USA > Wisconsin > Grant County > History of Grant County, Wisconsin > Part 162
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TOWN OF LITTLE GRANT.
HON. DELOS ABRAMS, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. O. Bloomington. The subject of this sketch is a gentleman who is honored by all who know him, and has held many prominent positions in the com- munity in which he resides ; as for enemies he has none, but is noted by all for honesty and veracity, and has aroused his neighbors from their lethargy and slumbers many times on important political questions. He was born in 1834, in Montgomery Co., N. Y .; was a son of Anthony and Syntha Abrams ; he received a common-school education. His aged mother died in 1855, and his father in 1871 ; their loss was long mourned by all who knew them. Delos Abrams is one of nine children, seven of whom are living ; his brother, Andrew Abrams, died in Africa in 1879, as a missionary ; he is also a brother to the noted Dr. Charles Abrams, of Fayetteville, La Fayette Co., Wis. Delos lived with his parents until 21 years of age, when, in 1855, he married Miss Martha M. Harvey, a daughter of James Harvey ; she is one of five chil- dren; they have four children-Mary A., Susie K., Elizabeth B. and Harvey. Mary A. is married to Charles Alexander, of Carroll Co., Iowa. Mr. Abrams is a Republican ; was School Clerk eleven years ; Justice of the Peace two years ; Assessor one year; Chairman of Town Board two terms, and was elected, in 1876, to the honorable position of Representative in the State Legislature on the Republican ticket, with a majority of 206-the largest ever given in his district ; he has never been defeated in any political effort ; is running a large farm of 606 acres of land, valued at $16,000 ; is also the proprietor of one of the finest dairies in Grant Co., and is a Royal Arch Mason.
WILLIAM E. ADAMS, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Little Grant; was born in Patch Grove, Grant Co., Wis., in 1850, a son of Henry and Hannah Adams ; his father was born in New York ; his mother is a native of Pennsylvania. William lived with his father until he was 20 years of age; he re- ceived a common-school education ; he then worked for William Humphrey eight years. Was married in 1876, to Miss Mary Van Dusen, an orphan girl, who came from New York in company with the family of J. K. Lum ; they have three children-Hiram, Lulu, and an infant. Owns 200 acres of land, valued at $5,000 ; has been School Director one term. Politics, Republican.
HENRY BARNHART, miller, Sec. 22; P. O. Bloomington; born in 1820 in Butler Co., Penn .; was a son of Philip and Elizabeth Barnhart, where he resided until 1845 ; he then emigrated to Wayne Co., Ohio ; lived there until 1852 ; then to Medina Co. for one year ; thence to Clayton Co., Iowa, where he lived for twenty-three years ; then to Allamakee Co. for two years; then to Prairie du Chien, Wis., for two years ; thence to Grant Co. in 1879, and built the mill known as the Barnhart Mill, where he now resides ; he is a millwright by trade, and has built grist-mills, saw-mills and woolen factories ; has 23 acres of land in Iowa, valued at $1,300 ; has 30 acres of land and the grist-mill where he now lives, valued at $14,000. Was married in 1850, to Eliza H. Creamer, a daughter of Peter Creamer, of Dauphin Co., Penn .; has had eight children, seven living-Emma H., Henry N., Mary J., Edmond R., Susan, Lillie E., Fred W. (deceased), Elizabeth. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. L, 6th Ohio V. C .; served three years ; has been Justice of the Peace two terms. Politics, Greenbacker.
MRS. CATHERINE COOPER, housekeeper, Sec. 36; P. O. Lancaster. Catherine Cooper, better known as Mrs. Catherine Specht, was born in 1845, in Germany, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Specht ; lived with her parents until 20 years of age; came to America in 1860, with her father; located at Lancaster for a few years, thence to Little Grant. Married in 1863, Andrew Cooper ; lived with him seven months, when they separated; have one child-Herman Cooper ; she has been a hard- worker, and has accumulated some wealth ; she has a fine storeroom on Maple street, Lancaster. She is a member of the Lutheran Church.
J. B. CHURCH, farmer and merchant, Sec. 2 ; P. O. Mount Ida ; born in 1826, in Onondaga Co., N. Y .; was a son of Ezra and Rachel Church ; when he was 6 years of age, his father moved to Chau- tauqua Co .; his father died when he was about 14 years of age, and he was obliged to work wherever he
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TOWN OF LITTLE GRANT.
could get anything to do to support himself and mother. At the age of 21, he married Mary, daughter of Amos and Livonia Parker ; be built a saw-mill in company with his brother, and followed the lumber busi- ness for four years ; he then came to Grant Co., Wis., in September, 1853; located in Little Grant, where he has 230 acres of land, valued at $6,000 ; has had ten children, six living-Francis H., Charles W., Wallace W., P. A., Ida R. M., Emma S. In 1880, he built a store in Mount Ida, although he had been merchandising for two years on his farm ; the winter of 1872, he visited Florida for his health. He was a member of the Town Board four years; Town Assessor eleven years; Justice of the Peace fourteen years; School Clerk thirteen years. He is a Royal Arch Mason. Politics, Greenbacker ; was an enrolling officer at the time of the war.
ANDREW CAIRNS, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. O. Little Grant ; was born in 1845 in Delaware Co., N. Y .; was a son of Alexander and Margaret Cairns, now of Grant Co .; lived and labored for his parents until 30 years of age ; came to Grant Co. in 1860, located on Little Grant, and is still residing upon the old homestead. Has kept the Little Grant Post Office for five years. He was married in 1874 to Cor- nelia Abraham, a daughter of Ezra and Margaret Abraham; they have two children-Everett and Charles. Politics, Republican. He has been Pathmaster two terms, School Clerk two terms, As- sessor two terms, and is Chairman of the Town Board at present. Is the owner of 560 acres of land, valued at $11,500; has always been a farmer, and a prosperous one as such, and is one of the most enter- prising men in the community where he resides.
ROBERT DAVIDSON, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Mt. Hope; was born in 1830 in Scotland ; was a son of Robert and Jeanette Davidson ; came to the United States in 1857 ; located at Ryegate, Caledonia Co., Vt., and lived there seven years, following farming; thence to Liberty, Grant Co., Wis., in 1865 ; lived there three years ; then to Little Grant, where he has since lived. He was married in 1857, to Mary Ross, a daughter of James and Jane Ross; they have seven children-Robert M., James R., John H., Jesse M., Mary J., Mattie A. and Sarah G. He has 224 acres of land, valued at $3,500. Has three brothers and one sister in Vermont, where his parents live. Is a member of the United Brethren Church. His politics is strictly Republican. Has been Director of the School Board one term.
WILLIAM R. LINTON, farmer and blacksmith, Sec. 3; P. O. Mt. Hope; was born in 1848 in Franklin Co., Ohio ; was a son of Dutton and Elizabeth Linton ; he was raised on farm and lived with his father until 20 years of age; when 7 years of age, his father moved to Wisconsin and located at Mt. Hope, in Grant Co., where he lived until he was of age; he then moved to Little Grant, where he has since lived. He was married in 1875 to Sarah J. Hinton, a daughter of Christopher and Sarah Hin- ton ; is farming in company with his brother ; they are the owners of 120 acres of land and a good black- smith shop.
ELIZABETH LYNESS, farming, Sec. 6 ; P. O. Little Grant; is a widow of Barney Ly- ness (deceased) ; she was born in in 1849 in Germany ; was a daughter of Sebastian and Barbara Kistner ; she emigrated to the United States in company with her parents at the age of 9 years, locating at Straw- berry Point, Iowa ; lived there until 17 years of age, then came to Grant Co., Wis. In 1866, she was married to Barney Lyness, and has lived in Little Grant since; has five children-John C., Annie B., Rosa E., Mary M. and Elizabeth. In the early part of her husband's life, he followed the occupation of steamboating, but in his latter days was a farmer ; his politics were Democratic, and he was a member of the Catholic Church. She is the owner of 40 acres of land, valued at $1,000. Her husband was 45 years of age when he died.
JOHN MORROW, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Little Grant; was born in 1822 in County Down Ireland; is a son of John and Sarah Morrow ; lived with his parents fourteen years ; is a stone- mason by trade; he lived a short period in Scotland ; in 1849, he came to the United States and settled in Livings- ton Co., N. Y .; lived there until 1857, then moved to Lancaster, Grant Co., Wis., for one year. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. D, 33d W. V. I., and served three years; was in fifteen battles. Was married in 1844 to Martha Addams, a daughter of James Addams, of Scotland; they had seven children-Sarah, John, Annic, Jane, Adam, Willis N. and Richard; he was married a second time to Helen Leighton, a widow of John Leighton ; she was a daughter of Peter N. Thornton, of Bloomington, by whom he had four children, three living-Margaret, Agnes, Franklin and McBunless. Politics, Republican. Is a member of the United Brethren Church. Has 390 acres of land, valued at $6,000.
THORNTON OATES, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Lancaster ; was born in 1848 in Hazcl Green, Grant Co., Wis .; was a son of James and Sarah Oates; lived with his parents until 21 years of age. He was married, in 1873, to Elizabeth J. Edwards, daughter of Joseph and Jane Edwards; he has three
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
children living. Has 160 acres of land, valued at $2,000 ; has been Road Overseer. Politics, Green- backer, and is a member of the M. E. Church.
EDWIN OATES, farmer, Sec. 25; P. O. Lancaster; is a native of England ; was born there in 1841 ; is a son of James and Sarah Oates, with whom he resided until 21 years of age, and followed farming. He enlisted in 1862 in the 33d W. V. I., Co. G; served three years ; was in nineteen battles ; wounded in camp with a bayonet by scuffling, for which he draws a pension. Was married, in 1866, to Mary A. Edwards, daughter of Joseph and Jane Edwards; has six children-James, Elsie C., Nelson L., Joseph W., Ernest E. and John H. Has 263 acres of land, valued at $4,000. Has been Road Over- seer three terms ; School Clerk, three terms ; Director, five terms; Assessor, five terms; member of the Board, one term. Politics, Republican.
PATRICK O'CONNOR, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Bloomington; was born in 1829 in Sligo Co., Ireland; is a son of John and Catherine O'Connor, with whom he lived until he was 21 years of age, when he emigrated to England, where he resided for ten years, when he went to Scotland, where he lived for one year, then to England for a short period, then emigrated to America in 1863; he located in Ohio for one year, thence to New York, but soon wended his way to Boston, Mass., where he lived for two years, where he was also married, in 1865, to Catherine Nangle, a daughter of Thomas Nangle ; then he removed to Grant Co. ; in 1866, settled in Patch Grove for a short period, then to Little Grant, where he has since lived. Has eight children, all of whom are living-Mary, Catherine, John, Elizabeth, Mathe- this, Thomas, Annie, Peter. He has 194 acres of land. Politics, Greenbacker, and is a member of the Catholic Church.
GARDNER PRITCHETT, farmer. Sec. 25 ; P. O. Lancaster ; was born in 1851 in Little Grant, Grant Co., Wis .; was a son of Phillip and Margaret Pritchett; lived with parents until 25 years of age, when he married Miss Bettie Oates, a daughter of James and Sarah Oates. Has been Road Overseer one term; School Clerk one term. Owns 160 acres of land, valued at $2,500; has one child-Viola M. Politics, Republican.
D. A. PARKER, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Mt. Hope ; born in 1832 in Shenango Co., N. Y .; was a son of Amasa and Livonia Parker ; when 2 years of age, he emigrated to Warren Co., Penn. ; lived there twenty years ; he then came to Grant Co., Wis .; in 1855, located in Little Grant, where he has lived since, with the exception of one year, which he spent in Nebraska, and two years in Missouri. Mar- ried, in 1856, Mary Underwood, a daughter of Willis Underwood ; had three children, two living- Sophronia E., Emma E. Married the second time Elizabeth Tyler, a daughter of Lewis Tyler. He enlisted in 1862 in the 20th W. V. I., Co. I; served three years ; was in seven battles; has been Consta- ble two terms; has 40 acres of land, valued at $1,000. Is a member of the United Brethren Church. Politics, Republican.
CHARLES E. WETMORE, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Bloomington ; was born in 1822 in Trumbull Co., Ohio; he is a son of Josiah and Elizabeth Wetmore, with whom he lived until 1843; he then came to Grant Co., Wis .; located near Millville, where he lived up to 1852, when he went to Cali- fornia and resided for three years ; then to Grant Co., near Millville, for five years, when he moved to Little Giant, where he bas lived since, and followed farming. He was married, in 1851, to Abigail Dubel, a daughter of Michael and Abigail Dubel; they have two children-Charles E. and Emily E. He has been School Director for one term. Politics, Republican. Has 85 acres of land, valued at $2,500. Has been very prosperous as a farmer.
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TOWN OF LIBERTY.
TOWN OF LIBERTY.
JOHN G. ABLEITER, farmer; P. O. Annaton ; was born in 1829, in Wurtemberg; was a son of Leonard Ableiter ; living with his parents until he was 14 years of age; then worked for himself fourteen years ; then went to Switzerland for four years, when he again returned to Germany, where he resided but six months; then came to America, in 1854, locating at Chicago ; then to Grant Co., Wis., Dear Platteville, for two years; then to Liberty, where he has lived since he was married to Miss Mary Klais, a daughter of Bernard Klais, of Mineral Point. They have five children-George, Albert, August, Mary and Annie. He has 148 acres of land. In politics, he is a Democrat, and a member of the Anglical Church.
HENRY J. BAYMAN, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Stitzer; was born in 1858, in Liberty, Grant Co., Wis. ; was a son of Anton and Mary Bayman. He has lived with his parents for twenty-three years. . His father was born in Germany, in 1808; came to America in 1863, halting in Illinois for two years.' Henry has five brothers and sisters-Charles, William, Henrietta M., Mary and Minnie. The three eldest are married. His father and mother are still living.
FRANK A. BOWEN, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. Lancaster; was born in 1852, in Trumbull Co., Ohio. He was a son of Moses and Tracy Bowen. He came to Grant Co., Wis., in 1855, in com- pany with his father ; located in Liberty ; lived with his parents until he was 18 years of age. He was married, in 1875, to Miss Sylia Gleason, a daughter of A. S. Gleason ; but, in 1878, was divorced. He is the owner of 80 acres of land, valued at $1,000. His politics are Republican.
SOLOMON CLOUGH, farmer, Sec. 11; a native of Maine; born in Sangersville Aug. 19, 1832. He moved to Illinois with his parents in 1839; and, in the fall of 1843, they came to Grant Co. Feb. 10, 1854, he was marrird to Miss Frances Shaw, a native of Illinois. They have one adopted daugh- ter-Ella A. He has been a member of the Town Board, and was Chairman of the same for a number of terms, and is at the present time. He has been Treasurer of the School Board over sixteen years.
MICHAEL FINNEGAN. farmer; P. O. Lancaster; was born in 1852, in Ireland; came to America in 1855, in company with his father; located in Indiana for two years; then to Illinois for one year ; thence to Grant Co., Wis., in 1859, locating in Liberty, where he has lived since. He is a single man ; has a fine farm of 200 acres. In politics, a Greenbacker, and is a member of the Catholic Church.
W. W. FORD, merchant, Stitzer; was born in 1849, in Williamsfield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio; is a son of A. J. and Clorinda Ford ; began for himself at the early age of 13 years ; he worked two years for H. Johnson on a farm ; he then took an eastward course, locating for two years in New York State; then werded his way to Grant Co., Wis., in 1866, where he followed farming for two years; then went to Kentucky for one winter, going to Cleveland, Ohio, in the spring, where he resided for two years clerk- ing ; then returning to Grant Co., Wis., followed farming for two years. He married Miss M. N. Brack- ett, a daughter of A. M. and Mary Brackett, of Little Grant ; then returned to Cleveland, Ohio, and once more clerked for Southward, Clark & Co., for eighteen months, when he returned to Grant Co. in 1874, followed farming for two years near Lancaster on the old Barber farm ; he then followed staging for three years; then to Stitzer for two years where he followed the mercantile business ; has a fine house and lot, store building in Stitzer ; has three children living-Grace, Fred and Fay; one deceased, William ; has been Treasurer of School Fund for one term ; has kept Post Office at Stitzer for two years. Politics, Re- publican ; Justice of the Peace two years.
HENRY GRATZ, farmer, Sec. 26; P. O. Stitzer; was born in Germany in 1827; is a son of Eustace Gratz; he lived with his parents until 25 years old; he came to America in 1852, locating in Chicago for one and a half years ; then to Indiana for four years, working on a railroad, but soon wending his way to Hazel Green, Grant Co. for four years ; then on Yellowstone River for two years, returning to Hazel Green for one and a half years, and in 1865 he enlisted in the 44th W. V. I., Co. K ; served seven months or until the end of the war. He was married in 1854, to Mary Kaufman, a daughter of George and Margaret Kaufman ; has ten children-Lonisa M., George F., August E., Mary Ann, Rosa W., Henry G., William G., Minnie, Lewis and Sophia C. Politics, Republican ; has been Pathmaster one term ; has 160 acres of land ; is a member of the Evangelical Church.
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ADAM HIRSCH, shoemaker, Stitzer ; was born in 1858 in Platteville, Grant Co., Wis., is a son of Leonard and Louisa Hirsch ; lived with his parents seventeen years, then became apprenticed to shoemaking trade under Louis Heberline, at Liberty, for two and a half years ; from there to Fennimore, where he worked a short time with Mr. Weaver ; then to Lancaster for eight months, working in the shop occupied by C. Wentzell; then to Stitzer, where he is the owner of a fine shoe-shop. He was married in 1880, to Louisa Fisher. Politics, Republican ; is a member of the Evangelical Church.
STEPHEN KENISON, mason, Fennimore; born in 1821 in Canada; was a son of Benjamin and Tina Kenison ; he lived with his parents until 11 years of age; he then lived with his uncle Stephen Hays; he then went to Massachusetts for three years and six months; then to Franklin Co., Vt., for thirty-five years and six months, following farming; he then emigrated to Grant Co., Wis., in 1879, locating in Fennimore for two years; then to Liberty, where has lived since. He was married in 1828, to Elizabeth Lathan, a daughter of Joseph and Angeline Lathan, of Vermont; has had seven children-Dudley F., Myron S., Mary J., Eunice M., Sarah J., Ella L., Charles F. His politics, Demo- cratic, and is a member of the Catholic Church.
JOHN LIND, hotel, Stitzer ; was born in 1848 in Berks Co., Penn .; was a son of Henry and Jeanette Lind ; lived with his parents until 14 years of age, then came to Liberty, Grant Co., Wis., in company with his parents, but soon after arriving, went to Lancaster and learned the carpenter trade with Henry Messie and William Alcorn, with whom he worked for six years. He married Annie Schoen- berger, a daughter of John and Annie Schoenberger ; then to Liberty for two years ; then to Allamakee Co., Iowa, for two years; then returning to Liberty, where he has since lived. Has three children- Jennie M., Mary J., Emma L ; is the proprietor of the City Hotel at Stitzer ; also the owner of a saloon in the same place Politics, Republican, and is a member of the Evangelical Church.
BARNARD McCORMICK, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Lancaster; is one of the many respected citizens of Grant Co., Wis .; he was born in 1809 in Ireland ; he was a son of Martin and Bridget McCormick, of Ireland, with whom he lived until 21 years of age, and, in 1832, came to America, locating at Toronto, Can., for a short time, thence to New York for two years; he then wended his way westward to the city of Chicago, where he lived for one year ; thence to Galena, Ill., for fifteen years, and followed mining; he then came to Liberty, Grant Co., where he has lived since. He was married, in 1839, to Alice Nailas, a daughter of Feral and Alice Nailas; they have eleven children-Martin, Bridget, John, Frank, James, Catharine, Mary Ann, Alice, Barnard, Margaret, William; he is the owner of 480 acres of land, valued at $9,600. Has been Road Overseer four terms; School Clerk three terms. Politics, Democratic, and a member of the Catholic Church.
FREDRICK MARTIN, farmer; P. O. Annaton; born in 1828 in Germany ; was the son of Andres Martin, of Germany ; lived with parents until 14 years of age, then wandered for eight years, then returned and lived with his parents until their death, which occurred in 1852; he then came to America in 1856, and located at Pittsburgh, Penn., where he resided for three years, then to Liberty, Grant Co., Wis:, where he has since lived. He was married, in 1851, to Sophia Duncler, a daughter of Gottfried and Crisinia Duncler, late of Grant Co .; has six children living and four deceased-Louise, Antonia, Catherine, William, Edward, Frederick ; deceased are Nathalia, Mary, Emma and Mary. Has been Assessor for two years; School Clerk one term ; Treasurer one term. Politics, Republican. He has 120 acres of land, valued at $2,000. Is a member of the Evangelical Church.
CONRAD NAPP, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O. Lancaster ; born in 1855 in Lancaster, Grant Co., Wis .; is a son of Conrad and Elizabeth Napp ; he lived with his parents until 21 years of age ; they were of German descent. He owns 80 acres of land, valued at $1,800; his parents moved into the town of Beetown when he was but 3 years of age, where they lived for eight years, then returned to Lancaster, where they resided for seven years ; thence to Fennimore for nine years, and then to Liberty, where he has lived for two years. He was married, in 1875, to Emily Roth, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Roth, of Liberty ; have two children-Jacob C. and Edith. Politics, Greenbacker.
ANDREW RITCHIE, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Stitzer. The subject of this sketch is a pioneer, and has always sought a private life; he was born in 1812 in Scotland ; he was a son of Thomas and Jennette Ritchie ; he left his parents at the early age of 11 years, and followed herding for three years ; he then came home and went to school for one year, then followed mining for a few years, then went to Glasgow and attended lectures ; he finally emigrated to America in 1839 ; he landed in Que- bec, Can., where he lived but a short time, then to Montreal, but while on the voyage passed through a narrow escape by a collision between the two vessels, Lady Elgin and Royal George; he then visited many
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TOWN OF LIBERTY.
places in that portion of the country ; he arrived at Lewiston, N. Y., following blasting for awhile, when he went to the Genesee Valley and worked for three years. then to Canada for nine months ; returned to Sandusky, Ohio, where he lived for five years, and, in 1848, he came to Grant Co., Wis., locating in Lib- erty, where he has lived since. He was married, in 1842, in New York, to Anna O'Brien, a daughter of Patrick and Margaret O'Brien ; he is the father of nine children-Thomas, Sarah, Andrew, Samuel S. William (deceased), William W., Perry, John H., Mary W. He has 607 acres of land, valued at $10,- 000; also 160 acres in Nebraska. He lives chiefly on the interest of his money. Politics, Republican. Has been School Clerk for many years ; has been Town Superintendent ; was Justice of the Peace for ten years ; has been member of the Town Board for many terms, Chairman two terms, and never had a law suit in his life.
PHILIP SHIMMIN, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Annaton ; born on the Isle of Man in 1839 ; he was a son of Thomas and Ann Shimmin, and at the age of 5 years he came to America in company with his parents, locating in Jo Daviess Co., Ill., for twenty-two years, and at the age of 21 he married the widow of William Robinson, whose life was lost in the falling of a factory in Massachu- setts, leaving one son-John, who was brought up by the latter husband; she was a daughter of James and Sarah Brown. Mrs. Shimmin was also married at the age of 16, but they were soon separated ; Mr. Shimmin came to Grant Co., Wis., in 1867; located in Liberty, where he has since lived ; he has 247 acres of land, valued at $3,000; has seven children-Thomas R., William E., Philip G., Sarah J., Ellen M., George R., Charles L. Has been Road Overseer three terms, and School Clerk two terms. Politics, Republican. Member of the M. E. Church.
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