USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical > Part 74
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ger of the business since 1879, while his initiative and administra- tive ability has been the factor of greatest importance in the de- veloping of the large and important business now controlled by this well-known concern. The attractive establishment is well stocked with the most select lines of dry-goods, carpets, rugs, etc., occupying a substantial two-story building, which was built by the present company in 1882, its 'unique facade being one of the most attractive of all business blocks on the capitol square. When the somber cloud of civil war obscured the horizon of a divided na- tion, Captain Pitman manifested his intrinsic loyalty and patriot- ism by tendering his services in defense of the Union. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company K, First Wisconsin Vol- unteer infantry, in which he was made sergeant, serving with his regiment until the expiration of his three months' term of enlist- ment and then receiving his honorable discharge. In August, 1862, he raised a company of volunteers in Dane county. and again went into service, being adjutant of his regiment and being finally promoted captain of the company which he had raised,-Company I, Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer infantry. In that capacity · he served until December, 1863, when he resigned his commission and returned to Madison, having received his honorable discharge, at New Orleans. He was a participant in the battles of Chicka- saw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Big Black River, the campaign and engagements leading up to the siege of Vicksburg, in which he took part, having the honor of be- ing one of the valiant soldiers of the force which entered the capitulated city on July 4. 1863, the siege of Jackson, and the bat- tle of Grand Coteau. In perpetuation of the more gracious memor- ies and associations of his military career he has identified himself with the Grand Army of the Republic, the Loyal Legion and the Society of the Army of the Tennessee. In politics the captain gives his allegiance to the Republican party and while he has ever shown a loyal interest in public affairs of a local order he has never been animated with ambition for official preferment. He and his family are members of Grace Protestant Episcopal church. Captain Pitman was a member of the volunteer fire department of the city for some twenty-five years, for ten years having been foreman of the Hook and Ladder company. He is a member of the State His- torical society. the Madison Horticultural Society, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen : he is also a director of the Northwest- ern Building and Loan Association. March 14. 1864, Captain Pit- man was united in marriage to Miss Eugenie S. Bemis, of Madison.
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and they have three daughters, Bertha S., Jennie M. and Annie M. The eldest daughter is the wife of Prof. F. C. Sharp of the Univer- sity of Wisconsin and the mother of two children, Malcolm P., aged seven, and Elliot C., two years of age. The other two daugh- ters make their home with their father.
Morris Porter was one of the early residents of Dane county and he and his father, Garrett Porter, have been prominent in its affairs for many years. The family lived in Connecticut in an early day and Garrett Porter was born in Oneida county, N. Y., January 11, 1804, was graduated in the home schools and there married Miss Lusina Hart, who also was born in Oneida county, in 1803. Gar- rett Porter came to York township, Dane county, Wis., in 1845, and obtained one hundred and twenty acres of government land which he proceeded to clear and improve, making a valuable piece of farm property. To this he added until his farm consisted of three hundred twenty acres of fine farm land. Garrett Porter was an energetic and active man and did all in his power to promote the growth of the new community. He was road supervisor and aided in planning some of the earliest roads. He also served as supervisor and treasurer of the town of York and was allied with . the Democratic party as is also his son Morris. Morris Porter was born in Lodi, now Guawande, Cattaraugas county, N. Y .. Febru- ary 1, 1832, attended school in New York and in Dane county and assisted his father on the farm. He owns a fine farm of one hun- dred and fifty acres and occupied himself with operating it for many years, but is no longer actively employed in farming. He is a Democrat and held the office of treasurer of the school district for thirty years. He and his family are prominent in the Metho- dist Episcopal church, as were his parents. April 26, 1857, Mr. Porter married Miss Orzelia C. Fuller, daughter of Chester and Caroline (Nash) Fuller, who came to Dane county from Illinois in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have two sons, both of whom were educated in the home schools. The oldest son, Chester G., resides in Wauwatosa and is reporter in the circuit court of Milwaukee. Edgar M. is train despatcher employed by the South Shore & Atlantic railroad and makes his home in Marquette, Mich.
William Henry Porter, (deceased), was born at Wenham, Essex county, Mass., November 10, 1830. The direct genealogical line as preserved in the family records is, John Porter, born in Dorset, Eng- land in 1596, Samuel, died in 1660; John, born in Wenham, Mass., in 1658, died March 8, 1753; Jonathan, born September 11. 1696, died October 8, 1759; Tyler, (M. D.,) born in Wenham, 1730, died
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January 2:, 1811; Jonathan, born April 28, 17:1, died September, 1862 ; William F., born in Wenham, April 18, 1806. died in Jack- sonville, Fla., November 20, 1878: William Henry, born in Wen- ham. November 10, 1830, died at Marshall, Wis., August 26, 1905; James H., born in Marshall, October 4, 1879. The parents of W. H. were W. F., born in Wenham, Mass., April 18, 1806, and Clarissa (Lummus) Porter, born at Union, Me .. in 1198. He came of sturdy New England stock being the eighth in descent from John Porter, one of the early New England colonists, to whom was granted land near Boston, and of whom it was written, "he was a man of energy and influence, became a large land owner. held many official positions, and was deputy to the general court." The great grandfather of Mr. W. H. Porter, D :. Tyler Porter, was a physician, an eminent citizen, and distinguished as a patriot in the Revolutionary War; his father, William F. Porter, was a man of enterprise and spirit, and resided in Massachusetts until the spring of 1856, when with his only son. William H., he came to Dane county, Wis. He settled first in the town of Burke and later removed to Madison, where for several years he was interested in large real estate operations, both in the city and in the adjacent towns. In 1860, in company with Samuel Marshall, he purchased a tract of land lying in and around the village of Marshall. In 1863, he returned to Massachusetts, and settled at Brighton, near Bos- ton, and this was his home for the remainder of his life, although failing health necessitated spending his winters in Florida. He died there, at Jacksonville, November 20, 1818, leaving a widow, his second wife, and an only son. It was said of him, "in all rela- tions of life he was a good citizen and in the highest sense of the phrase, an honest man." The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, and later in Lawrence academy, of Groton, Mass. He came to Wisconsin with his father in the spring of 1856. and became a permanent resident of Marshall in 1865. He was a large farmer and mill-owner, holding property in partnership with Samuel Marshall until 1880, when he became sole owner and pro- prietor of Maple Avenue Farm and the Marshall Roller Mills. He was an ardent Republican, was post-master at Marshall for eighteen years, chairman of the township for thirteen years, and member of the assembly in 1890-91. He was brought up in the Congregational church, but was never a member of any church so- ciety, but was always interested in the welfare and prosperity of the various church organizations of the village and gave liberally to their support. Mr. Porter was twice married; first to Miss
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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.
Elizabeth M. Bell, April 25, 1870, daughter of Charles E. and Georgeanna (Currie) Bell, of Marshall. She died October 29, 1873, leaving an infant son, William Aubrey, who died September 16, 1874. On December 26, 1876, he married Miss Nettie Page, daughter of James H. and Prusia (Thompson) Page, of Stough- ton. Three children were born of this union, William Fairfield, born November 20, 1877, died October 17, 1887; James H., born October 4, 1879, who lives at home; Charles Henry, born January 31, 1887, died August 28, 1888. Mr. Porter was one of the promi- nent and substantial citizens of Marshall, and one of its foremost business men who for forty years was closely allied with all the interests of the village. He was one of the founders of Marshall academy, and its treasurer for three years; was a member of the Grange, and several times its worthy master; was one of the or- ganizers of the bank of Marshall and its first president, and was widely and favorably known throughout the county and state. He was a man of great force of character, of strong practical sense ; a loyal friend, a wise counselor. His influence was always on the side of right, of justice, of sobriety. of integrity, and for whatever was for the highest good of the community in which he lived. In his personal life he was the soul of honor, and his char- acter for honesty and fair dealing was above reproach. He died at his home in Marshall, August 26, 1905, leaving a wife and only child. James H. One sister, Martha E. Porter, born April 1, 1833, died January 23, 1855.
George S. Post, printing clerk in the office of the secretary of state, was born in Dane county, June 20, 1860. He is of New Eng- land and English lescent, the former on the father's side, the latter on the mother's. The father, William H. Post, is the caretaker of Chad- bourne Hall, the woman's dormitory of the University of Wisconsin. He came to Wisconsin before the Civil War, leaving the vocation of fisherman, in which line he inherited his father's talent, to become a farmer. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company K, Twenty- second Wisconsin Infantry, and served with distinction for over three years. At one time he was captured by the Confederates, but was not long confined in prison. At the cessation of hostilities he returned to Madison and entered the employ of the Garnhardt-Ray company, hay- ing charge of the city lighting. He and his wife, still honored citizens of the capital city, are members of the Congregational church. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of their seven children, six of whom are still living. William H. is a locomotive engineer who makes his home in Sioux City, Ia. Walter G. is in the dravage business in Mad-
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ison, Marcilla is at home. John I. is a photographer and Lucius I. a musician. George S. Post received his education in the public and private schools of his home city. While still a young man he went into the employ of the State Journal printing company to learn the trade of printer. His service with this establishment lasted twenty- six years until his appointment to his present position in January, 1903. On June 4, 1886, Mr. Post was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Droyer, a native of Canada and a daughter of John and Min- nie Drover. Mr. Droyer is deceased, but his widow makes her home in Madison. To Mr. and Mrs. Post have been born three children,- Ethel, R., Lillian G. and Lenna R. Both the parents are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Post is a member of the Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of which latter order he is a trustee. of the Woodmen of the World, and of the Modern Woodmen of America,-having been presiding officer of that organization for five years, and of the Royal · Neighbors of America. Politically he is a stanch Republican, belong- ing to the dominant wing of the party in Wisconsin.
Lawrence Post is one of the leading and trustworthy citizens of the town of Perry, and after a varied career, the early part of which was filled with adversity sumcient to discourage the stoutest heart, he now lives in comparative comfort and ease, enjoying the fruits of his own labor and the perseverance which enabled him to triumph over difficulties. He was born in Somerset county, Penn., April 15, 1841, his parents being George and Elizabeth Post, but he was left mother- less at the tender age of fourteen days and fatherless when but eight years old. having one sister two years older than himself. After his father's death his step-mother married John Mergler and, in 1850. they migrated to Dubuque, Iowa, coming to Wisconsin in the fall of the same year, and settling in the town of Perry, Dane county. His step-parents were very poor, and the country being new our subject experienced a winter of great hardship and exposure, in the absence of sufficient food and clothing. In the spring of 1851 the family moved to the town of Springdale and there the ten-year-old boy was obliged to work among strangers, the compensation being his board or a shilling per day. The following season he was hired out to Edward Dale, in the town of Blue Mounds, for the summer months at five dollars per month or thirty dollars for the season. There young Post first learned to speak the English language and also to do all kinds of farm work, but at the end of his hire he returned and gave what little money he had earned to his step-parents and attended the district school during the winter on days when there was not anything else 46-iii
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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.
for him to do. In the spring of 1853 he again hired to his former em- ployer, Mr. Dale, receiving ten dollars per month for the summer sea- son, and he took a two-year-old steer as part payment to mate with one that he had at home, the two later becoming a valuable yoke of oxen. For a few years immediately following this Mr. Post remained with his step-father and assisted in breaking new ground, the step-fa- ther having purchased sixty acres of land in the town of Perry and moved theron in the spring of 1856. The following season, 1857, a fine crop of wheat was raised, and as Madison had risen to the dignity of a railroad station it afforded a market for that cereal. Money was much needed by the family, but as they had no wagon and the near- est neighbor who owned a vehicle in which the grain could be trans- ported lived several miles away in the town of Blue Mounds, it took five days for young Post to secure the loan of the wagon, make the trip to Madison and then return the wagon to its owner. Forty- eight conts per bushel was received for the wheat, which made the compensation very meager for the time spent. But such was pioneer" life. In the spring of 1859 young Post had a falling out with his step-parents and leaving his home he started out determined to in- augurate his independent career, with a limited school education but an abundance of practical experience and self reliance. The hardest part of the leave-taking was the parting with his only sister, who had become the wife of Simon Keller and lived in the immediate neighbor- hood, and whom he was destined never to see again, as she died but a short tima afterward, in April, 1859. While searching for work he met a stranger who induced him to become a companion on a trip to the Wisconsin pineries. The trip began on March 14, and was made afoot by the way of Madison and Portage to Stevens Point, at which point his companion took passage in a stage coach and left young Post to complete the journey alone. He finally reached his destination, walking forty-five miles the last day of his jourrey, and arriving at nightfall, tired and hungry, with but a three-cent piece representing his supply of cash. To add to his discomfiture the mills all had their full complement of men and the rafting crews had the'r necessary quotas. But with his threa-cent piece he purchased a loaf of bread, and this, together with a drink of cold water constituted his morning meal, after which he started out in search of employment. After working for his board several days he secured a position as cook on a raft, with St. Louis as the destination, and his compensation for the trip was to be sixty dollars. Reaching Fulton, Ill., he accepted fifty dollars as payment in full for his services, and taking the first steam boat to Galena, thence walked to Mineral Point, Wis., and from
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there back to the town of Perry, reaching hond in July. Soon there- after he was taken sick with the prevailing fever and ague, and for two months he was unable to do anything, his money all being spent for medical relief. After his recovery he hired out as a farin hand and for about a year worked for Hall Chandler, receiving ten dollars per month for his services. At the end of that time he was again at- tacked with a serious illness, and after recovering went to the city of Madison and secured lighter employment for a few months, after which he returned and worked for Mr. Chandler until the spring of 1861. After repeated attempts to enter the United States military service, and being as often disappointed, he enlisted on April 26, 1861, as a private in Company K of the Third Regiment Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry and served with that command until July 14, 1864, when he was mustered out on account of his term of service having expired. He first enlisted for three months, but on receipt of the news that no further enlistments for three months would be received he promptly enrolled himself as a volunteer for three years. The regiment was mustered into the United States service at Fond du Lac on June 29, and each volunteer was then given a state uniform and two months pay at eleven dollars per month. Mr. Post received a twenty-dollar gold piece and two dollars in change, as his portion, and he sent the gold piece, together with a photograph of himself, to his half-brother, John, who was then in very poor health and who died the following year. The regiment left the state on July 12, 1861, for Hagerstown, Md., but unfortunately Mr. Post was taken very ill with an attack of measles, and he was the only member of the regiment that was left behind. After his recovery he went to Madison and reported to the adjutant-general, making application to be sent to his command, but while his transportation was being made out orders came from the government calling the Fifth Wisconsin regiment to the seat of war. and by the request of the governor Mr. Post joined that command and went with it to the city of Washington by the way of Harrisburg and Baltimore. He then rejoined his regiment at Hagerstown and re- mained with it during the summer and fall, doing guard duty along the Potomac river. He took an active part in helping to capture some of the legislators of Maryland and other Confederate sympa- thizers, and he was also employed as assistant baker for the regiment part of the time. He was with his regiment in the Army of the Potomac during the Shenandoah campaign and participated in the pursuit of the enemy up the valley and in the battle of Cedar Mount- ain. where, out of the forty-four men in his company, eighteen were either killed, wounded or taken prisoners. Mr. Post was among the
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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.
latter, and after about six weeks imprisonment at Libby and Belle Isle he was paroled and sent to Washington, where he was soon after- ward exchanged. He then rejoined his regiment, in the latter part of October, 1862, and with it took part in the battles of Chancellors- ville, Beverly Ford and Gettysburg. After the latter engagement he marched with his command to Warrenton Junction. Va., and was then on account of illness sent to Lincoln hospital at Washington, D. . C He was never again fit for field service and the rest of his term of service was spent in hospitals, excepting time spent at home on fur- lough in the latter part of 1863, and he was mustered out as stated above on July 14, 1864. On being discharged he' returned to the town of Perry and took charge of his step-father's farm, which he afterward purchased, and part of the same he still owns. In the fall of the same year he secured employment with the government and worked for a time as a laborer on the levy at Duval's Bluff, Ark., then as a cook, and was afterwards detailed as the foreman of a gov- ernment bakery. In March, 1865, he was discharged from this service and again came home and turned his attention to farming, which has been his vocation since. He is a stanch Republican in his political views and he soon became recognized as a leader of his party in the vicinity in which he lives .. He was elected and served several term's as overseer of highways and constable, nine years he served on the town board as supervisor, five years as chairman of the town board and member of the county board, over thirty-three years as justice of the peace, eight years as notary public, and during eighteen years he was a director of the Perry Fire Insurance Company. during five years of which he was the secretary and treasurer of the same. Besides these he has filled minor church and school offices. Mr. Post was married on July 16. 1866, to Miss Mary Heller, of the town of Perry, daughter of Mrs. Julianna Heller, a widow. This marriage was a happy one and was blessed with seven children, four sons and three daughters; Peter J. R. is mentioned more at length on another page of this volume: George L. was born March 4. 1869: Mary Helena. March 6, 1872; Frances Theresa, October 14, 1874: August, August 24, 1876: Julia Agnes, January 5, 1880; and Eugene Lawrence, Janu- ary 5, 1883. Of these seven children four have been, public school teachers, Peter J. R. and Julia A. teaching both English and German. Peter J. R. and Eugene L. are graduates of the commercial depart- ment of the Northwestern Business College at Madison. The chil- dren are all married excepting the youngest son. Eugene L., who manages his father's farm of one hundred and eighty acres, which is well stocked for the dairy business. Mr. Post is also extensively en-
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gaged in the fruit business, having nearly four hundred bearing apple trees, and besides he is engaged in the apiary business on quite a large scale. As his record amply proves, our subject is a self-made man, and it is but just to say that few men possess the respect and confidence of their fellow men to a greater degree than does Mr. Post. His truth and veracity were never doubted; he has always been true to his trust and honest in his dealings, and his wise counsel and good judgement has been a safe-guard for many a one who came to him for advice. He has aways been noted for his liberality, kindness and hospitality, never turning a cold shoulder to the poor and needy, but always trying to make the world better for his having lived in it.
Lewis Post, a thrifty and well-known market gardener of the town of Madison, was born in Greene county, New York, August 14, 1848. His parents, Samual and Katie (Miller) Post were both of Ger- man descent and were both born in New York state. In 1856 Sam- uel C. Post gave up his business of fishing in New York and came to Wisconsin, purchasing one hundred and forty-nine acres of land, with a small clearing and a log house on it, in the town of Madison. He and his son Lewis spent some years in improving the place. Besides Lewis there were seven children in the family, only two of whom, Charles, a carpenter, and William, both of Madison, are now living. The father and the mother died on the farm. Lewis Post received his education in the district school and attended the University of Wis- consin for two years. At the age of thirty he started in business for himself by renting a farm. At the end of three years he was able to buy his present farm. In 1893, he built his home. Only thirty-seven acres of the original one hundred and forty-nine remain, the rest hav- ing been sold, but these thirty-seven acres comprise one of the finest fruit and market gardens in the country. Mr. Post is also interested in bees and supplies not a few Madison people with honey. Politi- cally Mr. Post is a Republican. For one term he served as town treas- urer and has held school offices at different times. A devout member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Madison, Mr. Post has served as steward of that institution for a good many years and is at present superintendent of one of its Sunday schools. On March 19, 1878, he married Miss Alice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Gil- bert, and to this marriage have been born the following children. Carrie at home: George G. a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and now an instructor in the electrical engineering course there; Edith, Kate and Francis, all graduates of the Madison high school; Robert and Jessie, now attending the same high school, Samuel at home and
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