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 88
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Lawrence E., the subject of this sketeh, received his education in the district schools, and during his youth was employed as a farm hand. At the age of twenty-four years, in 1864, he pur-
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chased a farm at La Crescent, Minn., where he resided and engaged in farming on his own account until 1880, at which time he removed to the city of La Crosse, Wis., and in 1882 came to LaGrange township, Monroe county, and purchased his present farm of forty acres known as the "Bostwick farm," where he has since resided, devoting himself to the culture of small fruits, and finding in the quiet and independence of his home and farm life congenial employment. He is known as one of the substan- tial citizens of LaGrange township. In fraternal matters Mr. van Loom has been a member of the Masonic order for over forty years, and with his wife affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church.
In 1860 Mr. van Loon was united in marriage with Miss Albertje Tuininga, daughter of John Tuininga, of La Crescent, Minn. The children of this union are Edward. of Danville, Ill .; Tryntje, deceased, was the wife of Albert Rau, and Reed, who resides in Montana. The mother of this family died in 1890 at the age of forty-two years, and Mr. van Loom was married again, this time to Miss Emelie Damerow, daughter of Gottlieb and Louisa Damerow. of Jacksonville, Wis. Of this marriage there has been four children, viz. : Mamie, Wesley, who died in 1910 at the age of sixteen years; Ida L., and Neil, all of whom reside at home with their parents.
William H. Verken, one of the progressive farmers of Monroe county, where he was born July 16, 1861, the son of Lawrence and Catherine Verken, the former a native of Prussia and the latter of Germany. The father came to America in 1856, and settled at St. Mary's in the town of Jefferson in Monroe county, where he worked as a farm laborer, receiving $8 per month for the first year. In 1858 he was married to Mrs. Catherine Delp, who emigrated to America in an early day and located at Mansfield, Ohio, where she married Mr. P. Delp, who, during the gold excitement in 1849, went to California. After a short time he returned to the East, and died in 1851. They had three children, one of whom. Mrs. Catherine (Delp) Sprich, survives and lives in Milwaukee. Previous to his marriage Mr. Delp had taken a homestead in the town of Sheldon, whither the family moved after his death, carrying all their effects in a wagon drawn by oxen. There were no roads at that time but Indian trails, and the mother was compelled in pioneer fashion to take up the ax and cut down timber in order to open a road for the wagon. Many times did she have to resort to this before she reached the land which was to be her future home, where she
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reared her family. It was on this homestead where our subject was born and where he now resides. After marriage Mr. Verken cleared up 110 acres of this wild land and converted it into one of the best farms in Sheldon township. In those early days deer and all kinds of wild game were abundant. Mr. Verken, father of William H., acquired 160 acres of land in Sheldon township. which he afterwards sold. He stood high as a man. and was upright in all his dealings, a successful farmer and sheep raiser, having at times as high as 500 head. He also kept a good grade of horses and cattle, but he derived his best reverme from selling wheat and other grains. Ile was a Republican in politics and held the office of supervisor and director of the school board. Ile died in 1911. a member of the Evangelical church. as was his wife.
William TI. attended the district schools and remained at home. He was the only son and the mainstay of his father. Ile was married April 3. 1884. at Madison. Wis .. to Miss Carrie Detrich. and they had six children. of which three are living: Abner E., born January 24, 1892: Melvin L., born February 27, 1894, and Miss Violet C., born June 16, 1897. Mrs. Verken was educated at Madison. Wis., where her father for many years was a leading merchant. She is the third child in a family of seven. The family went to California in May. 1884, where they now reside. Besides her devotion to her home and family she is a leader in social matters, and is deeply interested in church work. For many years she has been a teacher in the Sunday school, and the missionary society finds her one of the most zealous workers. Mrs. C. Verken has been corresponding secretary of the Home Mission Society for a number of years.
Mr. Verken is one of the public spirited men of his town and besides general farming, conducts an extensive dairy on his 160-acre farm in section thirty-one, and has made many improvements. Erected a modern residence in 1900, and barn in 1908. His farm is equipped with up-to-date appliances, and his three large trout ponds are well stocked with plenty of speckled trout, while his two springs furnish an abundance of water for his house and barn. In politics he is a Republican.
Leo Vieth, one of the successful and influential farmers of Ridgeville township, was born in Monroe county. Wisconsin, April 1, 1865, the son of Henry and Emstena (Noth) Vieth, both natives of Germany. The father emigrated to America in 1848, and first settled in Walworth county, this state. He later came to Monroe county. and acquired a farm of 200 acres in
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Ridgeville, and was one of the early settlers of that town, where he experienced the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life. He was a progressive farmer, an honorable, upright and high minded citizen, and occupied a prominent place in the section in which he lived. He died in 1897 and the mother passed away in 1882, honored and respected by all who knew them. They reared a family of nine children, three of whom are now living.
Leo received his education in the public schools, which he attended up to his eighteenth year, and remained at home with his parents as long as they lived. After the death of his father, he acquired the old homestead in sections fourteen and twenty- three, Ridgeville township, in which he had taken an active part to improve. He was his father's mainstay, and for years pre- ceding his father's death, had the active management of the farm. Since coming into possession of the homestead he has made many improvements by bringing the land to a higher state of. cultivation, erecting buildings, etc., amounting to over $8,000. He is one of Monroe county's successful and up-to-date farmers and a man who stands high in his community. He takes a prom- inent and active part in the affairs of the county, is strictly upright and honorable in his dealing with his fellow-men. and holds the confidence of the people, In 1901 he was elected to the office of sheriff of the county, a position he held for two years, discharging the duties of the office fairly and impartially. He is now (1912) the nominee of the Republican party for the same office, and as the nomination is considered as good as election. it is safe to say that Mr. Vieth will be the next sheriff of Monroe county. He was chairman of the town of Ridgeville for twelve years.
In fraternal matters, Mr. Vieth is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias. He was one of the promoters and organizers of the Monroe County Cyclone Insurance Company (incorporated), which began busi- ness in 1911, and the company now has over 300 policies in force and their business is extending rapidly. He is also a director in the German Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
Henry G. Vincenz is one of the Imstling young farmers of Ridgeville township. Monroe county, where he was born February 12, 1876, and raised. He is the son of Frederick A. and Carrie W. (Mauseh) Vincenz; his father was a native of Saxony. Germany, and his mother was born in Jefferson county, Wis- consin. The father came to America some time during the fifties
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and located in Jefferson county, where he worked as a farm laborer for some time; in 1860 he moved to Leon township, in Monroe county, where he also worked at farming, until about the time the Civil War broke out, and he enlisted in Company K, Third Regiment Wisconsin, June, 1860. After serving three years, he returned to Monroe county and again engaged in farming. In 1867 he was married in Jefferson county, and they had a family of eight children, four of whom are living, Henry, our subject, being the sixth child. In 1887 Mr. Vincenz pur- chased a farm of 180 acres in sections four and nine in the township of Ridgeville, which was soon converted by them into an ideal family homestead, where they lived the remainder of their lives. Mr. Vincenz died in 1900, and Mrs. Vincenz in 1883. They were highly respected by all who knew them, and con- sidered among the leading farmers of the township. They were members of the Methodist church.
Upon the death of his father, Henry G. inherited the greater part of the homestead farm, to which he afterward added a twenty-acre tract adjoining, so that his farm now contains about 140 acres and is a fine piece of ground. His residence is modern, and Mr. Vincenz lives here with his sister, Miss Paulina. Mr. Vineenz is a member of the Evangelieal Lutheran church at Norwalk, Wis., and is surrounded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Vincenz is at the present time a member of the Farmers' Equity, a stockholder of the Norwalk Independent Telephone Company ; also a stockholder of the Farmers' Creamery Company at Norwalk, and a director of school district number four. He is a Republican in his politics, and is active in all matters which point towards the development of his town and county.
Levi Wallace, a prominent and influential citizen of Sheldon township, is the son of John and Harriet (Otter) Wallace, and was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, October 20, 1839. His father was born in 1811, and lived for over forty years in Morgan county, Ohio. His mother was born in Pennsylvania, in 1813. They reared a family of twelve children, ten of whom, six sons and four daughters, are now living, our subject being the fourth child in order of birth. The parents came to Wisconsin in 1882, locating in the town of Sheldon, and were among the prominent settlers of that section. They followed the lives of farmers and were among the well-to-do and highly respected citizens of the town. There they spent the last days of their lives, and died honored and esteemed by the whole community. The death of
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the father occurred in 1890, and that of the mother in 1898. On the paternal side. Mr. Wallace traces his ancestry to Scotland, his grandfather Wallace having come from that country to AAmerica in a very early day.
Levi Wallace received his education in the public schools, and when vet a young man came to Wisconsin in February, 1865. A1 the age of twenty-one years he started out in life For himself on a rented farm, which he operated for some four years, and then spent a short time in the West. Returning to Wis- consin, he lived in Vernon county until 1879. then came back to Monroe county. and in the fall of that year purchased a farm of 200 acres in section twenty-two. Sheldon township, where he has since resided. He subsequently added forfy aeres to his original purchase, and has made many improvements. In 1887 he erected a commodious residence, and in 1894 built a well- constructed barn. Starting out in life poor, and with only his hands, brains and boundless energy, he met with many hardships and privation at first, which he met with indomnitable courage and overcame, and in the end gained success, and is to-day one of the influential and successful general farmers in Monroe county. Besides his farming operations he has been identified with many public enterprises, both in a business and representa- tive way, and by his honorable dealings and upright manly character has attained to a position of prominence. In all matters which he considers for the good of his town and county. he lends his co-operation and support. In 1880. he wes elected chairman of the town board, a position he held for ten years. and for a period of five years was assessor of the town, and for eighteen years has been treasurer of his school district. He also held many important offices while a resident of Vernon county. As a member of the legislature for four years, prior to 1885. he was prominently identified with much important legislation, and filled the position with honor to himself and the satisfaction of his constituents. He was one of the organizers and president of the first creamery operated in the town of Sheldon, and is now connected in an official way with the Farmers' Creamery of the same town. Mr. Wallace has been an extensive dealer in and shipper of live stock, having begun his operations in this line in 1868. He has been the general manager and buyer for the Western Livestock Association for more than twenty-five years.
Mr. Wallace has been twice married. First, in 1866. to Miss Hattie Dalton, of Vernon county, by whom he had four children. two of whom are now living, viz. : Minnie, wife of C. W. Harmon.
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of Virginia. Min .. and Marian O., of Beach. N. D. The first Mrs. Wallace died in 1880, and he married for his second wife Miss Civillia J. Appleman, who was the eighth child in a family of eleven children, six of whom are now (1912) living, viz. : Elizabeth, wife of Henry Smith, of La Forge, Wis .: Eva, wife of Jefferson Perkins: Matilda C .. wife of John Edgar: George and Phillip. all of Vernon county, Wisconsin ; and Mrs. Wallace. Iler father was born in 1825, and died April 16, 1893. Her mother was born in 1830, and died November 29. 1863. They were among the prominent and very carly settlers of Vernon county. To Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have been born six children, viz .: Lena C., born December 21, 1879: Albert A .. born January 5. 1882: George R .. born February 20, 1883: Susan HI .. born November 3, 1885; Harrison M .. born February 5, 1889; and Millie Flo. born October 6, 1890.
In fraternal matters Mr. Wallace is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled all the chairs of the order. Politically, Mr. Wallace is a Progressive Republican and takes an active interest in the affairs of the party.
George H. Warren, whose death occurred at Tomah. Wis .. October. 1911, was a leader in the commercial life of Tomah and an illustrious example of that type of enterprising intelligence and successful business men which has given that prosperous and growing eity the advanced station it holds among the cities of Monroe county. Ile was a native of Rutland county, Vermont. born December 14. 1837. and was a son of John H. and Lida (MeGregor) Warren. Mr. Warren was in the best sense a thor- ongh and practical business man. whose clear-ent. honorable meth- ods. skillful management of affairs and sterling manliness in all his varied relations made him a leader among his associates, and a force of good in the community in which he lived. His life was clear. his motives pure and no one could come within the range and sphere of his influence withont recognizing the force of his strong personality and integrity. elements of character which had much to do with seenring to him the high place he held in busi- ness and commercial cireles, as well as in his social and other rela- tions. For forty years Mr. Warren was continuously and closely identified with the financial interests of Tomah. and his memory is cherished and kept in grateful remembrance for the important part he played in the material development of both the institutions with which he was so closely connected and the city in which he lived and loved. His father. John H. Warren. was a native of Scotland. and by trade a carpenter and contractor. He came to
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Wisconsin from western New York in the early fifties, with a family of three sons and one daughter, viz .: John F., George HI., Charles II. and Laviene, and settled in the town of Stoughton, where he followed his trade as carpenter and builder, and for ten years was engaged in the retail lumber business. In 1868 he moved to Tomah, where he also engaged in the lumber trade, which he followed up to the time of joining his son, Charles II., at Shenandoah. la., a short time before his death, when he returned to Tomah and made his home with George H. Ile was a great Bible student, popular and well known in business and social circles; of kind disposition and considerate of those near and dear to him. In his early years he took deep interest in music, took instructions at Boston and became a noted singer and taught vocal music in his native state, and also after coniing to Wisconsin. Was a member of the Boston Glee Club. His death occurred in 1892.
George H. Warren received a limited education, attending the common schools until he became twelve years of age. Ile lived under the paternal roof until the age of nineteen and worked at the carpenter trade with his father until he was twenty-two. He began his long and prosperous career as night operator in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and for twenty-three years was employed as night operator and billing elerk, and was then employed as station agent at Tomah, Wis .. by the same company for some twelve years. In 1871 he asso- ciated with his younger brother, Charles H., secured a contract from the railroad company to furnish railroad ties. They fur- nished all the ties used by the company for the roadbed between Chicago and Milwaukee; they then became purchasing agents for the company. which position was held for fifteen years. When the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road purchased the Wisconsin Valley road, Charles H. was made superintendent, with offices at Tomah, Wis .. and continued to fill that position until promoted to superintendeney of Shenandoah (Iowa) branch. Retiring from the railroad business, Mr. Warren purchased the lumber interests of his father at Tomah. and for six years successfully conducted that business. In 1888 he organized the Warren Bank of Tomah, with John II. as president and George H. as vice president and Winfield W. as cashier. With a capital of $10.000 the bank began business and has had deposits of over half a million dollars. Up to the present time the stock has been owned and controlled by the Warrens and has always been considered one of the soundest insti- tutions in the county. He was prominent in Masonie circles and
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had attained to the degree of Knight Templar. In polities he was a Cleveland Demoerat.
On February 26, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Helen M. Stoughton, who was a native of Vermont, and a daughter of George Stoughton, whose brother was the founder of Stoughton. To this union was born one son. Winfield W .. now president of the Warrens' bank.
Mr. Warren passed away in the full strength of his mental vigor, and though his going was universally felt to be a public loss and by those near to him as a loss that nothing can fully repair. It is to them and to all a source of consolation to know that he left the enduring influence of a good life and the lasting heritage of an honored name.
Franklin Webb, a highly respected farmer and resident of Wellington township. purchased his farm of 160 aeres in sections twenty-two and fifteen in 1876, which has since been his home. Ile was born on December 11, 1835, in New York state, the son of Napthali and Hannah (Hall) Webb. The Webb family descended from three brothers of that name who came to America from England in an early day, and the grandfather of Franklin, (Libeous) Webb. settled in Connecticut and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Napthali Webb was born in Connecticut and was one of a family of five children. They moved from there to Oswego county, New York, where they lived until some time during the fifties, when Napthali, with his family of four children, moved to Jefferson county. Wisconsin, and lived there until his death at the age of ninety-four. He was one of the early pioneers of Jefferson county. who passed through the trials and privations of the early days and did much toward the development of his town. Ile raised a family of fourteen children. seven of whom are living.
Franklin Webb is the tenth child; his brother. William Webb. was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in the Twenty-ninth Wis- consin Infantry until the close. Franklin lived with his parents and worked on the farm until he was forty-one. Ile was married on August 16, 1857, in Jefferson county. Wisconsin, to Miss Elizabeth Cront, and moved to the town of Wellington, in Monroe county in 1876. He had purchased his farm there in 1873. and has since been a successful general farmer and a most valuable citizen to his neighborhood. His land was nnimproved when he bought it, and with the many years of hard work and economical perseverance, he brought it to its present high state of cultiva- tion and made it one of the ideal country homes of the township.
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Ilis method of farming and his business dealings with his neigh- bors won for him the confidence and esteem of all who know him. Both he and Mrs. Webb are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is now retired from active life on account of poor eyesight, and his son. lliram, a bright and thrifty farmer, manages the farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Webb have a family of five children, all of whom were born in Jefferson county, viz. : Clarence F .. born June 20, 1858: George W. born September 10. 1859: Jerry W. born January 4, 1861 ; Hiram b., born January 3. 1863. and Ehner MI .. born November 26. 1867. Mrs. Webb was one of a family of twelve children, of whom three boys and two girls are now living. She was born at Martin, Ohio. January 20. 1840. Her father. Nicholas Cront, who was born in France. emigrated from the state of Ohio io Walworth county. Wisconsin. in 1843. and in 1848 moved to Jefferson county, where he bought a farm of 120 acres. Ile afterwards moved to California, where he died in 1888. Her mother. Catherine Talbot, was born in Germany and died in Jeffer- son county in 1865 at the age of forty-four years. They were members of the Freewill Baptist church.
Thomas Welch, a prosperous farmer of Wellington township. was born May 6. 1857. to Patrick and Elizabeth (Quirk ) Welch. natives of Ireland. The father came to America in early life and first located in New York, where he worked as a laborer for some time. and where he was married and raised a family of six chil- dren. In the fall of 1864. the father, with his family, came to Monroe county. Wisconsin, and settled in the Black valley. in Wellington township. where he homesteaded eighty acres of land in section eight, to which he subsequently added. until at the time of his death, which occurred October 5. 1908, he owned 120 acres. He was among the early settlers of Black valley, and the wild land which he acquired. was by hard work and perseverance. converted into a valuable and productive farm. He was honorable and upright in all his dealings and gained many friends, which he retained. In religions affiliations he and his wife, who died in 1904. were devoted members of the Catholic church.
Thomas received his education in the public schools, which he attended until his seventeenth year, and made his home with his parents, though at the early age of fifteen he started in life for himself. receiving $10 per month as a farm laborer, which ocenpa- tion he followed for several years before buying a farm of his own. In 1892 he was married to Miss Catherine Egan. daughter of Peter Egan. of Wellington township, who came with his family
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to Monroe county in 1859. where he purchased 200 acres of wild land in the town of Wellington. To Mr. and Mrs. Welch have been born seven children, of whom six are now living, viz. : Mary E., born May 25, 1894; Catherine, born February 2. 1896; Thomas, born October 10. 1898; Agnes, born January 25, 1900; Donald. born July 10. 1904, and James, born February 5, 1908.
Prior to his marriage Mr. Welch had acquired seventy-four acres of land in section eight, Wellington township, to which he has since added forty aeres, and is now the owner of 114 acres of choice land. Ile is a successful farmer and keeps his place well stocked with horses, cattle and hogs. He has made many valuable improvements : built his residence in 1904, and erected a large and commodious barn, 32 x 54 feet. with other substantial outbuild- ings. Two deep wells and a fine spring of running water. furnish his house and barn with an abundant supply at all seasons. Besides being successful in farming. Mr. Welch is a public spirited and influential citizen. and for eighteen years has been clerk of the school board.
Simon J. Wells, one of the prosperous and influential farmers of Wells township. is a native son of Monroe county. Wisconsin, and was born in the town of Wells January 11, 1858. His parents were James and Minerva (Cline) Wells, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father came to Wisconsin in 1853, and for five years followed the occupation of sheep and horse drover. He made his home in Monroe and La Crosse counties, until his marriage in La Crosse county, about 1857. Hle was a man of energy and thrift, and became the owner of 380 acres of land. He was a successful farmer and made a specialty of raising Oxford sheep, cattle and hogs. He took an active interest in town and county matters. and for two years was chairman of the town board and a member of the board of supervisors, and in polities a Democrat. He lived a long and useful life. his death occurring in 1904. Wells township was named in his honor, and is a fitting compliment to a worthy pioneer and citizen. His wife. mother of our subject. still (1912) survives, and is a resident of Sparta.
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