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 124

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 124

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B. F.Carle, a native of Maine, was born July 10, 1822, and is a son of Silas and Abigail (Brown) Carle, both dead and buried in Waterboro Cen- ter, Maine. B. F. Carle first came to Wiscon- sin Dec. 27, 1855, and lived in Janesville until 1862, when he came to Brooklyn, Green county, where he had purchased a farm. This place he sold and bought another, living upon it until March 12, 1872, spending some time meanwhile in the oil regions of Pennsylvania. He subse- quently sold this farm and removed to Juda, where he now lives, though retired, by no means an idle life, having been justice of the peace ten years in this village. He has been engaged a part of the time in the meat business. He is beautifully located in the west part of the vil- lage on a lot of five acres, on which he has a fine young orchard, priding himself on his splendid select apples and cherries, having a number of varieties of each. He was married in Maine to Mary Roberts, a native of that State. They have had six children, five of whom are now living-Susan, married to Thomas Alverson, of Albany; Fred, married and living in Albany; Sarah, married to John Talmage and living in Brooklyn; Addie, mar-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

ried to Charles P. Preston, and living in Den- ver; George, who was drowned in Lime creek; Ella, married to David D. Brown, now liv- ing in Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Carle are mem- bers of the Baptist Church. Politically, or otherwise, he is a prohibitionist, and an earnest worker in the cause.

William Guinter, a native of Pennsylvania, was born July 12, 1825, and is the son of Charles and Anna (Cherry) Guinter, both of whom are dead, and buried at Milton, North- umberland Co., Penn. Charles Guinter was a native of Germany, and a shoemaker by trade. William Guinter learned the blacksmith trade, and followed it in Pennsylvania, also after com- ing to this county. At present he has a shop on his farm in which he works a portion of the time. He removed to Green county in 1858, and purchased eighty acres of land of Hugh Cameron, which is located on section 33, of the town of Jefferson, where he still resides. He was married Feb. 5, 1846, to Rebecca Steninger, a native of Pennsylvania. They have six chil- dren living-David S., now traveling salesman for the Neenah Stove Works, formerly a preacher; Ann E., married to Oscar Templeton, and living in Iowa; Agnes L., wife of William Lutz, of Shannon, Ill., Vialetta, wife of Ira Em- rick; William S., married to Sarah Armstrong, and living in Jefferson; and Belle, who is living at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Guin- ter are members of the Evangelical Association. He is a class leader in the Church, a member of the republican party, and a respected and popu- lar citizen. He owns a good farm, and makes stock raising a specialty.

George Eley is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Centre county, Feb. 28, 1807. He is the son of John and Catharine (Johnsonbach) Eley, also natives of the same State. He is of German extraction, his grandfather and great- grandfather being natives of that country. When thirty-eight years old George came to this county from Ohio, and settled on a farm in Richland, where he remained until 1875, then

came to Juda. He is now comfortably situated, and lives upon the income of his money, which he loans. Mr. Eley has been married three times, and his first two wives are buried in Austin Cemetery. His present wife was Mrs. Jemima Blackford, formerly Jemima Dennis. He is the father of ten children, seven of whom are now living. He is a member of the Church of Christ (Disciples). Mrs. Eley formerly was a member of the Baptist Church, but at this time neither have any sympathy with human legislation in religion. They believe that the teaching of Christ, and his apostles, is sufficient to govern the conduct of all true Christians.

W. F. Grenzow was born in Prussia, Ger- many, June 14, 1849. He is a son of William and Augusta (Wolf) Grenzow. When seven- teen years old he left his native land and came with his parents to America, and remained with them until of age. March 23, 1877, he came to Green county and settled on section 12, where he had purchased forty acres of land. Since that time he has bought eighty acres more so that he now owns 120. He was mar- ried March 15, 1877, to Augusta Mdzke, by whom he had four children-Minnie A., John E., Samuel W. and Joseph Henry. They are members of the German Evangelical Church. Mr. Grenzow is a man of energy, and has been a successful farmer. He fully understands both the German and English language, and teaches the same to his children. His farm is a desira- ble one, well located and abundantly watered.

John Myers was born in the town of Spring Grove, Green Co., Wis., March 22, 1839, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Cline) Myers. Samuel Myers removed to Stephenson Co., Ill., in 1835, and settled on what is now called the "Barker farm," where he owned 600 or 700 acres. He afterwards sold this place and re- moved to Green Co., Wis., and in company with his father-in-law built a saw mill, which was the first in the county, and for a time, did the sawing for the whole county. He lived in

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

a log house with no floor but the ground. He continued to run the mill for a number of years, and then built a carding mill at Oakley, which he operated two or three years. He owned a farm on section 19, of Spring Grove, which he improved and removed to, living there until his death, which occurred May 2, 1863. He is buried in Union Church Cemetery, in Spring Grove. Mrs. Myers is now living in Monroe. Mr. Myers Sr., was born in Bucks Co., Penn., and lived there until eighteen months old, then went with his parents to Ohio and remained there some time, then removed to Indiana, and thence to Stephenson Co., Ill., where he was married in 1831. He was a cooper by trade, also a farmer. He was a large powerful man, and very active and energetic. He was the owner of the first grain thresher and separator, in the county, and the second reaper. He also owned the first reel reaper. Mr. and Mrs. Myers were the parents of ten children. John Myers, the subject of this sketch, was married March 19, 1863, to Fanny H. Bussey, a native of Green county. They have four children-Laura J., Elmer W., John D. and Emily E. Mr. Myers, on the death of his father, removed to another farm in the town of Jefferson, and in 1866, bought eighty-one acres on section 25. He was in the machine business in Brodhead in 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1879. He has also taught school a number of terms. He now owns 2453 acres of land, with substantial and elegant improve- ments, having a barn which cost over $3,000, and has, altogether, one of the most desirable places in the county.

Hermann G. Fritz,a prosperous young farmer of the town of Jefferson, is the son of David and Anna G. (Beckman) Fritz, born Aug. 22, 1857. When seven years old, he came to Green county, and afterwards bought the place known as the "Crayton farm," on which he lived until twenty-four years old. Hle then removed to Jefferson, where he now lives, upon section 30, also owns sixty-six acres in the town of Clarno, on section 25. He makes a specialty of stock

raising. His wife was formerly Lonisa Brunner, daughter of John and Mary (Bure) Brunner, of the town of Jefferson.

John Chambers, a native of England, was born in Leicestershire, in 1824, and is a son of William and Elizabeth Chambers, both of whom are dead, and buried in England. Mr. Cham- bers came to America in )852, and first lived in Davenport, Iowa. Afterwards he came to Green county and lived the first season with Henry Hamberry, subsequently he worked for John Chadwick one year for $15 per month. He then made arrangements for forty acres of school land on section 16, and one year later took another forty, costing $100. Upon the latter forty he now lives and owns in all 390 acres, all in a body, excepting his timber land, which is detached. He was married in his native land to Fanny Wood, also a native of England, May 24, 1849. Two children were born to them-William and Elizabeth A., now the wife of Avan South, living in Jefferson. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers were reared in the faith of the Church of England. He adheres to the republican party, always voting with that or- ganization.

Seth Anstin has lived upon section 5, of the town of Jefferson, since 1851. He was born May 17, 1817, in Edgar Co., Ill. His father, Elijah Austin, was the first settler of that county. Mr. Austin, of this sketch, on coming to Wisconsin, worked for two years in the mines in Green and Grant counties. He pur- chased 400 acres of land in Green county, all of which he has since sold, including a fine farm on section 5. He was married March 13, 1842, to Elizabeth Wyatt, a native of this county. She died June 29, 1880, and is buried in Oak Hall Cemetery. Twelve children were born to them, of whom five are living-William J., who lives in Minnesota; Orrin S., living at home; Marion, in Minnesota; Elizabeth J. and Anna. Mr. Austin was again married in April, 1883, to Eliza Wyatt. He is a member of the

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

889

M. E. Church, has served as justice of the peace and belongs to the republican party. Three of Mr. Austin's sons were killed while in the ser- vice, during the late war.

H. K. White is a native of Maine, born in Livermore, Oxford county, May 24, 1841, and is a son of G. W. and Mary A. (Cram) White, also natives of Maine. He was brought up in the rough, hilly country of northern Maine, con- trasting greatly with the beautiful farm which is now his home It is located on section 15, in the town of Jefferson, and consists of 140 acres

of prairie and ten acres of timber land. Before coming to Wisconsin, Mr. White was engaged in farming and lumbering upon the Kennebec river, in his native State. He was married there to Mary E. Marshall, a native of Somer- set county, and daughter of William S. Mar- shall. Her parents died when she was quite young Mr. and Mrs. White have three chil- dren-Cora L., John W. and William H. Mr. White is an industrious and enterprising farmer, and consequently prosperous. Ile is a republi- can, a member of the Masonic order, and one of the substantial citizens of the county.

890)

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

TOWN OF JORDAN.

Congressional township 2 north, range 6 east, comprises what is organized as thecivil town of Jordan. On the north, it adjoins the town of Adams, on the east, Monroe; on the south, Cadiz; and on the west, the county of Lafayette. The surface of this town, as well as its soil, is varied; and the scenery is diversified by interspersed prairie and timber land, sufficient to make it picturesque, and, in certain localities, romantic. There is an inclination, visible in the surface, toward being bluffy, yet in but very few places are the hills so abrupt as to be detrimental to the cultivation of the land. The soil is gener- ally a dark, rich loam, yet this is not uniform, as there are many localities in the town where it is quite light, and mixed with stone. There are some fine farms in Jordan, and there are a number of substantial and comfortable farm buildings.

The principal farm products grown in the town of Jordan during the year 1882, were as follows: 3,737 bushels of wheat; 49,320 bushels of corn; 35,453 bushels of oats; 291 bushels of barley; 5,212 bushels of rye; 6,723 bushels of potatoes; 200 bushels of root crops; 952 bushels of apples; 77 bushels of clover seed; 25 bushels of timothy seed; 2,198 tons of hay; 53,100 pounds of butter; and 46,700 pounds of cheese.

The principal farm products growing in the town, at the time of making the assessment, in 1883, were as follows: 392 acres wheat; 2,090 acres corn; 1,4553 acres oats; 3 acres barley; 392₺ acres rye; 100} acres potatoes; 304 acres apple orchard; 1,409 bearing apple trees; 1,982 acres grasses; 5,850 acres growing timber.

The live stock of the town was assessed as follows: 1,008 milch cows, valued at $20,310; 481 horses, average value $38.55, total $26,660; 2,003 cattle, average value $16, total $32,049; 19 mules, average value $50.73, total $964; 2,000 sheep, average value $1.93, total, $3,872; 1,591 swine, average value $4,47, total $7,122.

There are 23,034 acres of farming land in the town; average value per acre $7.57, total value of real estate $174,547. Total value of real and personal property $263,035. The population of the town, in 1875, was 1,027; in 1880, 1,094.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settlement, within the limits now comprising the town of Jordan, was made by William Brazel. He came from the southern part of Illinois, in 1837, and first settled in the town of Adams. Later, he settled on section 4, in the town of Jordan, and erected the first house in the town. In 1846 he sold his farm to John Scott, from Ohio, at $6 per acre, and moved to the town of Adams, where he died a few years later.

Within the next few years, the arrivals were: Robert Brazel, who located on section 5; Joshua Chilton, from Illinois, who located on section 9; John Trotter, Curtis Hard and Henry Crary, who came from Stephenson Co., Ill. The latter died here. Hard settled in Jockey Hollow; he afterward took to roaming; traveled to Iowa and California, and was in the latter State when last heard from.

John Trotter came to Green county in 1839, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 8, in the town of Jordan. He was born in Keu-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

tucky in 1801, being reared on a farm. When he left home he went on the river as oarsman. He became very sick and had to quit work. He afterwards removed to Springfield, Sanga- mon Co., Ill .; thence to Stephenson county, where he remained between two and three years, thence to Apple River station, Wis., where he worked in the lead mines; thence to Wiota, Wis., and followed mining there. Ile then came to Green county and settled as stated above. His health began to fail, and he went to live with a brother in Stephenson Co., Ill., so as to be near a physician. He only lived about one year, when he died, and was buried in the for- est near his brother's house. He was married to Is- abelle Brazel,a native of Tennessee. The result of this union was four children -- James H., Mary A., William and John. James and John live in Bonhomme Co., Dak. Mary A. married David Bell, and lives in this county. William lives in this county. After the death of her husband Mrs. Trotter gathered her children together and returned to Green county. She was poor in this world's goods, but kept her family to- gether by knitting until they were big enough to work. She was an invalid for twenty years before her death, being just able to walk since the death of her husband. She lived on what is now known as the Daniel Clark place. She died July 21, 1869, and is buried in Jordan Center cemetery.

William Trotter, son of John and Isabelle (Brazel) Trotter, was born at Apple River sta- tion, Polk Co., Wis., Oct. 5, 1827. He lived at home until the death of his mother, which oc- curred July 21, 1869. He bought 190 acres of land on section 17, and has since purchased ninety-five acres on section 21. He is engaged in farming and stock raising. On the 24th of November, 1862, he was united in marriage with Calista E. Sawin, daughter of Horace and Elvira (Burnett) Sawin, of this county. The result of this union was eight children, six of whom are living-Alice B., Angie E., Ada M., Della A., William E. and Alta E. Mr. Trotter

preaches to some little extent, having been en- gaged in the work for ten years. He is a staunch and earnest temperance worker, and a man whose advice is well worth listening to.

Chester Stephens, a pioneer of 1839, was born in Missouri, near Jackson, Sept. 25, 1842. Ile is a son of John and Betsy (Jacobs) Ste- phens, both of whom are dead and buried in Ar- gyle, Lafayette county. From Missouri the Stephens family moved direct to this county in 1839, and took a claim on section 6, town of Jordan, of 180 acres. Chester now owns 260 acres. He was married Nov. 6, 1870, to Rosa Hobbs. They have four children-John R., Lettie M., Marble C. and Clay I. Mr. Stephens politically is a republican, and a good citizen.

Dr. Edward Church and sons came from Illi- nois, in 1840, and erected a saw mill on section 12, on Skinner creek. They finally went to Iowa.

Lars Larson Bothan and Iver Iverson, the first Norwegians to settle in the town, came in 1842 and located on section 33, where Bothan still lives; Iverson still lives in the town. They were soon followed by Axiel Iverson Stortottle, Mr. Tollefson and other Norwegians.

John and George Shelton came from Virginia as early as 1836, and engaged in mining at Wiota. In 1842 they settled on section 4. John was killed in Missouri during the war, having accumulated a fortune and become a sympathizer with "the lost canse." George went back to Virginia and has been lost trace of.

John Soper came with his family, in 1844, and bought the claim of George Shelton, on section 4. He died Oct. 22, 1872, and his re- mains were buried in the Jordan Centre ceme- tery. lle was born in the town of Brandon, Vt., Jan 26, 1798. He was a son of Prince and Elizabeth (Allen) Soper, the latter a grand- niece of Ethan Allen. Prince Soper was a shoe- maker by trade, and lived in Vermont until 1813, when he removed to Milwaukee, Wis., locating on a farm, three miles south of the city. He then removed to Sugar river, Remain-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

ing there but a short time, he came to the town of Jordan and settled on section 4, now owned by his son. He was married in Vermont to Eleanor Arnold, a native of Brandon, Vt. She was born April 9, 1803. She now lives on section 4, this town, with her son, William. Ten children were born to them - Warren S., deceased; Martha J., living in West Union, Iowa; William B. A., Samuel S., in the town of Wiota; Prince Ed- ward, deceased; George W., deceased; Foster R., killed in the battle of Fairfax Court House, during the late war; Edward L., Eimice A., and John Q. A., living near his mother. He was born Dec. 23, 1844. He enlisted on the Ist of January, 1862, in company K., 18th Wisconsin Infantry. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, and many skirmishes. He was dis- charged in December, 1862, and again enlisted in December, 1863, in company K, 16th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in which he was corporal. He was discharged in March, 1865. Mr. Soper was married to Adeline Williams, a native of Dane Co., Wis., and a daughter of William and Esther (Warren) Williams. Three children blessed this union-William, Viva and Cecil. He owns a good farm on section 4.

Edward L. Soper was born in the State of Vermont, Sept. 7, 1840. He is a son of John and Eleanor (Arnold) Soper, one of the oldest residents of Jordan. He was only four years old when he left his native place and with his parents emigrated to Milwaukee, where they remained one year, then came direct to this county, settling on section 4, town of Jordan, where Edward has since re- mained. His early life was spent on a farm among the timber and he was brought up to hard labor. Ile has cleared up a farm on section 4. He first bought the west half of the north- east quarter, to which he has since added until he now has a fine farm. He was married Jan. 1, 1867, to Julia Hanson, a native of Nor- way. Eight children have been born to them- George A., Mary E., Clarence E., Amison R., Almond A., Lena L., Juliet and Lodasca. Mrs.

Soper is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Soper served in the army, enlisting Jan. 5, 1864, in company K, 16th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry; was mustered in at Janesville and served until June, 1865, when he was mustered out at Madison. Politically he adheres to the principles of the republican party.

During the same summer came Franklin Os- good, Noah Ellis, Nehemiah Ellis, Jason Morton, Levi Spaulding, Jabez Smith, Arfaxed Crain, Jonn McIntyre, Thomas White and a number of others. After this the settlement progressed rapidly, and the best government land soon was occupied by actual settlers.

Lewis P. Osgood, a settler of 1847, is a native of New York, born Nov. 4, 1816, in Colchester, Delaware county. His father's ancestry were of English-Irish extraction, and his mother was of Welch descent. In the year 1822 the family emigrated to Ontario Co., N. Y., and again, in 1828, to the State of Pennsylvania, settling in Warren county, where Mr. Osgood's father was in the lumber business. There they remained until 1832,then emigrated to Stephenson Co.,Ill., where the father died. The rest of the family continued in that county until August, 1846, when they came to this county and located on section 14, town of Jordan, where Mr. O:good now owns 100 acres of good land. He was mar- ried Jan. 1, 1841, to Delilah Loomis, who died June 26, 1855. By this marriage seven children were born-Mary C., (deceased); Adeline E., now the wife of James Beade; Erepta M., the wife Hamilton Deal; John G., deceased; Elnora E., Tusmania G., the wife of Alexander Adair, liv- ing at Wayne; and Lydia A., of Chicago, the wife of George Tauberg. Mr. Osgood's second wife was Mary M. Smith, who died March 25, 1866. Ile was again married July 8, 1866, to Mrs. Lydia Banffman. She had a family of seven children-Hannah L., Mahala F., Mathias O., Minerva A., William H., Mary E. and Lydia T. Mr. Osgood was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Jordan, and has always taken an active part in its affairs, having been called upon

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

to fill several different offices; among them, chair- man of the board, collector, treasurer, constable etc. He is a practical wagon-maker, and has worked at that trade since coming here. He is a good mechanic, and an industrious, honest cit- izen.

James Henderson, a native of Ohio, came from Stephenson Co., Ill., in 1845, and settled on sec- tion 23. He lived there for eight years, then removed to Iowa, where he died.

William Van Horn, a native of New Jersey, also came from Stephenson Co., Ill., in 1845, and located on section 22. He lived on that place some years, then went to Cadiz, where he died. Two of his children still live in the county.

Jolın Blain came from Ohio, in 1848, and set- tled on Rust branch, where he improved a farm and lived for several years. He is still a resi- dent of the county.

Joseph Blain, a brother of John, came to Green county from Ohio, in the fall of 1846, and entered 160 acres on section 26, where he has since resided. He was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., July 14, 1822. His parents, Joseph and Mary A. (Shaffer) Blain, are both dead, and buried in Muskingum Co., Ohio. Mr. Blain was married in Ohio to Dorcas MeCammant, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Coe) MeCam- inant. Their marriage occurred Sept. 3, 1846. They have five children-Mary A., wife of Mor- decai Kelly; Margaret, wife of Ehud Parriott, of Clarno; Charles, married to Lydia Bechtolt, and living on section 26, in the town of Jordan; James, married to Jessie Lake, of Monroe, also living on section 26, of Jordan, and Elam. Mr. Blain's farm contains 356 acres, and he is en- gaged in stock raising. Politically he is a dem- ocrat.

Charles Wagner, a native of Pennsylvania, came in 1848 and settled on section 24, where he still lives.

HISTORICAL ITEMS.

The first ground broken in the town was that done by William Brazel in 1836, on section 4.

Hle sowed the first wheat in 1837, and planted the first corn in 1836.

The first religious services in the town were held in the school house on section 5, by a Bap- tist clergyman. In 1848 services were held at the school house in district No. 5, by Elder White, a Christian minister.

The first school house in the town was erected in 1845. The neighbors made a bee and drew the logs together and erected the building. It was covered with shakes. No nails were used, the shakes being kept in place by weight poles. This house was in use four or five years.

The first term of school was taught by James Tennison.

The first marriage in the town was that of Addison Wells to Panlena Jacobs. The cere- mony was performed in 1841 by Warren Os- good, a justice of the peace. The bride died soon after.

Addison P. Wells is a native of George Co., Ohio, born Dec. 9, 1819. He remained in his na- tive county until thirteen years old, then removed to Stephenson Co., Ill., there remaining and working for his parents until twenty-three years old. He then came to this county and bought forty acres on section 35, from the government, where he built a small log house. He subse- quently pre-empted the northwest quarter of section 35. He bought out a squatter by the name of Fowler Jacobs. In 1841 he built a brick house, in which he lived until 1850, when he went to California and engaged in mining. He was gone eighteen months, since which time he has lived in this county, excepting a visit to California in 1865. He now owns a farm of 220 acres. IIe has been three times married, first to Paulena Jacobs, in May, 1841; she died the following year. His second wife was Louisa Rickett, who bore him three children-Laura I., Delos II. and Minerva. His second wife died in 1865. His third wife was Sarah E. Divan, from Ohio. They have seven children- Ida M., Dow A., Iva M., Ina M., John E., Ira M. and Ila M.

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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 124

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