USA > Wisconsin > Eau Claire County > History of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, past and present; including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county > Part 63
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Charles II. attended the public schools until fourteen years of age, when he went to work with his father at the milling trade, remaining there for three years, after which he was employed in other mills in various parts of Germany until he became twenty years old, and then spent three years in the German army. After his term of service expired he worked two years in a flour mill and in 1880 emigrated to the United States. After spending a short time at Portage City, this state, he came to Eau Claire, where he arrived the same year. He was first employed here in the Marston sash and door factory and planing mill and then worked at car- pentering, spent a winter in the woods at lumbering, returning to the mill in the spring. lle spent one year as bridge carpenter for the Omaha railroad and then went to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road in the same capacity. For eight years he was em- ployed in the Shaw flouring mill of Eau Claire as a miller and for five years was manager of the Lakeside Elevator Company, and then engaged in business for himself with John M. Craemer, under the firm name of Bergman & Craemer. They erected a mill and remained together for three years, when Mr. Bergman pur- chased his partner's interest and is now (1914) sole proprietor of the business, and is one of the progressive men of Eau Claire ..
In 1883 Mr. Bergman married in Eau Claire Emelia Portig. who was also born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Bergman are the parents of four children as follows: William C., who married Amanda King and is a mail carrier in Eau Claire; Anna Bertha is secretary for her father ; Otto Robert, elevator foreman for his father, and Alfred Edward, a student. Mr. Bergman is a member of the Lutheran Church and the German Singing Society of Ean Claire.
Mr. Bergman's business was established in 1902 at his present location, where he buys grain from the farmers and ships in car- load lots. lle handles flour, feed, grain and coal, has a yard 250 by 300 feet, with elevator and necessary buildings. His power is obtained from a 20-horsepower gasoline engine, which does chop- ping, etc., but handling of grain is his principal business.
Peter J. Bolin,* an enterprising and up to date farmer of the town of Union, was born at Westport, county of Bedford, Province of Ontario, Canada, July 16, 1851, and is a son of the late Frank and Ann (Carey) Bolin, both natives of county Mayo, Ireland. They came to Canada in an early day and were among the pio- neers of the Province of Ontario where they lived and died.
Peter J. was reared to manhood in Ontario, receiving his education in the common schools. In 1869 he came to the state
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of Michigan and located in the county of Saginaw where for eight years he was employed in the lumber camps. He came to Eau Claire in 1877 and entered the employ of the Eau Claire Lumber Company on their Meridian branch, remaining thus em- ployed for four years: he then embarked in the hotel business at Eau Claire and for two years conducted the Saginaw House. He then purchased 200 acres of land in the town of Lincoln which he owned until 1908, and where he made his home for fourteen years during which time he was engaged as contractor for logging and driving for various lumber companies. In 1899 he purchased a residence in Eau Claire where he resided until 1904 when he moved to his farm of 120 acres in Union township, and there he has since lived, still owning. however, his city resi- dence. Ilis farm is one of the banner farms in Union township, is under a high state of cultivation and improved with good, sub- stantial buildings. He uses modern methods in his farming opera- tions and his place is well equipped with many np-to-date labor saving devices.
Mr. Bolin has been married three times. Ilis first wife was Catherine B. Harrington, while the second Mrs. Bolin was Mary Johnson, and he married for his third wife Miss Ellen, daughter of .J. W. McCann. one of the prosperous farmers of Union town- ship. A man of strong personality, he is an energetic, wide-awake and highly respected citizen, classed as a good neighbor and is a man among men. He is prominently identified with St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church of Eau Claire, while in his political affilia- tions he is a Republican.
Alfred P. Bonnot, secretary and treasurer of the Williams Furniture Company, of Eau Claire, was born at Black River Falls, Wisconsin, July 16, 1859, the son of Peter and Felicia (Rofinot) Bonnot. and is of French descent. His father who was born in France, came to America with his parents when a young man, and located at Syracuse, New York, where he learned the wagon makers' trade, and later coudneted the business. Ile came west to Black River Falls, and for many years was engaged in business there. After his retirement, he moved to MeCook, Nebraska, where he died in 1900 at the age of seventy-eight years. Ilis wife, who was Felicia Rofinot, daughter of Peter Rofinot, of Chi- cago, Illinois, died in 1890. They were the parents of two chil- dren : Alfred P., and Clara who resides in the state of Washington.
Alfred P. grew to manhood in this state, receiving his education in the public schools of Augusta, where he remained until 1879. In the last named year he went to Iowa, and for two and one-
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half years was employed as brakeman by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Pan] Railroad. He then went to Nebraska and was in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad for twenty- four years, three years as brakeman and twenty-one years as passenger conductor, continuing in their employ until 1907, and during this time he ran from MeCook east to Hastings, Nebraska, and west to Denver, Colorado. Ile was one of the faithful, trust- worthy and honorable employes, and at the time of his resigna- tion, was one of the oldest condnetors in point of service on the Burlington road.
In 1907 Mr. Bonnot beeame connected with the Williams Furniture Company as secretary and treasurer, and is one of the largest stockholders in the concern. Ile devotes his entire time to the success of the business, and is one of Eau Claire's enter- prising, progressive and up-to-date business men. He is a mem- ber of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Order of Railroad Conductors at MeCook, Neb., and the Catholic church. Ile married Dora N. Williams, daughter of Lucius L. and Elvira A. (Searle) Williams. To Mr. and Mrs. Bonnot have been born three children: Antoinette aged twelve and one son and one daughter who died in infancy.
Arthur Satterlee Bostwick, one of the very early settlers of this part of Wisconsin and elosely identified with the primitive struggles of the city and connty of Eau Claire, was born Deeem- ber 5, 1825, in Jericho county. Vermont, son of Martin C. and Lucy (Hathaway) Bostwiek. The records of this family say that three brothers who were born in the North of Ireland, came to America and settled on and named Bostwiek Bay, Connectient, and have many descendants in America. Captain Arthur Bost- wiek, paternal grandfather of Arthur S., was born at Manchester, Vermont, attained to a place of prominence in his section and served as a member of Congress from his distriet. He followed the oceupation of merchant in early life and served as Quarter Master in the war of 1812 in which he was wounded. For fifty years he ran a hotel at Jericho, Vermont, where he died at the age of 90 years. He married Sally Clark, daughter of Colonel Clark of Revolutionary fame. She died and left three children, viz. : Martin Chittenden; Julius IFoyt and Isaac Clark. Captain Bostwick married for his second wife Polly, daughter of Captain Shadrah, and Gail (Smith) Hathaway, the latter being a daughter of Governor Israel Smith of Vermont. To this union three ehil- dren were born, Samuel B .. a clergyman in the Episcopal church ; Sarah C. and Israel S.
ARTHUR S. BOSTWICK
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In 1844 Martin C. Bostwick eame to Wisconsin and settled at Marshall, Dane county. At one time he located in La Crosse county and was the first white person to settle in Bostwick val- ley. He subsequently returned to Dane county where he died in 1866. He married Lucy Hathaway, who died in 1846 leaving four children : Arthur S., the subject of this sketch, Romeo, who was a soldier in the Civil War, died in front of Vicksburg; Anna E., who later became Mrs. Nichols and John Y.
In the Fall of 1843, Arthur S. came to Illinois and engaged in blacksmithing. He came to Wisconsin and Eau Claire November 19, 1856, and soon thereafter was appointed under-sheriff. and as such took a prominent part in the organization of Eau Claire county. Ile summoned the first jury and held the first term of Circuit court in the county. He was the second sheriff of the county, having been elected in 1858 and served two years, fol- lowing which he served two years more as under-sheriff.
During the civil war. he was commissioned as recruiting officer with the rank of lieutenant, a position he filled with honor.
In 1847 previous to coming to Eau Claire, he enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican war under the assumed name of A. Sat- terlee, so that his father would know nothing of it. At the Na- tional bridge, near the battle ground of Cerro Gordo, he received a wound which necessitated his being sent home. After his re- covery, he followed the blacksmith trade at various places, among them Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin. lle started overland for Cali- fornia in 1849, stopping at Salt Lake City where he helped forge the hammer for the Mormon mint. This being done, he resumed his journey to the coast and engaged for a time in the mining of gold. He then traveled North and South, visited the Sand- wich Islands, returning home the following year via Panama. In 1851 he crossed the plains again, returning this time via Nicar- agua, and while in Virgin Bay, witnessed the fight of William Walker, the filibuster and his taking the Fort at that place. Upon his return to Eau Claire, he was employed by the Eau Claire Lumber Company as superintendent of the blacksmith and manufacturing department, a position he held for twenty- two years. He served as commissioner of the poor from April, 1888, to April, 1891. He was elected register of deeds for Eau Claire county in the Fall of 1890, an office he filled to the satis- faction of his constituents.
From April 1880 to 1882, he represented the 8th Ward in the city council; he was president of the Eau Claire county Soldiers' Relief Commission, and Senior Warden of Christ Epis-
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copal church. In politics he was a Democrat, having joined their ranks in 1855 in opposition to "Know-nothingism," while all his ancestors were Whigs.
On May 8, 1858, Mr. Bostwick married Bridget Gunn, and they had a family of thirteen children, twelve of whom are resi- dents of this county, and one daughter who resides in California. Mrs. Bostwick died December 14, 1898, and after a long, useful and busy life, Mr. Bostwick died November 21, 1907.
Arthur J. Bostwick, son of Arthur Satterlee and Bridget (Gunn) Bostwick, was born at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, February 9, 1859. He received his education in the common and high schools of this city and at the age of sixteen, was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade under instruction of his father in the shops of the Eau Claire Lumber Company. Ilere he remained until he reached the age of twenty-four, when he formed a part- nership with Ole IIanson. Ile sold his interest to his partner one year later, and returned to the Eau Claire Lumber Company, remaining in their employ for two years. At the end of this time, he re-purchased a half interest in the business with his former partner, and for two years the business was conducted under the firm name of Hanson and Bostwick. Mr. Bostwick then purchased his partner's interest and continued to operate alone until 1893, when he sold out and joined the Eau Claire Mill Supply Company, as superintendent of its logging tool fac- tory, and is now a director and superintendent of the Phoenix Manufacturing Company.
Ile was married to Miss Mary Stephens, October 4, 1885, who was born July 15, 1866, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Stephens, both natives of Ireland where they were married and soon there- after came to the United States and to Wisconsin, locating in St. Croix county, where they followed farming for a number of years, then engaged in the grocery business at New Richmond. Disposing of the grocery store, they moved to Eau Claire where they established their residence. To Mr. and Mrs. Bostwick have been born four children, viz .: Mildred A., born September 22. 1886; Richard Satterlee, born July 22, 1888; Mary Cicily, born December 26, 1892, and Arthur Stephens, born April 21. 1902. From 1877 to 1883 Mr. Bostwick was a member of the Wisconsin National Guards. Ile is now a member of St. Patrick's church. Eau Claire. a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, while politically he adheres to the princi- ples of the Democratic party.
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Henry Brown,* of Otter Creek, Eau Claire county. To the young men of our land the life of the subject of this sketch is an enduring example of the cardinal virtues of industry, up- rightness and frugality and unwearied perseverance.
Mr. Brown was born in Elmira, N. Y., February 24, 1835, the son of John and Mary (Golden) Brown. His parents died when he was a young boy, leaving him alone in the world. He was adopted by an uncle who lived in Rodden, Canada, and there went to live, but did not fare very well in his new home, and after a time left it and traveled from place to place, living and making his own way as best he could through great difficulties, and at fifteen years of age he found himself in Michigan, where he worked at various employments until he reached his majority. He came to Wisconsin and during the winter of 1866-67, famous as the winter of deep snow, which some old settlers declare was ten feet deep on the level, he worked in the woods, and for a number of years afterward he followed logging and finally pur- chased 160 acres of land and became one of the earliest settlers of Thompson Valley, a very fertile district in Otter Creek town- ship. He succeeded at farming from the start, and subsequently added to his original purchase from time to time until he now owns one of the finest farms of 600 acres in Eau Claire county, which he keeps well stocked with a good grade of cattle, horses and hogs, while his residence and outbuildings are substantial and up-to-date. Being imbued with a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Brown offered his services during the civil war but was rejected.
Mr. Brown married December 25, 1864, Miss Rosalind Strader. daughter of Joseph and Maria (Hamilton) Strader, also pioneer settlers of Thompson Valley. Joseph Strader, father of Mrs. Brown, was born July 18, 1818, in Sharon, Scoharie county. N. Y. He came West to Wisconsin in 1855, settling in Thompson Valley, Eau Claire county, where he lived to the age of 81 years and died April 9, 1899. He was thoroughly domestic in his tastes and closely applied himself to his business interests. Ile was in truth a successful man, and all his transactions were marked by serupulously fair dealing, frankness and kindness and faith in the better side of human nature. He married Maria Hamilton, who was born August 9, 1822, and died April 29, 1890, at the age of 68 years. She was a woman of many domestic virtues, a kind and loving mother and a worthy helpmate of her husband. Four children came to Mr. and Mrs. Strader, as follows: Albert, born August 3, 1841 ; Rosalind, who was born November 12, 1844, mar-
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
ried Henry Brown, our subject; Roxana, born October 22, 1846, married Walter Green, and Lyman Strader, born March 12, 1850, died February 2, 1864.
Mr. Brown has devoted himself to general farming, stock rais- ing and dairying, has prospered and has become known as one of the most substantial public spirited and representative farm- ers in Eau Claire county. He now lives in retirement in the ease and comfort merited by his long years of active labor.
Louis Bruckner,* who is an Austrian by birth, was born in the village of Seyfieds, Austria, the son of Matthew Bruckner, also a native of Austria and by trade a shoemaker.
Louis was reared in his home town, receiving a limited educa- tion. His parents being poor, he was early thrown upon his own resources and compelled to make his own way. As a youth, he served an apprenticeship as a blacksmith, and when he had reached the age of eighteen, accompanied by a brother, he came to the United States. In 1892, they located at Durand, Wiscon- sin, where the brother still resides. A short time after arriving in Wisconsin, our subject came to the city of Eau Claire and for three years was variously employed as a day laborer. He finally found a position in a blacksmith shop where he worked at his trade until 1897, when he located at Brackett, in Washington township, and established a blacksmith and wagon shop of his own. He is recognized as a first class workman, and by close application, upright and fair dealing, has succeeded in building np a substantial business. Mr. Bruckner carried on his business by himself until recently, when he took his brother-in-law into partnership, the firm now being known as Bruckner & Gnermann. In 1900 Mr. Bruckner married Miss Louise Guermann, and they have two children, Alois and Lloyd Bruckner. The family are all members of the Catholic church.
Emma M. Buehler, D. C., Chiropractor of Eau Claire, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in Monroe, Green county, of Swiss parentage. She received her education in her native town, and took some special training at Valparaiso, Ind., fitting herself for public school work.
She taught very successfully in the public schools for a num- ber of years, and later entered the Universal Chiropractic Col- lege, at Davenport, Iowa, (a long course school), etc.
She was graduated with the class of December, 1913. She came to Eau Claire and began the practice of her chosen pro- fession on March 11, 1914, and while she has only been here a short time (now 1914) and her arts of healing new to the citizens,
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she is succeeding in building np a good clientage in the new science of chiropractie spinal adjustments without the aid of drugs, medicine or surgery of any kind.
George A. Buffington. It is a well attested maxim that the greatness of a county or state lies not in its machinery of govern- ment, not even in its institutions, but in the sterling quality of its individual citizens, in their capacity for high and unselfish effort and their devotion to the public good. Among those who are justly entitled to be enrolled among the makers of the great county of Eau Claire, is George Augustus Buffington. deceased. Ile was born at Little Valley, Catarangus county, New York, on June 29, 1825, the son of Isaaih and Sophia (Winchester) Buf- fington, the former a native of Maine, of English descent, and the latter of Cataraugus county, New York, of Scotch ancestry.
George A. was raised in Cataraugus and Onondago counties, New York, until he reached the age of seventeen years. then came to Wisconsin with his parents who settled in Walworth county. and here he worked at teaming. farming and anything honorable to make an honest living. On April 12, 1846. he mar- ried Miss Pluma A. Jones, of that county and soon thereafter pre-empted a piece of land. erected a small log cabin and there began to carve out his subsequent successful career. IIe pur- chased a stage line running from Kenosha to Beloit which he operated until 1848 when he sold it out and moved to Stephenson county, Illinois, and there entered 160 acres of land and engaged in farming. He later disposed of his interests here and moved to Dodge county where he received the appointment of under- sheriff and was also elected justice of the peace, and at the same time engaged in the grocery and sales-stable business, and by his industry and frugality, managed to save twelve thousand dollars.
In 1853 he located at Horieon and continued the grocery business for one and one-half years ; he also engaged in the livery business which he continued until October 1, 1856. when he came to Eau Claire, purchased real estate and the following year. 1857, brought his family consisting of his wife and three chil- dren, viz. : Clarence M., Ida C., and Byron A. For a short time, they lived in a log house for which he paid $20.00 per month in advance, later purchased the Niagara House which he con- ducted at intervals for ten years. In 1857 he egaged in steam- boating and in the winter of 1858 and '59 built the steamer "Chippewa Valley" which he ran for one year, then placed an- other man in charge who managed it until the war broke out,
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when it was captured on the White river and burned. In 1859 he purchased a half interest in the Ball and Smith saw mill which afterwards became known as the Smith & Buffington Mill Com- pany which in 1874 was incorporated as the Valley Lumber Com- pany, and Mr. Buffington became its president. and from that time on until his death which occurred in August, 1893. he was actively engaged in the lumber business.
Isaaih Buffington and Sophia Winchester, his parents, were pioneers of Cataraugus county, New York, where he cleared and improved a farm and later moved to Onondago county, New York, and in 1842 they came by team from New York to Wiscon- sin, locating in Walworth county, sixteen miles east of Beloit. remaining there until 1843, when they moved to Summerville. this state, and for two years conducted a hotel. In 1846 they moved to Illinois and settled on a farm in Stephenson county, where they both died, he in 1874 and she in 1893.
In politics George A. Buffington was a Republican and repre- sented his party in various offices. He served as mayor of Eau Claire, was alderman of the city and at one time was chairman of the county board. Ile was a member of Eau Claire Lodge, No. 162. A. F. and A. M .. Eau Claire Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M., the Chippewa Commandery, No. 8. Knight Templars and the Wis- consin Consistory, 32d degree. He was a man who enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact both in a business way and socially; he was unassuming in manner, but had a quiet consciousness of his own strength of character and latent force that carried him past all difficulties which he encountered during his lifetime and he was well and favorably known over the county not only for his business integrity, but for his courteous and genial bearing as well.
Byron A. Buffington, treasurer of the Chippewa Valley Light & Power Company, and well known business man of Eau Claire, was born in Dodge City, Dodge county, Wisconsin, November 27, 1852. His parents were George A. and Pluma A. (Jones) Buffington, (sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history), his paternal grand parents were Isaaih and Sophia (Winchester) Buffington, natives of Maine and New York respectively, who were descended from English and Scotch ancestry. Mr. Buffing- ton was five years of age when his parents moved to Eau Claire and he grew up with the city, receiving his education in the public schools, which was subsequently supplemented with a course at the Shattuck Episcopal Military College at Faribault, Minnesota. He began his business career in 1874 as a member of
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the firm of G. A. Buffington & Son, of Eau Claire, dealers in general merchandise, which business he followed until 1878. He was next engaged for several years in logging and on the ar- ganization of the Eau Claire Grocery Company in 1883, he be- came its president, and was identified with that concern until 1898. Ile was then elected president of the Chippewa Valley Bank, a position he filled until that bank was merged into the Union National Bank, of which he is now one of the directors. HIe was made treasurer of the Chippewa Valley Light & Power Company and is still acting in that capacity as well as looking after his many other interests.
On September 9, 1874, he married Francis Elmyra lloover. daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Barland) Iloover. of Eau Claire, who was born in Orange county, New York, and educated at Ripon College. Politically Mr. Buffington is affiliated with the Republican party. Hle served two years as regent of the Wis- consin University, and during the sessions of 1900 and 1902, represented his district in the general assembly. Mr. Buffing- ton occupies a prominent place in social as well as the business life of Eau Claire. Ile is a member of the Eau Claire Club of which he is one of the founders; he is a 32d degree Mason and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Rush Bullis, Chairman of the Town Board of Washington township and a prominent and progressive farmer, is a native son of Wisconsin, having been born in Rock county, this state, June 10, 1863. to James C. and Jane (Boyce) Bullis. of New York and Pennsylvania respectively. His paternal grandfather was among the first settlers of Rock county, where he cleared and improved a farm on which he resided until his death. James C., father of our subject, was also a farmer in Rock county, hav- ing acquired a farm of his own which he cleared and improved, and there made his home until he died.
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