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 75
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William Lillie was the son of David Lillie, a blacksmith by trade, who spent his entire life at Orwell, Vi. The father of Mrs. Lillie, and grandfather of our subject, was William Young. James, a brother of William Lillie, was a farmer at Orwell, Vt., where he died. He was in the service for his country in the Civil War. Walter Lillie, another brother of the late William Lillie, is still living at Orwell, Vt., and is engaged in making and sharpening marble cutters' tools.
George F. Lillie is the seventh of a family of eight children. The others are Betsy II., wife of James M. Gordon, of Nebraska ; Frances, wife of Nelson Crouch, and resides at Kendall, in this county ; Loran E. Lillie lives at Boone, Ia., and David, James,
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William and Walter are deceased. Mr. Lillie was reared on his father's farm in Wellington township, attended the common schools, and at the age of nineteen years was employed in a country store conducted by Samuel Cholvin. At the age of twenty years he entered the employ of Messrs. Barrington & Lockwood, merchants at Kendall, with whom he remained for three years. After spending one year in Nebraska he returned to Kendall and embarked in the grocery business on his own ac- count. He later added other lines and for thirteen years suc- cessfully conducted a general store. In 1898 he was elected clerk of the circuit court for Monroe county, and disposing of his merchandise interests, assumed charge of that office. He was re-elected for a second term, at the close of which he entered the employ of the Wisconsin Telephone Company. After two years spent in the telephone service he, in September, 1897, removed to Sibley. Ia., and there conducted a bakery and restaurant for one and a half years. Returning to Sparta in 1909 he decided to again engage in business in his home town, and on April 24, of that year, opened a variety store, which he made a snecess, and in 1911 enlarged his facilities and changed the name to the Variety Emporium, and is now conducting a thriving and pros- perons business. He is a man of sterling worth and industrious habits, generous in his dealings and well liked by his customers. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias order and the Modern Woodmen of America.
On October 31, 1883, Mr. Lillie married Miss Annie Josephine McFee, daughter of Washington and Eliza (Hart) MeFee. of Ontario. Vernon county, Wisconsin. Their children are Earl B .. who resides in Portage, Wis .; Mamie J. and Paul W. reside at Sparta. Dean II .. George W. and Gladys are deceased.
Joseph A. Lincoln* is a native of Wilton, Monroe county, Wisconsin, where he was born May 11, 1873. He is a son of George and Ilannah (Falkner) Lincoln. George Lincoln, the father of our subject, was a native of Dorset, Vt .. and his father, James Lincoln, emigrated with his family from Vermont to Illi- nois, and after a short time came to Wisconsin, locating in the town of Wilton in the early fifties. where he homesteaded eighty acres of land in section ten of that town. where George, his son, bought eighty acres of land in the same section, and his father, James, had acquired 440 acres at the time of his death. He ex- perienced the ups and downs of pioneer life, with the land wild and uncultivated. The homestead is now occupied by our subject and the house built on this farm is one of the oldest land-marks in
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the valley. James, the grandfather of our subject, reared a family of five children, of whom George, father of our subject, is the only surviving member. George Lincoln attended the district school and at the age of eighteen began to learn the carpenter's trade, to which he gave his undivided attention for several years. His marriage occurred in 1870 and to this union were born eleven children, the subject of this sketch being the second child. In 1891 he removed with his family to Hebron. N. D., where he has been successful, and is now the owner of 320 aeres of land in that northwest country.
Joseph attended the public school up to his sixteenth year and made his home with his uncle. Joseph Lincoln, and was always a laborer until 1906, when he became the owner of sixty acres of choice land in Wilton township.
October 25, 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Isabell Allingham, daughter of Hugh O. and Elizabeth Allingham. They have one son, Hugh O., born November 1, 1899. Mrs. Lincoln has one brother, Hugh O. Allingham, Jr. The father of Mrs. Lincoln is a resident of Tomah township, and is the owner of 143 acres of land. In politics Mr. Lincoln is a Republican and active in the interest of his party. In 1912 he was elected chairman of the town of Wilton.
William Wallace Link. Among the early settlers in western Wisconsin. away back early in the Nineteenth century, was Henry A. Link. father of the subject of this sketeh. A native of Kinder- hook. N. Y .. he left that state at about the time mentioned. and became located in what is now the Leon Valley, in Monroe county. He was a son of Nicholas Link and grandson of William Link. who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His ancestors were natives of Holland. and settled at an early day on the North river in Columbia county, New York. Here Henry A. was reared and educated. His wife was Laura Hutchins, daughter of M. and Sybil (Simpson) Hutchins, of Seoteh and Irish ancestry. They raised a family of eleven children, five of whom are now living. He was born in the town of Kinderhook, state of New York, in 1809. and died in January, 1880, aged seventy years. He was a successful farmer in his native state, where he grew to manhood. and received a good education. He was a student of economic principles and a man of good sound judgment; in every walk of life his career was above eritieism or reproach : a man of unbend- ing honor, incorruptible honesty, broad but practical charity. noble and generous in his dealings, dignified in his manhood. worthy as a citizen. true and faithful as a friend. he merited and
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received the honor and respect of all who knew him. Hle at one time ran for member of the general assembly of New York state, being defeated by one vote: was a JJacksonian Democrat and a believer in principles of Democracy. and after coming to Wis- consin attained to a position of prominence in every movement of public interest. He held many town offices, was justice of the peace for a number of years, and his advice was sought on many occasions by the people of his town.
With a view to bettering his condition. Henry A. Link came to Wisconsin on a tour of inspection and upon his arrival in the Leon Valley he was so impressed with the country that he pur- chased 120 acres of land which he cultivated and seeded. then returned to his native state for his family. Taking passage at Buffalo, they came by the way of the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, from which point they came to Portage City, where they pur- chased a team of horses and wagon with which they traveled overland to the Leon Valley in Monroe county, arriving here in September. 1853. He added to his original purchase from time to time until he had acquired 1.000 acres of the choice land in the valley. besides purchasing other tracts in lowa and Missouri. Hle was one of Monroe county's foremost citizens. kind and con- siderate of the poor, to whom he always extended a helping hand. in many instances cancelling the debts owed him without any remuneration. Hle was a man of decided views and disliked the aristocrat and looked with disfavor on the rich who took advan- tage of their poor debtors to increase their own fortunes. To charitable subjects he gave thousands of dollars, and will always be remembered as one of the most liberal. open-hearted men in the county. When he arrived in this section but few settlers lived near him. His was the first frame residence erected in the Leon Valley, and at this time trips to Delton. Wis .. a distance of 100 miles, were necessary to secure flour and other provisions. He always bought as much as he could haul and sold the surplus to his neighbors. Ilis wife, mother of William W .. was born in New York state in 1815, and died in August. 1878. at the age of sixty-three years. She was a woman of rare womanly graces. a devont Christian, and, while in New York, was with her husband a consistent member of the Lutheran church. but after coming to Wisconsin became a Congregationalist.
William Wallace Link was born in Columbia county. New York. October 27. 1837. and came to Wisconsin in 1853 with his parents and family, consisting at that time of nine children. Ile attended the common schools of New York state. receiving a
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limited education, but he was a constant reader and close observer of events and became thoroughly posted on ahnost any subject. Hle delved into historical science, mental and moral philosophy, and is also a great Bible student. He has become a theologiau and from deep thinking and study has accepted the belief which he now enjoys. when the Almighty manifests himself in different and mysterious ways to his children he has created in this world. William remained at home assisting on the farm until he was twenty-six years of age. when he went West to Montana. where he remained two years. At the end of that time he returned home and rented his father's farm, which he carried on for two years. when he purchased a farm of 120 aeres and has since made additions until now he has a farm of 270 aeres of choice valley land, located near the village of Leon. Mr. Link is the oldest living settler in the Leon Valley, and is one of the most prosper- ous and influential citizens of the county. He takes an active interest in the affairs of his town and county, and in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his community he gives his hearty support. In polities he is a Prohibitionist, but previous to be- coming allied with the Prohibition party he had been active in the interest of Democracy. While he has never sought official position. he has held many minor town offices and for several years was justice of the peace; being a member of the county board for three years. He is now clerk of the school district in which he lives and has filled that position for more than twenty- five years, having always taken a deep interest in educational matters.
Mr. Link has been twice married : his first marriage was with Miss Carrie Olson, on June 7, 1868. Seven children were born to this union. three of whom are now living. viz .: Dorothy. who is now in the office of the secretary of the Board of Trade at Chi- cago: George Martin is instructor in the high school of Minne- apolis, Minn .. and O. R. is in the United States mail service and resides at Leon. Mrs. Link died Jime 1. 1879. and on February 28. 1881. he was married for the second time to Miss Irene Under- wood. who was born in Lorain county, Ohio, she was reared in Vernon county, Wisconsin, where she was educated. Her father, who died in Vernon county, Wisconsin. in 1882. was a native of New York state, and was a soldier in the Civil War. as were his two sons. Oliver and Horace. The mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Hunter, was a native of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Link have been born two children : Ethel J .. now Mrs. Howard G.
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Slayton, postmistress of Leon, and Winfied W .. who is engaged in farming on the homestead farm.
Charles E. Loomer is one of those unassuming men who has proven his worth both as a soldier and a citizen. He was one of the first to take up arms in defense of his country at the beginning of the Civil War, and when no longer needed in the ranks of the firing line. he dropped the tools of strife and put his hand to the plow in an honest endeavor to redeem the wilderness and make two blades of grass grow where only one grew before.
He is a native of Massachusetts and was born at Boston October 1. 1841. the son of Charles and Mary Ann (Rivers) Loomer. natives of Nova Scotia. from where they moved to Massa- chusetts. and in the early sixties to Monroe county. Wisconsin. and settled on the farm now owned by our subject. He was a ship carpenter by trade and after coming to the then new coun- try, worked at his trade building houses for settlers. He was prominent in his community and held many local offices. Both he and our subject's mother were born in 1809 and both died the same year-in 1877. Mr. Loomer, our subject is the only sur- viving member of a family of eight children. Mary, who married Henry Van Antwerp. died at Sparta November 4. 1911 : Hattie, who married Gideon Bigelow, and died at San Jose, Calif., May 10. 1912: Maria died at the age of eighteen, and the others died when young.
Charles E. Loomer received his education in the common schools of his home town. and when ten years of age. his parents moved to Kansas. where they pre-empted Goverment land ; after ten years spent in the Sunflower state the family came to Wis- consin and settled at Sugar Creek. in Walworth county, on a farm purchased by the father. Charles remained here until 1865. when he married and came to Monroe county. settling first in Glendale township. moving to his present farm the following year. which was then a forest in the wilderness of the northern part of LaGrange township. which. at that time formed a part of the town of Lincoln. He purchased his land of James B. Avery. who had bought the land with seript. and here Mr. Loomer assumed the task of clearing and subdning the land and estab- lishing a permanent home. He proceeded to build a home. 16 x 24. and in 1869 built his present residence, which has since undergone repairs and additions made. A house erected by his father now forms a part of this residence. Out of these primitive surroundings, with the Indians for neighbors, he carved out a home, and by persistent effort has subdued and brought the land
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to a high state of cultivation, and now enjoys the fruits of his many years of toil. Out of the original wilderness he still retains a ten-acre traet of woodland of the forest, which has yet not seen the woodman's axe. and is a marvel of beauty. Besides cultivat- ing and improving the land by substantial buildings. as opportu- nity afforded. Mr. Loomer has this year (1912) erected a sub- stantial modern residence in the city of Tomah. He occupies a prominent place in his community, has been a member of the board of supervisors, and takes a commendable interest in church work.
He was married on October 6, 1865, to Miss Phoebe C. Parkyn. daughter of Rev. Joseph and Rebecca (Lake) Parkyn, natives of England and New Jersey, respectively. The father was of the Free Will Baptist persuasion, and a man of influence in his denomination. He was born in 1812 and died in Nebraska in his eighty-eighth year: Mrs. Loomer's mother survived until 1909, when she passed away at the age of ninety-three. Mrs. Loomer was born in LeRoy, Genesee county, N. Y .. September 29, 1840, one of a family of five children, viz .: John L., of Mountain Grove, Mo .; Mrs. Loomer, Mary HI .. wife of Byron Jenkins, of Holbrook, Neb .: Joseph O., of Hillsdale. Mich., and Alice, who married Elisha Hulce. of Walworth county, Wisconsin. is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Loomer are members of the LaGrange Methodist Episcopal church.
On September 2. 1861, Mr. Loomer enlisted in company I. thirteenth Wisconsin Infantry, which was detailed for duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and thence to Fort Scott. The regi- ment was ordered to Alabama. thence to Chattanooga. Tenu. Upon reaching Knightsville, Mr. Loomer was taken ill and sent to a hospital, where he was given a furlough; he served until the close of the war and was finally discharged in July. 1865, having attained to the rank of sergeant.
John J. Lucas, dealer in ice, of Sparta. comes from English ancestry. He was born February 8. 1854, the son of James and Berthia (Lewis) Encas, who came to New York state from Eng- land, their native country. in the early forties, locating first at East Galway. Ile being a glove cutter by trade, here found employment in the glove business, and after a short sojourn, moved to Gloversville, and thence to Funda's Bush, where he con- tinned to work at his trade for some two years. In 1856 he left the Empire state and came west to Sparta, where he was employed by Hageman & Roberts for two years, and then moved to Ilartford. Wis., and remained there for the next two years.
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lle then moved to Chicago, Ill., and there lost his life in the great fire of 1871, being then sixty-eight years of age. His widow, mother of our subjeet. died about 1872.
John J. is the youngest of a family of four children, three of whom are now living. After obtaining an education in the public schools, he seenred employment on a farm in Dane county for a time. and later went to Fond du Lac, Wis., where he learned the paper maker's trade, and for a period of two years was in the employ of George Hunter. At the end of that time he went to Kankauna. Wis., and after spending one year in the paper mills at this place, came to Sparta, and in the year 1879 engaged in the paper making business with the late O. I. Newton, whose plant was on the site of the present electric light and power company plant. He remained with Mr. Newton for six years.
Fraternally Mr. Encas is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. He was married in 1875 to Miss Maggie Gartman, daughter of Alexander and Christina (Many) Gartman. Mrs. Lucas died January 4, 1898, leaving, besides her husband, four children, viz .: Earl Spencer, Nina, Maude, who married Walter Lake and resides in California, and Alexander Lucas, of Sparta.
In June, 1910, Mr. Lucas was again married to Miss Estella Grove, of La Crosse. Wis.
Herman Ludeking is a prosperous German farmer of section four, in the town of Wilton, Monroe county, where he first bought ninety-six acres in 1889, and later added another twenty acres. making his present farm contain about 110 acres. He was born in Germany on April 7, 1859, and came to America with his parents and three other children in 1872 and located in Wilton township. There the father worked for about one year as a farm laborer, then bought eighty acres in section four, where they made their home for twenty-two years, and he died in 1894 and the mother in 1899. They had seven children, four of whom are now (1912) living. They were among the best people of their township: Republican in politics and members of the German Reformed church.
Herman began his career as a farm laborer, receiving $30 for his first year's work. He continued. however, in this business for about nine years and then purchased a farm of his own. He was married on December 31, 1885. to Miss Emma Hehnke, who died in 1894, leaving three children, two of whom are now living: Myrtle. born October 26. 1886. and Pearl, born Angust 17. 1888. Mr. Ludeking was married for the second time on December 1.
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1895. in the town of Adrian, to Miss Emma Wendland; her parents settled in Adrian, where the father died in 1904. and the mother still lives at the age of sixty-five years. They had a farm of 120 acres and a family of nine children, all members of the Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Indeking have had a family of five children, three of whom are living: Martha, born September 14, 1897; Alvira, born August 16. 1905, and Lorenz, born September 10, 1911.
Mr. Ludeking is a thrifty general farmer and employs the latest methods in his farming operations ; his stock is of the best grade, and at present (1912) he is erecting a new modern resi- dence, which makes his home ideal in every respect.
Albert William Luebchow, one of the enterprising and pro- gressive farmers of Monroe county, was born in Germany, August 6, 1866, to August and Louise ( Rehbein) Luebchow. When four years of age, he with three other children accompanied his parents to America, arriving in this country in 1870. The family located in Iroquois county, Illinois, where they made their home and spent their lives. the death of the father occurring in 1908, and that of the mother in 1904. They had a family of seven children, of whom three are now living, viz: Albert William, Frank and JJacob. He was a member of the Lutheran church and a devoted Christian, and at the time of his death owned a farm of 160 acres in Iroquois county, Illinois.
Albert William was reared on his father's farm. attending the district schools and assisting in the farm work. When twenty-eight years old. on April 28, 1894, he was married at Tomah to Miss Minnie Rasch. Four children have been born to them, viz: Hilda, Emma, George and Alice. For six years after his marriage Mr. Luebehow and his wife resided with his parents. In 1902 he moved to the city of Tomah and purchased and ran a feed barn. and after remaining here a short time, he purchased a farm of 190 acres in section eighteen, Tomah town- ship, where he moved and has since resided, engaged in general farming, and carries on quite an extensive dairy business. sup- plying the Tomah creamery with a large amount of milk and cream. lle is considered one of the most thrifty and prosperous farmers of his section; a man of sterling character, faithful in all he undertakes, and is highly esteemed in his neighborhood. He is a Republican in political opinion, and although he has never aspired to political office, he has served three years as school director and has been commissioner of public highways. He takes a commendable interest in all public affairs, and all
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matters pertaining to the betterment of the community receive his hearty support.
Fred E. Luethe, one of the progressive farmers of Ridgeville township, was born in Switzerland, November 2, 1848, and is the first child born to JJacob and Anna Barbara (Hertig) Luethe. Mr. Luethe received a good normal school education and after spending several years teaching high school in Switzerland, he came to Wisconsin, and after working nine months on a farm in Sheldon township, purchased eighty acres of land in that town. He was married to Mrs. Minnie Heitmann (nce Farner) in 1884. To this union six children were born, namely : Emma P., Walter J., Werner C., Dorothy S. B .. Otto F. and Ernst A. W. In 1886 they moved to Norwalk, where Mr. Luethe was engaged in the sawmill business for some time.
In September. 1893. he purchased a farm of 160 acres in section twenty-one of the town of Ridgeville, to which he subse- quently added eighty acres, owning at the present time. 220 acres where he now resides.
He is one of the successful farmers and prominent citizens of Ridgeville township, and has made many valuable improve- ments on his farm. He built a large and commodious barn, 34 by 64 feet, in 1898, and his modern twelve-room residence was erected in 1899, and later many other ontbuildings.
Mr. Luethe takes a prominent part in the affairs of his town, and has been called upon to fill several important offices. lle has been clerk of the town for twenty-one years, school treasurer for twelve years, and in 1903 helped to organize the Norwalk Creamery Company of which he has since been secretary. He is one of the well-to-do men of his town. publie spirited and influ- ential. In politics he adheres to the principles of the Republican party, while in religions matters he and his wife and children are members of the German Evangelical church.
Appleton N. Maltby, postmaster at Oakdale. Wis .. was born October 16, 1840. in Dekalb county, Indiana. His parents. Noah and Jane (Coleman ) Maltby, were natives of New York state. having been born in Oneida county. They came west to Indiana in 1838, and after a residence there of ten years, moved to Illinois in 1848, and in 1852 went to lowa, and in 1860. they came to Tomah. Wis. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and for many years was express agent at Tomah. The father later went to Greeley. Colo., where he died in 1899. at the age of eighty-eight years. The mother passed away in 1892. They reared a family of seven children, five of whom are now living.
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Appleton N. received his education in the common schools of Indiana and Iowa, and in 1859 came to Tomab and for thirty Years was employed in the saw mills. Ile was married on December 27. 1862, to Miss Clemy 1. Baker, daughter of Enoch Baker, an old and highly respected citizen, who came from Wash- ington county. New York, and settled in Oakdale township, in 1855. Mrs. Maltby is the only surviving member of a family of three children, and at the death of her father inherited 200 acres of land near the village of Oakdale. Mr. and Mrs. Maltby have one daughter, Leah, born Angust 25, 1866, who is now the wife of J. N. Weloby.
Mr. Maltby was appointed postmaster of Oakdale in 1897, and is still the incumbent. He has held the office of town clerk for six years, and for eight years has been treasurer of his school district. Ile is now retired from active business, except the duties of postmaster.
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