History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 149

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044

USA > Wisconsin > Grant County > History of Grant County, Wisconsin > Part 149

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J. W. MORRISON, Sec. 17; P. O. Platteville; was born in New Windsor, Orange Co., N. Y., in 1839; he resided as a farmer in his native county until 1855, then came to Wisconsin, and located on a farm in Iowa Co .; in 1858, he came from there to Lima; in August, 1864, he enlisted in Co. B, 43d W. V. I., and served ten months, or until the rebellion succumbed; in the spring of 1866, he settled on his present farm of 73 acres. He married Miss Caroline, daughter of Luke Moses ; she was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, from whence her people came to Lima in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have three children-Wm. E., Carrie W. and J. Percy, all born in Lima, where the parents were married. Mr. Morrison has for the past six years been Town Treasurer of Lima.

ELIAS MEDLEY, Sec. 17; P. O. Platteville ; was born in 1810, in Trumbull Co .. Ohio. Married Margaret A. Espy, who was born in 1810, in Camberland Co., Penn .; in 1846, they came via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Grant Co .; they began in a log house on 80 acres of the present 200- acre farm. They have seven children-Philo H., a twenty years' resident of California; Cornelia, now Mrs. J. Carson, of Kansas ; Robert E. and Alfred, now of Lima ; Thos. Jefferson, now in Texas; Jane E., wife of Peter Klingensmith, of Lima, and Mary A., now Mrs. H. C. Haskell, of Lima .. Mr. Medley has been a life-long farmer, and is now in broken health, partially caused by the labors and hardships in- curred by all early settlers in timbered regions.

LUKE MOSES, deceased ; was born in the year 1805, in Canaan, Conn .; when a young man, , he removed to Ohio, and married in Hartland, Trumbull Co., Olive Dickenson ; she was born Dec. 1, 1810, in Cornwall, Conn., and was 6 months of age when her parents removed to Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Moses came to Lima in 1855, and settled on the farm where he died May 2, 1861 ; he left two children-Martin and Caroline. Mr. Moses was an upright Christian citizen, who lived enjoying the confidence of his fellows, and who died enjoying faith in the final reward of his Maker. His aged widow, still in full possession of her faculties, now resides with hier only son, who inherited the homestead.

NELSON NEWMAN, Sec. 1; P. O. Washburn ; miller ; was born in Madison Co., Ill., March 15, 1830; left there with his parents in 1837, and came to Lima, Wis., where they built the first grist-mill in the town in 1840, and built the second mill in the village of Washburn in 1846; run this till the spring of 1868, when he removed to the site he is now on and built the mill which is now run by the firm of Newman & Wagner. Nelson was married to Louisa Melvin, Dec. 23, 1858; she was born in town of Smelser, Wis., November, 1841. They have six children living -- Alice, Jessie, Jefferson, Inez, Frank R., Louisa G. and one deceased, Wilber, who died in 1864 and was buried in Washburn Cemetery Mr. Newman bas been on School Board fifteen years, and on Town Board one year; is also a Mason, of Melody Lodge, Platteville, and is a member of I. O. O. F., Washburn Lodge, No. 128. He is now exten- sively engaged in raising stock.

A. M. STEEL, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Platteville; was born March 8, 1830; came to Wis- consin in 1850, now owns 120 acres of land on which he has made the improvements; his wife was Miss Burney, afterward Mrs. Evans, a native of Wayne Co., Ohio; they married in 1862. In politics a Repub- lican ; in religion, Methodist. Has been Clerk and Director of Schools, also Assessor and Pathmaster.

LYBORN WELLS; P. O. Washburn; was born March 12, 1825, in Burlington Co., N. J. His father and mother died when he was 15 years old, and he was left alone to look out for himself; went to Harper's Ferry, on the Potomac River, and worked on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad for two years, then came to Chicago, and from there to Joliet and worked at the carpenter's trade for the winter, and after that came to Mifflin, Wis., and engaged in mining till the spring of 1850, then went to California and returned in 1852, but went back and stayed one year more ; then came back to Mifflin and bought 310 acres of land from the Moreh ad estate, and farmed it one year, sold it and bought the Morehead Saw-

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mill, on Little Platte River, in town of Lima, and run it four years, after which, bought 160 acres of land from Gov. Dewey; remained there two years, and then removed to Washburn, and has lived there since, except two years that he kept a Grange store in Platteville. Was married in 1854 to Emma Pullen, who was born in New Jersey Oct. 3, 1836; have five children-Lorenda, Allan V., Leslie K .. May C., Charles. Mr. Wells was Justice of the Peace for three years, also Assessor three years ; he kept a store in Washburn at the same time he was farming, and his son Allan was Postmaster.

GEORGE S. WHITCHER, farmer and dairyman, of Lima ; P. O. Platteville; was born in Bath, Grafton Co., N. H., May 4, 1830 ; four years later, his parents removed to Michigan, then went to Ohio, then to Wisconsin in 1845. They located on a timbered farm in Ellenboro. Grown to manhood here, G. S. Whitcher, in 1850, went to California, and was there about six years. During this time, his parents had settled where he now lives in Lima. In 1859, he married Rhoda Cooley, a native of John- son, Trumbull Co., Ohio. His father died in 1871 on the farm, and the widowed mother in 1875, in Platteville. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcher have five children-John F., Fannic L., Lee, Nora A. and George S., all born in what is now the cheese-factory, then the home of their parents. Mr. Whitcher has a fine farm of 393 acres, originally timbered land, that is fast proving itself equal to the best grass-producing lands of Central New York. He has a herd of twenty or more milch cows, with much other stock. and very large and well arranged barns. In the spring of 1880, he fitted up a cheese-factory, the only one in his town. It has proven a successful venture, and it is his intention to use the milk of 300 cows during the season of 1881; 125 cows furnished the milk for the 23,000 pounds of cheese made here in 1880. Mr. Whitcher has added a new boiler, pump, etc., and evidently means to do a good business.

EDWARD M. WOODARD, Sections 20 and 21; P. O. Platteville ; born March 27, 1817, in Steuben Co., N. Y., where he was, in early life, a day laborer. He became cooper's apprentice in Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he settled in 1844; ten years later, he came to Lima and settled on 10 acres of timbered land. He began with scarcely a dollar, and has literally hewed out of the original timber of Lima, a farm of 310 acres. He married Sarah Hake, who was born near Little York, Penn. The two eldest children-John W. and William W., were born in Trumbull Co., Ohio; the others-Elizabeth, Mary, Minerva, Albert, Wilson, Rhoda and Phebe were all born in Lima, where all now live, except Mary, who resides in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Woodard have lost four children.

ELISHA WAGNER, of the Washburn Mills. The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio Oct. 9, 1819; emigrated to Wisconsin in 1852; bought 160 acres of land in Clifton; sold and bought a half interest in the mill; also owns 100 acres of land. The mill is one of the best in the county. His wife, Sarah Taylor, was born in Lancashire, England, Aug. 15, 1814; emigrated to Amer- ica in 1817, with her parents, who located in Ohio, and died there ; they were married Feb. 19, 1844 ; she died April 10, 1878. and left five children-Charles Wesley, born in Obio Dec. 11, 1846; miller by trade, and employed in the Washburn Mills ; William Thomas, born in Ohio Aug. 22, 1848, and now in Kansas; Margaret Elizabeth, Sarah Ann, Mary E. In politics, Republican ; religion, Methodist for forty-one years, and held the the offices of Steward, Class Leader and Trustee. Has been Pathmaster, District Treasurer ; was Assessor in Ohio. They have a granddaughter, Tillie Draper, who resides with them.

F. G. WOODRUFF, farmer and broom-maker, Sec. 32; P. O. Platteville ; was born in Che- nango Co., N. Y., in 1831; came to Wisconsin in 1844; owns 80 acres of laod. His wife, Elizabeth Calloway, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1838; married May, 1860. They have five children- Albert, born Feb. 16, 1861 ; Eva, June 13, 1862; Elsie, Oct. 9, 1863; Lovillia, Aug. 7, 1864 ; Jesse, July 20, 1876. In politics, Republican ; in religion, liberal believer. Has been School Director, Clerk and Pathmaster. His father died January, 1866; his mother January, 1871.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

TOWN OF MUSCODA.

PHILLIP BETINGER, was born in Germany in 1832, where he was educated, and learned the mason trade ; came to America in 1850, locating at Galena, Ill .; remaining there six months, came to this county. In 1863, he enlisted in the 2d Wisconsin Battery, and served with them until the close of the war, and mustered ont with them in Milwaukee. His home has been in this county since he first came.

MAX BERGMULLER, farmer; P. O. Muscoda ; farm contains 80 acres, and is located in Sec. 8, in this town; residence in the village. He was born in Bavaria in 1833, where he was educated, and learned the tanner's trade. After learning his trade, he traveled quite extensively through Europe during six years, working at his trade in different places. He is a son of Simon and Madelina Berg- muller, natives of Bavaria. He came to America in 1853, stopping a few weeks in Milwaukee, and working for Pfuster & Vogle at his trade, then came to Muscoda and bought the farm which he now owns. He enlisted November, 1863, in the 2d Wisconsin Battery, which was attached to the Army of the Potomac. He served with them until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Milwaukee in 1865. In 1856, he married Miss Christina Neff. by whom he has five children, four girls and one son- Ludwig-twenty years old, who assists his father on the farm.

JOHN BIRK, farmer, Secs. 25 and 36; P. O. Muscoda ; owns 200 acres of land ; was born in Prussia near the Rhine in 1811 (the country then belonged to France); was a son of John and Mary Thomas, who were natives of the same place; he learned the tailor's trade with his father, and worked at it until 21 years old, when he engaged in farming; he came to America in 1853, and located in Mahon- ing Co., Ohio, where for four years he engaged in coal mining ; in July, 1865, he came to Muscoda and bought the farm where he now lives. He was married in the old country in 1839, to Miss Louisa Heints. They had three children, two came to this country with him; she died in 1845; in 1846, he again married Miss Margaret Baker, by whom he had one child born in the old country, and eleven in this ; one son, Peter, enlisted in the 15th Ohio Battery, and served with it during the war, participating in fourteen battles, he was but a little over 14 years old when he enlisted. Mr. Birk has been an energetic, successful business man.

JAMES A. BLACK, Muscoda ; was born in Montgomery Co., Va., in 1837, on the farm of his parents, Alexander and Elizabeth (McDonald) Black, who were both natives of Virginia, and whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of that State; his great-grandfather was born in the North of Ireland, but emigrated to Virginia when quite young. Mr. Black came to this State with his parents in 1854 ; they bought and located upon a farm in Richland Co., where his father died in 1874, aged 74, being born in 1800 ; his mother died six years later, 1880, also 74 years of age. Mr. Black engaged in farming and milling in Richland Co., and during the year 1871, built the Ithaca Mills, which he con- ducted for eight years, which he then exchanged for a farm in this town, upon which he moved and lived for two years, when he moved his family to this village. Mr. Black has always been in active life, and has accumulated an estate by his own persevering industry.

G. BOCK, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Muscoda ; was born in 1830 in Germany; son of Sebas- tian and Magtelina Bock ; came to the United States in 1852; located in Pennsylvania for one year ; then removed to Illinois, remaining but a short time, after which he came to Grant .Co., Wis., in 1855. He married, in 1860, Christena Ramma, daughter of Mickle and Catharine Ramma, by whom be has had eleven children-Joseph V., Lina, Mary N., Catharina, Elizabeth, John, Mattilda, Anna, Emmie, Ida and Otto. He has been School Director three terms, and Road Overseer one term. In politics, he is a Democrat, and in religion, a Roman Catholic. He owos 200 acres of land.

JACOB BREMMER, of the firm of Graham & Bremmer; was born in Prussia on the Rhine in 1842, and came to America with his parents July, 1847; in 1848, they located at Mineral Point; in 1866, he came to Muscoda and embarked in the mercantile business and in buying grain, stock and all kinds of produce; in 1870, he built a steam elevator. He was married in Muscoda in 1867 to Miss Matilda Drone; they have four children-three sons and one daughter. They are members of the Roman Catholic Church. He has held several town offices, and is a successful business man, and self- made.

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TOWN OF MUSCODA.

THOMAS R. CHESEBRO, Superintendent of toll bridge over the Wisconsin River, Mus- coda; was born in Stonington, Conn., Dec. 19, 1825; came to Platteville, Wis., in September, 1836 ; his first business education commenced with Isaac Hodges, at Platteville ; first came to Muscoda in 1855, and engaged in the mercantile business until 1861, when he was appointed Under Sheriff, which position he held four years ; was then appointed Postmaster at Lancaster, which position he filled creditably for almost seven years ; returned again to Muscoda in 1873, and was appointed Superintendent of the toll bridge, which position he still holds ; in an early day, he volunteered to go to the Mexican war, and was changed into the Dodge Guards to gather Indians, guard and remove them; this was in 1847; was in the 41st W. V. I., Co. A; enlisted in 1863 in the 100-day service, was mustered out at expiration of time. Married in 1850, to Miss Eliza J. Wiley, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has one son. Mr. Chese- bro is a prominent member of I. O. O. F., an active citizen in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community ; outspoken and honorable in his dealings ; what he has made was by his own personal industry.

P. A. DAGGETT & SON, loan and insurance agency, Muscoda. Pliny A. Daggett was born in Massachusetts in 1843; came direct to Wisconsin in 1856, and located in Iowa Co., where he engaged in farming up to the time of moving to Muscoda, and engaging in the insurance business, which was in 1873. His business has gradually increased to its present mammoth proportions, viz., $10,000 per year. His duties became so arduous, he was obliged to take his son, Floyd L. Daggett, into partner- ship with him in 1880. They represent twelve of the best fire and life insurance companies in the county, and make a specialty of loans on farm mortgages. By square dealing and strict attention to business they justly merit their constantly increasing business. P. A. Daggett was married in Iowa Co., to Miss Margaretta L. Floyd. Her father was one of the earliest settlers of Iowa Co., having moved there in 1832. They have one son-Floyd L., born in December, 1862. He has held the office of Assessor for two years ; was the clerk of the first high school in Muscoda, and took an active part in organizing the same. Is a member of A., F. & A. M., of which lodge he is Master for the second term. Is also a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and was installed as Noble Grand Jan. 14, 1881. He has always taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the place. He is Democratic in politics ; is a self-made man.

CHARLES H. DARLINGTON came to Muscoda from Illinois in November, 1874, and, in partnership with H. W. Glasier, then a resident here, issued the first number of a four-column quarto (neutral in politics), the Muscoda News, on December 5. On the 1st of January, 1876, Mr. Glasier sold his interest. In August, 1876, the Skirmisher, a small campaign paper of editorial matter, was begun, and continued through twelve issues. About November was begun an educational journal, the Educator, which reached a circulation of nearly five hundred. March 1, 1877, the News was enlarged to a seven- column folio ; May 1, 1877, it was suspended, and July 4, the Educator made its last appearance. Septem- ber 1, publication of the News was resumed (a Republican paper), four column folio, printed at home. In January, 1878, the form was altered to a six column folio, and Christmas Day, 1880, it was first issued as a five column quarto.

FRANK A. DAVID, of the firm of David & Woodward, druggists, Muscoda; was born in Iowa Co. in 1855 ; is a son of Isaac David and Cecelia Rouark, who were among the early settlers of Iowa Co. He learned the trade of druggist, and was educated at Platteville ; established his present business in 1874 ; was appointed Pastmaster in 1876, just at the age of 21 years, and has held the office acceptably to the public ever since. In 1875, he was married to Miss Ella Jameson, of Rock Co., by whom he has one daughter. Mr. David is a stanch Republican, enterprising, and a first-class business man. The firm carry a large stock of drugs, groceries, and, in fact, everything that is called for, making a specialty of wall paper, etc.

P. J. DELANEY, saloon and billiard hall, Muscoda ; born in Ireland, County Wexford, in 1836; came from the old country in 1853, and located in Janesville, Wis .; came to Grant Co. in 1859, and located in Muscoda. He was in the employ of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad previous to start- ing the present business, which he established in 1871. In 1859, he was married to Miss Katherine James, a native of Ireland, by whom he has three children-two sons and one daughter-all living at home. The family are all members of the Roman Catholic Church of Muscoda. Mr. Delaney has always been a hard worker, and has built up around him a nice property, and has a flourishing business.

A. C. VANDERWATER ELSTON, of the firm of Elston & McIntyre, general store, and dealers in live stock, railroad ties, etc., Muscoda ; was born in Unionville, Orange Co., N. Y., Sept. 9, 1845. He is a son of S. B. and Hannah E. Myers, both natives of New York, and whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of that State. In 1855, they came to Muscoda, where he bought the Wiscon- sin House, and kept the hotel for fifteen years ; then bought a farm in the town of Eagle, Richland Co.,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

and retired from the hotel business. He died in the war of 1879. H. C. V. Elston came to Muscoda with his parents in 1855, and lived with them until 1863, when he engaged as clerk in the store of McDonald & Graham, where he was employed four years, when he went to Chicago, and took a course in the Commercial College of Bryant & Stratton ; returned to the employ of McDonald & Graham, where he remained until the spring of 1867, when he engaged with the Merchants' Union Express Co. at Mil- waukee as private secretary for the General Manager, H. B. Honsdale. Returning to Muscoda November of the year, he went into business as partner with Peter B. McIntyre. The copartnership continued for ten years, under the firm name of McIntyre & Elston, when Mr. McIntyre retired from the firm, transfer- ring his interest to his son, since which time the firm has been McIntyre & Elston. He was married, Dec. 16, 1864, to Miss Julania Lane, who was born in Platteville, and a daughter of Henry C. Lane, who came to Platteville from Warren, Ohio, in 1837, first engaging in blacksmithing, after the hardware busi- ness. He retired from business thirteen years ago. Mr. E. has two children-one boy and one girl. He has always been in active business life, and accumulated his estate by his own persevering industry.

GEORGE R. FRANK, Muscoda ; was born in the town of Gray, Cumberland Co., Me., May 2, 1824. Attended the common school, also the high school at Gray's Corner and Westbrook Semi- nary ; taught school four winters in Maine, commencing at 17 years of age. Left home in March, 1845, went to Boston ; thence to Buffalo, N. Y., and, in September, to Chicago ; thence to Galena, and from there to Benton, La Fayette Co., and taught school during the winter. In the spring of 1846, came to Grant Co., and engaged in teaching, speculating and farming till 1875, and then purchased a farm just over the line in Iowa Co. Has a farm of about 500 acres, and is engaged in stock-raising. In 1848, mar- ried Matilda Price in the town of Harrison, Grant Co .; she was born in Indiana, and came to Grant Co., with her parents, in 1836, when she was but 6 years old ; her parents, Zachariah Price and Elizabeth Pricc, live at Mankato, Minn., and are engaged in farming. Have seven children-Alpheus E., attorney, Dead- wood, Dak .; Charles E., broker, Virginia City, Nev .; Florence C., wife of Charles J. McKittrick, merchant, Muscoda ; Noma E., William E., George E. and Freddie are living at home. Has held the offices of Town Clerk, Town Superintendent of Schools, Justice of the Peace, Town Supervisor and member of the County Board of Supervisors. Has been Deputy U. S. Marshal, Deputy U. S. Collector and Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue. In August, 1862, raised Co. B, of the 33d W. V. I .; was chosen Captain and com- missioned Aug. 16, 1862, and served three years ; was commissioned Major of the regiment Feb. 4, 1865, and mustered in as such at Spanish Fort, Ala., April 5, to take effect March 2, 1865 ; was in all the bat- tles and skirmishes in which the regiment was engaged, including the battle of Coldwater, siege of Vick- burg, Red River expedition, battle of Tupelo, battle of Nashville and siege of Spanish Fort; was in the charge that broke the rebel line in the first day's fight at Nashville ; was wounded while leading the ad- vance on Spanish Fort. His father Alpheus Frank, died in Portland, at the residence of his daughter Mrs. Eliza Haskell. He was one of the substantial farmers of Gray, a man of the strictest integrity, of quiet and unassuming manner, and was held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He passed his life in Gray, and there reared a large family.

VICTOR FAYANT, of the firm of Fayant & Happler, Muscoda; carrying on butchering business ; was born at Tallahassee, Fla., in 1840. He is a son of Bartholomew and Elizabeth Becker, who were natives of France ; when 2 years old, he moved with his parents to New York, and afterward to Schuyler Co., Penn. During the winter of 1857 and 1858, they came to Muscoda. He was married in 1865, to Miss Eleanor Sterling ; they have six children.

GEORGE F. GAY, physician and surgeon ; was born in Clayton Co., Iowa, May 12, 1848 ; is a son of John M. Gay, deceased, who first saw the light in the Shenandoah Valley, in Rockbridge Co., Va. He was by profession a civil engineer, and finished his education in Richmond, Va., during the years 1816, 1817 and 1818, and was employed by the Government twenty-five years, during that time survey- ing nearly all of the Northwestern country. His ancestors were natives of the North of Ireland, and three brothers-John, James and Robert-emigrated to America in the year 1730 ; they landed in Philadelphia, and settled as farmers in the interior of Pennsylvania, where they remained until the year 1740, when they moved to Virginia and settled on the north bank of the James River. The descendants took an active part in the Revolutionary war, and the father of John Gay was commissioned a Lieutenant at the com- mencement of the war, and served until its close. John Gay, although he was born, lived and educated in a slave State, was a decided Abolitionist, and strongly advocated those principles. He was an exemplary Christian, and for fifty years was a Ruling Elder in the Congregational Church ; he died in February, 1878, at the ripe age of 81. He served in the Black Hawk war with the rank of Major, and fought by the side of Abraham Lincoln (who held the rank of Captain), at the battle of Bad Ax. He and Mr. Lincoln

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TOWN OF MUSCODA.

were warm personal friends for many years. His wife's maiden name was Sarah Thomas; her aneestors had lived in Virginia for several generations; she also was born in Roekbridge Co., Va. Dr. George F. Gay, at the age of 10, came with his parents to Crawford Co., Wis .; where he remained for ten years, when he commeneed the study of medicine. He graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill., with the elass of 1875 and 1876; after graduation he located at Bloomington, where he practiced his profession for three years, and married Miss Minerva Woodhouse. He came to Museoda in Mareh, 1880, where he has since practiced his profession.

JOHN GEYER, physician and surgeon, Museoda; born in Austria July 31, 1846; he is a son of Lorenzo and Anna (Krater) Geyer, both natives of Austria. He received his preliminary eduea- tion in the old country, and pursued his medieal studies at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, and graduated at Wooster University, Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 24, 1876. He first located, after graduating, at Allegheny City, and remained there until 1878, when he moved to Lawrence, Mass., where he engaged in his profession until 1880, when he came to this State, and located at Platteville, remaining there but a short time, when he came to Museoda. He came to America in 1866. He was married in May, 1870, to Miss Lina B. Mueller, of Pittsburgh, Penn., her father being an old physician there, and with whom the subject of this biography was associated for six years previous to his gradua- tion. They have three children-one boy and two girls.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 149

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1044

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044