History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 202

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 202


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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CROYDEN SARGEANT, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O. Brooklyn; born Jan. 27, 1821, in Ches- terfield, N. H .; attended the common schools, the old Chesterfield Academy, and a review course at the M. E. Seminary at Newburg, Vt .; began at 18 and taught five terms in New England; came West in 1843, and paid almost his last dollar for 40 acres of his present farm; reaching Freeport, Ill., with just


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60 cents, he obtained a school near Cedarville; afterward taught at Evansville and Wiota, and several winter terms after his permanent settlement on the farm in 1845; has taught in all, twenty terms. Sept. 22, 1846, he married, in Sutton, Vt., Miss Lucy W. Hutchinson, of St. Johnsbury, Vt .; they began on the homestead in a small log house, and, as their only capital was youth and health, saw what would now be termed hardships; in 1852, they removed to an adjoining 40, which he bought, and lived in a long, low, rickety frame house until the present tasteful residence was built, in 1866; Mr. Sargeant has 220 acres, with good barns, stables, etc .- 125 acres under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Sargeant have had four children-William E., Amy J. (deceased), Grace A. and Charles H. Mr. Sargeant is liberal in politics and religion, being governed by reason, not prejudice; he was one of the School Commissioners of Rome Precinct in 1845, and once after the organization of Oregon Township; was also Town Superintendent under that system.


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E. R. SHEPHERD, merchant, Oregon ; born in the town of De Ruyter, Madison Co., N. Y., Oct. 28, 1843; educated in his native town, and bred to mercantile life; while yet a student, he enlisted, July 28, 1861, in the 3d N. Y. V. C .; spent the first year in Virginia, and fought at Ball's Bluff; was also in the famous Shenandoah Valley, and engaged at Marysville and Winchester ; transported to North Carolina, the regiment spent two years in raiding over the State; Mr. Shepherd re-enlisted at Norfolk, Va .; rejoined his regiment at Newbern, N. C., but was finally sent to join Geu. Butler at Petersburg; re- turning from the thirteen-days raid under Gen. Wilson, they were surrounded by a largely superior force, and, after the desperate fight at Reem's Station, were driven back to the Yellow Tavern; the regiment took an active part in the cavalry battle at Mountain Hill, July 31, 1864, and in many others on the Weldon Railroad and James River, sometimes mounted and at others on foot; a narrow escape from capt- ure was one of his adventures after the explosion of Ft. Hell, they being deserted by the 11th P. V. I. ; Mr. Shepherd was Orderly Sergeant two years, and commanded his company three months; was mustered out July 25, 1865; returned to his native State and settled in Oregon Oct. 12, 1867 ; clerked two years for J. W. Scoville; spent 1870 in the State of New York; again came to Wisconsin, and, after a year's work for Scoville, began business with Charles Bunker; since the spring of 1873, he has conducted busi- ness alone, carrying a general stock of everything except boots and shoes. He married, in Oregon, Oct. 12, 1869, Miss Cornelia A. Page, a native of Vermont; they have four children-Jessie M., Frankie, Florence and Fred (twins). Mr. Shepherd is a Republican; was Town Treasurer in 1871, and the pres- ent year ; is a member, with his wife, of the Presbyterian Church ; also a member of Oregon Lodge, 151, A., F. & A. M.


SAMUEL SHEPARD, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Oregon; born April 25, 1814, in Byron, Genesee Co., N. Y .; his parents, William and Mary (Hill) Shepard, were farmers and New England peo- ple; in 1846, Mr. Shepard visited Badgerton, coming from Milwaukee to Mukwonago, Johnstown, Mt. Zion, Janesville, Cooksville, etc., to Madison, where he found a store or two and a hotel-a party of six making the entire trip on foot; they followed an Indian trail to what is now Storytown, spent a night with old Capt. McFadden, and on their return Mr. Shepard claimed 120 acres, which he entered at the Milwaukee Land Ofice; in June, 1847, he brought out his family. Mr. Shepard was the first shoemaker In Oregon, working ten or twelve years in a 14x16 log house, one story, with "shake roof; " " pretty shaky, too," as the gray-haired pioneer now says; ox teams, Indians and log houses were then as common as high taxes, " style " and jealousy now are; after many happy years in the old log house, Mr. Shepard built his present substantial brick in 1857. His wife was formerly Hannah Story, born Oct. 8, 1817, in Stafford, Genesee Co., and married in Batavia in 1837; they have two children-Omer S., born Nov. 26, 1842; and Mary E. (Mrs. J. C. Trotter), born Feb. 12, 1845, in Byron, N. Y. Samuel Shepard now has 77 acres, O. S. has 127, and Mr. Trotter 100, all on Secs. 17 and 18. Father and son are Repub- licans, each having been a member of the Town Board five or more years; Mr. Shepard was one of the founders of the Storytown Baptist Church, of which his family are members.


E. D. SHOLTS, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Oregon ; born Aug. 10, 1821, in Yates Co., N. Y .; his father died in 1840, and in 1846 the mother and four children came West, Mr. Sholts buying 80 acres, of which 72 are a part of his present 104-acre farm; he also owns 80 acres in Town of Rutland; his first log house, built with shake roof covered with sods, was so leaky as to cause tubs, pans, etc., to be placed on the beds during heavy rains, and they were quite apt to be filled. His first breaking was a blno- der, as he broke on the corners where four "forties" joined, and of these only one was his; still, Mr. Sholts has made the best of progress, having good buildings and a pleasant home, and now receives in- stead of paying interest. On the 30th of April, 1844, he married, io her native county (Lake Co., Ohio), Miss A. Searles; they have three children-William A., Hannah E. and Charles Sumner ; the parents


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belong to the U. B. Church of Rutland, and were among the eight founders of it; Mr. Stolts has been a Trustee for many years; he is a Republican, and was a Whig; was also one of the first farmers to insure in the Madison Mutual.


H. S. SMITH, farmer, Sec. 25; P. O. Brooklyn; was born in 1806 in Orange Co., Vt .; his carly life was spent in Onondaga, Monroe and Yates Cos., N. Y .; he married in the former county Miss Irena Wright, of Bennington, Vt .; she died Oct. 3, 1842, leaving two daughters, Elfie and Louisa; the second marriage, with Miss Phoebe Walford, was in her native county (Yates); two years later, he came West and bought 80 acres of his present farm; in the fall of 1847, he brought out his wife and four children, up the lakes to Milwaukee, thence with ox team to Oregon ; of the 80, only 7 were improved, and on this was a double-log house; "double," says Mrs. S., "because the Welshman who first lived in it shared it with his pigs;" it was roofed with shakes, and she spent many homesick hours in those cramped quarters ; during one fortnight, she saw none but her own family ; Mr. S. began poor and worked hard ; the result is a splendid 320-acre farm, with good buildings ; his frame house was one of the first built in Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. S. have five children-Elizabeth (Mrs. And. Bennett), Henry S., Thurlow T., Edward B. and J. F .; Louisa died in October, 1862 (wife of Hy. Parker) ; Elfie is Mrs. L. Nourse, of Iowa ; the three youngest are Badger born ; of the others, Elizabeth was born in Yates Co., N. Y., and Henry in Ontario Co. Mr. Smith is an old-time Yankee Whig and Republican ; was Chairman of Oregon two or three years, also Justice of the Peace, which office is now held by his eldest son. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Rutland U. B. Church.


WILLIAM SODEN, wagon and carriage maker, Oregon; born in the town of Butternuts, Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1837 ; came to Rock Co., Wis., with his parents, in 1845 ; was on his father's farm eleven years ; began as apprentice to a wagon-maker in Fulton, was six months in Madison, and finished under William Bedford, in Oregon ; soon after went to Edgerton, thence to Stoughton. He enlisted in the 1st W. V. I. for three months, served out his time, and in Oregon, July, 1862, enlisted in the 23d W. V. I .; served three years in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri; was in the battle at Arkansas Post and through the Vicksburg campaign ; was captured at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, and held fourteen months at Camp Ford, Texas ; was released at the close of the civil war ; returned to Wisconsin ; lived at different times in Oregon ; was six years on his father's farm, and settled in Oregon in the spring of 1880; has bought property and means to stay. He married, in Oregon, Hattie L. Hayes, born in 1841, in Indiana, and a resident of Oregon since 1845; they have four children- Lora, Minnie, Willie and Freddy ; the eldest was born in Edgerton, Minnie in Oregon, Willie in Evans- ville, and the youngest in Porter, Rock Co. Mr. Soden is a Republican, a member of the M. E. Church, and of the Oregon Lodge, A., F. & A. M.


M. W. TERWILLIGER, of Terwilliger & Lindsay ; born in Chenango, Broome Co., N. Y., Jan. 3, 1845 ; his parents, James and Emmeline Terwilliger, came to Wisconsin the next May ; he resided on his father's farm in Fitchburg and attended district schools, until he entered the Wisconsin State Uni- versity ; after two years of study here, he spent part of 1866 in Conover, Iowa; returned and took a course in the North western Business College, Madison; clerked eighteen months in Madison, taught one term of school in Blooming Grove, and one in Fitchburg. He was married in May, 1869, to Miss Lucy M., daughter of E. J. Boies, of the Empire State. He taught two terms after this; in 1872, he began business with his brother-in-law, J. J. Lindsay ; the first year they did business in the old butcher-shop, which was on the site of the present store; these gentlemen carry a very complete stock of general mer- chandise; also rent a warehouse, and deal in stock and produce ; have been express agents for Oregon since 1872. Mr. Terwilliger is a Republican and a Freemason. He has three children-Arthur, Mabel and an infant.


E. P. TRACY, of Tracy & Comstock, merchants, Oregon ; was born in the manufacturing vil- lage of Johnson, Vt .; was educated there, and was for twelve years in a woolen-factory. He married, in Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 11, 1869, Miss Julia E. Page; she was born in Waterville, Vt., educated in the Johnson State Normal School, taught in her native State, in Magnolia, Iowa, and, in 1868-69, in the vil- lage school of Oregon ; they have four children-Bertrand P., Edwin S., Maud E. aud an infant son Both are supporters of the Christian doctrines. Mr. Tracy is a Republican and a member of the Oregon Lodges, A., F: & A. M. and A. O. U. W.


JACOB WARNER, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Oregon ; born Sept. 22, 1822, in Wurtemberg ; his father, the Rev. Jacob Warner, an M. E. preacher, was once brought before the King of Wurtemberg, to answer for some of his liberal, religious and political ideas, and brought his family to America in 1832, locating in Lycoming Co., Penn., where his wife died ; he came West in 1846, and is well remembered as


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a U. B. preacher ; he died in South Chicago in 1870. His son and namesake grew to a healthy, rugged manhood in the pine woods of Pennsylvania. Married in August, 1845, Mary Werlich ; they soon came West, remaining from September until January, near Chicsgo, where Mr. W. neglected some splendid offers of city property ; in January, 1846, Mr. W. and wife, and Thomas Bethel and wife, came to Oregon. Mr. W. claiming the northwest quarter of Sec. 19 ; part of the summer of 1846 was spent in a floorless, doorless and windowless shanty, on Sec. 19; here their eldest was rocked in a trough hewed out, and placed on rude rockers by his father; while he worked day and night for some time in the old Dayton saw-mill, walking home seven miles on Saturday night ; the liberality (and meal bin) of Daniel Hess sup- plied him with his only food, while he split thousands of rails in " Fisher's Valley ; " he spent two years on Sec. 18 (present farm of O. S. Shepard) and then settled on his present farm of 125 acres ; here he split thousands of rails by moonlight ; in short, his early experiences here were one long struggle with pov- erty and sickness ; still he succeeded, now having a splendid home farm, with excellent buildings ; 40 acres in Montrose, and 20 on Sec. 19, Oregon ; has also helped his children most liberally. Mrs. Warner died Jan. 20, 1879, leaving eight children-William, Samuel G., Alma, Mary J., Louisa (Mrs. T. Algard, died July 20, 1880), John F., Josephine S. and Emily M., all born in Oregon Township ; the eldest, James, died when 19. " Jake " Warner, as he is familiarly called by his old neighbors, is a substantial type of Dane County's successful men ; is a Republican and a member of the U. B. Church.


S. G. WARNER, of Case & Warner, Oregon ; was born July 21, 1851 (see sketch of Jacob Warner); he attended the schools of Oregon, and a course at Evansville Seminary; taught three terms in District No. 2 (Flemmings) and one in the Fox District, Montrose; this and his work on his pioneer father's farm occupied his time until September, 1879, when he bought out the interest of O. M. Case, thus constituting the present firm. Mr. W. is a Republican. The firm carry a complete general stock, including dry goods, groceries, crockery, glass and woodenware, hats and caps, notions, etc., etc. These gentlemen were among the sufferers by the fire of May 29, 1880, losing half their goods, causing them to locate in the building of Charles Powers.


CHARLES WATERMAN, Oregon ; born Oct. 13, 1822, in Orleans Co., Vt. ; afterward resided in Springfield, Mass., and Windsor Locks, Conn., where he was in business. Mr. W. came to Oregon in 1849, and in May bought his present farm of 200 acres. The first survey for a village plat was in March, 185-, under his direction and on part of his land ; in 1858, he opened, and for two years, kept the Oregon Exchange Hotel; in 1860 and 1861, was in mercantile business ; in 1862 and 1863, was a contractor in grading the C. & N .- W. R. R., from Oregon to Madison. Began the livery business in June, 1374, and continued, until Aug. 2, 1880, when he sold to Powers & Fisher. Mr. W. has improved his farm and built a pleasant home in the village. He married in Munson, Mass. (her native place), Miss Alvina E. Chaffee. In politics, Mr. Waterman is a Democrat; has been Justice of the Peace, Collector, and was six years Deputy Sheriff.


E. B. WHITMORE, farmer, Secs. 14 and 11; P. O. Oregon ; born Nov. 1, 1835, in Eden, Madison Co., N. Y .; his father, Seth Whitmore, a stone-mason and farmer, removed twelve years later to Tioga Co., Penn .; here E. B. lived until 1854, when he located in Waushara Co., Wis. ; afterward lived in Adams County, and from there came to Oregon in 1858; settled on his present farm of 160 acres in 1859. Enlisted in September, 1861, in Co. B, 11th W. V. I. ; saw service in Missouri, Arkansas, Missis- sippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama and Texas; was in the battles preceding, and through the siege of Vicksburg; also engaged in the capture of the forts at Mobile, where he received his honorable discharge after a most eventful military service of just four years ; has since resided on his farm, on which he has built a substantial farmhouse, etc. He married on the day of Gen. Grant's first inauguration, March 4, 1869, Miss Jennie Burnett ; she was born in Chardon, Geauga Co., Ohio; her step-father and her mother moved to Stoughton, Wis., in 1859, and still reside there. Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore have two children- Nellie D. and Grace. Mr. W. is a Republican.


ABRAM WILLIAMSON, farmer, Secs. 7 and 8; P. O. Oregon ; born Dee. 8, 1818, in Union Co., Penn .; five years later, his parents settled in Lycoming Co., Penn., where he grew to manhood, farming and lumbering; his father, assisted by the sons, operated a saw-mill twenty-five years ; in 1854, Abram with a brother bought a steam saw-mill, which afterward burned; he then associated in business with one J. Metzgar, they owning and running a steam shingle-mill, until he came West in 1869; Mr. W. bought 200 acres ; on this he has built a large and tasteful frame farmhouse and substantial barns, etc., his only son, having nearly duplicated them in forming a separate establishment on the homestead. Mr. Williamson married in Lycoming (her native county) Miss Mary Emory; they have two children-Sarah A. and John S .; both born in Lycoming County, where the daughter married A. M. Tincher, of that


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county ; they are with the old couple. John S. married, in her native town of Oregon, Miss Phebe J. Bethel ; they have two children-Laura J. and Cora Belle. The younger men now manage the farm, to which has been added 20 acres on Seo. 19. These gentlemen are all Republicans.


MANUEL WOLFE, Oregon; was born in New Market, Upper Canada, in March, 1826; ten years later, his parents removed to Richland Co., Ohio, where he attended and afterward taught school ; coming to Walworth Co., Wis., in the fall of 1846, he taught a winter school on Sugar Creek Prairie. Mr. Wolf bought 40 acres of his present Oregon farm in the spring of 1847, himself and parents begin- ning here in a log house. He also taught in the town of Union, Rock Co., where he married Miss Emms Gifford ; she was born and educated in Jefferson Co., N. Y. ; her parents first tried Western life in Illinois, where she taught two terms of school ; they settled in Union, Rock Co., in 1848, where she continued teaching. In place of the 40 acres and the log house, Mr. W. now has a well-improved farm of 244 acres, on which he lived until 1867, when he located, and has since resided, in the village, continuing the active management of the farm. He is a Republican; was Chairman of Oregon; Town Clerk six or seven years ; Town Treasurer in 1878-79, and was elected, as he says, for the last time as Chairman in the spring of 1880. Mr. W. is a member, and the present Treasurer, of Oregon Lodge, No. 151, A., F. & A. M. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf have ten living children-Clarence H., Charles S., Jennie, Frank P., May E., Josie C., Carrie E., Hattie A., Harold G. and Percy W., all born in Oregon Township, as was Fred M., who died in infancy.


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TOWN OF FITCHBURG.


LEWIS L. ADAMS, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. O. Stoner's Prairie; born July 27, 1823, in Ches- ter Co., Pena. ; his parents, John and Eliza L. (Davis) Adams ; removed two years later to Ontario Co., N. Y., whence he came West in May, 1847 ; spent some time looking over the country, footing it to Bar- aboo; R, W. Salisbury showed him his present farm ; Mr. A. at once entering 120 acres where his build- ings now stand ; this paid for, his only remaining capital was health and pluck; that winter, he fenced 40 acres, and cut the logs for a house, finished in 1848. Married, June 29, 1848, Miss Mary A., daughter of R. D. Salisbury, and a native of Canandaigua, N. Y., boro Aug. 8, 1830. In November, 1848, they began life in the log house, which (with some repairs) still stands under the shadow of the large and well- built two-story frame farmhouse, which supplants it as the family home ; twenty years and four days were spent in the log-house, and during that time the best of work was done, as may be seen by the 240-acre farm, improved and well cultivated, the substantial buildings, fruitful orchards, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have nine children-Mary L. (Mrs. R. H. Henry, of Nebraska), L. Llewllyn, Russel D., Elon A., Winni- fred, Cora E., E. May, Arthur A. and Charles F. Death has never invaded this blest home circle. Mr. A. is a Republican, and has been thrice a Supervisor, though never an office-seeker.


MICHAEL BARRY, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Oregon ; born in 1812 in the Parish of Ahada, County of Cork, Ireland ; came in 1834 to America, locating in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. ; began a labor- ing man, clearing timber by the job, finally becoming the owner of a small farm. Married Mary Barry, of Cappaghwhite, County Tipperary ; they came to Wisconsin in 1848, Mr. B. entering 80 acres of his present farm, built a shanty of logs and lumber, and began the work which has given him a 280-acre farm, with substantial buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Barry have ten children-Phillip, Patrick, Garrett, Mary (Mrs. James Whalen), Abigail (Mrs. O. O'Brien), John, Catherine, Bridget, Teresa and Thomas F. ; the four youngest are at home ; the eldest, born in New York, was Clerk of Dane Co. The family are Catholics, and Indepen- dent in politics.


R. C. BENNETT, farmer, Seo. 34; P. O. Oregon ; is a son of H. R. Bennett, who was born 1819, in Ontario Co., N. Y., and came to Fitchburg in 1846, entering 160 acres on Sec. 31, which he soon traded for 80 of the present homestead, afterward buying the 80 on which are the buildings. In October, 1846, Thomas Gilbert, wife and six children left Ontario Co., N. Y., and settled in the town of Oregon, bought 80 acres on Sec. 6, and built a log house, where his daughter, H. R., and Mr. Bennett were mar- ried, Feb. 29, 1848; she was born in Ontario Co. in 1829; they began life in a leg house, standing a few ยท yards north of the present house, the upright part of which was built by Mr. B. prior to his death, Oct. 7, 1854; his only son and child, born here in 1852, has since cleared about 80 acres, and made substan- tial improvements. He married, in Union, Rock Co., Wis., Ida, daughter of Norman Hough, of Evans- ville ; they have two children-Claudia and Maudie, both born on the old homestead. He is a Repub- lican, and the entire family belong to the Presbyterian Church. Alive to progress, he has now four young Hambletonian horses ; his father was a carpenter and joiner by trade. Three generations his mother's ancestors were warriors. Thomas Gilbert was a Revolutionary hero, his son and her father was in the war of 1812, and her brother, Thomas, was shot dead at the close of the last fight of the war of secession, at Spanish Fort, March 27, 1865 ; he had gone safely through the mighty struggle of four years, only to die thus ; his brother, James Gilbert, was Lieutenant of the same Company, E, 8th W. V. I.


W. D. BIRD, Sec. 2; P. O. Madison ; born Feb. 2, 1821, in Madison Co., N. Y .; son of Zenas and Tabitha Bird; his mother's father was a nephew of, and a soldier under, Gen. Burgoyne. Mr. Bird, with his mother, two brothers and a sister, left New York for the West in the fall of 1836, and came with team, reaching Milwaukee in December, 1836; spent the winter there, and made his first visit to Dane Co. in April, 1837. The present site of Madison was then in a state of nature. In July, 1837, he made a second trip, and at once began work on the capitol building. He afterward worked as engineer in a steam saw-mill, and, in 1839, bought and settled upon an 80 on Sec. 35, town of Madison, and was the first settler south of the settlement. Has resided in Madison and Fitchburg Townships since this time as a farmer. Mr. Bird is a Democrat; was formerly one of the County Supervisors; was Chairman of the town of Madison one term; Chairman of Fitchburg several terms, and has held various minor positions ;


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is now Treasurer. He married, on the old " Seventy-Six," or Dr. Jacob's farm, in January, 1843, Miss Lucetta Chillson, born in Ft. Edward, N. Y., but a resident of Windsor Co., Vt., from her 6th year to 1841, when her people settled in Dane Co. Mr. and Mrs. Bird have five children-Horatio, De Moncey, Henry Clay, Helen and Mary, all born in Dane Co. Mr. B. served two years and twenty-two days in the 1st W. V. H. A., and was honorably discharged on account of disability in September, 1864.


BENJAMIN F. BROWN (deceased) ; born in Virginia, Feb. 14, 1817; his parents, John and Sarah ( Wright) Brown, settled in his boyhood in Southern Indiana, going thence to La Porte Co., Ind., where he married, Oct. 1, 1857, Miss Elizabeth R. Kress ; she was born in Troy, Bradford Co., Penn., and a daughter of George and Charlotte (Baldwin) Kress. In 1858, Mr. and Mrs. Brown located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later, in Independence, Iowa. In 1860, they came to Dane Co., and boughtt he homestead on which he died. Mr. B. did good work here as a farmer, building, in 1861, the hand some square mansion, of Milwaukee brick, which stands a monument to his taste. His varied and extensive reading made him a most pleasant and instructive companion, yet he lived for his family, not for the public. His death, on March 28, 1874, was the result of an accident, and was a crushing blow to his wife and adopted daughter. Mr. B. was liberal in religion, and a Demo- crat politically. During his younger life, he made an extended tour to California, Australia and South America, returning in 1854. The ancestors of Mrs. Brown were both historic families in Chemung Co., N. Y. The old Kress and Baldwin homesteads still remain in the families. Her father's mother was a De Puy, and she married a man whose first vote was cast for Washington and his last for Lincoln. He died in his 99th year, never having used spectacles or suffered from disease.




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