USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical > Part 9
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bine is a member; he assisted in the erection of the present church and parsonage of the denominat'on in Sun Prairie. On March 5, 1884, Mr. Birkinbine was married to Miss Emma Haner, who was born in Bristol township, this county. November 19, 1854, being a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Stroup) Haner, now residents of Sun Prairie. Mr. and Mrs. Birkinbine have five children, whose names, with respective dates of birth, are here entered: Eva, January 27, 1885 ; Minnie, September 13, 1886; William Frank, October 4, 1888 ; Sarah, December 3. 1890; and Robert, November 10, 1893.
Adolph Birrenkott is one of the leading stock-growers and far- iners of Cross Plains township, which has been h's home from the time of his birth, and no citizen of this locality is held in more dis- tinctive confidence, while his progressive ideas and marked business acumen need no farther voucher than that afforded in the success which stands to his credit and the attractive appearance of h's fine farm. He was born on the home farm of his parents, in section 28, this township, June 7, 1855, and is a son of Michael and Clara M. (Kalshauer) Birrenkott, both of whom were born in Rhenish Prus- sia ; they came to America as young folk and their marriage was solemnized after their arrival here, both having left the fatherland about the year 1852. Michael Birrenkott was born in Kerpen, Ger- many, September 7, 1830, a son of Adolph and Margaret Birrenkott, with whom he came to America when about twenty-two years of age. The family made Dane county their destination, and Michael and his father first purchased one hundred and twenty acres of wild land, in section 28, Cross Plains township, erecting a primative log house on the place and later making an addition to the same, while they grappled with the forest and improved a good farm. The par- ents of Michael here passed the remainder of their lives. Clara M. (Kalshauer) Birrenkott was born July 13, 1830, having been a daughter of John and Theresa Kalshauer, who came to Dane county about the same time as did the Birrenkott family. Michael Birren- kott became a man of prominence and influence in the community, having served as supervisor and assessor of his township and hav- ing been a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, while both he and his wife were communicants of the Catholic church. His death occurred January 12, 1874, and his widow entered into eternal rest February 26. 1884. Of the nine children the subject of this sketch was the first-born and eight of the number are living, one having died in infancy. The names of the others are here entered in order of their birth: Theresa. Gertrude, John, Jacob, Peter, Michael J. and Joseph. All are still resident of Dane county. Adolph Birren-
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kott was afforded the advantages of the schools of his native town- ship and after the death of his father he remained on the old home- stead with his mother until the time of his marriage. He still con- tinued on the old homestead, however, and eventually purchased the interests of the seven other heirs, and he now owns two hun- dred and eighty-six acres of well improved land. He has individu- ally made many improvements, in the way of erecting and remodel- ing buildings and the farm is one of the model places of the town- ship. He now gives his attention more especially to the raising of high-grade live stock, having short-horn cattle, which he buys and feeds and then places on the market each year, while he also raises horses and swine and has a considerable dairy business. He is a great fancier of fine horses and has several standard-bred horses of distinctive beauty and value. He is a stalwart in the local camp of the Democratic party and he has been chairman of the township board twelve years, while he has held other local offices and is recognized as one of the political leaders of his township. He and h's wife are communicants of St. Mary's Catholic church, at Pine Bluff, and he was treasurer of the parish seven years. November 24, 1885, Mr. Birrenkott was united in marriage to Miss Anna J. Conrad, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, March 21, 1866, being a daughter of John J. and Katherine (Herchenroder) Conrad, who were born in Germany. They settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where they remained until 1868, when they came to Dane county, Wisconsin, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Birrenkott have seven children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Margaret K., May 1, 1887; Michael J., May 21, 1888; Clara M., February 6, 1892; Theresa J., March 20, 1894; Katherine M., August 20, 1900; Anna E., Septem- ber 3, 1902 ; and A. Verner J., April 18, 1905.
Grant E. Bissell operates one of the largest farms in Vienna town- ship. His father, Henry H. Bissell, was a native of New York and a pioneer of Columbia county, where he came with his father, Uri Bissell, in an early day. Henry Bissell was married in Columbia county, to Miss Cacindra Wilkins, also a native of New York, and lived for a number of years upon a farm. For some years past he has been the owner of a hardware store and luniber-yard at Brown- town, Wis., but has retired from active business and resides in Madison. Mr. and Mrs. Bissell are members of the Adventist church. Their family circle included nine sons and daughters, of whom all but two are now living. Grant E. Bissell, their son, was born at West Point, Columbia county. Wis., July 1, 1868, attended
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the common schools in Green and Dane counties and later the Northwestern Business College. For a short time he followed the profession of school-teaching but soon turned his attention to farm- ing and at present rents the David Robertson property of eight hun- dred acres and carries on an extensive general farming business be- sides raising short-horned cattle, Clydesdale horses and Poland China hogs. His sympathies are with the Prohibition movement and he is allied with that political party. February 15, 1893, Mr. Bis- sell married Miss Addie Dodge, who was born in Roxbury, Dane county, Wis., daughter of George and Ellen (Brereton) Dodge. Mr. Dodge was born in New York and his wife in Ireland. They were early settlers of Dane county and now reside in Roxbury township. To Mr. and Mrs. Bissell were born five children and all are yet at home. Ellen C. is the oldest daughter and (in order of their ages) the other members of the family are Albert H., Grace E., Dorothy E. and George E. The Bissell family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they are active workers.
Jerome Bixby is one of Dane county's pioneers, whose strong and hearty old age comes as the crown of an active and useful life. A native-born American, as were both his parents, Mr. Bixby is the son of George Bixby, who was born in Connecticut and Eunice (Taylor) Bixby, whose birthplace was near the Susquehanna river in New York. Their home was in Genessee county, N. Y., for many years and their later life was spent with their son Jerome, in Wisconsin. Five children were born to them: Mallisa, the eldest, is the wife of A. D. Stevens of Oregon, Wis. ; Hulda is Mrs. J. Smith and lives in Illinois : Jerome was the next son; the youngest son died and Elizabeth, the youngest daughter, married Mr. L. Miller and resides in Bureau county, Ill. Jerome was born in Genessee county, N. Y., May 11, 1827, received such limited education as the schools of the district afforded at that time, and came west in 1845. When he was a boy it was customary for the children of the com- munity to go barefoot to church and the mistress of the house con- sidered herself fortunate if she had a calico dress to wear, home- spun being the common garb. Jerome Bixby located in Ogle county, Ill., for one year, then came to Janesville, Wis., and drove a team between Janesville and Milwaukee for three years. His first visit to Stoughton was made in 1847 and in 1849 he located there. He saw the first lumber hauled for Stoughton buildings the first store opened by Luke Stoughton, etc. In 1851 he purchased eighty acres of farm land near Rutland and became one of the first resi- cents of that community. The original homestead has been en-
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larged and the farm now consists of one hundred and eighty acres of fine farm land, which has been improved in every way. It is known as the "Island Lake Farm," the name bestowed upon it by its owner, and upon it is carried on a general farming business, in- cluding the raising of fine stock. Mr. Bixby also owns a large tract of land in Aurora county, S. Dak., and is heavily interested in Colo- rado mines. A Republican in sympathies Mr. "Bixby has never de- voted much time to politics, though he has served as a member of the town board for two terms. For three years he was delegate to the Farmers' National Congress and has attended county conven- tions. He is a member of the Stoughton branch of the I. O. O. F. February 14. 1892, he married Miss Mary S. Emmons, daughter of Isaac and Emily Emmons, whose home is in New York state.
Claus Black is one of the highly respected citizens of the town of Oregon, and although more than two-thirds of his life was spent in the far-away land of his birth he is contented in the knowledge that his sons and daughters are enjoying the privileges and advan- tages guaranteed to all in their adopted country, America. It is to the citizens of foreign birth such as he who is the subject of this brief review, that we are indebted, in part at least, for our material advancement and national prosperity. Mr. Black was born on the island of Lolland, Denmark. August 12, 1825, the son of Ole Larson and Bertha Marie (Hanson) Black. He grew to manhood in his native country, was educated in her schools, and then showed his loyalty and allegiance to the government by serving as a soldier in the war between Denmark and Germany, in 1848-50. In 1882, with his wife and ten children, he migrated to America. Three children preceded him to this country, and one remained in Denmark for another year. He first settled in the town of Union, Rock county, where he rented land for one year, and then bought a farm in the town of Oregon, Dane county, where he is now living a retired life. The difficulties confronting this family can hardly be real zed by the native-born American. When they arrived on Wisconsin soil none of them could speak a word of English, but with unusual determination and natural ability of a high order they succeeded nicely and were soon reckoned among the substantial citizens of the community in which they lived. Aside from the subject that first demanded his attention-that inexorable "first law of nature"- self-preservation. Mr. Black early took more than a passing interest in American institutions and especially affairs of a local nature. He became a convert to the political faith of the Democratic party and has given faithful allegiance to that organization since he first 7-iii
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exercised the high prerogative that goes with American citizenship. The date of his marriage, which was solemnized in the country that gave him birth, was in October, 1856, and the lady of his choice was M'ss Sena Hansenaskafta, who was also born in Denmark. May 16, 1835, the daughter of Hans and Anna Dorothy (Barcusson) Hansenaskafta. The names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Black, and other information concerning each of them are appropriately given in this connection : Theodore Olaf resides in South Dakota ; Theresa Maria is now wife of Mace Matson, of the town of Fitch- burg; Rasmus lives in Minnesota; Louis is given more extended mention on another page; Dora is the wife of Peter Miller, of the state of Washington; Wilmer married Francis Neibur and resides in the town of Rutland; Sena became the wife of Henry Lutz, of Milwaukee, and is now deceased; Hans married Ida Wood and resides in the town of Dunn; Christian resides at the old home ; Anna Marie is the wife of Halvar Rhinedahl, of Sun Prairie, Wis .: Fredrika Amelia is the wife of William Bates, ot the town of Oregon ; Mary is the wife of John Bjoin, of Stoughton ; Nels Peter married Sadie Hagan and resides in the town of Oregon; and Lovie C. remains at home where he has charge of the farm and of the general affairs of the family. He was educated in the district schools of the town of Oregon, and is a young man of more than ordinary intelligence. He is an active member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Oregon, and is exceedingly popular wherever known.
Louis Black is one of the thrifty farmers of the town of Oregon. who, by his industry and careful management has won a posi- tion of influence in the community in which he resides. He is one of the sons of Claus Black, who is given appropriate mention on another page of this volume, and with the family the subject of this review came to America in 1882. Louis Black was born in Denmark on December 20, 1863, and hence was eighteen years of age when the family decided to try their fortunes in the new world Having received a fair education in his native tongue, after locat- ing in America he supplemented the knowledge thus gained by attendance upon the district schools of the town of Oregon, and with good natural ability and force of character he was thus equipped to solve the problems of an independent career. He made his home upon the parental farm until 1894, and then pur- chased sixty acres of excellent land in the town of Oregon, upon which he has since lived, and which he has greatly improved by the erection of a fine residence, barns, fences, and the addition of other
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improvements necessary to the making of an up-to-date homestead. On March 7, 1894, he was married to Miss Anna Barmhisel, a native of the state of Ohio, but reared and educated in Grant county, Wis., to which place her parents had removed a few years after the close of the Civil War, in which her father had rendered valiant service as a Un'on soldier. Mr. Black takes an independent position in political matters, not allying himself with any party organization, but giving his support to men and measures as they meet the approval of h's conscience and good judgement. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church.
James Blake, a retired farmer of Mazomanie, was born in County Clare, Ireland, August 15, 1835. He is the eldest of three children born to Henry and Margaret (Mangen) Blake, the father a native of county L'merick and the mother of county Claire. The other two children were Mary and Henry. The mother died in Ireland in 1849, and the father married a widow named McGrath, but no children were born to his second marriage. In 1851 the family came to America on a sailing vessel, landing at Quebec, Canada, after a voyage of five weeks. From Quebec they came by way of the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, and from there to Janesville, Wis., where the father went to work on the construction of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, assisting to build the road as far west as Middleton. In 1855 he bought a tract of government land in the town of Vermont and lived on it for several years, when he went to Green county, Wis., and there lived the rest of his life. James Blake had but limited opportunities to acquire an education. Soon after coming to this country he began driving team, grading the railroad on which his father was employed, and later secured employment as a farm hand. While thus engaged he studied nights and learned to read and write. He was next employed in a flour mill at Monticello for two years, after which he ran a mill for John Adams in Iowa county for some time. He then bought land of his father and began farming for himself. Five years later he sold this farm and bought two hundred acres in another locality, in the town of Black Earth, and lived there for twelve years. He then bought the four hundred and thirty-eight acres known as the "Summer Side" farm, and lived on it until 1889. He then sold this farm and took up his residence where he now lives, on ten acres of ground near the town of Mazomanie. In his political affiliations Mr. Blake is a Democrat. He has served on the town and village boards of Vermont, Black Earth and Mazomanie, and has been called at times to serve as a grand juror or a member of the jury
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in the United States district court. He belongs to the Catholic church at Mazomanie and has been a liberal contributor to its many worthy charities. His brother Henry served four years in the Civil War as a private in Company A, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry. On July 5, 1857, James Blake and Catherine Denen, daughter of Jeremiah Denen, a native of County Cork, were united in marriage, and to this union have been born eight children. George is the railroad agent at Inman, Kan .; Patrick H. is cashier of a bank at Orofino, Idaho; James W. is president of the Fidelity state bank, of the same place; Jeremiah J. is an attorney at Boise, Idaho; Margaret R. is the wife of J. B. Carey, of Cloquet, Minn .; Kate, deceased, married J. P. O'Grady, cashier of the state bank of Ober- lin. Kan .; Helen is now the wife of J. P. O'Grady ; El zabeth is the wife of Edward L.Murphy, of Pennock, Minn. All the children are well educated, six of them having taught school, and all are doing well.
Henry D. Blanchar is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of the town of Windsor which is his birth-place. He is the son of Wil- liard Blanchar, who came from New York to Wisconsin in 1848. Horace Blanchar, father of Williard, was born in New York and came to Dane county in 1850. He married Miss Lovisa Pyer, also a native of New York. Williard Blanchar was born in Chautau- qua county, N. Y. April 20, 1822, married Miss Elvira Cooper, born in 1824, and came to Dane county, Wis., in 1848. He obtained a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in the town of Windsor and lived there until 1883, when he sold the farm and went to live in
Madison. Mrs Blanchar died in 1851. The second wife of Mr. Blanchar was Miss Mary Reynolds and now lives in Madison, Wis. Mr. Blanchar died in 1888 in Florida. Four children were born to the first marriage, of whom three are living, and five children blessed the second marriage, of whom three are living. Mr. Blanchar was prominent in the comuunity, held the office of superviaor and treas- urer in the town and was allied with the Republican party, as is also his son Henry. Henry D. Blanchar was born in Windsor township April 7, 1850, attended the home schools and the North- western business college in Madison, Wis. For a year he engaged in business in Souix Falls, S. D., but preferred the occupation of farming and in 1883, purchased the old homestead in Windsor, a farm of two hundred twenty-nine and one-half acres, which has since been his home. Mr. Blanchar devotes considerable attention to stock-raising and has Holstein cattle, Poland China hogs and Shropshire sheep, with which he is very successful. Mr. Blanchar
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is a Republican and has served as supervisor of the town for a num- ber of years. April 12, 1883, he married Miss Anna Chambers, who was born in Springfield township, Dane county, in September, 1855, daughter of William and Jane (Dunlap) Chambers, who were na- tives of Ireland and came to Springfield in 1853. In 1880 they went to live in Madison and after nine years residence in that city came to live in the home of Mr. Blanchar at Windsor. One son, Stan- ley E. was born to Mr. and Mrs. Blanchar in 1885, educated in the Windsor high school and married Miss Grace Robinson, daughter of Barber F. Robinson. The family attend the Congregational church.
Henry Bliefernicht is a well-known farmer and stock-raiser of De Forest. He is the son of Daniel Bliefernicht, who was born in Germany, July 7, 1800, and there married Miss Sophia Racho, also a native of Germany. Their married life was spent on a farm in Germany and Mrs. Bliefernicht died there in 1850, forty-five years of age. Ten children were born to them, of whom seven are now living. Mr. Bliefernicht came to the United States with his son Henry in 1852 and lived for a time in Watertown, Wisconsin. In 1864 they located upon a farm in the town of Windsor and Daniel Bliefernicht lived until 1885. The family attended the Lutheran church of which their son Henry is a member. Henry was born in Germany, December 31, 1842, attended school there and afterward in Jefferson county. He early engaged in farming and commenced by renting, in 1864, the farm which is now his own. In 1868 he purchased the property, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, and he has improved and equipped his farm until it has become a valuable property and a comfortable home. He makes a specialty of Polled Angus cattle and Poland China hogs. Mr. Bliefernicht has served the community as assessor and treasurer and super- visor of the town of Windsor and is allied with the Republican party. April 10, 1870, occurred his marriage to Miss Freada Klingenberg, born in Germany in 1850, daughter of John and Char- lotta (Knutz) Klingenberg, who came to the United States from Germany in 1853. Mr. Klingenberg was born in Germany in 1830 and h's wife in 1827. After a short residence in Columbia county they moved to Morrisonville, where Mrs. Klingenberg died in 1903 and her husband still resides. Three of their seven children are living. To Mr. and Mrs. Bliefernicht have been born six children ; Regina, William, Daniel, Amelia, Martha and Hulda.
John Bliven is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and eighty acres in the town of Albion, which has been the home of the family
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since 1843 and was the birth place of the present owner. His grandfather came from Washington county, N. J. to Alfred, N. Y. in an early day and there Horace, father of John, grew to manhood. Of a family of eight children but three came west, Silas, Horace and William. Silas went to Nebraska. William made his home in Evanston and Horace settled in 1839 where the city of Milton now stands. He was a shoe-maker by trade but engaged in farming in Wisconsin. In 1843 he went to Albion and purchased a farm of eighty acres to which he added from time to time until the property comprised one hundred and eighty-six acres. His first home was built of logs but he was successful in his enterprise and soon con- verted his farm into a profitable property with substantial buildings. Mr. Bliven belonged to the Seven Day Baptist church and was instrumental in the organization of a branch in that community. was a charter member of the church at Milton and also at Albion. Carpenter as well as shoe-maker and farmer, Mr. Bliven was em- ployed on many of the buildings of the neighborhood, gave his ser- vices as well as financial assistance to the erection of the Albion academy and was always a generous and public-spirited man. He was a Republican but never desired political office. In 1843 he married Miss Charlotte Clement of Dunham, Canada, and eight children were born to them; William, who lives with his brother John, up on the old farm ; Mary J. who is Mrs. Buchanan of Jack- son, Mich. ; Susan M., Mrs. Alexander Campbell of Albion ; John B .; Amos, who resides in Carthage, S. Dak; James G., also on the farm ; Eliza, Mrs. Chas. Smith of Albion ; John G. who died in infancy. Mrs. Bliven died in 1878 and her husband in 1881. John Bliven was born in Albion, attended the district schols and the Albion academy and has been occupied with farming since he was a a young man. January 15, 1875, he married Miss Julia Van Horn of Cambridge, who died November 10, 1893. The present Mrs. Bliven was Miss Jessie Van Horn, sister of Mr. Bliven's first wife and daughter of Nathan Van Horn, a pioneer of Jefferson county, who built the first woolen mill in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Bliven have three children : Marjorie, Marian and Doris. . The family are identified with the Seven Day Baptist church of Albion.
Aslak Bohle is a native of Norway but. has been a resident of Perry township since he was a boy of thirteen and has for many years been engaged in farming in that vicinity. With his parents, Ole and Enger (Knudtson) Bohle, he came to the United States in 1873 and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin. Ole was employed as a farm hand in Perry for several years and in 1883 purchased an
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eighty-acre farm, which he cleared and improved and made his per- manent home. For twenty years he owned this farm and but re- cently retired, sold the homestead and went to live with his son, Aslak. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ole Bohle, of whom Alask is the oldest son. Alask was born in Ordahl, Norway, October 22, 1861, attended school in Norway and continued his edu- cation in the district school of Perry near his home. At the age of twenty years Aslak left his father's home and purchased a piece of land in the town of Perry, one hundred and nineteen acres in extent, which is his present home. To this twenty-one and one-half acres more were added and the whole farm improved and converted into a profitable and valuable property, on which Mr. Bohle carries on a general farming business. In August, 1886, he married Miss Mila Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. (Milam) Anderson. residents of Iowa. Of the twelve children who blessed the marriage, but eight are living, all with their parents. In order of their ages. they are: Inda, Oliva, Amanda, Albert Edwin. Anna Amanda, Otto (deceased). Carol. Matilda (deceased). Melvin, twins 'who died in infancy and Thea. Mrs. Anderson was one of a large family, at- tended school in Norway and came to America with her parents when a young girl. She and her husband preserve their associa- tion with the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Bohle is a member of the Republican party although not an active politician.
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