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 163

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 163

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Wisconsin he had five children. One child, John W., died at Wiota, when quite young. His death was cansed by a singular accident. He was trying to blow a large tin dinner horn, and fell, driving the small end of the horn through the roof of his mouth and the side of his head, causing death a few days later. In 1884 only two of the children were living. De- catur lives in Turner Co., Dak .; and Ellen, who was born at Wiota, is the wife of Charles Green, and lives in Nebraska. The others were Ade- line, who died when but a child, in 1847; Jeru- sha, deceased wife of E. N. Thayer; and George who died in California. His wife died Sept. 5, 1844. In 1850, accompanied by his son, George, Mr. Stewart went to California, returning in the winter of 1851-2. A few years later George went back to California where he died. Some years after his wife's death, Mr. Stewart mar- ried Mrs. Huldah Brown. Two children was the result of this union-Banks, who lives in Lincoln, Neb .; and Grant, who lives with his widowed mother in Albia, Iowa. John Stewart was one of the best blacksmiths and iron-work- ers ever known in this country, excelling in handling edged tools. Mr. Stewart is well re- membered by the early settlers as an honest, in- dustrious citizen, kind and charitable; genial in his intercourse with all men. He never was a party either as plaintiff or defendant in a law- suit. His death, which occurred in February, 1867, caused much sorrow among his many friends. His youngest child by his first mar- riage was John W. Stewart.

John W. Stewart, son of John and Adeline Stewart, was born Sept. 4, 1844. He was married to Carrie M. Lundly, Oct. 30, 1870. She was born during an ocean voyage May 20, 1852. Her parents are now living in this town. They have three children-John W., Ida A. and Nellie M. Mr. Stewart now lives on section 22, town of York.

The next settler was William C. Green, who came here from Wethersfield, Wyoming Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1839, and built a small

log house. He returned to New York, com- ing back the following spring with his wife and children. His children were-Rebecca, wife of Clark Hickox, of Iowa county; Jane A., wife of Duncan McDonald, Vernon Co., Mo .; Amy, wife of Thomas Biggs, died in 1855; William II., who enlisted in company C, 37th Wisconsin Volunteers. In one of the as- saults made in the fall, 1864, upon the defenses of Petersburg. as 2d sergeant he had charge of the colors of the regiment. The charge was re- pulsed and being wounded in both legs he was unable to walk, and under the terrific fire of the rebel lines, he dragged himself (draw- ing the colors by his teeth), back to the Union intrenchments, a brave and glorious deed by a worthy son of a worthy sire. He died in the hospital from wounds received that day. An- other son, John Murray, a veteran of the 3d Wisconsin Volunteers, died in the service at Fayetteville, Tenn. Franklin L. died in 1855. One daughter, Laura, is the wife of Decatur Stewart, Dak .; and Martha Ann lives in Woodstock, Ohio, wife of Ralph Burnham. Three children were born in this town-Albert. M., (see his biography), Charles R., resident of Madison Co., Neb .; and Isabelle S., wife of Edward Ruff, of Denver, Col. Mr. Green settled on section 23. The old log house still stands, near the fine residence of his 8011, Albert M. He was a prominent man in public affairs in his town and county. He was a man of many sterling qualities, and re- presented Green county in the State legislature of 1850. Joanna, his wife, died in this town, Oct. 21, 1846. In the year of 1848, Mr. Green married Mrs. Eliza Hobbs, and in the year 1861 they made their home in Monroe, where Mr. Green died Ang. 3, 1870, aged seventy years. His widow is now living at Monroe.

Amos Conkey came from Wyoming Co., N. Y., in the year 1841, accompanied by Samuel and Josiah Eddy. Mr. Conkey settled on sec- tion 14, on land previously owned by Hall Chandler, who was from the same town and coun-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

ty in New York. He built a log house and lived a bachelor several years. When about forty years of age he married Mrs. Mary Ann Mar- ston. She was born and reared in England. Mr. Conkey died near Monroe, (where he lived the latter years), Dec. 21, 1874, aged sixty-five years. His widow yet survives him.

Albert M. Green, a son of Hon. William C. and Joanna Green, was the second child born in this town. The date was April 23, 1842. His father was the second settler of this town, and perhaps the most prominent man of the town in its early days. (For extended notice of him and family see history of early settlement.) Albert M. Green was reared a farmer. Ile was one of the first to respond to the call of his country upon its patriotic sons. He enlisted in company B, 18th Wisconsin Volunteers, and one week from the day of leaving Milwaukee the untrained regiment was fighting gallantly in the front of Prentiss's division at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. In this engagement with many others of the regiment, who held out until retreat was impossible, he was taken prisoner; he was held until June and then paroled. He then went into the parole camp at St. Louis, and remained there until October. He was then sent to Superior City with a part of the reserve force in the Indian campaign against the Sioux (1862). He was exchanged and rejoined the regiment July 20, 1863. After some hospital experience he was discharged for disability in January, 1864. His disability was permanent and he now receives a pension. Dec. 6, 1864, he married Ella G. Brown, daughter of Mrs. Huldah Brown, the second wife of the old pioneer, John Stewart. Mr. and Mrs. Green have had four children-Ralph B., Dall HI, (died at the age of eighteen months), Nellie Grace and Amy K. As one of the first born of this township, Mr. Green has witnessed its growth and development and to this has contributed his full share. He has always voted the republican ticket.

Charles Reed, came with Mr. Green's family in 1840. He was a single man about twenty years of age. He worked for Mr. Green to pay for eighty acres of land, entered for him by Mr. Green, on section 23 This land he sold to Albro Crowel next year. Mr. Reed then made a new claim, and in 1846, he returned to New York, and married his affianced, Amelia Sherman. His wife died in this town in 1882. Later he sold his farm and moved to Dunn county, this State. None of the family are now residing in the town.

Albro Crowel with his wife and one child ac- companied by his brother, Chester, came from Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1841. He settled on section 23, on land purchased of Reed. His farm is now owned by R. Mosher, and part of the village of Postville is on this land. Mr. Crowel sold his farm in 1858, and moved to

Kansas, where the same year his wife died. The following spring he returned to this town and bought a farm on section 25, where he died in February, 1880. His brother, Chester Crowel, married Lydia Aun Day, in November, 1843. This was the first matrimonial event in town. They went to Iowa in 1854, and shortly after to Kansas, where he died in 1875.

In 1842 William Crowel and his family set- tled on section 22. He was the father of Albro and Chester. The rest of the family came with him. Of the children only one now resides in this town, Roswell Crowel, a son, living on section 22. Mr. Crowel had two married daughters, Alma, wife of Simeon Allan and Polly, wife of Joseph Miller. The former came in 1841, and the latter came in 1842. Mr. Allan and his wife afterwards went to Iowa, where he died; his widow now lives in Min- nesota. Mr. Miller and his wife are now resi- dents of the city of Monroe. 'The other chil- dren, all sons, are away from here. Riley lives in Dakota; Dan, in Moody Co., Dak .; Harlow, in St. Joseph, Mo .; and Seth enlisted in the War for the Union, in an Iowa regiment, and died at

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Little Rock, Ark. The father, William Crowel, died in this town in 1859. His wife died in 1845.

Roswell Crowel, son of William and Polly Crowel, was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Oct. 19, 1826. He came to the town of York with his parents, when sixteen years of age. He was married July 2, 1853, to Janet Scott, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Scott, of Argyle. Her mother died in Scotland, and she came to America with her father in the winter of 1842-3. Five years later, her father settled in Argyle, where he died in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Crowel have six children-Flora, wife of Arthur Gabriel, of Calhoun Co., Iowa; Dan C., a resident of York; Lottie, wife of Andrew Peterson, a merchant at Postville; Lillie, Spen- cer and John S., are living with their parents. Mr. Crowel resides on section 22, where he owns a fine farm of 190 acres. Mr. Crowel is one of the pioneers of the town of York, and has contributed his full share to its growth and development.

Ezra Wescott, who came from State of New York, in 1840, was here transiently during the two or three years following, making his home with William C. Green, when in the town. He tau ght school at Wiota a portion of the time. He selected land on section 25, and in 1842, commenced improvements. In November, 1845, at Wiota, he married Nancy Brown. He was the first magistrate in the town of York, and a prominent public man in the township and county. He represented the south assem- bly district in the legislature of 1863. He also served as register of deeds and county treasurer. Before the war he became a resident of the town of Cadiz. He died in Minneapolis, while there for medical treatment. His widow in 1884, was living in Cadiz.

Jefferson F. Wescott settled on section 25, in 1842. He was one of the public spirited men of this town, farmer, merchant and magistrate. He represented his assembly district in the legislature of 1869. He died much regretted Feb. 16, 1879.

Jefferson Fayette Wescott was born March 26, 1826, in the town of Wethersfield, Wyoming Co., N. Y., where he lived until . the summer of of 1842, when he came to Farmer's Grove, Wis., in company with his brother Ezra, and A. L. Cleveland. They embarked on a brig at Buf- falo, and after a long, tedious and perilous trip, arrived at Milwaukee. From there they came on foot, arriving at Green's Prairie one dark, stormy night, about midnight, having followed the Indian trail which led from Rock river to Galena. There was, at this time, only two set- tlers on the prairie, John Stewart and William C. Green, and they boarded with Mr. Green until fall, when they made a claim and built a cabin, where for more than a year they kept "bachelor's hall," supplying their table with bread from corn which they raised, and with meat from the deer and wild turdeys, of which they killed an abundance from the door and window of their cabin. In the winter of 1843 he taught the first district school ever kept in the northern part of the county, and in the years following taught several terms in different parts of the county. In 1849 the township form of government having been adopted, and his cabin being just within the limits of New Glarus, he was elected town clerk and justice of the peace, for that town; and as it had just been settled with Swiss people, unacquainted with our language or laws. Mr. Wescott and his father (who had been elected chairman of su- pervisors), really discharged the duties of all the town offices of that town, for that and the fol- lowing year. He was married March 26, 1856, to Sarah E. Rogers, who was born in Bradford Co., Penn., Feb. 22, 1831, and her father, Dick- erson Rogers, settled on section 31, in 1854, and now lives in Argyle, Lafayette county, aged eighty-nine years. Mrs. Wescott's mother died Dec. 7, 1861. One sister, Fannie, wife of Wil- liam Brooks, lives in Exeter; one brother, Henry D., lives in Argyle. Mr. and Mrs. Wescott have had eight children, all of whom are now living - . Myra E., wife of Charles E. Brooks; Frank,

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

who is married and lives on part of the farm; Charles, who lives in Nebraska; Clara, who is a school teacher; Mary, wife of Albert Loveland; Nellie, Walter and Daisy are living at home. In 1869 Mr. Wescott was elected to the assem- bly from the first assembly district of this county, and discharged the duties of the office with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Ile was a man of more than ordinary ability, having all his life been a stu- dent, and having a wonderfully retentive mem- ory, was able to treasure up what he learned for future use. He was very diffident and retiring in his manners, and never effected a knowledge or an ability he did not possess. He was kind and courteous to all, as well as generons and just, and never intentionally wronged a human being. Politically, he was an active republican, having helped in the organization of that party, and ever afterward labored faithfully and ear- nestly to maintain its ascendency. He was strictly a temperance man, having never used tobacco or liquors in any form. His health was always good, until the summer of 1877, when he was injured at a barn raising at a neighbor's, from the effects of which he never recovered. He died Feb. 16, 1879. His widow and family live on the old homestead, which now contains 350 acres. Mrs. Wescott is a lady of refinement and intelligence, possessing, in an eminent degree, those qualities of heart and mind which constitute the true woman.

William Spears came from Ohio and settled on section 25, in 1842. After a few years' resi- dence here he sold his place and went to Prim- rose, Dane county, and died in Moscow, Iowa county.

Bolvin Day came also in 1842 with quite a fam- ily, and settled on section 35. Ile was a farmer and a mechanical genius. He procured a turning lathe ; he made chairs, bedsteads, baskets, etc. He died in the State of Iowa. His son, David, settled on section 1, in 1843; he now lives in Brodhead. None of the family are now resi- dents of this town.

Philander Peebles came in 1842, and settled on section 13. He was born in the town of Middlebury, Genesee Co., N. Y., Jan. 7, 1816, At the age of sixteen years he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade. He followed that avocation until he settled in this town, and a portion of the time twenty years later. He was married to Hannah Hurlbut, March 12, 1837. They lived in Wethersfield, Wyoming county, until October, 1842, when they came here. Mr. Peebles bought government land on section 13, where he has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Peebles have had fourteen children, five girls and nine boys, eleven of whom are living.

Henry Hurlbut, a brother of Mrs. Philander Peebles, came at the same time, and settled on adjoining lands. He left this town in 1882, and now lives in Peterson, Clay Co., Iowa. His father, Augustus Hurlbut, with his wife and two children, in 1843, settled also on section 13, where he died in 1870, and his wife died soon after. He was an ordained minister of the denomination known as Christians. He held religious services frequently in the new settle- ment, and was always ready to respond to the calls of the afflicted, and to assist in Christian burial of the dead. He was a good man, and universally respected.

Silvenas Conkey family came from Ohio in 1843, and settled on section 14. He was elected magistrate in 1844. He went to California, in 1850, and returned in 1853, for his family. He died in California.

Lemuel Case settled on section 14 in 1843. His wife was a widow when she married him, and was the mother of the two Conkeys. He was the first postmaster in the town, and was a well-educated man. His last days were shrouded in poverty. He died in Dane county.

Hibbard Peebles came to this town in Octo- ber, 1845, and bought land on section 13, leav. ing his family in Michigan. They joined him in May, 1846. He was born in Wethersfield, (now Genesee) Wyoming Co., N. Y., Feb 28, 1820. He was married Nov. 3, 1842, to Mary

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Green, who was born in Gainsville of the same county, Aug. 1, 1822. Their only child, Guil- ford, was born Jan. 13, 1844. Mr. Peebles lo- cated in the town of York, on section 13, in October, 1845. His family joined him in May, of the year following. He lived on section 13 until 1879, when he sold out and bought his present home on section 23, a fine farm of 118 acres. He is a good citizen, an honorable, up- right man, and is prominently identified with the Free Will Baptist Church. Guilford Pee- bles has always lived with his parents, except- ing the time of his service in the army. He was drafted Sept. 29, 1864, and assigned to company B, 3d Wisconsin Volunteers. He was at Nash- ville, Tenn., Dec. 15, 1864, at the time of the great battle between Generals Thomas and Hood; did picket duty, etc., but was not brought into the battle. He was taken prisoner at the cap- ture of a railroad train in Kentucky, December 23, and was paroled on the field. The parole was not recognized by his commanding officers, and he joined the regiment Jan. 8, 1865, at Sa- vanna, Ga. He was in the campaign through the Carolinas, under Sherman, was in the en- gagement at Robertsville, S. C., Jan. 29, 1865, also at Averysboro, N. C., March 16; he was at Bentonville, but not under fire, March 19. He was in line at the grand review at Washington, June 24, 1865. He was married to Adeline Saddler, Dec. 7, 1870.

Hiram Gabriel came to this town in 1845, from Union Co., Ohio, and settled on section 34, where he now resides. He owns about 800 acres of land, mostly improved. He owns the hotel property formerly owned by Gilbert Post, at Postville. Mr. Gabriel has served as chairman of the town board of supervisors, town clerk and assessor; he also represented his assembly district in the legislature of 1882 and 1883.

The first Norwegian settler of the town of York, was Rasmus Dahlen. He came from Norway with his wife and two daughters in 1851, and settled the same year on section 4. His daughters were-Anna and Ingabor. He lived

in this town several years and then moved to Kendall Co., Ill., where both he and his wife died during the same week, in 1879. Anna also died in that county.

The next settlers were Christian Ula and Ole Kanutson, who came together in 1853, from Albany, this county, where they had lived about one year; they left Norway in 1852. Both men had families. Mr. Ula settled on section 20, where he now lives.

Christian H. Ula was born in Norway, June 22, 1808, and was married in May, 1839, to Olang Oleson, born Oct. 14, 1804. They came to the United States in 1852, and to this county, bringing five children with them. 'T'hey lived on a rented farm in the town of Albany one year. In the spring of 1853 they came to the town of York, and bought 120 acres of govern- ment land on section 17. He afterwards bought fifty acres of land on section 20, and moved there in the fall of 1866, where he and his wife 'still live, with their son, John C., who now owns the farm. Of the other children who came from Norway-Julia is the wife of E. L. Soper, of the town of Jordan; Hans C., lives in the town of York; Ole C., lives in Buffalo Co., Wis .; Inger is the wife of Iver A. Skindings- rud, of this town.

John C. Ula, the oldest son, with whom the parents are living, was born Aug. 31, 1840. He was married June 27, 1864 to Thora A. Skin- dingsrud, who was born in Norway, Ang. 11, 1847. She came to the United States with her parents in 1857, and settled in the town of Adams. This union has been blessed with twelve children, all of whom are now living, and make their home with their parents-A. Christian, C. Andrew, G. Olena, O. Jertina, I. Thoneta, Olia, Hannah, Peter O., Johan T., T. Julia, Anna E. and Clara T. Mr. Ula has now a farm containing 411 acres, and he is one of the prominent representative citizens of the town. He has held several offices in the town, two terms as chairman of the town board; has een supervisor eight years, assessor one year,

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

town treasurer three years, magistrate six years and notary public the last ten years. He also took the United States census in this town in 1880. In February, 1865, he enlisted in com- pany A, 46th Wisconsin Volunteer, and served until the close of the war, when the regiment was mustered out of service at Madison, Wis.

M. O. Eidsmore was born in Valdeis, Norway, Aug. 6, 1825. He came to the United States in 1852, reaching Blue Mounds June 13, of that year. On September 2 of the same year he was married to Annie Helland, who was born July 17, 1827, in Norway. They were members of the same party of emigrants. They settled in the town of York, May 10, 1854, when he pre-empted forty acres of land on section 10. He has added to this land until the homestead now contains 160 acres. He also owns a timber lot of seventeen acres on seetion 6. They have five children-Ole M., born in 1853; Gunhild O., born in 1855, the wife of J. A. Kittleson; Julia, born in 1858, wife of Otto Peterson, of Moscow; Martin, born in 1861, and Auton, born in 1863. The two last named are living with their parents. Ole M. suffered by a partial stroke of paralysis when three years old. He has but little use of his right arm. He is a school teacher by profession, having received his edu- cation in the district schools, the Normal school at Platteville and State University. M. O. Eidsmore served in the Kings army in Norway, from the spring of 1848 to the spring of 1852. In February, 1865, he enlisted in company I, 45th Wisconsin Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. IIe is a good citizen and possesses many commendable traits of charac- ter. A brother of his, A. O. Eidsmore, came from Norway in 1852. In his journey west he passed through Buffalo, and there embarked for Detroit in the fated steamer Atlantic. This boat left her dock at Buffalo on a beautiful mid- summer night, filled with emigrants from every State in the east. She also numbered among her passengers an emigrant party of 132 Nor- wegians. The hundreds of human souls, filled

with confident hope of a new life in the bounti- ful west, then beginning to develop its teaming wealth, were all joyous in the prospects before them. How sad the tragedy of the morning. Off the port of Erie, in the darkness preceding the break of day, the ill starred steamer was struck by the east-bound propeller Ogdens- burg, and in less than twenty minutes, was engulfed in the waters of the lake, with hun- dreds of her passengers. The fates were mer- ciful to Mr. Eidsmore and his. He was saved with his wife and two children, but with the lost were sixty-eight of the hardy sons and daughters of the Norsland. He made his home in Dane county until 1854, when he came to this town and made his home on section 10, where he now lives, (1884). Another brother, Christopher Eidsmore, alsoleft Norway in 1852; each of the three families, though leaving Norway the same year, came at a different time. He settled first in Springdale, but came to this town in 1854, and settled on section 15. After several years he made his present residence on section 1.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first death which occurred in the new settlement was that of Harriet, daughter of Philander and Hannah Peebles. She died Jan. 1, 1843, aged two years and seven months.

The wife of John Stewart died Sept. 5, 1844.

The first birth in the town was that of Lucy Jane, daughter of Joseph and Polly Miller, which event occurred Dec. 2, 1841. She died March 12, 1859.

The second birth was that of Albert M. Green, son of Hon. William C. Green. The date was April 23, 1842.

Emeline, daughter of Albro and Elmira Crowel, was born March 30, 1843. She is now the wife of John Burr of this town. The first marriage solemnized in this town was that of Chester Crowel and Libby Ann Day, in Nov- ember, 1843. Ezra Wescott and Nancy Brown were married in 1845. Thomas Biggs and Amy Green were also married in 1845.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

The first stone house was built by Philander Peebles in 1851. The first to break land and built by in 1852. The first frame house was Hibbard Peebles raise crops was John Stewart. The first public house in the town of York was a log house opened on section 12, by Eli George. The York Prairie House was opened on the same section in the same year.

The first man to enlist in the Union army from the town of York in 1861 was Levi Bryant. He lost an arm at the battle of Chancellorsville; he afterwards found employment under the general government at Washington, in which he is now (1884) engaged.

The early settlers found market for their produce at Mineral Point, Galena, lead min- ing districts, and Milwaukee. They have drawn wheat to Milwaukee, a distance of 110 miles and sold it for forty and fifty cents per bushel. They would get a return load of store goods and emigrants, occupying seven days to make the round trip.

ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN.

In the winter of 1841-42 a meeting of the settlers was held to adopt a name for the settlement, at which time, the name Green's Prairie was adopted. After the organization of the State, the county of Green was organ- ized, and being sub-divided into several town- ships, this town, in honor of the old home of most of its settlers-"York State," was called York. Its first election as a separate township was held in April, 1850. Among the men who have been prominent in town affairs, are Wil- liam C. Green, John Stewart, P. Peebles, J. F. Wescott, D. C. Day, J. S. Gabriel, H. Gabriel, E. B. Crowel, A. O. Eidsmore and S. C. Camp- bell. The present officers of the town are: Hiram Gabriel, chairman; S. C. Campbell and Brindiel Syverson, side board; Dr. A. L. Day, town clerk; J. A. Kittleson, assessor; A. Peter- son, treasurer; A. O. Eidsmore and A. Wheeler, justices of the peace

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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 163

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