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 148

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 148

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.

Lemons' estate. A part of the farm lies on sec- tion 2, of the town of Washington.

Jacob Regez was born in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, Sept. 25, 1849. He came to the United States in 1869, and lived in Ohio one year. His father at that time was operating a large cheese factory in France, and having other interests demanding his attention, Jacob returned to France to take charge of this fac- tory. He remained in that country, thus em- ployed, two and a half years, when the Franco- Prussian war compelled a suspension of the business, and he returned to the United States, accompanied by his brother, Rudolph, and the fall of 1872 found him at New Glarus, where he established himself in the cheese manufac- turing business. He is at present (1884) operat- ing successfully ten cheese factories. He thor- oughly understands the art of cheese making, and has acquired quite a fortune in the busi- ness. His father, Jacob Regez, died in Switzer- land in 1878. His mother is living in that country. Jacob returned to Switzerland on a visit, in 1883. Rudolph, who came here in 1870, lives in Dane county where he operates six cheese factories. Another brother, Ernest, and a sister, Susan, came to this county in 1880. The former is in the employ of Jacob, and the latter is living in Monroe. A young sister, Rosie, accompaned Jacob on his return in 1883,

¡ and is now a member of his family. Mr. Re- gez was married Jan. 20, 1876, to Louisa Witt- wer. Four children have been born to them- Ida, Jacob, Louisa and Edward. Their resi- dence is on section 33.

Henry Holdrick was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, Dec. 29, 1844. He came to America in 1867, landing at New York city. Being an adept at the dairy business, he sought employ- ment in that line, and succeeded in obtaining work in a cheese factory in Jefferson county in that State. He remained here three years then returned to New York city, and was employed as clerk and salesman in a cheese and butter store. In 1876 he went to Washington De- pot, Conn., and worked in a creamery. In the fall of that year he came to Green county. He spent the following winter in Monroe, and the next season was employed in cheese mak- ing in Dayton. The next two years he worked in a cheese factory at Monticello, after which he came to New Glarus, where he is following the same business. He was married April 24, 1879, to Mrs. Margaret Disch, widow of Jacob Disch. Mrs. Holdrick has one child by her former marriage-John Disch, born July 27, 1875. Mr. Holdrick thoroughly understands the business in which he is engaged, and is a well informed and intelligent gentleman.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

CHAPTER XLI.

TOWN OF SPRING GROVE.

Congressional township 1 north, range 9 east, of the fourth principal meridian, comprises the civil town of Spring Grove, forming the south- eastern corner of Green county. On account of the correction lines of the government survey, this congressional township embraces 24,989.92 acres of land. This town is bounded on the north and west by the towns of Decatur and Jefferson, respectively; on the east it is bounded by Rock county, and on the south by the State of Illinois. The surface of this town is quite rolling, but no abrupt bluffs exist except at, or near the Clarence bridge, across Sugar river. This river crosses the north line of the town, by way of the northwest quarter of section 2, and flows in a southeasterly direction, to leave the town through the southeast quarter of sec- tion 13. Spring creek, main branch, heads on section 30, and on section 10 is joined by a smaller branch which heads on section 7. The. creek, thus formed, flows into Sugar river, from the west on section 12. The soil in Spring Grove is varied. East, of Sugar river is a sandy prairie, with timber skirting the river. West of the river, the low lands set in, which are cov- ered with a soil of rich, black loam; these level lands extend from the river toward the higher lands. Except along the river, this land is not timbered. On the farm of Thomas Hamilton, an elevation seventy feet high rises from the level lands around, covering about ten acres. This is called Rock Hill. There is but little soil on the top. The rock crops out on all sides, shaded by scrubby tim- her. The north tier of sections, west of the

river, are nearly all made up of rolling prairie, with a soil of dark loam and clay, and gravel subsoil. Sections 81, 30, 32 and 33, all have more or less prairie land. Originally the sur- face was timbered with different varieties of oak, maple, basswood and considerable black walnut and other varieties of hard wood. The timber soil is generally a black loam, with a clay mixture, and clay and limestone subsoil.

The natural advantages of this town in wealth of soil, can hardly be overestimated. It will compare favorably with the best in the county. To own a farm in Spring Grove was a passport to credit in early days. The town was settled by men from Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York mostly, and some from Indiana. All the early settlers were American born. A better class of men have never settled in any town in the county. "A good soil attracts good men." At present the town ranks with the best in the county, in real and personal property valuation. Its people are thrifty, enterprising and intelli- gent. Good residences, fine barns, orchards, etc., are seen in every neighborhood. The farmers generally are giving much attention to stock raising.

The principal farm products grown in the town of Spring Grove, during the year 1882, were as follows: 3,865 bushels wheat; 132,975 bushels of corn; 122,794 bushels oats; 48 bushels barley; 5,786 bushels rye; 8,004 bushels potatoes; 1,734 bushels apples; 155 bushels clover seed; 595 bushels timothy seed; 5,253 tons hay; 190,820 pounds butter; 100,350 pounds cheese.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

The principal farm products growing in the town at the time of making the annual assess- ment in 1883, were as follows: 500 acres wheat; 6,005 acres corn; 4,220 acres oats; 103 acres bar- ley; 599 acres rye; 102 acres potatoes; 225 acres apple orchard; 12,840 bearing trees; 5,008 acres grasses; 3,515 acres growing timber; 1,200 milch cows, valued at $33,600. The live stock in the town in 1883 was as follows: 738 horses, aver- age valne $64.33, total $47,482; 3,010 head of cattle, average value $19.92, total $59,989; 11 mules, total value $640 .; 1,849 sheep, average value $2., total, $3,709; 2,237 hogs, average value, $5., total $11,192.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Darius Daniels, formerly from the State of New York, in 1836 bought 160 acres of land on section 30, and the same year erected a cabin, and broke ten acres of land. This was the first cabin erected and the first land broke within the limits now comprising the town of Spring Grove. The following winter of 1836-7 he lived alone; being the first and the only settler in the town at that time. He came here from Shullsburg, Lafayette county, and had no family.

In the fall of 1837 Daniel Baxter came with his family and settled on section 31. He had purchased 280 acres of government land in the previous May, and did a little breaking. Mr. Baxter came from the State of New York. He had made a claim a year or so before in Walnut Grove, Stephenson Co., Ill., which he sold the same year that he settled here. After his wife's death in 1845, he sold to John Kryder, whose sons, A. J. and J. J. Kryder, now own and occupy the land.

In 1837 Daniels, who was an acquaintance of the Baxters, left his land in charge of the latter and returned to his former avocation-lead mining at Shullsburg. The latter sold his land to Baxter, and never became a permanent resi- dent of Spring Grove.

Baxter was accompanied, when he came here, by a son-in-law, Mr. Church, who, however,

only remained here a short time. The Baxter family went to Sauk Prairie. One son, Thomas, returned, and still lives in the town.

Isaac Kline and family came from La Porte Co., Ind., in the spring of 1837, reaching this town early in May. Accompanying the party came two married sons, Eli and John Kline, and a son-in-law, Samuel Myers. Isaac Kline was an active man, and pushed new enterprises in the settlement with energy. He died in Mis- souri. One daughter of John Kline, Matilda, still lives in the town, the wife of Frank Wag- goner. One daughter of Isaac, Mary, married J. H. Clemans, who came here in 1839. Sam- nel Myers died in this town during the war, and his widow now lives in Monroe

William Kline was born May 20, 1832, in Indiana, and was not quite five years of age when his father settled on section 29, in this town, in March, 1837. His father was Isaac Kline, and he came here from La Porte Co., Ind. He visited the town in the fall of 1836, and purchased his land and made some im- provement upon it. The family consisted of Mr. Kline and his wife, Catharine, their daugh- ters, Catharine, Jane and Mary, and their youngest son, William. Samuel Myers, a son- in-law, husband of an older daughter, Sarah, came here at the same time, also an older son, Eli, with his wife, accompanied the family. Another son, John, came the same year; he also was accompanied by his family. Isaac Kline was a man of much energy. He built the first saw mill in this county, which was in operation early in 1839. In 1843 he built the pioneer carding mill. He died near Springfield, Mo., in 1863. His wife died in this town in 1853. Eli Kline settled on section 34, where he lived until 1866. lle then sold out and re- moved to Rock Grove, Ill., where he died in 1883. John Kline settled on section 29, and some years later sold his land to his father and bought on section 5. His wife died in 1867, and his death occurred in 1873. 'They left one daughter-Matilda, wife of Frank Waggoner,

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Catharine Kline was married in the fall of 1839 to Horace Griffin. Theirs was the first marriage in this town. They removed to Mis- souri several years ago. Jane died in this town. Mary is now the widow of J. H. Clemans, and lives in Spring Grove. Samuel Myers settled in the southwest part of this town. His widow now lives in Monroe. Wil- liam Kline, in 1853, was married to Mary Ann O'Neal, daughter of Robert E. O'Neal. Four children were born to them three of whom areliving-Luella, wife of D. C. Allen; David L., living in Nebraska; Flora R., wife of Clarles Hawkins, of Avon, Rock county. Mrs. Kline died Ang. 5, 1864. Jan. 2, 1871, Mr. Kline was again married to Mrs. Lucinda Newcomer, widow of George New- comer, who died at Petersburg, Va., in 1865. He was a member of the 38th Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry, company E. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer had seven children-Jacob, living in Brodhead; Joseph, living in Clay Co., Neb .; Mary, wife of Jacob Keller; Susan, wife of Peter Wrenchel; Eva, wife of Charles Robin- son; Sarah, wife of John Hawkins, and George, deceased. William Kline resided in Missouri from 1856 till the fall of 1861. He now re- sides on section 20, of the town of Spring Grove. Isaac Kline and his son, John Kline were, by a short time, the earliest permanent settlers in the town of Spring Grove.

James W. Kildow is one of the earliest set- tlers in Green county, living in the town of Spring Grove. His residence here dates from the year 1837. Mr. Kildow was born in the old "Mother of Presidents," Virginia, Nov. 15, 1815. His father, John Kildow, left his home in eastern Virginia, in 1817, intending to go to Ohio and make a home for himself and family. In those days, money was hard to get, and of uncertain value, when obtained. Before start- ing upon his journey, he changed all his money for Wheeling bank bills, but before reaching that place, was met with tidings, saying, "Wheeling banks are busted." (so in the good

old times, banks did burst.) His journey ended abruptly. He stopped in Bridgeport, Fayette Co., Penn., where, being a miller by trade, he rented a grist mill, which he operated about six years. He then rented another mill in the same county, about twenty miles dis- tant, on George's creek. This mill he also operated about six years. After this he fol- lowed the trade of millwright, the remainder of his life. He died in Fayette county in 1838. His wife died in 1832. They reared a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, seven of whom are now living, (1884). James W. Kildow, subject of this sketch, left Penn- sylvania, Feb. 22, 1837, in company with James Chadwick, Jo. Reed, William Hurlbut and Dan Goodwin. The party all came to Wiscon- sin, separating at Galena. James Chadwick and Mr. Kildow coming to Green county, The journey 'by boat, from Wheeling, occupied twenty days, being delayed by ice and other causes. Mr. Kildow made his first stop at the present site of the city of Monroe where he made a temporary home. In 1839, he bought land on section 25, of the town of Jefferson. This land he partly improved, and held until 1844, when he bought land on section 30, in this town, and made his residence there until 1857, at the same time owning land on section 20. He was married Nov. 12, 1840, to Keziah, daughter of David Davis, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. This union has been blessed by ten children-David, born in October, 1841, and died at the age of eighteen months; Levi W , born in February, 1843, and died the same year, Joshua P., born in October, 1844; Thomas C., born in February, 1847, and died in May, 1853; John Q. A., born in April 1849, and died in August, 1850; Josiah N., born in June 1851, Polly, born in August, 1853, and now the wife of J. T. Clemans; Alfred B., born in July, 1855; James N., born in Septem- ber 1857, and Willis born in September 1860. Mr. Kildow was the first postmaster of the first postoffice in the town of Spring Grove,

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

which position he occupied from 1845 to 1857, when he moved from the neighborhood. About two years later, his wife, Keziah Kildow was made deputy postmistress of Pe Dee post- office. She held that position until 1862, Sep- tember of that year Mr. Kildow was commis- sioned postmaster, and held the office until 1867. He is a man widely known in Green county, and possesses hosts of friends. IIis integrity, and firmness in maintaining his con- victions of what he believed to be right, are well known. He was, in the old time, an abolitionist of the "Garrison and Wendell Phillips" faith. At the organization of the town of Spring Grove, he was elected chairman of the board of supervisors, from 1842 to 1858. He has held the office of justice of the peace, town clerk, town treasurer, also a member of the side board. He was a voter in the first election held after the organization of the county. He has always been a prominent citizen. His residence is on section 22, Spring Grove.

Joshua P. Kildow is a son of the pioneer, J. W. Kildow, and was born Oct. 4, 1844. He enlist- ed in company K, of the 22d Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, Aug. 11, 1862. In March, 1863, he was discharged on account of sickness. Re- covering his health he re-enlisted, Oct. 5th, of that year, in Battery D, Ist Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, was sent to the Louisiana department and stationed at Fort Jackson from Feb. 1864, to July of the same year. He then went to Brasher City, where he remained till July, 1865. He was mustered out at Alexandria, Va. Mr. Kildow was married Feb. 21, 1867, to Caroline Keller, a sister of Mrs. George W. Zimmerman. They have eight children-Mary Jane, Rebecca F., James W., Nora E., Attiel B., Nancy E., Charles A. and Ethlyn M. Alfred B. Kildow was married to Mary A. Clawson, Feb. 22, 1881. Her parents were named Hannahs; but they dying when she was an infant, she was adopted by a family named Clawson, and afterwards went by that name.

Horace Griffin came in the fall of 1837 .. In November of the same year he married Catha- rine Kline and settled on section 21. After liv- ing there about twenty years they removed to Missouri, where he died.

Thomas Judkins had arrived earlier in the fall of 1837. He had entered land on section 29, in 1836, and the following year brought his family, consisting of wife and two sons. They lived here about twelve years' and finally, some years later, removed to the State of Oregon.

Alfred Blakely, a single man came, with the Klines' in 1837, but never made his home here.

David Davis and his family came from Fay- ette Co., Penn., in 1838, and lived in a cabin owned by Jehu Chadwick, in the town of Jef- ferson, until Mr. Davis could erect a cabin on the land he had purchased on section 5, of this town. He ereoted a hewn log cabin and put in the first sawed lumber floor ever laid in Green county.

David M. Davis, son of the pioneer settler, David Davis, resides upon land located by his father in 1838. David Davis (pioneer) came here from Fayette Co., Penn., accompanied by his wife and eight children, six boys and two girls. He purchased 280 acres of government land on section 5. The children were-Nancy, now widow of A. Barmore; Kesiah, wife of J. W. Kildow; Thomas, who returned to Pennsyl- vania and died there in 1845; James N., living in Cadiz; David M., living on the homestead farm; Joel, living in Rock county; Samuel A., living in Franklin Co., Iowa; and William, who died in 1865. After coming to this county Mr. and Mrs. Davis had five children born-Dr. E. Davis, who lives in Magnolia, Rock county; Zachariah P. who enlisted in company K, of the 92d Wisconsin regiment, and was killed at the battle of Resaca, May 15, 1864; Joseph, who was a member of the same company and regi- ment, died June 30, 1871; John Quincy, who died Nov. 1, 1876; and Levi, who died Sept. 15, 1874. One of the elder sons of David Davis preceded the family to Green county. Joshua

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

P. Davis came in 1837, for the purpose of look- ing up a location for his father's family. He died at the home of Jesse Mitchell, in the town of Sylvester, Feb. 17, 1838. David Davis was one of the solid, substantial men of the town of Spring Grove. He was ever kind and hospita- ble and always foremost in any work tending to the public welfare. A most valuable member in a new community. He was one of the mem- bers of the first Baptist Church organized in the county, acting as deacon in that organiza- tion. He died Feb. 7, 1882, in his eighty-ninth year, passing away willingly, in hope of a bet- ter life, for which he was fully prepared. His wife's death occurred in February, 1871. David M. Davis was born in Fayette Co., Penn., Nov. 22, 1829. He resided with his parents until he attained his majority. He was married Dec. 25, 1850, to Charlotte Ann South, by whom he had one son- Enoch T. Mrs. Davis died Aug. 16, 1853, in consequence of being bitten by a rattlesnake. Mr. Davis was again married Oct. 21, 1854, to Mary Hugh, who died Sept. 19, 1855. July 10, 1856, he was married to Frances C. Boughton, and by this union there were ten children, of whom seven are living-Charlotte A., Marquis A., John C., Jehiel Z., Viola, Fran- ces C. and Joseph N. The three deceased were -Mary Jane, Leonard J. and an infant. Mr. Davis was again bereaved by the loss of his wife, which occurred Nov. 7, 1882. March 3, 1883, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Davis. One child has been born to them- Bertha Elizabeth, born Jan. 7, 1884. Enoch T. Davis was married Oct. 27, 1874, to Belle Brown and they have two children-Elsie S. and Dal- las E. He lives in a separate residence upon his father's farm. David M. Davis succeeded to his father's estate, to which he has made ad- ditions and now owns one of the largest farms in the county. It contains 443 acres, all of which, except twenty-three acres, is under culti- vation. He met with a serions loss in 1882, having his barn destroyed by fire. His resi- dence is large and commodious. Mr. Davis is a

man who commands the respect and esteem of all, and one of the leading men in this commu- nity.

In the fall of 1838, Stephen Bowen came from Warren Co., Ind, and settled on sections 18 and 19. Ile died in Kansas. His daughter, Sarah, married Joseph Grayson, who came here in 1841. Grayson had been through the Canadian Patriot War, sometimes called Mckenzie's War. They went to Missouri, where Mrs. Grayson died. Martha Bowen married Isaac Trombley, who came here from Ohio, in 1844. She died here. Mr. Trombley married again and removed to Kansas, where he still lives.

Hezekiah Bussey came from Indiana, and set- tled with his family on section 20, late in 1843. He died in 1872.

William Bussey, a son of Hezekiah, came in 1838. In 1844 he built a mill on section 15, on Spring creek. John and George, two other sons, came in 1842. John now lives in Arkansas. George lives in Juda. Nelson Bussey, the youngest son, settled here in 1843. He still lives in this town. He served in company B, 31st Wisconsin Volunteers, and later in the 1st Wis- consin Heavy Artillery. He now lives on sec- tion 32.

Daniel and Mordecai Vanderbilts came early in the "forties" and settled on section 18. They were good citizens, active in public matters. Both died in this town.

French Lake was born in Virginia, in 1807. He came to Lafayette Co., Wis., in 1827, and settled in this town on section 7, in 1839, having selected and bought 760 acres of land of the goverment in 1836. The first night in Sep- tember, when he moved here alone, (he remained a bachelor until 1851), he tied his oxen to a tree where his fine residence now stands, and re- moved a small portion of the turf, and making an excavation below, buried his money-of which he had plenty. Replacing the turf and hanging his camp kettle over it, he made his fire and cooked his supper, sleeping soundly, under the wagon box. The kettle hung there

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

until he built his cabin. No burglar-proof time lock safe could have made his money more se- cure. But his method of deposits became known not long after, for a Mr. Riley came one morn- ing wishing to borrow $10: The parley was con- cluded by Mr. Lake saying he could have it to-morrow, but Riley must have it to-day. Lake says, you wait and have dinner with me, and ostensibly going to the spring for water, he took his spade, and removing the nicely adjusted turf in the grass plat, where he done his banking, he lifted the old sack, and hearing a step, he turned and there stood Riley, laughing. Lake was confounded and, for some days, could not decide where to locate his deposits again. Mr. Lake is a very energetie man, has always made money and is wealthy, owning nearly 1,300 acres of land. He has been a widower for several years. His love of the south and present sym- pathy with the "lost eause," has embittered many against him, but for all, he is a good. cit- izen.

Mrs. Rachel M. Ten Eyck, is the widow of the late Jacob Ten Eyek, who was born in Al- bany Co., N. Y., in 1800. His father, Caspar H. B. Ten Eyck, moved during the early part of the century to Bembroke, Canada West, with his family. Jacob Ten Eyck was married in Green Co., N. Y., Oct. 6, 1835, to Rachel M. Van Der Zee. They lived in Canada until the outbreak of the "Patriot War' or Mckenzie's War" so-called, when he went to the State of New York. About the time of leaving Canada Mr. Ten Eyck bought of Rodolphus D. Derrick 540 aeres of land, (it being a part of Mr. Derriek's purchase of 1,200 acres) on sections 3 and 4, town of Spring Grove. He settled on this purchase during the spring of 1839. He had for a short time previously lived in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Ten Eyck have had seven children-Lavina, born in Canada, Sept. 17, 1836; Albert A., born in New York, Sept. 1, 1838; Caspar H. B. born July 17, 1840, who died in infancy; Cas- par A., born Dec. 26, 1841, died Jan. 22, 1848; Catharine A., born Oct. 26, 1843; Egbert, born

Sept. 20, 1846, and Cecelia, born in 1853. Cath- arine was the first white child born in this neighborhood. Mr. Ten Eyck early gave his attention to growing stoek, and improving his herds, and to this ean be charged indirectly his death which was a sad event, having been killed by one of his bulls, Sept. 3, 1876. At the time of his death he was one of the largest land owners in the county, having 1,200 aeres which is now all in his children's possession. His son Albert A., was married to Amanda M. Moore. They live in Decatur. Lavina was married to M. D. Mc- Nair, March 21, 1870. They have two children- Egbert D., born Jan. 7, 1871, and Jacob D., born April 28, 1880. Mr. McNair has a residence joining his wife's property where he resides. Catharine was married to Peter D. Taylor. They live in Spring Valley, Rock county. Mrs. Ten Eyck has been an invalid over thirty years, yet is possessed of a cheerful, patient mind, and a clear and vigorous intellect, often relating incidents of the early settlements especially of Peter Emell, the Frenchman, and his Indian wife, who often called, always dee- orated in her best apparel to take tea with her, oftimes bringing others with her. They would follow Mrs. Ten Eyck to the chamber, cellar and garden, when she would supply them with meat and other eatables, and relating of the herds of deer that bounded through the brush and thicket that then surrounded the place, and of the wild turkeys that came and gobbled near the door feeding from the corn they found there.

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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 148

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