History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 86

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 86
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 86

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).

The first lawyer who practiced at this point was Addison A. Ilosmer, a graduate of the Harvard law school at Cambridge, Mass. He came in 1857 and returned to that State in 1860. I

From there he went into the army, and before the war closed became quite distinguished. After the close of the war he was made judge advocate, and it was he who passed sentence on the notorious Wirz, of Andersonville infamy.

Tolbert C. Ankney came here as an attorney in 1865, though he had been here previous to the war. He was associated with George Me- Dill, who was also an attorney here at that time.

H. W. MeAulley began the practice of law in 1866, continuing for a number of years.

The present attorney is George L. Miller.

The first hotel in this village was known as the Winneshiek House. It was a log house and among the first built in the place. The Bay State House was erected in 1856, by Seth Crow- ell and Jonathan F. Porter, who ran it for sev- eral years. Other parties who have from time to .time operated this house, are: C. II. Allen, Thomas Lawrence, who had charge of the house in 1862-63, and was sneceeded by Benja- min Trott; who improved the premises and who operated it till his death, in December, 1879. In 1884 it was owned and conducted by his widow, Mrs. Hannah Trott. This hotel was, without doubt, the finest in the village in 1884. It was a three story frame building, 32x45 feet, and finished in good style. The first cost was $7,000.

Mrs. Hannah Trott, proprietress of the Bay State House, De Soto, is the widow of Benjamin Trott who came to De Soto in 1859. Ile was born in Shuncook in the British Province, in 1816. Ile was brought up in the State of Maine. IJe eame here in the milling interests of Cate & Co., and had charge of the manufacturing of shingles in the mill of this company. In Feb- ruary, 1864, he rented the Bay State House, which he conducted for several years, then pur- chased it, and continued in charge of the same, till his death, which occurred Dec. 15, 1879. Ile was a man highly respected in the commu- nity in which he lived, as an upright, honorable citizen. His wife still owns and conducts the

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

hotel. Her maiden name was Hannah Bean. She was born in Perry, Washington Co., Maine. She has two children-Barbara, wife of Mr. Steele, of Viroqna, and Rebecca, wife of Robert Rice.

The next hotel was the De Soto House, built soon after the Bay State House was erected. It was built by Kurtz & Hale for a hotel and bording house, but finally was used for a car- riage and wagon shop.

The second hotel, called the De Soto, wa- formerly a store building and was changed to a hotel, by Edward Sweeney. This house, in 1834, was being operated by Mrs. Ann M. Miller.

The postoffice at De Soto, was established in 1855. Dr. S. D. Powers was the first postmas- ter, and Adam Carlyle acted as his deputy. The next to hold the office was Dr. Osgood, with J C. Kurtz as his deputy. Dr. Osgood was suc- ceeded by C. B. Whiting, whose deputy was Fred Carr. In . 1884 the postmaster was J. II. Rogers, who was appointed in 1865. This be- came a money order office in July, 1878. The first order was issued to J. H. Hinds, for $38.32. The first order paid, was to Mrs. John Bab- cock, and was dated July 22, 1878. .

The business interests of De Soto, in 1884, were in the hands of the following:

C. Lyttle & Co .. general merchants, also dealers in lumber and grain.

Fred Eckhart & Co., grain dealers.

J. A. Cooper, manufacturer of wagons and carriages, also dealer in farm machinery.

Charles L. Woodbury, general merchandise, and farming implements.

Adam Carlyle, agent for the Diamond Jo steamboat line.

C. Lyttle, agent for the North Western line of steamers.

J. II. Rodgers, general merchandising and drugs.

Charles II. Upham, general store, also hard- ware and farm machinery.

D. A. Steele, furniture.

Charles MeDowell, blacksmith shop.

J. F. Allen, wagon maker.

Mrs. A. II Wareham, millinery and furnish- ing goods.

Miss M. L. Porter, dress-maker.

C. L. Ingersoll, flour and feed.

Louis Stinseng, boots and shoes.

Patrick De Lacy, boots and shoes.

John Devlin, meat market.

Fred Schmidt, drugs.

Mrs. J. A. Cooper, millinery and dress- maker.

Mrs H. Carpenter, dress-maker.

N. E. French, grocery and restaurant.

Orville D. Pulver, restaurant.

Charles E. Reiter, brewer, and owner of the Lansing and De Soto ferry.

Mrs. Hannah Trott, owner and proprietor of the Bay State Hotel.

Mrs. A. N. Miller, owner and proprietor of the De Soto House.

William Waldron, fish dealer.

W. F. MeMastress, fish dealer.

H. E. McMasters, cooper.

C. L. Mueller, stave and heading factory.

O Ewers, physician.

G. L. Miller, attorney.

James II. Rogers, postmaster.

D. Abbott Steele came to De Soto, Oct. 5, 1855, in company with bis brother, Alvah Steele, who remained about three years, and returned to New Hampshire. D. Abbott Steele was born in Georgia, where his parents, who were natives of New Hampshire, were then living. fle has been variously engaged since coming to De Soto; in 1884, he was engaged in the furniture business.

John W. White came in the spring of 1855, and located just northeast of the village, where he still lived in 1884.

Edmund Houghton came to De Soto, April 1, 1855. He is now the earliest present resi- dent on the village town plat. He was born in llarvard, Mass., in 1808. Served an appren- ticeship in New Hampshire, to the trade of a

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

machinist; and came here from that State. A friend of Mr. Houghton's, R. P. Waite, came with him, but . returned to New Hampshire. . Mr. Iloughton made a location on section 10, town 11, range 7 west, where he made a claim which he still owns, but he has always made his home in the village. His wife was Nancy Bryant, a native of New Hampshire. They have one daughter-Ellen, the wife of Wood- bridge Dyre.

Other early settlers of the town were: Sam- uel Pike, who came from Massachusetts in 1855 and remained until 1873, when he removed to Iowa. He was a painter by trade; C. B. Stev- ens, who was a tinner, came into the village of De Soto, in the spring of 1855, and continued to live there until 1882, when he moved to Da kota. Also, Dennis Powers, Sidney R. Gage, Hugh MeDill, R. F. Lemen, A. MeDowell and Anthony Valle, a Frenchman, who enlisted in the United States army, and died at Anderson- ville prison.

The first meeting of the Congregational society in this locality was held Feb. 15, 1856. The society was organized at this meeting. The minister present was the Rev. L. L. Radcliffe, of La Crosse district convention. Among the number who joined the society at this time were : Charles Houghton and wife, Fannie Houghton, Mrs. Mary E. Roach, Mrs. Abbie W. Tobey (the last two were daughters of Mr. Houghton), Daniel D. Fuller and wife, Mercy P. Fuller, Alexander Young and wife, Wilton E. Roach and J. F. Tobey. The first pastor was Rev. L. L. Radcliffe; the first officers were Charles Houghton, deacon, and Daniel Fuller, clerk. Rev. L. L. Radeliffe was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Parker, in 1863, and he by Rev. Peter Valentine, in 1865. The next pastor in charge was Rev. L. Bridgeman, who came in 1868 and remained till his successor, Rev. James Mitchell, came in 1871; the Rev. S. II. Thompson came in 1874, and was succeeded by Rev. William Houghton, in 1879; Rev. Charles

Vaile was pastor in 1881; then came Rev. Wil- liam Houghton to his second pastorate.

A church building was erected in 1859; it was built in the Gothic style of architecture, and cost the society about $1,800. The society has been supported by a good Sunday school since the time of its organization in 1859. D. Abbott Steele, who was elected superintendent of this school in 1862, was still its superintend- ent in 1884, having served continuously for twenty-one years. This school averages about thirty-five pupils.

The first services of the M. E. Church were held in a building built of railroad ties for a wagon and blacksmith shop, in the year 1855.

The first class was formed by Rev. T. C. Clendenning in the year 1858. The members, as near as can be ascertained, were as follows : James Lawrence and Mary, his wife ; William Hemmingway and wife, and his son, George, and danghter, Mary Hemmingway, and Wil- liam Wyburn.

The first minister of the M. E. Church who preached in De Soto was Rev. John Whitworth, now of Viroqua.

The M. E. Church was built in the year 1859, and removed out in the country in the year 1875, being now known as the Central Church.

The pastors of the M. E. Church in De Soto circuit have been as follows: Revs. John Whit- worth, T. C. Clendenning, Mr. Lane, Mr. Smith, S. D. Bassenger, J. E. Irish, W. P. Hill, C. Bushby, Thomas Manual, II. J. Walker, D. L. Hubbard, D. Clingman, HI. D. Jencks, W. W. Hard and the present pastor, Rev. I. F. Nuzum.

The De Soto Baptist Church was organized at the house of Dr. James Osgood, Jan. 11, 1855, with a constituency of sixteen members, who adopted as theirs the New Hampshire articles of faith and covenant. The Church was duly recognized by council on the 9th of the following February. A. B. Hubbard, a member of the Church, served as its pastor with acceptance for six months, after which Rev. D. Mulhern became pastor. For a while the

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Church gained in membership, both by baptism and letter. In 1857 serious trouble arose which resulted in the exclusion of quite a number of members. The aggrieved, with others, hold- ing letters from other Baptist Churches, called for a council, which was attended by delegates from the La Crosse and Winona, Minn., Churches. Although the Church was repre- sented in the council, it refused to comply with the recommendation to reconsider its action. The council further recommended that, should the Church refuse to reconsider its action, a new Church should be formed. This was done soon after by the union of about twenty mem- bers. The new Church was admitted to the La Crosse Valley Baptist Association at its next annual meeting. Rev. D. Mulhern served as its pastor, and a few were added by baptism. Through removals its membership was reduced and its meetings discontinued, and were never revived. The first Church held occasional meetings at De Soto. In March, 1861, its place of meeting was changed to Brush Creek. Here it was prospered, at one time numbering thirty- one members. Removals and change of resi- dence led the Church in 1868 to again make De Soto its place of meeting. Concessions were made which resulted in those living in the neighborhood, members of the second Church, uniting with the old Church. The following year Rev. S. E. Sweet became pastor and was ordained. He preached here and at other points, one of which was Ilarmony, where a Baptist Church was organized the following January. Rev. Sweet served the two Churches one year, when, in order to pursue further study, he went to Beaver Dam, Wis. In 1872 Rev. William Haughton became pastor, serving the Harmony Church also. He remained about eighteen months. From this time regular monthly meetings were held, with occasional preaching, till February, 1875, when Rev. N. L. Sweet became pastor. Quite a number were added to the Church by baptism. Rev. Sweet's pastorate continued four years. Since his

resignation the Church has been declining. Al- though twenty-eight names are reported now, but very few are active members.

SOCIETIES.

Ancient Order United Workman Lodge, of De Soto, was organized June 10, 1878. The charter members were : James Lyttle, Fred Schmidt, William Davis, Philip B. Peters, George Eckhardt, B. D. Jenks, D. A. Steele. Fred A. Schlottman, Jacob Eckhardt and Wood- bridge Dyre. The first officers were: James Lyttle, P. M. W ; Jacob Eckhardt, M. W; P. B. Peters, foreman; B. D. Jenks, recorder ; D. A. Steele, financier; W. Dyre, receiver; George Eckhardt, guide ; F. A. Schlottman, overseer ; F. Schmidt, I. W; William Davis, O. W ; P. B. Peters, George Eckhardt, and James Lyttle, trustees. In 1884 this lodge had a working membership of thirty-two, and was in a flourish- ing condition. In 1884 there was both a lodge of the Odd Fellows and Good Templars at De Soto, each in a flourishing condition.

DISASTROUS FIRES.

The steam mill of Whiting & Carr was burned in July, 1865, involving a loss of over 820,000. In March, 1879, occurred the worst conflagration that ever visited the place. The cause of this fire has always remained a mys- tery. It originated in the general store of L. C. Larson. Eight buildings were consnmed. Mr. Ingersoll sustained the greatest loss, which included two buildings occupied as a wagon and blacksmith shop, together with a fine stock of general merchandise. His total loss was about 810,000. Among those who sustained quite heavy losses were: L. C. Larson, John L. O'Kre, J. F. Allen, Fred Schmidt and John Delvin. This fire was a serious blow to De Soto, from which it never fully recovered.

THE OLDEST SHOEMAKER IN AMERICA.

In 1884 the village of De Soto boasted of a resident, who came to the place at an early date, and who by careful investigation way found to have been actively engaged more I years, at the shoe bench, than any other man in

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

the country. This gentleman's name is Patrick De Lacy, who has been constantly engaged at the bench since twelve years of age, or a period of seventy-one years. And strange to say, after these long years of stooped shouldered work, he is as erect as most young men of to- day.

VILLAGE OF FERRYVILLE.

The village of Ferryville is the only one platted within the town limits of Freeman, ex- cept a part of De Soto. Ferryville is located on section 16, in town 10, of range 6 west, on the Mississippi river. It was platted about 1858, by T. W. Tower and William McAuley and an addition made in 1867, by Watts & Dayton.

It was called Ferryville, as the proprietor intended to establish a ferry between that point and Lansing, Iowa. The charter for such a ferry line was obtained but for some reason it was never established.

Lewis Helgerson kept the first store in the place. Other merchants who located here were W. R. Hopkins and William J. Lankford; the last named was the last to sell goods in the village.

Charles Huffsmidt, of Prairie du Chien and a Norwegian firm, bought grain for a time, here. The place existed for about six years and then went into decay and to-day the passer-by can see no evidences of a village having been there.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Thomas Lawrence, although a resident of Freeman, Crawford Co., Wis., was with his father, an early resident of Vernon county, owning a farm near Liberty Pole, which was first occupied by John McCulloch, the first set- tler of Vernon county. His father, James Law- rence, located at Liberty Pole, July 5, 1851, and settled on the farm now owned by William Clawater. James Lawrence was born in Mon- mouthshire, England, in 1809. He emigrated to the United States in 1851, making his first settlement at Liberty Pole, where he remained until the spring of 1854, then removed with his family to the town of Freeman, Crawford county,

being the first settler in the neighborhood, and where he resided until his death, Aug. 23, 1883. In 1832 he was married to Mary Williams, who still survives him. Father Lawrence, as he was called, was a member of the Bible Christian Church in England. When he came to the United States he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and remained a firm believer until his death, being a member of these churches for over fifty-five years. He was an earnest and sincere Christian and his memory will long be cherished and his name remains a prominent one in the pioneer history of Crawford and Vernon coun- ties. His surviving children are Thomas, Mary, wife of Nathan Coe, of Viroqua, Vernon Co., Wis .; Julia, wife of L. J. Miller, of Wheatland town, Vernon county; James W., Mathew E. and Jane E. Thomas, the eldest child, was born in England, in 1834. He resides in Free- man, Wis , at present, but was for several years a resident of De Soto. He kept the Bay State House in 1862-3, and a meat market from 1874 until 1877. His wife was Mary Coffin, a daughter of Peleg Coffin. She was a native of Massachusetts. They have three children- Ellen J., William and Alice Z. They lost their eldest daughter.

Dorsey P. Ames, came from Ohio, in the fall of 1854, with John Rutter, Samuel and Amon E. Dayis. Samuel Davis made a location near the village of Viroqua, Vernon county, but the other two, and our subject settled in town 11 north, of range 6 west. Mr. Ames selected his new home on section 27, where he entered 280 acres of government land, which he still owns with the exception of ten acres. He was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, in 1820. When about nine of age, his parents removed to Mor- gan county, in the same state, where he was reared. He married Rachel Davis, a daughter of Samuel Davis, who died at Vir qua. in 1871; her mother died in Ohio, in 1844; her father married the second time. Mr. and Mrs. Ames have eight children-Margaret, Samuel, Clar- ence M., Saralı Ann, Absalom, Mary S., Rachel

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

and Hannah E. The three oldest were born in Ohio; the remainder in this town. Mr. Ames' parents, Absalom and Margaret Ames, were na- tives of Washington Co., Penn. They came to Crawford county in 1859, and lived there till their deaths, which occurred at an advanced age.

John Rutter resides on section 28, where he set- tled in 1855. He came with his family, however, in the fall of 1854, in company with Dorsey P. Ames, Samuel and Amon E. Davis, and located at that time. His farm now consists of 320 acres, and Mr. Rutter is one of Crawford eoun- ty's most honored pioneers. He was born in Green Co., Penn., March 14, 1812. When sev- enteen years of age, he accompanied his father, Ebenezer Rutter, to Ohio. The following year (1830), the father settled in Athens county, where he lived till his death. John remained in that county until the date of his removal to Crawford county. Ile married Mary Ann Bell, a native of Washington Co., Ohio, born in 1813. She died July 29, 1883. Fourteen children were born to them-eight sons, and six daughters, five sons and two daughters are still living. Thomas C., Elizabeth, wife of Thomas De Lacy; Maria, wife of Cornelius C. Tower; James R., George W., William H., and French E. The lat- ter is the only native of Crawford county. George W., who occupies the homestead farm with his father, was born in Athens Co., Ohio, in 1847. He was married July 11, 1537, in Athens Co., Ohio, to Harriet, daughter of Jesse Davis, an early settler of Vernon Co., Wis. They are the parents of four children -Minnie M., Pearl E, John R., and Martin E.

Joseph E. MeCrillis is one of the early set- tlers of Crawford county. His present location is on seetion 29, town Il, range 6 west, where he settled in 1874. This farm he exchanged the previous year with Erie Johnson, of the town of Utica. Mr. MeCrillis settled in the town of Utica in the fall of 1855, where he en- tered eighty acres of land, which now forms part of the farm of Thomas Adams, of that town .. Mr. McCrillis was born in the town of

Topsham, Orange Co., Vt., in 1808. In 1831 he went to Massachusetts, where he worked at the trade of a shoe-maker. He removed to Providence, R. I., in 1857, and in the fall of 1838, went to Taunton, Mass. During this period he was engaged in shoe-making and ped- dling. From Massachusetts he removed to Vermont. In 1855 he came to Rock Co., Wis., and in October of the same year came to Craw- ford county, and entered land as before stated. He was married in Massachusetts in 1832, to Abigail Rist, who died in Angust, 1855. His second and present wife was Elmira Swift, to whom he was married in Providence, R. I, in 1837. She was born in . Corinth, Vt., Jan. 6, 1809. Mr. McCrillis had one son by his first wife-Joseph, who was killed near Mt. Sterling, Sept. 7, 1880. He has five children by his pres- ent wife, three sons and two daughters-John II., who resides in Vernon Co., Wis .; Sally A., wife of Elisha Moore; Robert E., a resident of Hampton, Iowa; Hannah E., wife of II. H. Wha- ley; Isabella D., wife of J. M. Dennis, of Hot Springs, Dakota. Neither of the children were born in this State. Mr. MeCrillis' farm con- tains 240 acres.

Alexander Young resides on section 36, town 11, range 7 west, which he entered in 1856. Mr. Young was born in County Derry, in the north of Ireland, in 1818. He emigrated to Massachusetts with his family in 1847. In 1855 he came to De Soto, and settled on his present farm the following year. His wife was Anna M. McMillan, also a native of County Derry. They have five children-Jane, widow of William MeDonald, of this town; Mary, wife of Richard McAuley; Margaret, wife of Arthur James; Martha R. and Sarah, unmar- ried. They lost three children by death-John, Alexander and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Young were among the hardy pioneers of Crawford county who have made for themselves a pleas- ant home in this now beautiful region, which, but a few years since, was in a state of wild- ness. Their. recollection of the early times,

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when they and a few others located here, and shared each others trials and sufferings, will ever be remembered by them; nor are they un- grateful for the many blessings which have been bestowed upon them. They have a pleas- ant home and are passing their declining years in peace and plenty. Mr. and Mrs. Young have been for many years members of the Congrega- tional Church, at De Soto.

Elind T. Bishop entered a piece of land on section 23, town 11 north, of range 6 west, in the fall of 1855, which farm now comprises 140 acres, with excellent improvements. He was born in Berkshire Co., Mass, Dec. 15, 1808. His father, Bohan Bishop, was a native of Stockbridge, in the same county. His maternal grandfather was a brother of the grandfather of the eminent showman, P. T. Barnum. Mr. Bishop resided in his native county until he was seventeen years of age. Ile then engaged in the manufacture of combs, which he continued until the spring of 1855. At that time he went to Grant Co., Wis., and a year and half later came to the town of Freeman. He has been quite successful in growing an excellent apple, both for quantity and quality. He planted the seed while a resident of Grant county, and removed and transplanted the young trees in his present orchard. Mr. Bishop married Eliza Higgins, who died in October, 1874. Four children are living-Jared, Virginia, wife of Jerry Burger, now living in Dakota Territory; Annis, wife of J. B. McClurg, now living in Vernon Co., Wis., and Clarence C. The latter was born in Mas- sachusetts, in 1848, and married Rosa Jordon, whose father was an early settler in the town of Sterling, Vernon county. They reside on the old homestead,and have three children-Clinton R., Grace and Charles. Mr. Bishop is a member of the Congregational Church at Retreat.

Henry Helgerson resides on section 21, town 10, range 5 west, where he settled in 1860. Ile purchased his farm of Emanuel George. but the land was entered by A. C. B. Vaughn, now of Mt. Sterling. Mr. Helgerson has, however,

been a resident of the town of Freeman since 1857. Hle is the son of IIelger Helgerson, a native of Norway, and came to the United States in 1856, and the same year to the town of Sterling, from Dane Co., Wis. In 1857, he en- tered land on section 29, town 11, range 5 west. HIe is now a resident of the town of Utica. Henry Helgerson was born in Norway, Feb. 17, 1832. Ile came to the United States in 1857, the year following his father's emigration to this country. He lived two and a half years with his father, and then settled where he now live. Ilis farm contains 160 acres. His wife was Betsey Olson. They have ten children- four boys and six girls. Mr. Helgerson is one of the prominent citizens of the town of Free- man; is a successful farmer and an intelligent gentleman. He is now (1984) serving his eighth term as treasurer of his town. Ile has also assessed the town several times.

Henry T. James has been a resident of Free- man town since 1856. Ile resides on section 23, town 11 north, of range 6 west, where he owns a farm of 160 acres. Mr. James was born at Bristol, R. I., in 1812. When a child, his parents, Samuel and Phebe (Kempton) James, removed to New Bedford, Mass., where both died. Henry T. there learned the painter's trade, and subsequently drifted out to Kansas. In September, 1855, he went to De Soto, Vernon Co., Wis. In 1856, he entered eighty acres of goverment land. In 1862 he purchased eighty acres of his present farm of Charles Crawshaw, who entered it from the government. Mr. James was married in Massa- chusetts to Phebe A. Akin, born in Dartmonth, Mass., in 1815, and a daughter of Abram and Rebecca (Eldridge) Akin, also natives of the "Bay State." Eight children have blessed this union, five living-Edward, Ethelbert, now re- siding in Wisconsin; Henry T., a sailor; Adel- aide, who lives in Iowa; Arthur A., who re- sides on the homestead; Albert F. and Arthur A. (twins), and a daughter, Emeletta. are de- ceased.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 86

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