USA > Wisconsin > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Wisconsin, past and present : including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county [microform] > Part 63
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A Republiean in political views, he takes an active interest in the affairs of his party. In 1910 he was elected mayor of the city of Tomah. and dispatched the business of this office to the entire satisfaction of the citizens and with honor to himself. He was a delegate to the state convention in 1902 and takes an active interest in local and state politics.
Mr. Easly is a man of fine social qualities, generous. kind hearted and genial, and popular in the social circles of Tomah. He is identified with the Masonie fraternity. a member of the Blue Lodge, No. 172. His mother is still living at the age of seventy-one. and makes her home with her son at Tomah. Her fine mental endowments and high ideals in life make her a favorite among her wide circle of friends.
Edgar H. Eddy. To attempt to write a reliable history of Monroe county and not give prominent mention to the name of Edgar II. Eddy would be something altogether impossible, for as almost a continuous resident of the county for so long a period he has very properly come to be regarded as a part of it. He was born in Vermont. December 16. 1824. the son of Royal and Sally (Joy) Eddy. natives of Vermont and Massachusetts, respectively. They married in Vermont, where they spent several years in Chittenden county, removing to St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1854. Royal Eddy, father of Edgar. was a son of Samuel Eddy, who lived first in Bennington county, Vermont, and who later went to Ohio in an early day, encountering many hardships incident to pioneer life, and there lived and died. Sally Joy. mother of our subject, was the daughter of David Joy, a descend- ant of an old and prominent family of Massachusetts. Edgar H. Eddy left St. Lawrence county, New York, in the spring of 1854 for the state of Wisconsin. Ile went first by team to Ogdensburg,
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N. Y .. thence from there by water to Lewiston. and from there he again traveled on to Buffalo by team, where he took passage by boat for Monroe, Mich. Arriving at the last named place, he traveled by rail to Chicago, and again went forth by way of Lake Michigan to Milwaukee. On his arrival there he secured a team and started overland for Monroe county, arriving at Sparta on June 20. 1854. and first stopped with Andrews Lyman, who ran the old Globe hotel, which stood where the Sparta Library now stands. A few days later ho proceeded to Beaver Creek, in Sparta township, and located on section 3 on what is now known as the Shattuck farm and near the now famous Castle Rock, the top of which at that time was covered with red cedar trees. There was but one house then between Sparta and his claim. He first built a small shack for a house and began life in the then new country. That same season, however. he erected a frame honse and began clearing the timber and making other improve- ments. Royal Eddy, his father. had preceded him one year to this locality in 1853 and preempted a half section of government land. On the arrival of Mr. Eddy he and his brother George entered a quarter section of wild land in 1854. At the end of the first year they had cleared eight acres. At that time the hills and forests were abundant with wild game. which furnished plenty of subsistence: at the end of the second year Mr. Eddy sold his interest to his brother and proceeded to the lumber woods near Witterville, Wis., where he was employed for three years. At the end of that time he returned to Monroe county and located on a rented farm in Big creek, known as the Harr farm; after spending two years on that place he moved to Sparta and at the breaking ont of the Civil War he enlisted in Company A. Third Wisconsin Cavalry. and was mustered into the service in Decem- ber. 1862. and served on the frontier west of the Mississippi and for two years was among the Bushwhackers of Missouri and Kansas. Hle was honorably discharged at the close of the war and mustered out in February, 1865, and returned to Monroe county and homesteaded a quarter section of land in sections 20 and 21 of Sparta township, where he cleared five acres and estab- lished the family home. Ile continued to clear and improve the land until he had fifty acres under cultivation and there con- finued to make his home until April 1. 1907. when he retired from active labor, and has since made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Walter Howard.
On June 20, 1849. Mr. Eddy was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Tucker, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Church)
EDGAR H. EDDY
f
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Tucker. To this union was born six children-Ella. who married Charles Amidon. is deceased: Royal lives in Hand county, S. D .; Sarah is the widow of Joseph Willard and resides at Salem, Ore .: Edgar N .. of Sparta township: George is deceased, and Minnie, wife of Walter Howard. of Big Creek. Mrs. Eddy, who died August 16, 1890. at the age of fifty-six years, was a worthy helpmeet of her husband and shared the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life, and was held in high esteem by her wide circle of friends. Mr. Eddy is a man of quiet, unassuming man- ners. of strong physique, possessed of those sterling traits which win respect of the entire community. He is regarded as a man of great worth, and has always been a cordial supporter of the various enterprises of his town and county, and while he has nearly reached the four-score-and-ten mark. he is mentally strong and vigorous and delights in relating the incidents connected with his early life in Monroe county. He is broad and liberal in his views and is well posted on the topies of the day, and delights in the membership of the John W. Linn Post, G. A. R .. of Sparta. Since the foregoing was written Mr. Eddie died, on September 14. 1912.
Samuel D. Edwards, owner and proprietor of Sparta's mod- ern and up-to-date bus line. was born at Cambria, Wis., March 20, 1858. the son of R. D. and Jane Edwards, who left Wales. their native country. in the early fifties for America. After arriv- ing in this country they came to Wisconsin and settled first near . Cambria, where they engaged in farming for several years, when Mr. Edwards took up the profession of school instructor, teach- ing schools in the vicinity of Cambria, Bangor, Portland and New Cambria. In 1877 he came to Sparta and was for a time employed in the Letson furniture store, after which he removed to Rockland. Wis., and entered the employ of the Northwestern Railway Company as depot agent, remaining in this position for several years. After leaving this position they moved to Har- vard. Ill., where they both died --- Mrs. Edwards in 1891, at the age of seventy years. and Mr. Edwards in 1893 at the age of seventy-six years.
Samuel D. Edwards is the second of a family of three children ; the others are Jane, wife of A. C. Astrup. and resides at Madison, Wis .. and Benjamin, who is agent for the Northwestern railway at Wales, Wis. Mr. Edwards was raised on a farm and received his education in the public schools and learned the carpenters' trade. which he followed together with other lines of employment until he began operating a bus line at Sparta. September 13.
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1894. On October 1. 1895, he purchased the Hatch Bus Line and consolidated this and other lines with his own, and on November 6. 1905, he added the Ilotel line, and in 1910 he built a concrete and brick barn. 50x100 feet, modern in every detail and stocked with twenty horses and seven buses. The equipment and service which Mr. Edwards has placed at the disposal of the public is the best to be found in any town in western Wisconsin.
On May 7. 1893. Mr. Edwards was united in marriage with Miss Nancy I. Nicholson, daughter of John and Nancy (Douglas) Nicholson. of Rockland. Wis .. where both died. The Nicholson family were of English descent. The early ancestors in this coun- try were residents of New York. Mrs. Edwards is one of a family of six children; the others are John, who lives at Watertown, S. D .; George, deceased: Jennie, the wife of Daniel Traverse. resides at Rockland, Wis .; Thomas, of Watertown. S. D., and Charles, deceased.
They have one daughter, Mollie, who is the wife of George Siedel. druggist of Sparta.
Louis Errickson, a progressive farmer and representative citizen of Portland township, was born August 6, 1841. in Nor- way. When he was ten years old his parents, Andrew and Nickoline (Larson) Erriekson, came to this country from their native land with a family of five children. One child died during the voyage and was buried at sea. They settled in Racine county. Wisconsin, where the father was employed four years in a fanning mill factory. At the expiration of that time they moved to Monroe county, and for a time the father followed mechanical work in Portland township. Ile then purchased forty acres of land in section twenty-five, and commenced the life of a farmer. living there until 1858, when he moved to another forty-acre tract he had previously acquired, and there made his home dur- ing the remainder of his lifetime. He was progressive and industrious, and from time to time added to his original purchase until at his death, which occurred in 1899. at the age of eighty- three, he owned 180 acres of land in Portland township. He was a successful farmer and turned his attention to raising grain for market. The death of his wife, mother of our subject, occurred in 1875. They were members of the Lutheran church, and in public affairs he took an active and prominent part. He was chairman of the town board and treasurer for several terms. always interested in the affairs of the Republican party. They had a family of eleven children, three of whom are now (1912) living.
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Louis Errickson received his education in the common schools of his native town and also in America, which he attended until he was fifteen years old. At the age of twenty he enlisted for service in the Civil War, in Company E, Fifteenth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. After serving six months with this regiment he was discharged on account of disability. In 1863 he again enlisted, this time in Company F, First Wisconsin Cavalry, and participated in many lively battles, among them being the battle of Resaca, Dallas, Calhonn, Big Shanty moun- tain, Kenesaw mountain in front of Atlanta, Georgia, Jonesboro and many other engagements and skirmishes, and after two years of honorable service he was discharged in 1865 and returned to his home in Wisconsin, and until 1880 was employed on the farm. He then purchased a farm of 160 acres in section thirty-six, town of Portland, near the village of Cashton, on which he has made many improvements and since resided. In 1898 he built his modern residence and substantial ontbuildings; in 1912 he erected a large and commodions barn, 36x80 feet, with 16-foot posts and basement 8 feet high, sheeted with oak, covered with galvanized iron, accommodating thirty head of cattle and six horses, and he will soon build a large silo in connection. This is the finest barn in the township. His farm is well supplied with modern machinery and labor-saving devices, and well stocked with a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs. Mr. Errickson uses the most np-to-date methods in his farming operations and is also engaged in the raising of live stock and dairy business. Ile is one of the well-to-do and publie spirited men of his town and takes an active interest in public affairs. He has been treasurer of his town and is an ardent supporter of any movements pertaining to the betterment of his community.
On January 7, 1880, he was married in the town of Portland to Miss Helen Hansen Sveum. daughter of Hansen Sveum, a native of Norway, and early settler of Vernon county Wisconsin. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Errickson, viz. : Laura. born October 6, 1880, is now Mrs. John Benrud, of Vernon county : Amanda, born January 27, 1884, married Melvin Wang, of Cashton, and has two children. Henry, born October 20, 1887, received his education in the common schools and the Cashton High School. graduating from the latter institution in the class of 1906, after which he spent two years at St. Olf College at Northfield, Minn., and graduated from the agricultural depart- ment of the Wisconsin State University in 1912. Mr. and Mrs.
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Errickson have one adopted child, Fryda. In religious matters they are members of the Lutheran church.
Martin Errickson, oldest brother of Louis, was a member of Company HI, Fifteenth Wisconsin Infantry, having enlisted in 1861, and served until the close of the war. He was with his regiment in the battles of Island No. 10, Union City, Murfrees- boro, and was taken prisoner at Chickamauga and confined in Libby prison, and was one of the 110 who tunneled ont and made their escape. He was recaptured and sent to Belle Island, and finally transferred to Andersonville, and was there until the close of the war. After his return to Monroe county he engaged in business at Sparta with W. II. Blyton, and while in partnership with him built a brick block, where he continued in business until his death in 1868. at the age of twenty-nine years, the primary cause of which was a wound received at Murfreesboro.
Martin Erickson. In 1866 there came from Norway, their native land, John and Karn O. (Larsdater) Erickson, with a family of five children, who, after their arrival in America came to Monroe county, Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Portland and homesteaded 160 acres of land in section four, and there established a family home and lived until 1906, when the father sold the farm and moved to Leon, where he now resides in retire- ment, enjoying the well-earned fruits of his years of toil.
On the homestead farm in Portland Martin Erickson was born November 2, 1869. He attended the district schools during his boyhood and remained on the home farm until he reached his majority, and then leased the farm from his father, and for a short time engaged in farming on his own account. In 1893 he purchased ninety acres of unimproved land in section twenty-two, Leon township; here he erected a small house, where he lived until 1903, then built a modern ten-room house, and in 1909 a commodious barn 36x56 feet, which, with other buildings and substantial improvements. makes one of the up-to-date country homes of the township. In his farming operations he uses the most modern methods and is a successful breeder of Guernsey cattle, and has raised leaf tobacco for several years. In connec- tion with this he carries on an extensive dairy business from his herd of fifteen milch cows which produces a handsome revenue each year.
On November 18, 1890, in the town of Portland, Mr. Erickson was married to Miss Mary Anderson, daughter of Gullie Ander- son. They had a family of six children, of whom five are now (1912) living, viz .: Evangeline, born April 4, 1894: Gilmer, born
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April 5, 1896; Otis, born September 14, 1898; Louise, born February 14, 1901, and Walter, born December 17, 1903. In religious affiliations Mr. and Mrs. Erickson are members of the Lutheran church, and in politics he is a strong progressive Republican.
Albert E. Evenson,* a native of Monroe county, was born in the town of Portland, February 23. 1872. He is a son of Martin and Maria (Ericson) Evenson, natives of Norway. It was in the early fifties that Martin Evenson, father of our subject, came to America and first settled in Wabasha county, Minnesota, where his wife died. After two years he came to the town of Portland and homesteaded 160 acres. Hle afterwards disposed of this land and purchased a farm of John W. Jones in the Fish Creek valley, which he later sold, moving to Leon, where he now resides. Ilis birth occurred in Norway, where also his wife, the mother of our subject, was born. Mr. Evenson, the father of our subject, was twice married, and to the first union ten children were born, seven of whom are living, and to the second marriage two children were born.
Albert E. attended the common school until his seventeenth year, and at an early age began as a farm laborer at twenty-five cents per day. Ile soon after received employment as section hand on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Panl railway for a period of fifteen months, when his wages were increased. In 1895 he located on the farm of his grandfather, Andrew Evenson, where he resided for two years, when he removed to Leon, where he was employed on the farm of W. H. Davis for eight years. then removed to the Fred Swartzlow farm near Leon, and there resided for three years, thence to what is known as the Aylesworth farm, where he remained until 1908, when he purchased the farm of forty acres formerly owned by Mr. Aylesworth, where he now resides, and to which he has added valuable improvements, tilling the soil to the best advantage, rebuilt the residence, built a silo and made several other additions.
Our subject is a Progressive Republican and a great admirer of Senator LaFollette. He and his estimable wife are members of the Lutheran church, and in fraternal matters he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Ile has held the office of tax supervisor for three years and has been chairman of the town of Leon for seven years. On December 11. 1895, he was married at C'ashton to Miss Mary Ann Gilbertson. Two children have been born to this union, viz. : Herbert W., born December 1. 1896, and Lela J., born April 13. 1906.
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Leo B. Evenson, a popular clothier of Sparta, is a product of Minnesota, and was born at Lanesboro, Fillmore county, April 7, 1881. the son of Emil and Mary (Vieth) Evenson, natives of Wis- consin and Minnesota, respectively. The father died in May, 1887. at the age of thirty-two years, leaving the mother and two children, Leo B. and his sister Mildred, wife of W. W. Card, all residents of Sparta.
Supplementing his public school education with a course at the Lawrence University. Appleton, Wis .. Mr. Evenson began his career as a clothing merchant in the employ of Dodge & Davis. in 1901. continuing in this position for two and a half years. He then engaged in the same line of business with George Grossman. under the name of Leo Evenson Clothing Company, which later merged into the Pickwick Clothes Shop, the Sparta establishment being one of a chain of stores operating in the various towns around Sparta, the holding company being known as the Gross- man Wardrobe Company. The Sparta store was the first one organized in 1909, and is one of the chain of stores. The Tomah store is under the charge of W. W. Card, and the store at Elroy is operated by Louis Larson. all of which are operated by the holding company under the name of the Pickwick Clothes Shops. The company is composed of the following named gentlemen : George Grossman, president, treasurer and general manager: Leo B. Evenson, vice-president and assistant general manager : W. W. Card. secretary. The directors are: Dr. W. T. Sarles. C. M. Masters, William McBride, Dr. Carl Beebe. Harry Masters, George Grossman and Leo B. Evenson.
Mr. Evenson is one of the wide-awake and progressive cloth- ing men of this section, and his broad experience in the line has fitted him for the position he now occupies. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. and is active in the social circles of Sparta.
On February 12. 1905. he was married to Miss Julia Cholvin. daughter of Samuel Cholvin. a resident of Wilton. Monroe county. Mr. and Mrs. Evenson have three children, viz. : Elizabeth. Virginia and Eleanor.
W. J. Ferries. a native son of Monroe county, was born on the ridge in Wilton township, on July 9. 1862, the son of W. H. and Margaret (Harland) Ferries, both natives of Wales. In the early fifties the father came to America with his parents, and W. J. Ferries, grandfather of our subject, homesteaded a quarter see- tion of land on the ridge, and was one of the earliest settlers in Wilton township. His brother, who came with him to America.
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also took a homestead of 160 acres. The great-grandfather was a farmer and hotel keeper and established the first hotel in Ridge- ville, where the tourist and newcomer were treated to his hos- pitality. His son, father of our subject, who was his chief aid. managed the farm while he attended to the hotel business and was generally successful in his undertakings and was well known over the county as a kind-hearted. generous and public spirited man. highly respected by the entire community where he lived. In the cultivation of his wild land he used nine yoke of oxen to turn the sod. He lived on his farm for many years and finally sold the land and moved to Tomah, where he died in 1882. He had a family of three children. one of whom still 1912 survives. two sons deceased. and one daughter. Elizabeth. now living at Norwalk. at the age of seventy-five years.
W. H .. father of our subject. was twice married, first to Mar- garet Harland in 1853. by whom seven children were born. five sons and two daughters. five of whom are now living. Mrs. Ferries died in 1881. and two years later he married for his second wife Mrs. Catherine Pratt. who died in 1904. The father operated a threshing machine for about twenty-five years. and became well known all over the county as a high-minded and upright man. He acquired a farm of 160 acres in Wilton town- ship and was also engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in the village of Wilton until 1898. where he resided and died in 1905. He was a staunch Democrat and was always active in the affairs of his party. He served as chairman of the town board for six years and was for many years a director of the schools. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and was consid- ered one of the most popular and well-known men of the county.
W. J. Ferries. our subject. had the advantages of the district schools up to his eighteenth year. and remained on the home farm. On September 7. 1890. he was married to Miss Gusta Popp. daughter of Herman and Carrie Popp. Three children have been born to them. viz. : Lillian M .. who graduated from high school in 1910 and is also a graduate of the Wisconsin Business Uni- versity at LaCrosse. 1911. was born May 4. 1891: Vilas, who is also a high school graduate. was born July 4. 1892. and Vern. born November 23. 1895.
August Fetkenheuer,* a prosperous farmer who lives on sec- tion twenty-four. Adrian township. is a son of John and Marie (Ratke) Fetkenheuer. who spent their lives in Germany. where our subject was born August 23. 1856. He attended the common schools of his native town from the age of six to fourteen years,
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and was variously employed in the city of Staten until 1887, when he emigrated to the United States. Arriving in this country he first settled at Baltimore, and after a time came to Wisconsin and to Hillsboro, Vernon county, where he remained but three months, when he went to the city of Tomah, and for ten years was in the employ of the Goodyear Lumber Company. In 1897 he purchased his present farm of 160 acres, ten of which he cleared, built two barns, granary and a comfortable residence. He has improved the land by cultivation and has made a most creditable showing for the years spent on the farm, using in his operations the most improved methods. Besides general farming. Mr. Fetkenheuer has always been a successful raiser of fine stock, and at this time his favorites are the Holstein breed of cattle.
He was married in November, 1880, to Miss Louisa Fick. also a native of Staten, Germany. The children born to this union are William, who resides at Two Rivers, Wis., is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, having served in the hospital corps of the Third Wisconsin Regiment ; Frank is deceased ; Paul A. lives on the homestead farm; Emma married Lonis Herwig. of Wono- woe, Wis .; Edith is deceased; Anna, wife of Henry E. Zellmar, Adrian township; Amanda, at home; Arthur, deceased, and Otto A., at home.
Besides being intensely interested in the affairs of his town Mr. and Mrs. Fetkenhener are members of the German Lutheran church of Tomah.
Herman M. Flock, one of the wealthy farmers of Ridgeville township, Monroe county, is the son of Matt and Elizabeth (Lang) Flock, both natives of Germany. Herman was born August 27, 1868, in Ridgeville, this county. Matt Flock came to America with his parents in 1857 and located in Monroe county, where they homesteaded 160 acres of land and were among the first settlers of that locality. Here they lived for many years and the father died on August 15, 1880, and the mother on January 29th, about eight years later. They had a family of six children and were considered one of the leading pioneer families. Matt, with the others, received a good common school education and worked at farming all his life. He is now a prosperous general farmer and lives in Norwalk. He was married at Watertown, Wis., in 1867, and they had a family of twelve children, nine of whom are now, 1912, living.
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