USA > Wisconsin > Lafayette County > History of Lafayette county, Wisconsin > Part 105
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PROF. HENRY JANE, Principal of High School, Shullsburg; born March 15, 1847, in Dodgeville, Iowa Co., Wis .; at about the age of 4 years, he came with his parents to Shullsburg; he attended the public schools till about the age of 13; he then clerked about four years; at the age of 18, he attended the Normal school at Platteville , Wis .; graduated in 1870; he then went to Ft. Howard, and taught school there two years; he then returned to Platteville and taught one year ; in 1872, he came to Shullsburg; taught school here till Jan. 1, 1876, when he was elected County Superintendent ; he held this position till 1878; he then was appointed Principal of the High School ; held this position till June, 1879 ; in March, 1880, he went to Georgetown, Colo. ; there taught an unexpired term of three months ; he then returned to Shullsburg, and has just been re-appointed Principal of the Shullsburg High School; he has been Assistant Institute Conductor of the State for the past five years. Married Miss Jen- nie E. Jeffery in June, 1875 ; she was born in White Oak Springs, Wis .; they have three children- Mabel J., Arthur H. and Clyde.
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WILLIAM KAPPEI, saloon and billiards, Shullsburg ; born Dec. 3, 1838, in Germany ; in 1867, he came to Shullsburg; he owns this and other property in town. Married Mary Kuelling in March, 1873 ; she was born in Switzerland; they have four children-William, Henry, Albert and Mena.
REV. J. F. KINSELLA, Pastor of St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Shullsburg ; born Oct. 15, 1843, in Ireland; in 1849, he came to Milwaukee, Wis. ; he attended the St. Francis Academy, and graduated from this institution in 1866 ; he was then sent to Watertown, Wis., as assistant in St. Bern- ard's Church; remained there about five months; then went to Geneva Lake, and took charge of the church there, remaining about eighteen months; he then went to Broadhead, and established the first church there; remained about two years and a half; in November, 1870, he came to Shullsburg ; he has a very large attendance ; his communicants number 1,150.
WILLIAM KUELLING, wagon manufacturer, Shullsburg; born March 7, 1847, in Swit- zerland ; in 1863, he came to Shullsburg ; he learned his trade with Henry Nayler, and started his pres- ent business in 1877. He has been Treasurer of the Village Board, and is now Township Treasurer. He married Caroline Mankey in 1872; she was born in Cornwall, England ; they had six children ; four liv- ing-William, George, Fred, and an infant not named.
THOMAS J. LAW, attorney at law, Shullsburg; born March 4, 1837, near Toronto, Canada ; when about 1 year old, he came with his parents to Mercer Co., Penn. ; thence to Hancock Co., Ill .; in 1845, they removed to Jo Daviess Co. ; in 1857, he came to Shullsburg ; he then commenced reading law with Knowlton & Higbee; was admitted to the bar in 1858 ; has been Justice of the Peace ; was elected County Judge in 1873 ; served four years. Married Miss Josephine M. Stanley, January, 1865 ; she was born in New York ; they have four children-Josie M., Thomas J., Jr., Abram W. and Mark W.
WILLIAM LEAMY, saloon and billiards, Shullsburg ; born May 21, 1840, in Ireland; in 1854, he came with his parents to New York ; in the fall of this year he came to La Fayette Co., where he has since lived ; he followed farming and mining till 1870, when he commenced his present business. Married Ellen Nugent in 1870 ; she was born in Ireland; they have two children-Catharine A. and William W.
WILLIAM LOOK, firm of Look & Hillemeyer, Shullsburg; he was born Feb. 22, 1830, in Brunswick, Germany ; in the fall of 1851, he came to Galena ; worked at the boot and shoe trade about two years ; this trade he learned in Germany ; in 1853, he came to Shullsburg and commenced the boot and shoe business with Mr. Hebenstreit ; this they continued till 1865; this present firm had heen estab- lished in 1862; he also owns 440 acres of land and property in the village. Married Christina Hammerling in 1853 ; she was born in Brunswick in 1831; she died in 1860 ; his second marriage was to Minie War- necke in 1861 ; she was born, in 1842, in Hanover ; they have one son-William H.
PATRICIUS MCNULTY, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. O. Shullsburg ; born March 17, 1833, in Jefferson Co., Va .; in 1838, he came with his parents to this farm ; he owns 172 acres ; this land was entered by Col. Gratiot, who transferred it to John McNulty in 1833 ; he then sold it to his brother Thomas ; this is one of the oldest settled farms in the county; at the age of 17 he went to California and engaged in mining eight years ; then engaged in general merchandising eight years ; in 1865, he returned to Shullsburg and has since followed farming. Married Miss Catherine Campbell in 1866; she was born in La Fayette Co. ; they have eight children, two sons and six daughters.
RICHARD MAHER, farmer, Sec. 31; P. O. Shullsburg ; born July 22, 1824, in Ireland ; in 1836, he came to Chicago; the following year he came to Vinegar Hill, Jo Daviess Co. ; in 1850, he went to California ; followed mining and run a dairy till Nov. 6, 1867, when he returned to Jo Daviess Co .; he then bought a farm of 260 acres, near Scales Mound ; in 1869, he sold this farm and removed to his present locality ; he now owns 75 acres ; this land was formerly owned and entered by Denis O'Neil, father of Mrs. Maher ; he died in 1871, aged 85 years ; her mother died November, 1876, aged 75 years ; Mr. O'Neil was one of the first settlers of La Fayette Co. ; his daughter Bridget was married to Richard Maher, Oct. 10, 1849 ; she was born, in 1834, on this farm.
ROBERT MASON, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. O. Shullsburg ; born Nov. 1, 1826, in Westmoreland, England ; in 1852, he came to Jo Daviess Co., Ill .; in 1854, he came to La Fayette Co., Wis., where he has since lived ; he owns 163 acres of land; is School Director ; he served in the late war from March to October, 1865. Married Sarah Robinson in 1851 ; she was born in Westmoreland, England, Aug. 17, 1829 ; they have four children-Mary E., Sarah J., Emma and James R.
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TOWN OF SHULLSBURG.
C. G. MILLER, general merchandise, Shullsburg; born April 13, 1837, in Germany; in 1858, he came to New York City, thence to Cincinnati; in 1860, came to St. Louis ; had been engaged as a clerk in those places ; in 1861, he came to Shullsburg ; at this time he was not worth a dollar ; he then commenced business by borrowing from a friend a small amount ; he now carries on a very large trade and is free from debt. He married Elizabeth Funk, in 1858; she was born in Germany ; they have three children-Fred, Charles and John.
JOSEPH C. OATES, wagon-shop, Shullsburg ; born June 26, 1845, in Cornwall, England ; when about 1 year old he came with his parents to Shullsburg ; he worked with his father, farming, until about the age of 19; he then worked with I. B. Tully, at wagon-making, about three years, then he went to Apple River and opened a shop, firm of Peters & Oates ; continued about fifteen months ; he then returned to Shullsburg, and again worked for I. B. Tully ; then returned to Apple River, and worked for Black, Irvine & Co. about four years ; in the fall of 1873 he returned to Shullsburg, and then commenced his present business. Married Elizabeth J. Jenkins, Feb. 3, 1869; she was born in Shullsburg; they have four children-Howard A., George F., Jennie E. and Charles L.
LOUIS C. PAQUET, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. Shullsburg; born Oct. 27, 1831, in Gratiot's Grove, Wis .; he lived in this locality, farming and mining, until 1855, when he went to California, where he followed mining till 1864, when he returned to his present farm, consisting of 75 acres, land part entered ; he has been for the past nine years Treasurer of the school district. Married Elizabeth Brady in 1864 ; she was born in New Diggings ; they have eight children-John D., George L., Edward, Alice A., Charles A., Ida, Peter H. and Sarah E.
CHARLES POLE, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Shullsburg; born Oct. 9, 1814, in Frederick Co., now Carroll Co., Md .; in 1837 he came to La Fayette Co., where he has since lived ; when coming to this county he commenced mining, and continued at this business till 1852; since then he has been engaged in farming; he owns 280 acres of land ; he has been a member of the Territorial and State Legislatures two terms each ; has also been a member of the Township Board, and has been a School Director the past ten years. Married Sarah Bartholomew in 1874; she was born in Grant Co., Wis .; they have two chil- dren-Ellie and Eliza J.
CHARLES W. PRIESTLEY, harness, trunks, &c., Shullsburg; born Feb. 12, 1845, in Mineral Point ; in 1865 he came to Shullsburg; he has been engaged in this business for the past twenty years, having learned this trade in Mineral Point with his father ; he has been President of the Village Board, and Treasurer and Supervisor of the township-has been Chairman of the Town Board the past three years. Married Miss Imogene Atwood, in 1867; she was born in Hazel Green, Wis .; have three children-Nettie, William and Jessie.
GEORGE PROCTOR, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Shullsburg; born April 14, 1844, in Scales Mound, Ill. ; his father came to Galena in 1827; he is now a resident of Iowa; in 1869 he came to his present farm, consisting of 160 acres of land; he also owns one-third interest in the Lead Mines Cream- ery, and one-fifth interest in the White Oak Springs Creamery ; he enlisted in 1862 in Co. K, 20th W. V. I; served to the end of the war ; participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Ark., Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Jackson, Yazoo City, and others. Married Miss Olive H. Scales, in 1868; she was born in White Oak Springs; they have two children-Lester G. and Jessie O.
HENRY PROCTOR, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Shullsburg ; born Sept. 3, 1847, in Scales Mound ; in 1869, he came to La Fayette Co., where he has since lived ; he owns 180 acres of land. He married Miss Hannah Scales in 1869 ; she was born in the town of White Oak Springs ; they have four children-Harry, May, Edna and Frank. His father was born in 1800, in Vermont ; he came to Jo Da- viess Co. in 1828 ; he is now a resident of Wright Co., Iowa.
ALFRED QUINCHE, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Shullsburg ; born Dec. 21, 1824, near St. Anthony, Minn ; when about 4 years old, he came with his parents to Missouri; in 1836, they removed to Galena, Ill .; in 1847, he came to Shullsburg, and followed mining about a year; he then worked for Augustus Estey, at his smelting works, till 1864; he then was admitted as a partner in this business, and continued this four years, when they dissolved partnership ; he continued smelting till 1875; the follow- ing year he came to his present farm; he owns 200 acres of land. Married Sarah Alderson, in 1851 ; she was born in Yorkshire, England ; they have had six children, five living-Edward, Louisa, Virginia, Cora and Julia ; lost one, Caroline, May 16, 1873, in her 21st year.
ROBERT RENNICK, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Shullsburg ; born in December, 1830, in Ire- land ; in 1848, he came to Galena, run a furnace there till 1850, when he came to Shullsburg, and was
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
appointed agent for William Hempstead's mineral lands ; he held this position ten years, nine months and nineteen days; he received and paid for all the mineral produced, averaging from 100,000 to 250,000 a week; he then came to Gratiot's Grove, and engaged in farming; was burned out and returned to Shulls- burg ; he then bought the Gates farm, consisting of 80 acres, where he now resides ; he also owns 200 acres in White Oak Springs. He married Matilda Coyn in 1851; she was born in Ireland ; they had ten children, nine of whom are living-three sons and six daughters.
SAMUEL RICKERT, retired, Shullsburg; born March 18, 1818, in Lancaster Co., Penn .; in 1823, he came with his parents to Wayne Co., Ohio ; in 1829, he came to St. Joseph Co., Mich. ; in 1839, he came to Dubuque, in 1840, to Dixon, Ill., and, thence to Louisiana; in the spring of 1841, he came to La Fayette Co., commenced mining and has followed this since ; in 1846, he, with Mr. Simmons, made a discovery which produced about 2,000,000 pounds; in 1850, he com nenced mining on the land known as the Stephens Diggin's ; continued this several years, producing about 10,000,000; in 1859, he com- menced mining on his own land, known as the Rickert Diggings, taking out about 2,000,000; in 1865, he commenced operations on the McNulty, Brewster & Co. property, which he continued till March, 1880; he owns 25 acres of land, with his residence in town ; also about 560 acres of land which he has rented ; his residence is built of rock, and cost about $7,000. He married Miss Ellen Stephens, in 1850; she was born in Canada ; they have two children-Fronie and Belle.
ABNER ROCK, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Shullsburg ; born Feb. 8, 1830, in Logan Co., Ohio ; when a boy, he came with his parents to Illinois ; in 1840, they removed to La Fayette Co., where he has since lived ; he owns 110 acres of land ; he has been a member of the Town Board and School Director. Married Miss Fannie Field in 1854; she was born in New Diggings; they have three children-Anna, Charles and Eliza.
ROBERT SAMSON, farmer, Sec. 35; P. O. Shullsburg; born July 24, 1824, in Lincolnshire, England; in 1852, he came to New York, and in 1855, he came to Grant Co., Wis .; in 1863, he re- moved to his present farm, consisting of 160 acres of land ; he is School Treasurer. He married Ann Marshall in 1847 ; she was born in Lincolnshire, England ; they have seven children-Emma, Robert, Ann Eliza, Mary A., Rebecca, Sarah J. and Marshall.
HON. P. B. SIMPSON, attorney at law, Shullsburg; born Oct. 13, 1820, in Ashtabula Co., Ohio ; at about the age of 21, he commenced reading law with Beecher & Cook, at Sandusky, Ohio ; was admitted to the bar in 1843, at the Cincinnati Law College; in 1844, he came to Peru, Ind .; there com- menced the practice of law ; July 4, 1847, he came to Shullsburg, where he has since resided. Has been Chairman of the town of Shullsburg, Superintendent of the village, and Clerk of the Board of County Supervisors, District Attorney for this county, represented this county in the Legislature during the winter of 1853; he has also been State Senator ; was elected in the fall of 1856, and re-elected in 1868; served two terms ; he was a candidate for Congress in 1863, was defeated by Amasa Cobb, by a small majority. He married Mary A. Beard in 1843 ; she was born in 1823 in Maryland ; they have one son, Jefferson B., who graduated in 1879, at the Wisconsin State University, and now studying law with his father.
WILLIAM SIMPSON, boots and shoes, Shullsburg; born Dec. 19, 1829, in Leicestershire, England ; in the fall of 1850, he came to New York ; May 12, 1851, he came to Shullsburg; he learned this trade with Thomas Conway, and has followed it since. He has been a member of the Village Board; he is Superintendent of the Primitive Methodist Sunday School, has held this position the past sixteen years ; he has also been a local preacher in this church the past ten years. Married Nannie Bottomley in 1855 ; she was born in England ; at the age of 3 years she came with her parents to America ; they have ten children-Sarah J., William C., George, David, Agnes A., Thomas, Edith, Clara, Mabel and Frank.
BENSON SPENSLEY, smelting works, Shullsburg ; born April 5, 1835, in Yorkshire, England ; when a boy he came to Dubuque, Iowa ; in about 1855, he removed to Galena, Ill., there engaged in the smelting business, and so continued till February, 1875, when he came to Shullsburg and rented the Estey Furnace, which he has since managed. Married, Ann Harker, September, 1857; she was born in Yorkshire, England ; they have six children-Rose Ann, Robert B., Alice E., George M., Sarah E. and Hannah I.
HENRY STEPHENS, retired, Shullsburg; born May 12, 1807, in Cornwall, England ; in 1832, he came to Canada ; in 1836, to Mineral Point, Wis. ; in 1840, he came to Shullsburg ; he learned the carpenter's trade in England, worked at it there about five years, and four years in Canada ; since com- ing here he has always engaged in mining; he owns 14 acres in town, with his residence, which cost about
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TOWN OF SHULLSBURG.
$6,000 ; also business property in town, and farming lands. He has been a member of the Village Board about six years. Married Miss Blanch Leah in 1832 ; she was born in Cornwall, England, in 1803, died in 1871; had four children, two living-Ellen, now Mrs. Rickert, and Mary H., now Mrs. Hoover.
MICHAEL TIERNEY, groceries and hardware, Shullsburg ; born Nov. 15, 1827, in Ireland; July 4, 1846, he came to New York, thence to Baltimore, Md .; worked on repairs of the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. ; August, 1850, he went to Copper Harbor, worked in the mines there till 1852, when he removed to Portage Lake, remained about two months, then returned to Copper Harbor ; he then went to Isle Royal; in 1854, he came to Shullsburg, where he has since lived; he bought 80 acres of land, and commenced farming ; this land he afterward sold; he now owns 228 acres, also his store, dwelling, and other property he has accumulated since coming to Shullsburg. Married Bridget Fleming, May, 1850 ; she was born in Ireland in 1830; they have three children-Michael, Ellen and Edward.
ADD A. TOWNSEND, general insurance agent, Shullsburg; born Aug. 20, 1838, in Shulls- burg ; his father came to Gratiot's Grove, La Fayette Co., May 12, 1827, and is one of the earliest settlers in the county ; he worked with his father at mining and farming, till about 1871, when he engaged in farming implements ; this he continued till 1877 ; he has been engaged in the insurance business since 1863. Enlisted in 1861, Co. I. 3d W. V. I .; was discharged on account of sickness April 23, 1863; participated in the battle of Winchester, Va., and others. Has been Village Marshal six years, Deputy Sheriff four years, and Sheriff two years ; has also been Deputy United States Marshal. Married Marian E. Frewhela, Jan. 1, 1865; she was born in Scales Mound, Ill. ; they have three children-Adda, Charles C. and Irena.
ELIJAH C. TOWNSEND, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. O. Shullsburg; he was born July 14, 1818, in Steuben Co., N. Y .; in 1830, he came to Fayette Co., Ind. ; May, 1833, he came to Shullsburg; he engaged in mining; continued at it for many years, and was engaged by Mr. Corwith, of Galena, to man- age his mining interests here; he represented this county in the Legislature during 1860, and has held about all the town offices ; he then went South and engaged in the live-stock trade, which business he now follows, as well as farming ; during 1879, he traveled about 25,000 miles in shipping; he owns about 500 acres of land, well improved ; he has a rock house, built in 1855, cost about $5,000; he attended the first school ever taught in Galena in the winter of 1833-34, taught by John Woods and wife. Married Fan- nie Wells in 1845, she was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y .; they have seven children, two sons and five daughters.
MRS. E. TRESTRAIL, Postmistress, Shullsburg; she was born Aug. 24, 1825, in Corn- wall, England, daughter of William Barker. She was married to Robert Trestrail, Dec. 29, 1849; he was born in 1816, in Cornwall, England ; he learned the boot and shoe trade in England, and, in 1851, came to Shullsburg and continued this business till his death, which occurred April 29, 1873; he was a member of the Village and School Boards ; he was appointed Postmaster in 1869; Mrs. T. was appointed in 1873 to this position ; she has three children-Robert M., Mary S. and William H.
A. J. VANDAGRIFT, proprietor of Shullsburg House ; born Oct. 10, 1817, in Virginia; when a child he came to Springfield with his parents; here he learned the tailoring trade ; in about 1833, he came to Athens, Ill., and there started a tailoring-shop; he continued this till 1846, when he came to La Fayette Co., Wis .; he then commenced in the live-stock business, and has followed this more or less ever since ; he shipped the first car-load of stock between Freeport and Dubuque on the I. C. R. R. Married Armenta A. Barnett in 1842; she was born in Sangamon Co., Ill., in 1825, died in 1861 ; have four children-William T., Anna B., Thomas J. and John S. Second marriage to Mrs. Brockway, July, 1870 ; she was born in Vermont; she has two children by a former marriage.
EDWARD WEATHERBY, retired, Shullsburg; he was born June 20, 1810, in North Shields, Northumberland, England ; there he followed mining till 1846, when he came to Dodge Co., Wis. ; the same year he removed to Shullsburg, where he has since resided ; he at once commenced prospecting and mining, which he has followed since; he is now retired; he owns over 300 acres of land, also property in Shullsburg. He married Miss Mary A. Cole in 1836; she was born December, 1810, in England ; they have one son-George E., who is Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, etc .; also engaged in min- ing; he was born Dec. 15, 1837, in Durham, England ; at the age of 19, he went to Appleton, Wis., and attended the Lawrence University three years; he then returned to Shullsburg and opened a drug store ; continued this about eleven years; he has been President of the Village Board ; he has also represented the village on the County Board; is now one of the Presidential electors on the Republican ticket. Mar- ried Miss Ellen Priestley in 1859 ; she was born in Mineral Point, Wis. ; they have four children-Nellie F., Lizzie W., Ned and Josie.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JOHN K. WILLIAMS, deceased, Shullsburg. The subject of this sketch was a native of Mckean Co., Penn. ; was born Aug. 22, 1822 ; after completing a regular course of studies, he commencee studying law at Meadville, Penn., where he was admitted to the bar; he at once commenced the practicg of his profession, which he continued till his death, which occurred April 4, 1880 ; he came to Shullsbur. in 1846, and since then has always been prominently identified with this county ; he was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 1850 ; elected Chief Clerk of the Senate in 1852-53, and was Clerk of the Cir- cuit Court of this county in 1855, and Regent of the University of Wisconsin in 1876 ; he was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' Orders ; he owned and managed large tracts of farming lands. He mar- ried Mrs. Allen in 1848; she was born in Haverhill, N. H. ; have two children-Clara L. and John P. She has one child by a former marriage-Amariah F.
GEORGE WORTLEY, merchant tailor, Shullsburg ; born May 30, 1805, near Grantham, Lincolnshire, England ; at about the age of 12, he went to Woolsthorp, near Belvoir Castle, there com- menced to learn the tailoring trade; here he worked five years; he then went to Grantham, there worked at the trade eleven years ; he also worked in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire ; in 1850, he came to Shullsburg and commenced his present business, which he has followed since, except about two years farming ; he owns his shop and residence in town ; he has been Town Treasurer and Village As- sessor. He married Catharine Wilkinson in 1826; she was born in Woolsthorp, England, March, 1805 ; died in 1838; had ten children, four living-Ann, George, Ellinor and Eliza. Second `marriage to Mrs. Mary Linager in 1843; she was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1815 ; they have three children- David M., who has been for the past two years a correspondent of the Galena Industrial-Rebecca H. and Mary J.
M. SHAW WRIGHT, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Darlington ; born Jan. 10, 1829, in Carroll Co., Md .; he worked in a woolen factory till about 1852, when he came to Knox Co., Ohio; here he worked at carpentering and bridge building about two years; in 1854, he came to Madison, Wis., followed the carpenter's trade ; in 1855, he removed to Sauk Co., built a mill, which he afterward sold, with 160 acres of land ; in 1857, he came to La Fayette Co., where he has since lived and engaged in farming ; he now owns 280 acres of land; his buildings are as good if not the best in this county ; he built his residence in 1875; cost about $3,000; his barn cost about $1,000, and has other valuable improvements. Married Miss Louisa M. Russell in 1859; she was born in Bradford Co., Penn .; they have two children-Oscar and Emma.
TOWN OF NEW DIGGINGS.
JOSEPH AYER, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. O. Etna; born June 11, 1814, in Durham, England ; in 1842, he came to La Fayette Co .; he worked at the carpenter's trade here a number of years, having learned this trade in England ; he first bought 80 acres of land, and now owns 260 acres inproved ; he has been Secretary of the School Board and Town Supervisor. Married Isabella Eales in 1838; she was born in 1816, in Durham, England; had seven children ; five living ; three sons and two daughters.
J. F. BIRKBECK, firm of Birkbeck & Son; P. O. Etna; he was born in February, 1825, in Yorkshire, England ; in 1850, he came to Grant Co., Wis., thence to Iowa; he then went to California in 1865, he came to New Diggings ; they commenced their present business in 1878; his son Turner is Deputy Postmaster, and manages this business. Mrs. Birkbeck is also a native of England; was born in 1831 ; they have three children-Turner, John W. and Anna.
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