History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical, Part 97

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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the Whitewater normal school, taught school for a short time and married C. H. Thompson, a successful farmer of the town of Sun Prairie. They have two sons; John Eldert and Russell Vincent. Darwin Baxter, second child of Eldert Vincent, was educated in the De Forest schools and died October 18, 1902, in his early manhood, aged twenty-six years and nine months. Margaret Ada, the second daughter. was graduated from the high school in Sun Prairie, taught school for some time and was married, November 30, 1905, to Aden McCallen, of Leeds. Ethel Violet, the youngest, attended the high schools of Sun Prairie and De Forest, was graduated from the latter, and was afterward a student at the University of Wisconsin. In June, 1901, she graduated from the Northwestern Business College at Madison. Mrs. Vincent is well-educated and has been a teacher. She received her education in Chicago high school and at the University of Wisconsin. The family attends the Congregational church.

Lars N. Vingum, who operates a well equipped planing mill in the city of Stoughton, where he also does a successful business as a contracting carpenter, was born near the city of Bergen, Norway. March 4. 1844. He is a son of Nels Larson Vingum and Ellen (Nelson) Vingum. The father was a farmer in Norway, where he remained until about 1875. when he came to Amercia and took up his residence in Stoughton, where he passed the remainder of his life. his wife having died in Norway. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native land, and in 1865, at the age of twenty-one years, he immigrated to America and took up his abode in Stough- ton, where served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, there- after working as a journeyman at his trade for two years. For the past thirty-five years he has been engaged in business for himself as a contractor and builder, and for the past ten years he has operated a planing mill, finding the same valuable adjunct to his contracting business and also doing a large amount of custom work. In 1868 Mr. Vingum was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Halverson, daughter of Halver Raaennei of Norway, and they became the parents of six children,-Nels, Henry (deceased), Ellen (deceased wife of Louis Larson), Mary (deceased wife of John Erdah!), Annie (wife of Emil Herod), and Martin. In politics Mr. Vingum is a Republican, and he and his wife hold membership of Our Saviour's Norwegian Lutheran church. He is one of the poineer business men of Stough- ton and is held in high esteem in the community.

Robert Voss, a well known farmer of the town of Berry, is a de- scendant of one of the pioneer families of that part of Dane county. He was born at Dantzic, Germany. November 19, 1852, and wh.n

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three years of age came with his parents, Frederick and Henrietta (Leatzow) Voss, to America. The voyage was made on an old fash- ioned sailing vessel, and owing to rough weather lasted for eleven weeks. Soon after landing in New York the family came on west and finally located in the town of Berry, where the father bought eighty acres of unimproved land, erected a log cabin, and began mak- ing a home in the New World. While in the Fatherland he worked at the trade of brick making but after coming to this country he fol .. lowed farming for the greater part of his life. After living on his first farm for eleven years he sold it and bought two hundred acres where Robert now lives. His death occurred in October, 1902. Dur- ing his life he was a consistent Democrat in his political faith, but was never an aspirant for office, and was a member of the Lutheran church. His widow is still living at Black Earth. They had four children, viz : Robert, the subject of this sketch ; Alexander, who learned the trade of blacksmith and followed it for thirty years, died in the Black Hills; Bertha, now the wife of Carl Fehlandt, a printer of Port Washington, Wis. ; and August, who conducts a restaurant at Black Earth. Al- though Robert Voss received only a limited education in his youth, he is one of the well informed men of the community in which he lives, having educated himself by reading and associating with educated peo- ple. He lived at home until he was twenty-five years of age, when he began farming on his own account. In 1887 he bought the old home place, upon which he has built a new house and barn, and his place is pointed out as one of the model farms of the neighborhood. He car- ries on a general farming business, devotes some attention to stock raising and dairying, and in all his undertakings has been successful, owing to his industrious habits and his good business judgment. In political matters he affiliates with the Democratic party. He takes a commendable interest in all questions of public policy ; was for two years constable, and has served for many years as clerk of the . school board. For fourteen years he was treasurer of St. Paul's Lutheran church at Marxville, and was one of the liberal contributors toward the erect on of the church building. In fraternal circles he is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen's lodge at Mazomanie. On May 31. 1877, he married Mary, daughter of Carl and Mary Fehlandt, natives of Mecklenburg, Germany. To this marriage have been born the fol- lowing children: Adolph, Alma. Will'am, Clara, Lewis, Walter, Lunda, Ada and Robert. Adolph is employed at Gill's undertaking establishment at Madison ; Alma is also in the city; William holds a position on the state farm, and the rest of the chidren are at home.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

William H. Voss, of Middleton. is the owner of a fine stock farm, with about two hundred and ninety acres under cultivation. His parents were natives of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, and came to America in 1852. John and Sophia (Dahling) Voss were married in Germany and shortly after located in Milwaukee where they remained only a year. They purchased a farm of forty acres of wild land in section 16. upon which they worked for six years, when they obtained eighty acres in section 19, which was partly under cultivation. This became their permanent home and many improvements were made and buildings erected. Mr. Voss was a Democrat and an active member of the German Lutheran church, whose first edifice in Middleton he helped to build. He died in 1888, leaving five children and his wife, who still occupies the old homestead. William is the oldest son; the next. Adolph, operates the home farm; Louisa married Charles Barckhan of Middleton ; Emma is Mrs. Henry Wittenberg and Mary is the wife of Wm. Brumm of Middleton. William was born at Middleton, August 2. 1854, educated in the district school and worked on the farm until he was seventeen years of age. He then worked out for seven years, when he married and located at Springfield. Mrs. Voss was, before her marriage, Miss Angusta Frenz, daughter of Henry and Dora (Schaeffer) Frenz, natives of Mecklenburg. The young couple purchased eighty acres of farm land near Springfield and resided there six years, then moved to Middleton and bought one hundred and sixty acres in section 30, which is their present home. In 1905 the old homestead was also purchased, making in all an unusually large and valuable farm. Mr. Voss raises fine short-horn cattle, Poland China hogs and Shropshire sheep and raises all the feed for his stock upon his own fields. In 1881 he built the house and a large barn in 1901. The family attends the German Lutheran church. Mr. Voss is an active Democrat and has held several local offices; that of town treasurer for two years ; clerk of the school board for twelve years. He is a member of the local branch of the Modern Woodmen. March 4, 1879, he married and five children comprise his family. Ella, the oldest, is the wife of Frank Brown and lives on a farm near Verona. She has one son, George. Emil, George, John and Clara. all live at home. Emil attended the Middleton high school, the others the district schools.

Hiram Vroman, a pioneer farmer of the town of Fitchburg, was born on the homestead where he now resides, January 18, 1847. His father was Joseph Vroman, born in 1816, in Oneida county, N. Y.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

The subject's paternal grandfather was Jacob Vroman, of Dutch de- scent, who moved early in the nineteenth century to Vincennes, Ind., where he died, leaving seven children, John, Charles, George, Joseph. William, Elizabeth and Sarah. Hiram Vroman's mother was Mary W. ( Westrope) Vroman, who was born in 1821 in Jacksonville, Ill. Mr. Westrope, the subject's maternal grandfather, was a native of Kentucky who had removed early to Jacksonville, and from there to Lafayette county, Wis., in 1829 where he was killed in a runaway three years later. Mary Westrope (Mrs. Joseph Vroman) was the oldest of six children, the others being Thomas, Boone, Austin, Lewis and Ella. In 1836, in company with his brother George, Joseph Vro- mas came on foot to Milwaukee. After two winters in the woods Joseph started farming at Dodgeville. In 1840 he and Mary Westrope were united in mariage and immediately after the wedding started for Dane county, where they located on section 20 in the town of Fitch- burg. The log house they erected was the first structure in the town. To Joseph and Mary Vroman were born five children, George W., an engineer on the Northern Pacific railroad, whose home is in North Platte, Neb. ; Harriet, wife of Isom Sherman of Oneida, N. Y .; Eme- line, wife of S. D. Moore, Cleveland, Ohio: Hiram, and William A., a grain dealer of Gothenburg. Neb .; Hiram Vroman. the subject of this sketch, received his education in the district schools, the academy and the University of Wisconsin. In politics he upholds the Dem- ocratic faith. as did his father. He has served as chairman of the town board for four years and for thirty-one years has been district clerk. Mrs. Vroman is a member of the First Congregational church of Madison. On November 13, 1878, he married Mary E .. daughter of Boone and Sarah (Evans) Westrope. Mrs. Westrope is a native of Pennsylvania and Mr. Westrope, now deceased, was born in Illinois. The children of Hiram Vroman, all at home, are Joseph A., Elmer and Harry. Mr. Vroman is engaged in general farming and stock raising.

William Vroman, (deceased), a leading citizen and pioneer set- tler of Madison, was born in Syracuse, Onondago county, N. Y., February 28, 1818. He was of Dutch descent, the family name being originally Van Vrooman. The American founders of the family were two brothers who settled in New York in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Mr. Vroman's parents were Jacob and Olive (Tools) Vroman. His father was a native of New York and his mother of England. When he was but three years old his parents emigrated to what was then the far west, and set- tled in Terre Haute. Ind. Both parents soon died and the chil- dren were sent back to relatives in New York, where they grew up

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

and received the advantages of a common school education. At the age of eighteen. Mr. Vroman returned to the west, and in June, 1836. reached Madison. where he found employment as a carpen- ter and remained until October of the same year. He returned to New York and remained there until 1844 when he married and with his wife removed to Wisconsin. He bought land near Madi- son and became a farmer, which occupation he followed with great success until 1860 when he was elected treasurer of Dane county This office he held for four years, being re-elected in 1862. He then became engaged in the lumber business, in which, and as the senior partner in the hardware firm of Vroman, Frank & Ramsey, he continued until 1889, when he sold his interest in both firms and retired from active business. In nearly all his ventures Mr. Vroman was very successful and retired from his enterprises with an ample fortune. Always a stanch Republican, Mr. Vroman was a determined supporter of the Union during the war, and approved all measures for pensioning the veterans of that conflict. A resi- dent of the county for over half a century, he was interested in every enterprise of a public character, and had a wide circle of ac- quaintances and many warm friends. Although belonging to an Episcopalian family, he was a member of the Congregational church. His wife was Miss Harriet Field, daughter of Lincoln and Fanny (Newcomb) Field, of Oneida, N. Y., whom he married March 14, 1844. Their two children are Charles E. Vroman, of Chicago, assistant general solicitor for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul R'y, and Josephine E., now Mrs. Edwin C. Mason, of Madison. Mr. Vroman died at his home in Madison, May 1, 1896

Dr. B. J. Wadey of Belleville, the oldest physician of the place in point of residence, was born at Ogle county, Ill., of English parent- age. His paternal grandfather, John Wadey, came to this county in 1853, and settled in Ogle county, Ill: Dr. Wadey's father was at that time only two years of age, and so, although he is still a com- paratively young man, he is one of the oldest residents in that section of the state, as the country was at that time an uncultivated prairie. Mr. Harry Wadey married Miss Harriet Richards, and their son was reared and received his early education in his native county; he later attended the Sherwood normal school at Sherwood, Mich., and in 1894 entered the Rush Medical College, Chicago. After his graduation in medicine in 1897 he located in Belleville, where he is practicing at the present time. May 4. 1899, he was mar- ried to Miss Cora Ross, daughter of John A. and Catherine (Martin) Ross, of Belleville. Mr. Ross is a native of New York and Mrs.

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Ross of Scotland. Dr. Wadey is a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian church, which organization he serves as clerk; he also belongs to the American Medical Association, the Wisconsin State Medical society. the Central Wisconsin Medical society, the Dane County Medical society, and to the Masonic order, being a member of the lodge at Dayton, Green county.

John Wahl is one of the honored pioneers and prominent far- mers and stock-growers of Cross Plains township, where he owns a fine landed estate of three hundred and twenty acres, being also president of the Cross Plains Dairy Company. Mr. Wahl was born in Horm, Germany, May 26, 1835, and is a son of John and Katherine (Biemer) Wahl, both of whom were born and reared in Germany, where they continued to reside until 1852, when they came to America. the entire family settling in Cross Plains town- ship, this county, in section 2, where the father secured eighty acres of heavily timbered land, reclaiming the greater portion be- fore his death, which occurred in 1882, his wife having passed away in 1856. John Wahl, Sr., was one of the charter members of St. Francis Xavier's church, at Cross Plains, the first services of the same having been held in his house, and he was for many years a trustee of the church and active and zealous in the work of the parish, his wife also having been a devoted communicant of the Catholic church. They became the parents of three children, two of whom are living. In politics the father was aligned as a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and he ever commanded the esteem of those with whom he came in contact in the varied relations of life. The immediate subject of this sketch secured his education in German and French schools in his native province, having principally attended private schools. He was seventeen years of age at the time of the family immigration to America and he has thus maintained his home in Dane county for more than half a century. He assisted in the reclaiming of the home farm and has been consecutively identified with agricultural pursuits in Cross Plains township to the present time, while he is now the owner of one of the most finely improved landed estates in this section of the county, the buildings being of the most at- tractive type, and the land under a high state of cultivation. He has given special attention to the raising of all kinds of fruit and to the dairying business, having a high grade of live stock, and be- ing one of the principal stockholders in the Cross Plains Dairy Company. He erected his fine modern residence in 1893 and his large barn in 1899, and he still gives his personal supervision to the

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

farm. He has ever commanded the unequivocal esteem of the community in which he has so long and effectively labored, and he served forty-five years as clerk of his school district, was town- ship clerk for a decade, having been incumbent of this position dur- ing the Civil War, and he has also rendered effective service as justice of the peace. He and his wife are communicants of St. Francis Xavier's church, in the village of Cross Plains, and he is one of the members of its board of directors, taking an active in- terest in all departments of the church work. February 19, 1859, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Wahl to Miss Eva Barbara Ulrich, daughter of Anthony and Engelbertha (Conrad) Ulrich, who were natives of Baden, Germany, as was also Mrs. Wahl, the family having come to Dane county in an early day. In conclu- sion is entered a brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Wahl: Katherine is the wife of Peter Birrenkott, of Black Earth township; Max is a resident of the city of Madison and is employed as collector for the Hausmann Brewing Company ; he married Miss Agnes Essen; Charles is associated in the work and management of the home farm; Sylvester died in the state of Wyoming ; Bertha is the wife of Matthew Kelzenberg, of Madison ; Gertrude remains at the parental home; and Constance is attending college in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Warren Walker, retired, of Black Earth village, was born in Windsor county, Vt., in March, 1837. His parents, Jesse and Diantha (Lord) Walker were natives of Windsor county, Vt., where they were married. In 1851 Jesse Walker brought his family to Wisconsin. coming by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo, and then by the Great Lakes to Detroit and Milwaukee. From Milwaukee he came to tlie town of Black Earth and bought a farm just north of Black Earth vil- lage, which at the time had only a mill and five houses. After im- proving the place he went, in 1894, to Minnesota, where he died in 1897. His wife died in 1863. Jesse and Diantha Walker had five children, only two of whom are living, Jane, who makes her home in New York state, and Warren, the subject of this sketch. Until he was twenty-one Warren lived at home, receiving such educational ad- vantages as the schools of the vicinity offered. Then he started farm- ing and followed it without a break until 1901, when he retired and. removed to Black Earth village. Mr. Walker is a stanch Republican. and although he has never aspired to office, he has been honored with several positions. On November 24, 1861, he married Ellen L., daugh- ter of Orien and Dorcas L. (Pierce) Haseltine. Mr. and Mrs. Hasel- tine had lived in the same locality in Vermont from which Mr. Walk-

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cr's parents had come, and had removed early to Waukesha county, Wis., and ten years later to Black Earth, where Mr. Haseltine helped plat the vilage. He was well known throughout the county as a pol- itician and stanch Republican, and was the father of seven children. of which number Orien 1., a farmer living near Black Earth, Rollin, and Calista Park of Grand Junction, Ia., and Ellen L., (Mrs. Walker) are the only ones living. Mr. Walker is a member of the Ancient Order of United Woodmen. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have had three children. Elmer W., the only living child, is the superintendent of the state school for the deaf at Delavan, Wis. He was cducated in the schools of Black Earth and the University of Wisconsin. One child, Avenelle, passed away in 1882, at the age of five and one half years. Since graduating Mr. Elmer Walker has taught in Westfield, Black Earth, Whitewater and Superior. While living at Westfield he married Miss Martha Tompkins, who is now matron of the institu- tion of which her husband is superintendent.

Martin Walsh, of Waunakee, is a native of Ireland, born in 1837. His parents, Patrick and Mary (Whalen) Walsh were born and died in Ireland. Mr. Walsh received his educational training in his native land. In 1855, he came to New Orleans where he remained one year, and in 1856 came north and located first in Springfield, and later (1861) in Westport township. In 1865, he entered the Wisconsin Volunteer infantry as a private in Company G, Forty-fourth Regiment. and was mustered out the same year. In Westport he bought eighty acres of land, which in time he doubled. This property is operated for general agricultural purposes and stock raising, and in this he is assisted by his son, Edward J., who was born on the homestead March 14, 1882, was educated in the common school and the Middle- ton, high school, is politically a Republican and is serving his second term as clerk of the township. The subject of this sketch is a Repub- lican, and the family are members of the Catholic church. His wife was Miss Bridget Lynch, born in Ireland, in 1847, daughter of Peter and Bridget (McQuellen) Lynch, both natives of that country. Af- ter the death of his wife Mr. Lynch came to America and located in Dane county, in 1861 : his home has been in Westport since 1895. To Martin and Bridget (Lynch) Walsh have been born ten children, Patrick (deceased) ; Mary; Celia (deceased) : Peter : Nellie ; Willie and Martin (deceased); John; Edward J .; Joseph M.

Otto Walters, junior partner of the cigar manufacturing firm of Baus & Walters, was born in Hanover, Germany, September 3, 1868. Hi's parents were John and Dorothy (Heuer) Walters, na- tives of Germany where the father died in 1870 at the age of thirty-

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

two years. The mother was married, later, to Charles Kuehne, a laborer of Madison. She died February 26. 1903, in Madison. By her first husband she was the mother of three children, Otto; George, a tailor ; Sophia, Mrs. William Wirka, of Madison ; by her second husband she had one son, Philip Kuehne, a member of the Madison Model Creamery firm. Otto Walters received his edu- cation in the public schools of Madison. Then he learned the cigarmakers' trade and has worked at it almost continuously since. On October 22, 1902, he married Dorothy Stehr, a native of Ger- many who came to this country when but five years of age, and by her has two children, Edna and Aneta. Mrs. Walters is a mem- ber of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Walters belongs to the Woodmen of the World and to the Eagles. He is the traveling salesman of the firm.

John Walterscheit, who died on his fine homestead farm, on the northeastern shore of beautiful Lake Monona, on March 30, 1904, was one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Blooming Grove township, while it was his distinction to be one of the brave German-American citizens of Dane county who went forth in defense of the Union when its integrity was menaced by armed rebellion. Mr. Walterscheit was born in famous old Cologne, one of the provinces of Rhenish Prussia, on March 8. 1832, and in the same province were born his parents, Theodore and Magdaline Walterscheit, who there passe.l their entire lives. H's brother Theodore was a soldier in the Franco- Prussian war, in which he sacrificed his life on the field of battle. Mr. Walterscheit was reared and educated in his native province, where he learned the trade of broom-making. As a young man he set forth to seek his fortunes in America, and he became one of the early repre- sentatives of Germany in Dane county. He located in Springfield township, where he followed his trade up to the outbreak of the Civil War, when his loyalty to his adopted country was roused to definite protest, the result being that, in September, 1862. he sacrificed all per- sonal interests to go forth as a soldier of the Union. He enlisted as a private in Company G, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he saw long and arduous service, having taken part in many of the most important battles and operations incidental to the progress of the great civil conflict. Among the more noteworthy should be mentioned the following ; Helena, Arkansas; Friar's Point, Missis- sippi ; Dewall's Bluff, Arkansas; Port Gibson, Fourteen Mile Creek, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg and battle of Jackson, all in Mis- sissippi : and the subsequent operations in Louisiana and Alabama, in- cluding the engagements at Carrion Crow Bayou, Spanish Lake, Sa-

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Line Crossroads, Alexandria, Marksville, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, besides several others. He thus continued in active service until victory had crowned the Union arms and the long and bitter struggle reached its close: he was mustered out in June, 1865, duly receiving his honorable discharge. His interest in his old comrades was manifested in later years by his retaining membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. After the war Mr. Walterscheit was employed for nine years at the Dane county orphans' home, and after the closing of this institution he engaged in the dairy business in Madison, where he built up a large and profitable trade, supplying a large number of customers with milk and cream. This I'ne of enterprise practically en- grossed his attention for [curteen years, at the expiration of which he located on his farm, in Blooming Grove township, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was a man of unbending integrity and won and retained the good will and regard of those with whom he came in contact. He was a devoted communicant of the German Catholic church and was a Democrat in his political proclivities, while for three years he served as school clerk in his township. On September 2. 1865, Mr. Walterscheit was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaret Elbers, widow of Feter Elbers and a daughter of Matthew A. and Anna M. (Neasen) Adolph, both of whom were born in Germany. Mrs. Walterscheit's one son by her first marriage was Constantine El- bers, who was born October 31. 1862, and who died March 3. 1903. Her first husband, Peter Elbers, served in the Civil War, as a member of the Fourth Regiment Wisconsin Calvary and died in Cairo, Wis. on his way home on a furlough. Mr. and Mrs. Walterscheit became the parents of nine children, concerning whom the following record is entered: Theodore, born November 3. 1866, died May 5. 1898, hav- ing been waylaid and killed by thugs in the city of Chicago. Anna S., who was born December 17. 1868, was married in 1887, to James Nolan, now a resident of Janesville, Wisconsin, where she die 1 July 4, 1904. Bernard H., born April 22, 1871, resides in Chicago. John W .. born April 13. 1874. married Miss Minnie Wisinger, and they reside on a farm near the old homestead of his father. Matthew A., born August 21, 1876, remains with his widowed mother on the farm. Frank J., born September 22. 1878, died at the age of fourteen months. Anna M., born September 20, 1880, is the wife of Patrick O'Day. of Blooming Grove township; Sophia was born September 29, 1883, and Frederick J., March 20, 1889, and they are still at the parental home.

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History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical, Part 97

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