History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical, Part 86

Author: Keyes, Elisha W. (Elisha Williams), 1828-1910
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Madison, Wi. : Western Historical Association
Number of Pages: 998

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George W. Spencer, a leading baker of Madison whose place of business is at 607 University Avenue, was born in Milwaukee, Jan- uary II, 1854. His parents, James and Sarah (Southwell) . Spencer, the former born in Lewis county, New York state, and the latter in England, came to Milwaukee in 1837, one year after the organization of the territory of Wisconsin. The father's vocation was that of a harness-maker and he followed it all his life. After spending a few years in Palmyra he brought his family to Madison in 1859 and re- mained in that city the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1904 in his eighty-seventh year. George W. Spencer received his education in the Madison schools, and has the distinction of having been one of the first pupils in the old fourth ward school building. Upon the completion of his studies he found employment in the old New Eng- land bakery and served out his apprenticeship there. In 1894 he entered business for himself at 316 State street, remaining in that lo- cation four years, and then removing to 457 West Gilman street. In 1906 he purchased a lot on University avenue and erected a building in which he has since been carrying on his business. That his work and output is excellent is amply evidenced by the increase of his bus- iness from year to year. The shop is a model of cleanliness and neat- ness, two essentials which a refined patronage demands. In politics Mr. Spencer is a stanch Republican and in his religious affiliations is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. In April 7. 1884 he married Miss Mary Marky, a native of Copenhagen, N. Y., and a daughter of Christopher Marky. Mrs. Spencer was left an orphan when eight years old. There are two children in the family .- George and Ella May. Mr. Spencer is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his wife of the daughter of Rebekah.

John Coit Spooner, senior United States senator from Wisconsin, is the brilliant descendent of a family which has produced soldiers and statesmen. His forbears came from England in 1637 and settled in Dartmouth, Mass., whence they spread to other settlements along the New England coast. They were prominent in colonial affairs and were soldiers in the French and Indian wars. His great-grand- father Philip, with his brother, Michael, attained distinction in the War of the Revolution. The mother of John C. was Lydia Lord Coit. a daughter of Hon. Roger Coit, of Plainfield, Conn .; she was of Welsh

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descent, and her people were also among the earliest New England settlers. Like the Spooners, her ancestors were distinguished soldiers, both in the Revolution and in the War of 1812. The father of John C. was Philip Loring Spooner, for many years a distinguished member of the early Wisconsin bar, who differed somewhat from his predeces- sors, in that he was unambitious, except as a lawyer, was of a retiring disposition, and was essentially a man of peace. John C.'s uncle, Ben- jamin, on the other hand, was full of fire, and a gallant soldier both in the Mexican War and in the War of the Rebellion. John C. was born January 6, 1843, at Lawrenceburg, Ind., and came to Madison, Wisconsin, with his parents and two brothers and a sister, in June, 1859. After attending the city schools of Madison for a time, he en- tered the University of Wisconsin at the age of seventeen. Here he was an apt student, but was especially noted as one of the best de- baters in the famous, old Hesperian literary society. He was eager to enlist in the earlier years of the Civil War, but his father kept him to his studies until May, 1864, when he helped him to raise a company under the one hundred-day call, and young Spooner, declining a com- mission, went out as a private in Company D, Fortieth Regiment, a regiment largely composed of college students and professors. Meanwhile the University authorities, as a reward for patriotism, agreed to graduate those members of his class who enlisted before their course was quite completed. On his return in September, he again enlisted, for "three years or the war," and went forth as captain of Company A, Fiftieth Regiment, which was first detailed at Fort Leavenworth, and then in the northwest to quell Indian outbreaks. in the Sioux country. He was brevetted major, March 13, 1865, and was mustered out June 12, 1866. His title of colonel, by which he is often known, was given to him while serving as private and military secretary to Governor Fairchild, to which position he was appointed in January, 1867. In 1868 he was appointed quartermaster-general of the state and served two years, with the rank of brigadier-general, and in 1869-70 was assistant attorney-general under Charles R. Gill and Stephen S. Barlow. On the advice of his father, who feared lest he be drawn away from his profession into politics by the seductive influence of public office, he abandoned the public service, removed to Hudson, Wis., and devoted himself exclusively for many years to the law. He soon acquired a lucrative practice, and his fame as a coun- selor and advocate extended into many of the neighboring states. In addition to his large general practice, he soon became the attorney for the West Wisconsin and the North Western Railway companies;

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when these two roads were merged to form the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha, he became the general counsel of the new company. His greatest service was rendered in behalf of the Uni- versity of Wisconsin, drafting and pressing to final passage a bill levying a general tax to be added annually forever to the University fund income. The precedent thus established was followed until recent years when the legislature saw fit to again return to the practice of making annual appropriations for its support. Impartial recog- nition of his signal service in behalf of the University,-a service which gave it a settled income and started it on its great period of prosperity and growth, he was made a regent in 1882, and served with great fidelity until February, 1884. In this connection it may be also mentioned that the University conferred on him the degree of A. M. in 1869, and that of LL. D. in 1894. This single term in the legislature was Mr. Spooner's sole connection with politics while at Hudson,-except to take the stump for his friends and to attend con- ventions in their behalf,-until he was elected United States senator in 1885. He served his connection with the Omaha, May 5, 1884, when the Vanderbilt interests had secured control of the road and were ask- ing him to bring a suit for $1,200,000 against Messrs. Flower, Dows, and Porter, stockholders in the road and his personal friends and clients. After his resignation he successfully resisted the suit in their behalf. Mr. Spooner took a prominent part in the Blaine-Cleveland campaign of 1884, and has ever since taken a leading part in the coun- sels of the Republican party, and has also achieved a national reputa- tion as a political orator. His election to the United States senate over General Fairchild in his own party, and in opposition to General E. S. Bragg, the Democratic nominec, was a great personal triumph, proving as it did how highly the people regarded his achievements at the bar and the forum. The people summoned him as the ablest and bravest of the younger generation of Republicans to represent them in the senate, at a time when an able, aggressive, eloquent and resourceful debater was needed to cope with the Democratic leaders. A Democratic administration was soon to be inaugurated in the per- son of President Cleveland. When he took his seat in the senate, his reputation as an orator and a jurist of wide attainments had preceded him, and he soon acquired a place in that body usually attained, if ever, only after years of honorable service. On the expiration of his term of service he returned to the state, and soon moved to Madison from Hudson, to be near his sons in the State University. He formed the partnership of Spooner, Sanborn & Kerr, later Spooner, Sanborn

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& Spooner, and important cases came to him at once as though there had been no interruption in his practice. It was during this period that he conducted to a successful issue the important gerrymander cases for his party in the Supreme court of the State. On the expira- tion of the term of Senator William F. Vilas, who had been elected his successor in 1891, Senator Spooner in turn succeeded Vilas, taking his seat in 1897; he was elected to succeed himself at the end of his term, and is now serving his third term in the senate. His steady rise to leadership during these three terms is familiar to all the people of the country. During both the Mckinley and the Roosevelt ad- ministrations he has been the trusted adviser of both Executives and their repeated champion and spokesman on the floor of the senate. His profound knowledge of the law, his gift for constructive states- manship, his splendid oratory, courage and conservatism, and his in- comparable power in running debate have firmly established his repu- tation in the hearts of the people. Senator Spooner nominated Gover- nor Rusk at Chicago in 1888; seconded the nomination of Harrison at Minneapolis in 1892. The same year he led the forlorn hope of his party in the state, as its candidate for governor, largely reducing the Democratic majority. September 10, 1868, Mr. Spooner was most happily married to Miss Annie E. Main, of Madison, Wis., a lady of fine musical talent and great refinement. They have had four sons, one of whom, John C. died in 1881. Those living are Charles Philip, now a lawyer of Seattle, Willett Main, an attorney of Milwaukee, and Philip L., living with his parents. Their home life is almost ideal. Mr. Spooner has retained many of the tastes and enthusiasms of his early years, and is one of those men who never grow old. He is still a boy with his boys, has a young man's fondness for athletics and for all the outdoor sports, and loves the woods, and the streams and the mountains. Clean and temperate in private life, true to his friends, a man of absolute honor and integrity, modest, unresentful and gen- erous at all times, an able jurist and a great statesman, he reflects honor on the state and nation which have placed him in high place.

Hon. Philip Loring Spooner, first insurance commissioner of Wisconsin, and ex-mayor of Madison, Wis., is the second of the dis- tinguished sons of Philip Loring and Lydia (Co.t) Spooner. He comes of fine old New England stock; both his paternal great-grand- father. Philip, and his maternal great-grandfather, Samuel Coit, rose to prominence in the War of the Revolution, the latter being a colonel, and known as a fearless and terrific fighter. Numerous Spooners and Coits fought in the war of 1812 and, in fact, their

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names adorn the roll of honor in all the prominent wars of America. His maternal grandfather was the Hon. Roger Coit, of Painfield, Conn .; his father, Judge Spooner, was eminent for his great learning and attainments, and was one of that brilliant galaxy of lawyers, which rendered the early bar of Madison famous throughout the north- west. He is remembered as a man of high Christian character, a quiet and unobtrusive citizen, an exceptionally able and good man. He died in 1887 at the age of seventy-seven, when appropriate pro- ceedings were held in the circuit court for Dane county, in the United States district court and in the supreme court of the state, in which his brethren in the legal profession united in sincere ecomiums upon his sterling traits of character. Mr. and Mrs. Spooner became the parents of the following children: John C., of whom individual mention is made in this volume; Philip L., our subject ; Roger C., of Chicago, Ill., where he has charge of the Indian warehouse; Mary Coit, wife of Dr. James W. Vance of Madison, Wis. Philip L., Jr .. was born at Lawrenceburg, Dearborn county, Ind., January . 13. 1847; he came to Madison, Wis., with his parents in June, 1859. He was educated in the high school and the University of Wisconsin, an .1 in 1867 engaged in the business of fire and life-insurance. He con- tinued in this line of work until 1878, when the legislature created the office of insurance commissioner, and Mr. Spooner was appointed as the first incumbent of the new office, and re-appointed in 1880. It became an elective office by chapter 300, laws of 1881, and Mr. Spooner was again chosen. He made an able and efficient public servant, and filled the office with credit to himself and fidelity to the public interests from April 1, 1878. to January 3, 1887. He has also served in various other public capac ties, having represented the fourth ward in the common council of Madison, and as mayor of the city for one term. 1880-81. He was for many years identified with the traction interests of the city of Madison, as principal stockholder and president of the Madison Traction Co. Those who knew his father well say that the son has many of the finer characteristics of his parent. He is quiet, unobtrusive and dignified in manner, courte- ous to all, of absolute integrity and simple habits. He has been a generous contributor to many of Madison's public enterprises, and his spirit of quiet liberality is well illustrated in his recent unsolicited gift of a fine site for a Woman's Club building in Madison. Mr. Spooner has never married.

John Sprengel, son of Andrew and Rosa (Stutcke) Sprengel. natives of Germany .- the former born in 1812,-came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1857. They settled first in Dodge county,

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and Mrs. Spengel died in Watertown in 1859, and is buried in Jeffer- son county ; her husband came to Dane where he died in 1867. Of their six children three are living. Mr. Sprengel was a farmer by oc- cupat'on and a Democrat in politics ; all the family belong to the Catholic church. The subject of this sketch was born in West Prus- sia, August 14. 1840. His early education was obtained in Germany, and he was self-educated in English. He was reared on a farm, fol- lowed this occupation for some years, and still does to some extent, although he learned the trade of a carpenter and worked at it for fourteen years. He makes his home in Sun Prairie, where he owns his home surrounded by a tract of twelve acres. Mr. Sprengel served in the Civil War, enlisting in the Wisconsin First Heavy Artil- lery, in 1864, and remaining until mustered out at the close of hostil- ities. He commemorates that service by membership in the G. A. R. He belongs to the Democratic party and has acted as street commis- sioner for Sun Prairie for four years. He married, January, 1867, Miss Margaret Volker, born in Bavaria, Germany, of Bavarian parents, John and Barbara Volker, who came to Wisconsin about 1860, and who both died in Dane county. Mr. and Mrs. Sprengel have had six children, Anna, George. Theodore, Emma, Barbara, Leo.

John E. Stanford, a retired business man of the town of Black Earth, was born at Franklin county, Mass., February 20, 1831. He is one of twelve children born to Ebenezer and Mary (Hawks) Stanford, both natives of Massachusetts, the former of Boston and the latter of Franklin county. Ebenezer Stanford was a farmer all through life. He was a believer in the principles of the old Whig party, but was never an aspirant for public office. Moses Stanford, the grandfather of John E., was a soldier in the colonial atmy during the Revolutionary War. John E. Stanford was edu- cated in the common schools of his native state and at the age of eighteen began learning the trade of currier. He worked at this trade for several years, three of which were in Jacksonville, Ver- mont, and in 1856 located at Menasha. Wis., where he worked in a chair factory for about two years. In the spring of 1858 he came to Black Earth and engaged in the grain and produce business, in which he continued until 1815. except the time he was in the army during the Civil War. He enlisted in February, 1865, as a private in Company A, Forty-ninth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers and was mustered in as sergeant. He remained in service until the close of hostilities and was mustered out in Missouri, August, 1865. He was also associated with D. D. Logan in the mercantile business for some time. Since 1901 he has been retired from active pur-

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suits. In August, 1856, he married Olive, daughter of Reuben and Olive Hatch, the former a native of Halifax, Vt., and the latter of Dover, Vt. No children were born to this marriage and Mrs. Stan- ford died in August, 1904. Mr. Stanford is a Republican in his political affiliations and takes a commendable interest in public affairs. He is well known in the community where he lives and is universally respected.

Carlos Stebbins, of Waunakee, belongs to one of the pioneer New England families whose occupation, of Wisconsin in the early days helped to lay a good foundation for the subsequent upbuilding of a great commonwealth. His father, Joseph Stebbins. was born in Bakersfield, Franklin county, Vt., in 1829; his mother, Mary Jane (Martin) Stebbins, in 1833. On coming west, a farm of one hun- dired and sixty acres, in Springfield township, was first elected as a home. but soon after the family moved to Hyer's Corners, where Mr. Stebbins established a wagon-shop, and also built up a thriving business in a grocery store, whose combined interests occupied his attention for sixteen years. Later in life he returned to the business of farming and purchased one hundred and seventy-three acres, four miles west of the village of Waunakce. At present he has retired from active participation in business affairs, enjoying in his declining years the results of the efforts of his younger life. He had three children two of whom, Arline and Emmon, still reside with their parents, and Carios. The last was born in the town of Springfield, December 17, 1862, and received his education in the common school. He pursued the business of farming until he was nearly forty years of age. In 1901, he received one of the first appointments as rural mail carrier from Waunakee, serving on route No. 2, in which occu- pation he is at present employed. Both father and son are independ- ent in politics. The former served as justice of the peace for eight, and the latter as constable for seven years. On January 3, 1884, Mr. Carlos Stebbins was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Kelly, of Walworth, daughter of Michael Kelly. also mentioned in this publi- cation.

James E. Steele, a prominent and progressive farmer and stock- raiser of Dane township, is one of the native sons of the county who are reflecting credit upon themselves by their industry and public spirit. The family is of old Empire state stock, the grand- father, James Steele, who is given a more extended mention else- where in this volume, having migrated to Wisconsin and taken up his abode in Dane county as early as 1856. Robert Steele. the father of him whose name introduces this memoir, was born in

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Delaware county, N. Y., November 18, 1832, and hence was but sixteen years old when with his parents he became a resident of the Badger state. He received his education in the common schools of his native county, and also attended the primitive in- stitutions of learning in Dane county after the removal of the family here. Upon reaching manhood he decided upon farming as his life's vocation, and in 1856 settled upon the farm which is now owned by his sons, and there began to literally hew a home out of the wilderness. He first bought one hundred and sixty acres, but by industry and frugality he added to his possessions until he owned three hundred and twenty acres of finely-improved farm land. In addition to general farming he devoted considerable at- tention to the breeding of short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs, and met with gratifying success in all that pertains to a farmer's .career. The call of the general government in the early 60's for men to defend her honor served to draw the attention of Robert Steele away from the peaceful pursuits of the husbandman, and on August 27. 1862. he offered his services to his country and became a member of Company H, Twenty-third Regiment Wisconsin Infan- try, being honored with the position of second lieutenant of the company. A few months later, on December 10, 1862, he was pro- moted to the position of first lieutenant, and served in that capacity until June 30. 1864, when he resigned on account of illness. Re- covering his health he assisted in organizing the Forty-second regi- ment of Wisconsin infantry, and on September ?, 1864, was again mustered into the United States military service as first lieutenant of Company C. In that position he served until the close of the war. and was mustered out on June 20, 1865. Mr. Steele was in the engagement of Chicakasaw Bluff and took part in the attack on Ar- kansas Post, on the Arkansas river: also in the bombardment of Grand Gulf, and the battles of Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge, and through the entire siege of Vicksburg, witness- ing, at the distance of a half mile. the meeting between Generals Grant and Pemberton when they agreed upon the terms of sur- render. The war being over. Robert Steele resumed his peaceful occupation, which he followed during the remainder of his active career, the only variation being the time devoted to public affairs in capacities to which he was called by the votes of his neighbors. He filled with credit the office of chairman of the town board of Dane township, and also that of assessor, being the incumbent of each for several years. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and in religious affairs he was a member of the Methodist Episco-

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pal church for over half a century. Robert Steele was twice mar- ried, the first union being with Miss Rhoda A. Bower, a native of Orange county, N. Y., were she was born March 23, 1835. Four children were born to this union, viz: John Wesley, a resident of Lodi, Wis .: Anna Josephine, deceased ; Robert Benson, a teacher in the schools of Nashville, Tenn., and William W., who is engaged in the lumber business at Lodi, Wis. The first wife died on February 2. 1864, and on August :, 1866, Mr. Steele was married to Miss Mary Hanley, a native of Limerick county, Ireland, where she was born in 1843. To this union there were born three children : Daisy, who is the wife of Dr. G. H. Irwin, of Lodi, Wis .; James E., who is the subject of this sketch, and Samuel Hanley, who is also a farmer, and who owns a one-half interest in the old homestead farm of three hundred and sixty acres. Robert Steele died November 19, 1904, and his wife on February 18, 1905, on the same day of the week and the same hour of day. James E. Steele was born upon the farm where he now resides, in Dane township, June 8, 1873, grew to manhood and has always lived in that locality. He re- ceived his education in the common schools of the vicinity, and up- on reaching manhood followed in the footsteps of his father. adopt- ing the agricultural industry as his occupation. He and his brother, Samuel Hanley Steele, are the owners of three hundred and sixty acres of land, which is finely improved, and they are breeders of short-horn cattle and Shropshire sheep. being extensive feeders and cattle raisers. James E. Steele was married February 9, 1905, to Miss Abbie E. Loper, daughter of John C. and Catherine (Loef- fler) Loper, the father being a native of Mecklenburg. Germany, born in 1846, and who came with his parents to America in 1852, locating first in Rochester N. Y., and in 1855 coming to Dane county. Wis. During the war Mr. Loper served in the Second Wisconsin Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Gainesville, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have one daughter (an infant, unnamed at this writing). In politics Mr. Steele gives allegiance to the Republican party, and he and his wife are attendants of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.

Samuel D. Steele, (deceased), was born June 23, 1845, in Dela- ware county. N. Y. His parents,-James Steele, born in Delaware county. N. Y., January 4, 1805, and Jane (Corven) Steele, born in Scotland. in 1807 .- came to Dane and located on the farm now owned by the widow of their son Samuel, in 1848; here he died February 4, 1887, and his wife May 16, 1889. He was a man who was actively interested in politics and served as justice of the peace. His political

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and church affiliations with the Republican party and the Methodist church, respectively, have been perpetuated by his family. He and his wife had a family of seven, five sons and two daughters. The ancestry is Irish, the paternal grandparents, Robert and Nancy (Dun- shee) Steelc, having both been natives of Armagh county, Ireland, who came to New York in 1791, and were married in Courtwright, Delaware county, in 1802 ; on the ship on which they came one hun - dred passengers died of yellow fever. They made their new home in New York and died in that state. The subject of this sketch re- ceived his education in the common schools of Dane township; he followed the occupation of farming and became one of the leading farmers of the community, owning a large tract of five hundred and twenty-four acres. He has also been largely interested in the breed- ing of short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs. Miss Estella Mar- tin, born at Stoughton, May 7. 1854, became his wife December 25, 1876. She is the daughter of Abram C. and Ada (North) Martin. who came to Stoughton about 1848: the former a native of Ver- mont, born on November 19, 1824, and the latter of Essex county, N. Y., born June 16, 1829. Mrs. Martin died in Springfield, May, 1879, and her husband has retired from the active life of a farmer and makes his home in Lodi They were both members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and Mr. Martin is a Republican. To Samuel and Estella ( Martin) Steele were born three children, Ada North, who was educated at the Lodi high school, of which she is a gradu- ate : she is now the wife of Henry Gluth of Columbia county ; Leon- ard Martin, educated at Lodi high school and Northwestern business college of Madison ; he lives on a farm with his mother. Lela E. is a student of Lodi high school. The subject of this sketch was a res- ident of Lodi at the time of his death, which occurred December 6, 1896. The Steele family is one of sturdy integrity, exemplifying the best characteristics of true American manhood.

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History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical, Part 86

Author: Keyes, Elisha W. (Elisha Williams), 1828-1910 Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Madison, Wi. : Western Historical Association Number of Pages: 998

Author: Keyes, Elisha W. (Elisha Williams), 1828-1910
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Madison, Wi. : Western Historical Association
Number of Pages: 998