USA > Wisconsin > Lafayette County > History of Lafayette county, Wisconsin > Part 100
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659
HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
Hill, Joseph Pulis, Dennis Tyman, Charles Pole, Andrew, John and David Roberts, John Hardy, Col. Scales, the Ladd family, Mr. Quinch, Mr. Copeland, Mr. Stephens, Mr. McQuade, S. Recor, and many others who have crossed the river of death or departed for unknown climes.
As illustrative of the tendency of the times, it will not be out of place to show the de- gree to which the important subject of education had been fostered and promoted in the town of Shullsburg fifty years ago.
The first school taught in the town, or in the county, was organized by Henry Gratiot as early as 1830, and opened on New Year's Day of that year, by Beulah Lamb, now Mrs. Schellinger, of Wiota, in a small log cabin on the prairie, north of Gratiot's Grove. She engaged to teach five children of Henry Gratiot, though the number was increased by the at- tendance of children for several miles around, making a total scholarship of thirty-five, all told. Subsequent to 1830, private and subscription schools were established in different parts of the town, which have culminated in a system of education equaled by no other town in the county.
It would be difficult indeed to state who, when, or where the first religious services in the town of Shullsburg were held. Certainly as early as 1830, the "circuit rider " made his ap- pearance, following close on the hardy pioneer, and, with sanguine hopes of a rich reward, en- deavored to guide the spiritual destinies of his chosen subjects. There are now in the town a Catholic Church, Methodist Episcopal Church and a Primitive Methodist Church, all of which, particularly the first, have large, intelligent and respectable congregations.
The first merchant offering proposals for the patronage of the people, was Henry Gratiot, who started a store at Gratiot's Grove in 1829. This proved to be the foundation of the Gratiot's Grove Village, which is remembered as a thriving municipality, with two hotels, a number of stores and private residences, and a population of 100 souls. At this time the village of Gratiot's Grove was recognized as the most important depot for the arrival of stages between Galena and Chicago. The village being at its zenith between 1835 and 1840, scarcely a day passed but what it was made the recipient of settlers, prospectors, visitors and adventurers. Gratiot's Grove has, however, outlived its usefulness, and has long since decayed.
Old Shullsburg, located about half a mile west of the Shullsburg of to-day, on the ridge opposite Estey's furnace, was, at one time, a prominent locality, and contained several stores, miners' residences and other buildings scattered over its site.
Contiguous to the Irish diggings, which were worked successfully, and north of Old Shulls- burg, was the village of Dublin, so called from the character of its inhabitants, they being prin- cipally Irish. For several years Dublin disputed prominence with its rival, Old Shullsburg, but both have played their part on the stage of life, and are now only known as a remembrance of the past.
The town of Shullsburg was organized January 12, 1849, when the first town meeting was held in the village. The town contains thirty-six sections, and is nine miles long by four miles wide. It was named in honor of Jesse W. Shull, an early pioneer and leading man of the town. The proposed branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, will enter the town three miles east of the village, continue west through the northern part of the village, and into New Diggings. In aid of this enterprise, the town has voted 5 per cent of its taxed valuation, or bonds valued at $22,900, payable in ten years, at 6 per cent interest.
The mining operations in the town now are comparatively little. The principal operators are the Blackstone Mining Company, organized in 1880, by a number of the leading citizens of Shullsburg and Darlington. Aside from those operated by this company are a number of dig- gings worked by the settlers, who, during the summer season, follow farming, and, in the winter, search for the hidden wealth of the mines. Shullsburg, notwithstanding the absence of its an- cient and pristine glory, still ranks among the first towns in the county in wealth, intelligence and the recognized ability of its leading men.
660
HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
HON. DANIEL MORGAN PARKINSON.
One of the oldest and earliest pioneers, identified with the birth and subsequent growth of La Fayette County, the name of Daniel M. Parkinson looms up before the biographer with luster undimmed by the passage of time. He was born in Carter County, E. Tenn., October 20, 1790. His father was Peter Parkinson, a sturdy Scotchman. His mother's name was Mary Morgan, of Cymri descent, and a sister of Gen. Daniel Morgan, of Revolutionary fame. His father died when he was two years old, leaving his mother in a wilderness overrun by sav- ages, with seven young children to support. Many a woman, under similar circumstances, would have been dismayed at the host of obstacles confronting her; but in this respect Mrs. Parkinson was a superior woman, and equal to the emergency. Hedged in by poverty, and taught to earn their bread by manly effort, the young brood of children sprang into manhood deprived of the amenities of city life, the advantages of early tutelage and the priceless gift of education. Reared in a wilderness, remote from the refining influences of society, young Parkinson emerged from his childhood's retirement adorned with the sterling virtues of rectitude and honor, guided solely by his deep, discriminating judgment. He settled in White County, Tenn., and subsequently in Madison County, Ill., prior to his removal to Sangamon County, Ill. The universal tide of emigration setting into the lead region in 1827, bore him on its current, and that year we find him located at New Diggings, then in Iowa County. He removed to Mineral Point in 1829, and there erected the third cabin in the budding town. This house was denominated the Mineral Point Hotel, and here traveler or miner could always find a welcome "shake-down," if not " food for man and beast."
In 1833, he entered a quarter-section of land five miles southeast of Mineral Point, in the town of Willow Springs, and afterward constructed the house wherein he breathed his last breath. The place was known among early settlers as Prairie Spring Hotel, and was endeared to many by kindly recollections of the sociable host, Col. John Moore. Among his most inti- mate friends was the following coterie of pioneer wit and intelligence: Gov. Henry Dodge, Ebenezer Bingham, William S. Hamilton, Charles Bracken, Judge J. W. Blackstone, Abner Nichols, J. P. Cox, J. Morrison, Levi Sterling and J. B. Terry.
D. M. Parkinson served as Captain, Major and Colonel, successively, of Territorial militia, and saw service in the Winnebago war, as Lieutenant. Later, in the Black Hawk emeute, he commanded the fifth company of Michigan Mounted Volunteers, and earned deserved praise as an eminent Indian tactician. He was thrice elected to the Territorial Legislature. He was also a member of the first and second sessions of the third legislative House of Representatives of 1840, 1841 and 1842, and often held a seat in the county Board of Supervisors for Iowa County. In 1846, he was elected to represent the county of Iowa in the Constitutional Con- vention of that year. In the early pioneer days, a man of temperance views was looked upon as a curiosity, as such persons did not abound in the country. Whisky was the soul of every festive gathering, and, in cups brimming of alcoholic stimulant, faiths were pledged and vows were plighted. ' Despite these dissolute associations, Mr. Parkinson was a sturdy exponent of temperance tenets, and never indulged nor allowed liquors to appear in his household. So fer- vently did he combat the evil tendency of these days, that his three sons arrived at maturity without learning the taste of liquor. In physical build, he was proportioned with herculean strength, measuring over six feet six inches in height, with bone, muscle and flesh to correspond. In politics, he was a stanch adherent of Andrew Jackson, and always maintained his Democratic sentiments, whether in the legislative halls or in the circle of his own acquaintances.
He was married to his first wife, Elizabeth Hyder, a descendant of Gen. Wade Hampton, before his settlement in Wisconsin. By this marriage he had three children-Hon. Peter Park- inson, Jr., of La Fayette County ; William Parkinson, of Iowa, and lately deceased ; Nathaniel Parker, of Dane County. He was subsequently married twice, but survived his three wives.
At the ripe age of seventy-eight years, D. M. Parkinson expired in the old homestead, on October 1, 1868.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ABBREVIATIONS.
Co ... .. Company or county
W. V. I. Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry W. V. A. ....... . Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery
P. O .. Post Office
st. .. street W. V. O ... Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry
TOWN OF DARLINGTON.
S. S. ALLEN, with William Hooper & Co., dealer in dry goods and groceries, Darlington ; is a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y., and was born Sept. 29, 1832; after reaching manhood he came to La Fay- ette Co. in 1856, and located at Darlington and entered the store of J. G. Knight, on the same corner now occupied by William Hooper & Co .; it was then the principal store in the town. In the fall of 1857, Mr. Allen and J. B. Doty bought out Knight & Doty, and they carried on the mercantile business until 1868; Mr. Allen then engaged in the stock business and was in the bank for a time ; in 1874, he again became connected with the mercantile business ; he is one of the oldest merchants here; he holds the office of City Alderman ; he was one of the first Alderman of the village. In March, 1859, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Loyd, a native of Schoharie Co., N. Y .; they have two children-Mar- garet B. and Mary.
GEORGE S. ANTHONY, Teller La Fayette County Bank, Darlington; is a native of Winnebago Co., Ill., and was born in the city of Rockford Nov. 14, 1846; his parents came to this county in 1857 ; he grew up and attended school here, and afterward entered the bank of Doty & Judge, and remained there until 1873 ; in 1874, he associated with Judge Orton and engaged in the banking busi- ness, the firm being P. A. Orton & Co., which continued until 1878; since then he has been connected with the Lafayette County Bank. He has held the office of City Alderman, Town Treasurer and other town offices. In 1867, Mr. Anthony was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Hooper, a native of England. Mr. Anthony has been prominently indentified with the Masonic order in this State for many years ; he has taken the thirty-second degree ; he has served as Master of the Blue Lodge and High Priest of the Chapter, and is now Captain General of the " Mineral Point Commandery ;" he also belongs to the Wis- consin Consistory, Milwaukee.
HENRY BATES, brick manufacturer; is a native of Buffalo, N. Y .; he grew up to man- hood there; he learned the trade of ship carpenter ; worked at that winters and-manufactured brick dur- ing the summer ; he came to Darlington in 1867, and the following year established his present business and has carried it on since then ; he is the only brick manufacturer in Darlington. He holds the office of Justice of the Peace, and has held the office of City Alderman. Mr. Bates married Miss Sarah Allard, from New York ; they have four children-Samuel, Henry, Leonard, Clara.
N. S. BENEDICT, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Darlington ; is a native of Delaware Co., N. Y., and was born Nov. 1, 1823 ; he came West to Wisconsin and settled in La Fayette Co. in 1850 ; he en- gaged in farming in Elk Grove Township ; he remained there until two years ago, when he sold his farm and came to his present location ; he owns farm of 80 acres. In 1848, Mr. Benedict was united in mar- riage to Miss Clarinda Neff, a native of Otsego Co., N. Y; they have had seven children, only two of whom survive-Myrtie E. and Orville N.
GEN. JAMES BINTLIFF, publisher and proprietor of the Darlington Republican ; is a son of Gershom and Maria Hanson Bintliff, and was born in Yorkshire, England, Nov. 1, 1824; at the age of 15, he became clerk in a lawyer's office at Halifax, and subsequently served as book-keeper for the Halifax and Wakefield Canal Company ; in 1842, he, with a younger brother and sister, came to America, his father and mother and four children having preceded him by one year; they located in New York
1
714
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
State, when he was united in marriage, in 1847, at Skaneateles to Miss Harriet Snook, daughter of John Snook, Esq., a native of Somersetshire, England, and from that time until 1851, he was a partner with his father-in-law in business there; in 1851, he came West to Green Co., Wis., and engaged in farm- ing, and afterward held the position of Cashier of the Bank of Monroe. In 1856, he was elected Register of Decds of Green Co., and held that office two years; in 1859, he was admitted to the bar in Green Co .; in 1860, he purchased an interest in the Monroe Sentinel, the leading newspaper of the county; and two years later became its sole proprietor. After the war broke out, in July, 1862, he recruited a company, which was assigned to the 22d W. V. I., and he was commissioned Captain. The regiment was ordered to Kentucky ; he and some of his regiment was taken prisoners at Brentford by Gen. Forrest; he was taken to Libby Prison, where he was held until the following May and exchanged; he then joined his com- mand at St. Louis, where the regiment was re-organized. In December, 1863, he was appointed by Presi- dent Lincoln a Commissioner on the Board of Enrollment for the Third Congressional District of Wiscon- sin. In March, 1864, he was commissioned by Gov. Lewis Colonel of the 38th W. V. I., which was sent to the Army of the Potomac; in November following, Col. Bintliff succeeded Gen. Hartranft in command of the 1st Brigade, 1st division 9th Army Corps. In the assault on Petersburg, Col. Bintliff, in command of three regiments, was ordered to take a fort of five guns, known as " Reeves' Salient ;" he accomplished the capture gallantly, though his own regiment which led the column suffered heavily ; on the evening of the same day, he was placed in command of the 3d Brigade for his gallant services on this occasion; he was commissioned Brigadier General by Brevet, for conspicuous gallantry in the assault on Petersburg ; he continued to take part in the movement of his troops until the close of the war, and was finally mustered out of the service in June, 1865; he returned to Monroe and engaged in mercantile business until 1870, when he purchased an interest in the Janesville Gazette and removed there with his family ; he remained there until 1878, when he came to Darlington and bought the Darlington Republican, and since then has conducted that paper ; he has always taken an active interest in political affairs, and was a delegate from this State to the National Republican Convention in Chicago, in 1868, also to the National Convention in Philadel- phia in 1872, and at Cincinnati in 1876; he has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Wisconsin Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and was chosen President of the board in 1877 ; when the State Board of Health was organized, he was commissioned a member. The fruit of his marriage with Miss Snook is four chil- dren, two sons and two daughters.
WILLIAM J. BIRD, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 20; P. O. Darlington ; is a native of Canada, and was born May 7, 1835 ; he came to New York during boyhood, and in 1854 came to Wis- consin and settled in La Fayette Co., at New Diggins, and engaged in teaching for six or eight years ; then traveled West to Colorado and elsewhere. During the war, he enlisted and served in Co. E, 43d W. V. I .; since then he has been successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising; he owns a good farm of 150 acres, finely improved ; he has held offices of Justice of the Peace, member of the Board of Supervisors, and other offices ; he has held school offices for the past fifteen years. Mr. Bird was united in marriage, Oct. 29, 1857, to Miss Isabella M. Looney, a native of this county, and daughter of A. Looney, who came to this county in 1827; is one of only four or five persons now living who came here during that year. Mr. and Mrs. Bird have four children-Charles H., Huldah, Belle and A. Lincoln ; they have lost one son, Willie Arthur. Mr. Bird is President of the La Fayette County Insurance Company; has heid that position for the past three years ; he has also served as Treasurer of the La Fayette County Agricultural Society for two years.
WILLIAM W. BIRKITT, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Darlington ; is a native of Yorkshire, England, and was born April 17, 1828; he emigrated to this country in 1859, and came to Platteville the same year and engaged in farming and teaching; in 1852, he went to California and returned in 1853, and went to England, where, in 1854, he married Miss Charlotte Kaye, a native of Yorkshire, England ; he returned to this country and located in the town of Elk Grove; he was engaged in teaching more or less during the winter seasons, for twenty years ; also engaged in farming and stock-raising ; he has served as Town Superintendent of Schools three years, and held the office of Assessor and Secretary of the La Fay- ette County Agricultural Society three years ; he owns a good farm of 210 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Birkitt have had one daughter-Margaret Ann, who died soon after her 11th birthday.
WILLIAM M. BLAIR, physician and surgeon, Darlington ; is a native of Crawford Co., Penn., and was born Sept. 6, 1823; he grew up and attended school in that State ; he came West to Wisconsin in 1845, and lived four years in Mineral Point ; he returned to Pennsylvania and studied medicine with Dr. M. S. McArthur; he attended lectures in Cleveland, and also attended lectures at the Rush Medical College, Chicago; he came to Darlington in June, 1853, and engaged in the practice of
715
TOWN OF DARLINGTON.
medicine ; has successfully practiced his profession here for twenty-eight years; he was United States Examining Surgeon for two years, and has been a member of the State Medical Society since 1855. Dr. Blair was united in marriage to Miss Maria I. Vance, a native of Canada, Jan. 9, 1854; they have seven children-Dora E., Cora S., Maria I., Sarah G., Daniel H., Carr Vance and William L. C.
OSCAR F. BLAKELY, of the firm of Hugill & Blakely, dealers in boots and shoes, hats, caps and gents' furnishing goods, Main street, Darlington ; is a native of Canada, and was born March 7, 1841 ; his parents came West to Wisconsin, in 1855, and settled in La Fayette Co .; after reaching man- hood he engaged in business, and has resided here for a quarter of a century; he has held the office of Assistant Superintendent of Public Property, at Madison; he holds the office of Supervisor and Town Treasurer. In 1872, Mr. Blakely was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Lahey, of this city ; they have one son-Ibenry Justus.
A. T. E. BLESSING, dealer in grain, flour and feed ; is a native of New York State, and was born in the city of Albany May 21, 1835 ; he grew up and attended school there; in 1859, he came West, and came to La Fayette Co. in 1862, and was with his brother, in the law and abstract business, at Shullsburg ; in 1864, he was appointed Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue, and held that office five years. Mr. Blessing was united in marriage, Sept. 19, 1865, to Miss Mary A. Graham, a native of Schuyler Co., N. Y .; they have two children-William and Emma.
PETER BOYLE, proprietor Boyle House, Darlington ; is a native of Ireland, and was born in the County of Donegal June 18, 1839 ; he came to the United States in May, 1856, and the following year came to Wisconsin and settled in La Fayette Co., at Shullsburg, and engaged in farming ; he came to Darlington in 1864, and since 1866 has been successfully engaged in hotel business here. Mr. Boyle was united in marriage to Miss Bridget McCarville, July 17, 1862; she was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, July 17, 1839 ; she came to this county over thirty years ago; they have seven children-Susan, Mary, Annie, Peter, Catharine, Joseph and Edward.
JOHN BRAY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 34; P. O. Darlington; a native of England, and was born Dec. 22, 1829; he came to America in 1845, and came West to Galena and engaged in mining ; the following year he came to this county and engaged in farming ; in 1850, he went to California, where he remained two years, then returned here, and since then has been engaged in farming and stock-raising ; he owns a fine farm adjoining the limits of the city. In 1858, Mr. Bray was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Hanford, from New York State.
CHARLES HENRY BROOKS, of the firm of Brooks & Peirce, dealers in fresh and salted meats, Main street, Darlington ; is a native of Germany, and was born in Prussia Feb. 11, 1851 ; he came to the United States in 1868, and came to Wisconsin the same year; settled in Sauk Co .; he came to Mineral Point in 1877, and came to Darlington, and, with Mr. Peirce, established their present business in December, 1878; they are building up a good trade; he belongs to the fraternity of I. O. O. F. Mr. Brooks married Miss Nellie Dixon, a native of La Fayette Co., Aug. 23, 1880.
THOMAS B. BUTTERY, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Darlington ; is a native of Lincolnshire, England, and was born Nov. 5, 1824; he grew up to manhood there, and came to the United States in 1854; he came to Wisconsin and settled in La Fayette Co. in 1856, and since then he has been success- fully engaged in farming and stock-raising ; he owns an excellent farm of 200 acres, well improved; Mr. Buttery was one of the organizers of the Darlington cheese factory, and its management devolves princi- pally upon him ; in 1868, he went to England and made an extended visit.
HUGH CAMPBELL, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Darlington ; is a native of Ireland and was born in County Donegal in 1823; when 9 years of age, he went to Scotland and grew up to manhood there ; he left Glasgow and came to the United States, and arrived in New York July 29, 1842; he lived in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh several years, also in Delaware and Maryland ; he came West to Wisconsin, and located in La Fayette Co., in 1849 ; in the fall of 1852, he engaged in farming at Gratiot, and con- tinued it until the fall of 1858, when he was elected Sheriff of the county, and removed to Shullsburg and lived there four years ; in the fall of 1862 he was again elected Sheriff, and removed to Darlington and resided there until the present year. Mr. Campbell has been one of the most successful men in this sec- tion of the State ; when he reached New York, he only had a few dollars in money ; by his industry and good management, he now owns over 700 acres of land, besides town property and valuable property in Chicago ; he is noted for his liberality ; he brought his parents and his brothers to this country ; he also brought his sisters and their families and paid the expense of their coming, and also other relatives ; aside from the county offices he has filled, he has served as Chairman of the Town Board and other offices. Mr.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Campbell has been twice married; his first wife was Miss Sarah Flanagin, a native of Pittsburgh, Penn. ; they were married Oct. 22, 1852 ; she died Jan. 19, 1873; on the 8th of January, 1880, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann O'Toole, of White Oak Springs, in this county.
JAMES CAMPBELL, Superintendent of the LaFayette County Poor Farm, Sec. 16 ; P. O. Darlington ; is a native of Scotland and was born in 1836; he came to the United States in 1846, and lived in Maryland and Pennsylvania ; he came to Wisconsin and settled in La Fayette Co., at Gratiot, in June, 1849, and was among the early settlers; he engaged in farming; he was elected to his present po- sition of Superintendent of the La Fayette Co. poor farm in 1879 ; he has held the office of Justice of the Peace, Town Treasurer and Town Clerk; he still owns his farm of 160 acres. Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. James, from Shullsburg, this county, May 12, 1861; they have eight children-Mary C., Josephine, Ella, Thomas H., Hugh J., Alice M., Elizabeth and George F.
ROYAL CARPENTER, deceased. Was a native of the State of Vermont, and was born Nov. 16, 1810. In 1832, he was united in marriage to Miss Temperance Ayers, a native of Sussex Co., N. J. ; they came West to Wisconsin about the year 1846, and located in La Fayette Co .; they were among the early settlers on this prairie ; he bought the place where his family now lives, and made a farm ; he engaged in farming and building ; he died March 4, 1880; they had six children, three of whom are living-Leander, living in Nebraska ; Rebecca, living at home, and Theodore, married and farms the home-place of 140 acres.
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