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 99

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 99

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Richard Glennan was an early settler in the town of Stark, Vernon county, having entered land at the month of Otter creek in 1854. He erected a log cabin there, and assisted in the organization of the town in 1856, and was its first town superintendent of schools. He also surveyed the village of Viola, in Richland coun- ty. In 1857 he traded for land in the town of Forest, Richland county, and during the winter of 1857-8, taught school near the county line, being the first school in that section of country. In the spring of 1858, he sold his land in Richland county and came to Green county and located in the village of Albany. He bought a carding ma- chine, the first ever operated in the town, which he set up in a small building near the saw mill, running it by water power. The next year he put the machine into the Kellogg flour mill, where he operated it one year. He then sold it. In 1860 he went to Cedarville, Stephenson Co., Ill., and in partnership with J. F. Jackson, set up a woolen mill, the first one in the county. In the spring of 1861, he sold his interest there, and went to Belleville and operated a carding machine until the fall of 1863. He then en- listed in battery D., Ist Wisconsin Heavy Ar- tillery, and served until the close of the war. He was discharged Aug. 30, 1865, having been stationed at Fort Jackson, La., and at Brashear and Fort Berwick, the greater part of the time. In 1866, he helped to start a woolen mill in the town of Adams, Green county. He was em- ployed there until the spring of 1867, when he sold his interest, and accepted a position as clerk in the surgeon general's office at Wash- ington, where he remained three years, then returned to Albany. Since that time he has followed his trade, in different places. In 1878 he assisted in starting the Albany woolen mills, of which he has since had charge. He was

born in county Meath, Ireland, Dec. 25, 1823, and when four years old, came to America with his parents, who located at Rochester, N. Y. When quite a young man, he went to work in a woolen mill and learned his trade. He lived in the State of New York, until 1850, then went to Springfield, Ill., where he remained a short time. In the spring of 1851, he engaged in a woolen mill at Beloit, and worked there one and a half years. During the winter of 1852-3 he taught school at Spring Grove, and the follow- ing winter, taught in Waukesha county. He was married, in 1852, to Cynthia Jenks, a native of Erie Co., N. Y. They have five children- George, Emma, Sarah, Mary and Richard. George is a young man of good education and possessed of superior talent and ability.

Thomas Lloyd settled in Green county in 1860. He purchased at that time, the north half of the northeast quarter, and the southwest quarter of the north west quarter, of section 12, in the town of Albany. A portion of the land was improved and there was a log cabin on it. He commenced making farther improvements, but the climate did not agree with him and his health failed in consequence. He died Dec. 28, 1863. He was a native of Wales, born in 1815, and was married, in 1841, to Jane Bound- ford. He rented land and engaged in farming in his native country until 1860, then with his wife and family emigrated to America. They made the voyage in a sailing vessel and were five weeks and three days in reaching New York city. They came directly to Wisconsin and settled, as before stated, in the town of Albany. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd had ten children -Mary, Jane, Martha, Thomas, James, William, Elizabeth, Sarah, Joseph and Edwin T. Their oldest son, Thomas, was eighteen years old at the time of his father's death, and for two years, took charge of the farm. James now manages the farm successfully. The land is well im- proved and fenced, and the log cabin has been replaced by a neat frame house.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Rev. Edward J. Meredith was born in north Wales, March 7, 1833, where he grew to man- hood and was brought up on a farm. In June, 1853, he enlisted in the British service, and served five years in the Scotch Fusileer Guards. He was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment. Ile was drill ser- geant the first four years, and the last year was color sergeant. After his discharge he opened a store in Newtown, Montgomeryshire, north Wales, and was in trade until 1865 when he sold out and came to America, locating at Albany, Green county and engaging in the shoe business. In 1867 he bought land on section 2, south west quarter, where he settled and engaged in farm- ing. He joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church in 1855, and commenced preaching during the same year. In 1866 he joined the M. E. Church at Albany and commenced preaching for that denomination, since that time up to Feb. 26, 1884, he has officiated at 179 funerals in Green county, including people of all denominations. He is now a local preacher of the M. E. Church and resides at Albany. He was married in 1852 to Mary Evans. Eight children have been born to them-Mary A., Jane, Edwin, Polly, Thomas, James, Annie and Rosa B. Mary A. died in Wales; James died in Brooklyn. All were born in Wales but Anna and Rosa B.

William John Way was born in Summit Co., Ohio, Jan. 31, 1847. When two years of age his mother died and he was adopted by Timothy Mills, who soon after removed to Marquette Co., Wis. There he grew to manhood, being edu- cated in the public schools. He enlisted in the 7th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and joined the army of the Potomac. He lost his left arm in the battle of the Wilderness. He was discharged from service on account of disability and returned to his home in Marquette county. In May, 1868, he was married to Martha J. Law- rence, born in Onondaga Co., N. Y. They made their home in Marquette for one year, and then removed to Indiana. They remained there six months. He then spent six months in

Milwaukee at the soldier's home, where he was under medical treatment. In 1869 he came to Albany and located about a mile north of the village, remaining there three years. He then removed to the village, living there until the time of his death, which occurred on -Feb. 27, 1876. Mrs. Way purchased a residence in the new addition to Albany, which is an excellent location. She occupies this residence, but still retains the old home. She has an adopted daughter-Etta.

John J. Putnam, one of the pioneers of Green county, was born in Hampshire county, in what is now West Virginia, July 3, 1801. He grew to manhood in his native State, being reared to agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1823 to Mary Magdaline Fleck, a native of the same county, born July 7, 1803. In 1825 they went to Ohio, and lived a short time in Lancaster, Fairfield county, then removed to Athens county and purchased timber land and cleared a farm. In 1832, he sold out and moved to Licking county, where he bought land and cleared two farms. He made his home there until 1849, then sold and again started for a new country, taking his family, which consisted of his wife and six children, with two teams of horses, and bringing a portion of their household goods with them, and shipping the remainder to Mil- waukee. They arrived in Green county after twenty-five days travel, and settled in Sylvester upon land which he had purchased the previous year. They lived there but a short time, and re- moved to another tract of land which he had also purchased previously. It was located in the town of Decatur, where he opened a farm of 300 acres, and erected good buildings and made his home until the time of his death, which occurred in 1856. His wife died in 1876. They left a family of seven children, all of whom are now living-Hiram D., Ann E., John J., Oliver S., Olive E., Henry C. and Vir- ginia. The last named was born in Green county, where they are all living at present, except John J., who lives at Fort Worth, Texas.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Hiram D. Putnam was born in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, May 31, 1826. He assisted his father in clearing the land, and tilling the soil. Taking advantage of such opportunities as offered, he obtained a good education. He came to Wisconsin with his parents, where he en- gaged in teaching school winters and farming the remainder of the year. He was married Dec. 18, 1856, to Sarah Cannet, who was born in Licking Co., Ohio. They settled upon land that he had previously bought, on section 4, of the town of Decatur, where he improved a farm of 400 acres, 155 of which is on section 33, town of Albany. In 1871 he came to Albany and purchased land which is within the village limits, on which he built the fine brick residence he now occupies. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam are the parents of three children-Charles W., Lutie V. and John H. The sons, Charles W. and John H. carry on the farm. Upon the place is a large spring, which was in early times called "Indian spring," from the fact that near- ly all the farm was formerly an Indian camp- ing ground. About four rods west of the spring are five mounds, near which are traces of an Indian burial ground. The bottom lands were their corn field. Many relics have been picked up here.

Samuel Mitchell removed from Boone Co., Ill., to Green Co., Wis., in the spring of 1842. He made a claim on the southwest quarter of section 29, which, a few months later he sold and bought the west half of the northwest quarter of section 23, and entered the east half of the same quarter, also the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 28. He erected a log cabin near the spring, and broke some of the land. In 1844 he went to the pineries at Little Bull Falls, where he engaged in lumbering, and kept tavern awhile, then went to Warsaw, where he was also engaged in lumbering and hotel keeping. He remained in the pineries fifteen years, with the exception of one summer. He then returned and settled in Green county, upon his land. Ile afterwards

erected a brick house upon the farm, which he occupied until 1874. He then rented the place and removed to Albany and bought the Green County House, and occupied that one year, then removed to Clark Co., Iowa, where he bought land and improved a farm, upon which he lived three years, then rented, and returned to Al- bany. Soon after he traded his Iowa farm for a farm on sections 4 and 5 of Decatur. He also sold the Green County House and bought a lot near by, to which he moved a frame house from his farm. He has since made this his home. He was born in Fayette Co., Penn., Jan. 15, 1816. He spent his younger days upon a farm in his native State. When he was twenty . years old, his parents removed to Indiana and set- tled in Fountain county. He remained with them until 1838, when he was married to Jane Frazier, a native of Pickaway county, born in 1814. They lived in Fountain county until 1839, then removed to Boone Co., Ill., where they re- mained until 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have two children-Thomas and James.

Thomas Mitchell was born in Boone Co., Ill., March 19, 1841, and was one year old when he came with his parents, to Green county. He resided with them until 1868, when he was married to Lura West, better known as Ida Pond. He had purchased the Campbell farm on section 32, which was the first place settled in the town of Albany. Here he settled and en- gaged in raising grain and stock, and later, in the dairy business. In 1881 he rented the farm and moved to Albany, where he bought village property and erected a nice frame house which he now occupies. In 1882 he engaged in the lumber business and also deals in coal and wood. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are the parents of two children-Jennie and Louie.

Henry Brockway, station agent at Albany of the C. M. & St. P. R .. R., was born at Milan, Erie Co., Ohio, June 4, 1846, where in his youth he attended the public schools. When he was eleven years old he went with his parents to Wisconsin and located at Palmyra, Jefferson

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY,

717

county. In 1862 he entered the United States service as teamster, went south and served the government in that capacity one year. In Au- gust, 1863, he enlisted in company B, Ist Wis- consin Heavy Artillery, and went to Forts Jones and Terrill, at Munfordville, on the Green river, Kentucky, and performed garrison duty one year. His company was detached from the regiment and went in pursuit of Morgan, having frequent skirmisbes with that notable band in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. He was discharged with the company at Fort Clay,

Lexington,Ky., in September, 1865, and returned home. Soon afterwards he commenced the study of telegraphy in the railroad station, at Whitewater, and since that time has been in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. He has had charge of the telegraph office at Whitewater, Madison, Bosco- bel, Monroe and other places. He went to Mon- roe in 1878, and remained until 1883, when he came to Albany. He was married in 1868 to Lydia A. Barlow. They have three children- James F., William H. and Ada A.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXIX.

TOWN OF BROOKLYN.

The town of Brooklyn forms the northeast- ern corner of Green county, comprising con- gressional township 4 north, range 9 east, and the north half of section 6, township 3 north, range 9 east, of the fourth principal meridian. Dane county bounds the town of Brooklyn on the north. Rock lies adjacent to the east, while to the west and south lie the towns of Exeter and Albany. The surface of this town is gently undulating, except along some of the small streams where it is low and flat. The soil on the uplands is a sandy loam, mixed with decayed vegetable matter ; on the prairie it is a rich dark loam ; and on the low lands it is of a black mucky nature. There is an abundance of natural timber in nearly all parts of the town. Sugar river, the principal stream, enters the town by way of the northwest corner of section 30, and flows in a southerly direction to enter the town of Albany. At the present day the inhabitants are principally American born, but there is a large foreign element, among which the Irish predominate. As a class, the inhabitants are very intelligent and industrious, and have made many valuable im- provements. Fine farm houses and large sub- stantial barns are found on every hand, show. ing that the citizens are proud of their homes, and wish to have them surrounded with all the comforts of the best social life.

The assessment rolls show that the town of Brooklyn has 22,895 acres of farming lands, as- sessed at $14 per acre. The total valuation of real and personal property was.8459,984. In 1880 the population of the town was 1,176.

The principal farm products grown in the town during the year 1882 were as follows : 822 bush- els wheat ; 82,475 bushels corn ; 58,945 bushels oats ; 7,172 bushels potatoes ; 3,015 bushels apples ; 13 bushels clover seed ; 36,300 pounds tobacco ; 1,530 tons hay ; 33,070 pounds butter; 18,800 pounds cheese. The acreage growing in the town at the time of making the annual as- sessments for the year 1883, was as follows : 74 acres wheat ; 2,495 acres corn ; 2,135 acres oats ; 2 acres barley ; 44 acres rye ; 83 acres po- tatoes ; 78 acres apple orchard ; 3,183 bearing trees ; 30 acres tobacco; 1,809 acres grass ; 3,877 acres growing timber. There were 814 milch cows in the town, valued at $26,420. The live stock in the town was as follows : 648 horses, average value $54.69, total $35,440 ; 1,755 head cattle, average value $15.05, total $26,419 ; 2 mules, value $120; 2,645 sheep, average value $1.99, total $5,278; 2,048 swine, average value $4.87, total $9,992.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The honor of being the first settler in the territory which now comprises this town be- longs to W. W. McLanghlin. He was born near Urbana, Ohio, in 1807, and was converted and joined the M. E. Church when sixteen years of age. He united in marriage with Sarah Robinson in 1830 ; went to La Porte Co., Ind., in 1836, and, in 1838, married as a second wife. Emily Hazletine. In the fall of 1842, he came to the Territory of Wisconsin and settled on the south half of section 3, township 4 north, range 9 east, of the fourth principal meridian, now in the town of Brooklyn. Here he resided

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

until his death, April 2, 1877. The winter of 1842-3 was very severe and is known among old settlers as the "hard winter." Mr. Mc- Laughlin moved into his log cabin about the Ist of November, and on the 6th inst., winter began with a fall of six inches of snow, and continued until the 23d of April following. During this long and severe winter, he strug- gled with great difficulties and hardships, drawing straw fifteen miles. Out of a stock of thirty-four head of cattle, he had but few left, and an entire flock of sheep perished before spring. Such hardships as he endured would now appall the stoutest heart. During the fol- lowing spring he organized the first Methodist class in the neighborhood-there being neigh- bors in the adjoining counties. The meetings were held at his house, and he was the leader for many years. During the Civil War he was active and efficient in raising men, thereby avoiding drafts on the town for soldiers. He twice represented his district in the assembly, and often held town offices. In all positions he acquitted himself with credit. He was never known to use a profane word.

J. F. Egglestone was born in Oxfordshire, England, June 2, 1799. He emigrated to the United States in 1838, arriving in Milwaukee, Wis., in May. He was a stone mason by trade and worked on the capitol building in Madison for a short time, but not liking the wild-cat money with which he was paid, he left there and returned to Milwaukee, where he worked on the light house for a short time. He and his brother then erected a light house at Racine, Wis. He then removed to Waukesha, where he and his brother had each taken a claim of 160 acres of land. He there worked at his trade, during which time he took a contract to built a school house, which was the first erected in the town. He afterwards sold his farm, and in September, 1841, removed to Exeter, Green county. He was soon after appointed by the county board to open up a road from Rock county to Exeter. He served as road supervi-

sor for two years, and took his pay in county orders. In 1844 he removed to the farm he now owns. He has 235 acres, well stocked, and also has good buildings. He was married to Jane Gomm, in June, 1820. She died Feb. 19, 1857, leaving eight children, five of whom have since died. He was married to Alice Brombert, Oct. 18, 1859. For a man of his age, he has most excellent health. When he first removed to this county, it was no uncommon sight to see deer and wolves every day.

Leonard Doolittle came into the county in 1843. He was a young man, and being poor, worked at whatever he found to do. As soon as he had earned a little money, he entered eighty acres of land on section 10, in this town, and in 1845, had some breaking done. He also made a claim on section 10, on which, assisted by his brother Ezra, he erected a good hewed log house in 1846. But as he was absent from home for a short time, his claim was "jumped" and entered by Daniel Northrup. Mr. Doolit- tle then erected a frame house on his own land, united in marriage with Adaline Simmons, of Dane county, and followed farming in this town until 1855. He then removed to Lake Co., Ill., where he has since become a promi- nent and well-to-do farmer.

Charles Sutherland settled on section 1, in 1844, and was there engaged in farming for about ten years. He was afterwards engaged in a general mercantile business in Rock county, but finally returned to the State of Illinois, where he had formerly resided.

Martin Flood entered land on section 17, and settled on the same in 1844. He was a native of New England, a good citizen [and possessed many warm friends. He was elected the first treasurer of the town of Brooklyn, afterwards served as chairman, and 1856 represented his district in the assembly. When the Civil War broke out, he responded to the call by enlisting in company C, 3d regiment, Wisconsin Volun- teers, was elected captain and served as such until mustered out of service. He then re-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

turned to his home, but soon moved out of the State.

Sylvester Gray, wife and five children- Charles S., Oscar A., A. A., D. A. and Mary L. -settled on section 9, town of [Brooklyn, in 1845. Mr. Gray at first entered forty acres, purchased forty acres and pre-empted eighty acres; the pre-emption claim he also entered soon afterwards. He built a log cabin and en- gaged in farming. He subsequently removed to section 3, where he resided at the time of his death. Mr. Gray was born in Syracuse, N. Y. He was married to Louisa B. Judd, re- moved to Pennsylvania, thence to Ohio, and from there came to Wisconsin. Mrs. Gray, in 1884, was still living on the old homestead.

C. S. Gray was born in Warsaw, N. Y., Jan. 25, 1827, and came with his parents to Wiscon- sin in 1845, and at once entered land on section 4, of what now is the town of Brooklyn. In 1851 he married Emarilla Smith, daughter of Stephen Smith. He followed farming until April, 1871, then removed into the village of Brooklyn, where he has since been manager of the branch store of the Evansville Mercantile Association. Politically he is a republican. Ile has been a member of the town board and served as treasurer. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have three children-O. C., E. H. and Luta.

O. P. Stowell, a blacksmith by trade, settled at Attica in 1845. When the town of Brook- lyn was organized, he was elected the first town clerk. He afterwards removed to Nebraska.

Alonzo Fenton joined the pioneers in this town on the 4th of July, 1845. He resided near W. W. McLaughlin's for a few months, then settled at Attica, and has lived in that vicinity ever since. Mr. Fenton is a native of Chenango Co., N. Y., and was bred to farm life, which occupation he still pursues. Mrs. Fen- ton was formerly Ann Whipple.

J. W. Hazeltine settled on the north half of section 3 in 1845, he having entered the land on the 26th day of December, 1839. Mr. Ha- zeltine still resides on the site he first chose.

Harvey P. Starkweather came to the Terri- tory of Wisconsin in June, 1845, and stopped in Rock county until the year following, when he came to this county. He was at that time unmarried, and worked out for $10 per month. In 1848 his parents, Anson and Lucretia Stark- weather, came to the county, and Harvey then resided with them. Aug. 22, 1850, he was married to Sarah Ryan, then of Rock county, but a native of New Brunswick. Her parents, Philip and Susan (Howell) Ryan, settled in Rock county in 1844. Mr. Starkweather has given his attention to farming, and now owns 110 acres, with first class improvements, and is considered one of the well-to-do men of the town. He was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., March 7, 1825, and resided in his native county until he came to Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Starkweather have had six children, five of whom are now living-Ellen P., Joseph P., Harvey R., Kate and Mabel. Susie May is de- ceased. Politically Mr. Starkweather is anti- monopoly. His father, Anson Starkweather, was the oldest person in the town of Brook- lyn in 1884. He was born in Rutland Co., Vt., Feb. 25, 1796. In 1822 he went into the State of New York and soon afterwards purchased land in the town of Clymer, Chautauqua county, where he was the first settler. In September, 1823, Lucretia Price became his wife. She was born in Pennsyl- vania, Jan. 5, 1807. In 1848 they emigrated to Wisconsin, and settled where he now resides. They reared twelve children, two of whom were living in 1884-Harvey and Emma, wife of F. S. Warner. They had two sons enlisted in the United States service. Melvin in company D, 7th Wisconsin. He was killed in battle May 24, 1864. Erastus A., enlisted in company E, 13th Wis- consin, and died at Fort Donelson, March 28, 1864, aged eighteen years.

W. R. Smith came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1845, and in the fall of that year entered eighty acres on section 22, and has since been a resident of this town. He was born in Canada

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

on the 11th day of Angust, 1827. He united in marriage with Ann D. Foster in October, 1845. She was born in Essex Co., N. Y., on the 24th of May, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had three children-Henry, Warren and Arti- missa.

Robert Godfrey and his two sons, G. G. and Clark, settled on section 32 in 1845. He after- wards removed to Monticello.

William R. Smith, Sr., in the fall of 1845, settled on section 15, and there resided until his death in 1856. Mr. Smith was born in Lon- don, England. When a mere youth he went on board a ship as cabin boy, and for many years subsequently followed the life of a sailor. While in Canada he was married to Catharine Eldridge. He subsequently lived in the States of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, coming from the latter to Wisconsin. Mrs. Smith died on the 22d of July, 1880. Of the eight children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith, six are now liv- ing-William R., Caroline, George L., Lucy Ann, Cyrus and Mary.

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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 99

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