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 66
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Outside of banking he has large and varied business interests, principally in lumber and timber, being an officer in several Inm- ber and timber and other companies.
Mr. Coffin has always been a hard worker. Ilis duties have a charm for him, and prosperity has always accompanied him. Not only as a banker, but as a eitizen and a man, he applies him- self to his duties with unflagging energy, honesty and devotion, that faith may be kept and confidenee maintained. Ile is a typical American, broad in his views and warm in his sympathies toward human endeavor, and is one of the strong men who have helped to make Eau Claire a prosperous and progressive busi- ness center. Ile is president of the Eau Claire Library Board and also of the State Library Association, a director in the Y. M. C. A., a life member and one of the curators of the State IIis- torical Society of Wisconsin, a member of the Society of Colonial Wars in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and of the University Club of Chicago. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonie Order, in which he has passed to the 32d degree, the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member and one of the trustees of the First Congregational church of Eau Claire.
Mr. Coffin is a Republican. He was a member of Eau Claire City Council for one term. He was on the staff of Gov. Edward Scofield. He is now a trustee of Eau Claire County Asylum and Poor Farm and of Mt. Washington Sanatorium.
In 1872 Mr. Coffin married Mary Gove Burroughs, daughter of Dr. Lester M. and Elmira (Wheeler) Burroughs, like himself a native of Illinois. They have two daughters. Mary Elmira,
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now Mrs. B. G. Proctor, of Eau Claire, and Grace Burroughs, now Mrs. F. R. Bates, of Seattle, Wash. Their only son, William Lester, died in 1888.
William King Coffin is of the eighth generation in direct descent from Tristram Coffin, who came to this country from England in 1642 and settled in Newbury, Mass. Later he moved to Nantucket Island and purchased a one-tenth interest in the island. He died in Nantucket in 1681 at the age of seventy-six years.
Mr. Coffin's grandfather, Nathaniel Coffin, was an intimate friend and associate of William King, the first governor of Maine, and uncle of Mr. Coffin's grandmother, and William King Coffin was named after his grandfather's distinguished friend. Mr. Coffin's father, William Coffin, was born in Maine in 1822. While he was yet a young boy the family moved to Illinois, and he was educated in Illinois College and Andover Seminary. Sub- sequently he became professor of mathematics in Illinois College and was so employed until 1853, when he moved to Batavia and engaged in farming and in the banking business, which he pur- sned until 1880, when he retired. He married Mary Lockwood and they had a family of seven children, of whom William King Coffin was the second. Mary Lockwood was the daughter of Samuel D. Lockwood, one of the first justices of the Illinois Supreme Court. It was in his office that Abraham Lincoln studied law. Mr. Coffin has a chair which the great emancipator used in that office. Mary (Lockwood) Coffin died in 1877 and William C'offin in 1890.
In 1913 William King Coffin purchased a farm near Eau Claire, which he named "Tristram Farm," in honor of his first American ancestor, Tristram Coffin. Upon the completion upon this farm of one of the best and largest barns in Eau Claire county, the event was celebrated by a big "barn dance" on June 12, 1914, at which Mr. Coffin entertained about five hundred guests, to each of whom was presented a neat little folder show- ing a picture of the barn and bearing a greeting that read :
"In welcoming his friends to the dance, which celebrates the completion of the new barn at 'Tristram Farm,' the owner begs to extend his compliments to his guests, and to assure them that their entertainment is highly approved by an exceedingly aristocratie and scientifically housed family of Guernseys, Percherons, Poland-Chinas, Scotch Collies, White Wyandottes, White Hollands, White Guineas and Indian Runners."
Mr. Coffin is a man of varied capacities and of remarkable
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ability in each, and this last addition to his interests is another indication of the scope of his capabilities.
David W. Cole, retired farmer and veteran of the civil war, was born in Lorain county, Ohio, April 7, 1839, the son of David and Margaret (Cooper) C'ole, natives of New Jersey and pioneers of Lorain county. When David W. was a boy of eight years his parents moved to Byron, Fond du Lac county, Wis., and engaged in farming. From there they moved to Adrian township, Mon- roe county, and in 1871 came to Fairchild, Eau Claire county, and resided there the balance of their lives. The death of the father occurred December 16, 1888. at the age of 82 years, and that of the mother at the age of 81. In their family were nine children : Samuel C .; Charles C .; Eliza L., who married New- ton Palmer: Elias G .; Vincent S .; David W .; Lewis R .; William H., and Margaret A. She married Byron O. Palmer, who died May 18, 1892, in his 52d year.
Byron O. Palmer was born in Madison, N. Y., and came to Wisconsin in 1847, locating in Fond du Lac county. Ile was educated in Michigan, and after coming to Wisconsin was ell- gaged in school teaching until the breaking out of the civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, in which he served until after the battle of Shiloh, when his term of enlistment expiring, he was discharged. IIe re- enlisted in Battery C. First Michigan Light Artillery, and took part in the battles of Resaca, Dalton, Dallas, Kennesaw mountain, Decatur, Atlanta and Bentonville. IIe was with General Sher- man on his famous march to the sea. In 1872 he located at Fair- child, Eau Claire county, and for a time taught school. subse- quently opening a drug store, which he successfully conducted until failing health compelled him to sell out, and disposing of his interests to R. E. Arnold, he retired. Ile took an active in- terest in all publie matters, and any enterprise for the better- ment of his city and county, received his hearty co-operation.
Ile was a member of Brooklyn Lodge, No. 169, A. F. and A. M., and Major Payne Post, G. A. R., Fairchild. In 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret, daughter of David W. and Margaret (Cooper) Cole. Mr. Cole was reared in Wisconsin, receiving a common school education, and after his maturity en- gaged in farming in Monroe county and Fairchild, Wis.
In February, 1864, he enlisted in Company C. Thirty-sixth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the battles of Ft. Ann, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Jerusalem, Plank Road, where he received a bullet wound in his right heel, Straw-
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berry Plains, Reaves Station, Hatches' Run, High Bridge, and the contest which ended in the surrender of General Lee at Ap- pomattox, and was one of those who stood guard at the time of surrender. Returning to Wisconsin after the war. he re- snmed farming in the town of Fairchild, which he continued until 1898, when he retired, and has since resided with his sister. Mrs. Palmer. He was a member of Major Payne Post, G. A. R., of Fairchild, until its disbandment.
N. D. Coon,* who for two score years was the leading and in- fuential business man of Eau Claire, Wis., was born in Herrick, Pa., November 19, 1839. IIe acquired his early education in the schools of that place, and in 1859 studied music in North Read- ing, Mass., under Lowell Mason and George F. Root. In 1861 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Regiment. Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served with distinction during the war. In the spring of 1866, with a view to bettering his con- dition, he came to Wisconsin and for some time was engaged in teaching musie in the principal towns of northern Wisconsin. In 1873 he came to Eau Claire and opened a small store for the sale of musical merchandise. He was a careful and prompt business manager, upright and honorable in all his dealings, and by his frugality and close application succeeded in building up a large business in his line, and was one of the leading citizens of west Eau Claire.
In 1867 he married Miss Sarah E. Burnette, of Cleveland, Ohio, and one daughter, Alice S., was born, who now makes her home with her mother. Mrs. Coon is a woman of exceptional business qualifications, and since the death of her husband. which occurred July 13, 1910, has continued the business, enlarging its scope until now (1914) she has one of the best equipped and up-to-date music stores in northwestern Wisconsin, where she handles all kinds of musical instruments and musical mer- chandise.
Marshall Cousins is a son of Ilenry and Louisa P'. Cousins. For some years he has been engaged in the banking business.
He served in the Spanish-American war in the Third Infantry, participating in the Porto Rican expedition under General Miles, and was wounded in the battle of Coamo. He held the rank of first lieutenant and was adjutant of the First Battalion. He has served for many years in the Wisconsin National Guard as pri- vate, noncommissioned officer, lieutenant, captain and major. For fourteen years he was the regimental adjutant, and at this time holds the rank of major, commanding the First Battalion.
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In politics he is a Republican and served in the Wiseonsin leg- islature. Since 1900 he has been a member of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.
Ile is a member of the Masonic order, having advanced to the grade of 32d degree Mason. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Elks, having served as treasurer of the latter organization from the institution of the lodge. De- cember, 1897, to date.
He married Amy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James II. Wade, formerly of Eau Claire but now of Virginia.
Lucius P. Crandall, a well-known resident and business man of Eau Claire, was born in Allegany eounty, N. Y .. December 24, 1843, to William W. and Jane (Haskins) Crandall. His father, who was born in Rhode Island, went to Allegany county when a young man, and was a teaeher in the schools of that county for a time and later engaged in farming, which occupation he fol- lowed sueeessfully the balance of his life. Ile married Jane Haskins, daughter of Michael Ilaskins, of New York, and they were the parents of the following ehildren: Nathan is deceased ; Washington lives at Mankato, Minn., engaged in farming and fruit raising; Alonson Burr lives in New York, was a soldier in the First New York Dragoons, a retired farmer of Belmont; Fletcher is deceased ; Lueius P. (our subject) ; Joel, who served as a soldier in the civil war, Fortieth New York Heavy Artillery, is deceased: Sarah Ann, widow of Loren Collins, and also a soldier in the Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, resides in Buf- falo, N. Y .; Electa, wife of M. Knight, retired merehant of Pepin eounty, Wisconsin, now deceased, and Alice, widow of A. Benja- min, of Olean, N. Y.
Lucius P. Crandall was educated in the public schools, and followed farming until eighteen years of age, and on August 3, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company 11, First New York Dragoons, originally the One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Volunteer Infantry, was mustered into the serviee September 3. 1862, and served with his company until mustered out, June 30, 1865. At the battle of Cold Harbor he received a gunshot wound under the left arm, the bullet being removed from the shoulder blade. He later received a wound in the left hand and foot and was confined in the Lincoln Hospital, Capitol Ilill, Washington, D. C. In October, 1863, he was commander of the One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Volunteer Infantry, went to Washing- ton, D. C., and had the regiment changed to cavalry and later named First New York Dragoons. During Mr. Crandall's term
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of service he participated in forty-seven engagements from the battle of Black Water, Va., December 2, 1862, until the surrender of General Lee, April 19, 1865. During this time his regiment captured 1,533 prisoners, 19 pieces of artillery. 21 caissons, 240 artillery horses, 40 army wagons and ambulances, 40 draft ani- mals and 4 battle flags under Col. Alfred Gibbs and Captain R. A. Britton, in the command of General Sheridan at the time of his famous ride to Winchester.
In an address to the regiment by Governor Fenton, the Dragoons were paid the compliment of having highly distin- guished themselves for their fighting qualities. He said in part : "Our noble state sent many regiments to the field that won en- viable reputation as among the best that entered the Union army, but, gentlemen, without flattery, I can assure you none have made a better reeord than the First New York Dragoons."
After the war Mr. Crandall worked for a time at the car- penter trade, and on November 20, 1865, came to Ean Claire and engaged in lumbering on the Chippewa river for the Daniel Shaw Lumber Company and others, and followed this vocation for ten years. He then took up carpentering during the summers and scaled logs in the winters from 1868 to 1903. He then engaged in contracting and building, an occupation he has followed for forty years, during which time he has built many fine houses in Ean Claire and surrounding towns. Ile built the R. J. Keppler residence in Florida and has erected many saw mills in various places.
Mr. Crandall was married to Mary Bosher, daughter of Wil- liam Bosher, of Clear Creek township. Mrs. Crandall was born at Markettown, England, on March 18, 1852; came to Eau Claire with her parents, and during her many years of residence here had endeared herself to a wide circle of friends. She was a woman of charming personality and womanly graces, whose death on July 30, 1914, was greatly mourned by the whole com- munity. Mr. and Mrs. Crandall became the parents of six chil- dren, as follows: Alice married M. IIadley, of Tacoma, Wash .; George is a contractor and builder of Eau Claire; Byron is eon- nected with the Louisiana Lumber Company; Alfred is a painter employed by the Wisconsin Refrigerator Company; Grace is the wife of Daniel Boyd, who is associated with the Electric Light ('ompany. is also in the real estate business, and Lewis is with the Eau Claire Trunk Company.
During his many years of residence in Eau Claire, Mr. Cran- dall has taken an active interest in public matters, and served
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one term as alderman for the seventh ward. He is a member of Eagle Post, No. 52, of Eau Claire, and in politics is independent.
John M. Craemer, manager of the Milwaukee Elevator Com- pany, of Eau Claire, was born in this city May 16, 1879, and is the son of Mathias and Anna (Ney) Craemer, both of whom were born in Oberleuken, Province Prussia, Germany.
His father came to America with his parents when six years of age, and when still a young man came to Eau Claire and for thirty-eight summers was pilot on the Chippewa river. thirty- five of which he was in the employ of the Empire Lumber Com- pany, the other summers for other lumber companies. For many winters he drove ox teams in the woods for logging and lumber companies. Ile now lives retired at 740 Broadway, Eau Claire, Wis.
Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Craemer, Mathias died when young; Mary married Peter L. Klaess, now deceased; Anna is a nun from the Notre Dame Convent and is teaching at Detroit, Mich .; John M., the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth married Mike J. Schaaf, grain buyer, at Truax, Wis., and Peter J., mail carrier of this city, married Helen Zimmerman. now deceased.
John Craemer, grandfather of John M., was born in Germany; he came to the United States in 1852 and spent most of his life farming in Dodge and Dunn counties, Wisconsin.
John M. Craemer was educated in the Sacred Heart Parochial School and graduated from Curtiss Commercial College at Min- neapolis.
He engaged in the elevator business with C. H. Bergman and after a partnership of five years sold his interest to Mr. Berg- man. He was employed one year as bookkeeper for the Mil- waukee Elevator Company and in 1906 became local manager for this concern, a position he still holds.
In addition to his grain interests Mr. Craemer is stockholder and director of the C. W. Cheney Company, Eau Claire Concrete Company and Eau Claire Vulcanizing Company. Mr. Craemer married in 1914 Catherine Morrow, daughter of Thomas Morrow, of Eau Claire. He is a member of St. Patrick's church and Knights of Columbus.
The Milwaukee Elevator Company, of which Mr. Craemer is local manager, deal in all kinds of grain, seeds, hay, straw, coal, land plaster, etc., and are agents in Eau Claire for Ceresota and Marvel flour, and in addition to the elevator in Eau Claire the company has an elevator at Truax, Wis.
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Enos S. Culver, son of Charles F. and Charlotte (Slosson) Culver, was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, May 4. 1845, and was educated in the public schools of Osceola and Wells- borough and the Union Academy at Knoxville, Pa. Ile remained in Pennsylvania until 1867, when he moved into Wisconsin. Ile arrived in Eau Claire on October 21 of that year, and for thirty- one years thereafter was engaged in merchandising either as a salesman or bookkeeper, with the exception of one year, when he was at Unity closing up the business of a saw mill and store. In 1880 he opened a shoe store with a partner under the name of Culver & Ellison. In 1893 Mr. Culver bought out Mr. Ellison and conducted the business alone for five years, when he sold out and went into real estate and the mortgage and loan business, and is still so engaged. Ile owns 360 acres of farm land in Eau Claire county, and handles all kinds of real estate for his cus- tomers. lle is a clear-headed business man, whose judgment on real estate values is keen and accurate.
Enos S. Culver married Georgia May Butler, a native of Maine, who came to Eau Claire with her parents abont the same time that Mr. Culver came. They have a family of four daugh- ters, namely, Mrs. Jessie Botwick, Mrs. Norma West, whose hus- band is associated with the Minneapolis Tribune; Virginia. who is the stenographer for the Union National Bank, and Miss Floss C'ulver, who is a demonstrator of teaching in Texas.
Mr. Culver was a member of the County Board for two terms, and was chairman of the committee on county property and was an active member of that committee when they purchased the land for the asylum farm and when the asylum was built. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is past chancellor of Eau Claire Lodge, No. 16. Ile is also a member of the Uniformed Rank of the order.
Addison A. Cutter. In 1870 Addison A. Cutter became a citi- zen of Eau Claire. A few months later he became actively en- gaged in laying the foundation for the development of one of the great industries of the city, and the prominence he attained as a successful manufacturer and business man came to him as the legitimate reward of a well directed effort, sterling integrity and sagacious enterprise.
Born October 5, 1846, in Cuba, N. Y., he grew to man- hood in his native state, and shortly after his arrival in Eau Claire he started in the shoe business in the building sometimes called "The Odd Fellows'" at the corner of Water street and Third avenue. He later removed to what was called the "Phil-
ADDISON A. CUTTER
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lips Building" on South Barstow street. IIere he became the leading shoe retailer in the town. The lumber jacks who occa- sionally came out of the woods in large numbers demanded a dis- tinctive shoe; to meet this demand Mr. Cutter kept several shoe- makers busy making shoes that suited them. These shoes soon became famous and the demand so great that more commodious quarters were necessary. In 1892 Mr. Cutter purchased the large building at the corner of Eau Claire and Dewey streets from the Eau Claire Lumber Company and remodeled the building for factory and office purposes. The present shoe factory was started and has since flourished.
In addition to his shoe manufacturing business, Mr. Cutter was prominently identified with the financial and social interests of the city. Ile was a director of the Union National Bank, treasurer of the American Calk Company and had many other interests. He was one of the leading promoters of the Valley Club, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and a member of the Old Settlers' Association. During the civil war Mr. Cutter enlisted and served in a New York regiment.
On September 1, 1875. Mr. Cutter married Miss Belle Flanders. of Baraboo, Wis., and to them were born two daughters. Louise and Ilelen.
Mr. Cutter was a thorough business men and in his death, which occurred July 7, 1906, Eau Claire lost one of its foremost citizens. Ife was progressive and public spirited, a man of large affairs, and his most important enterprise was his shoe factory in Eau Claire, which since his death has been continued under the name of the A. A. Cutter Company.
Sofus Damm, secretary and treasurer of the Phoenix Fur- niture Company, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 27, 1880, to Carl and Emelie (Patterson) Damm. The father, who was military tailor for the Danish government, was a successful business man and lived retired for forty years. Ile died in Denmark at the age of 97 years. The mother and one sister re- side in Denmark.
Mr. Damm received his preliminary education in the public schools and later attended the State University at Copenhagen, from which he graduated with the degree of B. A. He after- wards attended the Military Academy and was made second lientenant. In 1904 he came to America on the steamship United States, and after landing in New York City he came direct to Eau Claire and for two years was in the employ of the W. J. Davis Elevator & Grain Company as bookkeeper, and then for
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seven and a half years was bookkeeper for George F. Windsłow. In March, 1913, he purchased an interest in the Phoenix Fur- niture Company, of which he is now (1914) secretary and treas- urer. He is a man of progress and prominent in business as well as in social circles of Eau Claire. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge.
In 1907 Mr. Damm married Edyth Piper, daughter of Silas and Mallisia (Butler) Piper, of Eau Claire, and they have one son, Carl Daniel Damm.
Charles H. Daub, one of Eau Claire county's enterprising and publie spirited farmers, is a native of Germany and was born in Siegen, Province of Westphalia, September 12, 1855, a son of Jacob and Polaxiney (Klapperd) Daub. His parents emigrated to the United States with their family in 1868 and a short time after arriving in America came to Minnesota and settled in the town of Lewiston, Winona county. They raised a family of seven children, as follows: Theodore; Amelia, who married August Stocker; Charles H .; Frederick; Augusta, wife of Henry Miller; Lena, wife of Herman Schneider, and Albert.
Raised on the farm from fourteen years of age by A. E. Blake, where he now resides, Charles H. attended the district schools, receiving a limited education. Hle practically cleared the farm of 200 acres, improved it with substantial buildings, erecting his commodious residence, which is fitted up with all modern con- veniences, including bath, hot and cold running water and other home comforts usually found in large cities. His land is in a high state of cultivation, which, with its buildings, contain all the modern labor-saving devices and appliances that go to make a model and up-to-date country home. He carries on general farming and stock raising and does an extensive dairy business.
In addition to his farming operations Mr. Daub was for twenty years a salaried man in the employ of the Eau Claire Lumber Company, serving several years as shipping clerk and the last few years in disposing of their personal property, at the same time giving his attention to his farming interests. At one time he was known as one of the largest and most prominent grow- ers of strawberries in northern Wisconsin, selling and shipping as high as $200 worth of berries per day, but during the latter years he has given his whole attention to farming and dairying. In the early 80's Mr. Daub was united in marriage to Miss Emily, daughter of Corbett Chase, a native of New Hampshire and a descendant of an old and respected family. To this union four children have been born : Ruth. Ralph, Fritz and Hazel.
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Mr. Daub has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of his county and state, and as a Republican was elected in 1908 as a member of the general assembly, receiving 1,685 votes as against 1,055 by his opponent, Elmer E. Tobey.
Jacob Andrew Davidson is a native of Norway, where he was born July 12, 1863, son of David Jacobson and Olivia Mathilde (Olson) Jacobson, on the farm Wooler in Eisvold, Norway. He received a common school education and after the age of fifteen served a two years' apprenticeship with his father, who was a building contractor. then entered into service with Dremmens Elvens Paper Mill, Madum, Norway. At Madum he was mar- ried to Gunda Christine Gregerson, daughter of Jonas and Gurine Gregerson, of Norway.
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