History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 151

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

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970

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

the close of the war, and mustered out with the regiment. His health became impaired by exposure and hardships. He was married, Aug. 14, 1841, to Katrina Herbert, also a native of Luxemburg, by whom he has had eight children-one son and five daughters-two of the girls deceased.

JOSEPH ROGGY, saloon, Front street, Muscoda; was born in Bavaria in 1818; came to America in 1851, and located in Muscoda. He built and run successfully for sixteen years the first brewery in Muscoda; learned the trade of brewer in the old country. He was married the first time to Miss Barbara Renkbarg, in 1846, by whom he had two children-one son and one daughter-and for his second wife he married Miss Lena Oswald, a native of Germany, married in Muscoda in 1853. He was in the army in the old country six years. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church ; has been on the side board two terms. He is the oldest German settler living in Muscoda.

CHARLES RODOLF, Muscoda ; was born at Zurzach, in the canton of Aargau, Switzer- land, in the year 1818; his early education was received here; at the age of 11, he attended the high school in his native town, and when 16 years age, commenced the study of law with his uncle, Henry Ro- dolf; two years later, young Charles quitted Switzerland, sailing for the new land of promise, America; he landed at New Orleans in December, 1833, and immediately took passage up the river for St. Louis ; arriving at that city, he attended school for a short time, when he made a second move, coming to Wis- consin and locating at Wiota, La Fayette Co., where he commenced farming during the year 1834; in 1837, young Rodolf went to Muscoda, then a small settlement of a few houses, and engaged with Col. William S. Hamilton, the then proprietor of the place ; he remained here eight months, during which time he devoted his leisure moments to reading law ; returning to his farm, he engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1840, when he removed to Mineral Point, taking an interest in a store with his brother, Theo- dore Rodolf; two years later, Mr. Rodolf opened a store of his own at Centerville, and commenced opera- tions in mining for lead, and the succeeding year ran a smelting furnace at Wingville; about this time, he began to put his legal knowledge to the proof by engaging in mineral cases before the Justices' courts; in 1852, Mr. Rodolf purchased the Eagle Mills and moved to Richland Co .; this same year he was admitted to the bar ; up to 1858, he remained a citizen of this county, engaging in various mercantile pursuits ; the year succeeding his removal (1853), Mr. Rodolf was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Richland Co., a most flattering testimonial of the confidence and esteem he had in so short a time in- culcated in the minds of his neighbors and constituents ; previous to his removal from Towa Co., he had been elected to the Assembly from the Northern District of Iowa Co .; in 1858, he was again returned to the same body, this time from Richland Co., and, during the years 1859-60, he served as State Senator for the Fifteenth District, comprising the counties of Iowa and Richland ; in 1864, Mr. Rodolf was nom- inated for member of Congress from the Third District on the Democratic ticket, but was not elected ; the later fortunes of Mr. Rodolf were cast in Muscoda, at which village he continued the mercantile business until 1876, and where he has since resided ; in 1875, he was elected Chairman of the Town Board, which position he held with credit to himself and advantage to the town until 1879; he was re-elected again the present year to the same position.

JOHN C. SCHAEFER, Jr., retired farmer, Muscoda ; was born in Prussia Dec. 29, 1811. He is a son of John C. and Anna Klin Schaefer. His father's business was raising grapes and making wine. He received his education in his native town, and worked for his father until 25 years old, when he established the same business for himself, which he conducted for ten years. He also served two years in the army in the old country. He came to America in 1847, and located in this county, and engaged in farming until 1875. when he retired and came to Muscoda to live. He was married, Feb. 7, 1837, to Miss Anna Margaret Meyer, a native of Germany. Peter Schaefer, a son of John C., was born in Iowa Co. in 1849. He lived with his parents until he was 12 years old. He then engaged as clerk in a gen- eral store for Mr. Daniel Zimas in 1867. He came to Muscoda, and clerked for McKittrick & Son five vears ; then engaged in his present business, selling agricultural implements. He was married, Nov. 21, 1872, to Miss Mary Stedle. They have five children. He has been Town Clerk seven terms, and mem- ber of the Board two years.

GEORGE J. SCHULZ, blacksmith, wagon manufacturer and general repairer of machinery, Muscoda ; born in Bavaria on the Rhine in 1849; came to America in 1864, and located at Burlington, Iowa ; came to Muscoda in 1869, and established his present business in 1872; learned his trade in the old country with his father, who was a first-class mechanic. His business has gradually increased from the start, and he has taken his brother in as a partner, who has charge of the wagon-making department. The firm name -il! he Schulz Brothers. George .J. was married, in Muscoda, in 1872, to Miss Elizabeth

971

TOWN OF MUSCODA.

Michael, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has three children-one son and two daughters. He is a first-class mechanic, and has worked himself up from a poor boy, now owning his own place of business.

JOHN SMALLEY, proprietor of the Smalley House, Muscoda; born in England in 1828; came with his parents to America in 1838, and settled in Pennsylvania ; came to Wisconsin in December, 1855, and located at Muscoda, where he has since resided. In 1856, he opened the " Smalley House ;" in 1874, he built the present hotel, the largest brick hotel west of Madison, on the Prairie Du Chien Division, and also one of the best managed hotels on the line, and a general resort for traveling men. In 1855, he was married to Miss Mary Carroll, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has one son, now in the employ of the railroad at Milwaukee. Mr. Smalley has held the office of Town Treasurer, and also Chairman of the Town Board. He is a man that can be depended upon in every sense of the word.

LAUREN L. THURBER, station agent for C., M. & St. P. R. R., Muscoda ; has been employed fourteen years in the same capacity by the same road; he was born in Door Village, Ind., Jan. 17, 1841, where he was educated and learned the trade of mason ; he is a son of Nathaniel and Sarah Leland Thurber, who were natives of Vermont; they came to this State in 1857 and settled upon a farm in the town of Pulaski, Iowa Co. The subject of this sketch came two years later, and joined his parents on the farm. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C, 20th W. V. I .; was with the regiment during its term of service, participating in all the engagements, and mustered out with them at Madison in August, 1863. May 6, 1866, he married Miss Anna Soper, by whom he has three children, all boys.

PARKER C. UNDERWOOD, Muscoda ; was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., Feb. 3, 1803; he is a son of Dr. Oliver Underwood and Jemima Parker ; Parker C. lived in the State of New York until September, 1834, when he came West and located at Buffalo Grove, Ill .; the following year, he came to. Mineral Point, Iowa Co., Wis., and his home has been in Iowa Co. since that time; he engaged in min- ing lead ore at what they called Upper Mines ; he sold his ore to Col. W. S. Hamilton, who had smelting works at Wiota, in what is now La Fayette Co .; his first sale of ore was 50,000 lbs., at $20 per 1,000 lbs .; it was the first ore sold ; he then sold out his interest in the mines, and went to what is now called Centerville, and discovered what is now called the Drybone and Black Jack Vein, which yields zinc ore ; the place was then known as the Underwood & Billings Diggings, he having given Mr. Billings an interest in the mine; he remained in the mines about three years, then engaged some in farming. He was elected Constable, also Under Sheriff of Iowa Co., which then embraced what is now Grant, Richland and La Fayette Cos. He was married. March 11, 1824, to Miss Anna Parker, a native of New York State; she died in 1848; they had four sons; the two oldest, Joseph and Oliver P., are living on the old homestead, in Iowa Co .; Madison, the third son, died Dec. 8, 1880 ; Irving, the youngest, entered the army, and was wounded at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and killed at the battle of Corinth.

MATHIAS VIKTORA, saloon, Muscoda; was born in Austria in 1850; in 1855, came to America with his parents and located with them in the town of Blue River, Grant Co., where they engaged in farming until 1876, when they moved to Muscoda and established the present business. He is a son of Wenzel and Rosa Knutz, both natives of Austria, where his father engaged in farming; his mother died in 1867. He was married in February, 1877, to Miss Caroline Bettinger.

REV. F. X. WEINHART, Muscoda ; born in Austria in 1828, a son of Anthony Wein- hart, who is still living in the old country. Father Weinhart received his education in Austria, and came to America as a theologian in 1852; was ordained as a Catholic Priest in 1855, and has had great success in establishing and organizing congregations. In 1856, he started and built his first church in Greenfield, Milwaukee Co., viz., " Holy Sacrament." The second one at Franklin, Milwaukee Co., in 1857, viz., "Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary ;" he also established the "St. Aloisius " Church at Sauk City; at Avoca, "St. Joseph's ; " at Highland, the German Roman Catholic Church, which was dedicated in 1864, and the church at Muscoda in 1859; at present he has charge of two congregations, the one at Avoca, and the church at Muscoda; he moved to Muscoda permanently in 1880. He was permanently located at Mineral Point for the term of eight years, and also at Highland for the same length of time; he has been in the ministry continually from the time he was ordained, with the exception of the trip he took to Europe, to see his aged father. He established two churches in Richland County, one of which was named "St. Anthony," after his father, and the other "St. Mary." He is the only one living of the three Priests that started the seminary in 1854 and 1855 at Milwaukee. His present congregation at Muscoda only numbered sixteen families in the start, and he said mass in the schoolhouse at first, and then in a wagon-shop, using the workbench as an altar; it is now in flourishing condition, numbering ninety- four families. He has wonderful executive abilities, and is thought highly of by the whole community.

972

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

JACOB YOUNG, farmer ; P. O. Muscoda ; owns 200 acres land on Sections 15 and 16; was born in Bavaria Jan. 23, 1842; he is a son of John and Margaret Smith, both natives of Bavaria, where his father engaged in the several occupations of farmer, miller and paymaster of railroad. Father died in the old country in 1858; mother still living in this town. Jacob Young came to America in 1858, and located first in Potosi, afterward moved to his present location. Enlisted Sept. 10, 1861, in Company D, 7th W. V. I., for three years. The regiment was attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. He participated in all the battles of the regiment previous to the battle of the Wilderness, except South Mountain and Antietam. May 5, 1864, he was shot through the right lung at the battle of the Wilderness and taken prisoner, and lay in the field hospital thirty-one days, when he was sent to Andersonville; was a prisoner nine months, and was one of the first 1,800 exchanged. He re-en- listed with the regiment the same day its first term of service expired for three years longer. Dec. 28, 1863, they were then stationed at Culpeper, Va. They served until the war closed and was mustered out in August, 1865. He was discharged on account of disability June 10, 1865. After the war, he spent three years on the plains for his health. He was married. Nov. 22, 1868, to Miss Harriet Markt, by whom he has two boys and one girl.

JOHN ZWOLANEK, physician and minister, Muscoda ; was born in Bohemia in 1815, and educated in a literary course, in Hungary, and graduated in medicine at Vienna. He practiced med- cine eleven years in the old country, and came to America in 1853, and located at St. Philip, Texas, where he remained five years, and he followed his profession, that of minister and physician ; then he came to Port Washington, Ohio, where he pursued his vocation four years ; from there he went to Indiana, where he remained two years and then came to Fond du Lac, this State, and from there to Muscoda in 1868, where he has remained and pursued his vocation to the present time.

TOWN OF PATCH GROVE.

LUTHER BROWN, Patch Grove. Mr. Brown, who ranks among the pioneer settlers of Grant County, was born May 21, 1796, at Canterbury, ConD. Like other youth of those early times, he assisted upon the farm, occasionally attending school until his scholastic attainments were such that farm work occupied only the summer months, while the winter was devoted to school-teaching. This pro- gramme obtained until Mr. Brown had reached the age of 30, when he concluded to try his luck in the Far West. At that time, the pioneer adventurer needed not to go further than Ohio, the main portion of which was but little better than a wilderness. Mr. Brown settled near Ellsworth, Mahoning Co., in the above State, and began the task of converting 100 acres of heavy timber-land into a tract fit for cultivation. While here, he married Miss Fitch, daughter of Deacon Daniel Fitch, who proved a worthy helpmeet. From here, after a severe and wearisome struggle with nature's giants, Mr. Brown removed with his family to the Territory of Wisconsin, and settled upon the broad opens of " Blake's Prairie," within the confines of Patch Grove. The village at this time was hardly known, and the present populous, smiling section knew but a few settlers, and these far between. Here Mr. Brown has continued to reside, and where he has raised a family of twelve children, seven of whom are now living, and have families of their own. Mr. Brown is now in his 85th year, and a link between the past and the present, and takes an active in- terest in everything connected with the county of which he has been so long an honored citizen.

LEWIS BEITLER, Sec. 24; P. O. Mt. Hope; owns 240 acres land, valued at $15 per acre ; born in Pennsylvania in 1841 ; came to Wisconsin in 1855; he settled on this farm in 1869. Mar- ried Catherine Day, a native of this county ; they have two children-Traverse J. and Clay D. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. C, 20th W. V. I .; was discharged in 1865.

JOHN CARY, Sec. 1 ; P. O. Bloomington ; owns 200 acres land, valued at $50 per acre; born on this farm in 1851. Married Mary Greer, a native of Pennsylvania ; they have four children-Pearl, George, Katie and John. Mr. Cary is Chairman of the Town Board.

FREDRICK JOHN CLAUER, proprietor of Reliance Mill, Patch Grove; was born in Bavaria, Germany, Aug. 21, 1846 ; came to America and direct to Mineral Point in the year 1869; then to Mifflin, where he worked in the Star Mills for William Bainbridge five years ; then to Galena, Ill .; then to Cassville, Wis .; then to Patch Grove Sept. 1, 1880. He is a fine miller, and has a good bus- iness at the mill, which is one of the best in the county. His wife, Ella, daughter of Fridmund Goldman,

973

TOWN OF PATCH GROVE.

of Linden, Iowa Co., Wis., was born in 1853 ; they married in 1874, and have three children-George H., born in 1875; William C., 1877; Oscar E., 1879. A member of Mifflin Lodge, of A., F. & A. M. Was in the army in the old country.

R. COLLIER, dealer in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, Patch Grove; was born in Cheshire, England, April 13, 1829 ; came to America in the year 1849; settled at Salem, Ohio, where he learned the trade of shoemaker. In the year 1852, he came to Patch Grove, Wis .; worked at his trade for 16 years ; in the year 1869, he began in the general mercantile business ; built in the year 1879 a storeroom 26x45, with hall above known as Collier's Hall. His wife, Ruth Ann Millard, was born in Northampton Co., Ohio, Penn., Fcb. 20, 1821. Married in Ohio March 16, 1853; they have four chil- dren -. Francis A., born Feb. 8, 1854, died July 16, 1854 ; Mirah, born Sept. 14, 1855; twins, Ida and Ada, born March 16, 1858 ; died March 19, 1858. In politics, Republican. In religion, his wife is a Spiritualist ; he is a Free thinker. A member of the Good Templars.

A. W. CURTIS, Sec. 27 ; P. O. Patch Grove; owns 133} acres land, valued at $40 per acre ; born in Schenectady Co., N. Y., in 1840; came to Wisconsin in 1866, and settled on this farm with his parents. Married Paulina Norton, a native of the same place ; they have four children-Addie, Charles, George and Laura.

ED. DICKINSON, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Patch Grove; was born in Patch Grove, Grant Co., Wis., Aug. 7, 1843 ; his parents were natives of Massachusetts, who came to Wisconsin in 1838, and set- tled at Cassville and went into business ; he died June 22, 1877 ; his mother died Dec. 4, 1870, leaving a family of four children-Sarah, now Mrs. Thomas ; Charles, on the homestead. Edward owns 100 acres of land finely improved; has made what he has by bis own industry. His wife, Martha Bryan, a native of Patch Grove. Grant Co., Wis., a daughter of William and Cynthia Bryan, who came in 1835, and set- tled at Patch Grove, Wis .; she was born May 11, 1846. They married Nov. 9, 1870; they have had two children-Harley, born Aug. 14, 1872 ; John, born May 27, 1878. In politics, Republican ; in religion, liberal believer. Has held the office of Constable several times.

CHARLES F. DICKINSON, Sec. 35; P. O. Patch Grove Owns 200 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre ; born on this farm in 1857. Married Amelia Parker, a native of this county ; they have two children-Justice and Alma. Mr. D. is a son of J. M. Dickinson, who was born in the State of Massachusetts ; he came to Wisconsin in 1837, and located in Cassville. He married Amanda Hamilton, a native of Massachusetts, and they had two sons and two daughters.

FRANCIS ENGLAND, wagon-maker and blacksmith, Patch Grove ; was born at Somerset- shire, England, in 1844 ; he came to America with his father, who now resides in Canada. He came to Wisconsin in 1863, and learned the trade of blacksmith at Beetown with Robert Hicks; engaged in busi- ness at Patch Grove in July, 1875. His wife, Mary R. Barrows, is a native of Wisconsin ; they were married in 1867; they have six children-Rosa, Francis, Charley, Birdic, Daisy, Susan. In politics, Re- publican ; in religion, liberal believer. Owns town property and 100 acres of land in the town of Millville.

EDWARD H. GARSIDE, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Patch Grove; was born at Massillon, Ohio, May 2, 1833; came to Wisconsin in the year 1845; was raised on the farm, and now owns 100 acres of the same and part of the place ; the old home is surrounded by the old evergreens planted by his father many years ago. His wife, Elizabeth Henderson, was born in Virginia in 1849; they married Feb. 11, 1863; by this union they have three children-Edith, George and Elizabeth. In politics a Repub- lican ; in religion, Congregational ; has been Trustee of the church ; Treasurer many times. Also, Clerk of the District, member of the Town Board in the year 1875.

HUGH GARSIDE, deceased; was born at Cheshire, England, July 28, 1798; came to America in 1830 ; settled in New York ; then came to Ohio ; then to Wisconsin in the year 1845 ; en- tered 120 acres of land, built the old log cabin ; he died at Bloomington, Wis., in 1876; his wife, Sarah Bagshaw, a native of Cheshire, England, horn June 28, 1802 ; they married in 1825, and had seven chil- dren, three living-Sarah, now Mrs. Rhoads, now in Ohio ; Edward ; Mary, now Mrs. Beardsley. His brother, William, was in the 33d W. V. I., and was drowned at Vicksburg, Miss. The First Congrega- tional Church of Blake's Prairie, was organized in the house of Mr. Hugh Garside.

JOHN J. HUMPHREY, dealer in dry goods, boots, shoes, hats, caps and groceries, Patch Grove; was born at Patch Grove, Dec. 18, 1857; engaged in business February, 1879. His wife, Miss Millie Richards, was born at Patch Grove May 11, 1855; they married July 23, 1878; by this marriage there is one child-Almira, born Aug. 29, 1879. In politics he is Republican ; liberal believer in religion. He has one of the finest stock of goods in the village ; owns a beautiful residence on the main street.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

JAMES HICKLIN, Sec. 27; P. O. Patch Grove; owns 160 acres land, valued at $20 per acre ; born in this county in 1830; located on this farm in 1868. Married Abby Beers, a native of this county ; they have three children-Etheline, Edna and Moses M. Mr. H. has been on the Town Board one year.

JOHN HICKLIN, Sec. 3; P. O. Patch Grove; owns 120 acres land, valued at $50 per acre ; born in Missouri in 1827 ; came to Wisconsin in 1828 with parents and located in Cassville ; his father, Moses Hicklin, was one of the earliest settlers of Grant County.

WILLIAM J. HATCH, Sec. 11; P. O. Bloomington ; owns 160 acres land, valued at $45 per acre; born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1831; came to Wisconsin in 1868, and located with his brother, S. A. Hatch, in this town ; he is a son of Joseph Hatch, who was also born in New York.

S. A. HATCH, Sec. 12; P. O. Bloomington ; owns 240 acres land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1836; came to Wisconsin in 1867, and settled on this farm. Married Nancy Abrams, a native of the same county ; they have six children-George, Charles, Emma, James, Ora and Nancy. Mr. Hatch has held different town offices ; has been a member of the Town Board.

WALTER HICKLIN, Sec. 27; P. O. Patch Grove; born on this farm in 1836. Married Mary Ann Lewis, a native of Iowa ; she died 1874; they had two children, one is now living-John W.

A. S. HILL, Sec. 9; P. O. Patch Grove; owns 160 acres land, valued at $30 per acre ; born in New York in 1810; came to Wisconsin in 1855, and located on this farm. Married Eliza Powers, a a native of New York ; they have three children-Jerome A., Frank E. and Ellen.

J. H. JACCO, proprietor of billiard saloon, Patch Grove; was born in Missouri Jan. 16, 1827 ; emigrated to De Kalb Co., Ill., in 1832 ; then to Wisconsin in the spring of 1837 ; settled at Cassville ; was in Capt. Knowlton's company in the Mexican war; owns town property. His wife, Amanda J. Par- rish, was born in Kentucky March 16, 1827; came to Wisconsin in 1828; married in 1858; they have had two children-Ned, born Feb. 2, 1859, now of the firm of Jacco & Brown, Bloomington ; William P., Jan. 19, 1865. In politics, Democrat ; liberal in religion. Has been School Treasurer.

JOHN JONES, carpenter, Patch Grove; was born at Floore, Northamptonshire, England, June 15, 1836 ; came to America in 1867 ; settled in the town of Wyalusing, Grant Co., Wis., where he worked at his trade until 1876, when he removed to Patch Grove ; owns a fine home with 5 acres of land near the village of Patch Grove. In the year 1854, he was in the East India service, and remained until 1860 ; was there through the mutiny. His wife, Sarah Dale, a native of Telsworth, Oxfordshire, was born September, 1835 ; they married July, 1860 ; they had nine children-Mary E., Charlotte J., Han- nah (deceased) ; these three were born in England; Edith E., Edwin T., Hannah (deceased) ; Jessie R., Arthur J., an infant boy, deceased ; and Albert Edward. A Republican ; Episcopal. Has been' Clerk of Schools in Wyalusing ; also Justice of the Peace and Notary Public ; was Postmaster at Bradville from 1872 to May, 1876. Member of I. O. O. F. Lodge.

EDWARD KERR, Sec. 5; P. O. Patch Grove; owns 140 acres land, valued at $20 per acre ; born in Ireland in 1830; came to America in 1849, and located at Poughkeepsie, N. Y .; in 1858, he removed to this county. Married Mary J. O'Neil, a native of Ireland ; they have eight children- Julia, Mary, Annie, Phillip, Rose, Edward, Ellen and Margaret. Mr. Kerr is Town Assessor.

JOHN LEWIS, Sec. 11 ; P. O. Patch Grove ; owns 240 acres land, valued at $40 per acre ; born in Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1823 ; came to Wisconsin in 1848, and located on his present farm. Married Frances Loughran, a native of the same county ; they have eight children-Margaret, James; Charles, Nancy, Frances, John, Moses and William.

J. J. LAMBERT, Sec. 25; P. O. Mount Hope; owns 400 acres land, valued at $20 per acre; born in Germany in 1825; came to America in 1833, and settled with his parents in Ohio in 1853 ; he located on this farm. Married Catharine Beitler, a native of Pennsylvania ; they have nine children- George, Julia, Sarah, Emeline, Ella, John, Lottie, Fred and Walter.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 151

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