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 140

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 140

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

Prof. Nathan Crook Twining, A. M., was born in Boston, Erie Co., N. Y., Sept. 27, 1834. He is a son of John and Sarah (Hampton) Twining, natives of New Jersey. The former was born Dec. 2, 1784, and the latter Aug. 2, 1807. They were Quakers of the Elias Hicks school, and like the majority of that sect were quiet, indus- trious and simple hearted, free from guile, their code of morals being embraced in the Golden Rule. Their ancestors, on both sides, came to America with William Penn, the father being of Welsh and the mother of Scotch descent. His father, notwithstanding his Quaker scru- ples on the subject of "bearing carnal weapons," was a gallant soldier of the War of 1812, and his great-uncle, Nathan Crook, whose name he bears, was a midshipman on board the Law- rence, Commodore Perry's flag ship, and was killed at the battle of Lake Erie about ten min- utes before the commodore abandoned the ves- sel. His mother was a niece of Gen. Wade Ilampton, not less famous in the struggle of 1812. The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, and in childhood was an ardent

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

lover of books and music. He never, however, developed a taste for fictitious literature, historic, scientific and linguistic works being his chosen companions, even in childhood. Ile moved west with his parents in 1844, and settled in Waterloo, Jefferson Co., Wis. He was educated at Milton College, Milton, Wis., taking the full course of study, comprising mathematics, an- cient classics, metaphysics and the natural sciences. He became one of the best Greek and Latin scholars, as well as the most accomplished mathematician of the day, and was honored by his alma mater with the honorary degree of A. M. After graduating he was appointed to the chair of mathematics in the same institution, which position he retained eight years, discharg- ing his duties with eminent credit to himself and to the utmost satisfaction of all concerned. He resigned his professorship in 1868, and from motives of the highest consideration resolved to devote the remainder of his life to public school teaching, a profession which he has followed to the present date, with the utmost success. He has taught the higher branches in the public schools of Chicago and Batavia, in Illinois, and Boscobel and Waterloo, in Wisconsin. For the past eleven years he has been principal of the High School of Monroe. The success which has attended his labors in this field, and the es- teem in which he is held by all who know him, attest his ability as a teacher, and his eminent fitness for the responsible position which he oc- cupies. It is not too much to say that, as an ed- ucator, he has few, if any, superiors in the State, or in the west. The schools of Monroe rank with the foremost in Wisconsin. He is a lead- ing member of the State Teacher's Association, and at a meeting of that organization, was ap- pointed by his associates to prepare a curricu- lum of studies for the public schools, to be sub- mitted to the legislature with a view of being embodied in the school laws of the State. He is, moreover, a gentleman of the highest moral character, an incessant student and an untiring worker. In politics he has always been repub-

lican, and, like the sect from which he sprang, was an uncompromising opponent of slavery. During the late war he served one year in the army as captain of company C, of the 40th Wis- consin Infantry. He took part in the second battle of Memphis, in 1864, and various other engagements and skirmishes. He was a leading member of the Union League during the exist- ence of that organization. On arriving at an age of discretion, he embraced the orthodox faith, and united with the Congregational Church, to which he still adheres. He was mar- ried Nov. 18, 1861, to Phebe Ann Barber, daugh- ter of Lillibridge Barber, of Hopkinson, R. I. She died Jan. 16, 1866, leaving three sons- Harry Le Verne, Clarence Walter and Nathan C. June 18, 1873, Mr. Twining was again mar- ried to Margaret Rockwell, daughter of James Rockwell, Esq., one of the early settlers of Chicago.

W. B. Patchin, son of Azar and Electa (Wanzy) Patchin, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., July 21, 1817. He was reared upon a farm, and received his education in the subscription school, paying for the same by cutting wood at twenty-five cents per cord. In 1844, he came to Wisconsin, and located in the town of Clarno, Dane county. His father's family came in the spring of 1846. The neighbors were few and far between, and he at one time trav- eled ten miles to hang an ax. May 26, 1860, he was married to Ruth J. Barmore, a native of Green Co., Penn. She died Nov. 21, 1879. She was a consistent member of the M. E. Church, and much respected by all. Mr. Patchin went to Dane county in very limited circum- stances, but by energy and economy has acumu- lated a comfortable fortune. He is now reap- ing the reward of industry. He has lived to see the wild unbroken prairies transformed into beautiful farms, and commodious and comfort- able dwellings occupy the places where stood the rude log structures of early times.

Robert Fuellemann, jeweler, was born in can- ton St. Gallen, Switzerland, May 1, 1850.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

When a boy sixteen years old he was appren- ticed to the trade, paying $250 for the privilege. Here he spent three years. In 1870, he em- barked in the business on his own account. In 1872, he came to America, landing in New York. Being out of money, and not finding a job, he sold a watch and with the proceeds went to Milwaukee, where he worked as a jew- eler for a few years. In 1878, he came to Mon- roe, where he has since resided. In 1880, he was married to Ida Lowenbach, a native of Mil- waukee, by whom he has had one child-Burn- hardt. Mr. Fuellemann is a member of the Shooters Society, Turner's and Hook and Ladder company.

Peter Lichtenwalner, one of the prominent farmers of the county and the town of Clarno, was born in Northampton Co., Penn., May 1, 1820. He was a son of Peter and Susanna C. (Oswalt) Lichtenwalner, who were married in Lehigh Co., Penn., and were the parents of five sons and two daughters, three of whom are

[ now living. His father was a life long mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, and his mother belonged the German Reformed Church. The subject of this sketch, when eighteen years old, he was apprenticed to a trade and served three years. In 1842, he was married to Sarah Kepler, by whom he had seven chil- dren, five now living-Mary C., wife of Matthew Wells ; Hugh H., Lydia A., now Mrs. James Schneider ; Ida E., now Mrs. Joseph Trumpy ; and John P. In 1854, Mr. Lichtenwalner left his native State and emigrated to Green county and purchased land in the town of Clarno, on section 28, where he engaged in farming. In 1881, he came to Monroe, where he is leading a retired life. He was twice elected supervisor of the town, and for many years was school director, always taking an active interest in education. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and done much toward the support of the same. He now has 268 acres of land, valued at $65 per acre.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT.

The town of Mount Pleasant comprises con- gressional township 3 north, range 8 east, of the fourth principal meridian. It is bounded on the north by the town of Exeter; on the east by Albany; on the west by Washington, and on the south by Sylvester. The surface of the town is drained by Little Sugar river, and its numerous tributaries. The south half of the town is principally prairie, while the north half consists of oak openings. The soil varies. On the prairies it is a rich, dark loam; on the low lands a dark muck; and on the roll- ing lands it is mixed with clay. The sub-soil is clay.

The assessed value of the farming land in Mount Pleasant is $411,270, or $18.33 per acre; of village lots, $18,615. The total value of real estate and personal property is $609,333. The principal farm products grown in the town of Mount Pleasant during the year 1882, were as follows: 1,850 bushels wheat; 69,800 bushels corn; 83,930 bushels oats; 195 bushels barley; 320 bushels rye; 5,270 bushels potatoes; 2,555 bushels apples; 68 bushels elover seed; 40 bush- els timothy seed; 1,450 pounds tobacco; 2,890 tons of hay; 53,450 pounds butter; 86,300 pounds cheese. The acreage of the principal farm products growing in the town at the time of making the annual assessment for the year 1883, was as follows: 252 acres wheat; 3,215 corn; 3,340 oats; 15 barley; 50 rye; 82} pota- toes; 123 acres apple orchard; 3,135 bearing trees; 2,771 acres grass; 2,420 acres growing timber. There were 1,345 milch cows in the town, valued at $30,465. In 1883 there was the

following live stock in the town: Six hundred and forty-eight horses, average value $55.60,total $36,035; 2,566 head of cattle, average value $18.90, total $48,415; 3 mules, average value, $88.33, total $265; 4,026 sheep, average value $1.87, total $7,535; 2,486 swine, average value $6.01, total $14,965. The populations of the town in 1875, was 1,120; in 1880, 1,086.

TIIE PIONEERS OF MOUNT PLEASANT.

The exact date of the first settlement in this town is unknown, but that it was made by Henry Mitchell, hardly admits of a doubt. He was a native of England,and came to the United States in 1832, immediately making his way to the lead mines of southwestern Wisconsin. In 1837 he was living in a log cabin on section 9, where he did some breaking. His family was still living in England and he spent the greater portion of his time in the mining districts. In 1847 his family joined him, after which he de- voted his attention to farming until his death, in 1861. His widow, now ninety-three years of age, is still living on the homestead, which is managed by James Richards, a son-in-law.

At about the same time that Henry Mitchell settled on section 9, Elias Lutherell entered land on the north half of section 28. He erected his log cabin near the spring of water which gushes forth from the ground at that place. He also spent the greater part of his time at the lead mines, and thus found little time to make improvements. In 1839 Justus Sutherland visited the land and cultivated the same. In 1843 Mr. Lutherell sold the property to William Boyls, Jr., and left the county.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Mr. Boyls was a native of Pennsylvania. He improved the farm and remained a resident of the place for many years.

A. F. Steadman, a prominent citizen of Athens . Co., Ohio, settled on the northeast quarter of section 18 in 1841. He afterwards removed to Iowa.

Archibald and Prosa Whaley, natives of the State of New York, settled on the southeast quarter of section 25, in 1841. They improved some of the land, then sold out and emigrated to Iowa.

John Troy, in 1842, took up his abode on the southwest quarter of section 28. He remained a few years then sold out and went to Iowa. Mr. Troy was a native of Pennsylvania.

In 1842 the settlement was increased by three brothers-John, Benjamin and Daniel Rima and Michael McNutt, who came from Ohio. The Rima brothers settled on the northeast quarter of section 23, where Daniel died. John now lives in the town of Exeter, and Benjamin removed to Rock county, and afterwards to Nebraska. Mr. McNutt settled on the north- east quarter of section 26. He afterward re- moved to section 29, where he resided until his death.

In 1845 Pliny Colton, Christopher Silver, Ar- temus Silver, Daniel Tree, Thomas Stewart, Stephen Wood and George Mears, with their families, left the State of Pennsylvania to seek homes in the far west. They traveled by steamboat down the Ohio and up the Missis- sippi river to Galena, and thence overland to Green county, and soon the larger number of them chose land in what is now Mount Pleas- ant, and settled down to begin life anew.

Christopher Silver was born in Grafton Co., N. H., May 5, 1797. He remained in his native State until twenty-one years old, then went west and settled in Erie Co., Penn. . He was married in that county March 2, 1820, to Mar- inda Loveland, who was born Ang 11, 1803, in Hampshire Co., Mass. They remained in Erie county seven years, then removed to Mercer

county where they lived until 1845, at which date they came to Green county. He died here on Aug. 30, 1881. Mrs. Silver is still living, and occupies the homestead. They were the parents of thirteen children, seven of whem are living-Sarah, Artemas, Azariah, Clarrissa, Willis, Ann and Alonzo.

Azariah Silver, son of Christopher and Ma- rinda (Loveland) Silver, was born in Erie Co., Penn., May 3, 1838, and was seven years old when he came with his parents to Mount Pleas- ant. Here he spent his younger days in school and upon the farm. He remained with his par- ents until 1860. He was married on the 20th of May, of that year, to Elizabeth J., daughter of James and Elizabeth (Duckworth) Compton, a native of Lake Co, Ohio. He bought land in the northwest quarter of section 11, upon which stood a log cabin. In that they began housekeeping. Ile improved the land and lived there until 1866, then purchased land in the northwest quarter of section 14, where he lived in a log house five years. He then erected a good frame house. His farm now contains 191 acres. He has engaged in raising grain and stock, and is a successful farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Silver are the parents of eight children-Ma- rinda E., Ella M., Arthur F., Elbert U., Emery H., Norman B., Nellie M. and Mandie E.

Willis Silver, son of Christopher and Marinda (Loveland) Silver, was born in Erie Co., Penn., on the 25th of April, 1842. When three years of age his parents removed to Green Co., Wis. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, re- ceiving his education in the district school. In 1865 he went to Boone Co., Iowa; remaining there a few months, he went to Kansas, lived in that State about a year, then returned to Wis- consin. He was married on the 22d of March, 1868, to Kizpah A. Colton, born in Green coun- ty. The lived in the town of Mount Pleasant until the fall of 1869, then went to Osage Co., Kansas, and purchased a farm. In 1876 he re- turned to Rock Co., Wis., and rented a farm near Evansville for one year. He then removed

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

to Mount Pleasant, this county. He now lives on section 15. Mr. and Mrs. Silver have two children-Herbert E. and Cora M. J. While in Kansas Mr. Silver was employed by the gov- ernment, and drove a team laden with supplies to Colorado.

Artemas Silver, one of the pioneers of Green county, was born in the town of Salem, Erie Co., Penn., Dec. 11, 1822. When he was three years old, his parents moved to Mercer county, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1844 he came to the Territory of Wisconsin and visited Green county, but did not settle here at that time. He returned to Mercer county where he was married March 12, 1845, to Harriet Col- ton, a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y., born Oct. 21, 1824. Five weeks later they started for Wisconsin. They came by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, to Galena, and completed their journey to Green county, overland. They stopped three weeks in Monroe, where he rented a piece of land and put in a crop, then came to Mount Pleasant and lived with Pliny Colton until fall. He then entered forty acres of land, on section 11, of township 3, range 8 east, now known as Mount Pleasant. At the same time he laid claim to other lands, hiring money to enter the same, at 25 per cent. He first built a log house which they occupied eight years. He then built a good frame house, in which the family now reside. The same year he erected a frame barn. In 1869 he built another barn, larger than the first. He has engaged largely in raising grain and stock. Mr. and Mrs. Silver have four children-Marion, Lewis, Truman and Flora, who is now married to Amos Pierce and living in Emporia, Kansas.

Daniel Tree settled on section 12. In 1860 he sold out and removed to the Pecatonica river, where he died.

Pliny Colton settled on section 10, and there made his home during the remainder of his life.

Stephen Wood settled in the town of Exeter. Thomas Stewart remained but a short time and

returned to the State from whence he came, and George Mears settled at Monroe.

A widow lady by the name of Newcomb came in 1845, and settled on section 27. She after- wards married John Snell and removed to the State of Minnesota.

Hugh MeClintock, a native of Virginia, in 1846, purchased land on section 7, and resided there until 1854, then removed to La Crosse.

Mr. Bushnell, and family settled on section 14, some time previous to 1844. Gideon Gillett purchased the place, and the family left the county.

Ira Foster, a native of Vermont, settled in 1844 on the southwest quarter of section 7, and there died.

Peter Wilson, a carpenter by trade, came with Ira Foster. He at first worked in various parts of the county, but finally settled at Monticello, where he now resides.

Walter Bedell also came in 1844, and for a few years resided on the southeast quarter of section 15.

During the same year Mr. Ingalls settled on the northwest quarter of section 15, and there resided for several years.

John Lewis, a native of Wales, settled on section 12 in 1846. He still resides on the place he first chose.

John Lewis was born in South Wales, Nov. 30, 1813. He was there reared to agricultural pursuits. At the age of twenty-one he com- menced work in an iron foundry, which he con- tinued until 1841, then, having heard of the vast prairies of the United States, he resolved to see the country for himself, and came to America. He located first in Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he engaged in farming until 1845. The first year he received for his work $100, and for the next three years $120 per year. In the fall of 1845 he came to Wisconsin and lo- cated on Eagle Prairie, in Waukesha county, and there spent the winter. In 1846 he came to Green county and settled in township 3,

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

range 8, town of Mount Pleasant. He bought land on section 13, and built a log house, in which he lived until 1865. He then built the frame house he now occupies. He has engaged largely in raising cattle, horses and sheep, and has made a large addition to his landed estate, and now owns 648 acres, the greater part of which is improved and fenced. He was mar- ried April 19, 1841, to Kesiah Richards, a na- tive of South Wales. Six children have been born to them, two of whom are now living- John and Theophilus. Mrs. Lewis was born Oct. 29, 1819, and died March 19, 1853. From that time until Mr. Lewis' second marriage, April 11, 1861, he and his sons "kept bach." His second wife was Olive Lee, a native of Oswego, N. Y.

Thomas Fenton, a native of Pennsylvania, came from the eastern part of Wisconsin in 1847, and resided on section 1 until his death. EDUCATIONAL.

The first school in the town was taught in the village of Monticello, in the summer of 1845. This was a subscription school, taught by Orinda Foster, at the house of A. F. Steadman.

The first public school was taught in 1848. In that year the people erected a rude log build- ing near the southwest corner of section 7, called it a school house and employed Marintha Niles to take possession as teacher and give in- struction to all who wished to attend. As there was no other school near the attendance was quite large.

In 1851 the people became tired of the log building and erected a neat octagon frame school house on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 8, and employed Dr. Adams as teacher. In 1854 this building was moved into the village of Monticello and continued to be used for school purposes until 1860. It is now used as an ice house. The present school house of Monticello was built in 1860. It is a frame building two stories in height.

School district No.1 was organized in 1849, with the following named persons as the first officers:

Thomas Fenton, director; Arantha Thomas, treas- urer; Ephraim Moody, clerk. A log house was built on the northwest quarter of section 12, and Lyman Dexter was the first teacher. The log house was in use until after the war, when the present frame building was erected. There had been a school taught in the neighborhood before 1849, in a log house located on the southeast quarter of section 4.

The first school house in district No. 2 was built in 1849, and was located on the southwest quarter of section 10. Dr. Adams, Samuel Aiken and Melger Colton were among the early teachers. The present school house, which is located on the site of the first, was built in 1877, and Miss M. Edwards was the first to occupy it as teacher.

The first school in district No. 4 was taught by Mandana Newcomb in a log house owned by Gideon McNaught. In 1850 a log school house was erected on the south half of the northeast quarter of section 28, and James Powell was employed as teacher. The log house soon gave place to the present frame building, which occupies the old site.

School district No. 7 was organized in 1858, and the first school was taught during the fol- !owing winter, in a log house owned by John Sutherland. It was located on the northwest quarter of section 35. Stella Wheeler was the first teacher. In the spring of 1859 a stone school house was built, and Stella Wheeler and Amelia Woodworth were the first teachers in this.

The first school taught within the limits of district No. 9 was in a very early day in a frame house built by John Williams. The district was re-organized in 1871, and the present school building erected on the northwest quarter of section 21. The first teacher in this house was Hattie Ross.

The first school in district No. 8 was taught in the winter of 1854-5 by Hannah Noble, in a log house owned by Thomas Seers. The fol- lowing summer the present building, located on

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

the line between sections 4 and 5, was built, and George Ray served as teacher.

The first school in district No. 5 was taught in 1853 by Julia Stevens, daughter of Dr. J. D. Stevens, of Monroe. The stone school house is still standing, and is now used as a stable by J. F. Annis. The district now has a good frame building.

In 1849 the town of Mount Pleasant was di- vided into five districts. The officers of the various districts at that time were as follows: No. 1 .- Thomas Fenton, director; Aranthus Thomas, treasurer; Ephraim Moody, clerk. No. 2 .- Amos Perry, director; James Bedell, treas- urer; Lyman Wright, clerk. No. 3 .- Henry Adams, director; A. F. Steadman, treasurer; John Manly, clerk. No. 4 .- William Lowe, di- rector; A. P. Jewell, treasurer; William Boyls, clerk. No. 5 .- Benjamin Rima, director; Joseph Conklin, treasurer; David McKee, clerk. James L. Powell was town superintendent of schools. On the 1st of September, 1849, the reports of the district clerks show that there were 210 scholars in the town. At that time districts Nos. 1 and 4 had log school houses; 2 and 5 stone school houses, and No. 3 was without a house.

TOWN ORGANIZATION.

The town of Mount Pleasant was organized in April, 1849. Aranthus Thomas, Henry Adams and James L. Powell were among the first officers elected.

At the annual town meetion held on the 3d of April, 1850, there were seventy-four votes cast. The following officers were elected: Supervis- ors, Henry Adams, chairman, L. W. P. Morton and J. Moody; clerk, James L. Powell; assessor, Thomas Fenton; treasurer, D. Bragg; superin- tendent of schools, James L. Powell; justices of the peace, Henry Adams and Aranthus Thomas.

At the general election held in November, 1849, there were forty-nine ballots cast. The following is the roster: Abraham Pratt, JJames L. Powell, Lyman Smith, Thomas Morton, Henry Adams, William Boyls, Hall Bedell, Abner Aiken, Benjamin Robey, Josiah Marty, Alfred

Rogers, Aranthus Thomas, I. Jewell, James Gillett, James Truax, Joseph Moody, Paul Cas- tle, John Troy, William H. Castle, Wesley Truax, Benjamin Truax, A. F. Steadman, Lewis Morton, William Lowe, Willard Stephens, Gideon Troy, Daniel M. Tree, Nathaniel Lewis, A. L. Wood, Thomas Fenton, Ephraim Moody, James Bedell, William Morton, James Brod- erick, George L. Barks, R. Taylor, R. R. Jen- nison, Abraham Pratt, Jr., John Hulett, Porter Pratt, Amos Perry, Christopher Silver, Thomas Raymond, William Foster, Ira L. Foster, Will- iam Hitchcock, Lyman Wright, C. H. Wood- worth and Noah Cryst.

The following is a list of the gentlemen who have served as chairman of the board of super- visors of this town: Aranthus Thomas, Henry Adams, Thomas Fenton, Samuel Johnson, J. Troy, Ransom Drake, Charles F. Thompson, Jesse Gist, John V. VanSlyke, G. W. Baker, A. H. Pierce, F. K. Studley, A. H. Pierce and Franklin Pierce.

The town clerks have been as follows: James L. Powell, Mathias Marty, C H. Woodruff, Alonzo H. Jennison, James Broderick, F. R, Drake, Cyrus Troy, John V. VanSlyke, W. E. Noble, B. C Baker, Samuel Johnson, F. K. Studley, David Sears, H. HI. Bissell, M. H Fitz- gerald and E. F. Wright.

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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 140

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