History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 110

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168

USA > Wisconsin > Green County > History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 110

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"In the spring of 1849 the village was platted and soon it numbered 100 souls, Martin Miteh- ell was the first man to dispense candy, pins and needles to the children and ladies, and Dr. R Morris was the first disciple of Esculapins that dared to meet the straggling Indians (squaws) that yearly came to fish and trap in the bayous of the river, the Indian name of which was 'Sweet Water.'

"The doctor and merchant above reached there in 1848, a few days or weeks before the writer, but it was reserved for the latter and his family to purchase William Jones' squatter rights in the town, complete the platting, and finish the saw mill begun by him.

"In 1851 M. B. Edson and John Brown were attracted to the place and erected a small mill

near the site of the saw mill and operated it a short time until fever-heat, resulting from severe friction, led to their separation and sale of the mill to the family of the writer, by whom it was operated for a time until sold to the Messrs. Hendries, who afterwards merged it with the Brodhead mill property and razed it for that purpose.

"In 1851 or 1852 Mr. Mitchell left for the gold mines of California, and J. B. Sawyer figured for a time as merchant in Decatur, but soon gave place to William, Joseph and Isaac Por- ter, who conducted a very respectable store of general merchandise for several years, and until some time, even, after Brodhead started, and until many of the buildings in Decatur had been taken down and removed to the new town, insisting that Brodhead would not 'make much of a shower,' and that Decatur would prove the lode-stone for the country around. They succumbed at last and removed to the town of Porter, Rock Co., Wis., where they are now thrifty farmers.

"Monroe furnished a man who was a sheriff, and who was charged with letting a murderer escape from his custody at a hotel, who erected and run for years previous to 1856 a very good public house at Decatur. (This man was C. H. Thomas.) Others will give you his history. William Jones sold his remaining lands in Decatur soon after Brodhead started, and re- moved with his family to Iola, Kansas, where he died many years ago.

"The writer has witnessed the opening up and settling of more than one new settlement of farmers, and he has never known one compare with the town of Decatur, in regard to the frugality, integrity and unyielding energy of its early settlers, and if their descendents fail to make a judicious use of their inheritance, the guilt of great ingratitude will lay at their door."

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Among the prominent farmers of the town of Decatur are the following named:

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Adam Fleek, oldest son of Benjamin H. Fleek, was born in Licking Co., Ohio, in 1842, and came with his father to Green county in 1845. He was married to Margaret Dixon, daughter of Martin Dixon, and they have three children-Fanny, Llewellyn and Adam. Mr. Fleek purchased his farm, which is located on section 27, of his father. It was entered by Christopher Waterkot and Anson Sheffield, and contains 282 acres. He also owns considerable land elsewhere in this town. Mrs. Fleek was born at Juda, in this county, in 1850. Her par- ents were early settlers in the town of Jeffer- son. They now reside in Evansville, Rock county.

Franklin J. Burt lives on section 6, town of Decatur, on a farm (on Jordan Prairie) which his father purchased in 1847. He is a sou of John Burt, who was born in Washington Co., N. Y., Jan. 13, 1800, and came here with his family in 1847, and remained until his death, which occurred in 1853. His wife, Samantha (Lamb) Burt, was born in Washington Co., N. Y., in 1799. They were married in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1825, and she died in 1873. Two sons and one daughter came with them-Frank J., Harriet and Russell. The latter was always an invalid, and died in October, 1865, aged thirty years. Harriet was married to Lyman Dexter in 1847, and died in 1852. Frank J., the subject of this sketch, was born in Chautau- qua Co., N. Y., in 1826, and came to Decatur with his father, as before stated, in 1847, from which time he has been a resident. He was married to Emily A. Turman, daughter of Ben- jamin Turman, who came to Green county from Indiana in the fall of 1847. She was born in Sullivan county, that State, in November, 1826. Benjamin Turman was born near Harper's Fer- ry, Va., in 1802, and when but a boy removed with his parents to Urbana, Ohio, and was mar- ried at Vincennes, Ind., to Prudence Nash, also a native of Virginia. Until he came here in 1848 he owned the homestead in Indiana, and was always a large land owner. Among other real estate, he owned for a number of years

that part of Milwaukee known as "Walker's Point." Merchandising in Perrysville, Ind., was a part of his business while there. A year previous to his coming to this county he resided in Texas, and was a man of ability, having served a number of times as a member of the legislature from Indiana. Politically he was a democrat, and took quite an interest in the wel- fare of that party. He removed to Missouri in 1867. His first wife died in 1841. His second and present wife was Mrs Mary (Miller) James. They reside at Higginsville, Mo. Mrs. Burt was born in Sullivan Co., Ind., on the old home- stead, in 1826, and had good advantages for se- curing a good education. Her father, being in affluent circumstances, was able to give his family such opportunities. She came to this county with her father in 1847, and taught school for three years, being among the early teachers of the county. She is a lady of more than ordinary culture and ability. Mr. and Mrs. Burt have two sons-John A. and Frank Henri. The former was born Dec. 13, 1854, and the latter Feb. 25, 1864. They lost one son, called Charlie, at the age of fifteen years. Mr. Burt is a thorough going, successful farmer, and is engaged quite extensively in stock rais- ing. He makes the raising of fine horses a specialty. Although he seems to have had his share of reverses, yet by the energy and perse- verance of himself and his wife he has secured a competence, and is now in the enjoyment of a home honestly gained.

Frederick Enfield is a resident of section 29, where he settled in 1848, and which he pur- chased of the government. Mr. Enfield has re- sided in the county since April 29, 1844. He lived in the town of Spring Grove, about one year, then removed to the town of Jefferson, where he also lived about one year. Ile finally settled in the town of Spring Grove in 1846, on forty acres of land, which he entered. He came here from that town. Mr. Enfield was born in Somerset Co, Penn., Jan. 13, 1819, where he was reared to manhood on a farm. He is a son

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

of Frederick and Catharine (Boyer) Enfield, who resided in Pennsylvania until their decease. Ilis father was born in Somerset county, and his mother was born just across the line in the State of Maryland. The subject of this sketch came direct to this county from Pennsylvania. His wife was Matilda Mitchell, daughter of John A. and Rebecca Mitchell. Mrs. Enfield was born June 9, 1825, in Somerset Co., Penn. They had thirteen children, eleven of whom are liv- ing. In the fall of 1862, Mr. Enfield enlisted in the 22d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, and served until the close of the war. He was captured at the battle of Spring Hill, Tenn., and was sent to Libby prison, where he remained a prisoner one month, when he was exchanged. Although his prison life was short he had passed through trials and hardships that he will ever remember. Being too ill to aecom- pany Sherman on his march to the sea, he re- joined his regiment on the Atlantic coast and took part in the grand review at Washington. Ile was formerly a strong man, but his army life left him broken in health. He still suffers much from disease contracted in the army. Mr. and Mrs. Enfield began life in limited circumstances, in Green county, but by industry and economy, have secured for themselves and family a beau- tiful home. His farm contains 160 acres.

John A. Clemmer, who now lives on section 6, town of Decatur, has been a resident of this county since April 12, 1850. He was born in Fayette Co., Penn., in 1832. His parents are Jasper and Delilah Clemmer, of the town of Sylvester, where they settled in 1850. John A. came to the county with his parents. He was married to Rhoda U. Whitcomb, daughter of James and Nancy (Goltry) Whitcomb. She came to this county with her parents, in 1849, and settled in the town of Mount Pleasant. Mr. Whitcomb was a native of Steuben Co., N. Y., born May 17, 1812, where he was married and removed to Indiana with his family, coming here from Indiana. Mrs. Clemmer was born in the State of New York, in 1834. Mr. and Mrs.

Clemmer have six children-Laura A., Clara L. C., Nannie D., Cora A., Letha J. and John F. The farm contains 188 acres.

L. N. Lewis, a resident of section 3, was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in 1830. He settled in Green county, in 1850, but had entered his land in 1849. He entered 132 acres, but now owns 180 acres. He is a son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Allen) Lewis, also natives of the same county. They came to Wisconsin in 1852, and settled in Dane county, in the village of Mt. Vernon, where they lived until their decease. They had ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity. L. N. is the only one of the family who was an early settler of this county. A brother, John L., settled in Dane county very early. He is now chief-of-police of Madison. The subject of this sketch was married near Stoughton, Wis., to Sophronia A. Stillwell, born in the State of New York, in 1825. They have six children-Frank B., Laura, Arthur, Minnie, Ethan Allen and Marion Stillwell, twin boys. Mr. Lewis' mother, Elizabeth (Allen) Lewis, was a decendant of Ethan Allen, of Revolution- ary fame. Mrs. Lewis' parents were Ezra and Polly (Howe) Stillwell. They came to Wis- consin, from New York, in about 1852, and set- tled in Dane county, where her father died the following year. Her mother now lives in Wau- kon, Iowa.

Samuel Rowe was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1808. When a young man he re- moved to the State of Illinois, where he was married. He came to Green county with John Dawson. He located on section 20, of the town of Decatur, where he made a claim of 160 acres, eighty acres of which he entered. The other eighty acres was "jumped" by a man named Mott, who entered the same, and of whom Mr. Rowe purchased it. His wife, Margaret Brown, was a native of Centre Co., Penn. Mr. Rowe died April 18, 1872. Mrs. Rowe died on the 13h of the following September. They had eight children, seven of whom are living-John B., Catharine A., Amos C., Elmira (deceased),

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Elizabeth M., William F., Emma S. and Viola M. Amos C., who owns and occupies the home- stead, was born here in 1846. He was married to Emma V. Fleek, daughter of Edmund T. Fleek. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have two children (twins)-Lola B. and Lee B., born Dec. 18, 1883. Mr. Rowe's farm contains 213 acres. He also owns twenty acres of timbered land.

Jesse Mitchell resides on section 31, town of Decatur, where he settled in 1853, upon a farm bought from his father, who obtained it from the government. Jesse Mitchell was born in the town of Wharton, Fayette Co., Penn., in 1813, where he was reared and married. A brother-in-law, Allen Woodle, had come to this county about 1835, and through his influ- ence Mr. Mitchell was induced to emigrate from Pennsylvania to this county. On the 14th day of March, 1837, he left his home in Fayette county with his wife and child, and the follow- ing day took a steamer at Brownsville, on the Monongahela river, thence went down the Ohio, and up the Mississippi to Galena, and from there with ox team to the town of Sylvester, which place they reached April 19, forty-seven years ago. His brother-in-law, Joseph Woodle, with a wife and five children, accompanied him, and these men were the first settlers of what is now the town of Sylvester. Mr. Mitchell resided in that town until he came here, as stated, in 1853. He has been twice married. His first wife, who came with him from Pennsylvania, was formerly Priscilla Woodle, born in Fayette Co., Penn., in 1813. She died in 1849. His second and present wife was Mrs. Lucina (Oviatt) Damon, who was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1823, where in 1842 she was married to Alexis G. Damon, and came with her husband to Sylvester in 1843. Mr Damon died in 1846. Mr. Mitchell had six children by his first marriage, four of whom are still living-Martha A., Hannah, Abner and Thomas. By his present wife he has seven children -Owen, Frank, Lois, Lucretia, Julia A., Cynthia and John A. Mrs. Mitchell had two

children by her marriage with Mr. Damon- Samuel, who was a member of the 22d Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, and died in the service of his country at Danville, Ky., and one daugh- ter, who died in infancy. Mr. Mitchell has been a member of the Baptist Church for fifty years. His wife is also a member of the same Church. His father, Abner Mitchell, came to the town of Spring Grove in 1844, and died in Decatur in the fall of 1883, on his eighty- fourth birthday. He was a man of considerable ability, and in 1853 was a member of the Wis -. consin legislature.

Thomas Munger, of the town of Decatur, re- sides on section 28, on a farm purchased from Sanford Cochrain, who bought it from Noah Ball, the original owner. It contains 175 acres. When Mr. Munger purchased the farm, in the fall of 1854, but little improvement had been made. A log house had been built and about thirty acres broken. For this place he paid $15 per acre. Mr. Munger was born in Erie Co., Penn., in 1825, where he continued to live until he came to this county. His parents, Thomas and Pattie Munger, were natives of the State of New York, and removed to Pennsylvania in 1824, where they lived until death, the father reaching the age of sixty-six years, and the mother seventy-two. Thirteen children were born to them, of whom Thomas is the youngest, and he was married Feb. 13, 1847, to Nancy Colton, a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. They have four children, one son and three daughters-Judson, Polly A., Mary E. and Sophrona.

Walgrave Atherton came to the town of De- catur in 1854. He settled on section 9, in 1855. He was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Ang. 4, 1826. His parents were John and Clarissa Atherton. The former was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., the latter in the State of New York, and they moved to Licking Co., Ohio, where they lived until their decease. Walgrave Atherton is the only one of his father's family who settled in

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Green county. He was married in 1852 to Ann Elizabeth Putnam, a daughter of John J. Putnam, and she was born in Athens Co., Ohio, in 1829, and came here with her parents in 1849. Mr. Atherton came to Decatur from Ohio, for his wife, with whom he was acquainted in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Atherton have had nine children, eight sons and one daughter. Their daughter, Florence V., was the eldest, and died when nineteen years old. Their son, (deceased,) was Charles Ernest, who died April 4, 1873. Their living children are-Edwin P., born April 27, 1855 ; John J. P., born Feb. 23, 1857 ; Oliver II., born June 21, 1858; George W., born April 28, 1860; Elmer E., born June 13, 1862 ; Harry C., born June 2, 1864, and Fred. V., born Dec. 11, 1871. Mr. Atherton first purchased 157 acres without improvements. The farm now contains 300 acres. He also owns the farm set- tled by Thomas Stewart in this town, containing 192 acres.

Philip Kilwine lives on section 21, where he has a fine farm of 158 acres, where he settled in March, 1868. This farm was obtained from Jerome B. Fleek. He was born in Baden, Ger- many, in 1820, and learned the trade of mason. He came to this country in 1853, and first lived in Illinois three years, where he worked at his trade. Hle was married to Julia Bach, who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1824. They have one son, Philip, who was born in Germany in 1845, and now lives on section 29, town of Decatur. Mr. Kilwine is one of the prominent farmers of the town Decatur. His residence, costing $2,000, was burned April 24, 1883. He rebuilt at about the same cost a fine dwelling, which he now occupies.

Russell J. Day settled on his present farm on section 13, of the town of Decatur, in 1855. The farm was purchased from Myron Hulsted by Warren Day, father of Russell, who received the deed from his father in 1864. The first transfer of the place was by Henry Hubbard to Franklin W. Day, in 1851; the consideration being $600. The next transfer was to Myron

Halsted, the same year, consideration $850; and thence to Warren Day for $3,500. The farm con- tains 160 acres, and is situated one and one-half miles north of the railroad depot, at Brodhead. Russell J. Day was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1829, where he lived until 1856, then came to Brodhead, and has lived on this place since that time. His father, Dr. Warren Day, was a a native of Vermont, and practiced medicine for forty years in Herkimer county. He came to this county in 1863, and lived with his son until his decease in 1871. Dr. W. Day's wife died here in 1865. Russell J. Day was married in Herkimer county, to Sarah Wood, a native of Herkimer county. They have three children- Will R., Jane W. and Fayette W. Mr. Day has made many improvements on the place, and the farm is now a beautiful and at- tractive place.

George W. Chace came to Green county in 1856, and the first few months of his residence here, was employed in driving a stage which carried the mail from Albany to Footville, for S. F. Nichols. Ile then engaged in keeping the hotel, that is now the Nichols House, at Albany, about nine months. After this he joined the surveying corps, that was surveying the Albany Railroad, then engaged in farming in the town of Albany. In 1862 he enlisted in the 31st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He continued with the regiment eighteen months, after which he was detailed in the quartermaster's depart- ment until the end of the war. He was very near worn out in health when he returned from the army to Albany, where he opened a restau- rant and meat market, which he continued one year, then exchanged his property for a farm at Spring Valley Corners, Rock county, where he resided five years. He then exchanged his farm for a meat market in Brodhead, which he carried on for about two years, then traded it for his present farm on section 14, of Decatur. This was in the spring of 1875. He did not settle immediately upon the farm, but worked the land

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

and opened a restaurant and confectionery in Brodhead, also carried on the ice business in that village. Mr. Chace was born at Boston, Mass., in 1821. He resided in New England, and the State of New York, and Ohio, until he came to Wisconsin. He was married in 1843, at Portsmouth, R. I., to Abby Gifford, a native of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Chace have three children-George F., Helen K. and Charles S.

A. A. TenEyck resides on land which his father obtained from the government in 1839, who first settled in the town of Spring Grove and commenced improvements on this farm about 1859. It is located on section 34, town of Decatur, and was occupied by A. A. TenEyck, in October, 1874. He was born in the State of New York, on the Hudson river, but came to this county from Canada with his father. He was married to Amanda Moore, a native of Ver- mont, and a daughter of Isaac Moore. They have six children-Albert M., Lena A., Sarah J., Belle, Robert T. and Frank A. They lost one son-Walter. The farm contains 376 acres.

Jacob L. Roderick owns and resides on the first farm entered in the town of Decatur. It was entered by John Moore, in the fall of 1839, and originally contained 160 acres. It now comprises 237 acres. Mr. Roderick was born in Fayette Co., Penn., in 1850, and came to this county with his father, in 1862, and has been a resident of Decatur since that time. He was married to Allie Fleek, a daughter of Benjamin II. Fleek. She was born in 1851. They have four chil-

dren-Iva M., Myrtle M., Susan A. and Benja- min H.

Mrs. Mary Cole, widow of Austin Cole, re- sides on section 32, town of Decatur, where they settled in November, 1867, but were resi- dents of the county several years previous. He was born in Erie Co., Penn., Oct. 31, 1833, where he lived until his marriage, in 1857, when he came to Green county. He married Mary Shults, born in Erie Co., Penn., in 1838. Mr. Cole died May 24, 1878, in his forty-fifth year, leaving his wife and two children-Fred., born in 1868; and Ella, born in 1870. The farm con- tains 140 acres.

Andrew Smith resides on section 13, where he settled in 1866. His first settlement was on government land, in the town of Spring Valley, in Rock county, where he lived before making his present selection in February, 1866. He was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland, March 4, 1825. He came to this country with his father's fam- ily, in 1840. The family lived three years near Portage, N. Y. The father settled in Rock county, in 1843, where he lived until his de- cease. Andrew was married to Ellen Atkinson, who was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1824, and came to the United States with her parents in 1843. Her family came to Wisconsin three or four years later, and settled in the town of Albany, where they still live. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children-Belle, wife of Ronal- do Fleek; Archie, Janie, wife of William Bell; and Bessie, at home. The farm contains 200 acres.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

VILLAGE OF BRODHEAD.

In the extreme eastern portion of Green county lies the village of Brodhead-one of the most important business centers in the southern part of the State. It is beautifully located, on an undulating prairie, which extends eastward from the Sugar river. The civil town in which the village is located is one of the banner sub- divisions of Green county. The Sugar river, which winds its course to the west of the vil- lage, furnishes excellent water privileges here, which have been utilized, and now comprise a valuable concomitant of the village in propell- ing a vast amount of machinery. The inhab- itants here are almost wholly Americans-peo- ple from the New England and northern States, who have brought with them the culture and refinement of the eastern States, the absence of which, in some portions of the west, is so pain- fully apparent. Brodhead is by no means an old town, yet a quarter of a century and more has passed since its inception. Almost a gen- eration has come and gone since Brodhead be- came a fixed fact. While there is nothing re- markable in the changes that have been wrought, there is a great deal to occupy the attention of the historian and attract the interest of the reader.

The plat of Brodhead covers all of section 25, and portions of sections 24 and 36, town- ship 2 north, range 9 east. The Mineral Point branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway passes through the village from east to west, and a branch of that line of railway has been extended from this place to Albany. The Sugar river touches the northwest corner

of the plat, and the mill race carries the water to the mill, nearer the center of the plat.

THE BEGINNING.

Early in 1856 E. D. Clinton, agent for the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad, started west from Janesville to secure the right of way for the railroad through Green county, and also get subscriptions for stock. Arriving in the east- ern part of the county, he went to Decatur to see what he could do in the way of "induce- ment" for the railroad. Ile received no en- couragement there, however, neither as to right of way or taking stock. At that time Decatur was quite an important point. The stage road from Janesville to Monroe passed through the village, and this was the commercial center of all this country, there being a number of stores, a hotel, wagon, blacksmith, shoe and other shops, a postoffice, and all the concomitants of a healthy, thriving village. Here it was sup- posed the railroad must come, and the people of Decatur did not imagine that the railroad could afford to leave them in the cold. Deacon Clinton negotiated with them for some time, but could not arrive at anything satisfactory. He then visited several villages in this region, and held public meetings in many of the school houses. He finally arrived at the present site of Brodhead, and determined, if possible, to secure a site and right of way here. The owners of the land here-John L. Thomas, I. F. Mack and Erastus Smith-refused to donate right of way and depot grounds; but offered to sell three-fourths of the land, and proposed then that all the owners give their share. This

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

was agreed to, and after negotiations closed and the bargain was completed the proprietors of Brodhead were: Edward Brodhead, of Mil- waukee, then chief engineer of the railroad; E. D. Clinton, John P. Dixon, of Janesville, John L. McNair, I. F. Mack, Erastus Smith and John L. V. Thomas. The town proprietors donated the railroad company a right of way and depot grounds. The village was platted into lots and blocks by the railroad company's surveyor in 1856, the original plat occupying all of section 25; eight blocks on section 36, and four blocks on section 24. Since that time ad- ditions have been made by Mr. Pierce and J. P. Dixon on the north; E. D. Clinton on the south; and Day & West on the west.

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History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 110

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168