History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 158

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1304

USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Wisconsin > Part 158

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ROBERT G. SIEBECKER, attorney at law ; was born in the town of Sumter, Sauk Co. Wis., Oct. 17, 1854; that was his home until he came to Madison, in August, 1872, and entered a pri- vate school, which he attended for two years ; then he entered the University of Wisconsin, where he graduated from the scientific department, Class of 1878, and graduated from the law department in June, 1880; was admitted to the bar in September, 1879. Was married in Madison, May 15, 1879, to Josephine La Follette; she was born in the town of Primrose, Dane Co., Wis. Mr. S. is the son of Will- iam and Christina (Graf) Siebecker, both natives of Central Prussia ; they came to Sumter in 1851. His father still resides there ; mother died April 15, 1876.

C. F. SLIGHTAM, joint proprietor of restaurant, Madison, Wis .; was born in Madison, Wis., Feb. 25, 1853, and is the son of John and Ann Slightam, who came from England; Mr. S.'s father kept the first meat-market ever opened in Madison, Wis .; he died in 1855. Mr. S. was for eight years a clerk in the crockery store of R. S. Garlick, and then forming, in August, 1878, a partnership with his brother, Mr. Robert Slightam, began the business in which he is now engaged. Oct. 21, 1873, he married Miss Sadie Francomb, who was born Sept. 11, 1854; they have one child-Clarence Howard, who was born Sept. 30, 1876. They belong to the Episcopalian Church. Mr. S. is a member of the " Lake City Guards."

HON. WILLIAM E. SMITH, Governor, born in Scotland June 18, 1824. Came to America in early childhood. Came to Wisconsin in 1849 and located at Fox Lake, having previously resided in the city of New York, and Oakland Co., Mich. In 1872, he removed from Fox Lake to Milwaukee. Was a member of the Assembly in 1851 and 1871, and was Speaker of the Assembly in the latter year. Was State Senator in 1858 and 1859, and also in 1864 and 1865. Served as State Treasurer in 1866, 1867, 1868 and 1869. He was a member of the Board of Regents of Normal Schools from 1858 to 1876, and was a Director of the State Prison from 1874 to 1878. In 1877, he was elected Governor, and was re-elected in 1879.

JAMES Q. SMITH, veterinary surgeon ; boarding and livery stable, five doors below Fisher's furniture rooms. Was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1839. Has lived in Wisconsin since 1842. His father was a teacher in public schools in Patna, Scotland, for thirty years. President McCosh, of Princeton

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College, was his father's pupil. James Q. graduated, in 1867, from the Veterinary Institute of Chicago. His residence, for many years, was in Columbia County, being engaged in business for twenty years in Portage ; six years in Sun Prairie. Came to Madison in 1875. Married in Portage City, in 1861, Miss Quimby. Have had four children, who are all dead but one, a daughter, Jessie. Mr. Smith is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and is Past Grand of Amicitia Lodge, No. 166, I. O. O. F., of Sun Prairie. His residence is on the corner of Pinckney and Wilson streets. He is the leading veterinay surgeon in Madison, and has an increasing patronage.

RUFUS B. SMITH, born in Colebrook, Conn., March 1, 1846. Was educated at Yale Col- lege. Went to Warren, Penn., from college in 1867. Was admitted to the bar, in Pennsylvania, Nov. 23, 1869 ; and engaged in practice at Warren until September, 1871, when he came to Madison, and has been engaged in practice here ever since. He was City Attorney from the spring of 1878 to the spring of 1880. Enlisted in Co. F, 2d Conn. Heavy Artillery, Sept. 14, 1864, and served until July 7, 1865, and was wounded, at the battle of Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864. Married Oct. 13, 1869, at Warren, Penn., to Mary Clemons. They have one child-Mary E., born in Warren.

W. LA FAYETTE SMITH, attorney and counselor at law; office on Main street, in Darwin Clark's new block. He was born in Medina, Ohio, on the 22d day of February, 1838. He is the son of Judge R. Smith, a prominent pioneer and Circuit Judge of Medina Co., Ohio. The Judge was wealthy and influential, but became dissipated and divorced; a few years afterward the Washingtonian movement reached and reformed him. The subject of this sketch, when five years of age, was present at the marriage of his parents-his own father and mother. This reunion took place under an immense canvas tent, which was obtained at Cleveland for that purpose, and was witnessed by fully five thousand people, the Judge, after his reformation, having become famous as a temperance lecturer. Soon after his second marriage his parents came West; stopped one year in Chicago; afterward, awhile in Kenosha, and then settled in Madison. Mr. Smith was educated at the Wisconsin State University. He was mar- ried, in 1860, to Miss Ella Foster, daughter of Hon. H. L. Foster, ex-member of the General Assembly from Dane County. They have four sons-Charles F., Perley Cothren, Goldwin and Rublee. His resi- deace is on the corner of East Canal and Wilson streets. He read law in the office of his brother, George B Smith, and has practiced law in Madison since 1860, with the exception of one year-a portion of 1875 and 1876-when he made an extended tour of Europe. Some published letters of his interesting experience attracted general attention. He has accepted no civil office, and is not a member of any secret society or church. He has been an energetic and persistent practitioner, and has secured professional and pecuniary success. His frankness and candor are well known, and his integrity is unquestioned.

HOLDEN SNELL, dealer in real estate, was born Nov. 23, 1825, in Manlius, Onondago Co., N. Y .; son of Holden and Polly Farr Snell, farmers in New York State. He was educated in the public schools of his native town. He was five years in the produce commisson business in Ohio. Was married, April 5, 1853; to Miss Isabella Gardner, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, daughter of Isaac Gardner, a merchant of Logan Co, Ohio. In the fall of 1853, he built a home in the vicinity of the Orphans' Home-now the Norwegian Lutheran Seminary. In the spring of 1854 he, with his family, entered into their new home, which was one of the pioneers in the Third Ward, on Third Lake Ridge. Mr. Snell was two years agent for Gov. Farwell in the sale of his immense tracts of land in and about Madison. From 1857 to 1867 he lived on his 80-acre farm in the township of Madison; this farm he improved and ornamented-'twas then wild land, now that vicinity is a beautiful cluster of civilized homes. Since 1867 he has lived in the city ; has built and fitted up fully a dozen homes. For several years he was devoted to the interests of the Madison Mutual Fire Insurance Company. For the last twelve years he has been engaged in reclaiming nearly five acres of marsh-has filled in over 17,000 loads, and it will soon be ready for use, making a valua- ble addition both to the business and residence portion of Madison. He owns considerable real estate in this city, and has expended tens of thousands of dollars and years of time in improving property in Madison. He is an indefatigable worker, of fine executive ability and liberal public spirit. Has five children-Mag- gie E .; I. Gardner, a drug clerk in Madison; James Willard, a Junior in Wisconsin University; J. Hol- den and Natalie Ernestine, at home. Family are Congregationalists. He has held no political office ; belongs to no secret society. He is strictly temperate; his has been a busy life, making waste places " to bud and blossom." He is thoughtful and philosophical.

HARVEY D. SNOW. foreman of State Journal press-room, was born in Fredonia, Chautau- qua Co., N. Y., Oct. 2, 1826 ; at the age of 18, he learned his trade in Buffalo, in the old Pilot office, B. A. Manchester, proprietor ; his father, William Snow, was a printer, and young Harvey's earliest labors were in a printing office. He came West in 1849, and remained three years in Beloit, then four years in

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St. Anthony's Falls, Minn., and then, in 1857, located in Madison ; his first work was in the office of the Wisconsin Patriot, S. D. Carpenter, editor and proprietor. Was seven years with the Democrat; was nearly three years express messenger between Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien. He was married, Dec. 31, 1854, at Minneapolis, Minn., to Miss Matilda K. Markell, of Ashtabula, Ohio ; they have had six children-Katie (deceased), died at the age of 14; Charles C., died in infancy ; William H., died in childhood ; the living are Carrie E., Clinton M. and Sanford I .; the oldest daughter is married and living in Newark, Ohio. In November, 1878, he was engaged in the pressroom of the State Journal office, and, since January, 1880, has been foreman of the same; is a member of Madison Lodge, No. 5, A., F. & A. M .; the family affiliate with the M. E. Church; residence, corner Mifflin and Butler streets ; is a skilled mechanic.

GEORGE SOELCH, of the firm of Rhodes & Co., meat-market, of Madison, Wis., was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 26, 1837; he is the son of Christopher and Barbara Soelch, who are both still living in Germany. Mr. Soelch came to America in 1851, and lived in Chicago, engaged in his pres- ent business as butcher, until he went to Madison in the fall of 1857; upon first going to Madison, he opened a meat-market, and continued thus until, in 1865, he formed the present partnership. Sept. 3, 1871, he was married, in Madison, to Miss Harriet Kastner, who was born May 26, 1850, in Bavaria, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Soelch belong to the German Lutheran Church.

DAVID T. SORENSEN, of the firm of Sorensen, Fredricksen & Fish, proprietors of Mad- ison Planing Mill and Lumber Yard, also contractors and builders ; was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1831, and came to the United States in 1854, and, after spending a few months in Chicago, he settled in Madison in the spring of 1855, which place has since been his home. He was married, July 9, 1854 (the day before embarking for America), to Miss Jacoben Petersen, a native of Copenhagen, Denmark; they have three boys and three girls, all born in Madison ; his residence is on Johnson street; he is man- ager of the mill, which is located on Dayton street, and at present gives employment to thirty men ; is fur- nished with all modern machinery needed for doing all kinds of work in wood. This firm built the main building of the Oshkosh Asylum, and also the main building and south wing of the Elgin Insane Asylum, and many other buildings outside of Dane Co .; they erected the Park Hotel, Congregational Church, Sec- ond Ward Schoolhouse, Fifth Ward Schoolhouse, Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and a number of business blocks in Madison; they built seventeen stores and other buildings in 1871. Mr. Sorensen's family are Presbyterians; he is a Knight Templar ; he never accepted any political honors; his business calls for all his time and energies ; in politics, he is a conservative Independent ; the firm are prosperous and useful citizens.

PHILIP L. SPOONER, JR. Was born at Lawrenceburg, Dearborn Co., Ind., Jan. 13, 1847; resided there until his parents, Philip L. and Lydia (Coit) Spooner, removed with their family to Madison, in June, 1859; has lived here ever since; was educated at the high school and State Uni- versity ; after leaving school, in 1867, he engaged in the fire and life insurance business, which he followed until 1878, when he was appointed Commissioner of Insurance, and was re-appointed in 1880. Has been Alderman of the Fourth Ward, member of the Board of Education, and was elected Mayor in 1880.

JOHN H. STARK, grocer and saloon-keeper, Madison, Wis. ; is the son of John and Helen Stark, and was born in the Province of Rhine, Germany. Sept. 23, 1838 ; came from Germany to Milwau- kee in 1846; by trade, Mr. S. is a carpenter and contractor, and, after coming to Milwaukee, worked at his trade in that city for ten or fifteen years ; removed to Madison, Wis., in the fall of 1877, and bought out the location he now occupies ; he re-built the German Catholic Church of Madison ; also put up sev- eral other buildings. June 22, 1861, Mr. S. married Miss Mary A. Bullesbach, who was born in Rhine Province, Germany, May 18, 1842 ; they have had eight children, of whom seven are living-Helena K., Mary Matilda, Frank, Eddie, Josephine, Rosa and Johnnie. The family belong to the German Catholic Church. While living in Milwaukee, Mr. S. was a member of the Board of Supervisors and City Council.

CHRISTIAN R. STEIN, Iumberman ; was born in 1829, at Bischofsheim, Germany ; he graduated in the college of that village, and served as a volunteer in the Baden Revolution; in 1849, he emigrated to America, and remained in New York for about a year, and during that time learned the cooper's trade at Rochester ; he came to Milwaukee in 1850, and worked at his trade till 1852, when he went to California to try his fortune in mining ; he experienerd the trials and hardships of a miner's life while in the Golden State, but when he returned to Milwaukee, in 1855, he was able to begin business on his own account. His mining speculation had " panned out " satisfactorily, and he married Frances Ban- mann, a native of Germany, and removed to Madison in 1854, where he opened a soap factory and con-

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tinued to conduct it for eight years ; at the end of that time, he started in the grocery business, and after a time added the lumber business ; he sold his grocery store in January, 1880, and is at present engaged in the sale of lumber. Mr. S. is rather independent in politics, and he is now a member of the City Council from the Third Ward, having been elected by both parties. He is an upright business man and a good citizen, and has, by his judicious management of his business, amassed a handsome competency. His children are Theckla, born July 12, 1857; C. Hedwig, Oct. 27, 1859 ; Bertha V., Sept. 23, 1862 ; Ottilia, Jan. 27, 1866, and Ida F., Oct. 21, 1871.

JOSEPH ANTON STEINLE, saloon-keeper; is the son of Joseph and Francisca (Keohnle) Steinle, and was born in Masenbach-housen, Oberamt, Brackenheim, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, German Empire, on July 7, 1838 ; he came with his parents to America in 1840, and settled in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio; in June, 1846, they removed to Milwaukee, Wis., and Mr. S. worked in a soda- water factory in that place for four years ; in February, 1856, he went to Madison, Wis., and went into the employ of Mr. Caspar Mayer, with whom he remained for about sixteen years ; in 1876, he began the business in which he is now engaged. Mr. S. belonged to the fire department of Madison from its organiza- tion until 1875 ; in 1866, he was Assistant Engineer of the department, and, at various times, held other offices in the company ; he is an Odd Fellow, also a member of the Druids, and of Madison, No. 2, Relief Association, of which body he was President in 1878-79 ; in 1879, Mr. S. was elected Alderman of tha Third Ward, for a term of two years ; he is at present Senior Alderman. Oct. 20, 1860, Mr. S. was married to Miss Dorothea Margaretta Langeneckhardt, who was born Jan. 9, 1838, at Wilgersdorff, Kreis Siegen, Province of Westphalia, Prussia , they have had nine children, seven of whom are living-Lizzie, born Aug. 7, 1861, died Oct. 9, 1862 ; Joseph Edward, born July 5, 1863 ; George Anton, born Sept. 10, 1865; Emilie Therissa, born Aug. 14, 1867 ; William, born Oct. 6, 1869; an infant, born Sept. 18, 1871, and died unnamed, Sept. 24, 1871 ; Josephine, born Oct. 12, 1872; Catharine, born Oct. 8, 1874, and Leo, born July 7, 1879.

JOHN W. STERLING, PH. D., LL. D., elected Professor of Mathematics at the organization of the first faculty of the Wisconsin University, on the 7th of October, 1848; he was born in Wyoming Co., Penn., July 17, 1816 ; his academic education was obtained in the State of New York ; after fitting for college he delayed entering upon the college course, but for three ycars turned his attention to the law, studied two years in the office of Judge Woodward, of Wilkesbarre, Penn., but never engaged in the practice of the profession ; at the age of 21, he entered the Sophmore class of the College of New Jersey, and graduated with honor in the class of 1840 ; he was Principal of Wilkesbarre Academy one yesr, and then resigned to enter the Theological Seminary in Princeton, N. J .; he completed this course in the spring of 1844 ; he officiated as tu or in the College of New Jersey, and afterward engaged in mis- sionary labors in Pennsylvania ; Prof. Sterling came to Wisconsin in July, 1846; he served one year as Professor of Mathematics in Carroll College, Waukesha, and was a resident of that city when called to the University of Wisconsin ; from 1860, up to 1865, he was Dean of the faculty ; in 1865, he was elected Vice Chancellor, and, in 1869, he was elected the First Vice President of the university, which office he still holds; in addition to the chair of Mathematics, he filled those of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy from the time instruction was first given in those studies down to 1874, when they were assigned to others ; nearly eight years he has been Acting Chancellor during the thirty-one years of his faithful service, which covers the entire period of the university's corporate existence; of his ability in the class-room, hundreds of students who have had the benefit of his instruction are witnesses; his methods produce satisfactory results, for, as an instructor, he is conscientious, prompt, painstaking and accurate ; as acting head of the university, he ruled with a firm but kindly hand, and, by precept and example, stimulated all the classes to a higher culture and a nobler manhood; while attending to the duties of his office, he did not neglect his class-room duties ; during one terin, in 1866, in the absence of the tutor, he voluntarily took charge of the preparatory department, in addition to his other college duties, hearing some ten recitations daily.

Owing to protracted severe labors, his nervous system gave way, and his health was so impaired that, in June, 1874, the Regents gave him leave of absence for six months ; three months of this time, during the summer vacation, he spent in Europe ; he returned with greatly improved health and entered upon his university duries, having been absent from his classes only four weeks ; this brief absence is the only vacation he has taken since the organization of the university in 1849. Prof. Sterling was married, on the 3d of September, 1851, to Miss Harriett Dean, of Raynham, Mass .; they have had eight children, five of whom died in childhood ; the three living are Grace F., Susan A. and Charles G. ; the youngest daughter graduated from the university in 1879, with the second honors of her class ; and the son grad- usted in the class of 1880, with the first honors. In 1866, Prof. Sterling received from his alma mater

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the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy, and the same year from Lawrence University, at Appleton, Wis., that of Doctor of Laws, honors worthily bestowed upon a successful teacher, high-minded citizen and Christian gentleman ; his public addresses are characterized by scientific accuracy, combined with solidity and purity, both of thought and diction. In 1869, he was offered the Presidency of a college near . San Francisco, Cal., and he has often been gratefully named by the alumni and other friends of the insti- tution, as one of unquestioned fitness to receive the highest official dignity of the University of Wisconsin. Prof. Sterling's unselfish devotion to the university, through evil as well as good report; his faithful stewardship, uniformly rendered, whether as Professor or as chief officer, have endeared him in a marked and peculiar way, not only to those immediately connected with the institution, but to its friends every- where.

F. M. STEWART, Clerk of the United States District Court ; was born in the town of Eaton, Madison Co., N. Y., near Morrisville; he resided there until he came to Wisconsin in August, 1850, locating for a short time at Ft. Atkinson, Jefferson Co .; in the spring of 1851, he removed to Oak Grove, Dodge Co., and was engaged in clerking there one year ; was also in the same business one year at Portage ; in August, 1853, he removed to Newport, Sauk Co., and followed clerking there until 1858; was elected Clerk of Circuit Court for Sauk Co. the fall of 1859 ; re-elected twice ; was Clerk of the Senate from 1863 to 1866; practiced law in Baraboo until 1870, when he was appointed Clerk of the United States District Court.

DR. W. D. STILLMAN, dentist ; was born in Plainfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., Jan. 30, 1841 ; came from Richfield Springs, Otsego Co., N. Y., to Madison in February, 1873. Enlisted in Co. C, 44th N. Y. V. I., known as the " Ellsworth Avengers," in August, 1861; served eighteen months and was mustered out on account of disability. Married at West Winfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Jan. 18, 1865, Mary E. Fairchild, a native of Winfield. Since coming to Madison, and for fifteen years previous, the Doctor has engaged in the practice of his profession.

LORENZO D. STONE, passenger and ticket agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway at Madison ; born in September, 1832, in New Hampshire. Was married, in 1853, to Miss Eliza A. Stratton, of Nashua, N. H. ; they have two sons, one, W. L., is in the general office at Milwaukee, and the other, C. E., is in the freight office at La Crosse; family affiliate with the Congregational Church ; he came to Wisconsin in April, 1855, and entered the employ of the old Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad on the 1st of October of the same year ; he was clerk a few years and then appointed agent, the position he has since held ; has now charge also of the East Madison Station. For twenty-five years he has served the railroad and traveling publie at this station. Has several years been Alderman of the Fourth Ward, and for four years a member of the County Board. Owns the residence No. 83 Main street, and. also owns a farm of 265 acres in the townships of Madison and Fitchburg, which he superintends ; it is devoted mainly to general stock-raising ; has 47 thoroughbred and grade Durhams, fully 50 Cotswold sheep, and 100 hogs, mostly of the Poland-China breed ; he cuts 100 tons of tame hay, and 25 to 50 tons of marsh hay, and rents 50 acres of the plow land ; the entire farm is available, except 25 acres of woodland ; has thrifty orchards ; land is in a good state of cultivation, and is now bearing luxuriant crops of all kinds adapted to this latitude ; has a substantial brick farmhouse, good barns and farming implements ; he farms both for reereation and profit, and combines the qualities of a practical and book farmer. Mr. Stone is a popular official and a respected citizen.

THOMAS STONE, Supervisor of the Male Department of the Wisconsin Hospital for the Insane; he is son of the late Richard Stone, a prominent farmer and also Postmaster of Freshford, Kilkenny Co., Ireland ; he was born in 1844, and was educated in the parochial school of his native town, and also in the Pococke Institution, which is an endowed school. In 1864, he was married to Miss Margaret Hogan, of his native town, who died in September, 1872, leaving five children-Anna J., Sarah, Richard M., Robert and Thomas V. ; all are in school at Milwaukee; he came to the United States in May, 1870, and settled in Madison and received employment in the State Hospital in Au- gust of the same year; was an attendant for six years, and since the 1st of October, 1876, he has filled the office of Supervisor of the Male Department. He is a Royal Arch Mason and is an Episcopalian ; has no blood relatives in America except his children ; he has two brothers in Ireland and two sisters in Aus- tralia ; he took out his naturalization papers as soon after his arrival as the law would permit, and he is thoroughly devoted to the land of his adoption. His superior officers report him as competent and reliable.

JAMES R. STUART, artist ; was born Feb. 9, 1834, in Beaufort, S. C .; he is a lineal descendant of Francis Stuart, who emigrated from Scotland to South Carolina in 1745 ; he was educated

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in the South Carolina College, at Columbia, S. C., and in the Scientific School of Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. From early childhood he had a passion for drawing ; he spent one season in the studio of Joseph Ames, in Boston ; studied two years in Munich and Carlsruhe, Baden, Germany ; returned to his native State, in May, 1861, and served during the war in the Engineer Corps of the Confederate Army ; opened a studio in St. Louis, in 1868, where he remained four years ; in 1872, he settled in Madison, Wis., and this city has since been his home, with the exception of two seasons, as art instructor in the Milwaukee College, at Milwaukee, Wis. He was married, in 1875, to Mrs. Mary H. Jacobs, nee Mul- holland, of Louisville, Ky. ; family are Episcopalian ; he is art instructor in the University of Wisconsin ; his studio is ia Browns' Block, Madison. His specialty is portraits and genre painting.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 158

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 1304

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1304