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 86
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William Swift. The Swifts were one of the best known fam- ilies among the early pioneers in Eau Claire county. Edward Swift, father of William, was a native of Fermana county, Fre- land, and was born in 1804. He married Ann Maegomery, and soon afterwards they eame to America, loeating first in New York City. Later they moved to Albany, N. Y., and from there went to New Haven, Conn. Allured by stories of the great west, Mr. Swift came to Wisconsin, and after a short stay in Kenosha county went to Milwaukee county and located near Hale's Cor- ners, in 1842. There he remained for seven years and then moved to Portage City. Columbia county, where he lived for another seven years, but finally eame to Eau Claire county and settled on a farm in Brunswick township, in 1856. There he remained dur- ing the rest of his life. He died in 1873. at the age of 69.
William Swift, son of Edward and Ann (Macgomery) Swift, was born at Albany, N. Y., May 25, 1835. He received his edu- eation in the public sehools, took up farming for his occupation and lived with his parents until their death. When his father died he purchased a part of the old homestead, and subsequently added to it until he owned a fine farm of 320 aeres. Ile carried on general farming, but was also well known as a successful stoek raiser. For nearly 60 years he was a resident of the township of Brunswiek and eame to be regarded, not only as one of its most enterprising and successful farmers, but also as one of its leading men. In polities he was an Independent, yet such was the confidence reposed in him that he was honored with positions of publie trust. He was chairman of the town board for five years and was also road commissioner, pathmaster, sehool treasurer and a member of the county board.
One of the first settlers in Brunswick, he lived to see the third generation growing up, and as time went on he grew more
WILLIAM SWIFT
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and more into the affections of the people who knew him. Ile lived a clean, honorable life and was one of the best of neigh- bors. He died August 16, 1914, after a short illness, and, although in his 80th year, was active of body and vigorous of mind until a few weeks before his death.
Speaking of him the Eau Claire Leader said : "He was one of the county's earliest and best loved citizens. His life was so filled with kindly acts that he was endeared to all who knew him. Throughout the community William Swift was admired and respected. A successful farmer, he was also an exemplary citizen and his memory will long be cherished."
His gentle disposition and his generous heart on the one hand and his long life and successful career on the other recall that beautiful statement in the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
The following remarks were made by Rev. Mr. Leonard, of Eau Claire, at the funeral services over Mr. Swift:
"Some one adopted this resolution for each day of life, 'I will this day try to live a simple, sincere, serene life.' Add a few great words and we have what must have been the life reso- lution of Mr. Swift. 'I will this day try to live a simple, sincere. serene, kindly, earnest, useful life.'
"He was one of that fine type of men who came from the East into the West, whose purpose and wisdom and hard work changed Wisconsin from a wilderness into a garden, and made her a really great state.
"He was a temperate man. He knew that to live his life sue- cessfully, to do his work, to be useful to the world, to be a comfort to those who loved him and whom he loved, he must take care of himself, must not waste his powers.
"He was an industrious man. Day after day, year after year. for more than half a century, he knew by experience what hard work means.
"Ile was a likable man. So many have spoken tenderly of him during these days of his sickness and death ; so many loved and respected him, and the better they knew him, and the longer. the more they loved him.
"And he was a kind man. One close to him by the ties of blood, said with tears, 'Ile was a father to us.' We read, 'A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.' This was pre- eminently true of him. Neighbors, acquaintances, those who met him in a business way, relatives, all unite in calling him a kindly
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man. And the sister who lived with this brother in beautiful relationship for more than half a century knows that he was a kindly man.
"Ile is not dead. He lives. He lives in the memory of many. 'The memory of the just is blessed.' He lives in other lives through his fine, uplifting influence. Out on the old farm every- where there are marks of his purpose, thought, decision, work. He lives in the old farm. But we believe also that he still lives an individual eonseiousness. Shall a farm last longer than a man? That part of a human being which thinks, deeides, is kind, loves, is lovable, is the real part, the mind, the soul. The soul does not die."
Robert Swift, who is engaged in general farming and stoek- raising in the town of Brunswiek, was born in New Haven, Con- neetieut, March 22, 1839, a son of Edward Swift, who emigrated from Ireland to the United States and settled first in New York City, going from there to Albany, thenee to New Haven, Conn. When Robert was quite a young boy, his parents eame west to Wiseonsin and settled on a farm in Eau Claire county. Ile re- ceived his edueation in the common sehools, was reared on the farm and remained with his parents assisting with the farm work until he became of age. He then went to California, and located in Monterey county, where for six years he was employed as a sheep herder, during which time he became thoroughly familiar with sheep raising and then branehed out for himself and was engaged in this business for six years, owning at one time many thousand head of fine sheep.
After twelve years spent in California, he returned to Eau Claire county, Wis., and pureliased 80 aeres of land in Brunswick township formerly owned by his father, where he has sinee ear- ried on general farming and stock raising. In addition to this, he keeps a fine herd of Jersey eows and does an extensive busi- ness. He is one of the most enterprising farmers of his neigli- borhood, and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his town and county. He has served as a member of the town board, and in national affairs sides with the Democratic party.
Mr. Swift was married in the town of Brunswiek, to Annie A. Hauxhurst, daughter of J. V. Hauxhurst, of Long Island, New York, and they are the parents of four children as follows : Mary married Pearl Sterns, of Eau Claire; Margaret is the wife of Albert Schultz, a farmer in Montana, and William and Maude, who reside at home with their parents. Mr. Swift has lived a long, honorable and successful life, and is greatly respeeted by
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all who know him because of his sterling integrity, his upright character and his honorable dealings with his fellow men.
John Tebo,* one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Augusta, Eau Claire county, is a native of Surrell, Canada, where he was born April 28, 1828, the son of Mitchell and Mary (Defo) Tebo. The father was a sawyer by trade, and lived to the age of 70 years, his death occurring from an attack of cholera.
In the Spring of 1864 Mr. Tebo came to the United States and located in Columbia county, Wisconsin, where on December 11, of that year, he entered the Union Army as a member of the 44th Wisconsin Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, having enlisted at Portage City, and served until April 29. 1865, when he was mustered out. He came to Angusta in the Spring of 1874, and established himself in the retail shoe business which he sue- cessfully carried on for many years.
On March 31, 1849, Mr. Tebo married Miss Lena Hutchinson, who was born in New York. By this union, he had a family of seven children, four of whom, Irving, William, Emma, wife of William Wood, and Jennie, wife of Frank Reed, are living, and all making their homes in Seattle, Washington. The mother of these children died February 9, 1903, and Mr. Tebo afterwards married Mrs. Margaret Smith, widow of J. C. Smith, of Augusta.
Mr. Tebo has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of the county, has been energetic and prosperous and is now living in retirement and enjoys the confidence and respect of the people of his community.
Frederick W. Thomas, treasurer of the Drummond Packing Company, of Eau Claire, was born in Monomonie, Wis., November 6, 1872, the son of Evan Q. and Lydia A. (Botsford) Thomas, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother a native of Wis- consin. Ilis paternal grandfather, Evan Thomas. a native of Wales, came to the United States about 1830, locating near Wilkesbarre, Pa., and worked in the anthracite coal mines of that vicinity for a time and later engaged in farming near Dun- daff, where his death occurred. The maternal grandparents were Anthony and Caroline (Bennett) Botsford, natives of New York and Vermont, respectively. They came to Wisconsin in an early day and were pioneers of this state, residing at the time of his death. at IIumbird. Evan Q. Thomas was a soldier in the Civil War, being a member of Company K, 52d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and served four years in the Union Army, being wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va. After the close of the war, he returned home and in 1866 came to Wisconsin, locating at Bangor,
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LaCrosse county, and there learned telegraphy in the office of the Omaha Railway Company. He then became agent of sta- tions along the line as fast as the road was constructed. IIe eame to Eau Claire in 1873, where he held the position of station agent until 1882. when he was appointed traveling freight agent for the company, holding that position until his death in 1904, at the age of sixty-two years. His family consisted of four ehildren as follows: Frederiek W., Edward B., David E. and Edna, the wife of A. J. Airis.
Frederick W. was reared in Eau Claire, receiving his educa- tion in the publie and high schools of. this city, graduating from the latter in 1890, after which he attended the University of Wisconsin, graduating from that institution in 1895. He after- wards taught school for several terms, and in 1904 became con- nected with the Drummond Packing Company, of Eau Claire, as bookkeeper, was admitted to the firm in 1906 and sinee 1908 has served as treasurer of this corporation.
On July 2, 1902, he married Miss Elsie, daughter of Patriek and Mary (Drummond) Fitzgerald, of Eau Claire, and to them four children have been born, viz .: Mary, Robert, Eleanor and Frederick L.
Mr. Thomas is prominently identified with the Masonic fra- ternity, being a member of the Eau Claire Blue Lodge. No. 112. of which he is past master, the Ean ('laire Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M., and the Eau Claire Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Industrial School Board.
V Gecrge Thorson# was born at Wheaton, Eau Claire eounty. on February 11. 1879, the son of Theo. and Dorothy (Johnson) Thorson. The father was born in Christiania, Norway, and eame to the United States when a young man, and followed the life of a sailor until he reached the age of 45 years. For the past twenty- eight years he has been engaged in farming, and now at the age of 73, in 1914, resides with his wife in Wheaton. They raised a family of six children, as follows: Thomas is yardsman for the New Dells Lumber Company : George; Gus is a locomotive engin- eer; Marie married Henry Lysser and resides at Cameron, this state ; Eliza married John IIolum of Eau Claire, and Lawrenee is a moulder, employed by the Phoenix Manufacturing Company
Mr. George Thorson was educated in the public schools and in the Chippewa College, and was employed by the Clark & Tay- lor Grain Company, buying grain for a period of three years, then for two years was in business at Stanley, Wis., and for six years was associated with the C. W. Cheney Elevator Company,
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at Eau Claire, and afterward with the Wisconsin Central Rail- road Company in their warehouse in Eau Claire until 1907. He is now, 1914, secretary and treasurer of the Northwestern Flour & Grain Company, to which he devotes his entire time and to his grain and milling interests. He is a stockholder in the bank of Allen, and owns a farm of 240 acres near Wheaton.
In 1902 Mr. Thorson married Miss Josephine Lee, daughter of John Lee, and they have one son. Delos Russell.
In fraternal matters Mr. Thorson is a member of the A. F. and A. M., Blue Lodge and Chapter, a member of the Elks. Knights of Pythias and the I. S. W. A.
Thomas E. Till,* deceased. who, for nearly forty years was a prominent logging contractor of Eau Claire, was born in Sun- bury county, New Brunswick, November 3, 1850, and died in Eau Claire, October 3, 1913. His father, John Till, was a resident of Sunbury county, where he followed blacksmithing, and also en- gaged in farming. He came to Eau Claire county and for a num- ber of years followed his trade of blacksmith in the employ of the Valley Lumber Company. He later returned to New Bruns- wiek and carried on a blacksmith shop and farm. He married and raised a family of ten children, as follows: Alfred, who is a lumber dealer at Cloquet, Minn .; Levina married Emory Smith, of New Brunswick : Thomas, deceased, the subject of this sketch ; George, now engaged in farming in New Brunswick; Jane mar- ried Oliver Craney, a lumberman of Eau Claire: John follows the trade of blacksmith in New Brunswick: William is engaged in teaming in Eau Claire; Ella is deceased; Rose married John Smith and resides in New Brunswick, and Edwin is deceased.
Thomas E. Till received his education in the common schools of New Brunswick, and was employed in the woods as lumber- man until 1874. when he moved with his family to Eau Claire. Soon after his arrival here, he entered the employ of the North- western Lumber Company, and later the Valley Lumber Com- pany, and at one time had charge of the camp for both of these companies and later was engaged with William Anderson at logging. He then started in the same business on his own ac- count, and for over thirty-eight years never missed a winter in the woods. He owned twenty horses, which he used during the summer months in railroad work, and also owned and operated a complete threshing machine outfit with others and did threshing in Eau Claire and adjoining counties. but his principal business was logging contracting. Ile was progressive, public spirited and charitable and had many warm friends, some of whom took
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advantage of his generosity to the disadvantage of himself. IIe was thrifty and progresisve, and had at the time of his death, accumulated sufficient means to enable his wife to live the re- mainder of her life in comfort and ease. Some thirty-three years prior to his death, he invested in property located on the Chip- pewa river, which has since increased in value about five times. He was a member of the Baptist church, and a man devoted to his home and family.
In 1868 he married Louisa Smith, who was born November 3, 1852, the daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Foss) Smith, of New Brunswick. To this union were born three children: Har- vey, who died at the age of 19; Thomas Austin resides with his mother in Eau Claire, married Ethel Thames, daughter of William and Adeline (Muek) Thames of Mondovi, Wis., and they have one child by adoption, Edith May, born March 21, 1914, and Leonard, who resides in Eau Claire, engaged in lumbering, mar- ried Miss Mary Meyers, of Mondovi.
Mrs. Louisa (Smith) Till, sister of Absalom and Orin Smith, residents of Union township, Eau Claire county, was born in New Brunswiek. She was married at the age of sixteen and became the mother of three children. She came to Eau Claire with her husband in 1874, and for eight winters following, went into the woods and did cooking in the lumber eamps, and with the money thus earned, together with that provided by her husband, pur- chased in 1882, the property where she has since lived, for thirty- three years. Mrs. Till has been an extensive traveler and in company with her son has made prolonged trips through the western part of the United States, visiting Seattle, Wash .. Los Angeles, Calif .. aud many other places of interest.
Reverend Henry M. Toeller," Pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Congregation, at Altoona, was born in La Crosse, Wis., January 27, 1880, the son of Frank and Rose (Nicloa) Toeller, natives of the Province of the Rhine, Germany. Ilis paternal grandfather. Frank Toeller, aud maternal grandparents, Matthew and Mary (Valiechek) Nieloa, were all pioneers of Wisconsin. Father Toeller was reared in La Crosse, where he remained until fourteen years of age; he received his education in the St. Joseph Parochial School, in La Crosse, after which he entered the Ponti- fical College, Josepinum, Columbus, Ohio, where after twelve years of classical and theological study, he was ordained to the priesthood by Rt. Rev. Bishop James Hartley, on June 9. 1906. His first assignment was as assistant pastor to Rev. Father
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Mathias Ilannon, of Darlington, Wis., where he remained one year. In 1907 he was appointed to his present charge at Altoona.
Charles Lyman Tolles, one of the well known citizens and representative business men of Eau Claire, was born in this city August 28, 1859, and is descended from a long line of prominent New England ancestry. Ilis father, Robert Tolles, was born near Plymouth, Conn., August 2, 1827, and was the son of Lyman and Almira (Andrews) Tolles, farmers of Terryville, Conn. He was a nephew of Seth Thomas, the clockmaker, and when ten years of age, went into the clock factory at Thomaston, Conn. After acquiring a knowledge of elock making, he took up mechanical engineering and was employed in a machine shop in that state, and Windham, N. Y. During his residence in Windham, he mar- ried Mary Richards Graham, daughter of Charles Graham. a prominent shoe dealer on November 7, 1852. She was born June 21, 1825. They came to Eau Claire in 1857, and he installed the first steam plant of any account in this section, for the old Eau Claire Lumber Company at their steam mill, and was in their employ for about four years. Ile subsequently engaged with his brother-in-law, Iliram P. Graham, in the business that was finally merged into the Phoenix Manufacturing Company of today. Dur- ing his earlier days in Eau Claire, he did some steamboating on the Chippewa river, and was also connected with the Dells Lum- ber Company and for a time had full charge of an important grist mill at Sand Creek, Dunn county, which was owned by this firm.
He was a member of the first board of aldermen for the city of Eau Claire and until his death, which occurred July 7. 1879, held a prominent place in the business and social life of the city.
Mr. Charles L. Tolles grew to manhood in Eau Claire, attended the public schools, but being thrown upon his own resources early in life, he was compelled to go into business before his education was completed. His final schooling was received under the tutel- age of T. F. Frawley, attending classes in the winter and work- ing in the shop in summer. In 1876 he became associated with the Phoenix Manufacturing Company and has been connected with that concern continuously ever since, having worked his way to the presidency of the company. On May 25, 1879, he was sent to Sand Creek, in Dunn county, to take charge of the flouring mill there, which was owned by this company, and after spend- ing four years there, he returned to Eau Claire and the office of the Phoenix company, remaining there three years, then went
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with the Eau Claire Mills Supply Company, a branch corporation. The mill supply company was subsequently sold, in about 1904, to W. H. Ilobbs, and Mr. Tolles returned to the Phoenix com- pany.
Mr. Tolles is one of the best examples of what the hustling American boy can make of himself, a clean-ent, wide-awake busi- ness man, ready to adopt new business methods whenever exigency of trade demands them, and ever ready to devote his time and talent to the use of the public in all matters pertaining to the improvement of his home eity.
On June 5, 1882, he married Miss Ida May Fox. To this union have been born two children, Romaine Graham and Helen Athalia. In social cireles as well as in commercial life Mr. Tolles oeenpies a prominent place ; he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the United Commercial Travelers, the Eau Claire Club and the Traveler's Protective Association.
Michael J. Toner, overseer of the Eau Claire county poor farm, is a product of Pennsylvania, born at St. Clair, Schuylkill county, that state, November 7, 1866, to Francis and Ann (Me- Gough) Toner. The father, who was a native of Ireland, came to the United States in the early fifties and located in Pennsylvania, where for thirteen years he was employed in the anthracite coal mines. In 1866 he came west to Wisconsin and settled in Eau Claire county, purchasing at that time a tract of land containing 100 acres in what is now the city of Eau Claire. From that time on until his death, which occurred April 7, 1910, he resided in the city. The mother died at the age of 68 years, while the father was about 75 years old at the time of his death. They were the parents of eleven children, all of whom grew to man- hood and womanhood. James, Michael J., Frank, Daniel and Annie, wife of Stephen Curry, are the only ones now living. Those deceased are Kate, who married Michael Carroll: John; Edward; Sarah; Mary, and Maggie.
Michael J., who was an infant when his parents came to Eau Claire, grew up with the village and received his education in the district schools of the county, and after reaching his ma- turity, he followed the occupations of lumbering and farming until April, 1906, sinee which time he has occupied his present position, which is sufficient evidence of his fitness as overseer of the poor farm.
On November 7, 1905, he married Miss Bertha, daughter of Nels and Olena (Fjerstad) Silverness, natives of Norway and pioneer settlers of Mondovi, Buffalo county, Wisconsin. The
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issue of this union is three sons, Edward, Robert and Francis. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Toner are Catholics and he is a mem- ber of the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Peter Truax. Standing prominent among the representative men of Eau ('laire was Peter Truax. He was born in Steuben county, New York, February 24, 1828. and was the son of Jacob and Mary Truax, both native Americans of sturdy, progressive disposition. While yet a youth, he moved with his parents to Alleghany county. New York. Ile received his education in the public schools of that state. and on September 23, 1852. married Miss Cordelia Avery. The adventuresome spirit of the times mnade itself felt in Mr. Truax, who concluded to seek his fortune in the west, where the opportunities for advancement were so much greater than in the East. Accordingly in 1854, he started westward to Wisconsin, and after a residence of two years in Walworth county, he in 1855 came to Eau Claire and settled on a tract of land on what is now known as Truax Prairie. Here he successfully engaged in general farming for ten years and then removed to the then village of Eau Claire, in 1865, and es- tablished himself in the general merchandising business. Seeing greater opportunities in lumbering. in 1873 he disposed of his mercantile interests and engaged in logging and extensive farm- ing. He acquired large interests in the sawmill property of the Cloquet Lumber Company, and was also extensively interested in an electric railway in Idaho, as a stockholder. He became associated with Mr. Thorp, and together they built the first opera house erected in Eau Claire.
Mr. Truax erected a residence in the city of Eau Claire, but preferred his country home as a place of abode, which he had occupied some time prior to his decease, March 18, 1909, at the age of 81 years. The death of Mr. Truax closed the career of one whose long life was well spent in doing good in the com- munity in which he had lived. Mrs. Truax who resides in Eau Claire, is a lady of charming personality and noble Christian character, whose hequests and benefactions will perpetuate her name in Eau Claire.
James M. Vance, highway and bridge contractor, with post- office address Chippewa Falls, was born in Monroe county, Iowa. October 8, 1854, the son of Rev. John A. and Nancy .J. (Snod- grass) Vance, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively, and pioneers of Monroe county, Iowa, where the father improved a farm of eighty acres. He was also a clergyman of the United Presbyterian church. In 1876 he came to Wisconsin and was
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pastor of the Lisbon congregation, of Sussex, Waukesha county, eleven years. He was twice married; his first wife was Nancy .J. Snodgrass, by whom he had three children, as follows: Mary Ann, wife of C. H. Dunlap, of Scattle, Wash .; Martha J., wife of C. C. Palmer, of Eddyville, Ia., and James M., the subject of this sketch. His second wife was Lucinda Presley, and they were the parents of two children: John P., a civil engineer on the Canadian Pacific railroad and who lost his life in a blizzard in northwestern Canada, and Jennie, a trained nurse of New- castle, Pa.
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