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 88
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
In politics Mr. Wilcox was a Republican. He served three terms as township treasurer, served as a member of the city council, and was tendered but refused the nomination for mayor. For a number of years he served as justice of the peace. and at the time of his death, which occurred March 21, 1906, was United States revenue ganger. No citizen of Eau Claire was held in higher esteem than was Nelson C. Wilcox. Upright. conscientious and broad-minded in his views of men and affairs, firm in his con- victions and always true to them. he commanded the respect of all with whom he came in contact.
Thorp Joseph Wilcox is one of the prosperous manufacturers of Eau Claire, Wis., whose achievements are the result of his own untiring efforts. He has a genius for hard work, and with nn- usual clear-sightedness, has been able to avail himself of op- portunities when they occurred and to make them when they did not, with the result that he now ranks among the leading sub- stantial citizens of this city. He was born in Eau Claire. May 20. 1877, the son of Nelson Chapman and Angeline (Tewkesbury) Wilcox. During his boyhood he attended the public schools, then entered the Central High School. from which he graduated in 1896. Immediately after his graduation he entered the employ of the Linderman Box & Veneer Company. He worked in the lumber yards. sorting sheds and all the machines in the factory. Starting at the bottom. he advanced to a position in the office and from that into ownership and management, which last pro- motion came in 1902 when the Linderman Box & Veneer Com- pany was reorganized, of which company he is now vice-presi- dent and general manager. and under his careful, conservative and skillful management the business has shown a constant growth from the start and is recognized as one of the prominent manufacturing industries of Eau Claire and second largest in the state of Wisconsin.
Mr. Wilcox is a man of fine social qualities, and by the force of a pleasing personality attracts many warm friends. Ile is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent Order of Elks, the Eau Claire Country Club, the Civic and Commerce As- sociation and the Eau Claire Business Men's Club. On June 12, 1902, Mr. Wilcox was married to Miss Minnie MeDonough, only daughter of Dennis MeDonough. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox two danghters have been born, Petronilla and Margaret Wilcox.
Wales H. Willard, superintendent of the Eau Claire City Water Works, was born October 21, 1843, at Jamestown, N. Y. Ilis father, Hermis Willard. was born at Townsend. Windham
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county, Vt., in 1797, and was an expert pattern maker in the machine shops and a skilled mechanic. He followed the art of pattern maker all his life; was engaged in business for himself for many years, during which time he built many models for machinery. Ile died in 1882 and was buried at Jamestown, N. Y. Mr. Willard's mother, whose maiden name was Alvina Kid- der, was born in Wardsboro, Windham county, Vt., in 1799, and died in 1885. Of their eight children Wales A. died in infancy; Darwin was a captain during the civil war in the Seventy-seeond New York Regiment, Third Brigade, under command of General Sickles, and was killed in battle May 5, 1862; Lueius N .. who died in 1900, was a machinist at Jamestown; Corbin K. is a re- tired farmer at Jamestown, N. Y .: Herbert died in infancy ; Caroline, who resides at Fredonia, N. Y., married Robert Jones. a captain of a whaling ship, who lost his life in the Aretie Ocean; Henry Kirk, deceased, was a musician in General Sickles' brigade during the civil war, and Wales II .. the subject of this sketch.
Oliver Willard, grandfather of Wales H., was born in Massa- chusetts and was a member of the old Willard family of Massa- chusetts, Rhode Island, Connectient. Maine. Vermont and Now Hampshire.
Wales H. attended the public schools until he was fourteen years old, and then went to work in a machine shop at James- town, N. Y. After serving an apprenticeship of three years he enlisted in the New York National Guards, was mustered into the army at Harrisburg, but only served seven weeks, when he returned home. Ile later went to Detroit, Mich., and there fol- lowed the trade of machinist in a locomotive works for three months, then went to Galesburg. Ill., and for a short time fol- lowed his trade there. In 1867 he came to Eau Claire and was employed in the Shaw machine shops for one year, then clerked one year in a store and was also clerk on a steamboat on the Chippewa river. He next followed the machinist's trade until 1870, when he became bookkeeper in a grocery store. after which he was employed by the eity of Eau Claire as engineer of the steam fire engine "W. F. Bailey" for fourteen years. In 1885 he was made inspector of construction of the water works, with which he has since been connected, being now (1914) superin- tendent. Many changes have taken place during his administra- tion, and practically all the water mains in the eity have been laid under his supervision. In all eity affairs he takes an active interest, and has served as alderman from the fifth ward for two years. He is a member of the Rod and Gun Club and of the First
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Congregational church. In 1872 Mr. Willard married Julia Deyarman, daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Greenley) Deyar- man, and has one daughter, Jessie D.
Albert L. Williams, the son of Lucius L. and Elvira A. (Seari) Williams, was born August 18, 1877, at Augusta, Eau Claire county, Wis. He received his education in the schools of Eau Claire and Curtis College at Minneapolis. After completing his education he entered the furniture store of his father as book- keeper in 1898, later becoming salesman, a position he held for four years until 1902, when the firm was changed to the Williams Furniture Company and he became secretary, holding that posi- tion until 1908, when he was elected president of the company and is still acting in that capacity, he being one of the largest stockholders. He is enterprising and progressive and takes a commendable interest in all matters pertaining to the betterment of his city. He married in 1898 Francis Girnau, a daughter of Peter Giruan, of Eau Claire, and has two children, Clarence and Elvira. Mr. Williams is a member of the Episcopal church, the Modern Woodmen of America and Loyal Order of Moose, and is independent in politics.
Lueins L. Williams, father of Albert L., was born in Kirtland, Lake County, O., March 14, 1843, and remained there until he came to Angusta in May, 1869. In the spring of 1870 he en- gaged in the book and stationery business with his brother. O. A. Williams, and in 1875 erected a brick store building. This business arrangement continued until 1879, when L. L. Williams purchased his brother's interest, and early in 1881 added a stock of dry goods and groceries to his former business and was at one time quite an extensive dealer in fruits. In 1883 he came to Eau Claire and engaged in the furniture business and followed this the remainder of his life.
In August, 1876, he became agent at Augusta for the Ameri- can Express Company, and in 1877 was elected a member of the county board and served four years as treasurer of his town. Ile was married at Chardon, Geauga county, O., in 1865, to Elvira A. Searl, who was born in LeRoy, Lake county, that state. They were the parents of three children, viz: Dorliska N., Albert L. and Sadie M., who died in August, 1877, at the age of three years.
Heman Benjamin Wilson, an enterprising farmer of Bruns. wiek township, is a native of County Renfrew, Ontario, Canada. where he was born February 9, 1866. His parents were Benjamin and Mary (Visina) Wilson; the former, who was born in the
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Province of Quebec, Canada, moved to West Meath, Renfrew county, Ontario, where he made his home all his life, following the lumber industry during winters and in the summer months carried on his large farm. He was successful in his business and died in 1892 at the age of 65, honored and respected by all who knew him. He married Mary Visina, daughter of Eli Visina, of West Meath, Ontario, who is now residing at Sturgeon Falls. Ontario, in his 73d year. They were the parents of nine eliil- dren, six of whom are now (1914) living: Joel, a prosperous farmer in Canada; Heman B., the subject this sketch; Walter, a Canadian farmer; Samuel conduets a livery stable at Warren, Ontario; Robert, a blacksmith and wheelwright at Warren, and Allen, a lumber dealer, also of Warren, Ontario. Those deceased are : Cecelia, Emma, and one child who died in infancy.
Joel Wilson, grandfather of Heman B., was born in Scot land. He came to the western continent and located in the Province of Quebec, where he followed farming and lumbering all his life.
Hleman B. was reared in his native country, attended the common schools and during the summer months worked for his parents at farming, and during the winters he followed lum- bering, being employed by various companies. He came to Eau Claire in 1888 and was employed for more than ten years by the Northwestern Lumber Company, a short time as a laborer and for many years as foreman over a large number of men. He followed lumbering until 1896, when he purchased the Melrose farm of 200 acres in Brunswick township and commenced farm- ing on a large scale, of which he has made a grand success. In addition to his general farming operations he is a large dealer and raiser of stock and carries on an extensive dairy business, shipping his milk and cream to the Rock Falls Creamery Com- pany. He is a man of shrewd management and is considered one of the most prosperous, progressive and substantial men of his neighborhood. Ile is active in local publie affairs and has served twelve years as school elerk and twelve years as road eommis- sioner. He is a Republican in politieal sentiment, and in re- ligious faith he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
On July 4, 1892, Mr. Wilson married Miss Mary Melrose, daughter of Thomas and Isabella (Briggs) Melrose, of Eau Claire county. Their children are Robert Benjamin, born Jan- uary 24, 1897; William, born June 19, 1898, and Carrie, born June 30, 1902.
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George C. Witherby, president of the Eau Claire Book & Sta- tionery Company, whose activities in all lines leading toward the progress of Eau Claire have made him worthy of mention in this history, was born in Watertown, N. Y., Angust 2, 1856. Ilis father, Clark Witherby, was born in Jefferson county, New York, where he was raised and educated. He was a man of influence and honored for his manly character and his straightforward, and honorable business methods. His wife was Caroline Melotte, and they became the parents of four children, of whom two are now living, viz : George C., the subject of this sketch, and Charles, an architect. Those deceased are Alice, who died in youth, and Edgar, who died at the age of fifteen.
George C. passed his early life in Watertown, N. Y., receiv- ing his education in the common and high schools, removing to Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1883, where he engaged in the book busi- mess with a Mr. Andrews under the firm name of Andrews & Witherby, which business was successfully carried on for four and one-half years, at which time Mr. Witherby sold his interest to Mr. Andrews, and in 1887 eame to Eau Claire. After arriving here he purchased the Putnam interests in the Eau Claire Book & Stationery Company, of which concern he became president, and now owns the controlling interest. Mr. Witherby's whole life has been practically devoted to the book and stationery busi- ness. His company not only does a retail business but carries on a manufacturing plant, where they manufacture legal blanks and conduct the largest business in books in the United States for a city the size of Eau Claire.
Victor Wolf,* who had the longest military record of any man in the Chippewa Valley, and who for fifty-two years was a resident of Ean Claire, was born in Obendorf, Baden Baden, Ger- many. December 28, 1824, the son of George and Margaret (Haas) Wolf, both natives of Germany. In 1847 Captain Wolf came to the United States and upon landing in New York he learned of the Mexican war, and his ancestors having been warriors, the soldier element asserted itself in him and on February 23, 18-17. he enlisted in the United States Army in New York City, ex- pecting to go at once to the field of action, but instead he was ordered to Governor's Island, where he did duty until 1850. During the Seminole war he was sent to Florida as second in command of 400 recruits. He was assigned to Company H, Fourth Artillery, and fought there in the swamps and at Key West. At the expiration of his term of service he re-enlisted for another
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term of five years. In 1852 he returned to New York and was sent to Fort Niagara, and in 1854 was transferred to Oswego and remained there until 1856, and was discharged with a pen- sion on account of injuries sustained in mounting guns at Fort Ontario. During his ten years of service he served as sergeant four years.
In 1848 he married Miss Ann MeLaughlin and to them were born seven children, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of E. M. Ilar- rigan ; John C .; Cecelia, wife of Edward Larson; Ada, deceased wife of Lonis Schmidt; George; William J., and Lilly, wife of Joseph Figlmiller. After leaving the regular army Mr. Wolf be- came general manager of Ex-Governor Tallmadge's large farms at Fond du Lac, Wis., and in 1858 he came to Ean Claire, built him a home and engaged in teaming. He opened a stone quarry and in the winter did freighting between Eau Claire and Sparta.
When the civil war broke out he drilled a company of re- eruits and on July 17, 1861, enlisted in Company C, Eighth Regi- ment, Wiseonsin Volunteer Infantry, and in August following was elected first lieutenant of this, the famous Eagle company of the Eagle regiment. They left Eau Claire for the front in September, 1861, and in May. 1862, he was promoted to captain of the company. This company was selected as the color com- pany of the regiment, and they carried "Old Abe," the American war eagle, through the war, which soared over the regiment in many a bloody fray and was with the command in nearly every action in which they participated, about twenty-two battles and sixty skirmishes. On September 26, 1864, "Old Abe" was pre- sented to the state of Wisconsin, being given to Governor Lewis in person by Captain Wolf at Madison. Among the important engagements in which he took part were Frederiekstown, Farm- ington, siege of Corinth, Burnsville, Corinth, Tallahatchee, Four- teen-mile Creek, Mississippi Springs, Jackson, Vicksburg. Brownsville, Fort Seurey. Fort de Russy. Henderson Hill, Grand Ecore, Pleasant Hill, Machitoches, Cane River, Clontierville, Bayou Rapids, Bayon Roberts, Simsport and others. He was honorably discharged from the service at Madison April 1, 1865, by special order from the war department.
On his return to Ean Claire he resumed his teaming business, which he continued until 1872, when he was elected first chief of police of the city, serving in that capacity until 1877. In 1880 he engaged in the livery business, which he conducted for sev- eral years. He served as town treasurer of North Eau Claire for
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two years, was chairman of the town board of supervisors, road master, served for nine years as district clerk and was alderman of the city for two years. His certainly was an eventful life, and at the time of his death, January 21, 1910, at the age of 85 years, he was a member of the Catholic church and Eagle Post, No. 52, G. A. R., and held the honor of having named the war eagle "Old Abe" after Abraham Lincoln.
John C. Wolf,* the popular proprietor of the omnibus line of Eau Claire, was born in Youngstown, .... , on June 22. 1852, and is a son of the late Capt. Victor Wolf and Ann (MeLangh- lin) Wolf. He came with his parents to Eau Claire in 1858 and here grew to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools. At the age of 22, in 1874, he became engaged in the bus business and has for forty years followed that occupation, becoming proprietor of the line in 1901.
Mr. Wolf was married November 22. 1880, to Julia Brekke, daughter of Ole and Gertrude (Pouf) Brekke, of Norway. To this union have been born five children, viz: Lula, wife of H. S. Strandness; Harry J .; Mabel G., wife of William Kaiser; Mande E., and Lincoln J. In religious affiliations Mr. Wolf and family are members of St. Patrick's church. He is a member of Branch 26, Catholic Knights, of which he is president; is a Democrat in political sentiment, and has served as supervisor of the eighth ward.
Obediah Works,* who has lived in Eau Claire county for more than half a century, is one of that class of robust, energetic men who have not only witnessed, but who have had an important part in the work of transforming the county from its wild state inhabited by wild game and beasts, to one of fruitful farms and elegant homes. He is of Welsh descent and the son of George W. and Julia (Coolidge) Works, and was born in Essex county, New York, July 3, 1836. His father died at the age of 35 and his mother at the age of 65. Raised in Essex county, Mr. Works acquired his education in the public schools, and. when 21 years of age, in 1857. came West to Wisconsin and located in Eau Claire county, where he purchased a farm in Lincoln township. Mr. Works has always carried on general farming and dairying. and for many years has been counted one of the prosperons and thrifty farmers of the community and an influential man. Ile has been lavish in his expenditure of time and money in improv- ing his farm of 220 acres, erecting commodious and substantial buildings and supplying modern appliances and equipment, so that his is in reality one of the most desirable and attractive
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homes in the county. He is quite extensively engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of blooded Guernsey cattle, good horses and hogs.
In 1856 Mr. Works married Miss Lucy Ann Risley. a resident of Baraboo, Wis., who died in 1875, leaving three children : Freeman, Julia and Carrie. Mr. Works was married for the sec- ond time, taking for his wife Miss Clara E. Perry, and to this mion have been born the following children: George, Mabel, Arthur, Pearl, Robert, Clara, Obediah, Jr., Mildred, Lucile, Law- renee and Donald.
During the civil war Mr. Works enlisted in the Forty-eighth Wisconsin Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, and served ten months in the Southwest during the Indian troubles. In politics Mr. Works adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, while in religious belief he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Asigal D. Wyman .* Standing prominent among the repre- sentative men of Eau Claire was Asigal D. Wyman. Ile was born in Meredith, N. Y., and came to Eau Claire before the civil war. During the exciting times of 1861, when men were enlisting in the army, Mr. Wyman was one of those who went out with Cap- tain Sherman's cavalry company, which became attached to the Second Wisconsin Cavalry. lle participated in several of the most sanguinary engagements of the war and became conspicuous for his gallant and heroic conduct during his four years' service. Mr. Wyman was a successful business man, held in the highest esteem by his fellow citizens. For some time he successfully con- ducted a bee and celery farm near Putnam Park in addition to his other business interests. Ile was thoroughly domestic in his tastes, and closely applied himself to all his business interests. The active life of Mr. Wyman furnished a notable example of what may be accomplished by energy and resolution when guided by honorable principles and aided by agreeable personal charac- teristics. He was in truth a prosperous man, and his actions in all his transactions were marked by serupulously fair dealing, frankness and kindness and faith in the better side of human nature. Personally a tireless worker, he admired that quality in others and cheerfully helped the man possessed with that vim and energy he so much respected. He was modest and retiring by nature; there was no vanity in his composition, unless it was to do his work well, and to that end he concentrated all his pow- ers. A man of irreproachable habits and pure character. as well as honorable and ambitious, he enjoyed the friendship of all with
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whom he came in contact. Mr. Wyman was married to Miss and had three children, one daughter and two sons.
Milo B. Wyman, who for many years was one of the leading and most influential citizens of Eau Claire, was a native of New York state, and was born at Meredith, June 8, 1842. When 12 years of age he came to Eau Claire with his parents from New England and grew up with the city, where he lived for over half a century, and was always active in promoting the business growth of the city. In his earlier years he was engaged in the mercantile business with Mr. Carrol, and later was associated with the firm of Graham, White & Co., on the North Side. IIe was with the Empire Lumber Company for several years. IIe entered into a co-partnership with Erskine Ingram and formed the IIalf Moon Lake Shingle Company, of which Mr. Wyman was president for thirteen years.
As a business man his reputation was unblemished, and his success in all his undertakings was the direct result of his in- dustry, integrity and perseverance, while his quiet, unassum- ing manner and sterling business qualities gained for him the firm friendship of a large cirele of acquaintances. No one feared to trust him, no matter in what position they desired him to fill, and his employees always spoke for him their kindliest regards. Ile was called from earth on December 2, 1906, but it can truth- fully be said that his was a well spent life, that he was energetic, firm, reliable in all his dealings, helpful in all work tending to the benefit of those around him, loved and revered by his fam- ily, respected and trusted by all who knew him. His character and his work were a blessing to the community in which he lived. and he left to his successor the best of all heritages-an honest name.
Mr. Wyman held many positions of public trust, and from its organization was secretary of the Eau Claire Building & Loan Association and Home Building Loan Association. As a member of the Old Settlers' Association he stood among the first in years of service and honorable reputation. He was a member of the Baptist church, regular in attendance and a dependable helper in religious and charitable enterprises. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and an honored member of the Grand Army Post. He enlisted in Company L, Second Cavalry, and held the rank of first sergeant, second lieutenant and first lieutenant suc- cessively. On September 19, 1869, Mr. Wyman married Miss Martha E. Kershner, a lady of culture and refinement, and two
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children were born, a son, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Anna, who became the wife of the late Rev. Arthur C. Kempton. She is now the wife of Rev. Edward Babeoek, of Utiea, New York.
William H. Yule,* another one of the prominent residents and progressive farmers of Thompson Valley, is descended from New England ancestry, all of whom were farmers at one time in New York state. A son of the late George M. and Adeline (O'Brien) Yule, he was born near Owego, N. Y., February 23, 1845. and is a grandson of John Yule, a prominent citizen of that state. The parents of Mr. Yule eame to Wisconsin with their family in 1856 and for four years lived in Dodge and Columbia counties. At the end of that period, in 1860, they moved to Eau Claire county, where they spent their lives, the father living to the age of 85 and the mother to the age of 84 years. They were thrifty, pro- gressive and kind hearted, and were counted among the most successful and better elass of pioneers. Their family consisted of nine children, five sons and four daughters, as follows: Addie died in childhood in New York state: George H. is now a resident of Post Falls, Ida .; Helen, deceased wife of Frank Whittaker; Willis T. lives in Augusta ; Stella married C. II. Elkerton and is deceased; John is a resident of Scott's Valley; Charles, of Wash- ington township: Frank is single, and Pearl is deceased.
Mr. Yule, who is the eldest of the family now living. received his education in the common schools of the county and at the Eau Claire Seminary, and grew to manhood in the county where he has sinee lived, and from a small beginning has worked himself up to a position of independence and influence. His farm of 120 acres of well improved land in Thompson Valley, Otter Creek township, is well equipped with many labor-saving deviees which go to make up a model country home. In addition to general farming he does quite a little dairying and raises good blooded stock. In politics he is a Republican, and outside of holding the office of town elerk continuously since 1880 and some other minor offiees he has never sought political preferment. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and religiously he is devoted to the Baptist church.
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