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 94

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 94

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).

The trustees elected would not grant liquor license and thus the newly incorporated village started out on temperance principles.

EARLY EVENTS.

The first building on the plat of the village was erected on what is now block 13, in March, 1846. It was a double log cabin, and was erected and occupied by Dr. Samuel F. Nichols.

The first frame building was erected in June, 1848. It was also located on what is now block 13. It was occupied as a store and dwelling by Erastus O. Pond.

The first brick building was the dwelling house of Zebina Warren, which was erected by him in the spring of 1851. It was located on lot 4, block 13. In 1884 it was owned and oc- cupied by C. S. Tibbitts.

The first marriage in the village was solem- nized in 1847. The contracting parties were Daniel Baxter and Chloe Nichols. 'The cere- mony was performed at the house of the bride's father, Dr. Samuel F. Nichols, by Hiram Brown, a justice of the peace. Mrs. Baxter is still a resident of Albany.

The first birth was that of Philander Nichols, son of Dr. Samuel F. and Julia A. Nichols, born Sept. 6, 1846.

The first death was that of Thomas McVee, which occurred in 1846. His remains were buried in the grounds now occupied by the vil- lage cemetery.

The second was the death of a daughter of C. Meinert, which took place in 1847.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

The first general store in the village was opened in June, 1846, by Erastus O. Pond. He kept goceries, dry goods, drugs, etc., and re- mained in business for about two years.

The next general store was established by R. H. Hewitt.

Shortly afterward R. J. and William Richard- son established a general mercantile business and made arrangements to open a large stock of goods; but on the 1st of June, 1851, William was drowned, after which R. J. became dis- heartened and closing out his business left the place.

In 1851 James Campbell opened a store in a building on lot 10, block 10.

In 1852 Zebina and John Warren were en- gaged in general merchandising in a building located on block 13.

J. T. Chapman opened a store in 1853 in the south part of the village. In October, 1861, Mr. Chapman enlisted in company A., 13th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers. He was com- missioned major, was promoted to the rank of of lieutenant-colonel, and served until Novem- ber, 1864.

Many changes have taken place during the past twenty-five years and it is impossible to trace with any degree of accuracy the history in detail of any line of business. Among others who have been prominent in the general mercantile trade here, are the following: Troy & Kellogg, E. Bowen, Jobes & Dolson, H. B. Jobes, Bnrt & Harris and Charles Campbell. In 1884 this line was represented by W. H. Knapp & Co., J, F. Litel, William Green and Benkirk

679

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Brothers. The last named firm deals princi- pally in gents furnishing goods and boots and shoes.

The first hardware store on the present site of Albany was established by Zebina Warren in 1853. E. B. Noble was the second hardware merchant and continued in trade about twenty- five years, then closed out and left the State R. H. Hewitt, the third hardware dealer, con- tinued in trade until he enlisted in the army. When Mr. Noble closed out his business, Roach & Bloom, of Monroe, established a branch store at this place. They were succeeded in turn by C. O. French, French & Lemuel and French & Brodrick. The latter firm sold to John Lemuel, who continued until the disas- trous fire of 1883. In 1884 the hardware trade was represented by Lemuel & Clemons and Osborne & Howard.

Warren Howard, of the firm of Osborne & Howard, dealers in hardware, farming imple- ments of all kinds, wagons and carriages, also dealer in leaf tobacco, was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 1849. His parents emigrat- ed to Wisconsin and settled in Rock county, when he was but an infant. He received his education in the district school and at the Evansville Seminary. When twenty-one years old he engaged in teaching, and followed that occupation during the winter season for ten years, being engaged in agricultural pursuits and manufacturer of spring bed bottoms the rest of the time. In 1881 he came to Albany and established his'present business. He was married Dec. 25, 1871, to Jane E. Budlong. They have three children-Ella, Alice and Emmett B.

The first man to deal in drugs at this place was E. O. Pond, who kept a few necessary drugs in connection with his general stock of goods. S. A. Pond succeeded him in this line and also kept books, after which the following firms were in the business: Dr. Shavalia Fayette, Parker & Drake, H. Medbery, Robinson & Dodge, C. Robinson, Gillett & Dolson, Wins-

ton & Roberts, Winston & Hudson, Hudson & Bartlett and Bartlett & Roberts. This busi- ness is now (1884) represented by G. W. Bart- lett, successor to Bartlett & Roberts and J. W. Hicks, successor to G. W. Roberts.

G. W. Bartlett, druggist, was born at Schuy- lersville, Saratoga Co., N. Y., April 10, 1845. He is a son of L. C. Bartlett, who is now a resi- dent of Brodhead. G. W. Bartlett was thir- teen years old when he came with his parents to Wisconsin. They located in Beloit, where they remained two years, then came to Albany. At the age of sixteen years, he began clerking for Freeman Lewis. He afterward clerked for other parties, and was thus employed until 1869, when he engaged in trade in company with W. H. Hudson. Mr. Hudson afterwards sold out to Dr. G. W. Roberts, with whom Mr. Bartlett was associated until 1879. He then purchased his partner's interest, and has since carried on business, alone. He was burned out by the fire of November, 1883, but soon resumed business. In addition to drugs, he carries a stock of groceries, books, stationery and notions. He was married in 1865, to Kate A. Dolsen, and they have had three children-Franky, who died in infancy, Robert E. and Willie.

J. W. Hicks, druggist, commenced business in Albany, in August, 1883, and in March moved into the Murray block, where he is at present located. He keeps a full line of drugs, toilet articles, paints and oils, also a stock of groceries. Ile was born in the town of Rushford, Winne- baga Co., Wis., Dec. 18, 1856. Ile obtained his early education in the schools at Eureka, gradu- ating from the high school in that place, in 1875. Ile then taught until 1876, when he en- tered the State University at Madison, where he graduated in. 1880. IIe then again engaged in teaching, which he continued nntil 1883. Ife was married in June, 1882, to Edith Stearns, a native of Green county. Mr. Hicks' father, Oliver Hicks, was a native of New York. He was married to Sarah Powell, a native of the same State, and in 1846 came to the Territory

----

680

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

of Wisconsin, and settled in Winnebago county, where he purchased land of the ' Fox River Im- provement Company," and improved a farm, making it his residence until the time of his death in 1882. His widow resides in the vil- lage of Omro.

Sampson and Edward Tilley, in 1852, erected a slab building, 14x20 feet in dimension, with a thatched roof, and here opened the first wagon shop in the village. After a space of three years they erected a better building, and in 1884 they were still enjoying a large patronage, being engaged in the manufacture of wagons, buggies and sleighs, besides running a general repair shop.

The first blacksmith was Charles Barton; the second was Peter Parsolon; the third was E. B. Dorr. Mr. Dorr opened a shop in 1851, also worked as a millwright, and continued in busi- ness until the fire of 1883. This trade is now represented by J. S. Smith.

Daniel S. Smith was born in Orleans Co., Vt., Jan. 7, 1807. When a young man, he learned the blacksmith trade in his native State. When twenty-two years of age, he located in Madison Co., N. Y., opened a shop and worked at his trade. He remained there until 1836, then re- moved to Pennsylvania, and settled in the city of Erie, where he followed his trade for eleven years. In 1847, he removed to the Territory of Wisconsin, and located in Beloit, where he was joined by his family one year later. He was one of the first blacksmiths in that town. Ile remained there, working at his trade, until 1850, when he came to Green county, and located in Clarence, remaining there until 1854, then re- moved to Albany and opened a shop. llis health becoming bad, he had to stop work. In a few years he removed to Kansas. His home is now in Springfield, Dak. He was married in 1830, to Algina Wentworth, a native of Ver- mont. This union was blessed with nine chil- dren, eight of whom are now living.

James S. Smith, eldest son of Daniel Smith, was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in July, 1833.

He came to Wisconsin with his parents, and made his home with them until seventeen years of age. He had learned the blacksmith trade of his father, and engaged in that business in Beloit. He remained in Beloit four years, then went to Janesville. In 1854, he removed to Al- bany and commenced work at his trade. In 1864, he went to Idaho and Montana, working at his trade while there. After remaining there about a year and a half, he went to Michigan, and located in Plainwell, Allegan county. He run a shop there for about two years, and returned to Albany, where he has since resided. In 1858, he was united in marriage with May J. Hess, born in Herkimer Co., N. Y. This union has been blessed with two children-Nellie and Frank.

The first livery barn was opened in 1855, by Harry Van Wart. It was located on block 17. In about 1857; Mr. Van Wart closed the barn and took his horses across the plains to Cali- fornia. This line of business is now represented by Frank Warren.

The first shoe maker to locate in Albany, was William Lee. The second was J. A. Hahn, who came in 1855, and, in 1884, was still in business. Austin Darling also runs a shop.

The first meat-market was kept by Freeborn Lewis; but before his time a Mr Nipple had peddled meat about the town.

The first coopers were Samnel DeLaps and a Mr. Shaw.

PHYSICIANS.

Dr. Samuel F. Nichols was the first to admin- ister medicine to the sick at this place. Since then the following have been located in the vil- lage and practiced medicine: Shavalia Fayette, Dr. Lewis, E. H. Winston, William Fayette, Horace T. Persons, Robert Van Dusen and Marvin Bemis. The present physicians are: G. W. Roberts and W. E. Ziegenfuss.

Samuel F. Nichols, one of the pioneers of the town of Albany, and one of the founders of the village, was a native of the Green Mountain State, born at Bennington, Nov. 14, 1801. His

681

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

father was a sea captain, and an early settler in Bennington. Samnel was educated in the com- mon schools, and at the age of seventeen years he engaged in teaching, thus obtaining money with which to advance his education, and en- tered Castleton Seminary, from whence he grad- nated. He then turned his attention to the study of medicine, and graduated from the Castleton Medical Institute. He then went to Newark, Wayne Co., N. Y., and commenced practice. He was there married in 1826 to Julia Bartle, born in Newark, in 1811. He con- tinued to reside in Newark until 1845, then came to Wisconsin and engaged in the practice .

of his profession at Janesville, one year. He then came to Green county and settled on the site of the present village of Albany. Soon after coming here, he was obliged, on account of failing health, to discontinue his practice, and he engaged as mail contractor, and did an extensive business in that line, his routes ex- tending to four different States and Territories, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. He employed hundreds of men and horses. This business he continued until 1868. In 1866 he purchased a fruit farm in New Jersey, and spent the fall and winter seasons there. In Septem- ber, 1874, he visited Colorado Springs, in the hope of finding relief from asthma, from which he was suffering, but he grew steadily worse and died there on the 14th of November following. His remains were brought back to Albany, and placed in the family vault. Mr. and Mrs. Nich- ols had seven children-Chloe J., Martin V., Lonisa A., Bartle W., Philander K., Louis A. and Maggie. Dr. Nichols was one of the Pres- idential electors of district No. 2, in 1848, in the State of Wisconsin, and was chosen to trans- mit the result to the seat of government.

Louis A. Nichols, their youngest son, was born at the Nichols House, Albany, Feb. 3, 1849. His early education was obtained in the common schools of his native town, after which be spent five terms at Evansville Seminary. In 1870 he went to Philadelphia and entered

Philadelphia College, and studied one year. He then went to. Madelia, Minn., where he re- mained one year, and from thence to Chicago, and was clerk in a real estate office until 1874, when he went again to Philadelphia and grad- nated from the Philadelphia Dental College. He went to St. Lonis and commenced practice, but, his health failing, he remained but a short time. He went from there to Colorado and spent nearly a year, then returned to Albany, where he was married, in 1875, to Ella Warren, daughter of Zebina and Maria (Pond) Warren. He has erected a fine residence on the west bank of the river, and has his office in his house.

LAWYERS.

The first attorney in the vicinity of Albany was Hiram Brown. The second was J. B. Per- ry, who is still in practice; the third, E. L. Warner; and the fourth, H. Medbery.

HOTELS.

During the first few years of the settlement, of course every one who had a home was will- ing to entertain strangers without money or price. But as people came flocking in faster and faster, it became necessary to establish some public stopping place. In 1847 John B. Sawyer and A. K. Stearns erected a building on what is now lot 2, block 18, corner of Mill and Main streets, it now forming the upright part of the Nichols House. In 1848 Dr. Samuel Nichols purchased the property, completed the building and opened it to the public for hotel purposes, and it is still used as such. In 1881 the building was enlarged by a brick addition, and it now presents quite an attractive appear- anee. The property is now owned by M. V. Nichols and Mrs. J. II. Warren. It is leased by S. S. Hills, a gentleman well qualified for the place, and under whose management the Nichols House has become a favorite of the traveling public and the pride of the citizens of the village.

Sylvester Hills was a native of Connecticut, born March 7, 1790. When a young man he went to Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he e-

689

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

gaged in farming until 1838. He then started with two teams for Wisconsin, taking his fam- ily and household goods. He drove to Buffalo, where they embarked upon the lake and went to Toledo, completing the journey from that point to Green county with the teams. IIe bought government land in what is now the town of Sylvester, erected a log house and com- menced improvements. He was a natural me- chanic, and manufactured many of the articles of furniture used by his own and his neighbors' families; also built a loom and spinning wheel, which were used by the women of the family for weaving cloth from flax, which was raised upon the farm. There were maple trees upon the place, from which they obtained sugar, which, with the wild honey that they gathered, furnished the sweets used by the family. Game and fish were abundant at this time, and nearly all the articles they were obliged to buy were tea and tobacco. He lived upon this place two years, then bought a prairie farm in the same town, on which he built a log house and frame barn. The latter was built in 1841, and the boards with which it was covered were hauled with teams from Chicago; the shingles were made of oak and rived by hand. In 1856 he sold this farm and removed to section 29, in the town of Albany, where he purchased land and remained several years, then sold his farm and removed to the village, and there remained until his death, which occurred Feb. 25, 1881. He was twice married. His first wife was for- merly Chloe Webster, and they were married in Onondaga Co., N. Y. Eleven children blessed this union, nine of whom are now liv- ing -William, Ashael, Price, Lorinda, Miranda, Nelson, Elizar, Betsey and Electa. Mrs. Hills died March 6, 1832. Mr. Hills' second wife was Hannah Sutherland, a native of Vermont. She was a woman of much ability, and in her youth was a school teacher, which occupation she fol- lowed in her native State, and afterwards in. New York, where she became acquainted with Mr. Hills, to whom she was married, Dec. 27,

1832. She was noted for her kindness in cases of sickness or distress, and seemed to feel the misfortunes of others more than her own. She lived to a ripe old age, each succeeding year adding new acts of kindness and generosity to her children and friends. Her memory, always remarkable, was especially so in her old age, and up to almost the day of her death she re- tained a perfect recollection of past events, and of the names and ages of all the people resid- ing in the neighborhood where she was brought up. She died Oct. 27, 1882. Her children were-Sylvester S., born Dec. 17, 1833; Chloe P., born Jan. 28, 1836; and Isabelle M., born June 6, 1838.

Syvester S. Hills is the present landlord of the Nichols House, at Albany. He was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1833, and was but four years old when he began pioneer life in Green county, where he grew to manhood. In 1852, in company with a brother and cousin, he opened a tin shop in the village of Monticel- lo. Soon after he purchased the interest of his partners and then purchased a stock of mer- chandise from Mathias Marty, continuing in business there until 1857. He then sold out, and the following year went to Mitchell Co., Iowa, and opened a tin thop at St. Ansgar, where he remained but a short time, then sold out and went to Minnesota, stopped there a short time and entered 160 acres of land in Freeborn county, after which he spent one year in Kansas and Nebraska. He then returned to Green county and was there married April 18, 1861, to Sarah A., daughter of Jeptha and Har- riet (Conger) Davis. She was born in Varys. burg, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Oct. 28, 1838. Af- ter marriage, Mr. Hills went to Cross Plains, where he engaged in buying and shipping pro- duce one year, then went to Woodman, Grant county, and engaged in the same business, also acted as station agent. He continued to follow the sime business at different points on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad for a number of years, after which he was employed

683

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY

by the Victor Scale Company as general agent, and traveled in the interest of that firm two years in the north western States. He then re- sumed railroading, becoming station agent at Plainfield, on the Wisconsin Central road. In 1880 he leased the hotel at Evansville and en- gaged in hotel keeping, which he continued there three years, then came to Albany and leased the Nichols House. As a landlord Mr. Hills is a decided success, his house bearing the reputation of being the best hotel in Green county. Mr. and Mrs. Hills have had three children, only one of whom is now living-El- mer E., who was born Oct. 27, 1867. Erwin F. was born July 13, 1866, and died Sept. 9, of the same year. Their eldest son, Arthur, was born Nov. 10, 1862. He was an unusually precocious child and when twelve years of age became messenger boy in the State Senate of Wiscon- sin, which position he filled during two sessions. He was so honest and trustworthy that, at the age of fifteen, he was appointed station agent on the Wisconsin Central Railroad, having en- tire charge of the station, including express and telegraph business. He resigned this po- sition to accept a situation as telegraph operator in the city of Milwaukee, in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Com- pany, where he soon after met his death, Oct. 13, 1879, in a railroad accident. This young man was universally esteemed, and the High School at Evansville, of which he had been a member, thus expressed themselves:

Since God has, by a mysterious providence, allowed death to come into our midst and has taken away one, who, but lately, went in and out among us, we. the members of the High School, desire to express our sor- row and deep sympathy with the family so suddenly bereft, and to add our testimony that, while with us. Arthur was always cheerful in spirit, of obliging dis- position, and faithful in the performance of duty.

By wish of the school.

[Signed.]

C. M. MERRIMAN, Principal. L. N. BUSHNELL, Assistant.

Mr. Hills was for twenty years a republican, but joined the greenback party at its organiza- tion, in 1876, and was a member of the first

State central committee, also a delegate to the Chicago convention in 1880 that nominated Weaver for President.

Ashael Hills, son of Sylvester and Chloe (Webster) Hills, and pioneer of Green county, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 31, 1815. Ile was married in 1837 to Julia A. Shults, a native of Montgomery Co., N. Y. In 1839 they removed to Steuben county and lived until 1849. They then came to Green county and purchased a farm on sections 29 and 32, of the town of Albany. There was a log house on the place, in which the family lived two years. He then erected a frame house. He improved a large farm here, and erected a large frame barn. He still resides upon the place. Mrs. Hills died Feb. 12, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Hills were among the first members of the M. E. Church at Albany. They had one child- IIelen, now the wife of William H. Hudson.

The second hotel was built in 1850, by J. B. Perry and Aaron Kellogg. It was located on lot 3, block 19. When first opened, it was known as the "Green County House," and J. B. Perry was the accommodating landlord. In August, 1853, Z. Warren purchased the prop- erty and it was used as a dwelling until 1879, when William Hayden bought the same and again opened it as a hotel. The building was enlarged and neatly refitted in 1882, and in 1884 it was owned by Peter Benston. It is known as the "Central House" and is an excel- lent place to stop at.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.

The water power furnished by Sugar river at this point was purchased from the government by James Campbell and Thomas Stewart. From them it passed to Dr. S. F. Nichols and E. O. Pond, in 1846, and the following year these gentlemen improved the power. During the fall of 1847 they erected a saw mill, putting in one of the old fashioned sash saws, and thus for several years furnished the settlers with Ium- ber. In 1848 Z. Warren purchased an interest in the water power and during the winter fol,

684

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

lowing erected the first grist mill. The mill used three run of stone and was operated as a custom mill by Mr. Warren until his death in 1854. After this it was owned by his heirs until washed away by the flood of 1867. After the flood the property was purchased by E. F. Warren and C. W. Tomkins. These gentle- men rebuilt the mill, and in 1881, enlarged the same, so that it is now 30x74 feet in size, two and a half stories high. It has three run of stone and is equipped with all modern machinery for doing first-class work. It is still owned by Warren & Tomkins, who operate it as a custom and merchant mill.

Charles W. Tomkins, manager of the Albany flour mills, of which he is a one-half owner, is a native of Ireland, born in county Wicklow, Feb. 29, 1832. His father was the owner of a flour mill in which the subject of this sketch went to work as soon as large enough to be of assistance, and continued to work until he was eighteen years old, when he came to America. He first located at Janesville, where he engaged at his trade until 1852, when he came to Al- bany, where he had been previously engaged by Zabina Warren to operate his mill. In 1853 he went to Jo Daviess Co., Ill., and lived one year, then returned and engaged again in the Warren mill, which he continued to operate until 1860, when he rented the "Kellogg mill" and operated that on shares two years, then again returned to the Warren mill and run it until it was washed away in 1867. In 1868 the firm of Warren, Tomkins & Erole was formed, and the present mill was built, and has since been under the supervision of Mr. Tomkins, who bought Erole's interest in 1879,since which time the firm name of Warren & Tomkins was adopted, and has secured for it an enviable repu- tation. He was married in 1860, to Lucy A. Hoyt, from the State of Maine. They have had three children born to them-Estella, War- ren and Arthur. The former, Estella, was the only daughter, she was born in 1861 and died in 1873.

· The second grist mill was erected in 1857 by T. Kellogg, and was located on the west side of the river. This mill was 40x60 feet in size and used three run of buhrs. Mr. Kellogg owned the mill about ten years then sold to William Nye and J. Montgomery, who, in 1877, removed the machinery and sold the building and water privilege to the Albany Woolen Manufacturing Company. This company put in the necessary machinery and established the "Albany Woolen Mills." In 1881 E. F. War- ren, then superintendent, purchased the proper- ty and has since operated the same. The line of goods manufactured embraces flannels, blank- ets, yarns and skirts. The mill furnishes em- ployment to about eighteen operatives.

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 94

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