History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 57

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 57
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 57

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

began writing articles for the columns of the Prairie du Chien Courier, and in that year he purchased an interest in the paper, and assumed the editorship of it during his connection with it, which only continued a year or two. Ile carried on the practice of his profession at the same time and, being a man of remarkably re- tentive memory and extraordinary innate ability, he soon attained a prominent place in the bar of the county. In 1860-61 he was a member of the General Assembly from Crawford county, and during the war was appointed assistant attorney general of Wisconsin. Mr. Johnson moved to Milwaukee soon after the war closed, where he still resides and pursnes his profession. He has filled several city offices, among them city attorney, and represented that city in the Legislature in 1867-8 and in 1870-1. Ile ranks among the first lawyers of the State.

Jeremiah N. Kast was admitted to practice as an attorney in 1878, and resides at Bell Center. Ile has been a resident of Haney town- ship since 1832. He was born in Medina Co., Ohio, Dec. 2, 1834. Ile moved with his father, Chancy Kast, to Seott township, Feb. 8, 1850. Ile enlisted Ang. 18, 1862, in company D, 31st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until December, 1863, when he was discharged for disability. He was severely injured while in the war, losing three fingers of his left hand. Mr. Kast has been twice chairman of the town. ship board, and has served fifteen years as jus- tice of the peace. In 1868 he turned his atten- tion to the study of law, and was admitted to the bar at Prairie du Chien in 1878. He has been engaged in practice since that time. Mr. Kast has been married three times. Ilis first wife was Elendar Jane Webb, to whom he was married March 23, 1853. She was a daughter of Peter M. Webb, and born in Illinois in 1834. She died June 20, 1874. His second wife was Mary L. Stantorf, also born in Illinois, in 1856. She died Oct. 30, 1878. ITis present wife was Emily Brickner, born in Haney township, in 1856. Mr. Kast had twelve children by his

first wife; two by his second marriage, and a son and daughter by his present wife.

Andrew C. Phillips came from Maine, his native State, to Prairie du Chien, in about 1855, and practiced in the courts of Crawford county until 1857, when he returned to Maine, after which he was appointed United States consul to Fort Erie, Canada. He since came west again, and now lives in Sioux Falls, Dak.

John Johnston settled in Prairie du Chien, and practiced law several years along in the fifties. Ile was a man of fine education and abilities, but of a modest and retiring disposi- tion, which operated somewhat against his snc- cess as a lawyer. He moved south somewhere in Illinois, and report says he abandoned the law and entered the ministry.

Walter R. Bullock, a nephew of Gen. J. C. Breckenridge, came from Kentucky to Prairie du Chien in 1856, and, entering into partner- ship with D. H. Johnson and B. T. Hunt, under the firm name of Johnson, Bullock & IIunt, opened a law office. He continued in practice until 1860, when he went south and entered the confederate army and was made an aid-de-camp on Gen. Breckenridge's military staff. After the close of the war he settled in the eity of Baltimore, and there practiced law till his death, which occurred several years ago.

A. V. Blair, a New York State man, located in Prairie du Chien in the practice of law about 1856, and remained there some five years. He was a very fluent talker, but only a fair lawyer. Prior to the beginning of the war he moved away, and from the best information obtainable went off south. Sometime along in the fifties, while he was practicing law in Prairie du Chien, a band of river pirates traveled up and down the Mississippi, having their own boats, robbing and pillaging the towns along its course. Among the places visited by the marauders was Prairie du Chien, where considerable property was stolen. The citizens of the place, and other towns in the vicinity to which the thieves had paid nocturnal visits, were greatly excited

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and indignant over the matter, and banding to- gether for the purpose, hunted down and ar- rested some twenty-five of the supposed mein- bers of the gang of outlaws. The prisoners were brought to Prairie du Chien. An im- promptu court was organized, a jury summoned, and they were tried; and, although there was no evidence showing the guilt of the prisoners, about a dozen of the most suspicious characters among them were convicted, on general princi- ples, and sentenced by the court to castigation of from five to twenty-five blows upon their naked backs, and to have their heads shaved. The verdict of the mock court was promptly executed by the excited mob, which numbered nearly 1,000 men. One desperate fellow of the gang of culprits swore he would burn the town of Prairie du Chien, and would wreak his vengeance upon the citizens. Mr. Blair had been prominent in the whole transaction, and acted as attorney for the prosecution in the trial. He treasured up the threat of the des- perado, and so firmly believed it would be car- ried out, that he repeatedly told Mr.O.B.Thomas and others he was almost afraid to go out upon the streets after nightfall, lest he should be assassinated. Mr. Thomas, who has a keen ap- preciation of a good joke, thought he would test Mr. Blair's courage. Their offices, in which they slept, joined, and one dark night, quite late, Mr. Thomas slipped out of the back door and procuring a heavy billet of wood, slammed it against Blair's rear door, shouting at the same time, in disguised voice to Blair, to come forth; that he had come to be avenged for his punishment received at the hands of the mob in which he-Blair-was so prominent an actor, and the next breath began to give orders to his imaginary comrades to surround the building. Blair was so terribly frightened that notwithstanding he had two loaded guns in his room for self protection, as he had boasted, he bounded out of bed with a scream, and, without stopping to investigate or to even put on a sin- gle additional article of clothing, rushed out of

the front door and down stairs, and, hatless, pantless and shoeless ran for dear life, never halting till he reached the residence of Mr. Thomas' father, several blocks distant. There he related his blood-curdling experience and hair-breadth escape from the midnight assas- sins. The senior Thomas dressed himself, and,arming themselves to the teeth, he and Blair returned to investigate the whereabouts of the would-be murderers. Meantime young Thomas quietly returned to his room, and when aroused by his father and Blair from a feigned sound sleep, he affected great surprise at what had passed, and sympathized deeply with the vic- tim of the burglarious attack. Thomas never let the joke out until after Blair left the place.

B. T. Hunt was a native of Ohio, and though a man of limited education, he possessed great natural powers and resources which earned for him a high rank as a lawyer. As an advocate his arguments were logical and con- vincing, and his eloquence, which was of the Tom Corwin s yle, captivating and irresisti- ble. Mr. Hunt came to Prairie du Chien, and began the practice of law, as a member of the firm of Johnson, Bullock, & Hunt, in 1857, and after remaining three years, he removed to Elkader, Clayton Co., Iowa, in 1860. Ile was there elected circuit judge, and filled the office one term, after which he resumed the legal profession until his death, several years ago.

Rufus King located in Prairie du Chien and began the practice of law in the courts of Craw- ford county in 1857, and continued until the War of the Rebellion broke out. Ile then er :- tered the army as quartermaster of the 31st regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving through the war. Soon after returning home, he went to Chicago, and is still practic- ing his profession in that city. Mr. King is an amiable gentleman and a lawyer of clever ability.

Edward Lowry, who was one of the most bril- liant lawyers ever connected with the bar of Crawford county, was a native of Vermont,

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from whence he emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in Lancaster, where he engaged in the practice of law some ten or twelve years, at the end of which time he removed to Prairie du Chien, about 1860. After practicing his pro- fession some three or four years, he recruited a company of volunteers and went into the army as its captain. While in the service he con- tracted a disease from the effect of which hedied soon after coming home. His family now reside in Lancaster, Wis., where one of his sons is engaged in the law practice.

Daniel Webster settled here in 1860. Ile was born Sept, 4, 1844, in MeGrawville, Cort- land Co., N. Y ., and is the son of Mansel and Lucinda Webster. In 1851 he removed with his parents to Galena, Ill., where he spent his boyhood days. In 1857 he went to Allamakee Co., Iowa, where he began the study of law. In 1860 he came to Prairie du Chien, pursuing his studies there. le enlisted in May, 1864, in in company C, 134th regiment Illinois Volun- trers, 100 day service, and served the term of enlistment. On his return from the war Mr. Webster resumed his law studies, being ad- mitted, in 1868, to practice in the circuit court of Crawford Co., Wis., in 1871 to the district and circuit courts of lowa, and, in 1882, to the supreme court of Wisconsin. In 1876 Mr. Web- ster formed a partnership with his brother, M. M. Webster, for the practice of law, which partnership continued until the death of his brother, which occurred Oct. 16, 1881. Mr. Webster has since continued the practice alone. llc was elected police justice of the city of Prairie du Chien in 1880 and 1881, being re- (lected in 1883. Mr. Webster was married April 13, 1871, to Maggie, daugter of William Dunlap, born in Pittsburgh, Penn. They have had four children, three of whom are living- Gertrude, aged eleven years ; Maud, aged five years: and Daniel Jr. Edith died in infancy.

I. F. S. Viele came in 1862. Ile is a son of Stephen S. and Caroline Mary (Lum) Viele, and was born in Seneca Falls, N. Y. He received

his education at Seneca Falls academy and at Hamilton College, and was preceptor of Seneca Falls academy. He studied law in his father's office, at Seneca Falls, and on admission to the bar entered into partnership with him in the practice of law. Mr. Viele went to Boscobel, Wis., in February, 1862, where he opened a law oflice, continuing in practice until October of that year at which time he came to Prairie du Chien, and established himself in practice at this place. He was elected district attorney of Crawford county in the fall of 1862, and served from January, 1863, to Janu- ary, 1865. In April, 1865, he was elected jus- tice of the peace, being re-elected each term since and having served in that capacity eigh- teen years. The greater part of that time he has held the offices of notary, circuit court com- missioner, and United States court commis- sioner. In 1867, in addition to his legal business, he accepted the ageney of certain in- surance companies, both fire and life, and has worked up an extensive business in both, and is a thorough business man in every sense of the term.

Dealton Tichnor lived and practiced law in the justice's courts in Lynxville, in Crawford county, but never practiced in the higher courts. lle went into the army during the late war, and died there.

William Dutcher located in Prairie du Chien, in the practice of law, in 1863, and was an active member of the Crawford county bar for about twelve years. During his residence here he filled a number of local offices; was elected dis- triet attorney to fill a vacancy, and re-elected for a full term. He moved to Boscobel, Grant county, a number of years ago, where he is still praetising law as a member of the firm of Brooks & Dutcher. Mr. Dutcher is a fine lawyer, and a very genial, companionable man. He possesses such a keen sense of the Indierous and his mental composition so bubbles over with humor, that he never loses an opportunity to play a joke on his best friend, not even

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allowing his own family to escape. His eo- practitioners at the bar relate many very laugh- able anecdotes of contests of wit, in which his antagonist generally came out second best.

Joseph Wilcox came to Prairie du Chien abont 1865, and practiced law two or three years, and was elected district attorney, but resigned and moved away before his term of office expired, because of charges of corruption in office. Ile subsequently settled somewhere in Iowa.

David Noggle moved to Prairie du Chien from Janesville, Wis., in 1865, and practiced law in Crawford county two years, at the end of which time he removed back to Janesville, and was soon after appointed United States distriet judge of the territory of Idaho. Ilis health failed under the exposure of frontier life and the duties of his office, and he resigned, and returned to Janesville, but he never rallied, and died with softening of the brain a year or two after coming back to Wisconsin. Judge Noggle possessed a large and powerful physique and a massive brain; and, although he had but a limited literary education, he was a brilliant orator and a very able advocate. Ile was a man of strong impulses and decided convictions, and hence was a steadfast friend and a bitter enemy.

Peter Doyle was born at Myshall, county Car- low, Ireland, Dec. 8, 1844. When he was six years old his parents came to the State of Wisconsin and settled at Franklin, Milwaukee county, his father engaging at first in farming and afterward in mercantile pursuits. He also held several local offices. Mr. Doyle's first les- sons were received at home; and at the com- mon school in Franklin he acquired aknow- ledge of the ordinary English branches. Sub- sequently he pursned a collegiate course. He spent a short time in the office of the clerk of the United States district court in Milwaukee, and in 1863 entered in the law office of Butler & Cottrill in that city, intending to make law his profession. Having spent about two years

in the study of law, Mr. Doyle taught school for a short time in Milwaukee, and then, havingbeen offered an acceptable position in a railway office at Prairie du Chien, removed to that place in July, 1865, with the intention of remaining there for awhile and then resuming legal studies Busi- ness arrangements at Prairie du Chien, however, proving satisfactory, he continued there until his election as secretary of State in 1873.

In the spring of 1872 the subject of this sketch was nominated by the democratie city convention as first mayor of the city of Prairie du Chien, but he declined to accept, not desir- ing to enter political life. In the fall of the same year he was elected to the Assembly from Crawford county, and in the Legislature of 1873 took an active part in the discussion of many of the important measures of the session. In Sep- tember of the same year he was nominated for the position of secretary of State by the reform convention held in Milwaukee, and was elected at the ensuing election. In November, 1875, he was re-elected.

The Milwaukee News, one of the leading pa- pers of the State, in refering to his re-election, and the manner in which he had performed the duties of his office, used the following language. "No man has ever occupied the department of the secretary of the State, who has displayed a better knowledge of its duties, or greater ability and honesty in their discharge, than have characterized the Hon. Peter Doyle. Though comparatively a young man, being but a little over thirty years of age, he shows a maturity and wisdom in his action upon public affairs which give the impression of his being a much older man than he really is; and his official con- duct has the discretion, the dignity and sobriety which belong to advanced years. He is a thorough man of business, a well read lawyer, and a scholar of ripe acquirements. He is really one of the ablest men in public life in the State. His reports and the part which he has taken in the administration of the State finances are evidences of the thorough fitness

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and great capacity which he brought into the office. The rigor with which he discharges all the duties which the law places upon him, and the laborious care which he bestows on not only the larger, but the minor details of business, are such as have not been surpassed even by the most industrious and experienced of his prede- cessors.

Politically, Mr. Doyle is a demoerat, but is liberal in his views, making party interests sub- ordinate to those of the State and country. Ile first engaged actively in political affairs after the nomination of Horace Greeley for the pres- idency in 1872, and worked untiringly in his behalf. He favors the largest degree of per- sonal liberty consistent with the welfare of so- eiety, and is strenuously opposed to interference by the State in matters pertaining to individual right or private conscience.

In religion, Mr. Doyle is a Catholic, this having been the faith of his parents.

Mr. Doyle is upward of six feet in height, of well developed form, and is capable of en- during much physical and mental labor. He is dignified in appearance and deportment, but is modest and unassuming, and has a high appre- ciation of real merit. He deliberates carefully and acts with promptness, energy and decision. Sincere and honest in his convictions, and earnest in the advocacy of his principles, he looks only to that which he believes to be right, disregard- ing mere expediency. He is a foreible writer and speaker, is clear in his views, logieal in ar- gument, and classical in style. lle is fond of poetry, and is familiar with many of the works of the English and German poets, as well as the ancient classical authors. Ile appreciates highly the society of literary friends, and devotes his leisure hours mainly to literary pursuits. Ile is unmarried." Mr. Doyle, though a resident of Prairie du Chien since 1865, and a member of the Wisconsin bar has never been an active practitioner in the profession.

Andrew Huntington came to Prairie du Chien in 1865, and forming a partnership with David

Noggle, began the practice of law. After two years of active connection with the Crawford county bar, he left here, and after some changes finally settled in Green Bay, and is there prac- ticing his profession. Mr. Huntington is an estimable gentleman and a brilliant lawyer, ranking among the first of the bar in the State.

Thomas L. Redlon settled at Belle Center, Crawford county, and commenced the practice of law immediately after the close of the late civil war, he having been in the United States ser- vice. Ile remained and practiced some eight or ten years.

Myron Mansel Webster, was a New York State man, born in McGrawville, Jan. 18, 1836, where he received his early education. In youth he came west and studied law with II. B. MeGinnis, at Galena, Ill., and was admitted to the bar at the district court in Allamakee, Iowa, in July 1857, and later to the supreme court of Iowa. After ten years of active practice in Allamakce, Mr. Webster moved to Prairie du Chien, arriving Nov. 1, 1867. Hle was soon after admitted to the bar of Crawford county, and to practice in the State and United States courts. Hle devoted himself studiously to his profession until hisdeath in October, 1881. In profession- al life Mr. Webster was a pains-taking, ener- getie and conseientions attorney, and was one of the ablest and brightest lawyers ever con- nected with the Crawford county bar. Socially and in business life he was a man of irreproach- able character, and hence commanded the re- spect and esteem of all who knew him. At a meeting of the Crawford county bar, held for the purpose, soon after his deccase, reso- lutions were passed embodying very flattering encomiums on his life and character. These were spread upon the court recordsand publish- in the local press.

S. S. Ferrell was admitted to the bar of Crawford county, in 1871, on examination by a committee consisting of Wm. Duteher, O. B. Thomas and G. C. Hazleton. Mr. Ferrell read

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law in Iowa county. He has never practiced his profession. His biography will be found in another chapter. He resides in Marietta.

J. N. Kast was born in Medina, Medina Co., Ohio, Dec. 2, 1833. He was educated in the place of his birth. Mr. Kast was admitted to the bar in Crawford county at the November term of the circuit court, 1871, and has practiced in the courts of this county, Grant, Richland, Vernon and Iowa counties. He resides at Belle Center.

HIon. Charles S. Fuller, county judge of Crawford county, and a member of the firm of Thomas & Fuller, attorneys at law, is the son of Charles and Celestia Fuller. He was born in Crawford Co., Penn., June 30, 1849. When four years of age he came to Wisconsin with his parents, locating in Dane county. He was educated at the State University at Madison, and graduated from the law department in June, 1875. He soon after came to Prairie du Chien, and after six months' practice formed a law partnership with O. B. Thomas, one of the lead- ing lawyers of the State, under the firm name of Thomas & Fuller. This connection has con- tinned for seven years. Thomas & Fuller have a practice extending throughout the State and in the higher courts. Mr. Fuller is the present efficient superintendent of city schools, having been elected to that office in July, 1883. Ile was married in Windsor, Dane, Co., Wis., June 19, 1877, to Clara, daughter of Edward Espenett. She was born in Alton, Ill. They have three children, two boys and one girl-Ada S., Her- bert S. and Charles E. On Sept. 1, 1883, Mr. Fuller was appointed by Gov. Rusk county judge of Crawford county, to succeed Judge Ira B. Brunson, deceased, and now occepies that position.

J. B. Walton, of Wheatville, is an English- man by nativity, born in Birmingham in 1826, and there received a common school education. After emigrating to this country he studied law in Madison, Wis .; was admitted to the bar in the circuit court of Crawford county in 1877,

in Prairie du Chien. In 1868 and 1869 he held the office of county surveyor in Crawford county. In 1876 and 1877 he served as deputy clerk of the circuit court, and in 1877 filled the office of court commissioner.

Alpheus E. Frank studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar in Crawford connty in 1875. He opened a law office in Prairie du Chien and commenced practice. The following fall he was elected district attorney and served one term of two years. Soon after his retirement from that office he moved to Deadwood, Dak., where he still resides, engaged in the practice of his profession.

George Mills, son of ex-Judge Joseph T. Mills, of Lancaster, Wis., located in Praire du Chien about 1875, He was an active member of the Crawford county bar until 1880, and then went to Lake City, Col., where he is pursu- ing his profession.

William 11. Evans, district attorney of Craw- ford county, has resided here since 1877. He is a native of Petersburg, Va., born Nov. 3, 1842, and the son of Joseph and Mary (Hall) Evans. His father was a mechanic, and, in pursuit of more favorable locations for business, changed his residence from time to time to several of the larger cities in the south and west. Wil- liam H. received a common school education, and in 1860 came to Clayton, Crawford Co., Wis. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in com- pany D, 31st Wisconsin Infantry. He received a gunshot wound in a skirmish before Atlanta, July 34, 1864, but continued in the service until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He began the study of law at Clayton, Wis., and was admitted to the bar in the circuit court at Prairie du Chien, in May, 1873. He prac- ticed law at Clayton with marked success until January, 1877, when, having been elected district attorney at the preceding election, he removed to Prairie du Chien, the better to discharge the duties of his office. Mr. Evans has been elected to the same office three times

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since, and is now serving his fourth term. He was elected, on the democratic ticket, to repre- sent Crawford county in the General Assembly of 1873-4. He has won his way into the front ranks of his profession in the county, and now enjoys a lucrative practice. Mr. Evans was married in May, 1867, at Rising Sun, Wis., to Mary J., daughter of Michael and Catharine Flannagan. She was born in Ireland, emigrat- ing to the United States, with her parents, in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have seven children, five sons and two daughters-Joseph P., William M:, Frederick J., Mary E., Francis, Catharine E. and Charles P.

G. L. Miller, attorney at law and collection agent, De Soto, Wis., was born in Steuben Co., Ind., March 28, 1848. He completed his lit- erary education at the Wisconsin State Uni- versity ; read law and was admitted to the bar in 1877, since which time he has been practic- ing in Crawford and Vernon counties Mr. Miller was elected county superintendent of schools of Crawford county in 1876, serving two years. In 1882 he was elected sergeant- at-arms of the house in the Wisconsin General Assembly.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 57

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