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 70
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Mr. Hoffman is a man of extraordinary business ability and since his first venture on his own resources he has seldom under- taken a proposition that has not yielded to his benefit. "Fair Dealing" is his motto, and to this he attributes his success. He is a good conversationalist and interests his hearers with many incidents of early pioneer days, when the ox team was a fixture on the homestead farm, and the wearing apparel was made by hand for the family of eight, of which he was the sixth child. He also recalls vividly the responsibility of the mother in rearing the family after the death of the father and of his own part in helping to cultivate the 280-acre farm.
On November 9, 1883, Mr. Hoffman married Miss Julia T. Nolan, daughter of Andrew and Anna Nolan, of Ridgeville, Wis. Their children are Arch W., Myrtle Ann, Alica Elizabeth and Harvey W. Hoffman.
Julius H. Hoffman, brother of William C. and George A. Hoff- man, all of Sparta, who has been a lifelong resident of Monroe county, was born in Jefferson township November 12, 1861, to John and Elizabeth (Seymour) Hoffman, pioneer Germans of this township, having located here in the fifties.
Born and raised on a farm, Mr. Hoffman attended the district schools of his native township and the public school of Sparta. His early life was spent on the homestead farm and upon leaving that he was engaged in the butcher business at Sparta with his brothers for about eight years, and then engaged in the retail groeery business, but this was of short duration and he went into the harness and saddlery business in Sparta, and after making a success of this for about ten years he concluded to try the real estate business, and in the year 1908 he formed a partnership with William Pearson, of Winnipeg, of the firm of William Pearson Company (Limited), with offices in Sparta, dealing largely in western lands and the Last Mountain valley. They also handle farm and city property in Monroe county and Sparta.
Mr. Hoffman is a high-minded, publie-spirited man, and is in- terested in whatever relates to the well being or betterment of his community. He is actively identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America.
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He was for fourteen years chief of the fire department and served two terms as member of the city council from the Third ward.
On June 10, 1890, Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage with Miss Capitola Chamberlain, daughter of C. B. and Lois Chamber- lain, of Sparta.
William C. Hoffman is one of the well-known and substantial citizens of Sparta. Ile is of German lineage and a native of Chicago, Ill., born May 14, 1854, the son of John and Elizabeth (Seymour) Hoffman, both natives of Germany, and were among the sturdy pioneers that came and settled in Monroe county in the early fifties. They located in Jefferson township on a farm and commenced to break up and subdue the wild land. and had but scarcely begun to improve his farm and make his way when the Civil War broke out and he was drafted for service in a Wisconsin regiment. Feeling it a necessity and duty to remain at home and care for his large family he hired a substitute for $1,000 to take his place in the service, and had got nicely started on the reduction of his war debt when he met an untimely death by an accident with a horse at the age of forty-five years. His death was a great loss to the family and left the future manage- ment and development of the home farm with the mother, which by energy and untiring efforts on her part. and the aid of her sons, was successfully carried on, and 100 of the 250-acre farm was placed in a high state of cultivation.
William C. began early in life to make his own way and lay the foundation for the future successful business career he has since enjoyed, and at the age of fifteen he came to Sparta and found employment in the butcher business under James Bulser. receiving for his first services $5, which was raised to $15 a month, and at the expiration of the third year he returned to the farm for a short time. but the desire for a more active life pre- vailed and he again returned to Sparta and took up the butcher business, working for some time with varions firms, and finally he with two others purchased the business of his first employer and the style of the firm was Potter, Andis & Hoffman. At the end of three years Mr. Hoffman purchased the interest of Audis and the business was carried on for the next five years under the name of Potter & Hoffman. At this time Mr. Potter sold his interest to Mr. Iloffman and he then associated with his two brothers and the name became Hoffman Brothers, with a pros- perons business until 1904, when Mr. William Hoffman sold a half interest to his brother, J. E. Hoffman, and a half interest to Jefferson Hollenbeck, and retired.
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A resident of Monroe county for half a century, and starting in life without capital, Mr. Hoffman has by hard work. economy and good business judgment, worked his way to success and has gained a competency with which to enjoy the remaining years of his life. He is in the true sense a self-made man, one of good moral character, enterprising and publie spirited. Mr. Hoffman is also a publie benefactor in that he has made it possible for several young persons to receive a practical education. thus starting them on the road to success in life. He is an extensive property owner, and in 1890 built a shop costing some $6.000, and has since then erected several other substantial buildings. Ile is a director in the Monroe County Bank, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is identified with every movement for the improvement and betterment of his city.
On January 28. 1878. Mr. Hoffman was married to Miss Mary Fitzgerald. daughter of Patrick Fitzgerald, of Sparta.
Edwin S. Hubbard, a successful farmer of Sheldon township, Monroe county, Wisconsin, where he was born February 6, 1862. is a son of William and Mary (Saxby) Hubbard. both natives of England. The father came to America in the early fifties before his marriage and located in Walworth county, where for a time he worked as a laborer, and later moved to Monroe county and settled in the town of Forest, and in 1857 went to Sheldon town- ship, where he purchased 120 acres of land in sections fourteen and fifteen and resided there for thirty years, engaged in general farming. In 1887 he went to Tennessee and remained five years, returning to the homestead at the end of that time, sold the farm to Edwin S. and retired from active labor. Mr. and Mrs. Hub- bard had a family of three children. all of whom are now living. During his farming operations Mr. Hubbard dealt extensively in stock raising, making a specialty of Oxford sheep, of which he was a successful breeder. He had the first wheat ground at the first grist mill established at Sparta. using an ox team to take it there. Mr. Hubbard was one of the early settlers of Sheldon township and experienced his share of the trials and hardships of the pioneer. He was one of the foremost citizens of the county, high minded and public spirited. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard were both members of the Baptist church and contributed liberally to its support. After a long and well spent life Mr. Ihubbard passed away in 1903, honored and respected by all who knew him. The death of Mrs. Hubbard occurred in 1883.
Edwin S. was raised on the home farm and attended the dis- triet schools until he was twelve years of age, assisting in the farm
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work, and was the mainstay of his father. He has always lived on the home farm, which he purchased in 1888, and has since carried it on on his own account. He is a successful general farmer and his place is well improved by cultivation and substan- tial buildings. Ile employs the most up-to-date methods in his farming operations and keeps his place well supplied with modern equipments, and a good grade of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, and makes a specialty of dairying. He is independent in politics and takes an active interest in the affairs of his town and county. He has served as clerk of the town one year, for two years was treasurer of his town. and for several years school clerk. He is one of the organizers of the Norwalk creamery and is now its president, and has been the past five years.
On February 22, 1888, Mr. Hubbard was married in the town of Sheldon to Miss Josephine Falk, daughter of Fred and Fredrica Falk, natives of Germany. Mrs. Hubbard is one of a family of eleven children, reared and brought up at Medsker's Valley. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard, viz. : Lillian, Verna and William Hubbard.
Walter W. Hughart, who has been a resident of Monroe county for some fifteen years, is one of the prosperous farmers and busi- ness men who are worthy of special mention in this work. He was born July 26 .. 1871. in Richland county. Wisconsin, and is the son of Daniel R. and Elsie M. (Brown) Hughart. His father came from Ohio and his mother from New York. They were mar- ried in 1869 in Wisconsin, and moved to Richland county in 1848. where they lived until about 1902. and. after spending some time in Oregon, they located in Spokane, Wash. The father died in Spokane in 1911 at the age of sixty years. The mother still survives and resides in Spokane, Wash.
Walter W. obtained a good edneation in the district schools and at the age of seventeen began to earn his own living. Ile was faithful, steady and economical in his habits, and after a few years he had accumulated sufficient money from his savings with which to purchase a farm of 120 acres in sections eleven and twelve in the township of Oakdale. On November 28. 1895, he was married. in Mt. Pleasant township. Green county, Wisconsin, to Miss Phila A. Richards, daughter of James and Jane Richards, old settlers and early pioneers of that county. Her people came originally from England on the paternal side, and the mother descended from one of the Lords of the House of Parliament. After his marriage, he disposed of the 120-acre farm and pur- chased another 120-acre tract in section fourteen of Oakdale town-
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ship, where they located and now reside, he being considered one of the most successful men in the business. His methods of con- ducting the farm are up to date and his land is in a high state of prodnetiveness. In connection with his general farming. he makes a specialty of dairying and poultry raising. from which he derives a regular income. He was one of the organizers of the Oakdale Co-operative Butter Association, and is a man of good business ability. He is a Democrat in politics and for three years has been clerk of the town of Oakdale. He is also a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America.
Mr. and Mrs. Hughart have a family of ten children. all of whom are living. viz: Ruth I., born September 7. 1896; S. Edith, born December 31. 1897; Eunice, born January 20, 1899; J. Stanly, born December 29. 1900; Wilber H .. born July 3. 1902; Lillie, born April 3. 1904: Elsie. born May 8. 1905 : Gertrude, born April 23. 1907; Phila. born December 3. 1908, and James Daniel, born December 31. 1910.
Evan Humphrey,* who ranks among the progressive farmers of Monroe county, was born at Bangor, LaCrosse county, Wiscon- sin. April 15. 1879. to G. G. and Catherine (Meredith) Humphrey. both natives of Wales. Sometime during the fifties they decided to come to the United States, and soon after arriving in this coun- try came West to Wisconsin, and settled on a farm near Bangor, in LaCrosse county. He was a mason by trade and followed this honest calling as demand warranted in connection with his farm- ing. He was a man of high ideals, kind-hearted and generous. a devoted member of the Calvinistic Methodist Episcopal church, and contributed liberally to its support. He took a lively interest in public affairs, and was a member of the school board for twenty-five years, and was a member of the town board at the time of his death, which occurred in 1894, at the age of sixty-seven years. His widow. mother of our subject, is a woman of fine mental attainments and still survives.
Evan was reared on the home farm, receiving his education in the district schools. Ile started life on his own account in 1898, when nineteen years of age: he took charge of and carried on his father's farm with marked success for some five years, and in 1903 came to Monroe county and purchased his present farm of 160 acres from J. T. Hutson, and has since continued as one of the leading farmers of Sparta township, pursuing up-to-date methods which have brought him successful results. Ile follows general farming and dairying. and makes a specialty of raising Guernsey cattle.
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Mr. Humphrey was united in marriage with Miss Rose Hutson, daughter of J. T. Ilutson, in 1903, and to this union has been born three children-Tracy JJ .. Gladys Irene and Hugh Meredith- all of whom reside at home with their parents. Mr. Humphrey takes an active interest in the affairs of his township. is a member of the town board. and all matters he considers for the welfare of his community he gives his active support. He is a member of the Big Creek Methodist Episcopal church and contributes of his means to its support.
Andrew Hutson, a prosperous farmer and well known citizen of Monroe county. is a lifelong resident of the county, having been born in Farmers Valley. Angelo township, February 21, 1859, son of Solomon and Maria (Winterburn) Hutson. They were natives of England and came to the United States. settling first in the State of New York. Soon thereafter they came to Wiscon- sin. and in 1856 traveled overland by team from Milwaukee to Angelo township, where they were among the pioneer settlers of that section. They engaged in farming and there made their home until Andrew reached the age of two years. when they moved to the Leon Valley in Leon township, and in 1868 came to Sparta township and located on a farm of 145 acres in section seven. where our subject now resides. At the time of loeating on this farm in the Big Creek Valley. it had an orchard of ten acres which was valued at $1.000. but the balance of the farm was mostly covered with stumps. By energy. hard work and perse- verance these were soon removed. and the land transformed into one of the most fertile spots in the valley. New buildings have been erected. consisting of an up-to-date residenee equipped with modern conveniences, large and commodious harns and other out- buildings. Other improvements have been made from time to time. until it has become one of the most ideal farm homes to be found in Monroe county. and. being located in one of the pictur- esque localities of Big Creek Valley. has a peculiar charm all its own. Mr. Hutson. father of Andrew. died January 1. 1878. aged fifty-two years, and his wife, mother of our subject. passed away in 1870 at the age of thirty-seven. Mr. Andrew Hutson is the second child of a family of three children, the others being Emma. who is the wife of Robert E. Hutson, of Sparta township. and Ida. now the wife of J. A. Parker, of Minneapolis. Minn.
On June 17. 1886, Mr. Hutson was united in marriage with Miss Lillian J. Doane, daughter of Timothy and Sarah M. (Rhodes) Doane. of Welsh Valley. Little Falls township. They were natives of New England. descended from old and prominent
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BIOGRAPHY
families. They came to Wisconsin and were among the early settlers of Bush Prairie, Lafayette township, this county. He was a man of high ideals, prominent in his community and re- spected and esteemed by all who knew him. His death occurred in 1865, at the age of forty-three years. His widow, mother of Mrs. Hutson, who survives at the age of eighty-eight years, is a charming lady and still retains most excellent health and mental vigor.
Mr. and Mrs. Hutson have an interesting family of four chil- dren. They are : Clayton H., born October 23, 1888; Percival W., a student at Beloit College, born November 13, 1891 ; Margorie E .. born December 19, 1898, and Lorene A., born July 6, 1907.
Mr. Hutson received his edueation in the district school and has devoted his entire life since boyhood to farming, and is known as one of the progressive and substantial farmers of Monroe county, being a man of intelligence and worth in the community in which he resides. He has been treasurer of his town, assessor for twelve years, and also a member of the school board. In religious matters he and his most estimable wife and family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church of Big Creek Valley.
Benjamin F. Hutson, who resides in section six. town of Sparta, was born at Council Bluffs, Ia., January 21, 1877, the son of William and Elizabeth (Fox) Hutson. natives of England and Vermont respectively. They were married in the Big Creek Val- ley, Sparta township. Monroe county. Wisconsin, where he en- gaged in farming for a short time and then removed to Kansas. After a short sojourn in that state, he went to Arkansas, thence removed to Nebraska. and later to Iowa. locating at Council Bluffs, where he was engaged for two years in railroad construc- tion work. At the end of that time he went to South Dakota and homesteaded a quarter section of land. and remained there four years. He then returned to Monroe county and purchased a small farm of eighty acres near the Big Creek Methodist church in Sparta township. and there died eighteen months later, on March 24. 1886, aged fifty-six years. Mrs. Hutson. mother of our subject. survives and is a resident of Leon Valley in this county.
Benjamin F. is the third ehild of a family of six children. Those besides our subject living are Channeey A., of Sparta ; May, the wife of Reuben Hohn. of Leon township. Those deceased are Carrie and two who died in infancy.
On April 12, 1899, Mr. Hutson was married to Miss Nona MeCumber. daughter of William and Martha (Hohn) McCumber,
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
of Sparta township. They have three children-Dora Mildred, Ivy Merrill and William Henry. Mr. Hutson was reared on a farm in Big Creek Valley, and attended the district schools, after which he was employed at farming in different localities until 1898. when he purchased his present farm of 160 acres, and which. by hard work. thrift and economy. he has brought to a high state of cultivation, erected a new modern residence. re-built the barns, adding a granary, tool shed and hog house, and installed a sys- tem of running water. all of which makes him a model country home. Mr. Hutson is a member of the Good Templars Lodge. and in polities he is a Republican.
Fred G. Hutson, successful farmer of section thirty-four, An- gelo township. is the son of Thomas and Mary Ann ( Wooley) Hutson, natives of England. whence they came to America and first settled in Western New York, and in the early fifties came to Wisconsin and located in Monroe county, where Fred G. was born December 7. 1869. After a few years spent in Leon town- ship. the father purchased a farm in Big Creek Valley. La Crosse connty. and there remained until late in life. when he removed to the city of Sparta, where he died at the age of seventy-eight years. Ilis wife, mother of our subject, passed away at the age of seventy years. They raised a family of seven children. Fred G. being the youngest. Of the others. Thomas and Harriet are deceased : Charles II. lives in Sparta : Robert W. resides in Wells township: Thirza is the wife of D. F. Jones, of Sparta township: and John F .. of Sparta.
Fred G. was reared on his father's farm, attending the com- mon, schools and assisting with the farm work until he reached the age of twenty-four years. when he started ont for himself. Ile first located in Angelo township. near Sparta, where he re- mained one year, then went to Minnesota. After a short time he returned to Monroe county and located in Leon township. remain- ing there two years, and then moved to the town of Wells and spent two more years, and again returned to Leon and spent two years; thence to the town of Angelo, locating on his present farm, eighty acres of which lies in section thirty-four. Angelo. and 157 acres in section three. Wells township. in 1901. In 1905 he erected a new barn and other outbuildings, and in 1907 built a new residence. Since purchasing this farm, Mr. Hutson has. besides carrying on general farming. been actively engaged in making many improvements. A Republican in politics. he is in- terested in all publie matters, and is now (1912) serving his fourth
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BIOGRAPHY
term as township treasurer. In social matters he is a member of the Beavers.
On January 3, 1895, Mr. Ilutson was married to Miss Eliza- beth Jones, daughter of J. E. and Carrie (Calkins) Jones, of Leon township. Mrs. Hntson passed away in 1910, at the age of forty years, leaving. besides her husband, a family of eight children, viz: Phillip. Evelyn, George, Carl, Grace, Ruth, Gertrude and Dorothy.
Robert W. Hutson is a native of Monroe county and was born in the town of Angelo on August 9, 1860, the son of Thomas and Mary Ann ( Wooley) Hutson. He received his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, and early in life started out for himself, dependent upon his own resources. In 1881 he bought his father's farm and has actively managed it ever since: in 1901 took a position with the Plano Manufacturing Company as travel- ing salesman for some three years; he then resumed work on the farm, which is located in section three of Wells township, at which he has been successful from the start, and is now consid- ered one of the most progressive and hustling farmers of his town- ship. Besides general farming. Mr. lhutson does quite an exten- sive dairy business and takes pride in keeping his place well stocked with horses. cattle and hogs, and well supplied with modern equipments for carrying on the work.
Mr. Hutson takes an active interest in the affairs of his town and eonnty and works in the Republican ranks in any movement pertaining to the betterment of the community. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
On February 13. 1882. Mr. Hutson was married at Leon, to Miss Georgia E. Rich. and they have had seven children, six of whom are now (1912) living, viz : Lola, born July 31, 1884; Floyd, born March 12. 1886: Bessie, born January 31, 1889; Jessie, born March 4. 1891: Robie, born December 7, 1893, and Georgia, born January 9, 1898. Lizzie is deceased.
Martin Jackson. No history of Monroe county would be com- plete withont a biography of Mr. Martin Jackson, the pioneer grain, seed and stock dealer. He was born in West Toten, Nor- way, on December 13, 1846. His parents, Jacob and Christinina (Hangrud) Jackson, emigrated to the United States in 1870 and located at Cashton, where the father died at the age of ninety- four years, and the mother passed away at Cashton at the age of eighty-four years.
After arriving in this country Mr. Jackson spent the first three
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
years at various kinds of employment. Ile had received a thor- ough education in Norway and in the meantime developed an unusual executive ability, which aided him greatly after coming to America. He was an ambitious and energetic young man and soon after coming to Sparta he secured a position in a grain ele- vator, which he held for about ten years, six of which he operated the grain warehouse for the firm of Dorwin, King & Company, and gained a thorough knowledge of the business with a reputa- tion for honorable and upright dealing. He was thrifty and saving and soon accumulated means with which he purchased a ware- house at C'ashton. He enlarged and remodeled his buildings and soon established a good trade, and by his honesty and square dealing secured the patronage of that entire section, where he did an annual business running as high as $100,000, his shipments of grain and stock often reaching 100 ears or more. He soon again enlarged his facilities, and for a period of seventeen years he operated three warehouses. In 1897, disposing of his interests at Cashton, he returned to Sparta, where he owned and operated a grain elevator on the C., M. & St. P. R. R., and also took charge of the Northwestern, and at Sparta, in the live stock business, transactions amounted from $120,000 to $150,000 a year for some time, and subsequently leased it to MeEchorn & Company, of Wansan. Wis. This elevator was soon thereafter destroyed by fire. Since disposing of his elevator interests Mr. Jackson has been engaged in the seed, stock and wool business at Sparta, which has grown to large proportions, he having the reputation of being the largest dealer in wool in Monroe county and of being the most proficient in the grading of grain of any man in the county.
In 1873 Mr. Jackson married Miss Mary Langard, daughter of Lars O. and Mary Langard, both natives of Norway, and who emigrated to Wisconsin in 1868 and made their home in La Crosse county. Mrs. Jackson died in 1908 at the age of fifty-five years. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, viz. : Olga, who is the wife of C. W. Craig and lives at Hoquaim. Wash. ; Claudie is the wife of Robert Merrill, of Sparta; Clara married James A. Uttley and resides in North Dakota; Minnie is the wife of Cleo Evans and lives in Sparta; George and Elystar, who also live in Sparta.
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