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 158

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 158

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).

BIOGRAPHICAL.

In the following pages are to be found bio- graphical sketches of some of the most worthy and enterprising citizens of the town of Sylves- ter, among which are some of the oldest settlers of the county.

William Baird, one of the earliest settlers of the county, was born March 21, 1817, in Beaver Co., Penn. When he was quite young his par- ents removed to Ross Co., Ohio, where they died when he was about twelve years old, leav- ing seven children of whom he was the fifth. In 1831 he went to Tippecanoe Co., Ind., and re- mained until Aug. 15, 1835. He then started with an ox team, for the (then) northwest terri- tory, and arrived at his destination August 29,

being fourteen days on the road. He settled on section 15, in the town of Clarno, where he pur- chased forty acres of land and remained until January, 1843, when he sold out, and bought a farm on seetion 32, town of Sylvester, which has since been his residence. He owns a fine farm of 200 acres, valued at $50 an acre. In politics, he was formerly a whig, but has been a mem- ber of the republican party since the organiza- tion of that body. He has held the office of justice of the peace twelve years, and also has been a member of the town board for some time and has held other local offices. Mr. Baird was married July 4, 1839, to Elizabeth Woodle, who was born May 30, 1822, in Fayette Co., Penn. They were one of the first couples married in the county. They are the parents of ten chil- dren-Hannah, Harriet, Sarah J., John, Rachel, George W., Almira, William W. Mary E. and Edna R. Mr. and Mrs. Baird are members of the M. E. Church. The former has been con- nected with that organization since Aug. 28, 1832.

Melzar Colton was born in New York, Dec. 7, 1830. He is a son of Melzar and Jerusha (Sutherland) Colton. His father was born in New York, where he died, June 10, 1835. In the summer of 1836 his mother removed with her family, her brother, Justus Sutherland, and family; her sister, Rachael Sylvester, and fami- ly; and ber sister's son, Amos R. Sylvester, and family, to Coles Co., Ill., remaining there until the spring of 1839, when she came to Green county in company with her brother, Justus Sutherland, and settled soon after on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 9, where Mrs. Colton died Feb. 5, 1863, in the seventy- first year of her age. Mr. and Mrs. Colton had three children-John, deceased; Mary, de- ceased, and Melzar, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Colton was converted when quite young, and united with the Baptist Church, with which she was connected for about thirty years. She then withdrew from that Church and joined the Methodist Church, of which she was a consist-

1112

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

ent member at the time of her death. Melzar Colton, of this sketch, was educated in the district schools, and taught school six terms. He has since engaged in farming. He was mar- ried Nov. 1, 1855, to Malvina A. Wheeler, a na- tive of Mount Holly, Vt., born Jan. 1, 1827. She came to this State in 1850, and taught school one term in Rock county, then came to Green county. She taught twenty-one terms of school in all. In her youth she became a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, with which she was connected until the time of her death, Sept. 18, 1881. By this union there were six children -- John E., William O., Freddy M., deceased; Mary E., Malvina J. and Hattie L. Mr. Colton was again married Sept. 12, 1882, to Hannah M. Hulbert, who was born in North Manlius, Onondago Co., N. Y., Ang. 14, 1839. She came with her par- ents to this county in 1859. Politically, Mr. Colton is a republican, and has held the office of town school superintendent, also the office of township clerk and other local offices. He is at present justice of the peace. Mrs. Colton is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Colton's farm contains 120 acres of land valued at over $50 per acre. Mr. Colton worked as a farm hand for his uncle, Justus Sutherland, in the summer of 1848, at $10 per month, thereby put- ting in $60 of the first purchase money which he now lives to enjoy. His family now at home consists of himself, wife and hired man. His two sons are married and located on farms near Sioux Falls, Minnehaha Co., Dak. Ty. The older one is school superintendent of the same county. His three daughters are at Beloit, Wis., taking a graduating course at the Beloit High School.

Solomon Sutherland, a son of James Suther- land, who was an old settler of this county, was born in Darien, N. Y., March 3, 1823. When he was fifteen years old he came with his parents to this county, where he attended school and worked on a farm. lle was married Dec. 24, 1856, to Mrs. Ellen M. (Thompson) Sutherland, who was born in Susquehanna Co., Penn., in

1827. Her parents moved to New York city and in 1838 came to this county by wagon, and lived the first year in the town of Clarno, then they moved to section 11, of the town of Syl- vester, where she was first married to M. C. Sutherland. He died in 1853. She re-married afterwards, as before stated, and died in June, 1879. She had two children by her first mar- riage-Emma L. and Henry T. Mr. Suther- land, in politics, adheres to the republican party, and has held local offices. He lives on the old homestead. The farm contains 160 acres, and is valued at about $50 per acre ..

Thomas Washington Thompson came from England when fourteen years of age. Ilis father settled in Susquehanna Co., Penn. Here he was married to Meroe Campbell. The chil- dren born to them here were -Ellen, Maria, Charles Frederick and Henry Thomas, Ile removed to New York city in the year 1836. From there he removed to Wisconsin in the spring of 1838, with a span of horses and a covered wagon. Nothing unusual occurred on the jour- ney, the incidents being the ones common to such trips. They traveled in the day time stop- ping at hotels and farm houses at night. They arrived in Green county on the 5th day of June, 1838. They stayed for about three weeks at what was then known as Dennison's grist mill. Then moved to what was then known as Irons & Dennison's saw mill, and stayed there until the next March; thence to his farm in what is now known as the town of Sylvester. Mr. Thompson held the office of county commis- sioner at one time. James Alfred Thompson, the youngest child, was born in Sylvester in 1841. Ellen married for her first husband Martin Sutherland, for her second one Solomon Sutherland. She lived and died in Sylvester. Charles F. married Kate Chandler ; Henry T. married Caroline Chamberlain, lived a few years in Sylvester, afterwards in Monroe and Milwaukee, and at present lives in Chicago; James A. was unmarried. He served three years in the army during the War of the Rebel-

1113

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

lion, and died soon after his discharge, of disease contracted in the army. After locating on his farm T. W. Thompson bought a number of cows, making butter and cheese in addition to the usual farm labors. In 1846 he opened a general store on his farm in Sylvester. After his death, in 1849, his sons, Charles and Henry, carried it on nntil 1852.

Sylvester R. Stephens is a son of Reuben and Sally (Milk) Stephens. His father was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., and his mother was a native of the same State, who were married in Ithaca, and lived in Erie Co., Penn., until 1841 J

when they emigrated to this county and settled on section 36, town of Sylvester, where the father died in 1858, aged fifty-seven years. The mother is still living, and at this time (1884) is eighty-one years old. They brought up a family of eight children, of whom Sylvester, the subject of this sketch, is the eldest. He was born Sept. 20, 1822, in Tompkins Co., N. Y. He went with the family to Pennsylva- nia, and from there to Green county, where he still lives. He was married Oct. 16, 1844, to Wealthy Ball, who was born in Pennsylvania May 18, 1823. Her parents moved to Will Co., Ill., in 1838, where the father died; after which she made her home for two years in Walworth Co., Wis., and thence came to Green county. They have eight children-Alfred R., Susan E., Wilder M., Amanda M , Alba II., Ed. W., James S. and Theo. R. Mr. Stephens enlisted in August, 1862, in company K, 22d regiment, Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and served until June, 1863, when, by reason of disability, he received his discharge and returned to his home. His farm contains 234 acres, and is valued at $40 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are members of the M. E. Church at Juda. Politically he is a republican, as was his father before him.

Pitt Lindley, deceased, was a native of In- diana, born Jan. 13, 1822. When he was nine years old, his parents removed to Illinois, where his father died when he (Pitt,) was about twenty-one years old. He then came with his

mother and her family to Green county, and settled near Ball's mill, in the town of Sylves- ter. Ile was married July 23, 1846, to Betsey Hills, who was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 26, 1827. Her parents came to this county in 1839, and settled in the town of Syl- vester, on the place where Mr. Connelly now lives. Her father was a native of Connecticut. ller mother, a native of New York, died when she was six years old, and her father was again married. They reared fourteen children, of whom she was the ninth. Mr. Lindley, subject of this sketch, died April 30, 1867. Mrs. Lind- ley is still living and is a member of the Bap- tist Church. They had seven children-Lnella, C., now Mrs. James Burt, born Oct, 22, 1848; Alfonso E., born Aug. 9, 1852, and died Oct. 11, 1863; Delpha L., born Dec. 10, 1856; New- ton, born Feb. 1, 1859; Mary E., born Dec. 8, 1860; Ida M., born Dec. 5, 1862, now married to Julius Carver, and Arthur, born Oct. 25, 1864. Mr. Lindley was a republican, and at the time of his death owned 240 acres of land. He was brought up in the Society of Friends.

Samuel West, a son of George West, an old settler of the town of Sylvester, was born in Sylvester, March 11, 1843. He has lived upon the homestead, where he was born, all his life. except three years spent in the army. Ile enlist- ed in company K., of the 22d Wisconsin Vol- teer Infantry, and participated in numerous engagements. He was taken prisoner near Franklin, Tenn, March 25, 1863, and sent to Richmond, where he spent one day and night in Libby prison. March 28, 1863, he was paroled and sent to parole camp at St. Louis Mo., where he was exchanged and returned to his company, at Nashville, Tenn. Hc was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and was present at the grand review at Washing- ton. Ile was mustered out of the service near Washington, June 12, 1865, after which he re- turned to Sylvester. He was married March 23, 1867, to Katie M. Read, who was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., June 2, 1849, and came

1114

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

with her parents to Juda, in December, 1864. Mr. and Mrs West have five children-George, Mattie E., Susan I., Nettie M. and Bertha. Mr. West owns 450 acres of land and also works his father's farm of 270 acres. He is largely engaged in stock raising, especially in breeding blooded horses. His first purchase of that character being "King Swigert," in March, 1882, for which he paid $1,500, the next, "Har- lequin," a shire bred stallion, for which he paid $2,450. This is a horse of many fine points. The next addition to his stable was "Athlete," a fine Kentucky bred stallion, purchased when two years old, for $3,000, by Dr. Strong, in 1876. This horse, in the fall of 1883, was pur- chased by Shaddock & West, of Dr. Strong's estate, and is kept at the West farm. In addi- tion to the foregoing, he has valuable horses of the Norman breed. One, Froissart, is a dapple gray, foaled in 1877, imported from France in 1881; recorded in Percheron, Norman stud book, Vol. II, No. 1,314; a high-headed horse, finely cut in the throttle, broad and high on withers, strong bone, good feet, stands straight, on splendid legs, possessing all the qualities re- quired for a first class draft horse. One called "Black Diamond," is a result of his own care- ful breeding, and compares favorably with the best horses in the country. Unless sold, this horse will doubtless be the means of much im- proving the stock of this section.

William C. Gorham is a native of Auburn, Geauga Co., Ohio, born Aug. 31, 1825, where he was reared upon his father's farm. His educa- tion was obtained in the common schools of his native town. In 1844, he, with his parents, came to Green county and settled in what is now the town of York, where his father, Elisha Gorham, resided until his death, which occurred Dec. 14, 1873. He was a native of New Haven, Conn., born Oct. 1, 1784. His parents were from England. He was twice married, first to Hannah Bradley, in 1805, who died in New Berry, Ohio, Ang. 25, 1823, leaving seven chil- dren. Again married April 8, 1824, to Mrs.

Clarissa (Rice) Crafts, who survived him until April 16, 1882. She was born in the town of Gorham, N. Y., Sept. 3, 1800, where she was first married. By that union there were two children. By the last union there were two children-William C., of this sketch, and Henry C., who died in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 22, 1865, in company I, 46th Wisconsin Volunteers. Elisha Gorham was a believer in religion and a member of the M. E. Church. Mrs. Clarissa Gorham was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church for many years. William C. returned to Ohio, in 1851, where he was married Jan. 3, 1853, to Elvira M. Chaffee, of Troy, Geauga Co., Ohio, born in Kirby, Vt., March 22, 1833. He came back to the town of York and began farm- ing with a yoke of oxen and living in a log hut called a house. He enlisted Feb. 3, 1865, in company I, 46th Wisconsin Volunteers, and served until discharged, Sept. 15, 1865. In 1867, he removed to the town of Sylvester, where he now resides. He now owns 465 acres of land and a residence in the city of Monroe. He is engaged in farming and raising stock, among which he has some fine blooded horses. He is politically a republican. They have two children-Rice D., born April 11, 1854, who is married and owns a farm in the town of Monroe; and Ernest W., born Dec. 8, 1860, residing with his parents on the farm, a member of the I. O. G. T., and also one among the first members of the Mon- roe City Guards.

William Bulfinch removed with his family, to this county, in the fall of 1844. The first winter they lived in town of Sylvester, when, owing to the loss of their household goods by shipwreck on Lake Michigan, they went to Winnebago Co., Ill., and remained until the fall of 1849. They then returned to this county and settled upon section 22, of the town of Syl- vester. He went to California in 1853 and re- mained two years, then came back to his home in Wisconsin, where he died, Nov. 28, 1865. He was a native of Massachusetts, .born Dec. 22, 1796, and was married Feb. 19, 1821, to

1115

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Mary Sherman, who was born in Massachusetts, March 26, 1796, and died April 19, 1852, in Green county. They had nine children, two of whom are now living-Marshall L., now living in Grant Co., Mo .; and George W. Mr. Bul- finch was by trade a shoemaker and tanner, and resided in New York and Pennsylvania, pre- vious to coming to Wisconsin. He belonged to the Masonic order.

George W. Bulfinch was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., June 11, 1830. He came with his parents, to Green county, where he received a common school education. In 1853 he went overland to California and worked in the mines until the fall of 1856, then returned to Green county. He was married May 14, 1861, to Alice Fletcher, who was born Aug. 16, 1840, at Green Dykes, England. They have three children- Erwin Marshall, Mary Alice, and Arthur Fletcher. Mr. Bulfinch is a republican and has held local office; also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Henry Stauffacher, a native of Switzerland, was born in January 1845, the same year his par- ents emigrated to the United States. They settled upon section 5, in the town of Sylvester, where his mother died Nov. 17, 1874. His father died at Monroe March 29, 1877. They were the parents of sixteen children of whom Henry was the fifth. He grew to manhood upon the farm and received a common school education. Feb. 7, 1865, he enlisted in com- pany F, of the 46th Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry,and served until September 27,of the same year, when he was discharged by reason of the close of the war. He then returned to Sylvester and engaged in farming, which occupation he still follows. He is a republican in politics. He was married April 9, 1871, to Louisa Ebert, a native of Germany, born Oct. 6, 1852. When she was three years old, her parents came to the United States and settled at New London, Wis., where they lived one year then moved to Pella, Shawano county, of the same State. They now reside in the village of

Shawano, in that county. They had six chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Stauffacher is the fourth. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffacher are living upon the homestead farm, formerly owned by his father. It contains 191 acres, valued at $45 per acre. They are members of the Evangelical Society, and the parents of six children-Benjamin F., Edward H., George L., John W., Ameal W. and Ida V.

Nathaniel Stephenson was born in Ireland, Oct. 25, 1826. He is a son of John and Jane (Smith) Stephenson, who emigrated to the United States and settled in Trumbull Co., Ohio, where they engaged in farming until 1845, when they came to Green Co., Wis., and located in the town of Mount Pleasant, where they lived until the death of the father, John Stephenson, Nov. 3, 1876, aged seventy-seven years. His wife died Aug. 23, 1864. They had six chil- dren, of whom, Nathaniel, subject of this sketch, was the third. He was married Nov. 30, 1851, to Nancy Ann Harris, who was born in Trum- bull Co., Ohio, May 12, 1834. She came with her parents to Green county in 1845, who set- tled on section 2, town of Sylvester. The par- ents lived here until their death. The father died Sept. 22, 1847, aged forty-two years. The mother died Oct. 27, 1849, aged forty-two. There was a family of six children, of whom Mrs. Stephenson was the third child. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson have four children-Ozias E., Mary J., Emma A. and Byron E. The. farm contains ninety acres. When Mr. Stephenson came to Green county he had but little money, but by industry and energy he has been success- ful in accumulating a considerable property.

John Stephenson is a son of John and Jane (Smith) Stephenson, natives of Ireland. His parents emigrated to America and settled in Trumbull Co., Ohio, where they remained until 1845; then came to Green county and first set- tled in the town of Mount Pleasant, and lived there two years. In 1847 they removed to the town of Sylvester, and located on section 2, where Mrs. Stephenson died Aug. 23, 1863, aged

1116

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

sixty-eight years. Mr. Stephenson died Nov. 3, 1876, aged seventy-six years. They reared a family of six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth. He was born April 1, 1832. He received a common school educa- tion, and has always been engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. He was married to Mary A. Lowry, April 3, 1855. She was born March 1, 1829. This union has been blessed with three children-Cordelia M., Matilda J. and Almira E. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson are members of the Baptist Church. He owns 158 acres of land in the town of Sylvester, where he resides, val- ned at $60 per acre.

Matthew West, one of the prosperous farmers of the county, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., May 30, 1824. He is a son of John S. and Avis (Bowen) West. The former was born near Rochester, N. Y., and died in Erie county in February, 1875, aged eighty years. The latter, a native of Vermont, is still living, in her eighty-sixth year. They reared a family of ten children, of whom Matthew was the fourth. He was reared upon his father's farm, and edu- cated in the common schools. He remained at home until the fall of 1846, then came by way of the lakes and Milwaukee, to Green county, and pre-empted eighty acres of land on section 26, of the town of Sylvester. He was married Sept. 14, 1847, to Sarah J. Decker, a native of Boston, Erie Co., N. Y., born Ang. 8, 1830. After marriage he built a log house, into which they moved the following spring, and in which they lived for fifteen years. He then erected the substantial frame house in which they now reside. At the time of marriage, Mr. West had but $17, and his wife $16, but by perseverance and industry they succeeded in accumulating a nice property. Ilis farm contains 350 acres, valued at $60 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. West are the parents of three children-George A., Den- nis W. and Susan E.

John C. Murdock is a son of Daniel and Rhoda (Clawson) Murdock, who were settlers of 1846. llis father is a native of Green Co.,

Penn., born Nov. 27, 1818, where he received a common school education, and tanght three winter terms, but as a business he has always followed farming. He was married July 6, 1843,to Rhoda Clawson,a native of Green county, born Sept 21, 1823. In the fall of 1845 Daniel Murdock visited Green Co., Wis., and looked the country over with a view to settlement. On account of its general healthfulness he here selected a spot for his future home and returned east. The following spring he came with his family by water, landing at Galena, Ill., on the 4th of April, where they remained for some days snow-bound. Having arrived in this county he first rented a farm near Monroe, and in Sep- tember bought land near Juda and remained two years, then sold out and bought another farm, where he has since resided. His nearest market was Milwaukee a distance of ninety-two miles, or Shullsburg in Lafayette county, at which places a mill could be found. With a load of wheat it took from five to nine days to make the trip. His first experience in market- ing his surplus wheat was not encouraging. He received thirty-eight cents per bushel, and when he returned from market with empty wagon, having sold the wheat for thirty-eight cents per bushel, he found himself $4 out of pocket by the transaction. The next season he raised a good crop and it brought a good price. He paid $100 for the forty acre tract on which he lives, and pre-empted forty acres adjoining at the government price of $1.25 per acre. Ile now owns 163 acres valued at $50 per acre, and has given his oldest son a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Murdock have three children-Emma J., now widow of Cyrus Fisher; John C. and Ross C. They are members of the Baptist Church. Po- litically, Mr. Murdock adheres to the republican party, and has held local offices of trust and honor. Hle is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a prominent prohibitionist. John C., the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Sylvester Dec. 22, 1855, where he grew to man- hood and received a common school education,

1117

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

He was married Jan. 13, 1878, to Hattie Fleek, of the town of Decatur. They now live on sec- tion 23, and have a good farm of 365 acres. They have one child living-Harry D. Mr. Murdock is a republican and a much respected and worthy citizen.

William H. Covell was born in Madison Co., N. Y., Dec. 4, 1812, and is a son of Lemuel and Eunice (Edgerton) Covell. The former was born in New York in 1779. The latter was a native of Wallingford, Vt., born in 1783. They were married in Wallingford and settled in Madison Co., N. Y., where he engaged in farming. They afterwards removed to Chau- tauqua county and then to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and from thence to Knox county, where Lemuel Covell died April 17, 1845. Mrs. Covell resided with her son, William H., until her death, Oct. 14, 1856. They had five children, four daugh- ters and one son. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm and educated in the common schools. He was married Jan. 11, 1837, to Jane A. Raymond, who was born in Ply- mouth, Chenango Co., N. Y., May 24, 1818. In the spring of 1848 they came to Green county, arriving in what is now the town of Sylvester, May 24. He purchased the farm on which they now live, paying $3.50 per acre, for 120 acres. He had left, after paying for his land, $200 on which to live until he could raise a crop and build a house. When he came to the county he was an adherent of the democratic party, but on account of the action taken by the adminis- tration in regard to the "border ruffian" trouble, he left that party and joined the ranks of the republican party, to which he has since adhered. Mr. Covell and wife are members of the Close Communion Baptist Church. They have five children-Ann J., Orrin M., Merritt A., Amasa L. and William A.

George Safford Pengra was born in Alexan- der township, Genesee Co., N. Y., April 12, 1821. He went with the family to Erie Co., Penn., where he grew to manhood and received an education, such as could be obtained in the

common schools. He was married in Pennsyl- vania, Sept. 11, 1849, to Maria Walts, a native of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., born Nov. 10, 1827. Her parents were natives of New York, but moved to Erie Co., Penn., in 1834. Her grand- father was a soldier of the Revolution. Im- mediately after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Pengra started for the west to seek a home, came to Green county and settled on section 23, in the town of Sylvester, where they are still living. The farm contains 200 acres, valued at $75 an acre. In politics Mr. Pengra is republican. He has been a member of the county board two terms, also a member of the township board and town treasurer. They have had three chil- dren-Wallace A., born in 1851 ; George H., born in 1853, and William S., who was born in 1856, and died at Cheyenne, Wy. Ter., Aug. 4, 1881. Wallace A. is married to Jane N. Bald- win, a native of Ohio. They have one child- Hugh. George H. was married Oct. 5, 1876, to Anna M. Johnson, of the town of Sylvester, and has one child-Stella May. George Pen- gra and wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is serving his third term as town clerk. He is well educated and has taught school eight terms.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 158

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