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 77
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
David G. McCray, who has lived in Monroe county for more than a half a century, is one of that class of sturdy, enterprising men who have not only witnessed, but have also had an important part in the work of transforming the county from a state of com- parative wilderness to its present high place among the banner counties of the state. He was born in Warren county. Pennsyl- vania. August 27, 1833, the son of James and Clinda MeCray. Mr. MeCray came to Wisconsin in 1855 and first settled at Sandy Bay, Kewaunee county, and here remained until 1867, when he removed to Little Falls township, in Monroe county, and pur- chased 120 acres of wild land, which he improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. Besides being engaged in general farming, he makes a specialty of fruit, and is the largest grower of apples and small fruits in the town of Little Falls. A Republican in political opinion. he takes an interest in the affairs of his party and while he has never sought political preferment, he has filled the office of school clerk for seventeen years.
Mr. McCray was united in marriage in 1857 with Miss Esther A. Lane, daughter of Daniel and Clara Lane, residents of Kewaunee. Of a family of eight children born to this union, four are now living: Edgar G., Reuben C., May M. and Martha E. McCray.
Eugene McGary, president of the village of Norwalk, and life- long resident of Monroe county, was born in Ridgeville town- ship. October 17, 1854. and is one of a family of six children born to Seluim and Elvira (Fox) MeGary. Of their other children, Frances married Norman Record, of Sparta, Wis .: Isabelle is the wife of George Wood, of Baraboo, Wis .; Nora is the wife of John Kier, also resides at Baraboo; Josephine is the wife of W. B. Kendalls. and lives in Chicago, Ill., and Jessie is Mrs. B. L. Bond, of Elroy. Wis. Selim MeGary was the son of Thomas MeGary, a native of Ireland, who came to Ohio in an early day and spent the remainder of his life : his son, Sehiim, was born here. Selim. with his wife, were among the early pioneers of Wisconsin. having settled in Oil City. in Monroe county, in the early forties, where he secured employment by the month in the lumber mill of the late Esan Johnson. After one year thus spent, he took up a Government claim of 160 acres of land in section twenty-eight, Ridgeville township, near where the village of Norwalk is now located and where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred July 17, 1910. in his eightieth year. The death of his
800
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
wife, mother of our subject. occurred February 4. 1908. at the age of seventy-five years. He was of that mimerons class of sturdy men who were instrumental in bringing about the won- derful changes that have been wrought in transforming that part of Monroe county. Wisconsin, from a state of comparative wilder- ness to its present fruitful and fertile condition. as one of the garden spots of the state. Through his industry the farm was brought to a high state of enltivation, and with the fine improve- ments he made, was one of the model farms of the county. He was an influential citizen in the community. a man of intelligence who was in sympathy with, and ready to lend a helping hand in every worthy enterprise intended for the betterment of the com- munity. During his active life he held several local offices, and when the village of Norwalk was incorporated he became its first president. The business life of Mr. MeGary furnished a notable example of what may be accomplished by energy and resolution. when guided by honorable principles and aided by agreeable per- sonal characteristics; he was in truth a successful business man. and his actions in all his transactions were marked by serupu- lously fair dealing. frankness and kindness and faith in the better side of human nature. Of his two brothers. Thomas was a soldier in the Civil War, and was killed at the battle of Bull Rum. and Ilenry died in 1898.
Eugene MeGary was raised on his father's farm, and obtained his edneation in the public schools while assisting in the farm work. Hle has resided on the homestead all his life. and when his father became incapacitated and inactive he assumed full man- agement. and at the death of his father inherited the farm. He carries on general farming and does considerable dairying. in which he is generally successful. and with his modern residence. which he erected in 1910, overlooking the village of Norwalk. commodious barns and outbuildings, his is one of the model. com- fortable homes of the county. He takes a commendable interest in all publie matters and has served as president of the village of Norwalk in all ten years: his last term of service extending con- timmously over a period of seven years. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.
As a man. Mr. MeGary is well thought of in the community : has always shown himself capable and trustworthy in any place he has been called to fill. and no man enjoys more publie confi- dence and esteem.
On March 4. 1877. Mr. MeGary was united in marriage with
801
BIOGRAPHY
Miss Lydia Sour, daughter of David Sour, one of the prominent and successful citizens of Cole's valley, Monroe county. They have an interesting family of five children, viz .: Mabel, Anna, Harold, Lester and Clayton McGary.
Lucien A. McWithey, son of Tilly Gilbert and Betsy Maria (Blyton) McWithey, was born November 9, 1831. Through his father and mother, he inherited the strong and independent char- acteristics of a Scotch-English race, from which his parents both descended. The McWithey and Blyton families were natives of Kentucky and Vermont respectively; the father, Tilly G., a farmer by occupation, and a son of Isaac McWithey, who came from Scotland, the land of his nativity, to New York, and sub- sequently moved to Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life. Tilly G. Me Whithey was the fourth of a family of eight children. Ithimer, Stephen, Charles G., Tilly G., James, Jemimalı, Sarah and Caroline. Betsey Maria Blyton MeWhithey was the youngest of a family of eight children, viz: Polly, Christopher, William, Elijah, Russell, John, Thomas and Betsey Maria Blyton. Thomas Blyton, maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of England; he came to the state of New York early in the nineteenth century and was the father of John Blyton, the inventor. The wife of Thomas Blyton was Nellie Sharp, and the maiden name of the wife of Isaac McWithey was Katherine Sharp. Tilly G. McWithey was born March 19, 1800, and died October 27, 1878. He married Betsey Maria Blyton March 8, 1826. She was born September 17, 1812, and died November 1, 1894.
Mr. MeWithey, the subject of this sketch, was the second child of a family of eight children born to his parents as follows: James D., born February 29, 1829, is deceased; Lucian A., born November 9, 1831; Thomas A., deceased, born January 10, 1834; Julia A., born February 11, 1836 ; Henry E., born August 6, 1838 ; Imey A., born April 7, 1840; Elbert P., and Adelbert P., twins, born April 11, 1847. Mr. McWithey was united in marriage October 16, 1861, to Miss Ophelia Smith, of Sparta, daughter of John M. and Experience Forsythe Smith, natives of New Med- ford, Ct., and Owego, Tioga county, N. Y. Mrs. McWithey was born at Owego, and her mother was born on a farm near that place. John M. Smith was employed for many years as foreman in a carding mill; they later moved to Cattaraugus county, locating for a time at Farmersville. In 1855 they came to Wis- consin and were among the pioneers to take up land in Leon township, Monroe county, which they improved and brought to
802
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
a high state of cultivation, and here remained the balance of their lives. He was one of the successful and influential citizens of his township and passed away January 12. 1864, aged fifty-eight years. His widow, mother of Mrs. MeWithey, who was a woman of many domestic virtues, survived until December 6. 1883, when she died at the age of seventy-seven years. They had a family of seven children, viz: William Henry, deceased; Freelove. deceased : Alva L .: John J .: Charles E .: Ophelia and Frank W .. deceased. Alva L. and John J. Smith are residents of Farmer's valley. this county, and Charles E .. resides at Bloomer. Chip- pewa county. Wis. The ancestors of the Smith family were of Welch origin : John Smith, father of John M. Smith and grand- father of Mrs. MeWithey, was born April 5, 1773; His wife, grandmother of Mrs. Mc Withey, whose maiden name was Ophelia Smith, was born June 15, 1774. Their children were Anna. born May 10, 1775: Edward E., born March 27. 1797 : AAthalia, born November 18, 1798: Eleeta, born June 15. 1800: Asemath, born January 18, 1802: Thursa M., born December 26. 1803: John M .. father of Mrs. Mc Withey, born December 28, 1805: Sylvia. born in December. 1807: Esther, born June 22. 1809: William H., born April 16. 1812, and Eliza, born July 24, 1815.
Elisha Forsythe, maternal grandfather of Mrs. MeWithey was born September 10, 1773: his wife, whose maiden name was Freelove Parks, was born September 17, 1775. He was the son of Jonathan Forsythe, whose father was a full-blooded Scotch- man and a native of Edinburgh. The children of Elisha and Freelove Park Forsythe were Katherine, born September 18. 1795; George. born JJuly 2, 1798: Elisha, born February 14. 1801 : Azar. born October 17. 1803: Experience. mother of Mrs. Me Withey, born September 17, 1806: Gilbert, born October 4. 1808, and Eldridge, born August 5, 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Me Withey had one daughter. a young lady of much promise. born August 14. 1867. and who died October 12. 1887.
Lucian A. Me Withoy was reared on a farm. receiving his education in the district schools. After leaving home. his first employment was that of clerk in a hotel. On October 7. 1861. he enlisted in company A, third Wisconsin Cavalry, and served as corporal for nearly three years. His regiment was detailed for frontier service and engaged in bushwhacking on the border line of Missouri, Kansas, Indian Territory and later Arkansas. Returning to Kansas, he was located at Fort Scott. Fort Leaven- worth and Troy. During his service his eyesight became impaired
803
BIOGRAPHY
from the effects of dust encountered on the frontier, from which his sight has never fully recovered. After his discharge in 1864, he returned home, and for some time was totally blind. After receiving expert treatment at Milwaukee, which partially restored his vision, he returned to Sparta, and for some years was engaged in distributing wheat and flour with his fine team of horses for the Angelo mill, until this mill was destroyed by fire, and after it was rebuilt, and until the second mill was burned; he then with the aid of his wife and daughter, opened a variety store in the city of Sparta. He first came to Wisconsin with his father and family in 1849 and located in Dane county, but soon thereafter returned to his native state. In 1858 he again came to Wisconsin and settled at Sparta, which has since been his home. Hle states that in 1851 Sparta had but a single log house which stood where the public library now stands. Ile with his estimable wife, are members of the First Congregational church. He is a member of the John W. Lynn Post. G. A. R .. while she is a member of the W. C. T. U., Congregational Missionary Society, and the Ladies Auxiliary G. A. R., and the Happy Ten.
On October 16, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. MeWithey celebrated their golden wedding, and entertained 100 guests during the day and evening. They were remarried by Rev. Harding R. Hogan at 2:30 p. m., under practically the same weather conditions as those of fifty years before. Among the presents was a gold-headed cane to Mr. MeWithey from the John W. Linn Post, G. A. R.
B. W. Mee, who now owns 240 acres of choice valley land in section twenty-five, township seventeen. one west, has been for years one of the most extensive real estate owners in Monroe county, where he was born November 7, 1864, the son of Benjamin and Margret Mee, natives of England and Scotland. They came to America in 1845, and first located in Racine county, but during the year 1855 moved to Monroe county and homesteaded eighty acres of land in Tomah, now a part of our subject's present farm, and here passed their lives. The father died in 1882. Ile was a tailor by trade, and as a pioneer, experienced the ups and downs of those days, and after struggling the while through hard work and perseverance, he acquired sufficient means to make their last days comfortable and enjoyed the highest esteem of their neighbors. Mrs. Mee was born in St. Andrews, County Fife, Scotland, in June, 1826, and died at her home in Tomah on March 15, 1910. Mr. Mee was a Republican in politics and served as justiee of the peace for many years in Tomah. They were devoted members of the Methodist church.
S04
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
B. W. attended the common schools of his neighborhood up to his fifteenth year, lived at home and worked on the farm. His father died when he was seventeen years of age, and on Christmas day, in 1888, he was married to Miss Emma Roeder, daughter of August and Elizabeth Roeder, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1858 and settled in Tomah, where the father died in 1893 and the mother still lives at the age of sixty-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Mee have had three children, two of whom are living : Archie, born April 9, 1890, and Luella, born January 17, 1902.
Their farm is equipped with the best grade of horses, cattle and hogs, and in connection with his general farming, Mr. Mee makes a specialty of dairying. He was formerly president of the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery Company for four years and was its secretary and treasurer for some time. He is a Republican in politics.
Oluf C. Melgard, manufacturer and dealer in marble and granite monuments at Cashton, Monroe county, Wis., was born in Coon valley. Vernon county. March 12, 1860, and is the second child in order of birth of a family of nine children, six of whom are now (1912) living, born to Carl and Bertha (Knud- son) Melgard. The father, Carl Melgard, emigrated from Norway to America in 1850, and located in Coon Prairie, Vernon county, when approaching middle age, and found employment as a farm laborer, which occupation he followed some five years. In 1855 he married and purchased a tract of forty acres in Vernon county. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade and in a small way was engaged in making furniture at his home seven miles from Cashton, where he lived for forty years. At the age of seventy-eight years, he became an invalid, and in 1893 moved to the village of Cashton. He was born on May 18, 1822, and died at Cashton in 1907. He possessed a good education and excellent business judgment; a man of prominence and influence in his community and his advice on business matters being often sought by the early Norwegian settlers. His wife, mother of our subjeet, was also born in Norway, in 1831, and is still (1912) living at an advanced age. Both she and her husband were mem- bers of the Coon Valley Lutheran church, of which he was trustee.
Oluf C. received his education in the common schools of Vernon county, and at the age of twenty years, came to Sparta and served an apprenticeship for two years at the marble business. He then moved to La Crosse, where he was employed for two years in the leading marble shop of the city. On December 5.
I
805
BIOGRAPHY
1885, he came to the village of Cashton and embarked in the marble business on his own account, starting in a small way with only about one dozen small slab stones. Ilis business has grown to large proportions. Mr. Melgard inherits his father's business acumen, and by close attention and good management, he has established and built up a monument business second to none in western Wisconsin. The best quality of Wausau and red granite obtained from the granite quarries in Minnesota, also Vermont granite, is used in his work, and the trade extends over a large area of Wisconsin and other states, all operations being carried on under the name of O. C. Melgard. Besides the home business at Cashton, branch houses have been established in other places : the one at Sparta, opened under the management of Carl Melgard, employs three skilled workmen and three traveling salesmen, while the one at Galesville, established four years ago, is doing an extensive business under the management of Hans Twesme. Mr. Melgard is one of the solid men of Cashton, and is popular alike in business and social circles. In politics he adheres to the principles of the Republican party, and fraternally belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, while religiously he and his estimable wife are members of the Lutheran church. In addition to his marble business, Mr. Melgard owns a choice forty acre tract two miles from Cashton, while his home is one of the most modern and commodious in the village of Cashton. In January, 1884, Mr. Melgard was married at La Crosse to Miss Amelia Larson, daughter of Gilbert and Caroline Larson, who also came from Norway and settled at Cashton. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Melgard, viz: Eilert. born December 5, 1885; Carl, born March 11, 1888; Herbert, born June 3, 1890; Anna, born January 3, 1892: Oscar, born August 4, 1894; Ida. born December 24. 1895; Rosa, born May 30, 1899: Howard, born January 13, 1903, and Nina. born October 2, 1906.
Emil Mickelson, who resides on section twenty-six, Leon township, was born in the town of Leon, Monroe county, on May 5, 1874. His parents were Lonis and Martha (Gilbertson) Mickelson, both natives of Norway. The father emigrated to America in the fifties and located in Cannon valley, Monroe county, where he homesteaded eighty acres of government land in section twenty-six, Leon township. After a residence of one year there. he married and continued to make that his home. He was energetic and thrifty, and as a result of overwork, he suffered a sunstroke in 1874, from which he never recovered, and passed away in 1884. They were the parents of four children,
806
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
three of whom are now living. The mother now, in 1912, resides in Minnesota at the age of fifty-four years. The father was a great Bible student and a member of the Lutheran church.
Emil received a rather limited education in the district schools, assisting with the work on the farm. He was married December 17, 1896, in Leon to Miss Dora Brooks, daughter of F. L. Brooks, who was born in 1850. He was twice married, first to Miss Alice Waters, by whom he had three children. two of whom, Dora, wife of our subject, and Clifford Brooks, are now living. The mother died Angust 10. 1897, and he was married for the second time to Mis Ida Alga. To this union was born six children, five of whom are now (1912) living, viz: Hattie, born August 10, 1886; Howard, born October 31. 1888; Jessie, born February 29, 1892: Myrtle, born August 18. 1895, and Eva, born July 26, 1898. The father now resides in South Dakota. Seth Brooks, grandfather of Mrs. Mickelson, came from New York state in an early day and settled in the Cannon valley, where he died in 1867. To Mr. and Mrs. Mickelson have been born three children, two of whom, Louisa, born January 31, 1904, and Leslie, born August 13, 1907, are living. In 1901 Mr. Mickelson pur- chased his present farm of 166 acres in section twenty-six, Leon township, where he has sinee made his home engaged in general farming and dairying. and is counted among the thrifty and progressive farmers of Cannon valley.
Peter E. Mitby is another one of Cashton's representative business men, a native of Norway : he was born at Toten, March 20, 1858, and came to the United State, landing in New York September 3, 1880. He then set out for the west and came direct to C'ashton, where he was employed in various lines of industry for five years. By hard work and strict economy, he saved his earnings and embarked in the saloon business in 1886. and simul- taneously began the buying and selling of grain. In that year he erected the building in which his saloon was located, and in 1888 built his grain elevator and in 1889 erected his modern residence, and still later constructed the building now occupied as a restaurant, and in 1897 erected a new grain elevator which he has since owned and operated. On December.5. 1886. Mr. Mitby was united in marriage with Miss Petrina Fremstad, who was born in Vernon county. They have an interesting family of four children. viz: Edna. Lillian, Myrtle and Chester.
In addition to his business and property holdings in Cashton, Mr. Mitby owns a farm of sixty aeres just over the line in Vernon county, and owns one-half interest in the Hotel Lewis at Sparta,
807
BIOGRAPHY
and is a stockholder and director in the Cashton bank. A Repub- lican in politics, he is active in the councils of his party and all matters pertaining to the betterment of the community receive his hearty support. He is a high minded, publie spirited man, surrounded by a wide circle of friends who regard him as one of the prosperous and influential business men of the county. In religious faith he is a member of the Lutheran church.
George J. Moen, son of one of the early and prosperous farm- ers of Portland township, was born here on June 19, 1874. Ilis father was Bernt Johnson Moen, a native of Norway, who came to America in 1869 and first located in Sparta: he was born Feb- ruary 23, 1842, and passed away on March 12, 1909. Mrs. Moen, our subject's mother, was Miss Carrie Gustava Rognstad, born April 12, 1847, and they were married on July 16, 1872, the same year she came to America. For several years Mr. Moen worked at various occupations, and by close application, economy and thrift, he saved enough to purchase a tract of forty acres of practically wild land, which he cultivated and soon brought to a high state of cultivation. and purchasing additional land from time to time, until at his death he owned 100 acres of fine land near the village of Cashton. Their family was small, our subject and Jorgen A. being the only children. They were members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Moen was always an active worker in the Republican ranks, ready at all times to give his aid towards the best interests of his fellowmen, and his death was mourned as a loss to his community.
George J. obtained his early education in the public schools of his township and later graduated from the high school at Viroqua with the class of 1896. IIe then followed the vocation of teaching for some eight years near Viroqua, after which he accepted a position with the Brown Music Company, of that place, remaining there until the death of his father; he then took up the manage- ment of the home farm, where he has since lived with his mother. Has been organist and choir leader of the Immanuel Lutheran church since 1890.
His brother, Jorgen, was born December 11, 1877, after receiv- ing his preliminary education in the public schools, took a one- year course at the St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minn., and from there he went to the Valparaiso University and spent two years in the law department. Spent one year at the law department of Northwestern University of Chicago. He was admitted to the bar in 1904 and is now located in Viroqua, conducting a successful law practice under the firm name of Smith & Moen.
.
808
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
John Mohring*, one of the substantial and progressive farmers of La Fayette township, was born in Germany, May 24, 1862, the son of Fred and Sophia Mohring, both of whom spent their lives in Germany. The mother died when John was six years of age. He is one of a family of three children, as follows: Mary is the wife of II. Leeler, and resides at Hammond Point, N. Y .; John, the subject of this sketch, and Sophia. John attended the com- mon schools of his native country, and at the age of sixteen began to make his own way in the world. His first employment was at farming in the fatherland, his duties consisting of stock feeding and teaming. At the age of twenty-four he came to the United States, and upon his arrival in this country, he located at Berry Mills. La Crosse county, Wis .. where he remained for twenty years. He then moved to Monroe county and purchased his pres- ent farm of 220 acres. in section seventeen. La Fayette township. Ile has improved his place with substantial buildings, and has brought his land to a high state of enltivation. He is engaged in general farming. stoek raising and dairying, and in addition to operating his own farm, he rents 237 acres, which he carries on in addition to his own ; and in his operations he employs modern and up-to-date methods, and his nicely located farm is well stocked with a good grade of horses, Durham cattle. sheep and Poland-China hogs.
In June, 1886, Mr. Mohring was married to Miss Mary Plate. daughter of Dedrick Plate, of Germany. To this union have been born the following children: Mary is the wife of William Miller, of La Fayette: Dora is the wife of Will Kenyon, of La Crosse : William, Henry, Erne, John and Ora, all at home. In religions matters. Mr. and Mrs. Mohring, with their family, worship at the German Lutheran church at Sparta.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.