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 89
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Simon J. was raised on his father's farm. and during his boy- hood attended the district schools and assisted in the farm work. He remained on the homestead with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-eight years. He has followed farming during his whole life: has been generally successful in his undertakings and is known as one of the prosperous, publie spirited citizens of Monroe county, and all matters pertaining to the welfare of his
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community, received his hearty support. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.
The marriage of Mr. Wells occurred on May 27, 1886. to Miss Clara Lee, daughter of Peter Lee. Six children have been born to them, viz. : Frances, Fern, Lee. Myrtle. James and Myra Wells.
Will N. Wells was born in the town of Greenwood. Oceana county. Mich .. February 3, 1865. Ile is the son of Rufus Frank Wells and Fannie Fortune Wells. both descendants of Revol- tionary families. which settled in New York and Pennsylvania at an early day.
Mr. Wells came to Michigan with his parents when that state was a territory, being pioneers there and also in Wisconsin. Rufus Wells was a carpenter by trade and helped to build many of the earlier houses in Black River Falls during the fifties: failing health forced him to abandon the trade and he engaged in the mercantile business in 1870, which he followed until his death.
Will N. came to HIumbird with his parents, where his father opened a pioneer hardware store in 1870. Was educated in the common schools of that place. going to Dakota with his father in 1878 and being pioneer settlers at Gary. His father died at Gary the following year, when subject of this sketch was attending school at Humbird : he went to Neillsville in 1880 and had one year in the high school. Financial cireinstances compelled him to abandon school and he entered the printing office of the Clark County Courier. at Neillsville, to learn the trade. The remainder of his education was acquired in the "school of experience" and he graduated from a country printing office. In 1884 he purchased a half interest in the Neillsville Times, selling out six months later: and until 1890 he followed the occupation of journeyman printer, working in many of the large cities of the country.
In December. 1890. he returned to Black River Falls. Wis., and leased the JJackson County Journal, which he conducted for two years. On September 11. 1891. he was married to Miss Margaret Kerrigan, danghter of Mr. and Mrs. William Kerrigan. of Sparta, the latter being pioneer settlers of that place.
In December. 1892. he gave up the lease of the Journal and in Jannary. 1893, was elected engrossing clerk in the state senate at Madison.
In September. 1903. was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue for the La Crosse division. comprising ten counties of western Wisconsin, and served in that capacity until June 1. 1900. U'pon receiving the appointment to that position he moved with his family to Sparta in February. 1894. where he has since
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resided. Since leaving the internal revenue service he has been engaged in the business of stationery dealer for seven years, and for the past four years one of the proprietors and editor of the Monroe County Democrat.
lle served three years as alderman and two years as super- visor of the third ward of the city of Sparta and three years as its mayor. during which time many municipal improvements were inaugurated. His family consists of tive children, three girls and two boys, being according to age. Cora, Edith. Robert. Rufus and Margaret.
Herman Wendorf, one of the prominent German farmers of Ridgeville township, Monroe county, was born December 23. 1882. in Dodge county. Wisconsin, the son of August and Mary (Springhorn) Wendorf. both natives of Germany. His father came to America some time during the fifties and first located in Milwaukee, where he was married, and shortly afterward moved to Dodge county. They were prominent and thrifty farmers, and lost no time in working their way to comfortable circumstances. and are now living in practical retirement as the result of their early years of toil and perseverance and are considered among the leading citizens of the township. The father is now (1912) sixty-five years of age and the mother is sixty-two. Both are members of the Lutheran church. They raised a family of eleven children, all of whom are living.
Herman was the fifth child of the family and lived at home until he was twenty-one: he attended the district school until he was fifteen years old and then took a thorough business course in the Hoffman College at Milwaukee. Wis., after which he embarked in the saloon business in Wilton. Monroe county, and conducted this for about one year. This enterprise, however. proved too slow for his ambitious nature and he decided to make a trip through the West in search of his fortune, and he went to North Dakota. but after a short visit through that part of the country he returned to Wilton, and with his two brothers, pur- chased a 200-aere traet of land in section sixteen, Ridgeville town- ship, which they conducted together successfully. Herman after- ward purchased the interests of both the others, which he still owns and where he has since resided. He was married on March 25, 1908. to Miss Freda Schultz, daughter of William and Minnie Schultz, who came to Monroe county in an early day.
Mr. and Mrs. Wendorf have two children, viz. : Gilmore, born December 18, 1910. and Barbara, born March 31. 1912. Their home is ideal in every respect, and is well equipped with stock
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and the necessary machinery for the successful operation of the farm, making it one of the finest country homes in the county. Mr. Wendorf has a splendid dairy business in connection, with twenty-nine head of fine milch cows, from which he realizes a substantial revenne in the sale of milk to the creamery; he also has a large herd of the best breed of hogs, some of which are always ready for the market. While Mr. Wendorf is classed among the younger farmers, he is nevertheless a hustling leader in those ranks, and casts his vote regularly for the Republican candidates: has always been active in the interests of that party. Both he and Mrs. Wendorf are members of the Lutheran church.
Herman A. Westphal, owner and proprietor of a fine 160-acre farm in section twenty-seven, Adrian township, is a native son of Monroe county, born August 3, 1869, and is one of a family of ten children born to Gotlieb and Amelia (Marquardt) West- phal. both natives of Germany. The others are Augusta, wife of Adolph Sommerfield, of Tomah township; Adeline, wife of Fred Damrow. of Adrian township; Albertena, wife of William Bak- house, of the town of Adrian; William, of Adrian; Amelia, wife of William Matthews, of Tomah township; August, of Adrian; Emma, married William Rieke, and resides in Adrian; Albert lives on the homestead farm, and Alvina, now Mrs. John Rehberg, lives in Adrian township.
The parents of our subjeet came to America nearly fifty years ago, and first located at Tomah, where they remained a short time, and finally settled on a farm in section thirty, Adrian township, and there made their home until 1897, when they moved to the city of Tomah, where they have since lived.
Herman A. received his education in the district schools and remained on the home farm until he was seventeen years old. and then began to depend upon his own resources for a livelihood. In 1891 he purchased his present farm, which he has since improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. He has cleared some twelve acres, built a large barn in 1903, and a modern house in 1904, together with granary and other outbuild- ings, besides making various other improvements. In April. 1891. he was married to Miss Ida Schroeder, of Richland Center, Wis., and one daughter, Huldah, born February 14, 1892, was the only child of this union. Mrs. Westphal passed away in 1896, and Mr. Westphal married for the second time in 1897, Miss Emma Keller, of Wilton township, and to this union have been born two children, viz .: Elna B., born August 18. 1899. and Harry, born December 16, 1906.
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Mr. and Mrs. Westphal are members of the German Lutheran church of Ridgeville.
Mrs. Sarah A. Whiting*, who resides on section five, Leon township, is a native of Wisconsin, and was born at Kenosha, June 26, 1844. She is a daughter of Daniel C. and Lney (Lease) Whiting, both natives of England. They came with their parents in an early day to America and located for a time in New York state, and afterwards the family moved to Libertyville, Ill., where Mr. Whiting kept the Temperance House, which he afterwards sold and engaged in blacksmithing, later removing to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where Mrs. Whiting, our subject, was born. She is of a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, she being the only surviving member. The brothers were all teachers.
Mrs. Whiting has been twice married, and both husbands served three years in the Civil War, and by the first marriage she had two children, Charles W. and Ida. By her second marriage she also has two children, Albert M. and Lulu May. Mrs. Whiting is a lady of intelligence and refinement, and has always been devoted to her home and family. She has resided on her present farm in Leon since 1897.
Henry J. Willgrubs, son of Heye and Frederica (Wildhagn) Willgrubs, was born September 9, 1859, in Madison, Wis. His parents came from Germany, the father in 1855, first located in Madison, where he worked as a teamster for some time; he was born on January 9, 1819, married in 1858, and died in 1894. The mother was born September 1, 1830. They had a family of four children, two of whom are now living, Henry J. and George M., who is a carpenter by trade and resides in Madison. In 1861 the father moved to Brush Creek valley in Monroe county, and with his brothers, Jibbe and Menke Willgrubs, bought 160 acres of wild land in section thirty-six, Jefferson township, and here experienced the ups and downs of pioneer life, with few neigh- bors and far apart; but, as the years passed, they became successful farmers. Heye Willgrubs subsequently bought the share of his two brothers in the farm, and two years before his death left the homestead in charge of our subject, who is now one of the leading farmers of this section.
One of the hardships of the early settlers in this section of the country was the marketing of grain and other farm products. They had to be hauled or driven over the then poorly constructed roads, across the hills forming the divide between the headwaters of the La Crosse and the Kickapoo rivers, twenty-two miles, to
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Sparta, then the nearest railroad town. It usually required two days to make the round trip.
Henry JJ. Willgrubs attended the district schools until he was fourteen years old, then took a course at Norwalk school, and later attended private school at Madison, taking a thorough course in business and book-keeping. He lived at home with his parents, continuing the management of the farm until he was thirty-one Years old: he was married on April 22. 1891, to Miss Frieda Maier, daughter of John and Teressia Maier, also natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Willgrugs now have a family of three children, viz. : Albert F., born May 15, 1892: Ernest Theodore, born August 10, 1894. and Elsie T., born March 20, 1900.
Besides general farming, Mr. Willgrubs conducts one of the best dairies in the country : he has held the office of town clerk for eleven terms and is a Democrat in politics.
Jib T. Willgrubs*, who ranks among the substantial farmers of Big Creek valley, was born in Brush Creek valley near ('ashton. Monroe county. Wis .. March 16. 1862. His father, George L. Willgrubs, was born at Hanover, Germany, and came early in the fifties to the United States and located at Lodi, Dane county. Wis .. where for three years he followed the trade of blacksmith. and then removed to Monroe county. The mother of Mr. Will- grubs. whose maiden name was Minnie Snyder, was born at Mecklenburg. Germany, and after coming to this country settled in Monroe county, where she married George L. Willgrubs. Upon arriving in this county, Mr. Willgrubs purchased a farm of 172 acres in Bush Creek valley, which he cleared and improved with a good class of buildings, and brought the soil to a high state of cultivation.
Jih T. Willgrubs was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools, and assisted with the farm work until he reached his majority, when he purchased 132 acres of the home- stead farm from his father and started farming on his own account. The other forty acres the father reserved, upon which he erected new buildings, and where he made his home until his death on September 30. 1907. at the age of seventy-one years. After the death of her husband. Mrs. Willgrubs disposed of the farm and removed to the city of Sparta, where she now resides. They had a family of nine children: John. lives at Cashton : Jib T .. subject of this sketch: Ellen, wife of Walter Parks: Anna, wife of Christ Gammerdinger, of Hustle. Juneau county : Nettie, widow of Thomas Murphy. of Sparta, and Bertha is the wife of Allen Schutt, and resides in Milwaukee. Those deceased
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are Margaret, who died at the age of two years: Henry died in infancy, and Charles died at the age of twenty-six years.
Mr. Willgrubs was married on September 27. 1895, at Rome. Wis., to Miss Rose Frohmader. daughter of John and Mary (Bornhimer) Frohmader. Her parents moved from Rome, Jeffer- son county, to Clifton township, Monroe county, in 1872. where the father died in 1907 at the age of seventy-one years. His widow. mother of Mrs. Willgrubs. survives, and lives in the city of Sparta. To Mr. and Mrs. Jib T. Willgrubs have been born three children : Leonard G .. Everett J .. and Eunice M. In 1908. Mr. Willgrubs removed to Sparta township and purchased eighty acres of land in section eighteen in the Big Creek valley, to which he added by purchase until he now has one hundred and thirty acres of highly cultivated land. Mir. Willgrubs is one of the public spirited and influential farmers of Monroe county. and takes a lively interest in the affairs of his town and county. For four years he was chairman of the Jefferson town board. treasurer of the school district for seventeen years, and for several years overseer of highways. Ile is a member of the Sparta town board, a member of the Sparta Fruit Growers Association, director and treasurer of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and in politics a Republican.
William U. Willgrubs is another one of the prosperous and influential farmers of the Big Creek valley. Hle is the son of Menke and Anna (Baker) Willgrubs, and was born in Algona, Iowa. June 26. 1869. Ilis father came to the United States from Germany, and first located in Wisconsin in the early fifties. where he made a start in life and returned to Germany for his parents. with whom he later returned to America. Mrs. Will- grubs, mother of our subject. was a native of Wisconsin, having been born in Waukesha county. After returning to America with his parents. the father of Mr. Willgrubs went to Iowa. and remained there until 1872, whence they removed to Monroe county, Wisconsin, and settled on a farm in Sparta township. where they remained for seven years, when the father purchased the farm in section eighteen, this township, which is now owned by William, and which he successfully carried on for eighteen years. He then removed to the city of Sparta, where he lives in practical retirement, enjoying the fruits of his long years of toil. Mrs. Willgrubs, mother of our subject. died when William was nine years old. Mr. Willgrubs is the second child of a family of four children. The others are George, who lives in Sparta : Ida. formerly the wife of D. L. Powell, is deceased : and Nettie, who
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died at the age of four years. William, our subject, obtained his education in the district school and assisted in the work on the farm until the fall of 1890, when he purchased the same from his father. He has since made many improvements on the place, among these being his modern residence, which was erected in 1903, and has many up-to-date appliances, such as hot and cold water, etc. In 1911 a new and commodious barn, 36 by 48 feet, with twenty-foot post, was erected, besides which there is a fine silo and other improvements. Mr. Willgrubs uses modern methods in his farming, and his is one of the model country homes in Monroe county.
On June 10, 1891, Mr. Willgrubs was united in marriage with Miss Ida B. Hutson, daughter of John Hutson. of Sparta town- ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Willgrubs have been born five children : Ralph V., Wilbert J., Harold, who died in infancy; Francis D .. and Dorothy Mary Ann. Mr. Willgrubs is one of the enterprising public spirited citizens of the county, and takes an active interest in public affairs. He has been treasurer of his town one term, highway commissioner one term and for thirteen years a member of the school board. In religious faith and fellowship Mr. Will- grubs and his family affiliate with the Big Creek Methodist Episcopal church.
George Williams, who is one of the successful farmers of Wells township. was born at Kilbourn City. Wis .. April 14. 1864. son of Casper and Elizabeth (Craig) Williams. natives of Germany. Some time in the fifties the parents, with one child. emigrated to America and located at Grand Rapids. Wis. After a residence there of two years, they moved to Kilbourn City and there remained ten years. whence they went to Bangor, La Crosse county. making the trip from Kilbourn with an ox team. one cow and two pigs, which followed the wagon all the way to La Crosse county. For fourteen years the father was engaged in rafting on the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. He homesteaded eighty acres of land in La Crosse county at a time when there were no rail- roads. and he would often carry a sack of flour on his back. weigh- ing 150 pounds. from La Crosse to his elaim. They experienced all the trials and hardships of pioneer life in a new country. and later purchased a farm in Burns township. La Crosse county. and there lived until the father's death at the age of eighty-two years. The mother died in 1902. They were the parents of six children. In religious belief they were Lutherans, and the father was a Democrat in politics.
George Williams, who was the fifth child in order of birth,
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attended the district schools and remained on the home farm assisting with the farm work until he was twenty-one. Ile then went to South Dakota and spent one year. Returning to Wis- consin. he purchased the George King farm of 167 acres. in section eleven. Wells township, where he has since resided, and has made valable and lasting improvements to the house, barns and other buildings. and is known as one of the most progressive and influential general farmers and dairymen of his town. In politics he is a Democrat and has served as treasurer of the school district for three years.
He was married at Cataract, Wis., to Miss Helen Stetzer, daughter of August Stetzer. one of the early settlers of La Crosse county. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of seven children, viz .: Gertrude, Robert W .. Lloyd, Harold, Vera, Ralph and George Williams.
Robert Williams, one of the model farmers of Monroe county. who resides on section nine. Little Falls township, was born at Grand Rapids, Wis., August 12. 1855, to Casper and Elizabeth (Craig) Williams, natives of Germany, and who after marriage came to the United States in 1853 and located in Wood county, Wisconsin, where the father worked in the lumber woods, and rafted logs down the Mississippi river to Dubuque, Galena and other points. He followed this occupation until 1864, during which time he changed his place of residence to near Kilbourne City, and there remained until 1865. when he removed to La Crosse county and located in Farmington township, and there cleared up and improved two farms, which he brought from a wild state to one of cultivation and productiveness, and there made his home until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, mother of our subject, passed away in 1900. Robert is the second child of a family of six children. The others are, Ahart, who resides on the homestead farm in La Crosse county; Lizzie, wife of Henry Storandt, of Little Falls township; Mary, now the wife of James Troy, resides at Groton, S. D .; George, of Farmers valley, Monroe county, and Anna, wife of John Dahl, of Burr Oak, La Crosse county.
Mr. Robert Williams received his edueation in the common schools and remained on the home farm until twenty-seven years of age. At the age of eighteen he commenced operating a thresh- ing machine, which he ran for twenty-five years, covering in his operations La Crosse, Monroe and Jackson counties. His first venture at farming on his own account was on a rented farm. where he continued for three years. In 1885 he purchased his
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present farm, consisting of four forties in sections eight and nine. to which he has since added eighty acres in section seventeen. 172 aeres in section seven, and another forty in section nine, which with 160 aeres in La Crosse county. makes his landed holdings 612 acres. The home farm is under a good state of cultivation. is well stocked and improved with a good class of buildings. He carries on general farming and dairying. and is extensively engaged in breeding and raising registered Percheron horses. Mr. Williams is a man of high standing in the community, and has the respect and esteem of all who know him, and he takes a commendable interest in the affairs of his town and county, and for two terms has served as a member of the side board. On July 22. 1881. Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Miss Amelia Schleiger. daughter of George and Margaret (Young) Schleiger, also natives of Germany. Mrs. Williams was born in La Crosse county. Wis .. in 1855. and is the third child in a family of seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have two daughters. Edna Amelia, born March 27. 1882. and Mary Grace, born August 16. 1885. In addi- tion to these two daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Williams have given a home to a young man by the name of Richard Young until he becomes of age.
George Schleiger, deceased. one of the best known early German settlers of La Crosse county, father of Mrs. Robert Williams, was a resident of that county from April 17. 1853. to the time of his death, which occurred January 2. 1900. at the age of eighty-two years. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Williams. died November 18, 1893, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mr. Sehleiger was born at Saxony. Germany. September 9. 1822, and was a son of Henry and Eve (Storandt) Schleiger. He was the youngest of a family of three sons and four danghters, and was but three years of age when his mother died. He attended school until he was fourteen years old, and then was an evening pupil for a time : took up the trade of a mason and served an apprenticeship for several years. His father was a master mason. and had charge of a large number of men. He died in his native land at the age of seventy-three years. When Mr. Schleiger was twenty-two years of age he sailed from Bremen for the port of New York, believing that the opportunities afforded in the United States excelled those of the old world. After a voyage of fifty-eight days he reached America, continued his journey to Milwaukee, Wis., by the way of the great lakes, thence he went to Walworth county. Wisconsin. and settled at Lake Geneva, where he seenred employment as a hostler in a hotel. Hle was one of the first settlers in this place.
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there were no roads except Indian trails, and game could be had in abundance. Fortune did not first smile on Mr. Schleiger, but being well endowed with that pluck and perseverance which so strongly characterize his nationality, he overcame many obstacles and became the owner of one of the fine farms and homes in La Crosse county.
Mr. Sehleiger was united in marriage February 26. 1848. at Lake Geneva, to Miss Margaret Young. also a native of Saxony, and a daughter of John Adam Young, who settled in Wisconsin in 1847. To Mr. and Mrs. Sehleiger were born seven daughters : Mary. deceased: Amelia, wife of Robert Williams: Orpha, deceased ; Anna Elizabeth, wife of O. D. Robinson, of West Salem. Wis. : Lydia, wife of Dell Quiggle. of Burr Oak. Wis., and Sarah, wife of Ed Radcliffe, of Farmington township. La Crosse county.
William D. Williams was born in LaFayette township, where he still resides. on March 31. 1877, the son of Richard Williams, who was born in Wales, and Martha Williams. also born in Wales, where they married fifty years ago and came to America, locating in LaFayette township. Monroe county, Wisconsin. on a tract of wild land. The father followed the occupation of farming the remainder of his life experiencing the usual difficulties of the pio- neer, and died in 1879 at the early age of forty years. Ilis wife, mother of our subject, passed away in 1883. They raised a family of children, viz .: Maggie, wife of E. Vanorman, Sparta : Mary, wife of Oscar Damman, of Sparta : Roger, deceased : John lives in Little Falls township: Katherine is Mrs. Al Gibbard. and resides in Milwaukee, and William D., the subject of this sketch. Being but six years old when his mother died, Mr. Williams made his home with Thomas Richards, of Little Falls township. until he was old enough to work out. Ile was given a common school educa- tion by Mr. Richards, and started life on his own resources by working at farming for various people until 1900, when he had accumulated sufficient means with which he purchased his present farm of 120 acres from Mrs. C. A. Cross, and has since built a comfortable and commodious residence, made additions to the barn, erected a berry house, machine shed. silo and granary and has otherwise improved his place until he now has an ideal farm home. IIe is engaged in general farming and dairving, and makes a specialty of raising berries and small fruit at which he has been one of the most successful in his township. He has always been interested in the affairs of his community and has served as super- visor of his town and is a member of the school board. Frater- nally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
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