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 160

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 160

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Marvin M. Hulburt was born Feb. 1, 1853, in Onondaga Co., N. Y. He was six years of age when his parents came to this county, where he received a common school education. He then tanght six winter terms of school and followed farming during the summers. He was married March 31, 1878, to Laura L. Hare, who was born in the town of Sylvester, June 18, 1856, by whom he had one child, who died in infancy. Mrs. Hulburt died Jan. 27, 1880. Mr. Hulburt again was married May 19, 1881, to Jane Hamman, of Monroe, who was born in August, 1844. Mr. Hulburt is a republican and has held local offices in the township. He has been a member of the town board for two years. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal organ- ization. His farm contains sixty-five acres and is valued at $75 per acre.

Herman F. Zietlow was born in Germany, Sept. 19, 1861. When six months of age his parents emigrated to United States and settled in the town of Sylvester, this county. They now reside in the town of Jefferson. Herman F. grew to manhood in Green county, receiv- ing a good education. He was married Dec. 7, 1882, to Lena Schwrin, born in the town of Sylvester, Aug. 30, 1862. They moved to their present home in March, 1883. They are mem- bers of the German Evangelical Church. One child has been born to them-Esther.

America. He came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Sylvester, this county, where he still resides. His farm contains ninety acres, valued at $40 per acre. Mr. Schwartz was married in 1840 to Augusta Arnt, born in Germany in 1815. They have one child-Fred. Mr. Schwartz and wife are members of the Evangelical Church at Juda.

Luke Edwards is a native of Wayne Co., N. Y., born in the town of Wolcott, Sept. 20, 1818. He was married on the 16th of August, 1837, to Sally Maria Miller, born Oct. 23, 1819, in Kingston, Duchess Co., N. Y. She is a daugh- ter of David and Alvina (Wolvin) Miller, natives of Duchess county, who afterwards re- moved to Onondaga county; thence to Green Co., Wis., where they first settled in the town of Sylvester; then to Mount Pleasant where they died. They had a family of eleven chil- dren. Mr. Edwards came with his family to Green county in June, 1854, and settled near Ball's mill. In 1867 he purchased and removed to the farm where he now resides. They are the parents of ten children, six of whom are living- Eliza A., Anson D., David O., Pembroke P., Lydia M., and George A. Mr. Edwards is a son of Moses and Sophia (Johnson) Edwards, natives of Wolcott, Wayne Co., N. Y. In 1844 they emigrated to Monmouth, Warren Co., Ill., where the mother died. His father died in April, 1868, near Rock Island, Ill. They raised a family of nine children, the subject of this sketch being the seventh child. His farm now contains 170 acres. Eighty acres, including the homestead, is valued at $75 per acre; and ninety acres on section 15, is valued at $40 per acre. George A., the youngest son, was born in the town of Sylvester, July 25, 1857. He was reared on his father's farm, and was married on the 24th of December, 1883, to Emma A. Stephen- son, born in the town of Sylvester, March 22, 1857. They live at the old homestead.

Carl Schwartz is a native of Germany, born June 20, 1817. He grew to manhood in his Robert D. Searles came to this county in 1868, and settled upon the farm where he native country, receiving a good education in the common schools. In 1866 he emigrated to | now lives. It is located in the town of Sylves-

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ter, and contains 180 acres, valued at $60 per acre. He was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y ., June 26, 1838. His younger days were spent in his native State, and . his education was obtained in the common schools. He enlisted Aug. 9, 1862, in company C., 21st Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served until May, 1863, when he was discharged for disability. He returned to Michigan, where he was married April 23, 1865, to Celia E. Bliss, who was born in Michigan Dec. 8, 1845. Mr. Searles is a member of the republican party, and is the present chairman of the town board. He has also held the office of assessor, two terms. Mr. Searle's parents removed from New York, heir native State, to Michigan, where his father died. His mother lives in Kansas. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Robert D., of this sketch, was the second.

William Malkut was born in Germany in 1841. He was married in 1865 to Louisa Abitz. They emigrated to the United States, locating in Watertown. In 1868 they came to Green county. His wife died Oct. 24, 1872. They had one child. He was married the second time in March, 1873. The result of this union was three children-Herman, August and Ferdinand. They also have an adopted child -Esther Lena. The family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. Malkut's farm contains about eighty-six acres, valued at $40 per acre.

Herman Coplien, a native of Germany, was born April 13, 1861. He is a son of Michael and Louisa (Hartwick) Coplien, also natives of Germany. In 1869 they came to America, se'- tling near Juda. In March, 1877, they pur chased the farm where they now live. They have had ten children born to them, Herman being the second. He was married on the 20th of April, 1882. They have one child-Freddy. Mr. Coplien has 100 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre.

Othmar Luchsinger, was born in Switzerland, May 17, 1855, He lived in his native place

until fourteen years of age, when he emigrated to the United States, in company with some friends, and located in this county. He worked ont in this county, also in Jefferson and Wal- worth counties. He was married March 11, 1878, to Maggie Luchsinger, a daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Marty) Luchsinger. She was born Sept. 11, 1859, in the town of Sylves- ter. Her parents are natives of Switzerland. They came to America in 1852, and settled on section 7, this town, where they lived until 1878, when they removed to Monroe where they yet reside. They had a family of eleven chil- dren, ten of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Othmar Luchsinger have three children-Anna, Arnold, and an infant. His farm contains 231 acres, valued at $30 per acre.

William Brechlin was born in Germany, March 14, 1839. He was united in marriage with Sophia Miller, on the 19th of October, 1866. She is a native of Germany, and was born May 20, 1843. In 1869 he emigrated to the United States, with his family, and settled in the town of Sylvester, this county. He has a good farm of 120 acres, worth $40 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Brechlin are members of the Evangelical Church. They have five children-Pauline, Anna, Charley, Emma and Martha.

F. W. Smith was born in Waupaca Co., Wis., May 1, 1856. He was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving a good education in the common schools of his day. He was married on the 5th of October, 1875, to Matilda McCullow, born in Flushing, Long Island, N. Y. They have one child-Solon B., born March 18, 1880. In the spring of 1870 Mr. Smith came to Green county and remained until 1875, when he re- turned to Waupaca county; and in 1879 returned to Green county.

August Behrudt was born in Prussia, April 30, 1860. He is a son of Godfred and Anna (Schrumm) Behrudt. They emigrated to the United States in 1873, locating in Pennsylvania where they remained one year, then came to Green county and rented land of Amos R. Syl-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

vester. In 1878 they bought the farm on sec- tion 17, where they reside. They have two children, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. He was married on Sept. 7, 1882, to Paulina Pagel, born in Prussia. They have one child-Hannah L. Mr. Behrudt purchased the farm on which he now lives, Oct. 25, 1883, of Andrew Streiker. It contains eighty acres, for which he paid $3,360.

Waldo Fuller was born at Johnstown Center, Rock Co., Wis., Sept. 23, 1856. When he was four years old, his parents removed to Dane county, where he grew to manhood and received a good common school education. He has al- ways been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a son of Charles and Celestia (Wilford) Fuller. I is a member of the Lutheran Church.

The former was born in Whitehall, N. Y., Sept. 20, 1820, and the latter at Batavia, in the same State, Feb. 20, 1819, and they were married at Meadville, Crawford Co., Penn., in December, 1844, and came to Wisconsin in 1851, and in 1860 removed to Dane county, where they re- mained until 1877, then came to Green county, stopping at Monroe, thence going to Prairie du Chien, Crawford county, in 1880, where they still reside. There was a family of four chil- dren, the subject of this sketch being the third. He came to the town of Sylvester in the spring of 1882. He was married Feb. 9, 1881, to An- gusta Fisher, who is a native of Stargard, Pom- erania, born May 2, 1862. They have two chil- dren-Charles F. and Jeremiah W. Mrs. Fuller

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

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CHAPTER XLIII.

TOWN OF WASHINGTON.

The town of Washington comprises the terri- tory designated on the government survey as congressional township 3 north, range 7 east. It is bounded on the north by the town of New Glarus, on the east by Mount Pleasant, on the south by Monroe, and on the west by Adams. This town embraces 22,870.80 acres of land which it is stated 22,858 acres are farming lands. The value of farming lands is assessed at $12.58 and the total value assessed is $287,630. This total represents the assessed value of real estate in the town, while this together with the personal property amounts to $411,620. The population of the town in 1875 was 870; in 1880, 882. The principal farm products of this town grown dur- ing the year 1882 were as follows: 2,684 bush- els of wheat; 78,510 bushels corn; 70,003 bush- els oats; 852 bushels barley; 671 bushels rye; 4,812 bushels potatoes; 590 bushels root crops; 2,898 bushels apples; 22 bushels clover seed; 37 bushels timothy seed. There were 25,465 pounds of butter; 267,550 pounds of cheese, and 3,787 tons of hay made. The acreage of the principal farm products grown in 1883 was as follows: 260 acres wheat; 3,130 corn; 2,321 of oats; 70 of barley; 72} of rye; 76 of potatoes; 100} of apple orchard; 2,556 bearing apple trees; 4,150 acres grasses; 4,130 acres growing timber. In 1883 there were 1,727 milch cows in the town, valued at $41,120; 2,955 head of cattle; assessed value, $19.70, total value, $58,221; 458 head of horses; assessed value, $52.29, total value, $23,- 945; 4 mules, assessed value, $70, total value, $280; 863 sheep, assessed valne $2, total

value, $1,726; 1,977 swine, assessed value $5.75, total value, $11,369.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Washington was first settled in 1837. The honor of being the pioneer belongs to Josiah Pierce, who was originally from Massachusetts, but came direct from the State of New York to Madison, Wis., in the spring of 1837. The State capitol had just been commenced and Mr. Pierce had been engaged to board the workmen. Wisconsin had only been a Territory for a little over a year and Madison was a mere hamlet. In the following November, Mr. Pierce removed to a cabin which he had built during the sum- mer on section 13, in what is now the town of Washington. Here he remained until the time of his death.

The next settler in the town was Noah Phelps, a native of the State of New York. Prior to the Black Hawk War he had helped to survey Green county, and after finishing his work he returned to his eastern home expecting to bring his family to Wisconsin in 1837. Mr. Phelps states that he was almost ready to start in May, when specie payment was suspended by the banks. Government land could only be bought with coin and as all his money was in bank notes, he was obliged to wait. When specie payment was resumed in May, he was still ready, and started, and in June, 1838, he made the second settlement within the limits now comprising the town of Washington. He set- tled with his family on section 24, and remained

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

for a few years, then moved to Monroe, and still lives near that city.

Asel Smith came here from Michigan in 1842, and made a claim on section 7. He remained but a few years, then sold out and returned to his former home.

Hiram Bane came from Ohio in 1844, and claimed the southwest quarter of section 1. In 1848 he sold his claim to Fred Streif, and bought forty acres on the northwest quarter of the same section. In 1850 he sold out and went to California, where he froze to death in the winter of 1852-3.

Samuel Holloway, a native of Maryland, came in 1844, and made a claim on section 22. He was a blacksmith by trade, the first in the town. He remained here two years, when he sold his claim and removed to Monroe. Later he went to Richland county, where he died in 1855.

Jarvis Rattan, a native of Illinois, came to Green county as early as 1836, and entered land now included within the limits of the city of Monroe. He was a single man when he came, and he kept "bach" for two years in a little log house that stood between Bridge's block and the spring. In 1838 he was married to a daughter of Josiah Pierce. He sold out at about this time, and settled in the southeastern corner of the town of Monroe and lived there until 1844, when he removed to the town of Washington, locating on the southeast quarter of section 24. In 1854 he sold out and moved to Charles City, Iowa, where he built a saw mill and engaged at farming. Three years later he returned to Green county, settling on section 21, in the town of Mount Pleasant. A few years later he sold his farm to the county, and soon afterward re- moved to San Joaquin Co., Cal., where he still lives.

Jared Fessenden, a native of Chautanqua Co., N. Y., and a brick-maker by trade, came to Green county in 1837, and located in Monroe. He spent the summer making brick, and the winter in the pineries. In 1844 he was married to a daughter of Josiah Pierce, and settled in

the town of Washington, on section 25. He improved a farm and lived there until his death in 1880. His family now live in Cloud Co., Kansas.

James Crouch came in 1844. IIe lived near Monroe until 1847, then located in this town on section 22. He has since died Two of his sons now reside on section 22.

James Crouch was born in Virginia, June 13, 1801. He moved to Ohio when a young man, and settled in Ross county, where he was married to Nancy l'homas, also a native of Virginia. They remained in Ohio twelve years, then removed to Lafayette, Ind., where he engaged in running a ferry boat across the Wabash river, which he continued two years. He then moved to War- ren county and bought land near Independence, where he improved a farm and remained until 1844. In that year he started, in company with three other families, for the Territory of Wis- consin. They traveled with teams, bringing their household goods with them, and camped on the way. He first settled three miles south of Monroe, where he bought eighty acres of land, and lived three years. He then traded for land on section 22, of the town of Wash- ington, to which he removed in the fall of 1847. He built a log house which was his home for several years, when he built a frame house, in which he lived until the time of his death, March 10, 1873. Mrs. Crouch died April 10, 1881. Five children were born to them, four of whom are now living-William R., Martha, now the wife of James Waite, of Iowa; Samuel T. and Elizabeth, wife of John Gange, living in Dakota. It was mainly due to Mr. Crouch's efforts that the M. E. Church was established in the town of Washington. He also took an in- terest in the cause of education, and was in- fluential in establishing a good school in the town.

Samuel T. Crouch, son of James Crouch, was born in Lafayette, Ind., Dec. 6, 1834, and was in his tenth year when he came to Green county with his parents, where he attended the pioneer

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

school and assisted his father in clearing a farm. He was married in 1859 to Amelia Marshall, a native of New York. At the time of his marriage he settled upon land which he had previously purchased, and began house- keeping in a log house. In 1861 he sold his farm to take charge of his father's place, and has since resided on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Crouch have five children-Albert, Alma E., Libbie, Arthur and Josiah.

William R. Crouch, eldest son of James and Nancy (Thomas) Crouch, was born in Fayette Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 1824, and was ten years old when his parents moved to Indiana. He re- mained with them there and in Green county until 1851, when he was married March 5, to Mary Virtue, a native of Richland Co., Ohio, born Jan. 14, 1834. He then settled on his present farm on section 22, of the town of Washington. He had purchased the land two and a half years before, and erected a small frame house, to which he has since built an addition. They have ten children-Emanuel F., Louisa, James, Argalas, Elizabeth, John Wesley, Ella F., Thomas, Charlie and Mary Etta.

Alexander Sires, a native of Ohio, arrived here in 1844, and settled on the northeast quar- ter of section 28. In 1853 he sold out and re- moved to Richland county, locating in the town of Henrietta. He there platted a village called Siresville, but it did not flourish. He is now dead.

In 1845 John L. Perrine came and settled ou section 25. His son now occupies the farm, while he lives in Monroe.

William C. Perrine, son of John L. and Eliza (Gordon) Perrine, was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., July 11, 1836, and was ten years old when he came to Green county with his parents, who first settled in Monroe, where they re- mained three years, then removed to the town of Washington. Here William spent his youth in attending the district school and assisting his father on the farm. He was married in 1861

to Clarissa Gist, and settled on the old home- tead. His wife died in March, 1868, leaving one child-Addie. He was again married in February, 1870, to Helen, daughter of Joseph and Permelia (Spencer) Brayton, early settlers of the town of Exeter. Mr. and Mrs. Perrine have two children-Charlie and Laura.

Charlton J. Simmons, one of the pioneers of Green county, is a native of North Carolina, born in Green county, June 1, 1819. When he was thirteen years old, his parents emigrated to Illinois, and stopped for a short time in Law- renee county, then went to Crawford county where they were early settlers. His father bought land and commenced to improve a farm, and make a home for his family, but he died in April, 1834. The following February, Mrs. Simmons also died, leaving seven children, the subject of this sketch being the eldest, and upon him devolved the care of the family. Soon af- ter his mother's death, the farm and stock were disposed of in such a manner that the children realized but $10 each, from the proceeds. Charl- ton J. went to work for a Methodist minister in Lawrence county, with whom he continued one year. The first ten months he received $5 per month, and the last two, $10 per month. He saved the money and loaned it to a man who ran away and never paid it. He continued to work at farming in the neighborhood until 1840. He was married March 12, of that year, to Mary Allison, who was born in May, 1823, in Lawrence county. After marriage he rented a farm on Allison Prairie, in Russellville, Law- rence county. In 1842 he took the, produce which he had raised the previous year, loaded it on to a flat boat, and went down the river to New Orleans where he disposed of it. In 1844 he again went down the river with his produce, this time disposing of it at the mouth of the Arkansas river. Iu April, 1845, he came to Wisconsin and settled in Green county. He rented land that is now included in the village of Monroe, and bought twenty acres of winter wheat of Robert Kirkendal, which yielded thirty

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

bushels per acre. In 1845 he pre-empted the northeast quarter of section 35, township 3 north, of range 1 east, now known as the town of Washington. He built a frame house upon this land and settled there in the fall of that year. The following spring he wished to enter forty acres on section 26, and in order to obtain the money to pay for it, he drew oats, with a team, to Janesville, where he sold them for six and a fourth cents per bushel, and the amount received lacked $2 of the sum required to pay for the land. He then sold three large yearling calves at $3 a piece, making enough money to pay his expenses to Mineral Point and enter his land. In 1847 he went to the pineries on the Wisconsin, and engaged in the lumber busi- ness, buying manufactured lumber, which he rafted down the river and sold at different points. The first wheat that he raised upon his farm, he drew to Milwaukee and sold for thirty- seven and a half cents per bushel. He bought groceries and provisions, which he drew to the pineries, a distance of 200 miles, and there dis- posed of them to the lumbermen. He was en- gaged in the lumber trade seven years, after which he devoted his time to the improvement of his farm, which at one time contained 1,100 acres. He engaged in the cattle business, and during the war dealt in horses, many of which he shipped to Chicago and sold to the govern- ment. He also engaged in breeding fine cattle and horses. He bought one horse in Kentucky which he sold for $1,800. In 1882 he met with an irreparable loss in the death of his wife, which occurred on the 28th of March, that year. He has fourteen children living-William, Car- oline, Charles, Mary, George, Lida, Lucinda, Charlton J., Edward and Edgar, twins; Flora, Eva, Ida and Albert.

Samuel Allison, a native born Kentuckian, arrived in the county in 1844. In 1846 he came to the town of Washington and located on see- tion 36. In 1856 he disposed of his farm and removed to Charles City, Iowa, where he soon died.

James Lang came here in about 1845 and settled on the northeast quarter of section 9. He lived there for several year, then sold out and left. Ile was a Mormon.

John Hendrickson, a native of Indiana, also came in 1846. Ho settled on the northeast quarter of section 27, and built a log cabin near the spring. Ile lived there for a few years, then sold out and returned to Indiana.

Gabriel Lang, a native of Indiana, came in 1846 and located on the northwest quarter of section 21. He remained but a few years.

Barney Becker, a native of the State of New York, came in 1845, and spent one year in Mon- roe. In 1846 he settled on the southwest quar- of section 25. He improved a farm and lived there several years, when he sold out and moved to Monroe, where he died a short time later.

In 1846, Elijah Roby, a native of Virginia, came from Ohio and entered the northeast quarter of section 2. He had been a stone mason, but devoted his time to farming. He took a great interest in town affairs, and was the first chairman of the board, hold that office for several years, as well as other offices of trust. In 1881 he sold out and moved to Evansville, where he now resides.

Mr. Kirkpatrick, a blacksmith, came in 1846 and settled on the northwest quarter of section 21. He sold, in 1849, to P. J. Miller, and went to Iowa.

Elias Wright, of Indiana, arrived here in 1846, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 22. A few years afterward he sold out and removed to Iowa.

Oswald Blum, a native of Switzerland, came here in 1847 and bought twenty acres on the southwest quarter of section 2. He made his home there until the time of his death.

Caspar Baker, another Swiss, came the same year and entered land on the northeast quarter of section 10, where he now lives.

William Tucker, an Englishman, came in 1847, and located on section 22. In 1853 he

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

sold to Argalus Loveland and removed to Chickasaw Co., Iowa, where he now lives.

Emanuel Wissemiller, a native of Switzer- land, came from Ohio, in 1848, and settled on section 17, where he entered 160 acres of land. Here he erected a log cabin and lived until the time of his death. His son, Jacob, now occupies the old homestead.

Fred Swickey, a native of Switzerland, came in 1847 and bought land on the northwest quar- ter of section 12. Hle improved a farm and lived until his death, in 1883.

Adam Blumer, a Swiss, came in 1849 and entered 240 acres of land on sections 8, 9 and 10. He improved a large farm and lived there until the time of his death. He was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, Nov. 6, 1798. He was reared on a dairy farm where he learned the art of cheese making. He was married in October, 1829, to Margaret Blum, who was born in the canton of Glarus, in November, 1805. In 1849, they left their native land for America, taking passage in a sailing vessel to New York, where they arrived after a voyage of twenty-four days. They proceeded up the Hudson river to Albany, thence, by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo, where they took passage on the lakes to Milwaukee. There he hired teams to bring them to Monroe. He entered 240 acres of land on sections 8, 9 and 16, of the town of Washington, and built a log house on the southwest quarter of section 9. He pur- chased two pairs of oxen and immediately con- menced improving the land. The first spring he bought five cows, from which they made butter and cheese. Ile engaged in grain and stock raising and resided here until the time of his death, which occurred in Jannary, 1855. He left a widow and five children-Jacob, Magdalena, Elsbeth, Catharine and Adam. Jacob lives at Sioux City, where he works at his trade, as carpenter and joiner; Magdalena is the wife of John Baltzly, and lives in Illinois; Elsbeth died in 1866; Catharine is the wife of Jacob Hefty, of Monroe. Adam was born

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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 160

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