History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 137

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?]
Number of Pages: 1050

USA > Wisconsin > Grant County > History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin > Part 137

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WILLIAM SMITH (deceased), was born in England in 1828. Came to Grant Co. in 1852. and located four miles west of Lancaster ; purchased and moved on the homestead, where his widow and ' family now live, in 1865. He died in 1868. He always followed farming, and built around him a large property, which he made by hard work and economy ; was an exemplary and honest man, and his loss was not only felt by the family, but the community at large. The farm consists of 240 acres, beautifully lo- cated one and one-half miles from Lancaster, with the best of improvements. The family consists of four sons and two daughters. Charles and James remain at home working the farm and raising and fattening stock in partnership. They are good business men, both unmarried. William Smith was a prominent member of the A., F. & A. M.

WILLIAM STARR, wagon-maker, Lancaster. Has been a resident of Lancaster since May. 1866, coming here at the age of 17 from Clinton Co., N. Y., where he was born Dec. 25, 1838, a son of Lewis and Mary A. (Curry) Starr. His father is still living in Clinton Co. Mr. Starr worked for D. H. Budd nearly seventeen years, commencing when a boy. He was one of the firm of J. Hough & Co., which

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LANCASTER.

was established in August, 1874, and continued until January, 1880. He was married, May 5, 1860, to Miss Mary Maines. They have a daughter and three sons-Fanny L., Daniel H., J. L. and Walter E.

GEORGE STEWART, farmer ; P. O. Lancaster. A native of Perthshire in the highlands of Scotland ; born Jan. 1, 1820, a son of Thomas and Anna (Melrose) Stewart. He left his native land at the age of 14, and came to Canada West, where he lived eight years engaged in farming. In 1847, he was married in Rochester, N. Y., to Miss Eliza Morrow, a daughter of John and Jane Higgins Morrow, natives of Ireland ; she was born April 18, 1826, in Dublin. Mr. Stewart came West to Lancaster and worked several years for J. Holloway. In the spring of 1862, he bought 80 acres three miles south of Lan- caster, on which he remained seven years, and then, in 1868, sold the 80 and purchased 400 acres from Lewis Holloway. He has been a successful farmer, and now owns one of the best farms in the county -- 320 acres prairie land and 80 acres of timber, valued at $20,000. They have a son and five daughters- Jane, Robert, Ellen, Catharine, Mary and Lucy.

STREET BROS., MARSHALL & CO., proprietors of the Lancaster Woolen Mills. This firm was established in May, 1880, succeeding the Lancaster Woolen Mill Co., by whom the mill had been built in 1869. The present firm was organized with ample means. The members are R. R. Street, J. A. Street, E. Street and H. L. Marshall. This is a two-set mill with eight broad looms of the Cromp- ton pattern, three of which are of new design, run by steam-power. The factory is a four-story and attic frame-and-stone structure, 60x40, with office, dye-house, boiler-room and other necessary additions. It has been thoroughly refitted and furnished with the latest improved machinery by this firm. They em- ploy a force of thirty men. The capacity of engine is 25-horse power, and the water-power used in the mill is from the never-failing fountain at which most of the carly settlers used to resort for their water-a spring of historie note. H. L. Marshall, salesman for the house, has his headquarters at No. 184 Wash- ington street, Chicago. They make a specialty of fine black-worsted finish cassimere, and extra-fine twilled flannels, one brand of which is rarely ever made of equal weight in the Northwest.

GAY D. STREETER, livery sale stable ; is a native of Ontario Co., N. Y., and was boru June 22, 1833; came West in 1851, and came to Grant Co. in 1866; engaged in hotel business and anctioneering. In 1878, was elected Sheriff of Grant Co., and held that office two years, being the only Democrat ever elected since the county was organized. In 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria E. Adams, a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y. They have seven children-Clara, Kate, Edward, Cora, Harry, Nora and Bertha.

HENRY TIMM, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Hurricane Grove ; owns 119 acres of land, valued at $15 per acre ; born in Prussia in 1838; came to America in 1863, and located in New York. Three years later, he removed to Wisconsin. He married Caroline Brinkman, a native of Germany. They have one child-Johnny. They are members of the Presbyterian Church.

JAMES TRELOAR, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Lancaster ; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre ; born in England in 1820; came to America in 1847, and settled on this farm. Mr. Treloar has been twice married, first to Mary Cock, a native of England. They had eight children, six of whom are living-James, Mary, William, Grace, Margaret and John (who died in April, 1860). Mr. Treloar's second marriage was to Frances Elli-, a native of Kentucky. They have three children-Lora, Thomas and Minnie.

THOMAS TURNER, farmer, Sec. 11; P. O. Lancaster ; was born in Canada April 16, 1837. He came to the State of New York in 1850; worked on a farm by the month; then removed to Burling- ton, Vt., where he remained one year ; then to Wisconsin in 1856; worked by the month until 1864 ; then rented land for three years of J. A. Barber, when he then bought 80 acres with a fine large two story house 32x42 feet, a nice place. His wife, Catharine Frawley, a native of Grant Co, Wis., was born in 1844. Her parents came to this county in an early day, and are old settlers in Potosi. She was married March 29, 18 4. They have three children-Frank, born Dec. 29, 1865; Mary, born Aug. 16, 1867 ; Annie, born Sept. 22, 1873. He also owns 40 acres of land in Ellenboro, Sec. 17. What he has is by his own industry and labor.

F. VAN DEWALL, photograph artist ; is a native of England, and was born in the city of London Oct. 28, 1821. He grew up there, and served an apprenticeship of seven years as mechanical engineer. He emigrated to America in 1845, and came West to Wisconsin in the same year, and located in Grant Co .; entered some land, and began making a farm. In 1861, he established his present business in Lancaster, and, for the past twenty years, has continued the business here, taking all kinds of portraits, from miniature to life size, and is the oldest artist in this section of the State. In 1852, he was united in

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marriage to Miss Ann Russell, from Ohio. They have seven children-William, Frank, Emma, Mary, George, Carrie and Walter.

WILLIAM WALKER, farmer on Secs. 15, 16 and 25; owns 700 acres of land. He was born in Ireland, and, in his 16th year, left his native land for America. In May, 1840, he landed in Grant Co., Wis., without means. He has since resided there, and by industry has accumulated a comfort- able property. He was married in 1852, to Miss Emma Rawden, a native of England. They have five sons and two daughters.

DEXTER WARD, carpenter and builder, Lancaster ; was born in Chittenden, Vt. He came to Walworth Co., Wis., in 1842, and Feb. 8, 1843, came to Grant Co. He was married, Feb. 8, 1835, to Miss Cecilia Ward, a native of Georgia, Vt. They have had five children-William W., Henry A., Eleanor M., Adeline S. (deceased) and Mary M. He was elected Constable in 1857, and re-elected, and served five years. He was Deputy Sheriff four years under Mathew Woods; also Deputy Sheriff under George R. Stuntz for two years, and in 1855-56, was Under Sheriff under Lorenzo Preston. In 1857-58, he was elected Sheriff of the county, and in 1861-62, was again Under Sheriff under Goodnough.

F. WEDHASE, harness-maker and carriage-trimmer; is a native of Germany, and was born in Prussia Feb. 5, 1823; grew up and learned the trade of carriage-triinmer; after the revolution, he emigrated to America in 1849, and the following year came west to Dubuque and entered the employ of L. D. Randall & Co., and was engaged in carriage trimming for that firm for fifteen years; he made the first top buggy ever made in Dubuque. He came to Lancaster and established his present business in 1869, and is the oldest harness-maker in Lancaster. In 1852, he married Augusta Koch. from St. Louis ; they have eight children-Frank, in Dakota ; Lizzie, in Boscobel ; Fanny, in Dakota ; John, Clara, Ida, Della and Fred.

JAMES WENZEL, painter, Lancaster; commenced this business in Lancaster, in 1871, beginning with Pravis & Bushnell ; in February, 1875, he opened a shop, buying out his employer; he does sign and house painting, and employs two men. Mr. Wenzel was born in Delaware, Feb. 27, 1852, a son of Conrad and Margaret (Weeth) Wenzel, both natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1847 ; they moved to Liberty, Grant Co., in 1857, and to Lancaster in 1870. Mr. Wenzel was mar- ried in July, 1875, to Miss Alice Orton, daughter of Charles and Mary (Willard ) Orton.

JAMES WOODHOUSE, furniture manufacturer and dealer, Lancaster ; established this business in the fall of 1878 with about $1,000 capital invested. A native of Pennsylvania, born July 5. 1834, in Pottsville, a son of John and Ann (Newton) Woodhouse, both from Staffordshire, England ; they came from England to Pennsylvania in 1826, bringing with them four daughters and five sons ; from Pennsylvania they moved to Potosi, Grant Co., Wis., in 1836, and have since dicd. Mr. Woodhouse was married Feb. 13, 1858, to Miss S. J. Huey, daughter of Joseph Huey, who died in the army during the rebellion. Mr. W. enlisted in August, 1862, as private in Co. I, 20th W. V. I., he was in active service until December of the same year, when he was wounded at the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., by a gunshot which caused the loss of his right leg, was in the hospital until March, 1863, when he was discharged and returned to Grant Co .; from April, 1863, to January, 1869, he was employed in a plow-shop. He was elected Register of Deeds in the fall of 1865, and filled that office acceptably for eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Woodhouse have two sons and three daughters, Laura, Mary L., William, Eugene and Nettie.

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PLATTEVILLE.

JOHN ALDERSON, was born July 8, 1811, in Muker Parish, Yorkshire, England, has been a practical miner since he was 9 years of age. In 1840, he brought his family to the United States, landing at New Orleans, and coming thence up the Mississippi to Galena, locating at New Diggings, La Fayette Co., he spent fourteen years in the mines in that vicinity ; in 1855, he bought and settled upon his present farm, this has been managed by his sons to a great extent, while he continued mining ; has 1173 acres and good improvements. He married in her native Parish of Marsden, Lancaster, Miss Margeret Anforth ; they have four children-James, Elizabeth, Ralph and Mary; the two eldest were born in England, and Ralph and Mary in Wisconsin. Mr. Alderson is a good type of the hardy and en- ergetic English miner ; he was the discoverer of the noted Champion mine at New Diggings, and has also found other leads of a less important character.

J. H. BALLARD, dealer in butter, eggs, hides, etc., Platteville; member of the firm of Ballard & Co .; is a native of Kane Co., Ill., born in 1848; came to Darlington, Wis., in 1875, and was in business there till August, 1879, since which time he has been living in Platteville. He was married in 1880, in Platteville, to Miss E. M. Carpenter, of that place. In 1859, he went to California and was there about four years. He enlisted in 1861 in the 7th Cal. V. I., Co. E. but was discharged on account of sickness before going into the service. His father, Charles Ballard, was a native of Vermont.

N. W. BASS, builder and proprietor of the Valley Mills and the Platteville Woolen Mills; is a native of Barron Co., Ky. ; when he was an infant his parents removed to Indiana ; he came from Rock Island Co., Ill., to Platteville in 1847, and that fall began preparations for building the mill on the Little Platte, which was completed in 1848; it is best known as the old Bass Mill; he kept it in operation about fifteen years, and still owns it. The Platteville Woolen Mills were built in 1865. (See history of Platteville.)

ELIJAH BAYLEY (deceased), was born Aug. 2, 1811, at Massena, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y .; he was one of a family of ten children, of whom he was the seventh; the first twenty-five years of his life was spent at or near his native place ; in 1836, he came West and spent about three years in the vicinity of Davenport, and Rock Island, Ill., teaching a portion of the time and making occasional trips South for his health; from Rock Island he came to Galena, where he was engaged as clerk in the confec- tionery establishinent of D. A. Barrows for about three years; in 1841, one of the creditors of E. B. Kimball, of St. Louis, failed, and the stock goods came back into Mr. Kimball's hands ; at the suggestion of Mr. Barrows, the goods were entrusted to Mr. Bayley to be taken to some of the mining towns to be disposed of. He selected Platteville as the most favorable point for that purpose, and his success was such that further shipments were made, and a partnership was formed between himself and Mr. Kimball, which lasted till 1852, when Mr. Bayley purchased Mr. Kimball's interest in the business for $30,000 ; his success continued, and, in 1861, immediately after the death of Mr. Hammond, with whom he had for some time been associated in business, he closed up his affairs as a merchant, and lived in retirement till his death, which occurred Dec. 25, 1878. Mr. Bayley's first wife, to whom he was married in 1844, was Miss Caroline J. Bevans ; she died in 1868, leaving three children, one son and two daughters: the son- Leslie F., born April 13, 1850, and died March 5, 1870 ; Nora L., is now Mrs. D. B. Jones, of Chicago, and Annie S. at home.

HAYDEN H. BEEBE, blacksmith ; was born in Platteville June 6, 1849; learned his trade with Butler & Cowley, of Platteville, and has been in business for himself since 1875 ; in November, . 1874, he married Miss Jennie Hoskins, of Platteville, and has two children-Edith Mazette and Julius De Leslie. His father, William Beebe, was a native of Genesee Co., N. Y .; came to Platteville in the spring of 1845, and is still living in the city.

ARCHIE W. BELL, attorney at law, Platteville; is a native of Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio, born in 1840. His father, Christopher Bell, came to Wisconsin with his family in 1846, and has been a resident of Platteville ever since. He is now hale and hearty, at the age of 74. Mr. Bell studied law in Platteville with Judge S. O. Paine; was admitted to the bar in 1864, and has practiced in Platteville ever since, except when in the army. In January and February, 1865, he with Capt. W. H. Beebe, raised a company for the 44th W. V. I., and he went out as 1st Lieutenant of Co. K, and served till 1865. He was married in Platteville in 1862, to Mary E. Robinson, and has three children living.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

ANSON BENNETT, Sections 1, 12, 2, etc .; P. O. Platteville ; was born in Franklin Co., Vt., in 1812. He resided in the Green Mountain State until the fall of 1836, when he came to Platte - ville, coming by the way of the Erie and Ohio Canals, Ohio River and the Mississippi to Galena, thence on the 1st of November, to Platteville. Here he hired out to the veteran pioneer, Maj. J. H. Rountree, and continued in his employ five and a half years. He then bought 80 acres of the Major, and began making improvements upon it. In April, 1850, he married Elvira Jones, born in Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1812; she came West in 1847. Mr. Bennett is a leading member of the Free Methodist Church of Platteville. He now owns 381 acres, a fit reward for the thirty-seven years of toil expended upon the soil of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have six children-Martha E. (Mrs. W. Davis), Susan E., Charles Lyman, Nelson J., Orrin J. and Annie May. Charles L. married Mary E. Aikins, of Platte- . ville.

E. J. BENTLEY, liveryman, has been a resident of Platteville since September, 1853. He was born in Yorkshire, England, Dec. 26, 1836; came to America in 1851, and worked in Elk Grove, La Fayette Co., Wis., till he came to Platteville in 1853. He attended school at the Platteville Acad- emy five winters, working at surveying during the summers, and followed that of teaching till the war broke out. April 1, 1861, he enlisted under the three months' call for troops, and was the second man in Platteville to enlist. He went with the 3d W. V. I., Co. F, and was in the service till August, 1863, when he was discharged. He was with his regiment during the whole time they were out. After leav- ing the army, he engaged in the livery business, which he has continued up to the present time. He was married Feb. 25, 1864, in Platteville, to Louisa Cheever, and has two children-Charles and Clara. Was Deputy Sheriff fourteen months under Sheriff Streeter.

ALLEN BIRKETT, deceased, was born in Goole, Yorkshire, England, in 1817. He mar- ried Sarah Cooper, also of Goole, and came in 1848 to America. He settled in Platteville, where he died May 10, 1869. His widow now resides with her brother-in-law, George Huntington, Esq., of Platteville.

M. A. BISHOP, Platteville, of the Wright House, was born in Huron Co., Ohio, where his parents, Alonzo and Louisa Bishop. settled in 1840, coming from the State of New York. The brothers M. A. and W. H. Bishop removed to Arena, Wis., and came from there to Platteville. The former leased the Wright House in November, 1877, and his popular management has largely increased the custom of this always first-class hotel His brother has a livery of from fourteen to eighteen horses, and both working in harmony are doing a good, live business.

DAVID BLOCK, Platteville, merchant ; was born in Baden, Germany, in 1818. Came to America in 1853, and has resided in Grant Co. ever since, most of the time in Platteville. Was never married, and has been in the mercantile business since 1866. He was in the military service in Germany about three years, and participated in three battles, in one of which, in 1848, he was wounded, depriving him of the sight of one eye, and nearly depriving him of the sense of hearing.

O. A. BOYNTON, liveryman, Platteville ; was born in 1818, in Grafton Co., N. H. Was ed- ucated at Haverhill. Married Oct. 5, 1840, in Detroit, Mich., to Miss Elizabeth A. Clark, of that place. Came to Wisconsin the 1st of November following, and has been a resident of Platteville since that time. He first engaged in the bout and shoe business, which he followed about three years ; then traveled selling dry goods till the spring of 1846, when he went into the livery business and also kept the Platteville Hotel till 1853. He continued the livery business till 1863; then sold out and followed farming till 1872, when he again went into the livery business, and has continued it up to the present time. His wife died Aug. 12, 1880, leaving four children having lost three before her death. The oldest daughter, Mary, is now the wife of C. M. Henderson, of Platteville ; Eugene R. is single and living in Nevada ; Ida E. and Louis A., at home. Mr. Boynton has been a member of the Village Board three years, and President of the Board one year.

E. J. BUCK, M. D., Platteville; is a native of Franklin Co., Mass .; was born in the town of Heath in 1828. When 6 years of age his father. Erastus Buck, removed to Livingston Co., N. Y., where he is still living at the age of 84. Dr. Buck was educated in Livingston Co., and graduated from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, in the spring of 1854. He at once commenced the practice of his pro- fession at Towlesville, Steuben Co., N. Y., where he remained till the fall of 1856, when he came to Wis- consin and practiced in Westfield, Marquette Co., till the war broke out in 1861. He was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in the winter of 1860-61, and attended the extra session in June of 1861. In the spring of 1861, he assisted in raising a company of sharpshooters, and enlisted as a private ; was ap- pointed 1st Lieutenant but resigned, and the following fall was appointed Assistant Surgcon of the 18th

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W. V. I. Soon after the battle of Shiloh, in which he was engaged, he was promoted to the position of' Surgeon, in which capacity he served till the close of the war, and after the first year was one of the "board of operators" of his command. In August, 1868, he came to Platteville, and has practiced in that city since. He was married in 1866, at Beaver Dam, Wis., to Sarah E. Trask, a native of Maine, and has five children, all at home.

A. J. BUSS, marble dealer, Platteville. Has been in his present business in Platteville since the spring of 1870. He was born in Erie Co., N. Y., six miles east of Buffalo in 1847. His father, Abram Buss, came to Wisconsin with his family in 1854 or thercabouts, and settled in La Fayette Co., where he resided till 1873; then removed to Darlington, Wis., and remained there till his death Nov. 26, 1877, at the age of 72. Mrs. Buss died about seven months previous at the age of 73. Mr. Buss learned his trade in Mineral Point, and worked there till he came to Platteville. He was married in Platteville, Aug. 18, 1874, to Miss Hattie E. Loofbourrow, and has two children-Mabel and Nellie.

ALEXANDER BUTLER, wagon and carriage maker, Platteville; has been a resident of Platteville since September, 1854. He was born in Moon, Allegheny Co., Penn., in 1832. He went to Ohio in 1852, and lived in Lima, Allen Co., till he came to Platteville in 1854. He learned his trade before he left Pennsylvania, and has always worked at the business since. In addition to his carriage making, he is now engaged in selling farming implements in company with H. J. Traber, of Platteville. He has been twice a member of the City Council, and has been chief of the fire department ever since its organization in 1874, and was one of the charter members of the hook and ladder company. He was married in Platteville Jan. 1, 1855, and has six children.

VALENTINE CARL, farmer ; P. O. Platteville ; was born in December, 1824, near the historic town of Sarbruck, in Rhenish Prussia. Up to the age of 14, he was in school; then for a year in a blacksmith-shop. He came to America in 1840 ; landed at New Orleans ; thence came to Platteville. For twenty years, he followed mining in various parts of Grant Co. ; then settled on his present 123 acres. He married Mary Klebenstein, who was also born near Sarbruck, and came to America in 1845, landing at New York City. They were married in Platteville, and have seven children-Mary, Louisa, Margaret, Annie, John, George and Katie, all born on the homestead farm, as were two deceased children. Mr. Carl and wife belong to the Old-School Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a Trustee.

W. E. CARTER, attorney at law, and senior member of the law firm of Carter, Carter & Cleary, Platteville ; is a native of Sussex, England ; born in November, 1833; came to America in the spring of 1850, and settled in Lancaster, Grant Co., Wis., where he read law with J. Allen Barber, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1856. In January, 1861, he came to Platteville, and went into partnership with the late Stephen O. Paine, with whom he was associated till the death of Mr. Paine. He then took his brother, George B. Carter, into partnership with him, and Jan. 1, 1881, took in the junior member of the firm-T. L. Cleary. Mr. Carter represented his district in the State Legislature three consecutive terms-in 1877, 1878 and 1879-and is at present a member of the Board of Regents for the State University.

THOMAS CHAPMAN, Platteville; was born in Huby, East Ridney, of Yorkshire, England, March 27, 1815 ; came to America in 1838, reaching Platteville July 25, without a dollar in his pocket. He spent the first winter at mining; then rented a farm for five years ; began $500 in debt, and at the end of two years began the butchering business, which he carried on together with his farming until the expiration of the lease. Mr. Chapman is the veteran butcher of Grant Co., he having followed the busi- ness steadily from 1841 to 1874. John Watkinson was his first partner. In 1853, he formed a partner- ship with J. F. Kirkpatrick, which partnership he continued up to the retirement of both from business. Mr. Chapman is the owner of several farms-one of 340, and one of 140 acres in Platteville, 80 in Smel- ser, 160 in La Fayette Co., 160 in Iowa Co., 240 in Kossuth and Wright Counties, Iowa, and a farm of 140 acres, part in Platteville and part in Harrison. He married Sarah Kay, who died leaving four children-Robert, Elizabeth A., Mary J. and Sarah M., the latter died in 1880. The second wife, nee Elizabeth Richards, died also, leaving four children-Sarah M., John, William and Nora. All the children were born in Platteville. The present Mrs. Chapman was Mrs. Fannie S., widow of John Bonson, one of the pioneer settlers of Platteville. Mr. Chapman served one year as Assessor of his town ; Treasurer two years, and Supervisor six years. He is a member of the Primitive Methodist Church, and is a Freemason. His home is now outside the city limits of Platteville, where he has 13 acres, in addition to the hun- dreds mentioned above.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 137

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?] Number of Pages: 1050

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?]
Number of Pages: 1050