History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 150

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 150

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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

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

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

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

962

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

TOWN OF MUSCODA.

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

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

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

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

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

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

963

TOWN OF MUSCODA.

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

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

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

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

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

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

964

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

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

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

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

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

965

TOWN OF MUSCODA.

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

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

T. J. GRAHAM, of the firm of Graham & Bremmer, general merchants, grain and live stock dealers, Muscoda; was born in New York State in 1832, and came to Wisconsin in 1836 with parents, who located at Platteville, Grant Co .; he first worked on a farm and then went to California in 1849, and afterward returned to Richland County ; came to Muscoda in 1864, and established the mercantile busi- ness, which he has followed so successfully. In 1853, he was married to Miss Mary E. Sharpe, a native of Indiana, by whom he has four children-two sons and two daughters. He has been Chairman of the Town Board and was in Legislature in 1877 ; is a prominent member of A., F. & A. M .; has been a mer- chant for thirty consecutive years, and what he has made was by his own hard work. The firm do the largest business on the line, running three warehouses besides their large store and stock business.

HERMAN C. GROTE, of the firm of Grote & Unbrager, planing-mill and manufacturer of all kinds of furniture, Muscoda ; was born in Westphalia, Prussia, Oct. 6, 1830, where he was educated. He came to America in 1847, and located first in Milwaukee, where he worked for Mr. Schenck at the furniture business (who is now in the same business in Milwaukee), three weeks for 95 cents; he then went to Galena, Ill., where he learned the trade of cabinet-making and turning, remaining there until 1854, when he came to this State and located in Platteville, where he worked at his trade, and in February. 1855, he came to Muscoda and established the cabinet and turning business. He married in 1854, at Platteville, Miss., Jane Mann, a native of England. They have seven children ; the oldest son is now engaged in the carpenter trade at Viroqua.

THOMAS HARKINS, physician and surgeon, Muscoda; is a son of William and Axey Rosencrans, who were natives of Susquehanna Co., Penn., where Thomas was born. His father was a drover, which was his principal business ; was also engaged in farming. The Doctor spent his childhood under the paternal roof, and read medicine with Dr. Partridge, of Montrose, Susquehanna Co., Penn., and graduated at the old Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, which was established by William Penn. In 1850, he came to this State, and located at Hudson, St. Croix Co., and engaged in practice with Dr. R. Hayt, where he remained until November, 1854. His health failing, he came to Lancaster, Grant Co., where he followed his profession until the spring of 1856, when he came to Muscoda. In the fall of 1864, he enlisted as high private in the 44th W. V. I .; the following March, was promoted to Surgeon of the regiment, with the rank of Captain, and was mustered out with the regiment Aug. 28, 1865. In 1866, he located at Highland, Iowa Co., and resumed practice, where he remained until 1874, when he started on a tour through the West, and traveled through Kansas, the Indian Territory, Arkan- sas, Missouri, and for six weeks through New Mexico, returning to Muscoda in 1880, and resumed practice.

MORITZ HONER, farmer ; P. O. Muscoda ; owns 240 acres of land on Sec. 22, also 40 acres timber. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1832, where he was educated, and learned the trade of shoemaker, at which he worked cighteen years before coming to this country. His father's name was John, who was born in the same town, and trade that of shoemaker. His mother's maiden name was Mary Schmidt, who was also a native of the same town. Moritz Honer came to America in 1857; he worked at his trade a few months in Milwaukee, then came to Muscoda, and worked at his trade seven months ; then went to Avoca, and established business for himself, which he conducted for eight years,

966

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

when he bought the farm upon which he now lives. He has served the town as Supervisor, School Com- missioner and Road Commissioner. He was married October, 1858, to Miss Adeline Paffenrath, who was a native of Germany, and by whom he has nine children-four boys and five girls-all living at home. Has always been in active life, and accumulated an estate by his own persevering efforts and industry.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 150

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