he is pleasant, affable and agreeable, and has many friends. Ile is a native of the State of New York, born in Hamburg, Erie county, on the 10th day of April, 1828. He was educated to mercantile business, and in 1852 married Hannah Van Vlack of Cattaraugus county, and the year following emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in Richland county as before stated. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler have eight children - Austin J., Eurotus M., Alice J., now Mrs. Wil- liam Collins; Grace, now Mrs. F. P. Lawrence;

Grant, Lola, May and Gay. Politically Mr. Chandler is a republican, with radical temper- ance principles. He has often been elected to local offices and always discharged his public duties with honor to himself and satisfaction to the people He has always been a public spirited man, and a citizen such as benefits a town and county in which heresides. The only society of which he is a member is the Temple of Honor.

Daniel Rice purchased property at Richland Center during the month of August, 1853, and the spring following removed his family from Logan Co., Ohio. For two years he was engaged in the manufacture of brick, then he dealt in live stock, making the first shipment from the county. He remained in this business until 1860, when he engaged in general mer- cantile trade, and pursued this avocation for twelve years, when he retired from active busi- ness life. Mr. Rice was born in France in 1822, but was brought to the United States by his parents when an infant. His early life was spent in Pennsylvania, In 1838 he went to Ohio and followed railroading, learning during his sojourn in that State the trade of machin- ist. In 1849 he was married to Delia La- den. They have one daughter-Mollie, now the wife of F. G. Rodolf. Mrs. Rice was the first person to engage in the millinery business in Richland Center, an account of which ap- pears in this volume elsewhere.

William F. Collins, son of Henry Collins, was born in the town of Dayton, Richland Co., July 13, 1854. He received a common school educa- tion. October 8, 1877, he married Lottie J. Bryant. She died, leaving one child-W. H. Ile was again married, Nov. 29, 1882, to Alice J. Chandler. His residence is just outside the village, on section 16, where he owns sev- enty aeres, He is engaged in dairying and sell- ing milk in the village. Mr. Collins is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F.

J. L. McKee is numbered among the pioneers of 1854, having arrived in April of that year,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

at Richland City. He was then an unmarried man, and worked the first season for $14 per month. The next season he taught school for $25 per month. In 1855 he was married to Mary Simons, daughter of Col. Royal Simons. He then removed to Orion, and in February, 1856, came to Richland Center. In 1857 he engaged in general merchandising with J. W. Lybrand, sold out in 1859, and in 1860 was elected clerk of the circuit court and served two years, then as county treasurer two years. In 1865 he es- tablished a general mercantile trade and con- tinned the same until 1878, when he closed out to A. B. Weigley, since which he has lived a re- tired life. Mr. McKee was born in Beaver Co., Penn., Sept. 3, 1829, and resided in his native State until he came to Wisconsin. His wife died Dec. 13, 1861. Nov. 19, 1863, he married Mrs. Kate Casebeer nee Laden, and they have had four children born to them, but one of whom is now living-Frank W. Mr. McKee has been a member of the republican party since its or- ganization. He is a Mason, and served as troas- urer of Richland Lodge, No. 66, fifteen years. He was also treasurer of the company which owned the railroad before it was ,purchased by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. He is a man of ability, and a good citizen.

B. C. Hallin made his first visit to the county in the summer of 1852, and purchased 160 acres, located on sections 17 and 18, in what is now the town of Akan. He built a log cabin and re- turned to Millville, Jo Daviess Co., III., and followed his trade, stone cutter, until 1854. Hle then removed with his wife to this county and thus became the first permanent settler of the town of Akan. They experienced many of the hardships of pioneer life. Their log cabin was without a floor for eighteen months, and Mrs. Hallin did not see a white woman for the same period. Their principal food was game, of which there was an abundance. This state of affairs did not long continue, however, for they soon raised vegetables and grain. Mr. Hallin would

go away from home and work at his trade, thus earning money to buy clothing for his wife and babies. In 1864 he enlisted in company A, 36th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, was wounded at the battle of Petersburg, June IS, 1864, and in consequence, had to suffer the amputation of his left arm at the shoulder. While still in the hos- pital he was nominated by the democratic party for the office of register of deeds, but was defeat- ed with the remainder of the ticket. Returning home he was, however, elected to several town offices at one time, and thus did about all the publie business of his town. In Isos he sokl his property and purchased 160 acres of land on section 18, Richland town, where he erected a neat stone residence and has good im- provements. He spends most of his time in working at his trade. In 1880 he established a marble business at Richland Center. He is a famous joker, and on being asked how he could cut stone with but one arm, he replied, "I take the chisel in my teeth and strike my head with the mallet." Mr. Hallin was born July 15, 1826, in the county of Kerry, Ireland, on the same street on which the father of J. L. Sullivan was born. llis father was a marble entter. He was educated at Killarney, and at the age of seventeen emigrated to the United States and first followed his trade in the city of New York, for about five years. He subsequently went to Carrollton, Ind, where he assisted in building some large factories, and was married to Gwenny Davis, who was born in Wales, but came with her parents to America when only four years old. She is a woman of great courage and well adapted to the pioneer life which she has passed through. One example of her heroism is suf- ficient to illustrate her disposition. One day, while sitting in the door of the cabin, with her babe playing at her feet, she noticed a large bear drinking at the spring near the house. She at once bade her large New Foundland dog to "seek him," which Le proceeded to do without delay, but the bear, being very powerful, was about to overcome the dog, when Mrs. Hallin

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

seized an ax and buried its edge deep in the flesh of the ferocious creature, killing it in- stantly. Just at that moment, W. H. Joslin, the county sheriff, drove up, and skinned the bear and Mrs. Ilallin soon had a nice piece of the meat over the fire to cook for their dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Hallin have reared a family of twelve children, all of whom are living-Thomas J., Kate, Owen E, Oscar, Harry, Alice, John, Lney, Bertha, Irene, Arthur and Emmett. Mr. HIallin is at present chairman of the town board and a member of the G. A. R.

J. C. Stockton settled in Richland county in 1854 and engaged in farming on Willow creek. In 1857 he removed to section 26, Richland town, and continued farming until 1881, when he sold out, moved to Richland Center and is now living a retired life. Mr. Stockton is a native of Ross Co., Ohio, born Feb. 24, 1815. His father died when he was six years old, and his mother, with her children, removed to Tip- pecanoe Co., Ind. The subject of this sketch was married in 1840 to Martha Sippy, and in 1854 came to Wisconsin. . Mr. and Mrs. Stoek- ton are the parents of six children, three of whom are living-A. W., Lydia A. and J. W.

F. P. Bowen came to this county with his brother, W. J. Bowen, in September, 1854. They purchased the saw mill and water power, which is now known as "Bowen's mill." In the fall of 1855 they rebuilt the mill, put in a circu- lar saw, the first in Richland county, and oper- ated the same until 1858, when F. P. Bowen sold his interest to his brother, and in 1859 succeeded Dr. H. C. Priest in the drug business. In 1861 he traded the drug business to D. L. Downs for his interest in the Richland Center Tannery. This property he sold about two years after- wards, and in 1865 purchased a half interest in the drug business of D. L. Downs, and owned the same until March, 1883. In 1867 Mr. Bowen re-purchased a half interest in the mill property and, with his brother, built the flouring and grist mill, known as "Bowen's mill," with which he was connected for five or six years. In 1871

he commenced dealing in live stock, in which business he is now extensively engaged. F. P. Bowen was born in Vermillion Co., III., April 5, 1835. In 1836 the family removed to Green Co., Wis. The parents, William and Electa (Phelps) Bowen, came to Richland county in 1855. The father died in 1858, and the mother in 1871. Mr. Bowen, in 1860, was married to Margaret Turner. She died in 1866, leaving two children-IIellen and Mattie. In 1868 he was married to Mrs. J. A. Wait, nee Bushy, and by this union there are six children, four of whom are living-Charles F., Alice, Dwight and F. P. Mr. Bowen took an active interest in building the railroad, as he does in all public enterprises. He is a republican in his politics, and a member of the A F & A. M.

W. J. Bowen, one of the prominent and rep- resentative men of Richland county, was born in Vermillion Co., Ill., July 8, 1825. He came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1836. In December, 1854, he was married to Mary Thorp, then of Green county, but a native of Pennsyl- vania. He then came to Richland county and purchased the property since known as Bowen's mills, and of which he is still the owner. A history of this mill and his connection with it appears elsewhere. Mr. Bowen has been an en- terprising, successful business man, and now owns over 500 acres of land in one body, has a comfortable home and good improvements. He also has other property, among which are five dwelling houses occupied by tenants. Mr. Bowen is in politics a republican, and has held several local offices of trust, is a member of the A. F. & A. M. The children now living are -John W. and Frank. Edward H. died at the age of five months, in 1872. Mr. Bowen lived with his parents in Green county until 1850. In April of that year he started for California overland, and there remained until September, 1852, en- gaged in mining. Thence he went to Australia, where he landed in December, and remained about thirteen months, thence to Peru, South America, landing in the month of April, where

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he remained until the following August, explor- ing for gold, but did not find it. He then came to New York by way of Panama, and thence in fall of 1854 to the farm where he now lives.

Jednthan Jones is one of the early pioneers of Richland county. He settled at Riehland Center in October, 1854, coming from the Western Reserve, Ohio, and was accompanied by his wife. He at once purchased 200 aeres of land and commeneed making improvements. He also worked at his trade, that of shoemaker. In 1857 he erected a small tannery, which he sold a few years later, and it was subsequently de- stroyed by fire. He continued work at his trade and resided in the village until 1865, when he removed to his farm, which is located on section 28, and has since given his undivided attention to farming. He now owns 120 acres, which are well improved. Jeduthan Jones is a native of Ohio, born Sept. 10, 1818. His parents resided on a farm. Ile was united in marriage in 1844 with Laura Graham, who was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y. They have reared two children-Ilattie and Fred. Hattie died at the age of twenty. Fred resides with his parents.

Caleb Waggoner first became identified with the interests of Richland county in 1854. In the spring of that year he came from Ohio to Richland Center, and located on the corner now owned and occupied by II. T. Bailey. lle brought with him a small stock of goods, which he soon closed out, and then purchased the drug business of Dr. Il. C. Priest, which he sold several years subsequently to D. E. Downs. Hle was then engaged in general merchandise with his sons as partners many years, and then dealt to a considerable extent in real estate. Ile was the fifth son of William and Sarah Waggoner, who were pioneers in eastern Ohio, and was born near the village of Richmond, in Jefferson county, Sept. 18, 1813. He had seven brothers and four sisters, nine of whom are yet living, four of them okler than he was. He died Oct. 16, 1883, at the residence of his

brother, Dr. Joseph Waggoner, in Ravenna, Ohio. Ile was among the best class of Rich- land county citizens, and the following, chipped from the Republican and Observer, is a brief ac- count of his last days and death:

"The ten children had participated in a fam- ily reunion at the old home farm on the 19th of September, and the deceased was extending his visit among his numerous relatives and friends at the time of his death-reveling in the atmosphere of pure affection and pure friendships, from which he well knew he would soon be severed. He had not been in vigorous health for many years, and his friends observed with alarm his rapid decline the past two or three years. Only a short time before his de- parture for Ohio he suffered a severe aud threatening illness, resulting from over anxiety and care for his unfortunate son, Joseph; but under the inspiration of once more greeting his brothers and sisters and other relatives at the old fireside and under the parental roof, he seemed to acquire a new lease of life, and none of the participants in that memorable occasion were more active or buoyant than he. Ninety- two of his kindred were there present, among whom were his son William .I., and grand child Rena, of Viola, in this county, and his son James HI , with his wife and two children, of Eau Claire. The latter had returned to their home, but the former were yet with their father, and William was at his bedside when he passed away. He complained first of distress about the heart and of being cold, but was soon relieved of uneasiness, slept well during the night, and was about as usual the following morning, but toward evening the messenger of death returned, and a little after midnight he breathed his last, among loving friends who did everything that could be done to prolong his carthly life. The immediate cause of his death was paralysis of the heart; but the rav- ages of time had prepared the frail body for the final summons, and his life went out calmly and peacefully as the sun reeedes from sight.

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His mind was clear to the last moment, and his last words were characteristic of the earnest. honest and thoughtful man he was: 'I have no regrets or censures. The end must soon come, and I am ready. Let all live so that we may meet above.'

"In the morning following his death his son at Eau Claire was telegraphed to meet friends who would accompany the remains to Chicago. This he did, and conveyed them home. A large number of the old friends and neighbors of the deceased had assembled at the depot, with car- riages and hearse, to receive the body and con- vey it to the home on the hill side, in which he had spent the three last decades of his life. His funeral obsequies were in harmony with the tenor of his life-void of ostentation or display, and remarked for their singular appropriate- ness. The services were conducted at his late residence by the Rev. H. G. Dennison, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of this village, of which Mr. Waggoner was a ruling elder, and with which he was closely identified from the hour of its organization to the time of his death. By request of his friends the services were brief, but deeply impressive, and his remains were as quietly followed to the grave by many who had loved and esteemed him in life, and who would cherish his memory in death. From the moment of the announcement of his death to the hour of the performance of the last sad rites, his bereaved family were touchingly as- sured of the profound and almost sacred regard in which the husband and father had been held. Sympathy for the widowed was never more generously, yet delicately expressed, nor was it ever more sensibly appreciated. The survivors of the family of the deceased are the widow, to whom he was married on the 9th of February, 1839, and four sons-William J., James H., Edwin B., and Joseph M. all of whom are well known here, but are now residents of other parts of the State.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 168

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