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 64
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Rush Bullis was reared in his home county and there received his education in the common schools, and has always followed the occupation of a farmer. Ile spent fifteen years on one farm in Rock county, after which he lived for several years in differ- ent parts of the country, being at one time a resident of Texas. In 1907 he purchased his farm of 420 acres in the town of Wash- ington, where he now resides. He has remodeled and improved the buildings, and made many other improvements. His farming land is under a high state of cultivation, and he uses modern methods in his operations. He is extensively engaged in dairy- ing and stock raising. and is one of the prosperous farmers of his
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section. Politieally he is a Republican, and takes an active in- terest in all matters pertaining to public affairs. He was elected chairman of the town board in 1913, an office he has since filled with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He was united in marriage with Miss Bertha M. Bentz, of Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, and they have five children : Clifford B., Rhoda J., Verne, Leslie J. and Catherine Bullis.
Charles S. Burce .* Among the younger class of wide-awake farmers of Eau Claire county is Charles S. Buree, of Brunswick township, where he was born May 1, 1887. Ilis father, Charles Edwin Burce, was born in 1844, near Durham, Maine, was raised on a farm and received his education in the common schools. When the civil war broke out, he enlisted in the 17th Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry on President Lincoln's first eall for troops, and served four years. He came to Eau Claire county in 1867 and purchased a farm in Washington township, but later moved to Brunswiek township and there made his home snc- eessfully engaged in farming until 1912, when he retired, owing to poor health, and now makes his home in Oakland, California, with his daughter, Mrs. Thomas Brown.' He is a son of Silas Burce, for many years a prominent citizen of the state of Maine. During his residenee in Brunswick township Mr. C. E. Buree was considered one of the most progressive farmers and citizens, and for many years was a member of the town board and the Methodist church. He married Frances Powers, who was born in Penobscot county. Maine, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Howard) Powers, both descended from prominent New England families, who can trace their ancestors back to the pilgrims. To this nnion were born nine children as follows: Effie, married Thomas Brown, a retired grocer of Oakland. California; Ethel, married Thomas Hobbs, a farmer of Washington Township; Laura, married John , former superintendent of Eau Claire county schools; Ruth is a school teacher in Washington township; John is a machinist of Toronto, Canada; Charles S., the subject of this sketch: Jessie: Leander and Burniee, who died young.
Charles S. attended the public schools and assisted his parents in the farm work. He later went to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and spent one year with the Smith Manufacturing Company. learn- ing the trade of machinist and blacksmith, after which he went to Manitoba and worked in the great wheat fields, later attend- ing the Fair at Seattle, Washington, whence he returned to his home in the town of Brunswick and engaged in farming with his
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father, and since the latter's retirement in 1912, has carried on the home farm of 280 acres. He uses modern methods in his farming operations and keeps the place well supplied with mod- ern and up-to-date machinery and labor saving devices. He is a member of the M. E. church, and has filled the office of road commissioner. He married Miss Alma Knuteson, daughter of Eric Knuteson, of Drammen township.
Allah E. Burlingame, former president, treasurer and gen- eral manager of the A. E. Burlingame Company, wholesale and retail dealers in cigars and tobacco, was born at Ripon, Wiscon- sin, December 7, 1873, the son of Henry H. and Elmira (Olin) Burlingame, natives of Indiana and Dartford, Wisconsin, respect- ively. His paternal grandfather, Wanton Burlingame, was one of the pioneers of Fond-du-Lac county, Wisconsin, where he took up and purchased large tracts of land at $1.25 per acre, and was one of the largest land holders of his day in that section of the state. In later life, he returned to Indiana and purchased the old homestead near LaPorte which he had previously taken up from the government, and there he lived and died. Henry H., father of our subject, was reared in Fond-du-Lac county, where he followed farming until 1891, when he became connected with the postoffice department, being appointed one of the first rural mail carriers ont of Ripon. After a continuous service of eight years, he died in 1899 at the age of 67 years. Ilis wife, Elmira, mother of our subject, is a daughter of Almon and Margaret Olin, pioneers of Green Lake county, Wisconsin. They were the parents of three children, Charles, Grant and Allah E.
Mr. Burlingame was reared on the home farm in Fond-du- Lac county, remaining there until he reached the age of 18 years. He was educated in the Ripon high school and Ripon college, and for eight years after finishing his schooling, he was em- ployed as clerk and bookkeeper in various hotels in Wisconsin and elsewhere. In 1903 he embarked in the retail cigar business in Marinette. Wisconsin, which he conducted for two years. and in which he retained an interest up to his death. He formed the Burlingame Company which has branch stores in Wausau, Chip- pewa Falls and Stevens Point. They own their own building which they occupy at Chippewa Falls, and also the Wilson block at Eau Claire.
On January 7, 1899, Mr. Burlingame married DeLaphene. daughter of Everest LaLiberty, of Marinette, Wisconsin, and four children were born, viz .: Burnadette, Allah, Dorothy and Beatrice. Mr. Burlingame was a resident of Eau Claire from
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April, 1907. He was a 32d degree Mason, a Shriner and a mem- ber of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, the Y. M. C. A., and the Eau Claire Club. He was an honorable and successful business man and a prominent factor in both the business and social life of Eau Claire. and his death in the prime of life is deplored by a wide cirele of friends.
Edward W. Burkhart .* Fifty-two years ago, in the Spring of 1862, Emil Burkhart formerly from Germany, came to Eau Claire and started in the hotel business, purchasing at that time a small hotel from a man named Torgason. Ile married Sophia Steolikluh, and eight children were born to them, viz .: Emma, Edward W., Rosa, Amelia, Rose, Fred, Herman and Emil. After a residence of forty-six years in Eau Claire, the father died in June, 1898, respected and esteemed by all who knew him.
Edward W. was born in Ean Claire, attended the schools of the eity and has here spent his whole life. lle first engaged in the butcher business, following that vocation for ten years, and then succeeded his father in the hotel business which he has successfully carried on for fourteen years. This hotel. which originally was but a small affair, has been enlarged and re- modeled into a modern, up-to-date hotel of thirty rooms, and under the proprietorship of Mr. Burkhart, has become a popular place for transients. Mr. Burkhart has been twice married. His first wife, who is now deceased, was Louise Hertel, by whom he has one daughter, Margaret. He married for his second wife, Emma Geitz, of Stanley, Wisconsin, and to them four children have been born as follows: Sophia, Norman, Edwin and Gerhart. Mr. Burkhart is a prominent member of Germania Lodge, No. 49. Knights of Pythias, the Badger Homestead, Yeomen, Modern Brotherhood of America, and with his wife belongs to the Pythian Sisters and the Lutheran church. Ile is also a member of the Old Settlers' Association.
Charles C. Calkins, dealer in all kinds of farm produce. Fair- ehild, Wis., was born in Owego, Tioga county, N. Y., June 30. 1869, the son of Charles B. and Sarah A. (Gaskill) Calkins. His great grandfather. Richard Calkins, a native of New England, was a pioneer of Clinton county, New York, where he owned a large tract of land. Ile had a family of four sons-Seth, Ben- jamin, Gilbert and Turner-all of whom were prominent farmers of that section in their day. Seth, the eldest and grandfather of Charles C., died at the age of fifty-six; his wife was Mariba Briggs. and they raised a family of six children-Rebecca. Cor- nelius, Sidney, Daniel and Charles B. The maternal grand-
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parents of our subject were Daniel and Huldah (Foster) Gaskill, of Owego, N. Y. Charles B. Calkins, father of Charles C., was born in Peru, Clinton county, N. Y., April 13, 1829, where he was reared to manhood. In 1854 he moved to Tioga county and there engaged in farming until 1873, when he moved to Wis- consin, locating at what is now Green Bay, and was there en- gaged in the flour and feed business for five years. In July. 1878, he came to Fairchild, this county, where he conducted a meat market and was engaged in buying and shipping of live stock until 1893, since which time he has been interested in farm- ing, owning 100 acres of land in the village of Fairchild and Jackson county. He married October 8, 1861, and his children are Daniel, Mariba, deceased wife of Frank Brown, and Charles C. Mr. Calkins is a member of the Masonic order, is a Democrat in politics and has held various offices in Fairchild.
('harles C. Calkins came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1873, received his education in the public schools and has resided in Fairchild since 1878. He began his business career as a clerk in the general store of the N. C. Foster Company, of Fairchild. working his way up to assistant manager, which position he held for five years, when in 1904 he was made manager, acting in that capacity until 1911, when on account of ill health he resigned. In the last named year he embarked in his present business, built a warehouse 50x70 feet and has succeeded in building up an extensive trade, shipping as high as 500 car loads of farm produce annually to Chicago, Eastern and Southern points. Ile married July 17, 1894, Minnie, daughter of Evan W. and Mary (Parrott) Davis, of St. Croix county, Wisconsin, and they are the parents of four children, viz: Grace (., Seth D., Claire E. and Charles C.
Mr. Calkins is a member of the Masonic order, a Knights Templar, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. He served as village treasurer of Fairchild for several terms and has held the office of village clerk, trustee and member of the school board.
Daniel G. Calkins,* secretary of the Drummond Packing Com- pany, of Eau Claire, was born in Owego. Tioga county, N. Y. April 22, 1865, a son of Charles B. and Sarah A. (Gaskill) Calkins. and is descended from New England ancestry. Ilis great grand- father, Richard Calkins, a native of New England, was a pioneer of Clinton county, New York, where he purchased a large tract of land, cleared and improved a homestead and there resided. engaged in general farming until his death. His family consisted of four sons, viz: Seth, Benjamin, Gilbert and Turner all of
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whom became prominent farmers and men of influence in Clinton county, New York. Seth Calkins, grandfather of Daniel G., mar- ried Mariba Briggs, and they were the parents of six children, as follows: Rebecca, Cornelius, Sidney, Daniel. Benjamin and Charles B. The latter, who was the father of Daniel G., was born in Peru, Clinton county, N. Y., April 13, 1829. He was reared and educated in his home county and in 1857 removed to Owego, Tioga county, where he was engaged in farming until 1873, when he eame West to Wisconsin and located in what is now the city of Green Bay. Ile was there engaged for the next five years in the flour and feed business, following which in 1878 he removed to Fairchild, Eau Claire eounty, where he was engaged in butchering and the buying and selling of live stock until 1893, since which time he has been successfully engaged in general farming and dairying. Ile owns a fine farm of 100 acres in the village of Fairchild and Jackson county, improved with a handsome residence erected by himself where he now resides. Ile was married in 1862 to Sarah A. Gaskill, daughter of Daniel and Huldah (Foster) Gaskill. natives of Tioga county, New York, to whom were born three children, viz: Daniel G .; Mariba, who married Frank A. Brown and had one child. Rex C .. de- ceased, and Charles C., a representative business man of Fair- ehild.
Daniel G. Calkins came to Wisconsin with his parents, who settled in Green Bay when he was eight years of age and subse- quently removed with them to Fairchild in 1878. He received his education in the public schools and in 1879 began his business career as clerk for the Foster Lumber Company at Fairchild, re- maining with that coneern until 1885. He then came to Eau Claire and entered the employ of Drummond Brothers as book- keeper and in 1891 became a member of the firm, and when the Packing Company was incorporated in 1893 he became secretary, a position he still retains.
Mr. Calkins was married October 10, 1888, to Lina, a daughter of William B. and Sarah (Johnson) Iligh, of Oconto, Wis., and they have an interesting family of four children, viz: Helen, Daniel G., Jr., Paul and William B. Mr. Calkins is a popular business man, progressive and public spirited, and enjoys mem- bership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the K. O. T. M., while in politics he is in- dependent.
George F. Caldwell* has been a resident of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin. for more than two score years, and with other stal-
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wart men has done his full share in the work of transforming what was, when he came here, a comparative wilderness into a land of fine homes and rich fruitful farms. A native of New York state, he was born in Chautauqua eounty. June 20, 1840, and is deseended from Scotch and Irish ancestors, who came to this country in an early day and settled in New England, and is one of a family of five children born to John N. and Nellie (Freeman) Caldwell, as follows: George F .; Walter; Robert; Eugene, and Eva, who became the wife of James Hewitt. The father, a farmer by occupation, was born in Vermont in 1818 and was one of the pioneer settlers of Oshkosh, Wis., whither he eame with his family in 1846, where he lived until his death, which oe- eurred in 1898 at the age of 80 years, the mother being 81 years old at the time of her death.
George F. Caldwell came to Wisconsin with his parents when 6 years of age. He attended the common schools of Winnebago eounty and assisted in the work at home. In 1863 he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-second Regiment, Wiseonsin Volunteer In- fantry, was afterwards transferred to Company D, Sixteenth Wisconsin, and did valued serviee for his country. On his return from the war hie located in county, where he remained until 1870 and then moved to Eau Claire eounty and purchased a farm in Otter Creek Valley, which he improved and carried on his farming operations with success and profit. He is now liv- ing in retirement, enjoying the mueh merited rest from his many years of toil.
Mr. Caldwell married in 1861 Miss Helen Harkness, daughter of lIelen Harkness, of Oshkosh. Wis., and they had a family of eight children: Nellie, who married Rolle Sawyer, is deceased, as is also George and Arehie, the latter dying in infancy ; Anengo W. lives in British Columbia; Grace is the wife of Fred Bush and lives in Black River Falls; Eva; Blanche married J. Fletcher, of Washburn, Wis .. and Royall. who resides in Eau Claire.
Active in the public affairs of the county, Mr. Caldwell served thirteen years as a member of the town board of Otter Creek, acting as chairman of the board for five years. In 1889 he was elected as a Republican from the second distriet to the General Assembly of the state, serving one term. He is identified with the Baptist church; is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republie.
David P. Candell,* a pioneer of Eau Claire county, and one of the influential and substantial citizens, was born September 28, 1846. He came to Ean Claire with his parents in June, 1856,
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who engaged in farming in Union township. He remained on the farm asisting in the work until he reached the age of sixteen when he went to work on the river, an occupation he followed for sixteen years. At the end of that period he returned to the farm in Union township, where he has since successfully and actively engaged in farming. He owns 113 acres of land, most of which lies in the town of Union and all of which is well im- proved. His residence is in Shawtown, where he and his family live in the enjoyment of both city and country life.
Mr. Candell has been twice married. His first wife was Catherine Lawley, by whom he had three sons, Frank, James and George. The mother of these children died in 1889. and he took for his second wife Mary Burke, daughter of Michael Burke, of Dodge county, Wisconsin. By this union five children have been born, viz .: Mary, Esta. Rose. Emmett and Burnard, all of whom live at home and with their parents are members of St. Patrick's church, of Eau Claire.
Horace Carpenter, deceased, a veteran of the Civil War and a highly respected man of Eau Claire, was born in Holland, Ver- mont. July 8, 1834, and was descended from New England an- cestors who came from England in the ship Bevis in 1638. and settled at Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Early in life he went to Plattsburg, New York, where he lived until he reached the age of twenty-two, then came to Wisconsin, and was one of the pioneers of Eau Claire, having settled here in 1856. Soon after his arrival in the village, he engaged in the services of the North- western Lumber Company, whose plant was then located at Por- ter's Mills. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted as a private and was assigned to Company G, First Minnesota heavy artillery, and served two years. At the expiration of his service. he returned to Ean Claire and for one year was engaged in farming on Truax prairie. Ile then moved into the city and opened a grocery store, a business he successfully carried on for twenty-five years. Ile was a man of irreproachable habits and pure character, as well as honorable and ambitions, and en- joyed the friendship of all with whom he came in contact. He was a member of Eau Claire Lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. M., and of Eagle Post. No. 52, Grand Army of the Republic. His death occurred on June 2, 1906, and was mourned by a large circle of friends.
Mr. Carpenter married Miss Marietta Van Hoesen, of Durand. Wis., but formerly of Great Bend, Jefferson county, New York. and they had four children. Cora E., who is now and has been
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for a number of years, supervisor of drawing in the public schools of Eau Claire; William J .. manager of the Cutter Shoe Factory ; Emma, who died at the age of twenty, and one child who died in infancy.
Mrs. Carpenter and family are prominent in social affairs of the city, and all are affiliated with the Lake St. Methodist Epis- copal church.
William Carson. The death at Eau Claire in 1898, of William Carson, closed the career of one of the earliest settlers in the state of Wisconsin, a man well known throughout this region from the territorial times, and whose life and services were such as should be an inspiration to the living. The creator of import- ant industrial enterprise, a man of wealth, his life emphasized the truth that enterprise and wealth are not inconsistent with the highest standards of character and conduct. Ile was the type of pioneer whose name and biography should properly have a place in this history of Wisconsin.
William Carson was born at Inverness, lower Canada in 1825. and of Scotch ancestry. At the age of eleven years. in 1836, alone in the world, he set out for the United States and arriving in Cambridge, Massachusetts, made his first serious venture at earning his own way, and although only a child in years he suc- ceeded. His determination was ripened by a brief experience in the east to learn the broader field of opportunity in the west. In 1837, William Carson became a resident of Illinois, in the southern part of the state. After a short time he went to St. Louis, and in 1838 to Wisconsin territory. His age then was thirteen, and his first employment was in the Inmber camps near Prairie du Chien. His alertness and his foresight, and appreciation of op- portunities ahont that time came into evidence, when he filed a claim upon ground where the present city of North Eau Claire is built, and in 1839 sold his claim at a handsome profit. That was one of the first ventures which started him toward a large success. His work continued in various lines, but principally in lumbering, and all the time he was carefully saving his money with a view to a future investment. In 1840 William Carson lo- cated in Eau Galle, Wisconsin, where in partnership with Henry Eaton and George C. Wales he was one of the factors in the operation of a large sawmill. The firm of Wales, Carson & Eaton became well known in Inumber circles, and the mill which cut about ten thousand feet of lumber each day was one of the big- gest in capacity of that period. Carson and Eaton later bought out Mr. Wales' interests, and continued to operate on a large
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and successful scale. Finally Mr. Carson bought out Mr. Eaton's interests, and with E. D. Rand as partner the firm of Carson and Rand came into existence. They operated the mill up to 1874, when it was deemed advisable to discontinue the business be- cause timber had become so scarce that the mill could only be run at a loss. However, they continued the operation of their flouring mill and store in Eau Galle. In 1874 Mr. Carson moved to Eau Claire, to take over the management of the Valley Lum- ber Company, in which he and Mr. Rand had bought a large interest, and of which he had been elected treasurer and presi- dent. That was perhaps his leading position in the business world for a number of years, though at the same time his official connection and investment in other enterprises were of an im- portant nature. He was interested in the Rand Lumber Com- pany, and the Burlington Lumber Company, both at Burlington, Iowa, and in the Carson-Rand Company, of Keokuk, Iowa. Mr. Carson was connected with several large lumber companies in Wisconsin, and was looked upon as one of the representative Inmbermen of the state. He was stockholder and viee president in the Ean Claire National Bank, and deeply interested in any enterprise that affeeted the welfare of the city where he made his home for so many years. During the decade between 1874 and 1884 he lived in St. Paul, Minnesota, but returned to Eau Claire, where his death occurred in 1898. In polities the late Mr. Carson was a staunch Democrat, was very active in all cam- paigns, but refused to support. his party in its contest for free silver in 1896, and never under any eireumstanees would accept the nomination for office.
As a pioneer. William Carson had made a reputation for his progressive ideas, and for the innovation which he introduced. Ile it was who brought the first horse into the Chippewa Valley, and sowed the first wheat there. Ile also built the first house that boasted of plastered walls in the Chippewa Valley. Ile was one of the most interesting of the early settlers of Wisconsin, and one of the men whom the younger generation loved to re- member, for he was among those who helped to make this state.
Addison D. Chappell, who for many years has been prominent among the leading citizens of Eau Claire, is a native of Ohio and was born in Kingsville, Ashtabula county, February 14, 1838, the son of Harvey M. and Mary (Williams) Chappell, and is of French, Irish and English descent. In 1846 his parents with a family of fourteen children, eame west to Illinois and settled
William Lawson
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David F. and Mary C., wife of Mr. Becker. Those deceased are Alice, who married Francis Daly; William H. and Joel G.
James M. was raised in Greenwich, Connectient, receiving his education in the public schools and the academy of that place. He began his business career as clerk in a grocery store in New York City, continuing in that employment until 1880. In 1881 he came to Ean Claire, and entered the employ of the Eau Claire Lumber Company with whom he remained three years. Sinee 1885 he has been in the restaurant business in Ean Claire, and proprietor of Charles' Chop HIonse, the most popular restaurant in the city, since 1889.
Mr. Charles was married on April 8, 1885, to Miss Octavi, daughter of John Meersman, a native of Brussels, Belgium. and to them seven children have been born: Joel George, John Fred- erick, Oetavi Aliee, James William, Marie Josephine, Ellen Ann and Margaret M. Mrs. Charles died April 22, 1912. Mr. Charles is a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church, of Ean Claire, and since 1900 has been a member of the Eau Claire School board.
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