USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical > Part 13
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Edward Byrne is one of the old and highly respected farmers of the town of the town of Fitchburg, which place has been his home during practically all of the past half-century, but his nativity was in the little Emerald Isle, the country that has given America so many of her leaders in the various walks of life. The exact date
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of the birth of Mr. Byrne is not known, as the family record was unfortunately destroyed many years ago, but it is probable that the event occurred about 1840. His parents were Edward anu dCather- ine Byrne, both of whom were also natives of Ireland, and in 1854 they removed with their children to America. The family came di- rectly to Wisconsin by way of the great lakes, landing at Milwaukee. and then by the new railway to Dane county, the final destination and location being in the town of Fitchburg. Edward Byrne, our subject, had received a common school education in his native coun- try, and upon coming to America devoted his energies to overcom- ing the difficulties that presented themselves to the early pioneers. Upon reaching manhood he purchased two hundred acres of land in section 21, town of Fitchburg, the same on which he now resides, and immediately devoted his energies to its clearing and improve- ment ; he afterward sold forty acres. He has resided on this tract of land ever since, with the exception of two years which he spent in Chicago, and he has successfully followed the business of gen- eral farming, including the raising of hogs, cattle, sheep and horses. Politically he gives an allegience to the principles of the Demo- cratic party, and the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citi- zens is attested by the fact that he has served three years as treas- urer of the town of Fitchburg, and he has also been clerk of his school district for a long time. His religious faith is manifested by by membership in the Catholic church. Mr. Byrne was married on February 22, 1870, to Miss Ellen Barry, daughter of James and Elizabeth (McDonald) Barry, prominent residents of the town of Fitchburg, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Byrne are the parents of eleven children, the names and other information concerning whom are properly given a place in this review: Cath- erine is the wife of John Lacy, of the town of Fitchburg; Theresa is the wife of Frank Hayes and resides in Canada ; Margaret is the wife of William Byrnes of the town of Oregon; Sarah and James reside at home; Beezie is a professional nurse at Colorado Springs; Mary is deceased ; and Edward, Nellie, Irene and Anna reside at home. All of these children were born at the old homestead in the town of Fitchburg, and they all received their education in the excellent district schools. James L. Byrne was the fifth ch'ld and the eldest son born to these parents, and at the early age of fourteen years he started in life for himself, first working for an uncle, (now deceased), for a number of years. He was born in the town of Fitchburg, February 7, 1880, and although still quite young, as we reckon ages, he has a considerable competence to show as the re-
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ward of his early industry and singleness of purpose. He owns one hundred and ten acres of land in sections 16 and 22 of the town of Fitchburg, the farm being well improved and under a high state of cultivation. This farm he rents out to competent tenants, and as he is unmarried he remains at home, where his services are devoted to assisting in the management of his father's affairs. The young man has a bright future before him, and has already won a position a substantial and progressive citizen.
James Byrne, a retired farmer in the village of Oregon, is deserv- ing of special mention in a work of this nature by reason of his high character and the results he has achieved by his industry and fru- gality. He was born in the county of Wicklow, Ireland, and is one of four children born to Michael and Anne Byrne, all of whom mi- grated to America and took up their residence in Wisconsin. Of these Michael resides in the town of Fitchburg, Dane county ; Anna and Lizzie are deceased, and James is the immediate subject of this review. James Byrne was educated in the schools of the Emerald Isle, and prior to his migration to America traveled extensively in Europe. He dealt largely in horses, having a natural adapta- tion for the business of handling the equine breed, and he can relate many interesting experiences, representing nearly every county in Ireland. He came directly to Wisconsin from his native land, in 1870, and worked as a farm hand for about six years. He then bought one hundred acres of land in the town of Fitchburg, where he did general farming for about seven years, and then sold the farm to O. A. Fox, of Madison, and then rented a farm in the same town for three years longer. He next purchased one hundred and sixty acres in the town of Oregon, upon which he resided for nine years, and then sold and bought eighty acres only a mile distant, where he lived for seven years. He then sold again and purchased a com- fortable home in the village of Oregon, where he now lives in retire- ment and expects to reside the remainder of his life, enjoying the fruits of years of activity. He is a man of much energy, never being idle at any season of the year, and his success is due largely to the unusual determination which is a prominent trait of his character. This was evidenced in h's early life, while in the business of hand- ling horses, and he seemed to take an especial delight in subdu- ing the most vicious of those which came into his possession. Mr. Byrne was married in 1876 to Miss Katie Murray, born in Green county, Wis., in 1858, the daughter of James Murray, an old resident of that part of the state. Mrs.Byrne became the mother of six children, and died when the eldest was but eight years old, thus
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leaving a family of little ones to the care of a kind and indulgent father. Concerning these children the following information is appropriately given in this review: Anna T. is now Mrs. Lamp, of Durand, Wis .; James W. and Agnes reside at home; Lizzie is deceased; George remains at home, and Eddie is deceased. Mr. Byrne is independent in his political views, and his religious belief is manifested by membership in the Catholic church. He possesses the attributes that go to the making of the good citizen, and by his careful management and sound judgement has been able to accu- mulate a competency ; but he modestly disclaims that all the credit is due to his own efforts, and devoutly believes that Providence has favored him in his different undertakings.
James Byrne, who is recognized as one of the progressive and up-to-date farmers of the town of Fitchburg, is a native of the Green Mountain state, having been born at Burlington, Vermont, on October 2, 1849. His parents, David and Rose (Kilin) Byrne, were both natives of Ireland, who migrated to America early in life and settled in the state of Vermont, where they resided for thirty years. Then following the westward course of empire they came to Wisconsin and took up their residence in the town of Fitchburg. Dane county, and there spent the remainder of their lives. The father was a farmer by occupation, and upon coming to Dane county purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, partly improved, a portion of which is now owned by the son whose name introduces this review. Fourteen children were born to these parents, twelve of whom are living,-a son, William, who served in the Union army during the Civil War, and a daughter are deceased. James Byrne was a small boy when his parents took up their abode in Dane county, and he received his education in the schools of the town of Fitchburg. He remained at home with his parents until their de- mise, and by purchase came into possession of the homestead seventeen years ago, so that his residence has remained unchanged during all the years he has lived in Dane county. His farm com- prises one hundred and twenty acres of well improved land in sec- tion 29, town of Fitchburg, and he occupies his time in general farming, including the raising of cattle, hogs and sheep to a consid- erable extent. Mr. Byrne gives an unswerving allegience to the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and his religious faith is expressed by membership in the Catholic church of the vil- lage of Oregon. He has never marrie.d
James M. Byrne has been a resident of the town of Fitchburg during the past twenty years, and so well has he ordered his affairs
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and so indefatigably has he toiled that he has won a secure posi- tion among the progressive and prosperous farmers of that portion of Dane county. Mr. Byrne was born in the county of Dublin, Ire- land, on June 26, 1861, and was the son of Lawrence and Anna (Doyle) Byrne, who were also natives of Ireland. The opportuni- t'es for securing an education were very limited, but our subject attended school for a time at Kingston, Ireland, and when he was eleven years old came with his parents to America. They located in the state of New York, and there he supplemented the scholastic training he had received by attendance upon the public schools. His father bought land in the Empire state and continued to reside there until his death, which occurred a few years later. There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Byrne, and after the father's death, the mother married a Mr. O'Brien, and to this union three children were born. The mother of our subject, a sister, and two half-brothers still reside in New York, and only two of the family live in Wisconsin, viz., James M. Byrne, whose name introduces this review, and a half-brother, Peter O'Brien, who is a flagman at Brooklyn. Wis. The subject of this sketch was thrown upon h's own resources at the age of fifteen years, and he worked as a com- mon laborer during the summer months and attended school dur- ing the winter months. In 1886 he came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Fitchburg. Dane county, where he was employed as a farm hand for some time. He then purchased the farm upon which he still resides, containing one hundred and twenty acres, and proceeded to make the excellent improvements thereon. The success that has, crowned his efforts is due to his own unflagging industry, a ded by a congenial and provident helpmate. Mr. Byrne was married on February 16, 1887, to Miss Alice Kinney, a native of Fitchburg, born October 15, 1869, and daughter of Michael and Alice (Lynch) Kinney, prominent residents of that town. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Byrne: Jessie M., Alice E., Lester Joseph. and Albert John. In politics the subject of this review gives an unswerving allegiance to the principles of the Democratic party, and he and Mrs. Byrne are members of the Catholic church.
John A. Byrne is one of the oldest citizens of the city of Madison, both in point of age and in time of actual residence, more than fifty years having elapsed since he established his home in the then un- pretensious village. He was born in Ireland, August 11, 1820, and is the son of James and Ellen (Sheehan) Byrne, both of whom are also natives of the Emerald Isle. His father was one of those
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Irish patriots, who formed the Society of United Irishmen in 1798, and under the leadership of Robert Emmett, endeavored, in 1802, to overthrow English domination and establish an independent gov- ernment for Erin. Being unsuccessful in the efforts, James Byrne, accepted the result philosophically, and turning his attention to in- dustrial pursuits, remained in his native land until his death. He was a distiller by occupation. John A. Byrne, whose name intro- duces this review, received his education in the land of his birth and continued to reside there until 1847, in which year he migrated to America. This was one year before the admission of Wisconsin into the Union as a state, and upon coming to the territory Mr. Byrne settled in Columbia county, where he purchased land. That county rema ned the place of his residence until 1854, when he removed with his family to Dane county, and has resided here ever since, all but five years of the time in the city of Madison. He has engaged in farming to some extent, especially during the five years when he resided in the town of Blooming Grove, but his bus- mess during life has been principally that of a land speculator. In politics he has given an unswerving allegience to the basic prin- ciples of the Democratic party, but has never essayed the roll of an office-seeker. However, he has been called by his fellow men to positions of trust, among them being chairman of the town board of Blooming Grove for a number of years, and after his removal to Madison in about 1857 or 1858, he served a term as alderman of the fourth ward. He was also immigrant agent for the state of Wisconsin during the year 1853. Mr. Byrne was married on April 22, 1841, to Miss Marie E. McKinnon, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, the daughter of John and Isabel (Jamison) Mckinnon, both being of Scotch ancestry. The marraige of Mr. Byrne and wife occurred at Six-Mile-Bridge in the county of Clare, on the date above mentioned, according to the service of the Episcopal Church of England, and at the city of Limerick on the same day according to the Roman Catholic service, by dispensation. Mrs. Byrne died, January, 30, 1894, having become the mother of ten children, the names and other information concerning whom are given as fol- lows: Isabel resides at home and follows the occupation af teaching ; John M. is a resident of the state of Missour: ;. James is deceased; Ellen is the wife of G. F. Merrill, of Ashland, Wis .; Marie married N. E. O'Dell and lives in the state of Iowa ; Patrick J. resides in Kansas City ; Agnes F. is deceased ; George R. is a resi- dent of Kansas City; Agnes Kate resides at home, and Mary L. is the wife of Prof. Charles S. Slichter, of Madison. All of these
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children were well educated in the public schools of Madison and the University of Wisconsin. The father is a Catholic in his re- ligious faith.
Hon. Romanzo Bunn, judge of the western district of the Fed- eral court in Wisconsin from 1877 to 1905, was born in Oswego county, N. Y., September 24, 1829. In studying the history of Wisconsin one cannot help noting how large is the debt of the Badger state to New York for her contribution, in the pioneer days, of the material out of which a strong commonwealth may be erected. Judge Bunn is typical of this class. The American his- tory of his family may be traced back for some generations, and a union of the characteristics of the Dutch of New York and the English of New England probably account for the sturdy qualities which have enabled Judge Bunn to achieve success out of appar- ently unhopeful conditions. His father, Peter Bunn, was a native of New York and followed the vocation of the farmer, putting into it that strenuous endeavor which the conditions of life then de- manded. Although belonging to a long-lived race he died of a fever at the age of fifty-four. He married Miss Polly A. Jackson, who survived her husband many years, dying at the age of seven- ty-one. She spent her later life in Wisconsin to which state her children had preceded her. Peter Bunn and his wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The early life of Judge Bunn was that of the ordinary farmer boy, and his early education such as could be obtained at the district school. By his own efforts he was enabled to receive an academic education, alternating his attendance at the Springfield academy with teach- ing, and occupying his leisure with elementary law studies. At the age of nineteen he entered the office of McAckeron & Myers, Elyria, Ohio, and the following year (1850), he pursued his studies with W. H. Wood. of Ellicottville. N. Y. Here he followed the usual routine of young men fitting themselves for attorneys in the middle of the nineteenth century,-and read, practiced in just- ice courts, stopping occasionally to teach a term of school to pro- vide the necessary funds for the frugal life of the self-supporting student,-until he reached the first goal of his ambition and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1853. Mr. Wood formed a part- nership with his former clerk and the following year both of them came west. Mr. Bunn was accompanied on the trip by his young bride, formerly Miss Sarah Purdy, a native of Oneida county, N. Y., and a descendant of old New England families. They settled in the village of Galesburg and there Mr. Bunn began his
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active legal career. The conditions were such that only a mod- erate degree of success was possible, and after a residence of six years, he sought a larger field in the town of Sparta, Monroe county, where he soon became a leading member of the bar, his practice there dating from 1861. In 1868 he was elected judge of the sixth circuit, was re-elected in 1874 and held the position until 1877. The death of James C. Hopkins, of Madison, judge of the western Federal district, on September 3, 1877, left a vacancy, and to this position Romanzo Bunn was appointed. October 30, of the same year, by President Hayes, a position which he filled until his resignation in 1905. Judge Bunn was entitled to retire upon full pay, for several years before he availed himself of the privilege, finding more satisfaction in the continuation of his active work than in the leisure which is the goal of so much endeavor. Beside filling his judicial duties, Judge Bunn has lectured before the law class of the University of Wisconsin, and was also the lecturer on Federal jurisprudence at the Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., for two years. His career as a jurist has been marked by just and wise decisions and in all departments of legal work, as attorney and lecturer as well as judge, he has won the respect of the public and the esteem and confidence of his associ- ates. His sense of equity is well-developed and takes precedence in thought to technical quibbles. He is a man of fine literary discrimination, and is fond of his library. He is a member of the Madison Literary Club and frequently appears upon its programs. He is also fond of out-door life and is a devoted disciple of Isaack Walton, displaying in his ardor for this quiet sport qualities which would hardly be suspected by those who knew him only in the court-room. He has a kindly and sympathetic nature and retains to a remarkable degree the characteristics which marked his youth, showing the strong fibre of the original grain which has been but slightly affected by his contact with the world. While he votes with the Republican party, Judge Bunn has never taken a very active part in either local or state politice. Both he and his wife are attendants of the Congregational church, and their beautiful home on Langdon street has been for many years a center of hospitable life. They are the parents of five children, the three sons having all followed their father's profession of the law. The two older sons. Charles W. and George L., established themselves a number of years ago in St. Paul where one is now the judge of the circuit court and the other general counsel for the Northern Pacific Co. The youngest son, John M., is a practicing attorney at
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Spokane Falls, Wash. One daughter, Fannie, is married to C. B. Chapman, a leading real estate man of the city of Madison and the other, Miss Mary, resides with her parents. The latter is actively interested in the philanthropies of the city and especially in the city hospital and the training school for nurses recently established in connection with it. She has been chairman of the committee on the training school, has worked out its plans, prepared its bulletins and had charge of its course of lectures, and has devoted con- scientious care to every detail of the work.
Upon his retirement from the bench the Milwaukee Sentinel of January 6, 1905, makes the following comment: "After a term of office covering nearly three decades in the remarkable development of his state, during which litigation of great importance has com- manded his judicial attention no word of impeachment of his hon- esty has ever been truthfully uttered. This fact may well be stated as epitomizing his record as an officer and a man."
Orvis Leslie Burd, cashier of the Belleville state bank, is one of the younger generation which claims Wisconsin as a native state ; he was born October 18, 1869, in the town of Verona, and is the son of William R. and Eliza Ann (Mutchler) Burd, both of whom were born near Harmony, N. Y., the former on September 22, 1828, and the latter December 12, 1828. They came to Wisconsin and settled in Verona, and engaged in farming until 1891 when Mr. Burd retired from active work and removed to the village of Ver- ona where he now resides. They had nine children. Maggie, mar- ried Wallace Morse of Verona, now of Baraboo; Gertrude (de- ceased) ; Luella, married Willis Morse, of Verona, now of Madison ; . Emma, (deceased) ; Elona, married John S. Colby of Story ; Hattie, married Robert Harvey, of Chicago; Sarah married O. W. Donkle, of Verona, now of Black Earth; Orvis L., the subject of this sketch ; Clinton B., of Madison. Mr. Burd was brought up on the farm in Verona and received his early instruction in the schools of the village; he afterward attended Pond's academy at Madison, taught school one year and then went to the business college at Dixon, Ill., and took a course in short-hand and commerce, and was graduated from the institution in 1891, and at once entered the en- ployment of Mr. E. F. Riley, secretary of the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin, at Madison, and remained there as chief clerk until July 1, 1903, when, in company with Prof. H. L. Russell, of Madison, he purchased the bank of Belleville,-Profes- sor Russell taking the presidency of the bank. and Mr. Burd acting as cashier, which important position he still occupies. Mr. Burd
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was married August 16, 1894, to Miss Grace Inez Wilson, of Perry, Ill .; they have two children, Elizabeth, aged seven and . Katherine, aged five. Mr. Burd is a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, of the I. O. O. F., M. W. A., E. F. U., Beavers, and Good Templars ; he is a Republican and served as clerk of the town of Madison for five years. Mr. and Mrs. Burd are members of the Presbyterian church.
A. L. Burdick, member of the well-known dry-goods firm of Burdick & Murray, was born in Madison November 13, 1858. His parents were Lewis H. and Harriet A. (Williams) Burdick. Lewis H. Burdick was born in Vermont, spent his early life in New York state and came to Madison at an early date. He was an expert carpenter and practically all of the public and large buildings of the city are witnesses of his skill and handiwork. He died in 1884 at the age of seventy-eight. His wife died in 1892 at the age of sixty-eight. A. L. Burdick is an example of the type of man who has worked his way up from the bottom step of the lad- der to the top. He was one of nine children, only three of whom are living, Maurice A., a hardware merchant in an Oklahoma city ; Emma, Mrs. S. I. Mould of Dubuque, Ia .; and A. L., the subject of this sketch. He was educated in the Madison city schools, but even before he had completed school he had started on a business career. From the time he was nine years old until he was thir- teen he worked in a hotel managed by an uncle, Eleazer Grover. At thirteen he started in the drygoods business as an errand boy and general utility man, and for ten years continued in that capa- city for the late William Dudley. When the firm became Dudley & Zehnter he retained his position with it, remaining ten years, and then "went on the road" for a year for an eastern concern sell- ing fancy goods. The following thirteen years were spent with the R. B. Ogilvie company in the capacity of general manager. He then purchased H. N. Antisdel's interest in a wholesale notion company, and three years later he and his partner. T. Gibbs Mur- ray, bought out the Ogilvie dry goods company and have since con- ducted that business with great success. On September 12, 1899, Mr. Burdick married Miss M. E. Purcell, a native of Madison, and a daughter of Timothy and Catherine Purcell. Mr. and Mrs. Bur- dick are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Burdick is a dis- trict deputy and grand knight of the Knights of Columbus. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the so-called "Half-Breed" wing of the party. His admiration for the junior senator from Wisconsin is unbounded.
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Michael J. Burke, deceased, was a resident of the city of Madison for fifteen years prior to his death, and during that time won the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends. He was born in England, of Irish parentage, the date of his birth being July 6, 1851. and his birthplace was Yorkshire, England. His parents. were James and Bridget (Fordy) Burke, both natives of Ireland who removed to England in early life and their spent the remainder of their days. Michael J. Burke received his education in the schools of Leeds, England, and as soon as he had reached the age of eligibility he joined the English militia, with which he served for eleven years and then received an honorable discharge. In his youth he also learned the trade of a brick and stone mason, and worked at the same prior to coming to America. He was married November 29, 1873, to Miss Mary McHale, daughter of Owen John and Ann (Allan) McHale, of Yorkshire, England, where the daugh- ter was born on March 22, 1856. On April 8, 1881, Mr. Burke left the English shore for America, landing at Toronto, Canada, from which place he crossed over to Massachusetts in May. His wife sailed on July 30, following, for Massachusetts, where she joined her husband, and they remained in that state one year, leaving there August 1, 1882. Wisconsin was their destination, and ar- riving at the city of Madison in due time Mr. Burke secured em- ployment as a brick-layer on the capitol building then in course of construction. He was at work on the building when the structure collapsed, November 8, 1883, and in the catastrophe he received in- juries from which he never recovered. Both legs were broken, other wounds and internal injuries were received, and for two years. he was unable to do work of any kind. Having then partially re- covered, he entered the hotel business in Madison, and after eight- teen months in a rented building sold the business and bought a lot in West Madison, where he built what is now known as the Commercial House. There Mr. Burke died, in 1897. and his widow continued the business unt:1 July, 1900, when she rented the prop- erty for three years and in April, 1903, bought the beautiful home at 534 West Mifflin street, where she now resides. She is a woman of much determination and natural business ability. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burke, the names and other informa- tion concerning whom are given as follows: John J. married Rachel Gonstead and resides in Madison, he and wife being the parents of the following children: Henrietta Regina, Mary Josephine, Dorothy, Grace, Adeline, Esther ; the second son, James Alyious, is deceased; Anna E. married James Callahan, resides in
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