History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 178

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 178
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 178

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).

Albert 1. Straight (deceased), an early settler of Richland Center, was born in Dover town, Athens Co., Ohio, in 1829. He was the son of Benjamin Straight, who was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1797, and moved to Athens county in 1816, and in 1856 came to Richland Center, where he died, Oct. 27, 1874. His widow still lives there. Albert, the subject of this sketch, also came to Richland Center in 1856. He was married in 1867 to Mary, daughter of Daniel and Maria (Bristol) Mosher, and settled on his farm on section 32, town of Rockbridge, which was his home until the time of his death, Dec. 31, 1872. He left a widow and three children- Victor, Elward and Flavius. Mrs. Straight now carries on the farm, which is one of the best in the town, and is in a good state of cultivation. She has a good frame house and a large frame barn.

William Francis was an carly settler of the town of Sylvan, coming there in 1856. Ile bought 280 acres of land on section 9, cleared about thirty acres, and lived there until 1860,

when he sold out and purchased his present farm, which contains 167g aeres, a part being in the town of Rockbridge, and a part extend- ing over the line into Marshall. He has 145 acres of cleared land, making one of the best farms in the county. In 1883 he built a large frame house. Ile is a native of York State; was born in Essex county April 24, 1826. When he was five years old his parents moved to Erie Co., Penn. His father purchased timber land in the town of Girard, cleared a farm and made this his home until the time of his death. The subject of this sketch made his home with his parents until eighteen years old. He was mar. ried the August following to Mary Thompson, who was born in Swansey, N. H. Ile then lo- cated in Fairview, Erie county, and engaged to learn the shoemaker's trade, which having ac- complished he went to Lockport, Erie county, opened a shop and carried on the shoe business until 1855, when he moved to Wisconsin, lived in Dane county and worked at his trade in the town of Rutland until 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Francis have had eleven children, ten of whom are now living-Orren, Saloma, Salina, William Rush, Alice, Ida, Evaline, Charles, Calvin and Prudence. One child, named Millie, died in infancy.

Abraham Anderson was born in Carroll conn- ty Nov. 24, 1828, and was thirteen years old when his parents moved to Allen Co., Ind. In 1854 he was joined in marriage with Rebecca Blythe, who was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Feb. 9, 1836. They remained in Allen county until 1856, and then came to Richland county. They have had thirteen children, eleven of whom are now living-Jane, David G., Henry, Lina E., Ellen, Carrie, Mary F., Amanda, Eliza R., Charlotte and George E.

David Anderson, in 1856, with three brothers, named Jacob, Abraham and William, natives of Ohio, came to Richland county from Allen Co., Ind., starting from there with five horse teams and driving twenty-six head of cattle. They were twenty-six days on the road, and arrived in

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Richland Center October 18. David was born in Carroll Co., Ohio, Aug. 21, 1834, and was six years old when his parents moved to Indiana; here he grew to manhood, making his home with them until 1856, when he came to Wiscon- sin. He was a single man at that time and made his home with his brothers until 1860, when he went to Colorado and engaged in mining and farming, remaining until the fall of 1864, when he returned east and spent the winter visiting in Indiana, Ohio and Richland county. In the spring of 1865 he settled in Champaign Co., III., and rented land until 1866, when he made a pur- chase and settled thereon. He was married in 1867 to Jennie Blaker, who was born in Logan Co., Ind. They had five children -Annie, Belle, William, Mary L. and Charles. He remained in Champaign county until 1880, when he sold his farm there and returned to Richland county and purchased a farm of 160 acres on sections 17 and 20, town of Rockbridge, where he now lives, engaged in raising stock and grain.

Richard Pratt, one of the early settlers of Rockbridge, was born in the city of Albany, N. Y., in November, 1815, where he lived until fif- teen years of age, then went to Kalamazoo, Mich., and subsequently came to Wisconsin, lo- eating in Iowa county, in November, 1837, where he was one of the early settlers. He was married there, in 1848, to Sarah Gray, who was born in Franklin, Warren Co., Ohio. They remained in Iowa county until 1856, then came to Rich- land county and purchased timber land on sec- tions 5 and 6, town of Rockbridge, making his way here with horse and ox teams. He first erected a log house and commeneed to clear a farm. That same year he purchased a saw mill and engaged in the lumber business. This was during the hardest times ever experienced in this county. People who wanted lumber were not in circumstances to buy, and the enterprise proved a failure. Then he again gave his at- tention to farming, cleared a good place, built a good frame house and made it his home until the time of his death, which occurred in March,

1880, leaving a widow and two sons. The ehl- est son, James T., lives in the town of Henrietta. Ile was married in 1873 to Emma, daughter of Thomas C. Clark. lis farm is located on see- tion 31, in sight of the old homestead. The younger son, George Benjamin, occupies the old homestead with his mother.

Daniel Snow, son of Horatio and Sarah (Cole) Snow, an early settler of Rockbridge, was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., July 18, 1834. When he was but eight years old, his parents emigrated west and settled in Dodge Co., Wis., where they were among the pioneers. His father purchased land in what is now the town of Emmet, im- proved a farm and made this his home, until the time of his death. His widow is a resident of Watertown, Jefferson Co., Wis. The subject of our sketch here grew to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools. In December, 1857, in company with his brother, James, he started with an ox team for Richland county. After eight days of travel, they arrived at Rock- bridge and entered land on section 1, of that town. They were both single men at this time and kept "old batch," in a log house with a "shake" roof, which they erected on the south- east of section 1, until 1859. That year, on the 4th of September, Daniel was married to Annie, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Robinson) Simpson, early settlers of Henrietta. They have six children-William, Victor, Paul, Vira, Scott and Frank. He now owns 165 acres of land, about thirty of which is cleared. He has taken pains to preserve his best timber, and now has some of the most valuable land in this section of the country.

John Clarson first came to Rockbridge in 1858 and purchased land on section 14. Atthat time he was withont a family and boarded with Hiram Anstin a few months. In November of that year he went to England and there was married to Anna Cook. In February, 1859, he returned with his wife to their new home where he has cleared quite a tract of land, built a comfortable log house, and yet remains. He

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

was born in Tamworth, Staffordshire, England, Dec. 6, 1836. When sixteen years old he en- tered the employ of a draper and learned that trade, which in this country would be called the dry goods trade. He served until twenty-one years old and then came to America. IIe landed in New York and immediately came to Wiscon- sin, spent a few months in Waukesha county and then came to Richland as before stated. Mrs. Clarson was born in Weitheystaky, Staf- fordshire, England, Jan. 17, 1839, and died in Rockbridge, Richland Co., Oct. 27, 1876, leav- ing five children-John Sidney, Robert Henry, Annie May, John and Charles Arthur.

Charles Stuart settled in the town of Rock- bridge in the fall of 1859. Ile purchased tim- ber land on section 17, built a neat howed log house, cleared a farm and here made his home until the time of his death which occurred Oct. 31, 1877. He was a native of Scotland, born in Aberdeenshire, Aug. 5, 1820, and was brought up on a farm. He was joined in marriage in 1847 with Mary Brown, also a native of Aber- deenshire and emigrated to America in 1854. They had two children-Maggie and Mary. Mrs. Stuart and her two daughters now occupy the homestead.

William Wiley was a pioneer at Milwaukee, having settled there as early as 1835. At that time Milwaukee was but a small settlement, and people traveled from there to Chicago on foot, carrying their provisions on their backs. He remained there until 1859, when he came to Richland county and purchased land on section 20, of the town of Rockbridge, and commenced to clear a farm. Ile was joined in marriage, in 1862, to Mary, daughter of Israel and Elizabeth (Miller) Janney. They lived in a log house until 187] when he built the good frame house in which they now live. He has engaged in raising stock and grain, keeps a dairy and has paid considerable attention to fruit growing. Ile is also a great lover of flowers and has more than 800 varieties of garden and house plants, all of which show the care of a skilled florist.

Peter Waggoner, one of the early settlers of Richland county, was a native of Pennsyl- vania, born in Adams county, March 4, 1795. When he was twenty-one years of age he emi- grated to Ohio and settled in Stark county, where he was an early settler. He was married there to Sarah Oswalt. In 1835 he moved to West Virginia and lived there until 1851, when he returned to Ohio and lived there until 1854, then came to Richland county and settled in the town of Rockbridge, and purchased land on section 32. He improved a farm and made his home here until 1871. His wife died in July of that year. His latter days he spent with his son, Peter W., and died at his home Jan. 16, 1883. He was a man with a strong will and an iron constitution and retained his faculties in a remarkable degree nntil the time of his death. He left five children- Michael, Henry, Peter W., Elizabeth, now the wife of Henry Lint; and Cynthia, now the wife of Edward Murphy. His son, Peter W., was born in Stark Co., Ohio, May 13, 1833. Hc always made his home with his parents, never having been separated from them until the time of their death. He was married in 1871 to Harriet Warren, also a native of Ohio. They have three children -- Minnie May, Cynthia and Mary Ann. His farm is on section 32.

Alexander Chisholm, (deceased) settled in Rockbridge in 1864. He purchased land on Fancy creek, on scetions 19 and 30, in the town of Rockbridge, and adjoining land on sections 24 and 25 in the town of Marshall. He built a frame house on section 19, and unfortunately, located it too near the creek, so that when the water was high it was surrounded, and the fam- ily were obliged to leave in a boat. The house was moved to its present location on higher ground. Mr. Chisholm cleared a large traet of land and made this his home until the time of his death, Sept. 8, 1876. He was a native of Columbiana Co., Ohio, born in January, 1827. When a young man he learned the trade of stone mason, at which he worked some years.

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HISTORY OF RICIILAND COUNTY.

Ile was married in May, 1859, to Marjory Me- Bane, who was born in Colombiana Co., Ohio, Aug. 14, 1835. Two children blessed this union-Daniel Alexander and Elizabeth Jen- nott. Mrs. Chisholm and the children now live at the homestead.

P. M. Clark, the first postmaster of Buck Creek postoffice, was born in Lewis Co., N. Y., April 5, 1819. When he was fifteen years old he went to Canada and there learned the car- penter trade; remained a few years, returned to York State where he worked at his trade until 1844, when he returned to Canada. He was married there in 1846 to Aun Kinney, who was born in Sidney Co., Nova Scotia, Ang. 3, 1829. They remained in Canada until 1863, then moved to Lockport, N. Y., where he en- gaged in his trade until 1865, when he came to Richland Center. There his health failed him, and in the spring of 1878, he moved to the town of Ithaca, where he died July 5 of that year. Ile left a widow and nine children to mourn his loss. The children are-Charles T., George M., Sarah M., Albert, James Victor, Hattie M., Lil- lian, Emma F. and Minnie. In the fall of 1878 Mrs. Clark with the family returned to Rich- land Center and lived until 1881, when they re- turned to Rockbridge, settled on section 22, and opened a store where she now keeps a good as- sortment of articles in general use. She is postmistress of Buck Creek postoffice.

Samuel Hendricks settled in Richland county in 1865. Ile first purchased eighty acres of timber land in the town of Henrietta on section 31, the greater part of which he cleared and fenced In 1869 he sohl this farm and pur- chased 120 acres on section 21, town of Rock- bridge, where he moved and commenced clear- ing a farm. He has since purchased adjoining land and now has 210 aeres, 118 of which is cleared. Here he has built a house, barn and granary, and is engaged in raising stock and grain. He was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Feb. 19, 1820. When he was three years old his parents moved to Ohio and settled

in Columbiana county, where his father pur- chased timber land and cleared a farm. Here his mother died soon after making settlement, and his father married again. When he was nine years old his father sold out here and moved to Michigan, settling in Kalamazoo county, where he was among the first settlers. When seventeen years old his father died, and he was obliged to look out for himself, and re- turned to Ohio where an uncle was living. The following winter he attended school in New Lisbon, and the next summer engaged in farm- ing near Wellsville, attending school the next winter again. Ile afterwards learned the shop- makers trade. Ile was married in 1843 to Sarah Brande Bey of Columbiana county. He rented land and engaged in farming, and also worked at his trade in Ohio until 1849, then went to Michigan and purchased an improved farm of forty acres in Kalamazoo county. Two years later he sold this farm and bought 201 acres of timber land, and commenced to clear a farm. In 1857 he sold out and started for Iowa. He located at lowa City and there engaged in teaming, remained until 1864, when he pur- chased some horses and started overland for C'alifornia. He changed his mind ou the way, and went to Virginia City, Idaho. There he sold his horses, bought a pair of mules and started for home bringing three passengers with him, arriving at length after an absence of six months. A few weeks later he made an over- Iand trip to Leavenworth, Kan., returning to lowa City he remained until the spring of 1865, when he came to Richland county. His wife died in 1857 leaving four children-Janie, Eliza- beth, James Madison and James Monroe. His second wife, to whom he was married in 1852, was Levina Ream, also a native of Columbiana county. They have seven children-Nathan, Jacob, Adda, Annie, Samuel, Mary and Lettie. Mr. Henderson has been a republican in poli- ties since the organization of that party. Ile cast his first vote for Harrison for President. He is a member of the town board, and has

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

been prominent in public affairs, and is a man to be relied upon in administration of affairs public or private.

E. P. Austin settled in Rockbridge in 1865. He is a brother of Hiram Austin, and was born in the town of Franklin, Franklin Co., Vt., Feb. 28, 1830. His education was obtained at the district school, and two terms at the Franklin academy. In 1852 he came to Wisconsin and located in that part of Marquette county, now known as Green Lake county, where he worked in a saw-mill and at farming until 1855, when he commenced driving stage and continued it until 1858. He then engaged to travel with a cireus, which he followed till 1863, when he went to Dunleith, where he was employed by a transport company, engaged in transferring goods across the Mississippi river. He enlisted in 1864 in the 10th Illinois Cavalry, and joined the army of the southwest in Arkansas, serving until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged at New Orleans, in June, 1865, and returned to Dunleith, remained a short time and then came to Rockbridge. Ile was mar- ried in the fall of 1865 to Charlotte, daughter of Morris and Mary Freeman, who was a widow at this time. Her first husband, who was Loring Davis, had enlisted a few months after mar- riage, and died in the service. Mr. and Mrs. Austin are the parents of eight children -- David Grant, Everett, Herbert, Hiram, Lena, Martha, Loring and Mary. At the time of their mar- riage they settled on the farm formerly oc- cupied by Mr. Davis, on section 10. He has since bought and homesteaded other land, and his farm now contains 160 acres on sections 10 and 11. The frame house, in which they now live, was built in 1869.

Christopher Scholl settled on his present farm in 1866. Ile purchased timber land on section 34 town of Rockbridge. Hle first built a log house and stable of the same material. Since that time he has made great improve- ments, having cleared quite a tract of land and built the neat frame nouse which he now oc-

cipies. He was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1839. When he was eleven years old he went to Madison county and lived until his eighteenth year when he returned to his home in Oneida county and lived two years. Then in 1859 he came to Wisconsin and located at Whitewater, where he engaged to learn the cooper trade. Ile enlisted in August, 1862, in the 28th Wisconsin, company D,and went south. His health failing he was discharged on account of disability in March, 1863, returned to Wisconsin and resumed work at his trade in Whitewater until 1866, the date of his settlement in Rock- bridge. Ile was married in 1864 to Mary Balch a native of New Hampshire. They have three children- Hattie B., Emma May and Alice.

I'hilip Shookman settled on his present farm in 1867. It is located on seetion 25. There was a log cabin on the place at the time and but a small clearing. Ile has since cleared quite a tract of land and built a commodions frame house. lle is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Frank- lin Co., Jan. 1, 1834. Here his younger days were spent in school and on the farm. In 1847 he emigrated to Indiana and located in Allen county and engaged in farming, living there until 1867, when he came to Rockbridge as before stated. Ile was joined in marriage in 1854 to Lydia Youse, a native of Ohio. They have four children-William M., Samnel F., Marshall E. and Eliza J.

Col. James Washburn came to Richland coun- ty in April, 1868. He there bought timber land on section 15, town of Rockbridge. Ile was born in the town of Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Aug. 15, 1821. He received a good educa- tion in the public schools in that county. When fourteen years old he went to work with his father, who was a carpenter, and from him learned that trade, which he followed in that State until 1853, when he removed to Monroe Co., Ohio, and there worked at his trade until the breaking out of the "great American con- flict," when he enlisted in the 25th Ohio, com- pany B, and served as captain until 1862, when

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

for gallant and meritorions conduct, he was pro- moted to the rank of colonel, and took immedi- ate command of the 116th Ohio Volunteers. He was severely wounded at the battle of Snicke's Ferry, July 18, 1864, and was at home sixty days, when he joined the regiment, but was not again able to do active service. lle was discharged July 7, 1865, and returned to Ohio, where he remained until 1868, when he came to Richland county. Hle has since cleared a large tract of land, crected a good set of buildings, and now enjoys all the comforts of an castern home. Ile has taken a lively interest in the welfare of his adopted county, and is one of its best and most favorably known citizens. Hle has filled offices of trust, having been chairman of the board several years. Ile has also served a number of terms on the county board, and was a member of the Assembly in 1882. Ile was married in November, 1845, to Maria Jewett. who was born in Deerfield, Franklin Co., Mass. They have five children-Florence, Lucy R., Murray, Mary and Jewett.

John G. Sands came to Richland county in 1868, and entered the employ of J. W. Bowen, remaining with him two and a half years. In 1870 he purchased timber land on section 31, of the town of Dayton, cleared twenty-five acres, and lived there till 1881, when he sold, and bought his present farm on section 34, town of Rockbridge. He is a native of the north of Ireland, his family being of the Scotch Presby- terian persnasion, and was born in the county of Antrim, in 1846. Hle was there brought up upon a farm, and obtained a liberal education in the public schools. At the age of nineteen he left his native land and came to America; landed at New York and went to Ohio, where he spent one year in Mahoning and one in Trum- bull county, coming from there to Richland county in 1868. He was married in 1870 to Mary A., daughter of Henry and Matilda (Tan- ner) Waggoner. They have six children-Wil- liam H., Frank, Herbert, Inlia, Peter and Nona.

1830. When he was but an infant, his parents moved to Allen county, where he grew to man's estate, being reared upon a farm and obtaining his education in the district school. At the age of sixteen, he went to work in a saw-mill and learned to be a sawyer. In 1847 he was mar- ried to Maria Donel, who was born in Logan county. After marriage he engaged in farming in Allen county. In 1859 he went to California and spent four years, after which he returned to Allen county and remained until 1868, when he came to Richland county and worked upon a farm in West Lima until 1875. He then moved to Woodstock and worked in a saw-mill for a time, they engaged in farming till 1880. In that year he came to Rockbridge and went into the lumber business in which he is still engaged. Mrs. Stevenson died in 1855, and he was again married in 1864 to Elizabeth Spyker, widow of Frederick Boyd. Two children have blessed this union-Della and Edward. Della died at the age of thirteen. Mrs. Stevenson has two children by her former husband-Orrin G. and Zittie. Mr. Stevenson has built a large frame house and is clearing a farm as he takes off the lumber.

II. W. Cate settled in Rockbridge in 1870, and purchased land on section 22, a small part of which was cleared. He has since cleared quite a tract, built a neat frame house and other buildings and now has a pleasant home. He is a native of the Green Mountain State, born in Orange county in July, 1833, and was there brought up on a dairy farm. When he was eighteen years old he engaged with a carpenter and joiner to learn the trade. In 1854 he came west and spent three and one half years in Cleveland, Ohio, working at his trade, and on board boats on the lake. He came from there to Dane county and purchased land in the town of Verona which he improved and where he lived until 1870 when he came to Rockbridge as before stated. Mr. Cate was married in 1853 to Violette Annis, born in Orleans Co., Vt., Jan. 7, 1836. They have one child -Benjamin Fred-

F. M. Stevenson, proprietor of a steam saw- mill, was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Jan. 3, 1 die, born March 5, 1876.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXII.

TOWN OF SYLVAN.

The town of Sylvan lies in the western tier of Richland county's sub-divisions, and em- braces the territory of congressional township 11 north, range 2 west. It is bounded on the north by the town of Forest, on the east by Marshall, on the south by Akan, and on the west by Crawford and Vernon counties. Like most of the county, the town of Sylvan has a pleasing and diversified surface, being made up of alternate ridges and valleys, both of which are very prodnetive when brought under the dominion of the plow. The town is well wa- tered. Mill creek runs along its eastern border, and the west branch of the same along the southern border. Elk creek rises near the een- ter and traverses half of the town, running in a general northwesterly course. These water courses, together with the numerous rivulets and springs-and some of the latter are quite large-furnish an abundant supply of water for all farm, dairy and household purposes. Much of the town is quite heavily timbered, the prin- cipal varieties being white, burr and red oak, basswood, ash, maple, both hard and soft, and butternut. Of course, like all of Richland county, the town of Sylvan at the time of settle- ment was an unbroken wilderness, and the face of the earth was covered with the primeval for- est of centuries growth; but the ax of the hardy pioneer soon cleared the place for his farm, and the improvements have kept pace with the rap- idly increasing population.

George II. Babb, in a letter in the Observer, says of the natural scenery of the town:

"There are in some localities bold rocks crop- ping out from the points of hills, that have pil- lars of rock on them that rise to a height of twelve or fifteen feet above the level of the hill; upon which, if you take your stand, gives you a view of the surrounding country, which is de- lightfully picturesque.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 178

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