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 98

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 98

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until 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Peckham were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom are now living-Sally W., who was born in Rensselaer county; Rhoda D., John F., Nelson A., Win- field S. and Ada, born in Oneida county; Joshna, Obadiah, Lucy J., Polly R., and Halsey, born in Chautauqua county.

Winfield S. Peckham was born March 19, 1829. He made his home with his parents un- til 1849, then started for the Territory of Wis- consin. He stopped near Milwaukee, where he worked four years at the cooper's trade, then in 1853, came to Albany and purchased eighty

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

acres of land on section 35, which he improved and also worked at his trade. He was joined in marriage, Jan. 1, 1862, to Eleanor Bailey, widow of Merritt Turner. She was born in Luzerne Co., Penn. He erected a small frame house on his land, in which they lived one year. He then purchased eighty acres of land on sec- tion 27, and removed to it. Since 1866 he has occupied the homestead, where he has erected good buildings, including hog and stock barns. Being a natural mechanic he did the work him- self. He has a shop upon the place, which is furnished with the necessary tools for doing wood and iron work. His farm now contains 500 acres, all under fence. Mr. and Mrs. Peck- ham have two children-George T. and Lydia M.

Judson M. Purinton, son of David H. and Chastina (Messinger) Purinton, was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Nov. 20, 1829. When he was fifteen years old his parents emigrated to the Territory of Wisconsin and settled in Wan- kesha county where they remained two years, then came to Green county. The subject of this sketch, however, remained in Waukesha county until 1851. In that year he came to this county and purchased land on section 4, where he erected a log house and immediately com- menced to make improvements. He was mar- ried in 1854, to Isabella, daughter of Sylvester and Hannah (Sutherland) Hills. She died in 1856, leaving one son, Sylvester. Mr. Purin- ton was again married in 1857, to Chloe Hills, a sister of his first wife. Seven children blessed this union, four of whom are now living - David, Edith, Amy and Agnes. Mr. Purinton was killed by lightning, Feb. 27, 1876. He was an industrious man and had improved a good farm and erected a comfortable frame house, thus leaving his family in comfortable circum- stances. Since his death, his son David has successfully managed the farm.

Ole Gilbertson an early settler in the town of Albany, was born in Norway, in 1796. He was reared to agricultural pursuits in his native country. He was the oldest son of his parents,

and at his father's death inherited his farm. He was married in 1817, and in 1827, his wife died, leaving four children. He was again mar- ried in 1828. In 1851 he sold his farm in Norway, and in the spring of 1852,started for America with his wife and eleven children. With them came seventeen of his neighbors, whose passage he assisted in paying. They took passage in the sailing vessel, Fedrenesminde, at the port of Holmestrard, and landed at Quebec after a voy- age of six weeks and three days. They remained a short time at Quebec, then took passage on a steamer up the St. Lawrence river to Niagara, thence by land to Buffalo, where they shipped to Detroit, thence by rail to Chicago and to Milwaukee by water. There he hired teams to take the family overland to Green county, while the men followed on foot. He bronght with him from the old country a wagon and harness which were curiosities to the natives here. He purchased land on sections 8 and 9, bought stock and made preparations to open a farm, but the climate did not agree with him, and his health continued to fail until he died in 1854. Of his first wife's children, three are now living-Gul- brand, Elling and Thorra. His second wife is still living, and also eight of her children- Jacob, Ole, Thorra, Andreas, Bertha, Anne, Ka- rine, Anton and Johan.

Ole Gilbertson, Jr., son of Ole Gilbertson, one of the pioneers of Albany, was born in Nor- way, July 25, 1833. He received a common school education, and was nineteen years old when he came with his parents to America. He was married on the 12th of October, soon after his arrival here, to Guri Brondbakke, who was born in Norway, Dec. 16, 1832. He bought land in company with his brother-in-law on sections 8 and 16 and began housekeeping in a log cabin, which was partially furnished with home-made furniture. This humble abode was their home until 1864, when he erected a good frame house. In 1868 he built a good frame barn. He has engaged in raising grain and stock, including cattle, sheep, horses and hogs. He has been

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

prominent in town affairs, and has served as justice of the peace and member of the board of supervisors. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson are the parents of seven children -- Guri, Ole, Beret, Simen, Tonetta, Johanus and Hans Oscar.

Sampson Tilley, Sr., was a native of Shrop- shire, England, born in 1796. He was reared upon a farm, and married to Martha Hintz, also a native of Shropshire. Nine children blessed their union, four of whom are now living -- Sampson, Edward, Martha and Mary. In 1852 he left England and came to America and set- tled at Albany, Green Co., Wis., where he re- sided until his death in 1862. Mrs. Tilley died in 1859.

Sampson Tilley, Jr., was born in Shropshire, England, March 31, 1830. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to a wagon maker to learn the trade. He served five years, then worked as journeyman until 1852. In that year he came to America and located in the village of Albany where he opened a shop and has continued in the business since that time. He was married in 1859 to Eliza Tompkins, who died Dec.25,1869.

Edward Tilley was born in Shropshire in 1833. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and came to America with his parents. He en- gaged with his brother to learn the trade of wagon maker, and has been associated with him since. He owns land which he works during the summer season. He was married in 1854 to Elizabeth Williams. The have two children-Belle and Fanny.

John Wood, one of the pioneers of Green county, was born in the city of Philadelphia Feb. 13, 1818. When he was quite young his parents moved to Northampton county, and lived a short time, then moved to Center county and remained until fifteen years of age, then moved to Preble Co., Ohio. There Mr. Wood was employed on public works for some time. When sixteen years old he took a contract to grade on a turnpike from Hamilton City to Eaton, a distance of twenty-four miles. It was

in 1839 that he first came to Wisconsin and located in Green county. He first engaged in the lead mines for six months, near Monroe, then engaged with Vansant, Deniston & Irion to operate their saw mill, and continued in their employ three years, then went to Browntown, and in company with William Brown and Hen- son Irion, erected a saw mill. He was married in 1844 to Clarissa, daughter of Joshua and Hannah (Whitcomb) Wood. In 1850, he left his family at Mr. Whitcomb's and went to California across the plains, and was about five months on the trip. Upon his arrival, he en- gaged in mining. In 1852 he sent home money, and his people purchased a tract of land on sec- tion 31, Albany township. He continued to mine in California until 1856, then started on his return, not across the plains, but across the Isthmus, thence to New York. On his arrival here he settled on his land on section 31, and now has the place in a good state of cultivation, and is engaged in mixed farming. Mrs. Wood died in 1865, leaving seven children, six of whom are now living-Robert Emmett, John Q., Flora A., Anson C., Joshua W. and Frank. His second wife, to whom he was married in 1868, was Jane Miller, widow of John Bell. For- merly Mr. Wood was a whig, but became a re- publican upon the organization of that party. Religiously, he has no settled belief.

James W. Carver came to Green county in 1853, and purchased a tract of unimproved land on Jordan prairie, town of Decatur, for which he paid $450. He broke and fenced about twelve acres, built a log cabin, raised one crop and then sold out for $800, and went to Mount Pleasant, where he purchased eighty-two acres, raised one crop, then sold that at an advance of $60, and returned to Jordan prairie, and bought land. Sickness and bad luck generally had so depleted his purse, that for this land he was obliged to go in debt. A failure of the first crop, upon which so much depended, was dis- astrous, and instead of selling out at an advance as heretofore, he lost the whole thing, and was

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in debt besides. Then with characteristic en- ergy and pluck, he rented land, went to work, raised a good crop and paid off his obligations. In 1859, he went to Iowa, and settled in Linn county, where he had previously bought ninety acres of land. This place he had tried to sell, but could not do so to any advantage, so con- cluded to improve it. He enlisted Ang. 5, 1862, in the 20th Iowa, company I. During the same month he was elected 2d lieuten- ant, and went to St. Louis, thence through the State of Missouri to Arkansas in pursuit of Gen. Price and his command. The roads were rough and the march almost continuous, with nu- merous skirmishes from time to time on the route. On the 7th of December they participated in the battle of " Prairie Grove," Arkansas, where he was wounded. His haversack was probably the means of saving his life, the bullet passing through it, thus breaking its force. The regi- ment remained in Missouri and Arkansas until May, 1863, then went to Vieksburg, and partici- pated in the siege and capture of that eity, then went to Texas to operate with Banks, on his Red River expedition, remaining there eleven months, then went to Alabama and participated in the siege of Forts Morgan and Gaines, then returned to Arkansas again, pursued Gen. Price, and remained there three or four months. They then went to the Peninsula of Florida, thence to Alabama, and engaged in the siege and capture of Fort Blakely. He served until after the close of the war, and was honorably discharged July 26, 1865, and joined his family in Albany. In 1867, he bought a farm on Jor- dan prairie for $3,000, and lived there nntil 1873 when he purchased a place on section 31, town of Albany, for which he paid $11,000. In 1875, he sold his Jordan prairie farm for $4,500. He lived on section 31 until 1883, when he rented the farm and bought a place in the village of Albany, which is his present home. In Feb- ruary, 1884, he sold his farm for $16,000. He was married Jan. 11, 1853, to Almira, daughter of Zebulon and Rebecca (Burt) Sutton, who

was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio. They have four children living-Thomas M., Julius II., Addie May and Carrie R. One child, Alice M., died in 1863. In 1852, Mr. Carver voted for John P. Hale, subsequently he voted with the republican party, and affiliated with that organ- ization until 1883. He still adheres to the principles of the republican party, but is a strong prohibitionist, and will vote for the in- terests of that principle. Mr. and Mrs. Carver are members of the Baptist Church.

Zebolon Sutton settled in the town of Albany in 1853. He purchased at that time a traet of land on section 3], and built a frame house upon it, for which he brought the lumber from Sauk City, and did the work himself. He was born in Washington Co., Penn., Oct. 14, 1801. His early life was spent in his native county. When eighteen years old he was apprenticed to learn the cabinet maker's trade. After serving three years he returned to his home and opened a shop, and did custom work five years, then re- moved to Cornersburg, Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1828. On Jan. 24, 1831, he was appointed postmaster of the place, and ran his shop and office till 1838, at which time he sold out, re- signed his office and moved to Delaware county, remaining there until 1853. He then came to Green Co., Wis., where he now lives in the en- joyment of good health and plenty to eat. Since coming to Green county he has devoted his time principally to agricultural pursuits. He has since resided on section 31, where he at first settled. At his trade he is a skillful work- man, and has in his house some fine specimens of his handiwork, done since he was eighty years old, and without the aid of glasses, as his eyesight has not yet failed. He is also able to read and write without glasses. He was mar- ried in 1827 to Rebecca Burt, who was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn , May 27, 1807. They have three children living-Almira, George and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton have been mar- ried fifty-seven years, and are in the enjoyment of good health and in possession of good mind

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and memory. On the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage their friends and relatives, to the number of eighty-two, gathered at their residence to congratulate them on their long and happy wedded life, and on their departure left many valuable tokens of their respect and es- teem. Their son, George, was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, Sept. 9, 1835, and came to Wisconsin with his parents, with whom he made his home until 1870. He then went to Kansas and settled in Pottawattamie county, and remained until 1876, when he returned to Albany, where his wife died in 1880. He now lives with his par- ents and carries on the farm.

Jacob Abley was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, in February, 1823. He attended school until sixteen years of age, and was then employed in farming. In 1847 he came to America and settled in Montgomery Co., N. Y., where he engaged in farming four years. He then went to work at the carpenter and joiner's trade, at which he was employed two years, then came west to Indianą and spent eighteen months in Lafayette, working at carpentering. In 1854 he came to Monticello, Green county, and worked on the mill there one winter. He continued to work at his trade in different parts of the county until 1860, when he bought land on section 30, of the town of Albany, upon which was some slight improvement, consisting of forty acres broken and a log house,in which he lived seven years, then built a commodious brick house. He has since erected a frame barn and other farm buildings. He owns 180 acres of land. He was married in 1859 to Angeline Meinert, and they have six children-Maria, Cassie, Lizzie, Ida, Willie and Vena.

Even Kittelson Lee came to Green county in 1854, and purchased a farm on sections 5 and 8. There was a log house standing upon the place, into which he moved and lived for a time. He then built a more substantial one, which was his home for a number of years when he erected a good frame house, which he still occupies. He was born in Norway, in 1810, and spent his

early life upon a farm. He was married to Aaste Olson Falkestad. They remained in Norway until 1854. They then decided to emi- grate to America, where some of his relatives had preceded them. They embarked in a sail- ing vessel and arrived in Quebec after a voyage of six weeks and three days. From Quebec they traveled by water and rail to Beloit, where they hired a team to complete their journey to Green county. He had a brother living in the town of Decatur, with whom they stopped. His brother Ole was living in Albany, and came to Decatur with an ox team and conveyed them to their new home. They have three children- Ole E., Halvor and Even.

Ole E. Kittelson was born in Norway, April 17, 1841, and was thirteen years old when he came with his parents to America. He grew to manhood in the town of Albany, and received a good education in the public schools. At the age of twenty-three he went to Chicago, and was there employed to drive a carriage for a private family. He there made the acquaint- ance of Randena Anderson, to whom he was married. She was a native of Norway, but came to this country when six months old. Her parents were early settlers in the town of Greenwood, McHenry Co., Ill., where they still reside. After an absence of three years, Mr. Kittelson returned. to Albany and settled on a farm that he had purchased in company with a brother, two years previously. He located on section 6, where he has erected a comfortable frame house and now owns 140 acres of land, and has sixty-five acres in a good state of culti- vation. Mr. and Mrs. Kittelson are the parents of seven children-Charles Edwin, Anna O., Augusta M., Olen B., Carrie M., Andrew A. and Ingelbert R.

Lewis Comstock settled in Green county in 1854, at which time he purchased a tract of land on section 4, town of Albany, but as there was no improvement there, he rented a farm one year in the town of Brooklyn, on section 33. During that year, he built a small log cabin on

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

his place and broke up and farmed ten acres. In the spring of 1855 he erected a frame house and settled on the place. He has, at the present time, eighty-five acres improved and fenced. Ile also has seventy-two acres on section 2, meadow and pasture land. In 1865 he erected a more commodious frame house, which he now occupies. He is a native of the "Old Bay State," born at Williamstown, Berkshire county, Sept. 23, 1825. When he was seventeen years old he went to York State and found employ- ment on a farm in Herkimer county, remaining there until 1850, when he came to Wisconsin and spent four years in Waukesha and Wal- worth counties. In 1854 he came to this county, as before stated. He was married March 19, 1846, to Louisa Cross, who was born in Fulton Co., N. Y., in March, 1826.

William Lewis came to Green county in 1860, and lived for a time with his father-in-law on section 12, Albany township. He there pur- chased eighty acres of unimproved land on sec- tion 14, erected a frame house and commenced improvements. He now has the greater part of this land in good condition and under fence, has built a good frame barn for stock and purchased other land until he has 160 acres in his farm. He is a native of Wales, born in the parish of Lanyre, Radnorshire, July 30, 1839, and was there reared on a farm. He was married May 6, 1857, to Mary, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Boundford) Lloyd. They remained in Wales until 1860, then, in company with Mr. Lloyd and his family, came to America to seek a home and settled in the town of Albany, as before stated. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of six children, now living-Eliza A., John L., Mancel W., Mary J., Maud E. and Edwin T. A son, William T., died when four years old, and one child died in infancy.

John A. Hahn, custom boot and shoe maker at Albany, established business here in 1855, and has carried it on continually since that time, also dealer in hides, pelts and raw furs. He is a native of France, born Feb. 20, 1833.

Ile attended school until fourteen years old. He was then apprenticed to a boot and shoe maker to learn the trade, and served eighteen months. He then went to Paris and did jour- neyman work two years. From there he went to Lyons, worked at his trade there and in other places until 1853, when he left his native land and came to America. He landed at New York and worked at his trade in the city three months, then went to Chicago and worked at his trade there one year, then went to Milwaukee and worked nine months. From there he went to Janesville and spent three months, then in July, 1855, he came to Albany and established himself in business, as before stated. He was married in Milwaukee, in 1854, to Teresa Nipower, a native of Bavaria. Two children blessed this union-Katie and William J. Mr. Hahn has been successful in 4 his business. By honest dealing and good work, he has merited and received a good pat- ronage. In 1856 he was unable to purchase a house and lot. But in 1884 he was the owner of seven dwelling houses in Albany, besides his commodious shop. Like many other inhab- itants of the village, he suffered from the fire in November, 1883, losing at that time his store building and his shop, including stock and tools.

Harlow T. Boughton came to Green county with his parents in 1855. He continued to re- side with them in the town of Spring Grove until 1862. In August of that year he enlisted in company K, of the 22d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went south, joined the army of the Tennessee, and participated in the battles of Spring Hill and Brentwood Station. At the latter place he was taken prisoner and conveyed to Libby Prison. After thirty days he was ex- changed, and joined his command at Nashville, Tenn., and from there went to Chattanooga and started for Atlanta, participating in the many engagements on the way. He was wounded at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, July 22, 1864, and sent to the hospital at Lookout Mountain,

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and then to Nashville. He joined the command again as soon as able, and went to Hilton Head, thence to Charleston, S. C., his command being the first to enter that city. From there they pushed on to Raleigh, where they joined Sher- man's army and with it went to Washington, attended the grand review with the regiment, and was dischared in Milwaukee in June, 1865, and returned to his home. He was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in January, 1837, and remained there with his parents until 1855, when, as before stated, he came to Green coun- ty. He was married in the fall of 1865 to Sarah, daughter of Zebulon and Rebecca (Burt) Sutton, pioneers of Green county. They have one child-Harvey. In the spring of 1866 Mr. Boughton rented a farm in the town of Sylves- ter, where he lived four years, then bought his present farm on section 31, of the town of Albany. He has the land well improved, and has erected a fine house and barn.

Harry Van Wart, Sr., son of Bishop and Lydia Van Wart, was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Jan. 10, 1830. His father was a native of Rensselaer Co., N. Y., and went to Chautauqua county when a young man. He was married there to Lydia Gordanier, who was born in Jef- ferson county, of the same State. He purchased land of the Holland Purchase Company, upon which he settled and lived until 1844, then, tak- ing his wife and family of eight children, started with a pair of horses and wagon for the Ter- ritory of Wisconsin. They took their cooking utensils with them and camped out on the road, and were thirty days in reaching Janesville, Wis. It was in the fall of the year, and they spent the following winter four miles north of Janesville. In 1845 he rented land of Lovewell Warren, in the town of Center, Rock county, and in 1846 bought land in the town of Porter, where he improved a farm and resided until the time of his death. His wife also died there. Of eleven children born to them, four are now living-Harry, David, Orrilla and Newton. Harry resided with his parents until

1852, then started for California overland with a team, and was four months in reaching his des tination. He was employed by the California Stage Company until November, 1854. He then returned to Wisconsin by way of the Isthmus and New York city. He was married Jan. 10, 1855, to Lucy Schofield, a native of Erie Co., N. Y., born April 18, 1832. They lived in Janesville one year, then removed to Albany, where he engaged in the livery business until 1859. He then took his stock of horses to Cal- ifornia and sold them in Sacramento. He im- mediately returned to Albany and engaged in keeping a board and feed stable in connection with the American (now Nichols) Honse. He continued here but a few months, and in 1860 went to Rock county and leased the old Ball Tavern one year, then engaged in farming one year. In 1862 he went to Mitchell Co., Iowa, and bought land in the town of St. Ansgar. There he improved a farm and resided three years, then again returned to Albany, purchased village property and has continued to reside here since. Mrs. Van Wart died Sept. 29, 187), leaving four children-Kasie May, Annie, Bessie and Helen. Mr. Van Wart was again married April 23, 1875, to Louisa Hamilton, a native of New York city.

Albert L., son of Ephraim and Mary (Treaster) Berryman, was born in Stephenson Co., Ill., Dec. 14, 1851. He was six years old when his parents came to Green county and settled in the town of Sylvester, where his younger days were spent. He obtained his education in the dis- trict school. Feb. 8, 1877, he was married to Ida A., daughter of Jacob and Eliza (James) Hammond. The following spring he rented a farm in the town of Clarno, where they lived one year, then removed to the homestead in Sylvester and remained one year. Hle then rented a farm in the town of Mount Pleasant, upon which they lived until 1883, when he pur- chased his present farm, the west half of the southeast quarter of section 20, and the west half of the northeast quarter of section 29,

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township 3, range 9 east, containing 160 acres, in the town of Albany, near the village. He has the land well improved and good frame buildings. They have two children-Gertie M. and Stella E.

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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 98

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