History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 138

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 138

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EDWARD CHAPPELL, retired farmer, Platteville; was born in November, 1813, in Camborne, Cornwall, England, where his younger days were spent at mining. In 1839, he came with his

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family to America, and spent a number of years in the coal and iron mines of Pennsylvania. Later, he was one of the owners of a Greencastle, Pennsylvania, foundry, and, still later, interested himself in farm- ing. In 1856, he sold his farm, and came West, purchasing of J. C. Wright the splendid 270-acre farm, which he still owns. It was a prairie farm, under improvement, though Mr. Chappell has since erected a new house upon it, and is located partly in Smelser and partly in Elk Grove. Since 1876, he has been a resident of Platteville. His wife was formerly Eliza Pearce, of Illogen Parish, Cornwall. They have eleven children-Edward, born in England, Mary J. (Mrs. James Ivey), John M., William C., Ann E. (Mrs. John Rogers), Sarah (Mrs. Abel Gill), Gilbert, Alfred P., James R., Thomas L. and Anna M. Eight of the children were born in Pennsylvania, and the two youngest on the Elk Grove homestead. The eldest daughter resides near Parkersburg, Iowa, and six of the others are on farms of their own in Taylor Co .. Iowa. Edward is farming in Elk Grove, and Thomas is on the old farm. John M. is also a farmer in that town. The children and grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Chappell number about sixty. Mr. Chappell is a Democrat, and served five terms as Chairman of Elk Grove. Is a member, with his wife and most of his children, of the M. E. Church.

F. R. CHASE, merchant, and member of the firm of Sanford & Chase, Platteville ; is a native of Niagara Co., N Y. ; was born in 1833. In 1834, his parents removed to Trumbull Co., Ohio, and came from there to Platteville in 1855, where they continued to reside till their death. F. R. Chase was engaged in the drug business in Platteville from 1861 to 1865, then sold out in 1867, went into general merchandising, in company with R. C. Sanford, which he has continued up to the present time. He was married in 1862, in Whitehall, Ill., to Miss Jennie McCollister, and has three children-Albert, Mary and Jennie. He has been Alderman two terms.

LEONARD COATES, one of the representative pioneers of Platteville, was born Aug. S, 1814, in Yorkshire, England. Here he spent his early life in the mines. In May, 1836, he came to the United States, arriving June 26, 1836, in Platteville. Beginning as a miner on his own account, he fol- lowed it until 1838, when he and James Vineyard built a furnace on the Rountree Branch. This fur- nace they operated three years, at the end of which time Mr. Coates took a contract by which he " cleaned up " the old furnaces of Thomas Perrish, on the Blue River; also did some mining at Centerville and Franklin ; returning in 1841 to Platteville, he engaged in mining until the fall of 1844, when, in com. pany with Robert Chapman, he re-purchased the old Vineyard-Coates furnace. During 1847 Mr. Coates operated the Shullsburg furnace, then owned by himself and partner. The partnership was dissolved in 1848, although Mr. Coates continued smelting until in 1873. He was conspicuous in securing railroad privileges to Platteville, and has ever been in the foremost ranks of its most public-spirited citizens, hav- ing served as Mayor and 'City Treasurer. His elegant brick residence was completed in 1870, it making a most pleasant resting-place for one like him, who. has spent a long and active life in the turmoil of the business of this nineteenth century. He married Jan. 2, 1852, Miss Caroline Gear. She was born in Columbus, Ohio, and has been a resident of Platteville since 1840. Their only child, Lucy A., born in Platteville, is the wife of W. H. Diffenbacher. Mr. and Mrs. Coates united with the Platteville M. E. Church in 1857, since which time Mr. C. has been class-leader almost without interruption.

T. J. COLBUBN, born Oct. 28. 1825, in Orange Co., N. Y. ; early in life he lost his father, the widow and mother removing to Chittenden Co., Vt. Here T. J. Colburn received his schooling, and grew to man's estate. In February, 1845, he came to Platteville and engaged in farming until 1851, then went overland to California. Here he sought the smiles of the golden goddess until 1853, then sailed for Australia. In the spring of 1854, he shipped from Australia to Peru, where he did his first work as a carpenter. Upon his return to Platteville, in the summer of 1855, he again took up the plane and saw, working as a carpenter until his second visit to California in 1861. He mined gold in that State and Nevada until his final return to Platteville in the fall of 1864; worked at his trade until 1872, then removed to his pleasant suburban home. He has 14 acres, and is engaged in small fruit culture and in raising poultry. He has also a desirable house and lot in the city. He has been a member of the Platte- ville Congregational Church for many years, and a member of the choir since his first settlement there. In 1870, he was, by the Board of Regents, appointed Professor of Music in the Platteville Normal School, and filled that position three years. He married Miss Margie, daughter of Paul Jeardoe, a pioneer set- tler in Platteville, where she was born. They have six children-Willis P., Mabel, Margie, Philip, Olive L. and Roy, all born in Platteville. Mrs. Colburn is also a member of the Congressional Church, her father now residing in Lima.

WILLIAM COWDUROY, dealer in general merchandise, Platteville, was born in Lon- don, England, in 1836; came to America when only 15 years of age, landing in New York

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City, in the spring of 1851, without a single friend or acquaintance in that city. He soon obtained em- ployment as a clerk at $5 a month and board, but soon had his wages raised to $13 per month. He re- mained there till 1853, then came to Wisconsin and resided in Platteville till the spring of 1856, when he went to La Crosse, Wis., and stayed till the spring of 1859. He then went to St. Louis, Mo., and was in the State and County Assessors' Office till 1861. He then returned to Platteville, with his family, and was in the Pay Department of the Missouri State Militia about one year, since which time he has been in business in Platteville. He was married in Platteville, in September, 1857, to Miss Lizzie Elgar, a native of London, England. She died May 21, 1879. leaving two children-Lizzie and Harry. His second wife, to whom he was married in October, 1880, was Miss Lizzie Campbell, of Platteville.

EDWARD CRONIN, M. D., Platteville ; is a Pennsylvanian by birth, having been born in the city of Philadelphia Feb. 22, 1812 ; his earlier years were passed in that city. Arriving at the proper age, he entered the freshman class of the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in the literary department in 1842. Upon leaving the University, young Cronin immediately commenced the study of medicine with Prof. John K. Mitchell, of Jefferson Medical College. In 1844, the young student formed one of the graduating class at the above-named college, coming forth a full-fledged M. D. After receiving his diploma, Dr. Cronin started for the West, rightly conjecturing that the star of empire was setting in that direction. He first settled in Platteville, where he continued in practice until 1850, when attracted, as were others, by the golden tales of California, he started for the Western Slope. Reaching Sacramento during the terrible cholera epidemic, when the citizens were dying off at the rate of four or five hundred a week, the young physician turned his attention to the work in hand, remaining in attendance at the hos- pitals until the terrible scourge had passed over. He then went further up the country to the Frazier River. where, upon the north fork of this stream, he afterward discovered what turned out to be two good claims. He remained here until 1853, when he returned to " the States " and settled at Galena, where he remained until 1860, when he returned to Philadelphia and attended lectures at Jefferson College, during the winter of 1860-61. He then changed his residence to Platteville, where he remained until 1864. The year fol- lowing found him practicing in Philadelphia. In 1867, the Doctor returned to the West and located at Mineral Point, including Platteville in his ride. In 1872, he changed his residence to Platteville, where he has since been engaged in practice. The services of Dr. Cronin are by no means confined to a local area. but the circuit of his labors extends far out into adjoining sections.

EDWARD DAVIS, Sr., blacksmith, Platteville ; was born in Flintshire, North Wales, in February, 1826; son of Robert Davis ; he learned his trade in Wales, and came to America in 1849 from Manchester, England, where he had been living about eight years, and has been in Platteville ever since he emigrated ; he worked four and a half years in the plow-shop of Joel Potter, and since that has been in business for himself. He was married in Manchester, England, to Margaret Roberts, who died in Platte- ville, leaving four children- Emma (now Mrs. Samuel Jones, of Platteville), Elizabeth and Adeline at home, and Edward, Jr., who was married, Dec. 25, 1879, to Miss Inez, daughter of Stephen Dunbar, a merchant of Monticello, Green Co., Wis .; they have one child, Iva Gretta. Edward, Jr., learned his trade with his father and is now in partnership with him, firm of Davis & Son.

W. H. DIFFENBACHER, dentist, Platteville ; is a native of Crawford Co., Penn., born in 1836 ; studied dentistry with his uncle, David Diffenbacher, in his native county, from 1855 till 1858. then came to Platteville and has practiced there since. He was married in 1861, in Platteville, to Miss Ella Coates, and has had seven children, only two of whom-Genevieve and Lillian-are now living ; they lost five sons-Harry, aged 8 years ; Freddie, 8 months ; Leonard, 9 months; Willie, 9 years, and Eddie 14, the last two in September, 1879, of diphtheria, Eddie on the 23d and Willie on the 24th, and they were both buried on the 25th, which was the nineteenth anniversary of their marriage. His father, Fred- erick Diffenbacher, was in the mercantile business in Meadville, Penn., and W. H. clerked in his store from the time he was 8 years of age till he commenced studying dentistry. Mr. Diffenbacher, Sr. removed to Peru, Ill., in 1861; went from there to Boone Co., Iowa, and died there in 1868.

GEORGE DYSON, retired, Platteville ; was born in 1826, in Meltham, Yorkshire, England ; learned his trade of stone-mason in his native place. He came to America in 1848, residing in the New England States until 1850; that year he came to Platteville, and for eight years worked at his trade; he then began farming, and continued it until 1871, then spent a year in the village of Platteville ; he then spent three years on a farm of 240 acres which he now owns, in Lima ; since 1874, he has resided in the city, where he owns two houses and lots. He married Miss Sarah Brown, a native of Lock wood, England ; their only child, a son-Nathaniel-born in Meltham, Yorkshire, is now in Washington Territory. Mr. Dyson has served on the Village, Town and County Boards ; is a member, with his wife, of the P. M. Church of Platteville.

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DR. GEORGE W. EASTMAN, Platteville ; the son of Hon. Samuel Eastman and Jane Eastman, was born in Strong, Franklin Co., Me., March 29, 1824; as a lad he received a good common- school education, afterward attending an academy, and, at the proper time, entered Dartmouth College, from which he graduated, in the medical class, in 1844. In the spring of 1850, the young doctor turned his face toward the setting sun and located at Platteville, which place has since been his home. In the year 1852, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna S. Monroe, of Boston ; they have three children- Jessie, Mary G. and Julia. During the war of the rebellion, Dr. Eastman was commissioned Surgeon of the 16th W. V. I., in which capacity he served one year, when he was appointed Medical Inspector of the Seventeenth Army Corps ; this office he held for the two years succeeding, making a total of three years' service, when he returned and onee more resumed the practice of his profession at his old home.

JONATHAN H. EVANS, Platter l'e; was born near Philadelphia, Penn., Oct. 29, 1830 ; served an apprenticeship as printer in the office of The Cumberland Valley Whig, at Shippensburg, Penn .; emigrated with his father to Wisconsin in May, 1846, and settled on a farm in the town of Kendall, La Fayette Co .; attended the Platteville Academy 1851-52, teaching a country school during the winter ; in the fall of 1852 entered the store of Samuel Moore as salesman. Married Miss Sarah Kilbourne of Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1855 ; was elected Register of Deeds of Grant Co., serving two terms, from Jan- uary, 1857, to January, 1861 ; was with the Army of the Tennessee during the Rebellion, serving as sut- ler of the 33d W. V. I. Since 1864 he has been engaged in the mercantile business in Platteville. In 1869, was elected County Supervisor, representing the towns of Hazel Green, Smelser and Platte- ville; was elected President of the Board of Trustees of the village of Platteville, in 1870, and in 1870-71 represented said village in the County Board of Supervisors ; in February, 1872, was appointed by Gov. Washburn member of the Board of Regents of Normal Schools, and successively re-appointed by Gov. Taylor in 1875, by Gov. Smith in 1878 and 1881 ; was elected Vice President of the Board in 1877, and, upon the death of President Starr in 1879, succeeded to the Presidency, to which position he has since been twice elected. Mr. Evans has devoted some attention to the study of natural science, and has a fine collection of minerals and fossils in the State Normal School at Platteville; is a member of the " Illinois Natural His ory Society" and the " Wisconsin Humane Society." He is a zealous member of the Masonic Order ; was made a Master Mason and member of Melody Lodge at Platteville Feb. 22, 1834 ; received the Royal Arch degrees in June following, and the degree of Knight Templar at Mad- ison, Wis., February, 1872. The fraternity has honored him with many marks of confidence, as he has served in nearly all the offices of the local orders, and has, at different times, been a delegate to the Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery of the State. He represented the Royal Arch Masons of Wisconsin in the General Grand Chapter held at Baltimore, Md., in 1871, and at Nashville, Tenn., in 1874 ; has been continuously for the past fourteen years an officer of the Grand Chapter of the State, and during the years 1874-75 was honored with the highest position within the gift of the order by being elected Grand High Priest. He has been for the past six years the accredited Masonic representative to the Royal Arch Masons of Wisconsin from the Masons of Kentucky, South Carolina and New Jersey. As a citizen, Mr. Evans is distinguished as a type of the Christian gentle- man who, serupulously exact in all his dealings, generous to the poor and considerate to the unfor- tunate, will ever be esteemed in his publie capacity, and valued as the conservator of that which is equitable in the private walks of life.

J. C. FLANAGAN, grocer, Platteville ; is a native of Huntingdon Co., Penn., born in 1838, and came to Platteville in 1862; he enlisted in February, 1863, in Co. K, 44th W. V. I., and served till the close of the war as Sergeant of the company ; after his return from the army he worked at black- smithing three years and at painting about six years; since April, 1875, he has been engaged in the gro- cery business. He was married in 1868 to Miss Mary R. Covell, daughter of E. W. Covell, a native of Madison Co., N. Y., who came to Platteville in 1842, and resided there till his death, Aug. 28, 1878, at the age of 66. Mrs. Covell, whose maiden name was Rebecca Kendall, is still living in Platteville at the age of 75. Mr. Flanagan has three children-Jennie B., Susie C. and George L .; one son, Carlos, died Feb. 5, 1877, at the age of 4 months.

E. R. FRIEDRICH, harness-maker and member of the firm of H. C. Doscher & Co., Platteville ; was born in St. Clair Co., Ill., in 1843; his father, Ferdinand Friedrich, was a native of Germany, and came to America and settled in Illinois ; then came to Wisconsin, and has been a resident of Platteville ever since. E. R. Friedrich learned his trade in Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., and commenced business for himself in Platteville, in 1868, in company with Michael Oswald, with whom he continued a year and a half; then bought out his partner, and run the business alone till January, 1876, then sold out

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to H. C. Doscher, and bought in again in 1876; he enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in the 27th W. V. I., Co. G, and was in the service till September, 1874, and was with his regiment the whole time. He was married in October, 1864, in Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., to Maria J. Fry, and has two children living-Edward Ferdinand and Gustave Ernest, and lost one son-Otto, who died March 3. 1880, aged 5 years. Mr. Friedrich has been a member of the Village Board two years in succession.

W. J. FUNSTON, dentist; was born in Coshocton Co., Ohio, in. 1840; when an infant his parents removed to Jefferson Co., Ohio, where he was brought up. He enlisted there in August, 1862, in the 52d O. V. I., Co. E, as a private, and was in the service till the close of the war; he was with his company about six months, and was then detailed as Adjutant's clerk, and acted in that capacity till the close of the war. He studied dentistry before the war with Dr. John Mckinley, of Uhrichsville, Ohio ; after the war, he practiced about six months in Plattsburg, Mo., after spending a few months in Ohio, then came to Wisconsin and spent a short time with his parents in Richland Co .; came to Platteville in December, 1866, and has practiced there since, except from December, 1873, till April, 1874, he spent in California practicing a part of the time in San Francisco.

DAVID GARDNER, one of the now deceased pioneers of Grant Co., was born March 4, 1816, in County Meath, Ireland. When in his 17th year, he came to America, and spent some years in vari- ous Eastern and Southern States. During the Seminole Indian war, he was in New Orleans ; in 1840, he reached Galena, and soon after made his first visit to Platteville and vicinity. Here he worked in the " leads " about the Whig settlement, and spent one winter in a cabin built where Straw & Co.'s furnace now is. He was one of the discoverers of the old " Boots " range of mineral, which famous deposit is still being worked, and a branch of it on his own farm by his own sons. He married in Galena, Mary Murphey, who survives him. He died Nov. 1, 1876, leaving seven children-John M., David P., James V .. Mary E., Dennis J., Bridget and Cecilia, all born on the old homestead farm. Mr. Gardner settled upon this farm as early as 1843, and here the widow and three eldestsons have a good home. The young- est son is now reading law in the office of the Hon. W. E. Carter, of Platteville. Mr. Gardner was a steady and industrious farmer and miner, and a man who is remembered by many old friends and neighbors.

D. E. GARDNER, Professor of Mathematics and Music in the State Normal School at Platte ville, was born in Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1837. He was educated in his native State, and coni- menced teaching in a private school in Jefferson Co. when 20 years of age, and continued in that three years ; he was then Professor of Mathematics in Hungerford Collegiate Institute, at Adams, N. Y., for five years, from the time it was established till it was burned in 1867 ; he then came West, and for six years was Superintendent of Schools and Principal of the High School at Neenah, Wis., and in the fall of 1874 was elected to his present position. He was married in 1864, at Adams, N. Y., to Miss Ella Under- wood Brown, of that place, and has two children-Bertha Lucile and Mabel Pauline.

JOHN G. GILLHAM, Platteville ; born Dec. 22, 1819, in Madison Co., Ill. ; son of Charles and Clarinda Gillham, who settled in Grant Co. in 1835. The sons of Charles Gillham engaged in mining at Big Patch, J. G. Gillham following the " diggins " and farming until 1850, when he went to California, and for two years sought his fortunes in the gold mines ; returning, he began farming near Belmont, Wis. In 1862, he made a second visit to the Pacific Slope ; on his return in 1863, he sold his Belmont farm, and settled in Platteville. The summer of 1864 was spent by him in the United States service, as a Pri- vate in the 41st W. V. I., he returning on sick leave shortly before the final discharge of his regiment. He settled in his present pleasant home in 1872. J. G. Patterson, a former owner of the property, had established a nursery here, which has secured to Mr. Gillham an unusually large, fine orchard, besides other fruit and ornamental trees. He married Miss Mary L., daughter of Ashahel and Eliza Haggett ; she was born April 25, 1829. An adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gillham is now the wife of Frank White, of Lancaster. Mr. and Mrs. Gillham belong to the M. E. Church of Platteville. The father, Charles Gillham, died on the day of the capitulation of Gen. Lee, in April, 1865. Mrs. Charles Gillham died Sept. 28, 1879.

REV. HENRY GOODSELL, Pastor of the M. E. Church, Platteville ; was born in Sus- sex, England, in February, 1841, in the parish of Ewhurst ; son of John and Mary (Jarman) Goodsell. When 17 years of age, he left home and friends to seek his fortune in the New World. He remained a few months in Oneida Co., N. Y., then made his way to Lena, Ill., where he soon obtained employment. In 1862, he left Illinois for Minnesota, and entered Hamlin University, at Red Wing, where he worked for his board, and pursued his studies till 1866, finishing a scientific course in that year. Immediately after graduating, he entered the ministry of the M. E. Church, in the Minnesota Conference, and was first

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stationed at Mazeppa, Goodhue Co., Minn., where he remained three years; he was then in Lark City, Wabasha Co., Minn., two years; when returned to Goodhue Co., was stationed at Zambrota three years. He came to Wisconsin in 1875, preached in Hudson one year, Prescott, Pierce Co., three years, and came to Platteville in the fall of 1879. He was married in St. Peters, Minn., Oct. 4, 1869, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Rev. C. H. Savage, of the Minnesota M. E. Conference. She was a native of High- land Co., Ohio. They have three children-Julia, Glenn and Guy.

JOHN GRINDELL, cabinet-maker, Platteville, was born in Canada in 1828; came to Wisconsin in 1849, and settled in Platteville. In the spring of 1850 he went to California, returning to- Platteville in the summer of 1852. In 1864, he enlisted in the 41st W. V. I. (100-day men) and went out as First Lieutenant of Co. A, and in February, 1865, enlisted in the 47th W. V. I., and served till the close of the war as First Lieutenant. He was married in the fall of 1852, to Miss Susan Cook, daughter of David Cook, of Beetown ; has had six children-Ada J., John H., Albert J., Daniel E., Susan May (deceased) and Arthur B. He has been Town Treasurer, and was President of the Village Board in 1879.

WILLIAM GRINDELL, cabinet-maker ; Platteville; was born in Canada in 1820; came to Buffalo, N. Y., and learned his trade, and in 1845 came to Platteville, where he has been in business ever since. He was on the School Board of Platteville about thirty years in succession, and has been on the Village Board several terms; his first wife, to whom he was married in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1843, was Miss Lydia Cook, she died in 1855, and in 1857 he married Miss Margaret McMurry, of Platteville, he has nine children living, three sons by the first wife, and three sons and three daughters by the second wife. One daughter, Miss Lillie Grindell, is Assistant Teacher in the Rock Graded School of Platteville ; she was educated at the Normal School, of Platteville, and commenced teaching in 1877 ; the first year at Ellenboro, Grant Co., then one year in Dodgeville, and is now on the second year in her present position.

GEORGE M. GUERNSEY, life and fire insurance agent, Platteville ; was born in Tioga Co., Penn., in the village of Tioga, Oct. 4, 1828 ; son of Levi B. Guernsey, who was a native of Amenia. Dutchess Co., N. Y .; Mr. Guernsey came to Wisconsin in 1858, and taught school in Milton, Rock Co., two years ; in 1860, he came to Platteville and took charge of the Platteville Academy, which he conducted about seven years, till it was changed to a Normal School and was Professor of Mathematics in that school about one year, and since 1868 has been in his present business ; he was County Superintendent of Schools from 1874 to 1878; he was married in 1856, in Pennsylvania, to Miss M. J. Roach, and has two children living-Tommy and Maude.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 138

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