History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 81

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 81
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 81

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).

"I was born in Prairie du Chien, in the year 1805. My father was Charles La Point, my mother was Susan Antaya; they were married in 1803, at Prairie du Chien. My father was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1775. 1n 1797, he came with two brothers, Francis and Peter La Point, by way of the St. Lawrence river, the lakes, Green bay and Fox and Wisconsin rivers, to Prairie du Chien, and for a few years following was in the employ of the American Fur Company. In their employ, father made several trips to Green Bay. The winters he spent in traffic with Indian set- tlements, and exchanged Indian goods for pel- tries, etc .; but after his marriage he went to farming. In those days, when they wanted land, all they did was to take possession of it. From that time, farming was his principal occupation, though being able to handle most all kinds of tools, and do almost any kind of work needed on the frontier, he worked a portion of the time at carpentering, and other mechanical pur- suits. My mother was born the same year of my father (1775), in St. Louis. Her father Mich- ael Antaya, in 1785, with his wife and three daughters, Susan (my mother), Josephine and Mary embarked at St. Louis in a canoe destined for Prairie du Chien. In passing the lower rapids, their canoe was upset, and only for the timely assistance of a party of Fox Indians, who fortunately were near, the whole family would have been drowned. My mother's sister, Josephine, married Sandy Simson. Af- ter his death, she married Augustus Crochier, a native of Montreal, and with whom she re- turned to Canada, and died there. Mary mar- rien Francis La Point (my father's brother), whose death in Prairie du Chien left her with a family of eight children. She married Michael La Point, in 1822 (he was no kin to my father and uncles), who came from the Red river of the north, was a laborer, and much of the time in the

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

employ of the American Fur Company. By this marriage, four children were born, one of whom is now (1884) living, Mrs. Madeline Lariviere. I was the first born of my mother. My sister, Louisa, widow of Joseph Dechamp, was born in 1807. She lives in Prairie du Chien (1884). IIer first marriage was to Edmund Ronche in 1823. One child, Louisa, was born to them in 1824;she is now living, the wife of Alexander Paquette, in Benton, La Fayette Co., Wis. Edmund Ronche, died in Prairie du Chien in 1826. My sister married Dechamp in 1828, who died in 1862. They had nine children; five are living: Joseph in Minneapolis, Amuable lives in Chip- pewa Falls, Theresa, wife of Moses Duquette Edmund, lives in Texas, Frederick lives in Mineral Point. I married Peter Barrette, Sr., in 1821, who died Aug., 5, 1863.

From my earliest recollection, I remember Pier- re La Point. He was born in Canada, about 1747, and came to Prairie du Chien in 1782. He was grand-uncle to my father, and my uncles Francis and Peter La Point. About 1784, he took an Indian maid for a wife, and to them were born four daughters: Palazee, Victorie, Susan and Theresa Palazee married a trader, named Craw- ford; they had two children, one son (what be- came of him I don't know), and a daughter named Sophie, who married an Indian trader, named Mitchell, and went to Mackinaw, never return- ing. Palazee seperated from her first husband, Crawford, and about 1817, married Antoine La Chappelle. By this marriage, she had seven c ildren, Theresa, Theophilus, Peter, Bernard, Frederick, Pauline, and Antoine. Theresa married B. W. Brisbois, of Prairie du Chien. Theopilus, if living, is in the Madison Insane Asylum. Hle was a brilliant man, and made in- sane by hard study. Peter lived and died in Prairie du Chien. Bernard committed suicide at the age of thirty years. Frederick is now living at Wabasha, Minn. Pauline is living at Atlanta, Ga., the widow of Dr. Beach, formerly of Prairie du Chien. Antoine is living at Win- nebago agency, Blue Earth Co., Minn. To return

to the other daughters of Pierre La Point, Victo- ria married Edward Beezan. Susan died young. Theresa married an officer stationed at Fort Craw- ford. Pierre La Point was physically an ath- letic, strong man; tall, straight, well-formed, and very active; he never made money fast, was al- ways employed by others. Instead of giving employment, he worked much of the time for the American Fur Company, and independent traders. He disliked farming, but always made maple sugar, in its season. He died at Prairie du Chien, in 1829. Myself and my sister Louisa Dechamp are the two oldest persons living in Crawford Co., who were born within its limits."

As one of the first born of Prairie du Chien. Mrs. Barrette has seen this country pass from barbarism to civilization, the wilderness conver- ted into lands teeming with corn and grain. The runde "dug out," give way to floating palaces on our river. Indian trails converted into steel roadways crowded with commerce, and the few score of civilized people, in the northwest swelled into millions, and to this she has con- tributed her full share, for, over two scores of of living people of this day carry her blood in their veins, seven children, thirty one grand children and six great-grand children.

Samuel Barrette was the son of Lewis Barrette. lle was born in 1849, is one of the family of nine children-Rosanna, wife of Joseph Rule, John, Adeline wife of Frank Dunn, Louisa, Peter and llenry all of Minneapolis. Samuel Barrette was married May 30, 1883 to Adaline Hartgag, daughter of Flora Hartgag. They are living on the old homestead of Peter Barrette, Sr., with his grand mother, Theresa Barrette.

Harvey Bassett and his wife, his mother, Mrs. Catherine Craw, (widowed by the death of her second husband, Samuel Craw,) with two half sisters, Minerva and Alicia Craw, and Isaac Ilill, left Fairfield Vt., May 22, 1838, destined for Crawford Co., Wis. The outfit consisted of three two horse teams and wag- ons, considerable household furniture, pro-

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vision, etc. Seth Hill, brother of Isaac Hill, had settled in Bridgeport town a year or two previous. Ifis representations induced the emigration of this party. They were met in Mich- igan by Seth Hill, who returned to this town with the party. In Illinois they were joined by Samuel Bassett, a brother of Harvey, also by another half sister, Emiline Craw. Harvey Bas- sett, was born in Easton, N. Y., June 8, 1808. Ile lived previous to coming west in Fairfield, Vt., where he married Clarrissa Warren, in 1833. His wife was born in that town, March 5, 1811. In 1838, they came to Bridgeport, and settled on section 9, town 6, range 6 west, making a very fine farm, with valuable improve- ments. Mr, and Mrs. Bassett had two chil- dren-Jane Ann, born July 4, 1840, and died at the age of sixteen years, and Victoria Augusta, born Dec. 1, 1846, and married, Feb. 19, 1873, to William B. Hickean. Mr. Ilickean died April 30, 1881. Mr. Bassett died June 3, 1867, and his widow is still in vigorous health, and is living with her widowed daughter on the old homestead where they settled in 1838. Isaac llill died about two years after coming here. Seth Hill lived in the county until after the war, when his wife having died, he moved to Illinois. Grandma Craw died in 1859, Emiline Craw married William Keith, and went to Missouri and there died. Minerva is living in Illinois, and is the wife of Elias S. Bowen, Alicia died in Bridgeport town, about 1863. Samuel Barrett, lived in Bridgeport many years, but died in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1872.

Joseph Atherton was born in Chesterfield, N. Il., in 1813. In his carly manhood he was en- gaged in teaching school. Ile came to the west in 1838, and settled in Crawford Co., Wis., in 1840. On the 8th of December, 1844, he was married to Lydia Warner, the adopted daughter of Elisha Warner, (now deceased) since which date he was chiefly engaged in farming near Bridgeport. Ile was often en- trusted with public business for his town and county, and uniformly discharged his duties

with ability and fidelity. He was a close thinker, a careful reader, and a thorough stu- dent of passing events. In his intercourse and dealings with his fellowmen he was governed by the strictest honesty and integrity. Not big oted in any of the "isms," he was the advocate of equity and justice in public, as well as pri- vate matters. Mr. Atherton was a kind and affectionate husband and father, a faithful friend, and an excellent citizen. His exit beyond the dark confines of earth, left a sor- rowing family; and threw a pall of sadness over a large circle of friends and neighbors, with whom his greetings were always warm and heartfelt. In his death, the last of the early settlers in the Bridgeport district has gone. His early neighbors in pioneer life were Elisha Warner, Theodore Warner, S G. Basset, Elias Bowen, William Wright, Seth and Loren Hill, Peter Barrette, Sr., Samuel and James Gilbert, Joseph Curdy, J. P. Hall, William Curts, Lyman Frost, H. Brandes and "Hiram Delap, with most of whom he is now testing the reali- ties of eternity. Mr. and Mrs. Atherton formerly resided on the fine farm now owned by H. C. King. They were the parents of seven chil- pren, three of whom are living - Mrs. Carrie A. Matthews, Emma, wife of Fred J. Bowman, of La Beau, D. T., and Joseph, residing on the home farm with his mother. The deceased children were - Martha, wife of Chancy Blancher, of Prairie du Chien, who died in September, 1870, George, who died in 1864, aged fifteen years, and Charles Il. and Joseph (twins), who died in 1864, aged. ten months. Mrs. Atherton is a native of Trumbull Co, Ohio, born in 1828, and accompanied her adopt- ed father, Elisha Warner, to Prairie du Chien, in 1838, arriving in the keel boat Kickapoo. Mrs. Carrie A. Matthews owns and personally conducts a general merchandise store in the village of Bridgeport, and is a woman posses- sed of fine business qualifications. She is the mother of one child-Emma, born Oct. 18, 1872. Mr. Atherton died at his residence in Bridge-

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

port, on the morning of the 6th of January, 1880, of paralysis, by which he was attacked on the 31st of December previous.

John Burrell, son of John and Catharine Burrell, was born in Cassville, Grant Co., Wis., in 1839. In 1841 he came with his parents to Crawford county, his father engaging in the manufacture of brick on section 8. In 1866 he purchased 161 acres of land on section 10, town 6, range 6 west, Bridgeport town, where he now resides. Mr. Burrell married Theresa Comeskey, a native of Canada. They have seven children, four sons and three daughters.

Mrs. Philena Anns resides on section 3, town 6, range 6 west, Bridgeport town. She is the widow of Justus Anns, a native of Genesee Co , N. Y., and born in 1814. When young he re- moved with his parents to Cattaraugus county, where his parents resided until their decease. Mr. Anns received a good education, especially in mathematics, of which he was very fond, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. In 1838 he went to Indiana and engaged in teach- ing. Ile was there married, in 1839, to his present widow, then Philena Scott. In 1849 Mr. Anns came to this town, and in 1852, set- tled on section 3, taking 120 acres of the gov- ernment, and adding forty acres at a subsequent time. Ile died at the homestead quite sud- denly, March 13, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Anns had ten children, seven of whom are living- Jobn R., William H., Dewitt C., Albert A., Louisan M., Richard Roy and Jessie Jannett. Those deceased are-Martha Jane, Sarah Eme- line and Ellen E.

Charles Fritsche, resides on section 9, town 6, range 6 west. Mr. Fritsche was born in Prussia, in 1836, where his father died. In 1854, his mother, with the family, emigrated to the United States coming directly to Prairie du Chien. There were four children in the family,-two sons and two daughters, Caroline, who became the wife of Antoine Brenner, and died in May, 1883, in the town of Prairie du Chien, Minnie, Charles and Henry. In 1861, | In 1870, for the benefit of the health of his

the brothers purchased a tract of land of Lucius Johnson, and lived together and worked in common for a period of ten years. In 1871, they agreed to make a division of the land and since that time have owned and occupied different farms adjoining each other. They are both successful and prosperous farmers. The farm of Charles contains 180 acres; his brother has 160 acres. The farms are in a good state of cultivation; all improvements have been made by them. Charles enlisted, in 1863, as a recruit in the Ist regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. In 1864, he was transferred to the 21st regiment, where he served till the close of the war. He participated in a number of important engage- ments of the war, among which were the seige of Atlanta, and Sherman's march to the sea. Charles married Susan, a step-daughter of Ber- rard Herrold, one of the 'old settlers of the town of Wauzeka. She is a native of Louisville, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Fritsche have five children, -Carrie, William, Robert, Andrew and Emma. Mrs. Fritsche has four children by a former marriage. Her first husband, Charles Kuchen- backer, was also in the army; he and Mr Fritsche enlisted at the same time, and served together till the close of the war. He died Dee, 15, 1873, of injuries received from being thrown from a wagon.

Charles Kahler, one of the pioneers of Prairie du Chien of 1856, and for many years one of the county officers of Crawford county, was born in Prussia, March 11, 1833, and is the sen of William and Christiana Kahler. He was educated in his native country, and emigrated to the United States in 1855, disembarking at New Orleans, La. In the spring of 1856, he came to Prairie du Chien, and moved his family to this place the following October. For sev- eral years after coming to this city, he was en- gaged in the boot and shoe business. Ile was chosen a member of the town board for 1865-6, and was elected county clerk for the term of 1867-8, and re-elected for the years 1871-2-3-4.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

family he removed to his fine farm of 240 aeres, situated three miles southeast of the city, in the town of Bridgeport. Since a resident of this town, he has served as chairman of the town board, and is the present town elerk. Mr. Kahler was married on the eve of leaving Ger- many for the United States in 1855, to Eulalie A. C. Lenz. They have two sons and one daughter-Arno A., Franklin G. and Eulalie M.

George Fairfield was born Sept. 10, 1839, in Fulton Co., Ohio. He left his home for Wis- cousin, on the 28th, of May, 1857, in company with his brother-in-law, George Chapman, mak- ing the entire journey with teams. They ar- rived in Crawford county, June 21, 1857. Mr. Fairfield enlisted in Prairie du Chien, April 27, 1861, in company C, 6th regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Ilis record in the army is an honorable one, and proves him to have been a brave and faithful soldier. He was known throughout the brigade as a leading spirit of personal adventure. Ile participated in many important battles among which were : Gaines- ville, second battle of Bull Run, South Moun- tain, Fredericksburg, the battles of the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, North Anna River and others. He was in front of Peters- burg during the first part of the siege of that city. He was promoted to corporal, May 29, 1862, and by request of Gen. Bragg, for bravery at the battle of Fredericksburg, he was promoted Feb. 1, 1863, to sergeant. He twice refused to be nominated for a com- mission, and on the 29th of April, 1864, refused the position of sergeant-major of C'amp Randall, under Maj. Dill, preferring to go to his regiment, where he received the com- pliments of his captain. He received a gunshot wound in the head, at the battle of South Moun- tain, which carried away the saggital suture down to the cerebrum. From the effects of this wound he was confined two months in the hos- pital at Washington City. At Gettysburg, his eanteen, filled with water, was struck by a minnie ball, while his regiment was making a charge

on the 2d Mississippi. The canteen of water resisting, to some extent, the force of the ball, and diverting it from its course, doubtless saved his life. At Petersburg he was struck by the fragment of a shell, which fractured the left temporal bone. He was struck five times while in the service, with ball and shell. Soon after his last wound, he was discharged, his term of service having expired. In the military history of Wisconsin, by E. B. Quiner, Esq., the following acknowledgment is made : "To Sergt. George Fairfield, of company C, 6th Wisconsin Infantry, we are indebted for the loan of a well kept diary, from July, 1861, to the battle of South Mountain, where he was severely wounded, and during the Wilderness campaign to the assault at Petersburg, June 18, 1864, where he was again wounded." At the close of the war, Mr. Fairfield returned to Seneca, Crawford county, where he taught school for one term. On the 2d day of March, 1874, he purchased of J. F. Haskins, 100 acres of land on section 10 town 6, range 6 west, where he now resides. His farm is well stocked and in a good state of cultivation. Mr. Fair- field has been twice married. He was first married to Elnora J. llaskins, April 9, 1863. She died Feb. 18, 1880, leaving five children- Willard, Laverne, Jennie V., Lizzie L., and George E. Mr. Fairfield subsequently married Eliza J. Allen, Dec. 23, 1882, with whom he is now living.

Henry C. Maynard resides on section 1, town 6, range 6 west, where he has lived since Feb- ruary, 1868. He is a native of; Vermont, born in 1830. When quite young he removed with his parents, Dr. David S. and Lydia A. May- nard, to Ohio. In 1859 he moved to Grant Co., Wis., his usual occupation being farming, but he was for a short time engaged in the insur- ance business. He married Ellen A. Ilill, a native of Barre, Orleans Co, N. Y. Mr and Mrs Maynard have had three children, two of them are living-Frank A. and Carl 11. Their

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IIISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

eldest child, Marinm, died aged three years. Mr. Maynard's farm contains 200 acres of land.

William Curts, Jr., son of William and Mary Jane Curts, was born on the homestead where he now resides, on section 10, town 6, range 6 west, Sept. 5, 1859. llis father settled on this place in 1839. He married Eva Poff, born in Indiana in 1858. Her father, John Poff, settled in the town of Haney, and resided at Bell Centre at the time of his death. His widow lives in Readstown. Mr. Curts' father died April 4, 1861; his mother died June 21, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Curts have one son- Marion Edward.

Lyman King with his family came from Trumbull Co., Ohio,and settled at Port Andrew, Richland Co., Wis. in 1856. He there buried his wife Nov. 28, 1857. Mr. King came to Bridgeport town in 1860, and lived with his son L. O. King, until the death of the latter which occured in 1868. He then lived with a younger son, Theodore, until 1879. He then bought of his son, Henry C. King, forty acres of land, and built a honse in which he has since resided with his only living daughter, Mrs. Jane Fitzsimmons. Mr King is now (1884) eighty-two years of age, in good health, vigor- ous, strong, good memory and strong mind. His son L. O. King died in Prairie du Chien Dec. 24, 1878. He was master of the Masonie lodge and buried with masonic orders, Odd Fellows and United Workman lodges participat- ing. Lyman King has had eleven children, George F. born 1826, Elisabeth, born 1827, died in Ohio, 1842, Jane, born 1829, Lyman O. born 1832, died Dec. 24, 1878, Henry C. born 1834, Theodore, born 1845, Sally, born 1855, wife of Franklin Bacon, died in Bridgeport 1872. Four children, in Ohio, died in infancy.

Ilenry C. King, is a resident of Bridgeport town and a prominent business man of Bridge- port village. Mr. King was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, Jan. 16, 1834. In 1851 at the age of seventeen he started out in life on his own ac- count, having a brother older, George F. King,

living in Mobile, Ala. He went to him, and with him remained until the spring, of 1854, learn- ing the trade of carpenter and joiner. He then went to Galveston Texas, and went into business as contractor, for general building, doing quite an extensive business. On the out- break of the civil war, business was suspended. Mr. King being a northern man by birth was loyal, but by adoption and business interests was indentified with the south. His situation was a trying one to him, his loyalty was perhaps divided, but he always believed that the appeal to arms was unnecessary; that the ballot box could and should have settled all differences between the two sections. In 1862 under the Confederate government conscription act, Mr. King was drafted into the confederate army,and placed in the 24th Cavalry ( Texas Rangers) and the regiment was placed in drill school at Shreve- port, La,in July. The regiment made part of a con- federate force of 10,000 men under orders for Little Rock, Ark. Later his regiment, was dis- mounted and the force ordered to Arkansas Post, there going into winter quarters. In January 1863 when Gen. McClernand and Sher- mans forces made their attack upon the post, he was in the line of battle outside the fort. Dur- ing the engagement which preceded the capit- ulation, Mr. King had a slight wound in his head, which caused permanent deafness in one ear. His chum was killed by his side by the same shell that injured him. After the sur. render, while in line, marching to the transport of the Union fleet, hardly able to walk, he thought of the fine revolver his comrade had on his per- son. Leaving the line he obtained it. Soon after returning, noticing a fine looking Union officer nearing him he hailed him and sold the revolver to him for a five dollar greenback, which, in his penniless condition, was a fortune. Ile was taken by way of Alton to Camp Butler Ill. , . The severity of the weather, and change of climate brought him very low and the sickness follow- ing, with prison hospital care, came very near being his last. In March, being a little improv-

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

ed in health but still suffering by inward trouble in his head, caused by the wound, he began to study upon the future and concluded to take the oath of allegiance. This he did and in his old rebel uniform and the greenback in his pocket he made his way to Springfield, Ill. Ilis health improved rapidly and he was soon at his old trade. In the meantime, by corres- pondence, Mr. King learned in May, that his father, Lyman King, had moved, in 1856, from Ohio to Wisconsin and was then living in Bridgeport, Crawford county. He immediately joined them and has from that time resided in this town. Mr. King owns a very fine farm, the old Atherton place, about one and one half miles from the village. His residence is upon this farm. He was married in 1869 to Mary Seaman. Four children have been born to them, only one of whom is living-Tudney V. born September, 1870, died September, 1871, Nellie, born De- cember 1873, died March 1882, Ruba P. born April 1877, Hurley C .. born April 1879, died March 1880. Mr. King is one of the promi- nent men of the county, is serving now (1884) as chairman of the town board. He has served five years as town treasurer-1873 to 1878.

Andrew Bailey, is the son of Henry II. and Eliza S. Bailey. He was born June 27, 1850. Ile was married Feb. 8, 1881, to Carrie, daughter of John D. Harp, of Cassville, Grant county. She was born June 16, 1856. Mr. Bailey is an active, wide-awake business man, is now (1884) in the employ of Henry C. King, in charge of Mr. King's general merchandise store. M.s. Eliza S. Bailey lives in Bridgeport village. She was the daughter of Christopher and Mary Bowen, and part of her family came from Pennsylvania in the keel boat Kickapoo, in 1838. Besides herself there were two sisters and two brothers in her father's family -Elias · S., of Illinois; Alfred A., died in Bridgeport, April, 1880; Delia, married Joseph Curley, and lives in Iowa; Barbara, married John Sane; she died in Illinois, June 27, 1874. Mrs. Bailey, formerly Eliza S. Bowen, married Henry H.

Bailey Jan. 1, 1845. To them six children were born- Arnold, born Dec. 20, 1845, died Aug. 15, 1847; Charles, born Feb. 28, 1848, of Grant county; Andrew, born June 27, 1850, of Bridgeport; Ara, born March 25, 1854, of Grant county; Benjamin, born Oct., 16, 1857, died in in- fancy; Delia, born June 19, 1859, wife of Dante Poole. A few years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey moved to Vernon county, and lived near Viroqua two years, then moved to Prairie du Chien, there remaining about four years ; and after two years' residence in Batwice, this county, he came to Bridgeport, remaining a short time. In 1865. they moved to Taylor's Falls, on the St. Croix river in Minnesota, and lived there about five years; returning to Prairie du Chien, and buying a place, lived there seven years. Ile then sold out and bought a farm in this town where he has lived most of the time since. Mr. Bailey died in this town, March 17, 1878. Mrs. Bailey is living with her son-in-law, Dante Poole. Mr. and Mrs, Poole have one child- Charlie, born March 24, 1882.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 81

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