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 128

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 128


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Jeremiah Lewis came to this county in the spring of 1856, settling at that time in the town of Washington, upon the northeast quarter of section 36, where he lived seven years. Ile then traded his farm in that town for a farm near Round Grove, and ten acres on section 27,


Monroe, where he purchased thirty acres more and has since resided. IIe has sold twenty acres of this place to Daniel Young. Mr. Lewis is engaged in farming and raising fruit and veg- etables, to supply the markets of Monroe. He was born in Saratogo Co., N. Y., in the town of Greenfield, Aug. 16, 1821. His father, Stephen Lewis, is dead and buried in Greenfield. His mother is still living in that town. In 1855 Mr. Lewis removed to Dundee, Kane Co., Ill., coming from there to Green county. He was married Nov. 28, 1846, to Margaret Anderson, a native of Canada. They have four children- Mary R., now married to Anton Miller and living in Dakota; Lena, the wife of Dr. James M Pot- ter, of Dallas Co., Iowa; Emily J., the wife of Daniel W. Ward, also of Dallas Co., Iowa; and Anna, who is unmarried and living in Mad- ison. She is an assistant at the insane asylum. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Lewis is, politically, a republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.


Clark E. Bushnell was born June 18, 1825, in Madison Co., N. Y. His parents are deceased. His mother died when he was a child, and at her death requested that he (Clark) be given to her eldest brother. Her wish was complied with and he lived in the same vicinity until eighteen years old, then, in 1844, he came to Wisconsin, and located in Waukesha county. He was mar- ried Dec. 26, 1847, to Margaret Morgan, a na- tive of western New York, and daughter of An- son and Susan (Osgood) Morgan, who were res- idents of this county, but are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell came to Green county in 1856, and have resided here since then, with the exception of one year (1861), when they lived in Iowa. On their return from Iowa, he purchased a farm of 120 acres on section 9. He enlisted in January, 1865, in company A, of the 46th Wisconsin Infantry, serving until the fall of that year, when he was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell are-Amelia A., wife of D. S. Sather- land, of St. Croix Co., Wis .; Ellen J., Homer


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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


W., deceased; Anson M., living in St. Croix county; Lettie E., Clark, Jr., living in St. Croix county; Alonzo D., also living in that county; Margaret L. and Edgar W. Mr. Bushnell is a republican and a popular citizen.


Samuel Johns, a prominent farmer of the town of Monroe, was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, May 3, 1832. He is a son of Richard and Betsy (Carleton) Johns. Samuel's history is merged in that of his father until he went for himself to Beaver Co., Penn., where he .en- gaged in the hydraulic business, putting up ma- chinery. In 1856 he came to this county bring- ing a drove of horses which he sold, and has since been extensively engaged in the horse business. During the war he bought horses for the government. Mr. Johns has traveled a great deal, especially in the west. In the spring of 1866 he went to Helena, Montana, and stayed one year, thence to Idaho, where he en- gaged in mercantile trade until 1867, then re- turned to Helena and remained until 1868, spec- ulating. He was in Salt Lake City for a time and had a large and varied experience through- out the whole western country. In 1869 he run the mail route between Monroe and Darlington six months. Ile then removed to the town of Mount Pleasant, thence back to Monroe, fre- quently changing his place of abode, until set- tling down on his place, a short distance north- west from Monroe. He was married Feb. 21, 1870, to Mary A. Whitesett, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Jefferson and Betsy (Lock- hart) Whitesett. They have three children- Lettie L., Clyde C. and Willie I. Mrs. Johns is a member of the M. E. Church.


Richard Johns, the father of the subject of the above sketch, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, July 29, 1805. His father, Na- than Johns, was from Maryland, as was the mother, Rachel (Jones) Johns. From Pennsyl- vania Mr. Johns moved in 1810, to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where they remained until 1849, then again removed to Pennsylvania, thence back to


Ohio, thence again to Pennsylvania, and con- tinued in the east until they removed to Rock county. The next move brought them to this county, first settling at Juda, in 1861, where they purchased a farm. In 1866 they removed to Monroe, where the family remained three years, then removed to the town of Mount Pleasant. Afterwards he sold this property and purchased a farm on section 28, where they now live. Richard Johns was married Jan. 5, 1828, to Betsy Carleton, from Chester Co., Penn. They had ten children-Beulah A., Samuel, Susanna, Caleb C., Henry, Phebe A., Maurice R., who died in the army, Rebecca, Lavina E. and Spen- cer M.


Edward Underwood was born in Leicester- shire, England, Aug. 13, 1831, and is a son of Josiah and Elizabeth Underwood. In 1857 he left England and came directly to Green county. He was married Feb. 25, 1857, in England, to Mary Underwood, daughter of Adam and Ma- ria (Denshaw) Underwood, who are still living in England. On his arrival here, Mr. Under- wood settled in the village of Monroe, and rented a small house for one and one-half years, then purchased a small house and three acres of land on the west side of the village of Mon- roe. He afterwards sold his house and land and rented a farm near the residence of N. Cornelius. March 22, 1870, he bought sixty acres on section 16, of the town of Monroe, where he has resided since. Mr. Underwood's brother, Josiah, came to this country in 1858. He enlisted in the 3d regiment Wisconsin Vol- unteers, company C, and died in the service at Baltimore. Mr. Underwood is a republican, and strongly in favor of temperance. He is a firm believer in the Christian religion, although not a member of any Church. In doctrine he is a firm believer in God's eternal election, Di- vine predestination, effectual calling, full and free justification through the imputed righteous- ness of Christ, the definite atonement by his blood-sheddings, the final perseverance of the elect only to glory through the wisdom, power,


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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


and spirit of the Lord. His parents are both deceased and buried in England.


John Gibbons is a native of Ireland, born in county Galway, June 18, 1844. He came to the United States with his parents, Richard and Ellen (Joyce) Gibbons, who settled in Madison Co., N. Y., where they remained six years. In February, 1857, they came to Green county and located at Mount Pleasant, living there also six years. They then removed to the town of Adams, and one year later to Jordan, where they still reside. John Gibbons was married Feb. 7, 1875, to Margaret A. Knight, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Owen and Ann (Con- way) Knight, residents of Adams. Four chil- dren have blessed this union-Edward, de- ceased; Mary E., Grace A. and Richard O. Mr. Gibbons owned a farm of eighty acres in Jor- dan, which he sold to his father, previous to his removal to Monroe. He came here in 1876, and now owns 200 acres on section 3, where he re- sides, and sixty-two and a half acres on sections 16 and 9. Mr. Gibbons is a democrat in poli- tics, and holds the office of town assessor, and has been a member of the town board. The family are connected with the the Catholic Church.


Joseph Keen has resided in this county since 1857. Ile was born in England, forty miles northwest of the city of London, Oct. 25, 1831, and is the son of John and Mary (Luck) Keen, who are still living in England. Joseph was reared on a farm, and worked two or three years in London. On coming to America he came directly to Monroe, Green county, where his uncle, James Keen, resided, with whom he remained one and a half years. Ile was then married, Dec. 2, 1859, to Rebecca Eley, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Bennett) Eley. The former is dead, and buried in Junc- tion cemetery. The latter lives with her daughter in Monroe. Mr. Keen worked his uncle's place three years, then removed to Syl- vester, and worked the farm of Samuel Swan three years. He then purchased his present


farm, which now contains 160 acres of fine land. Ile carries on mixed farming. He is a member of the M. E. Church, treasurer of the school district, and a useful and respected member of society. Mr. and Mrs. Keen have seven chil- dren-Emily L., Mary E., Avis C., Alvin J., Cora A., Eunice and Alma.


HI. P. Williams, a native of Sullivan Co., N. Y., was born Nov. 27, 1811. He is a son of Thomas and Maria (Quick) Williams, both of whom are now dead, and buried in Pennsylva- nia. He came to that State with his parents in 1831, where he lived until 1856, when he re- moved to Stephenson Co., Ill., and lived one year, and in 1857 came to Green county and bought the John Bailey farm, on sections 20 and 21, of 120 acres. He was married in Jeffer- son Co., Penn., Nov. 10, 1836, to Elizabeth Morris. She died in Pennsylvania, Oet. 19, 1841. He was again married June 24, 1845. His second wife died Feb. 18, 1880. Her name was Dorcas Steers. They had ten chil- dren-Joseph M., John M., Robert H., Iliram P., Thomas O., Mary E, Kate, Ida J., Samuel T. and Nettie O. John M. is married to Hariett Eley, now living in Pottawattamie Co., Iowa; Robert H. was married to Emma J. Corey (de- ceased); II. P., Jr., was married to Mary Mor- ton, and is now living in Jo Daviess Co., Ill .; Thomas O. is married to Lona Stanard, and is now living in Floyd Co., Iowa; Elizabeth was married to J. A. Ellwood, now living in Mont- gomery Co., Iowa; Ida is married to J. J. Zum- bremen, now living in Montgomery Co., Iowa. Mr. Williams is a member of the M. E. Church, and a democrat; has never sought the emolti- ments of office, but has been clerk of the school board for twenty-five or thirty years in Penn- sylvania and Wisconsin, always serving gratis.


Martin Geigle, a native of Switzerland, was born in June, 1821. His father was Mathias Geigle, now deceased and buried in Switzer- land. In 1854, Martin Geigle came to America and worked one year at Columbus, Ohio, at the mason's trade, which he had learned in Switzer-


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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


land. He then came to Wisconsin, and located at Madison, where he worked at his trade five years, after which he came to Green county and bought a farm of eighty acres. He now owns 377 acres and is extensively engaged in stock raising. He was married in 1855, while at Madison, to Dora Baumgartner, a native of Switzerland. They have nine living children- Mathias, Henry, Annie, Martin, Jacob, Frank, John, Samuel and Dora. Mathias is married and living in Monroe. Annie is married to Gustavus Norder, of the town of Sylvester. The family are members of the Gospel Church. Politically Mr. Geigle is republican.


Enoch South is a native of Pennsylvania, born Dec. 3, 1832. He was brought up on a farm. His parents are both deceased. In 1860 he came to Green county and settled with his parents on the old homestead. Aug. 16, 1862, he enlisted in company G, 22d Wisconsin. He was mustered in at Racine, served about thirty- four months and was mustered out at Washing- ton. He participated in many battles, and suf- fered much from ill health, consequent upon a sun stroke. Dec. 27, 1867, he was married to Lide Shultz a native of Pennsylvania. They have no children of their own. Mr. and Mrs. South are members of the M. E. Church. He now owns eighty acres on section 33, which he purchased of Mr. La Monte, in 1883. Politi- cally he is a republican.


Rudolph Zimmerman came with his parents to Green county, from canton Glarus, Switzerland, in 1861, and settled at New Glarus, where they remained until 1863. In that year they removed Jefferson and lived three years, thence to Jor- dan, living there also three years, thence to Monroe City, remaining one year; then returned returned to Jefferson, and lived there until they removed to the city of Monroe. Rudolph worked for T. J. Bragg one year, then remained with his parents till 1876. He was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, Jan. 16, 1856. On leaving home he hired out to G. O. Stearns, to work upon his farm, and continued with him


till 1884, when herented Mr. Stearns' farm. He was married Jan. 16, 1881, to Fanny Zimmer- man, who was born in this county. Her par- ents were natives of Switzerland. Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Zimmermann have one child-Erwin G., born Oct. 7, 1882. They are connected with the Evangelical Church, and he is a mem- ber of the republican party.


John Bleiler is a native of Baden, Germany, born July 17, 1826. He is a son of George and Anna Bleiler, both of whom are dead, and buried in Baden. George Bleiler was a wagon-maker by trade, which business he followed in Baden. John, the subject of this sketch, was also a wagon-maker. He came to America, Nov. 1, 1848, locating in Duncansville, Blair Co., Penn., where he worked at his trade until 1854. From Pennsylvania he removed to South Prairie, Boone Co., Ill., where he owned a farm con- taining eighty-three acres. Ile remained there ten years. He then sold out and came to Green county, 1864. He settled on section 4, in the town of Monroe, purchasing at that time the north half of that section. He now owns 120 acres more, on sections 4 and 15. He keeps good stock and raises considerable for market. He was married in Pennsylvania, to Catharine Myers, a native of Baden, and daughter of George and Mary Myers, both of whom are dead. The former is buried in Illinois, the latter, in Baden. Mr. and Mrs. Bleiler have had eleven children, eight of who are living- Anna M., wife of Jacob Cincer, of Monroe; Sarah C., wife of Herman Kreiger; Elizabeth, wife of William Velter, living in Minnesota; Lena, wife of Philip Huber, living in Illinois; George, William, Louise and John J. Mr. and Mrs. Bleiler are members of the German Evan- gelical Church, and he is a justice of the peace. He has a well improved farm and is classed among the best farmers of the county.


Taylor Wickersham is a native of Pennsyl- vania, born Dec. 5, 1805. He went to Ohio in 1833, and remained there seven years, thence to Indiana, and lived three years, thence to


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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


Pennsylvania and remained until 1854, then came to this county, bought a saw mill and 136 acres of land, which he sold in 1864, and re- moved to his present place on section 20, where he now owns eighty-five acres. Susan K. Kim- ble became his wife April 23, 1833, and died Dec. 26, 1882, leaving four children-Minerva, Gideon, Meriba and David C. Gideon, a son of the subject of this sketch, has always lived at home, except in 1859, when he took a west- ern trip to Colorado, New Mexico, and other places, and in 1864 when he enlisted in the army, in company H1, 38th regiment, Wisconsin Infantry. He was mustered in at Madison, and served about one year, when he was taken sick and returned to Washington, thence home, since which time he has engaged in farming, running a threshing machine, and carpen- tering. He was. married Dec. 22, 1867, to Theressa DuMars, a native of Pennsylvania, but for a long time a resident of this county. They have five children-Mary A., Taylor E., Myrtis G., Thomas T. and Earl P.


Daniel Clark, son of D. W. and Elizabeth (Lucas) Clark, was born in Ohio, March 10, 1826. When nine years of age he removed with his parents to Illinois, and afterwards came to this county. His father owned a farm on section 24, of the town of Monroe. Daniel remained with his parents till 1857, when he was married to Mary Tome, who died, and he was again married to Julia Phillips, from whom he was separated, and he was again married to Christina Beattie, a native of Scotland. By these unions there were ten children, six of whom were by the last marriage-William, Charles C., David B., Mamie J., Guy E. and Agues. Mr. Clark's father is deceased and buried in Monroe. Ilis mother lives in the city of & Monroe. Mr. Clark served nine months in the War of the Rebellion. He now owns 120 acres of land on section 14, where he resides.


Gottlieb Pellen was born in Switzerland, Sept. 3, 1850. In 1866 he emigrated to America with his parents, and settled first in the town of


Washington, where he engaged in farming for a few years. In 1874 he came to Monroe, where he has since resided. In 1876 he was married to Elizabeth Tordi, who was also a native of Switzerland, by whom he has two children - M. Alice and M. Annie. Mr. and Mrs. Pellen are members of the Lutheran Church.


Jacob Kundert is a native of Glarus, Switzerland, born on the 8th of March, 1830. He was reared on a farm. Before coming to America he worked in a cotton factory five years. He emigrated to this country in 1854, locating in New Glarus, where he lived about fifteen years. On the 12th of September, 1862, he enlisted in company K, 9th Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry. He was in the battles of Prairie Grove and Red River expedition. After serving about three years, he returned to New Glarus, and soon after purchased a farm in the towns of Jordan and Monroe. He lived on his farm in the west part of the town of Mon- roe, until 1883, when he removed to his present place on section 12. Mr. Kundert is one of the heaviest land-owners in the county, owning 1,100 acres. He is extensively engaged in raising stock and making cheese. He has 140 milch cows of his own, and makes Swiss cheese a specialty. When he came to America he was in debt $100, but by hard labor and persever- ance he has accumulated a considerable fortune. He was married May 16, 1851, to Barbara Kun- dert, also a native of canton Glarus, Switzerland, where they were married. They have raised quite a large family -Jacob, deceased; Jacob, living; Sarah, Barbara, Abraham, Ruday, Lena, Anna, buried in New Glarus; Henry, Thomas, Frederick, buried in Union cemetery, Monroe; Frederick, living; Anna and John. Mr. and Mrs. Kundert and family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is an inde- pendent.


W. F. Hintzman settled in Juda, in the town of Jefferson, in the spring of 1868. He en- gaged in farming two years, then followed mer- cantile life for nine years, in Juda and Brod-


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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


head, selling dry goods. In 1879 he removed to his present home on section 23, town of Monroe, where he owns 150 acres of land, and is en- gaged in stock raising. He was born in Prussia, twenty-four miles east of Berlin, Aug. 31, 1848, and is the son of David and Mary (Heis) Hintz- man. His father, David Hintzman, is dead, and buried in Juda cemetery. His mother is living with her daughter, Mrs. Buer, in Juda. He at- tended school in his native country until four- teen years old, then worked three years learn- ing the gardener's trade, after which he worked three years in Stettin, as practical gardner. He was married Sept. 18, 1870, to Christina Caplin, who was born near Stettin, in Prussia. She was a daughter of Michael and Dorotha (Hart- wig) Caplin. She died Feb. 25, 1882, leaving seven children-Mary E., Emma V., Ida J., Clara H., Arthur W. and Anna C. and Lena (twins). Ella E. is deceased. Mr. Hintzman was again married to Rosa Knipshnild July 17, 1882. She is daughter of Adam Knipshnild, who was formerly a wagon maker in Monroe. One child has blessed this union-Edward S. Mr. and Mrs. Hintzman are members of the Evangeli- cal Church at Monroe. He is a republican in politics.


Emanuel Dettwiler was born in Langenbruck, Baselland, Switzerland, Oct. 13, 1836, and is a son of Henry and Anna Dettwiler. He came to America in 1864 and located in Tioga Co., Penn., where he remained one year, then went to Delaware Co., Ohio, remaining there, also, one year. He then returned to Switzerland on a visit. On his return to this country, he came to Green connty and engaged in farming one summer, then rented a farm for two years of John Jennie. He was married Oct. 24, 1867, to Rosena Marty, a native of Switzerland, the marriage ceremony being performed by the Rev. Mr. Hagerman, a Lutheran minister. He next rented a farm in what is known as "Dutch Hollow," for one year, after which he bought 120 acres on section 13. Ile also owns ten acres of timber on section 19. He removed to


this place in 1869, sinee which it has been his residence. Mr. and Mrs. Dettwiler have nine children-Henry W., Emma E. and Annie M. (twins), John J., Ida R., Frederick M., Otto E., Jocum and Ernest E. Mr. Dettwiler is independ- ent in politics, and in religion he is, with his family, a Lutheran. He has a desirable home and is an industrious and thrifty farmer.


Rudolph Benkert is a native of Bern, Switz- erland, born May 22, 1841. He is a son of John and Magdaline (Murrer) Benkert, who now re- side in the town of Jefferson. He came to America in 1851 and settled in Oneida Co., N. Y., where he lived until 1867, when he removed to Monroe, Wis., and lived with his parents until 1871. He then purchased a farm on sec- tion 9. In 1881 he sold out and removed to section 4, where he purchased 150 acres of land. On the 17th of February, 1871, he was married to Catharine Zimmerman, daughter of Jacob Zimmerman, who resides in the town Washing- ton. The result of this union was six children -Frederick, Charles, Emma, Ida, Rudolph, Jr. and Robert. Mr. Benkert is a practical cheese maker, having worked at that business in Switzerland, and now owns a factory on his farm. In September, 1863, he enlisted in com- pany C, 1st New York Mounted Rifles. He was mustered in at Albany, and out at City Point. He served to the close of the war, participating in the battles of Williamsburg and Cold Har- bor. His regiment did scouting and guard duty most of the time. For six months he acted as dispatch carrier. He was wounded in each arm in a cavalry charge at Bontack, Va., and while on duty was only sick two weeks during enlist- ment. They are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a republican, politically.


John G. Faeser, a native of Baden, was born May 20, 1836. His father, John A. Fauser, died while crossing the ocean in 1853. Ilis mother died in 1871, in Jordan. John A. Faeser was a contractor and builder of stone work, and his son, John G., of this sketch, learned the same trade, which he followed four


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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


years in Westmoreland Co., Penn., where he, with his mother and sister, settled on their ar- rival in America. In 1857 they came to Green county and settled in the town of Jordan, where he purchased 100 acres of land, afterwards forty acres, and still later 220 acres, making in all 360 acres. In 1876 he moved into Monroe, where he remained three months. He then traded one farm in Jordan for city property in Monroe and forty-six acres in Clarno, which he sold and bought his present farm in 1880. It contains 117 acres, located in Monroe. He was married Dec. 31, 1862, to Anna E. Uitiger, a native of Switzerland, but at the time of mar- riage a resident of Monroe. They have had eight children, five of whom are living-John A., Anna, Frederick R., Elizabeth and Lene. Three children are buried with their grand- mother in Jordan. Mr. and Mrs. Faeser are members of the Evangelical Church in Monroe. He casts his vote with the republican party.


R. C. Whitcomb, son of Deacon James W. and Nancy (Goltry) Whitcomb, was born in


Rock Co., Wis., July 6, 1848. His parents are both dead, and buried in Gap Church cemetery, in Decatur. His father was an active Christian and deeply interested in Church work. IIe (Mr. Whitcomb, Sr.) and his wife were among the first members of the Monticello Gap Church. R. C. Whitcomb, when one year old, went with his parents to Mount Pleasant, where he was reared upon a farm, and remained upon the same place until 1879. He was married June 8, 1874, to Margaretta Fitch, daughter of Benja- min and Sarah (Smith) Fitch, of Ohio. Mr. Fitch was formerly overseer of the poor farm at Mount Pleasant, but now resides in Mahaska Co., Iowa. Mr. Whitcomb is the present over- seer of the poor farm, a position that he has held since 1879. Mrs. Whitcomb, before her marriage, taught school at Mount Pleasant, in this county, and in Oskaloosa, Iowa. They have two children-Eva G., born July 7, 1882, and Walter J., born Nov. 15, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb are members of the Baptist Church at the Gap, in the town of Decatur. He is a republican.


HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


921


CHAPTER XXXVIII.


CITY OF MONROE.


This beautiful and enterprising city had its origin almost half a century ago, when the beautiful and fertile region of southern Wis- consin was just beginning to attract the atten- tion of those in search of homes, and the sur- roundings were as free and wild almost as the time when the stars of the morning sang anthems of joy at nature's dawn. The changes from the primitive to the developed state have been constant and rapid. It has been compara- tively, one continuous change from the mo- ment of its projection until Monroe of to-day stands forth as one of the most beautiful, as well as most important business cities of the State. While there may have been nothing really remarkable in the development of the past, or nothing peculiarly striking in the pres- ent, still there is much that cannot fail to inter- est and fascinate not only those who have been closely connected and identified with the city in all the various changes that have occurred from year to year, but the general reader as well. Endowed with many natural advantages, aided by the strength of enterprising husbandry, Green county has assumed a high position among the best and wealthiest of her sister counties throughout the State, and Monroe, the first town within her borders, has kept pace with the improvement and advancements.




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