USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical > Part 20
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field in 1818, was educated there and was a captain in the state militia. In 1846, he and his wife came to Wisconsin and purchased four hundred acres of land in the town of Utica which was their home during the remainder of their lives. Captain Coon died in 1898 and his wife in 1900. Both captain and Mrs. Coon were en- thusiastic members of the Baptist church and were instrumental in the organization of the church of Seventh-day Baptists in Utica in January, 1850. Captain Coon was a Republican, served as chairman of the town board and as postmaster at Utica and also at one time owned a store at Utica. Five children were born to Captain and Mrs. Coon. Fred W., the oldest son, a banker and to- bacco dealer at Edgerton, married Miss Clara McDougal and they have five children ; Grace, Minerva, Winifred, Helen and Warren ; Dayton Benj. is the scond son; Ann the oldest daughter, is de- ceased ; the next daughter married A. B. Stillman of Kansas and they have seven children ;- Claude, Clara L., Ruth A., Henry N., James I., Rose H. and Dayton Theodore ; James H., the secretary of the cooperative creamery association of Utica, is a merchant in Utica and married Rose Kelly of Salem, W. Va. Dayton B. Coon married in December, 1786, Miss Mary A. Potter, who was born in Albion in 1855, daughter of Stephen Potter. Three children blessed the marriage .- Elan Potter who married Mabel E. Wheeler (deceased), is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin and re- sides with his parents; Phelps Lester attends Milton College and Rachael Ann attends the home schools.
John Coughin, one of the substantial citizens and representative farmers of Cottage Grove township, Dane county, was born in that township, February, 12, 1860, and is a son of John and Bridget (Roach) Couglin, both of whom were native of Ireland. The par- ents came to Dane county about the year 1852, having previously resided in Milwaukee, where the father was a drayman for a num- ber of years. He removed to Dane county, as did also three of his brothers and one brother-in-law, all taking up their residence on adjoining farms in Cottage Grove township. There were no rail- roads in this section at the time, and the trip from Milwaukee was made with teams and wagons. Mr. Coughlin reclaimed his farm from the forest and became one of the representative citizens of his township, where both he and his wife continued to reside until their death. They became the parents of eight children, namely: Mar- garet, who is now the wife of John Galvin, of Cottage Grove town- ship; Mary, who is the wife of Mr. Ryan, of the city of Chicago; Bridget Ann, who is the wife of Michael Conlin, of Madison ; Eliza-
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beth, who is the wife of Charles H. McCloskey, of Madison ; John, who is the immediate subject of this sketch; Kate, who is the wife of John Lewis, of Rockford, Illinois; Ella, who is deceased; and Agnes, who is the wife of Francis Mullen, of Marshall, Wisconsin. John Coughlin, the immediate subject of this review, was reared on the home farm, early beginning to contribute to its development and cultivation and remaining with his parents until their death. His educational opportunities were those afforded in the district school, which he attended during the winter months, devoting his time to the work of the farm during the summer seasons. Upon leaving the home farm he purchased his present place, which he has developed into one of the valuable farms of the county, the land being under effective cultivation, while the buildings are of substantial and attractive order, making the place one of the model farms of this section. Mr. Coughlin has been indefatigable in his efforts and has won a worthy success, while his able and devoted coadjutor has been his faithful wife, who has aided most effectively in gaining the independence and prosperity which they now enjoy. Both are communicants of the Catholic church, and he is a stanch Democrat in his political adherency., having never been a seeker of office but having served two years as clerk of his school district. On January 19, 1887, Mr. Coughlin was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Coffey, daughter of William and Susan Ann (Reynolds) Coffey, of Cottage Grove township, and they became the parents of five children, namely: John William, born November 2, 1887; Bridget Irene, born October 11, 1889 ; William Francis, born Febru- ary 23, 1891 ; Walter Daniel, who was born August 7, 1894, and died July 11, 1898 and Stanley Walter, born February 28, 1906.
William Cox is now living retired in the city of Madison, which place was the scene of his active career, and where many buildings stand as monuments to his mechanical ability. He was born near the city of Bath, Somersetshire, England, on March 13, 1830, and is one of six children born to Robert and Bethsheba (Fountain) Cox, who were also natives of the mother country. Of the six children mentioned but two are now living-the subject of this review, and his brother Robert, who is living retired in the city of Milwaukee. William Cox was educated in private schools in his native land and was fifteen years old when with his parents he mi- grated to America. The family settled in the state of New York. on the St. Lawrence river, and resided there two years, after which a removal was made to Ohio, where the family took up a residence near Akron and remained two years. Another removal was then
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made, this time to Cleveland, where the father operated as a con- tractor. Duing two years of the residence in Ohio the subject of this review worked as a carriage maker, and he also acted as over- seer of his father's teams for a number of years. About 1859 the family removed to Wisconsin, and the father rented a hotel in the city of Madison and conducted the same until his death, which occurred during the Civil War period, and the mother passed away five years later. At one time twenty-one printers who were em- ployed in the State Journal office boarded with Mr. Cox. The sub- ject of this review started his independent career at the age of eighteen years, and his first venture was in buying timber which he cut into cord wood and sold the same in the city of Cleveland. After the removal of the family to Wisconsin he began carpenter- ing in the city of Madison, and among the buildings upon which he worked are the First National bank, the Park Hotel, the postoffice, the Vilas House, and in fact all the principal buildings in the city erected prior to 1902, when he retired. During this time he bought a lot and erected a beautiful home on Hancock street. He then sold this residence and built a house on East Dayton street which he sold later and then went to Nebraska. But the west had no charms for him, and after a residence of five months in the Tree Planters' state he was glad to get back to Wisconsin. He then erected the home where. with his son-in-law, he now resides, and where he ex- pects to reside the remainder of his days. Mr. Cox was married on September 11, 1864, and the lady of his choice was Miss Rachel Halverson, born in Norway, December 25, 1844. daughter of Halvor Halvorson. Two children were born to this union: Em- manuel Robert married Minnie Randolph and is deceased-his widow resides in Black River Falls, Wis .; Bathsheba Matilda mar- ried Edward Goodman and is the mother of three children-Rus- sell, Edward and an infant daughter. Mr. Goodman is in the em- ploy Fuller & Johnson. The subject of this review is a Republi- can in his political affiliations and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church.
Bartholomew Coyne, deceased, was for nearly forty years one of the most highly respected citizens of Madison, and his unimpeach- able character was attested by continued employment in responsible capacities with various financial and other institutions where hon- esty and trustworthiness were in demand. Mr. Coyne was a na- tive of the Emerald Isle and was born in Sligo county, Ireland, on September 31, 1818, his parents being John and Winifred (Cain) Coyne, both of whom were also of Irish birth. The father and
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mother lived out their alloted years and died on their native soil. The subject of this sketch received his education in Ireland and as a young man removed to England, where he resided several years. He was married on November 16, 1848, to Miss Mary Anderson, a native of the city of London, where the marriage occurred, his wife being the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hunt) Anderson, both of whom were English-born. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Coyne sailed for America, and, landing in New York, they remained in that city for a short time and then removed to Pennsylvania, where they re- sided until 1856. In the year mentioned they journeyed westward and took up their residence in the city of Madison, Wis., the trip hither having been made by the way of Chicago. Mr. Coyne con- tinued to reside in the capital city the remainder of his life, dying on August 8, 1894, and his good wife still resides at the family residence, No. 134 N. Bruen street. Mr. Coyne gave an unswerv- ing allegiance to the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and in religious affairs he was loyal to the Catholic faith. Realizing the advantages of an education, it was the constant pur- pose of himself and wife to equip their children in this regard, and they obtained their reward in seeing their sons and daughters grow into useful and competent men and women. Eight of these children are living. The eldest daughter is Mrs. Cossiboin: Thomas P. served four terms as clerk of Dane county, and was at the time of his death, the weigh-master of the city of Madison. He was killed in an accident, in Madison, June 19. 1906. while attending the funeral of a friend. James resides in Seattle, Wash .; Mary is a teacher in the public schools of Eau Claire, a position which she has held for more than fifteen years. Elizabeth resides in Superior, Wis., as does also her sister, Mrs. Wolfden; Kate is the wife of Mr. Frauley ; Joseph resides with his mother, and William is a practicing attorney of Madison.
William Crapp is recognized as one of the progressive farmers of the town of Oregon, and his success has been achieved entirely by his own efforts and the counsel and economy of his, faithful wife. He was born in England, September 14, 1857, being one of the six- teen children of Thomas and Elizabeth (Keam) Crapp, both natives of England, where the mother still resides, the father being de- ceased. The parents of our subject were among the unfortunate many in the mother country who, being poor, have but a slim chance of bettering their condition, and the father earned the liv- ing for himself and family by working by the month or day. `Wil- liam Crapp received his education in the schools of his native land,
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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.
and realizing the few opportunities that present themselves in Eng- land, in 1884 he and his young wife set sail for America. First lo- cating in Canada he remained in the dominion three years, and then came to Dane county, Wis., by the way of Chicago. He located in the town of Dunn, where he worked as a farm hand for a time, and then purchased forty acres of land in the town of Fitchburg, near Lakeview, upon which he resided until 1895. He then sold his farm and purchased another, comprising one hundred and twenty acres of land, a large part of which was improved, in the town of Fitchburg, where he has resided ever since. There he has given his entire attention to the tilling of the soil, combined of course with the kindred occupation of stock-raising. In the latter line he- has devoted his efforts mainly to the breeding of Shropshire sheep, in which he has been very successful, and he also follows dairying to a considerable extent. Since purchasing the farm on which he- resides he has added extensively to its improvements, mainly in the matter of buildings, and in the erection of these he has spent about $4,000, building a fine residence, a barn, granary, etc. Mr. Crapp is independent in his political views, and gives his support to men and measures as they appeal to his ideas of right and expe- diency, uninfluenced by the fetich of a party name. He was mar- ried on June 16, 1882, to Miss Jane Hooper, daughter of John and Ann Hooper, of Saint Neots, England, where the father follows the occupation of a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Crapp were members of the Church of England before coming to America, but they now are members of the Presbyterian denomination. They have no chil- dren.
Charles Cripps, a retired farmer of the town of York, came to Dane county with his parents when he was a young lad and has always resided in the locality. William and Hannah (Gregory) Cripps. his parents, were both natives of England, were married there and after some years came, in 1840, to the United States. They located in York and made it their permanent home. Thir- teen children ·were born to them, of whom six are living. Mr. Cripps died at the advanced age of eighty-four years after an ac- tive and useful life. He was one of the pioneers of the new com- munity and helped to lay the foundations of its prosperity. Charles Cripps was born in England August 19, 1826, attended school in England and in Dane county and aided his father in the establishment of the new home. He has seen the development of the district from a sparsely-settled, wild country, abounding in game, to its present condition of prosperity, and shared in the labor
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incident to its improvement and also in the rewards. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-nine acres, which until recent years he managed himself. He has now given it into the care of his son, Charles H. Cripps. Mr. Cripps is a Republican but has occupied himself with the business of his farm rather than in taking an active part in politics. In March, 1856, he married Miss Abigail Irons, who was born in Otsego county, N. Y., December 19, 1825, daughter of Samuel and Betsy (Weaver) Irons, who came to Dane county about 1840 and lived there the remainder of their lives. One daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Cripps, Imogene, who died in 1885. Charles H. Cripps, their adopted son, married Miss Hannah Austin of Elba, Wis., February 22. 1894. They have one daughter, Imogene, born September 9, 1898.
George A. Cripps is a well-known and successful farmer of York township. With his brother, Frederick H., he owns one hundred and sixty acres of farm property upon which they carry on a gen- eral farming and stock-raising business. Fine Hereford cattle are raised upon this farm as well as other varieties of stock. Their father, William W. Cripps, was born in England in December, 1828, was educated in England and came to the United States in 1855. He obtained a farm in the town of York and set about clearing and improving it. Mrs. Cripps, née Emma Smith, was born in England April 22. 1838, and married in England to William Miles, with whom she came to America and lived in Columbia county, Wis. She was soon left a widow and Mr. Cripps became her second husband. Eight children were born to them, of whom six are living. Mrs. Cripps was a member of the church of England. For the remain- der of his life Mr. Cripps operated the farm in York and died there in 1895. He was Republican and active in local affairs. George A. Cripps was born in Hamden, Columbia county, Wis., November 18, 1864, attended school in the town of York and assisted his father on the farm. He still lives at the old home aifd by the en- ergy of father and sons it has been transformed from wild land to a complete and well-equipped farm. Mr. Cripps is, like his father, a Republican in his political affiliations but is not active in politi- cal life or an office-holder. April 7. 1897, he married Miss Anna Moutz, daughter of John and Victoria (Moutz) Wolfer of Colum- bus, Wis., who was born in Germany, August 22, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Cripps have one son and one daughter; Reuben John, born June 1, 1904 and Emma Victoria, born April 17, 1900. Mrs. Cripps is a devoted member of the German Catholic church.
Charles Giles Crosse, M. D., is one of the representative members
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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.
of the medical profession in Dane county, and he has been en- gaged in the practice of his profession in Sun Prairie for the long period of forty-five years, also being identified with the drug busi- ness during this time. so that he is entitled to consideration as one of the pioneer physicians and business men of this attractive and thriving village. Dr. Crosse was born in Cortland county, New York, April 26, 1828, and is a son of Daniel and Mercy (Fish) Crosse, the former of whom was born in New Hampshire, of stanch old colonial stock in New England, while the latter was born in Broome county, New York, having been a distant relative of Hamilton Fish, who was secretary of war during the administra- tion of General Grant. Joseph Crosse, grandfather of the doctor, served seven years as a soldier in the Continental line during the War of the Revolution. Daniel Crosse took up his residence in Chautauqua county, New York, in an early day, later removing to. Cortland county, whence he removed with his family to Ohio in the thirties, settling in Lake county. He remained a resident of the Buckeye state until 1846, when he removed to the new state of Wisconsin, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death oc- curring in Whitewater. Walworth county, in 1882, while his wife- there passed away in 1878. In early life he followed the black- smith trade, but he later became a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church, laboring thereafter in the vineyard of the divine Master until he was summoned to the life eternal. He was a man of noble character and strong mentality and was numbered among the pioneer ministers of his church in Wisconsin. He was origin- ally a Democrat in politics, but united with the Republican party at the time of its organization, ever afterward remaining a stanch advocate of its principles. Of his twelve children ten lived to at- tain maturity and of the number five are living at the time of the compilation of this sketch, in 1905. Dr. Charles G. Crosse secured his earlier educational training in the common schools of Ohio, after which he attended an academy at Mentor, Lake county, that state, finally entering the Western Reserve College, where he com- pleted his more purely literary education. In 1853 he was gradu- ated from the Cincinnati Medical College, from which he received his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine, and he then located in Amherst, Lorain county, Ohio, where he was engaged in the prac- tice of his profession until 1854, when he came to Wisconsin and located in Newport, Sauk county, where he continued in practice until the 1st of January, 1860, when he took up his residence in Sun Prairie. where he has since maintained his home and where.
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· he has long held high prestige and popularity in his profession, con- trolling a large and representative practice. In 1865 he became as- sistant surgeon in the Fiftieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serv- ing about one year. Soon after locating in Sun Prairie Dr. Crosse es- tablished a drug store there, and with this line of enterprise he has ever since been identified. having now a well equipped and attrac- tive establishment. Since 1880 his son, Dr. Theodore P., has been associated with him in the business, as well as in the practice of his profession, under the firm name of Crosse & Crosse. Dr. Crosse owns a valuable farm, lying contiguous to the village of Sun Prairie and is also the owner of a fine farm in Minnesota. He is unswerv- ing in his allegiance to the Republican party, with which he has has been aligned from the time of its organization, having cast his first Republican vote for General John C. Fremont, first presi- dential candidate of the "grand old party." Dr. Crosse was presi- dent of the village of Sun Prairie for three years and a member of the municipal board of trustees a similar period, while for five years he was supervisor of Sun Prairie village, and in 1880 was a member of the assembly of the state legislature. The doctor was one of the charter members of Sun Prairie Lodge, No. 143, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and was its worshipful master for the first fifteen years ; he was also affiliated with the local organization of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows until its discontinuance. Septem- ber 26, 1853, Dr. Crosse was united in marriage to Miss Rowena Smith, who was born in Lorain county, Ohio, July 17, 1830, being a daughter of David and Fannie (Barnes) Smith, both of whom died in Ohio, Mrs. Crosse being the only survivor of their nine children. Dr. and Mrs. Crosse became the parents of three chil- dren: Theodore P. is individually mentioned in this history; Charles Sumner Crosse is the publisher of a paper (Republican), in Stoughton, Wisconsin ; and Edith, who was graduated from the University of Wisconsin, as a member of the class of 1880, was united in marriage, in 1883, to Edward Gleason, and her death oc- curred in 1884.
Charles S. Crosse, editor and proprietor of the Stoughton Hub, was born near Kilbourn, Columbia county, Wis., March 22, 1858, a son of Charles G. and Rowena (Smith) Crosse. His paternal grandparents were David and Mercy Crosse of Cortland county, N. Y., and the maternal grandparents, David and Fanny Smith, were born in Amherst,' Lorain county, Ohio. Charles G. Crosse, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Cortland county, N. Y., April 26, 1828, and first came to Wisconsin in 1854.
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locating at Hart Prairie, Walworth county, Wis. Subsequently he removed to Sauk county and in 1860 settled at Sun Prairie, which place has since been his home. He is a well known physi- cian whose life is recorded at some length in the preceding sketch. Charles S. Crosse passed his boyhood days in Sun Prairie and re- ceived what educational advantages the school of that village of- fered. In 1877 he started the Sun Prairie Countryman, a weekly publication, and conducted it until 1889. That year he sold out his interest and went to Little Falls, Minn., where he was the chief in- fluence in the inception of the Little Falls Herald. His residence in the village continued only nine months, however, his connection with the paper being severed in the fall of the same year. He then came to Stoughton, where he purchased a controlling inter- est in the Stoughton Hub, which weekly publication he has since been successfully conducting. On June 25, 1884, Mr. Crosse was united in marriage to Clara Bell, daughter of Orin and Rosina Washburn of Sun Prairie and by this union is the father of two sons,-Charles W., a cadet in the U. S. naval academy at Anna- polis, and Giles W. Politically Mr. Crosse is influently identi- fied with the Stalwart wing of the Republican party. He is a mem- ber of Kegonsa lodge, No. 43, Free and Accepted Masons.
Theodore Parker Crosse, M. D., who is engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in Sun Prairie, as a member of the firm of Crosse & Crosse, also conducting a successful drug business, is a son of that honored pioneer physician, Dr. Charles G. Crosse, with whom he is associated under the title just noted and of whom specific mention is made on other pages of this work, so that a re- capitulation of the family history is not demanded in the present connection. The doctor was born in Newport, Sauk county, Wis- consin, on October 3, 1855, and January 1, 1860, his parents moved to Sun Prairie, where he has ever since made his home. He duly availed himself of the advantages afforded in the local schools, and then passed two years as a student in the University of Wiscon- sin. In 1876 he was matriculated in that celebrated institution, Rush Medical College, in the city of Chicago, where he completed the prescribed course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1879, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. IIe had previously had most effective professional preceptorage under the direction of his father. August 1, 1880. Dr. Crosse became associated with his father in the practice of his profession in Sun Prairie and also in the drug business, and he has well upheld the prestige of the honored name which he bears, both as a physician and surgeon
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and as a loyal and public-spirited citizen. He is one of the leaders in the local ranks of the Republican party, and has been supervisor of this village for many years, while has has also served as village president and been incumbent of other offices. He is a member of the state and county medical societies, and is affiliated with Sun Prairie lodge, No. 143, Free and Accepted Masons .. April 5, 1882, Dr. Crosse was united in marriage to Miss Ella Mary Rood, who was born in the state of Pennsylvania, being a daughter of Henry Rood, who was a resident of Sun Prairie at the time of his death. Dr. and Mrs. Crosse became the parents of three children: Edith is a member of the class of 1906 in the University of Wiscon- sin ; Frank died in 1904; and Theodore Giles is attending the public schools of Sun Prairie.
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