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 143

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 143

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).

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

and was unable to do much work for three years. In 1866, he bought land on section 18, which was timbered, with the exception of a small tract that had been cleared. He improved a farm and lived here until 1881, then rented the place and moved to Monticello. In 1882 he sold his farm and purchased a house and two lots in the village where he now resides. He was mar- ried in 1866 to Mary E. Schoonover, formerly of Lagrange Co., Ind. They have one child- Phila.

George W. Baker came to Green county in 1853, and lived near Monroe until the fall of 1854, then came to Mount Pleasant, and bought land on section 34. He had bought a log house near Monroe, located on what is now the "county farm," moved it to his land, put it up, and lived there one and a half years, then sold out and purchased forty aeres on section 27, erected a frame house, and has continued to make that his home until the present time. He has bought land adjoining, and now has eighty-five acres, the greater part of which is improved. He is a native of Washington Co., Penn., born March 20, 1825. He was reared to agricultural pur- suits in his native county. When he was twenty-two years old, he went to Ohio and set- tled in Warren county, where he lived until 1853, then came to Wisconsin and spent two months in Iowa county, previous to coming to Green county. Hle was married in 1854, to Martha Whitesitt, who was born in Vermilion Co., Ill. They have three children-Mary B., Charlie W. and Lettie Medora.

Asahel Wilcox, a native of the State of Con- nectieut, came from Janesville in 1853, and set- tled on section 3, of Mount Pleasant, where he re- sided until the time of his death which occurred in January, 1868. His widow died in March, 1879. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom are living-Lodena, Junet and Edgar. Lodena is the wife of James Barnes, and lives in Kansas; Junet lives in Trail Co., Dak. Edgar was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Aug. 19, 1838 and was but eight years old when

his parents came to the Territory of Wisconsin and settled at Janesville, where they resided until 1853. He was married, Dec. 1, 1870, to Eliza, daughter of Thomas and Ellen Campbell. They have four children-Edgar E., Eliza A., Nellie M. and William H. He settled at the time of his marriage, on his present farm, which he had previously purchased. The land was timbered, but is now cleared and fenced and in a good state of cultivation. He has erected good frame buildings, set fruit trees and has a desirable home.

John Blumer, one of the most extensive farmers in the town of Mount Pleasant, was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, Aug. 16, 1816. When he was twelve years old he commenced work in a woolen mill and continued in that occupation until twenty-four years of age, then engaged in farming. He was night watchman in the village of Schwanden nine years. He was married, in 1836, and his wife died in 1849, leaving five children-Annie, Ezra, John, Sarah and Caroline. In 1853 he took his five children and started for America, making the voyage in a sailing vessel in thirty-five days. He landed in America with $4 in his pocket, and the five children dependent upon him for support. He went to New Glarus and engaged in farming, working in the harvest field for cents cents per day. His oldest son worked through the summer and received a small calf for his labor. In the fall Mr. Blumer bought forty acres of land in the town of Washington. He built a log cabin doing all the work with his own hands, as he he had no money with which to buy nails, he made wooden pins to use in- stead. He also made table, chairs and bed- stead with which to furnish the house. He was very industrious, and soon was able to buy more land. He improved a farm and lived there sixteen years then sold out and bought another farm in the same town, where he lived until 1881, then bought his present place which contains 317 acres, a part of which is in the town of Mount Pleasant and a part in Washington. The build-

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ings are located in the town of Mount Pleasant and include a nice frame house well furnished, two large barns with basements, a granary and cheese factory. He keeps sixty cows and from the milk makes imitation Swiss cheese. He was married the second time, in 1853, to Maria Stussy, also born in Switzerland. They first met in the ship on their journey to America. They have seven children-Sula, Mary, Fred, Sam- uel, Katie, Lizzie and Jacob. Their son, Samuel, now assists the father in the management of the farm. He was born in the town of Washing- ton, in October, 1859, and was married to Augusta Wilhelmina Butts. One child has been born to them-John Herman.

John H. Titus commenced in the grocery busi- ness in Monticello during the fall of 1874. He was born in Orange Co., Vt., Jan. 8, 1825. When he was seven years old his parents re- moved to Wolcott, Lamoille county, and there he grew to manhood, being brought up on a farm. When he was twenty-one years old he went to Boston and worked at lathing for three years, then six months at bakery business, then was engaged as cook in a restaurant. He then en- gaged in stucco work in the city three years. In 1854 he came to Wisconsin on account of his health and spent one year in the town of Mount Pleasant. He then returned cast and was married in the town of Wolcott, in February, 1856, to Lucinda Courier, who died the follow- ing year. Ile remained in Vermont and Mass- achusetts until the fall of 1860, then came to Green county and worked two years at farming, then engaged as carpenter and joiner until 1874, when he engaged in trade as before stated. His second wife, to whom he was married in October, 1879, was Alice Barlow. They have one child-Ila G.

Jacob H. Elmer, the sixth son of John U. and Verena Elmer, was born in the town of Washington, March 11, 1854. His youth was mostly spent in the town of Mount Pleasant, where he attended school, He was married

Oct. 4, 1877, to Verena Hefty, who was born in the town of New Glarus, and is a daughter of Casper and Elizabeth Hefty. They have four children-Elma, Lillian, and Alvin and Alonia, twins. At the time of his marriage he settled on his present farm, located on section 31, town of Mount Pleasant, and a part of sections 5 and 6, of the town of Sylvester.

Sweting C. Taft, came to Green county in 1854, and located at Monticello. George Camp- bell gave him a lot:in that village, on condition that he build a house, which he proceeded to do immediately, erecting a frame house, into which he moved before it was completed. He then commenced working upon the grist mill, for Mr. Bacon. In 1854, in company with his brother, John,he built a saw mill on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 8, which they operated until 1863. He enlisted December 22, of that year, in the 5th Wisconsin Battery, and was mustered into service Jan. 7, 1864, at Camp Randall, where he remained until the last of February, then went to Nashville, and from there to Chattanooga. He was soon after taken sick and sent to the hospital, where he spent six weeks, then joined the battery at Rossville, and went with Sherman to Atlanta. After re- maining there a few days he was sent back to Chattanooga, thence to Jefferson, Mo., Hospital, where ten days later he was transferred to Prairie du Chien. He remained there until June, 1865, then joined the battery at Madison, and was there discharged, and returned home. As soon as able he took charge of the saw mill, which he then owned in company with Peter Wilson. In 1866 they sold out to the Monti- cello Woolen Manufacturing Company, taking their pay in stock of the company. Since 1854 he has worked at his trade (millwright) in dif- ferent places in Minnesota, fowa and Michigan, but his home has been at Monticello. He was born Dec. 19, 1819, at Springville, Susquehanna C'o., Penn. When he was five years old his parents removed to Virgil, Cortland Co., N. Y., where he grew to manhood, At the age of

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

twenty-one he commenced learning the carpen- ter and joiner's trade. His first work was framing barns. In 1846 he went to Steuben Co., N. Y., and there worked at his trade as car- penter and joiner, and also worked as mill- wright, remaining there until 1853, when he came to Wisconsin and spent one year at Janes- ville. In the spring of 1854 he came, as before stated, to Monticello. He resides at present on the south side of the river, near the village. He was married Sept. 28, 1843, to Elizabeth Gray, who was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., in October, 1820. She died June 28, 1846. Mr. Taft was again married Oct. 25, 1849, to Electa W. Fluent, a native of New York, born in Cam- eron, Steuben county, Jan. 27, 1825. By this union there are four children living- John O., Appleton R., Ogden G. and Franklin D.

Richard Barlow first came to Green county in 1854, and engaged in farming in the town of Jefferson. Five years later, he came to Monti- cello, purchased village property and engaged at his trade as merchant tailor. He continued in business here until 1883, when he removed to his farm on section 16, and remained until 1884. He then moved to Monroe. He is a na- tive of England, born at Berry, near Manches- ter, July 13, 1823. His father, Charles Barlow, was pressed into the British service when but thirteen years old, and served on board a man- of-war until the age of thirty-one. He par- ticipated in the battle of New Orleans in 1814. In one of the many engagements in which he took part, he received a wound, from which he suffered until the time of his death. The sub- jeet of this sketch was, in his youth, appren- ticed to a tailor, to learn the trade. He served until twenty-one years of age, then worked at his trade in Manchester and Derbyshire until 1851. In that year he came to America and spent some time in New Jersey, after which he returned to England and remained two and a half years. He then came back to this country and settled in Green county, purchasing a farm in the town of Jefferson. Soon after he moved

to Monticello, and traded his farm for a farm in Iowa, which he again traded for the farm which he now owns. He was married in April, 1846, to Ann Pieup, who was born in Manches- ter, England. Mr. and Mrs. Barlow are the parents of ten children-Hannah, now the wife of William Clark ; Charles, Emma, wife of Charles Emmons; Alice E., wife of John Titus ; Martha A., wife of Edward Stout; Mary E., wife of Edwin Strink ; George E., Joseph H., Lottie E. and Willie L.

James Whitcomb, a pioneer of Green county, was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., May 17, 1812. He grew to manhood in that county, and was there married Sept. 15, 1833, to Nancy Goltry. She was born in Steuben county, Ang. 7, 1814. In 1838 they emigrated to Indiana and settled in Jenning's county, where he purchased timber land and cleared a farm. The location proved an unhealthy one, and in 1846, he sold his farm and moved to Wisconsin, and located in Rock county. He bought land four miles from Johnstown, where he lived three years, then came to Green county and settled in the town of Mount Pleasant, having traded his farm in Rock county for land on section 36. Here he made his home until the time of his death, which occurred April 12, 1854. Mrs. Whit- comb died in May, 1883. There are four of their children now living-Rhoda, now the wife of John Clemmer ; Rosanna, now the wife of Lindsey Neal ; Rufus and James Martin. The latter, James Martin Whitcomb, was born in the town of Mount Pleasant, Aug. 19, 1853. His early education was received in the district schools. When he was eighteen years old, he went to Janesville and studied vocal and instru- mental music three years. Since that time he has devoted his time to teaching music and is well known as a successful teacher. He was married in 1874 to Lena, daughter of Daniel II. and Cordelia (Walling) Morgan. She was born in Green county. In 1877 he bought the interest of his brothers and sisters in the old

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homestead, on section 36, where he now lives. They have two children-Harry and Luie.

Benjamin Lewis, a native of South Wales, was born Oct. 14, 1820. When seventeen years of age he commenced work in an iron rolling mill, which he continued until 1844. In the month of February, of that year, he set sail for America, and landed at New York city April 3. He then went to Maryland and was there em- ployed in a rolling mill until 1847, when he went to Kentucky and engaged with the Hillman Rolling Mill Company, on the Cumberland river, for whom he worked a few months, then went to Pittsburg, and worked in a rolling mill until 1850. He then went to Brady's Bend Iron Works, where he was employed until 1854. In that year he came to Wisconsin, and bought a farm on section 11, of the town of Mount Pleasant. There was a log house on the place which the family occupied for a time. Ile then built another log house, in which they lived until 1870, when he erected the frame house which they now occupy. He was married in 1845 to Elizabeth Lewis, also a native of South Wales. T'en children have blessed their union-Daniel. Edward, Elias, George, William, Silas, Thomas, Mary, Ellen S. and Freddie F.

Milo L. Barney first came to this county in 1855. He was a young man at that time, and like many others, had come west to seek his fortune. His first employment was type sticking in the Sentinel office at Monroe, at which he worked a few months. In the winter of 1855-6 he taught school in Clarno, and the following spring re- turned to his home in New York, where he spent the summer. In the fall of 1856 he came back to Green county and taught school in the town of Adams. In 1857 he bought land on section 23, of the town of Washington, forty acres of which was fenced, and twenty acres broken, and a small frame house was standing upon the place. The same year his parents moved to the county, and bought a farm on sec- tion 24. He lived with them from that time until 1859. In 1859 he worked a portion of his

father's farm, having rented his own land. He was married Jan. 1, 1859, to Annie Burtis, who was born at Saratogo, N. Y. Seven children were born to them-Grace, Eugene, Belle, Robert, Fannie, Mary and Maud. In 1860 Mr. Barney settled on his farm and remained until the spring of 1866. He then bought another farm on section 26, upon which he lived until June, 1879, when he rented it and moved to Monticello. His residence is not in the vil- lage, but is pleasantly located on the south side of the river. He was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 14, 1837. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving his education in the public schools. Ile made his home with his parents until 1854. His father, James Barney, was a native of Vermont, born in 1801. When he was quite young his parents removed to Jeffer- son Co., N. Y., where they were early settlers. Ile was twice married and Milo, the subject of this sketch, was a son of his second wife, whose maiden name was Matilda Walsworth. She was a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y , where they resided until 1857, when, as before stated, they came to Green county and settled in the town of Washington. James Barney died in 1875 and his wife in 1879.

Isaiah Baebler came to Green county in 1854 and first bought forty acres of land on section 31, town of Mount Pleasant. He erected a log house and immediately commenced improving the land. Hle soon after bought adjoining land, and lived there until 1868, then bought his present farm on sections 29 and 30. Ile now owns 259 acres of land, has good buildings, in- cluding a large frame house and two barns. He keeps a dairy of fifty cows. He was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, April 24, 1831. He was married in 1851 to Annie Rhiner. They have nine children now living-Henry, Mary, Chloe, Jacob, Annie, Celia, Verena, Susie and Barbara. They made their home in Swit- zerland until 1854, when they came to America, making the voyage in a sailing vessel in thirty- nine days. They landed at New Orleans, then

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came up the river to Galena, where they located, Mr. Baebler having fifty cents left with which to make a start in what was to them a new country.

Henry Baebler, son of Isaiah and Annie Bab- ler, was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzer- land, Feb. 16, 1853. He was two years old when his parents came to America and settled in Mount Pleasant, Green county, where he was reared and educated in the district school. Ile remained at home with his parents until 1874. He was married January 1, of that year, to Anna Bloom, also a native of Switzerland. He then purchased a farm in the town of Washing- ton, on which he lived six years, then sold and bought his present farm on section 18, of Mount Pleasant. Mr. and Mrs. Baebler have five chil- dren-Isaiah, Freddie, Anna, Henry and Lena.

Albrecht Baebler came with his parents to Green county in 1855. He is a son of Christo- pher and Chloe (Elmer) Baebler. They settled in New Glarus and remained some years. Chris- topher Baebler is now living at Monroe at the advanced age of eighty-two years. The subject of this sketch was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, March 11, 1832. He was reared upon a farm and remained with his parents until 1853. In that year he came to America. In 1855 he was married to Annie Barbara Veag- ley, who was born in the canton of Glarus, May 16, 1836. At the time of his marriage he pur- chased land on section 33, of the town of New Glarus, and erected a log house, in which they lived a few years. He then built a large frame house, also a large frame barn, 54x80 feet, with a stone basement. In 1878 he sold his farm and moved to Monroe, and there engaged in dealing in live stock until 1883, when he came to Monticello and purchased a farm adjoining the village, where he now owns 230 acres of well improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Baebler are the parents of seven children-Rachel, Chloe, Christopher, Barbara, Albrecht, John and Henry.

Dietrich Stauffacher was born in of canton Glarus, Switzerland, in June, 1830. He at- tended the public schools there until he was fourteen years of age. From that time until eighteen years old he worked on the farm and in the slate quarries. Then for four years he was engaged in herding cattle on the Alps. In 1854 he left his native country and came to America, taking passage on a vessel the 11th of February, and arriving at New Orleans the last of April. IIe went to St. Louis, Mo., and worked in a dairy for a year, when he came to Green county and commenced working on a farm. In abont a month he purchased eighty acres of land on section 32, from Charles Thompson, and worked for him a few months in part payment. He purchased a pair of oxen and commenced improving his land. The fol- lowing winter he split and hauled rails enough to fence a part of his farm. In 1856 he was united in marriage with Annie Norder, born in canton Glarus, Switzerland. He erected a small frame house and commenced house-keeping. He has been successful in life, and has added a large addition to his residence; also built a large frame barn, with a stone basement. He has also added largely to his landed estate. He took his first crop of grain to Janesville, and sold it for seventy-four cents per bushel. He is now engaged in stock raising and dairying. He has sixty cows, and makes cheese during the summer season. His farm now contains 558 acres, the greater part of which is improved. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffacher have twelve children -Katie, Enphemia, Dietrich, Jacob, Annie, Nicholas, John, Leonard, Mary, Mathias, Eliza- beth and Edward.

Ralsey Knight, the first wagon maker in Monticello, is a native of the town of Pike, Al- legany Co., N. Y., born Oct. 12, 1815. He re- mained in his native State until twenty years of age. Ile was educated in the district school and afterwards attended two terms at Leroy Seminary, and five terms at Middlebury Acade- my. At the age of sixteen, he went to Orleans

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

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county and engaged in farming. Four years later he went to Canada, where he taught school one winter, then returned to Orleans county and purchased an interest in a wagon shop. He continued in that business until 1854, then started for Wisconsin, bringing with him a horse and three vehicles, which he shipped to Detroit. At that point he started overland. . He sold two of the vehicles in Michigan, and continued his journey with the horse and buggy. On reaching Monticello, Green county, he traded his horse and buggy for land, a part of which is now included in the cemetery. He then returned to his home in New York, and re- mained until the fall of 1856, then moved his family to Green county, and located permanent- ly, at Monticello. He bought a house and lot in the village and spent the first winter in building sleds In 1857 he erected a wagon shop in the village, in which he worked until 1860. He then went to Tennessee, and in com- pany with others, engaged in manufacturing wagons, at a point eleven miles from Murfrees- boro. In 1861, at the breaking out of the war, he thought it best to return to Wisconsin, and as he could not travel by rail, drove through with a pair of horses and wagon, bringing his family. They took their own provisions and camped on the way. They arrived at their destination after thirty-two days travel, and set- tled on his farm in the town of Exeter, where he lived a year, then came to town and worked at his trade until August, 1864, when he en- listed in company D, of the 35th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went sonth. He re- mained in Arkansas for a time, then went to New Orleans, and soon after to Mobile Bay, where he participated in the siege and capture of Fort Spanish, from there to Fort Blakely, participating in the capture of that point, thence up the Tombigbee river, in pursuit of a rebel fleet, which was captured. Here he was taken siek, and did no more duty. He was discharged at the close of the war, at Jonesville, Texas, July 10, 1865. He returned home and

worked at his trade in Monticello, until 1868, then moved to his farm in Exeter, and remained until 1870, then sold that farm and bought a farm on section 7, of Mount Pleasant, and section 12, of Washington. He has since since purchased land on section 5, and now owns 169 acres. Mr. Knight has been twice married. First, in 1837, to Caroline Murdock, who died in 1852. He was again married in 1853, to Emma Wood, a native of Rensselaer Co., N. Y. By the latter union there are two children- Adel- bert and George. Mr. Knight has held offices of trust in the town, having been treasurer and justice of the peace. The latter office he filled for a number of years.

Theodore Z. Buck, carpenter and joiner, came to Monticello in 1856, and purchased a farm in the town of Mount Pleasant, which he lived upon one season, then removed to the village and engaged in working at his trade, which he has continued the greater part of the time since. In 1863 he bought land near the village, and erected the commodions frame house which he now occupies. He enlisted Feb. 22, 1865, in the 49th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, con- pany G, and went to Missouri. He was dis- charged in November, of the same year. He was born in Canada, June 15, 1822. His father, Reuben Buck, was born in Clarendon, Rutland Co., Vt., and when a young man wentto New York, where he made the acquaintance of Polly York, who became his wife. She was born in Philips- town, Schoharie Co., N.Y. They settled in Ontario county, where they lived until 1822, when they went to Canada and remained six months. During that time the subject of this sketch was born at Norwich, in the province of Ontario. They returned to New York and settled in Chautauqua county, and afterwards removed to Belvidere, Boone Co., Ill. Theodore resided with his parents until 1850, when he went to Janesville, Wis., and worked at his trade, which he had learned of his father. He remained there until 1856. Hle was married Dec. 24, 1844, to Lucy W. Harper, who was born in Ver-

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million, Huron Co., Ohio, Oct. 26, 1826. They have five children living-Orlando H., Alda, Hattie, Susie N. and Florence A. Their eldest son, Walter, was born in Belvidere, Ill., Feb. 15, 1846. He lived with his parents until Feb. 17, 1864, when he enlisted in company E., of the 5th Wisconsin Battery. He died in the service at Louisville, Ky., Sept. 24, 1864.

Michael Kealey, a native of Ireland, was born in county Wexford, Sept. 29, 1824. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and in 1844 left his native land and came to this country, He landed at New York city, and went to Schenectady Co., N. Y., and remained there and in Albany county until 1856, when he came to Green Co., Wis., and settled at Albany. He was in the employ of the Warrens, at that place, the greater part of the time for twelve years. He then purchased the farm on which he now lives, on section 22, of the town of Mount Pleasant, where he has since been en- gaged in farming. He was married Jan. 28, 1856, to Celina Riley, who was born in Lim- erick Co., Ireland. They have one son- George. Mr. Kealey enlisted Jan. 22, 1864, in company E., of the 13th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went south, to Tennessee and Alabama, where the regiment were engaged in fighting bushwhackers and doing provost duty until after the close of the war. They were then sent to Texas, and there discharged, in December, 1865, and returned home. Mr. Kealey is a great reader, and well posted upon all subjects. He is a Protestant in religion.

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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 143

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