History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 155

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 155

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

I was elected Town Superintendent of Schools in 1849, and again in 1852 and 1853; was elected Town Clerk in 1865, and re-elected annually for sixteen years in succession. I have tried different occupations for a livelihood, but have never made much money at anything, but have always endeavored to deal hon- estly with all with whom I have done business. We have had four children, all born in Indiana, three of whom are living-Mary Ann (now Mrs. Mumms), Charles W. and Wm. H.

WILLIAM MARSDEN, farmer, Sec. 27; P. O. Fennimore ; son of Henry Marsden, who was born in Yorkshire, Eng., in 1806. He emigrated to Wisconsin with his family in 1842, and settled in Waukesha Co. the following spring. In 1853, he settled in the town of Liberty, Grant Co., where he died in November, 1880. Had five children, all born in England, and all of whom are living-Mrs. Rebecca Rook, Thomas, William, Mrs. Jane Thomas and John; the last two live in Kansas. William was born Jan. 1, 1838 ; settled where he now lives in 1863. He was married to Jane Warne; they have five children-John, William, George, Anna and Frank; his farm contains 160 acres. Mr. Marsden is the present Treasurer of the town of Fennimore; he has held that office for three years.

JOHN MONTEITH, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Fennimore; son of Andrew Monteith .; born in Wigtonshire, Scotland, in 1829 ; he came to the United States in 1850; he lived for a time in the State of Vermont ; thence to Western New York ; he went to Indiana in 1851 ; he passed the winter of 1851-52 in Texas ; in the spring of 1852, he came to Grant Co. and settled in the town of Liberty. He went to California in the winter of 1853-54; returned in the fall of 1857. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Dinsdale, daughter of John Dinsdale ; they have three children-Willie, Bertha and Cornelia ; lost one son, their third child. Settled on present farm in 1866; has 320 acres of land. Mr. Monteith is one of the present members of the Town Board; was Chairman of board for three years; he was a soldier in the war for the Union; he enlisted in August, 1861, in the 7th W. V. I .; served about two years, and was discharged for disability ; he participated in several severe engagements, including Gainesville and Second Bull Run.

GEORGE MOODY, stone-mason, Fennimore ; son of Isaiah Moody, one of the early settlers of Grant Co., who settled in the town of Smelser and went to California in 1849, where he still lives. George was born in the town of Smelser in 1847. His mother died when he was an infant. He has always resided in Grant, Co. Has one brother, Sylvester, living in Grant Co.

H. A. W. McNAIR. farmer, Sec. 30 ; P. O. Fennimore ; is one of the prominent early settlers of Grant Co .; he was born in Lincoln Co., N. C., in 1818. His parents, natives of South Carolina, were of Scotch descent. He removed with his father's family to Bond Co., Ill., about 1820, where his mother died . Mr. McNair was on what is now the town of Fennimore in April, 1842; he removed here permanently in 1846. His father, with his family, came at the same time. He entered his present home in 1849, but had occupied the place since the spring of the previous year. James McNair, a brother, settled at the same time on an adjoining farm ; he is now a resident of the town of Mt. Ida. John McNair, the father of the subject of this sketch, died at the residence of his son in 1858. Parents had five children, two of whom died in Illinois. The third child, Matilda, resides with her brother James. Mr. McNair was married to Mary Dorland, born in Pennsylvania ; they have two children-Fred W., born in December, 1862, and Bessie, April, 1864; lost two youngest children, a son and daughter. Mr. McNair was a member of the Legislature three terms, 1859, 1867 and 1870; he was County Surveyor in 1861 and 1864.

F. H. MOORE, stone-mason and plasterer, Sec. 18; P. O. Fennimore ; was born in Camden Co., N. J., Nov. 11, 1837 ; removed with his parents to Indiana in 1840; had a liberal education in the public schools ; removed to Wisconsin in 1856 and settled in Fennimore, Grant Co. He married Mrs. Elmyria Eaton, daughter of, David Hood, of Venango Co., Penn., Jan. 27, 1861. Mrs. Moore first mar- ried Clark Eaton, March 2, 1853, who died in 1860. Mrs. Moore has two daughters by her first husband -Mary, aged 26 years. who has followed teaching for ten years ; Melissa, wife of Rev. A. J. Hood, of this county. By her second marriage Mrs. Moore has one child-Alferetta, aged 19 years, a dressmaker. Mr. Moore enlisted in Co. E, 25th W. V. I., Jan. 4, 1864, and was in active service until the close of the war; was honorably discharged. Is a member of the United Brethren Church, and is an active Repub- lican in his town.

JOSEPH MORRISON, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Fennimore; was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, July 28, 1833 ; removed to Illinois in 1851, and to Grant Co., Wis., September, 1858. Mr. Morrison enlisted in Co. C, 25th W. V. I., Aug. 12, 1862; was in active service with his regiment until the close of the rebellion ; was honorably discharged. He was married, Dec. 25, 1866, to Catherine E. Smith. Mrs. Morrison was born in Lake Co., Ind., in 1847. . They have five children-Sarah C.,

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TOWN OF FENNIMORE.

Joseph L., George W., Frank E. and Margaret. Mr. M. is an active Republican ; has been Deputy Sheriff and Constable. Owns 100 acres of valuable land.

CONRAD NAPP, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Fennimore ; was born in Rhine Province, Germany, Oct. 15, 1829. His father, with his family, emigrated to Wisconsin in the fall of 1846, and settled in Hurricane Grove, Grant Co. He now resides at Cassville. His parents had nine children when they came to this country, six sons and three daughters, all of whom are now living except one daughter. Mr. Napp was married to Elizabeth Brek, daughter of Philip Brek, who emigrated from Germany to Grant Co. in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Napp have nine children-Elizabeth, Mary M., Conrad, Charles, Carrie, Emma, John C., David and Mattie. His farm contains 340 acres. Is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

T. POPEJAY, proprietor of meat market at Fennimore ; a native of Fayette Co., Ohio. He came to Grant Co. in 1836, and was one of the earliest settlers. In September, 1842, he was married to Miss Mary Tindal. She died in 1844, leaving one daughter-Alice. He was married a second time, in 1859, to Miss Sarah T. Kelley. They have a son and daughter-Terrance and Stella D.

JOHN G. PERKINS, farmer, Secs. 18 and 19 ; P. O. Fennimore ; a native of Vermont ; born in 1827. He came to Grant Co., and located on the farm where he now lives, and built the first house in the village of Fennimore Center. He has resided here for the last twenty-three years, and, dur- ing that time, has held the offices of Constable, Assessor and District Clerk. He was married, in 1849, to Miss Elzina E. Gillman, a native of Vermont. They have three sons.

W. H. PEDICORD, manufacturer of harnesses and saddles, Fennimore; born in Vanwert Co., Ohio. He came to Grant Co. in November, 1878, and established his present business the same year. He was married, Oct. 14, 1879, to Miss Mary Shiffman, a native of Grant Co. They have one daughter, Marcia. Members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Pedicord is a member of the I. O. O. F.

D. O. PICKARD, M. D., Fennimore ; born in Northern Ohio, October, 1837. His par- ents afterward removed to Michigan, and came to Stephenson Co., Ill., in 1838. When 18 years of age, the Doctor went to Minnesota, where he lived till 1861, when he enlisted in the 2d U. S. Sharpshooters, organized by Col. Berdan. He re-enlisted, in 1864, as Hospital Steward and medical student. During his service in the army, he participated in many important battles and campaigns. His regiment was dis- banded just before the close of the war, and he was discharged as a supernumerary. He continued the study of medicine after the close of the war. He took his first course of lectures at Charity College, Cleveland, Ohio ; graduated, in 1879, at the Detroit Medical College. He began practice at Richland Center, Richland Co., Wis., where he lived three years; thence to Boscobel, where he was in practice seven years. He came to Fennimore in March, 1879. His wife was Miss Ida McClain, daughter of John McClain, and adopted daughter of Alfred Palmer, of Boscobel.

JUDSON PERKINS, proprietor of Railroad House, Fennimore ; born in Rutland Co., Vt., in 1840. He came to Fennimore from Vermont, in February, 1866. He was engaged for a time in farming, afterward, in buying and shipping horses to Boston, Mass. He has been connected with the railroad for several years ; built his hotel in 1880. His wife was Cornelia Clark, born in Vermont. His parents, Amasa and Lucy Perkins, came to Fennimore about 1864. They are now deceased.

DWIGHT TIMOTHY PARKER, ST., deceased, was born Dec. 21, 1821, in the village of Malone, N. Y. When a mere child, his parents removed to Georgia, Franklin Co., Vt., on the shores of that beautiful and historic lake-Champlain. Enos, his father, a pious, industrious and highly respected citizen, was one of the pioneers of that region, and possessed much of that ambitious spirit and determination which so signally characterized his son in after years ; he departed this life only sowe sixteen months previous to the demise of his son Dwight, in the 76th year of his age. Mary Todd, the mother, whose death occurred during her son's infaney, was a sister to the late Dr. John Todd, a devout Christian, warm-hearted and noble, and a woman of rare intelligence. Here on the farm, near Georgia Plains, where the rising sun appears among the grand old mountains, and sinks serenely behind the little lake, Dwight T. Parker, Sr., was reared. Assisting his father in the fields during the summer months, he was taught that lesson of industry, perseverance and frugality that was never to be forgotten. In the winter he trudged wearily through the deep snows of Northern Vermont to and from the simple district school, where he learned the rudiments of figures, in which he afterward proved himself so thoroughly proficient. For several years after his majority, a desire grew upon him for more of fame and worldly goods than seemed likely to be acquired among the hills and densely populated regions of old Vermont. Thus, in the year 1843, he emigrated westward, his objective point being Wisconsin, then

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

a Territory. Arriving here, his first stop was made at Watertown, penniless and among strangers. From here he journeyed, principally on foot, to Lancaster, Grant Co., having been prompted thither with an eye to mining, then the principal vocation in that section, arriving there with but a small bundle of clothing and $12 in money, which constituted his entire worldy effects. Nothing daunted, he struck out for the mining business, but not having had sufficient experience, he met with poor success, and conse- quently pursued that occupation for only a brief period. The Boscobel Journal of 1870-71, in biograph- ical sketches of his life, speaks of Mr. Parker as follows: "Coming to Lancaster, he sought, by working at whatever chanced to yield a return, to add to his greatly reduced purse, and we are told that while stopping with a distant relation, some question came up as to his poverty, and with a voice full of resolu- tion, he replied that he would yet be at the top of the ladder. He took the job of digging for a mill a short distance from here, and by working night and day, completed his task, whereby he earned $50 in less than a week. We give this instance as illustrative of the indomitable will and wonderful power of endurance which he possessed. And it was by this industrious spirit, perseverance and economy that he has secured for his family a competency. * * Abandoning the pick and shovel for the book and rod, we next find him 'teaching the young idea how to shoot' in one of our smaller country towns. In 1848, we first hear of him in the mercantile business, as one of the firm of Kendall & Parker, located at Lancaster." Dec. 27, of this year, Mr. Parker was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of Lenhart O. Shrader, a man quite prominent in his time, whose sister, Mary E., was the esti- mable wife of Hon. Charles Dunn, first Chief Justice of Wisconsin, and afterward Judge of the 5th Wisconsin Circuit, and mother of Mrs. ex-Gov. Nelson Dewey, of this State. By this union four chil- dren were born, all of whom, together with the mother, are living-the eldest, a daughter, May Louise, and three sons, Dwight Timothy, Frank Arunah and Charles Dewey. The daughter, a woman of culture and refinement, and graduate both of music and letters, receiving instructions in the former at Rockford Female Seminary, and in the latter at Milwaukee Female College; was married in February, 1875, to Andrew J. Pipkin, at present a banker and prominent citizen of Boscobel. The eldest son, Dwight, Jr., an industrious, frugal and temperate young man, inheriting many of the father's excellent qualities, though "but 22 years of age, has," says a correspondent of the Chicago Tribune of 1879, " shown himself to be one of the best business men in the county." For several years prior to 1876, he pursued studies at Beloit College and the State University. In January, 1879, he was elected Vice President, and shortly afterward became President of the First National Bank of Bos- cobel, an institution founded by his father, and of which he was principal owner and President ; but now in voluntary liquidation. Thus Dwight, Sr., was its first, and Dwight, Jr., its last presid- ing officer. Oct. 13, 1880, he was married to Cora B. Anderson, of Ripon, Wis. He resides on his fine stock farm in Fennimore. Frank A., the second son, 22 years of age, for some time attended school at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and afterward, owing somewhat to ill health, visited Colorado; he is at present in New Orleans. Frank is a young man of excellent habits, and possessing great pride of character. The third and youngest son, Charles D., now in his 19th year, resides with his mother at Boscobel, at ending school. He, too, is a youth of bright prospects and fair promise.

In 1850, Mr. Parker bought the entire interest of his partner, Kendall, and for seven years stood alone, when, in 1857, discontinuing shortly afterward his Lancaster interest, he opened a branch store at Boscobel, calling it the " People's Store," a name that soon became nearly as familiar to the people of northern Grant and Crawford Counties as their own. He was really the founder and most prominent business man of the latter place, at the time of his death (1871) an enterprising village of about 1,500 inhabitants. " Up to five years ago," again quoting the Journal, " Mr. Parker's time and fortune were mainly devoted to merchandising, in which, with speculating in live-stock and grain, he was always suc- cessful. During the last five years, still furnishing capital for three stores, located at Boscobel, Wauzeka and Fennimore, Mr. Parker's time has been devoted mainly to farming and stock-raising. He is the owner of about 4,300 acres of wood and tillable land in this county." Speaking of his home farm, the Prairie du Chien Courier, in its obituary notice of Mr. Parker, says : " Though he was a successful mer- chant, he was equally as successful an agriculturist ; he was a great lover of fine stock, and many of the most pleasant hours of his life were spent on his large farm. His stock farm, the largest in Grant Co., is situated in the town of Fennimore, about fourteen miles southward from Boscobel, and embraces nearly a score of eighties of the choicest lands in the State, 1,000 acres of which, in a body, are under an excel- lent state of cultivation, and the remainder heavily timbered land, a feature extremely important in con- nection with so large a farm. Here he put the best stock that could be found; and through a complete knowledge of the business, aided by a good judgment and well-directed energy, he became one of the most thorough and prosperous farmers in Wisconsin. This induced the members of the Grant County Agri-

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TOWN OF FENNIMORE.

cultural Society to elect him their President, a position which he filled for three years, and with great ability." Speaking of him at home on his farm, the Journal again remarks : "Mr. Parker, ever ready with his fine conversational powers, and a mind well filled with all there is good of poetry or prose, will keep his guest a willing listener for hours to his quotations from Burns and Saxe, giving the peculiar dia- lect of the former to perfection. * * Of surety, Mr. Parker is peculiarly blest with a helpmate, one who has been chiefly instrumental by saving what he has by persevering industry secured. Mr. Parker is as liberal as hospitable; we could enumerate many instances of his generosity had we the time and space." Suffice to say, though a member of no religious denomination, he was a man of high moral character, and bequeathed, in several instances, sites for the erection of church edifices, in addition to liberal support otherwise ; he gave generously for educational purposes, and those in adversity always found in him a friend and sympathizer. Mr. Parker was by far the heaviest real estate owner in Bosco- bel, being the possessor of at least a dozen buildings, and lots innumerable. In 1869, he erected here the largest and finest store building in Grant County ; occupied after its completion by Parker, Hildebrand & Co .- Mr. Parker as the senior partner-a firm then doing the heaviest mercantile business in Southwestern Wisconsin. The last important business movement in which Mr. Parker distinguished himself was the establishment of the First National Bank of Boscobel, but a few weeks prior to his death, of which, as we have said, he was principal owner and President. The Courier, in its obituary notice of him, again adds : " He was a successful man in almost every enterprise he undertook, and at once gained the fullest confidence of his friends and patrons by his integrity and close attention to business. The hundreds with whom he was connected in business relations bear testimony to his just, honorable and generous dealings. He was singularly devoid of ostentation. Nothing was needed to secure his respect and confidence, but honesty and industry ; and for nothing had he greater contempt than idleness and affectation." Having thus given an outline of Mr. Parker's life, brief mention will be made of his last moments and death. When, on the 19th day of May, 1871, after many months of suffering caused by a tumor, the result of an accident some two years previous, he was informed that there were no hopes of his recovery, he ex- pressed no surprise, but regretted exceedingly that he might not be spared to see his children, whom he as fondly loved as ever did a parent, grown to honorable manhood and womanhood, under the guidance and protection of a father's loving hand. Thus, at 6:15 P. M., on the 21st day of May, 1871, his useful life went out, while yet " in the full strength of years ;" and, to still more sadden the scene, at that period of the year when nature appears at her best, having but barely assumed that rich and perfect verdancy that so pleases life, as to cause not only the winged creatures to respond in sweetest notes and creation in gen- eral to acknowledge in their respective ways, the beauties of the Creator, but man himself to proclaim life, even at its worst, well worth the living.

THOMAS A. PALLETT, farmer, Sec. 25; P. O. Preston ; born in England in 1828. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1840, and settled in Lee Co., Iowa. In 1847, Mr. Pallett went to St. Louis, where he learned the trade of a millwright, and lived about three years. He came to Grant Co. in 1850, and settled in the town of Jamestown ; settled on his present farm of 160 acres in 1873. He was married to Elecra Dean, daughter of Mandley Dean. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1841, and removed to Grant Co. from Ohio in 1848. Her parents now live in the town of Ellenboro, Grant Co. Mr. Pallett's parents settled in Grant Co., town of Jamestown, in 1848. They are now deceased. Mr. Pallett's children are Thomas M., born in 1865, William, born in 1867; Lettie, born in 1869, and Mary E., born in 1875. Mr. Pallett built a flouring-mill in the town of Jamestown in 1860, which he owned and operated for thirteen years. He settled on his present farm in 1873, and engaged in farming.

ALLEN PRITCHETT, grocer and restaurant-keeper, Fennimore. He was born in Fennimore, Grant Co., Wis., in 1848, and has been a resident of the above town up to the present date. He married Alice Day in the year 1871. Mrs. Pritchett is also a native of Fennimore, Grant Co., Wis. They have four children-Elmer, Glenny, Burt and Mabel. Mr. Pritchett is a prominent citizen of the village of Fennimore.

JOHN ROBINSON, Jr., farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. O. Fennimore; son of John Robinson, Sr. (deceased), one of the earliest settlers of Grant Co., who was born in Manchester, England, in 1809, and came to the United States when a young man. He resided on Long Island for some time, where he was married to Catharine Coil. They came to Galena, Ill., about 1836, and soon after went to what is now Iowa Co., Wis., making him one of the early pioneers of the State. He came to what is now the town of Wingville, Grant Co., about 1840, where he rented a farm for two or three years. He then settled in the town of Fennimore, where he resided till his death, which occurred in 1872. He was a soldier in the war

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

of the rebellion ; enlisted, in 1861, in the 7th W. V. I., and was discharged the following year for disa- bility. His death resulted from the bite of a rattlesnake. He had five children, who grew to maturity- George, born in 1839, enlisted in the 20th W. V. I., and died near Springfield, Mo., during the war, of typhoid fever ; Mary, now Mrs. Even E. Johnson ; Frank, John and Agnes. John was born in the town of Fennimore, Dec. 25, 1845, and married Mariette Byerly. They have three children-Ann Etta, Ber- tha and Pearl.

LEANDER C. ROGERS, farmer and thresher; P. O. Fennimore; son of Joseph G. Rogers. He was born in the town of Middlesex, Yates Co., N. Y., in 1833. He came to Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1842. In November, 1852, he came to Grant Co. with his father. The latter, at that time, entered a quarter section of land in the town of North Lancaster, where his father settled in 1856, and where he resided till his death. Leander C. came to Grant Co. permanently in 1854, and entered quarter of Sec. 25, in what is now the town of Mount Ida. He has been a resident of this county since that time. He settled in the village of Fennimore in the spring of 1874. He was married to Emily A. Luse, born in Pennsylvania. They have three children-Seth C., Gra C. and Edna C.

CRAVEN SHUTTLEWORTH, merchant, Fennimore; born in Yorkshire, England, in 1825 ; came to the United States in 1856; lived in Madison about one year ; thence to Crawford Co., where he engaged in farming ; thence to Grant Co., and purchased 80 acres of land in the town of Fenni- more, Sec. 29, from Frederick Bronson, of New York City. He engaged in the mercantile business in Fennimore in the spring of 1875. He married, in England, Nancy Kaley, born in Yorkshire. They have six sons and two daughters-Job, Ellen, Farrand, Fred, Willie, Craven, Ina and Maggie.

CLYDE R. SHOWALTER, teacher of high school, Fennimore ; son of John Showalter, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1833, and came to Lancaster when a young man. He married Phebe Roberts, who was born in Kentucky, and came to Grant Co. in 1840. They had two children-Clyde and Portia. Mr. John Showalter enlisted on the breaking out of the rebellion, in the 2d Wisconsin Cav- alry ; served three years, and re-enlisted for the war. He died from disease contracted in the army in June, 1865. Clyde graduated at the State Normal School at Platteville, in 1879.

MELFORD P. SMITH, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. O. Fennimore; was born in Wayne Co., Penn., in 1829. He was married in Pennsylvania to Ada Adams, daughter of David Adams. In the spring of 1853, he removed to Oswego, Kendall Co., Ill. In the fall of that year, he came to Grant Co., and settled on his present farm. Has three children-Ira. Charles and Ida. The last two are students. of the State Normal School at Platteville. His farm contains 160 acres; the farm was State land, and contained no improvements when he purchased it. He is one of the prominent early settlers of Grant Co. He came here poor, and by honest industry has secured a competency. Has been honored with most of the town officos for a series of years ; was Treasurer nine years, Town Clerk seven years, and still holds that office ; was Assessor six years, also Justice of the Peace several years.

JOSHUA SANDERS, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Fennimore ; born in Devonshire, England, in 1837. Emigrated to Illinois and settled at Freeport about 1849 ; his father resided at Freeport for some time, when he removed to Crawford Co., Wis .; he now lives in the State of Iowa. Joshua came to Wisconsin about 1859, but soon after went to Missouri ; he returned to Wisconsin in 1861, and settled on his present farm. His wife was Mary Shultz, daughter of Jacob Shultz. They have seven children -Rella J., Minnie M., Caroline B., Eliza M., Nellie G., Tirzah and an infant. Has 75 acres of land.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 155

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