History of Vernon County, Wisconsin, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 101

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Union
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Wisconsin > Vernon County > History of Vernon County, Wisconsin, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 101

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Elvarus Culver, now a resident of Doniphan, Mo., was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1829. The year following his parents removed to Trumbull Co., Ohio, where our subjeet was educated and learned the cabinet and millwright trades. In 1856 he removed to the town of Whitestown and purchased a stock of goods from George Prentice. Ile was engaged in mercantile pursuits, in the village of Ontario, for twelve years. lle now owns eighty aeres of land in the town, but resides in Doniphan, Mo. In 1852 he married Ruby Oliver, and six

children have been given them- Hettie, wife of William Lower; William, who married Amanda Webster; Charles, Bert, Nellie and Sibyl. Charles, the third child and second son, is a native of Whitestown. He has been a resident here all his life with the exception of eighteen months spent at St. Louis, Mo. He married Emma C. Webster, and they have one son- Eddie C. Mr. Culver is the owner of a resi- dence and two lots in the village of Ontario.

George Prentice, one of theleading citizens and prominent business men of Ontario village, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1816. When twelve years of age his parents removed to Medina Co., Ohio, where George received the benefit of a good common school education. Hle learned the cabinet maker's trade, and in the spring of 1856 came to Whitestown, Wis. He opened the first store in the village of Ontario, which he conducted for eighteen months. He then sold the stock to O. H. Mil- lard, and in 1859, erected the first grist-mill in the village. This he traded to Giles White for a stock of goods, and he was again engaged in the mercantile trade for three years. He then disposed of his stock to Elvarus Culver. He then erected a steam saw-mill, but sold it three years after to a Mr. De Ilart. Mr. Prentice then leased the grist-mill from Mr. White and operated it for eight years. He subsequently bought another general stock of goods, which he is now selling. Mr. Prentice was one of the pioneers of the town, and has been largely instrumental in improving the village of On- tario. When the town was organized in 1857, he was elected clerk, also in 1859, and has served as treasurer of the town since its organization, twenty-one years.

O. Il. Millard, one of the prominent citizens of the town of Whitestown, Vernon county was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1825. He lived in his native place until seventeen years of age, when he went to .Ogdensburgh, N. Y., and found employment in a forwarding house. In the spring of 1844 he came west, by way of the

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

lakes in a schooner to Chicago, then a city of about 9,000 inhabitants. In the spring of 1845 he went to live in Prescott, Canada, where he remained until 1848, when he went to Syracuse, N. Y., and was clerk in the dry goods house of Arnold Woodward. When the news of the discovery of gold in California reached the east, he was seized with the "California fever" and started with two others, ( the first to leave that city for California ) on the 8th day of January, 1849, reaching San Francisco on the 8th day of August, after a tedious voyage around Cape Horn, of 185 days from New York. He worked in the mines in parts of the mountains and returned home to New York in the sum- mer of 1851. The same year he started for St. Paul, Minn., intending to make that now famous city his home but only went as far as Freeport, Ill. lle there engaged in the book trade, but told his stock in January, 1852, and started again for California. This second trip was more suc- cessful than the preceding one, for he managed to secure about $2,000 in six months. IIe traversed the entire mining region, but mined principally on the middle fork of the American river, and at Agua Frio, in Mariposa county. In 1857 Mr. Millard came to Whitestown, and entered eighty acres on section 3. He now owns 680 acres in the town and five blocks in the village of Ontario. This latter place was named in honor of Mr. Millards birth place, Ontario Co., N. Y. Mr. Millard was the first postmaster in the village. Was chairman of the town board one year, town treasurer two years. He carries ou a large business in a gen- eral stock of goods, and has lately platted in town lots eighty acres of land in Monroe county, which is known as Millard's addition to the village of Ontario. Mr. Millard was married, in 1854, to Mary S., daughter of Jason and Johanna Canfield, of West Bloomfield, N. Y. They have two children-Henry C. who mar- ried Retta J. Carpenter, and Mittie J.

England-"on whose dominion the sun never sets"-in 1835, and when nine years of age came over to this country. He was one of the first to settle in Dane Co., Wis., and in 1857 came to Whitestown. He purchased fifty acres of land on section 3, which he still owns. He has been very attentive to his landed interests, and now possesses 1,756 acres of land in Ver- non county, making him probably the second largest landholder in the county. He also owns two houses and three lots in the village of Ontario, a store building and other village property, and a large stock of dry goods, groce- ries, boots and shoes, clothing, crockery and hardware. He enjoys a fine trade, and his many years of residence have given him the confidence of all his acquaintances. Mr. San- don taught the first school in the village of Ontario, and in 1858 was elected clerk of the town, holding the position for sixteen years. He was also justice of the peace for ten or twelve years. Mr. Sandon was united in mar- riage, in 1857, soon after he came into Whites- town, to Ellen L., daughter of M. W. and Maria Steadman. They have two daughters -Nettie M. and Hattie E. Mrs. Sandon was born in 1837.

Johann Breidung came in 1861. Ile was born in Germany in 1825, and took passage in a sailing vessel for America in 1854. He first settled at Manistee, Mich., and there engaged in the lumber business for eight years. Ile then removed to Milwaukee and lived there two years. Leaving Milwaukee, he went to Waukesha county and farmed it for one year. In 1861 he came to Whitestown and purchased 160 acres of land on section 24. IIe now owns 150 acres and resides on section 34. Mr. Breidung was married in 1860 to Mrs. Martha Breidenstein. They have three children -Albert, Augusta and Matilda.

Samuel Walker, who located in 1862, was born in Indiana Co., Penn., April 20, 1805. In 1812 his parents removed to Washington county

Robert Sandon, one of the most prominent business men of Ontario village, was born in i in his native State, and in 1814 to Jefferson

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

Co., Ohio. Mr. Walker subsequently resided in both Athens and Meigs counties, in Ohio, and in 1856 settled in Wellington town, Monroe Co., Wis. Ile there sowed the first wheat ever sowed in the town, and remained until 1861. In the latter year he enlisted as fifer in com- pany I, in the 6th regiment, Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, but was discharged in 1862 on account of disability. That same year he re- moved to Whitestown and entered 160 acres of land on section 1. He now owns 120 seres on the same section, all well improved. Mr. Walker was married, March 28, 1834, to Sarah, danghter of Joseph and Eleanor Sloan. Eight children were born to this union, six of whom are living-L. H., who married Miss C. Buck- ner, Whitestown ; T. R., who married a Miss Curtis ; Ellen, wife of Ezra Tuttle ; Anna, wife of Thomas Sloan; Leslie and Lindley, de- ceased ; Perry, who married Katie Dains ; Joseph Adam, married Mary Adeline Lester ; she having died, he afterward married De Ette L. Palmeter. Mr. Samuel Walker served an apprenticeship of six years as a blacksmith, following the business thirty-five years. He has always been a hard working man, and is at the advanced age of seventy-seven past, an able bodied man and the grand-father of twenty-one children.

Perry Walker, son of Samnel and Sarah (Sloan) Walker, was born in Meigs Co., Ohio, in 1841. He there lived until 1854, when he accompanied his parents to Hamilton, Ind., and one year later removed to the town of Wel- lington, Monroe Co., Wis., the family having the honor of being the first wbite settlers in the town. In 1862 they removed to the town of Whitestown and Mr. Walker bought forty acres of land on section 1, which he still owns. In 1865 he enlisted in the 50th regiment, Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged in 1866. Mr. Walker was married in 1872 to Catharine, daughter of Hartley and Elizabeth Danes. They have two children- Marlow and Maggie.

Hiram Timerman, who is one of the most prominent business men of Ontario village, was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1825. He was there reared and educated. In 1841, when quite young, he learned the wagon and carriage maker's trade and was engaged in mannfactur- ing those vehicles nntil 1864. In this latter year he returned to Ontario village and opened the first wagon shop in the town of Whites- town. lle carried on a successful business un- til 1882, when he disposed of his stock and cus- tom to his two sons, who now operate the busi- ness. Mr. Timerman subsequently engaged in the furnitnge business, owns a good stock and is enjoying a fine trade. He also owns a residence and two village lots and forty acres of land on section 2. He was mar- ried, in 1850, to Harriet Luther. They have three children-Mertin, Herman, who married Lucy Hart, and Dell, who married Jennie MeFee. Mrs. Timermanwas born in 1820.

Hon. Van S. Bennett is the leading business man of the village of Rockton and one of the prominent citizens of Vernon county. He was born in Medina Co., Ohio, in 1836. His grand- father was a native of the Old Dominion and a prominent planter and slave-holder and depart- ed this life in 1820. One son, J. V., the father of our subject, was born in Jefferson Co., Va., in 1801 and at the death of his father, came into possession of one-ninth of the estate. This in- terest was paid him in slaves. From the death of his father until 1828, a period of eight years, he was also overseer of the plantation and was paid in slaves for his services. In the latter year, when twenty-seven years of age, he left the old plantation for New York, taking with him all the property he then possessed-a large number of slaves. Upon arriving at his destination he gave freedom to all his dusky chattels and by so doing became in one hour a penniless man. He commenced life again by hiring to work on a farm at ten dollars per month. He came to Rockton in 1868 and died at the residence of his son in 1870. His

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

wife, Eliza Bennett, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1812, and became the wife of Mr. Bennett in 1834. They were the parents of five children-Van S., William H., who was captain of company B , 25th regiment, Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry and died in 1864; Isaac, who died in 1847; Virginia, who departed this life in Whitestown, in 1867, and I. J., a practicing physician of Lansing, Iowa. Van S. Bennett, the eldest child, remained in his native county until ten years of age and then accompanied his parents to Dane Co., Wis. Six years later they removed to Jefferson county and in 1854 to Kickapoo Center, Vernon county. At this lat- ter place Mr. Bennett assisted in erecting the first saw mill in the town of Kickapoo. In 1855 he went to Richland county and for six years worked in the lumbering camps. In 1861 he enlisted in the 12th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned a 1st lieutenant and in 1862 was promoted as captain and discharged in 1864. He returned to Rich- land county and was elected superintendent of the schools, which position he held for two years. In 1866 he came to Whitestown and purchased the grist mill owned by Langhton Bros. In 1867 he erected the first saw mill in the village, which he still owns and operates. In 1873 he platted the village of Rockton and in 1879, in connection with C. B. Weldon, pur- chased a general stock of goods. In 1881 the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Weldon retiring from the firm, and Mrs. Bennett has since assisted in the store duties. Mr. Bennett is the largest landed proprietor in Vernon county, owning about 2,300 acres. IIe was married, in 1858, to Jennie, daughter of Alfred and Rebecca Lovelace. They have one daughter- Onie. Mrs. Bennett was born in 1837. Mr. Bennett was justice of the peace thirteen years ; chairman of town board four years ; chairman of county board two years ; repre- sented his district in the Assembly two terms. He is the present representative to the State Senate from this district, receiving a plurality

vote of 447 over both democratic and green- back candidates.

Elbert W. Sandon is the senior member of the firm of Sandon & White, dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and clothing. He was born in Dane Co., Wis., in 1849, and in 1866, when seventeen years of age, came to the town of Whitestown, where he has since resided. During the first three or four years of his resi- dence here, he traveled during the summer months, and resided in Ontario in the winter seasons. In 1869 he formed a copartnership with his brother Robert, and the firm com- menced the mercantile trade. Mr. Sandon re- mained in the firm until 1874, when he disposed of his interest to his brother, and established himself in his present business a little later in the same year. In 1880 he sold one half inter- est in the business to Cassins White, and pur- chased a half interest in the saw and grist mill in the village. The flouring mill contains three run of stones and has a capacity of about 700 bushels per day. The saw mill is furnished with a circular saw, and has a capacity of 8,000 feet of lumber per day. Mr. Sandon is one of the enterprising and successful business men of Vernon county, and enjoys the esteem of the whole community. He was married in 1874 to Angie, daughter of Giles and Caroline White, the first settlers in this town. Mrs. Sandon was born in 1846.

Ole Arntzen, a native of Norway, was born in 1821, and emigrated to the United States in 1865. He first settled in La Crosse, Wis., in 1866, where he remained till the fall of 1867, when he came to Whitestown and entered 160 acres of land on sections 21 and 28, which he now owns, with about 30 acres improved. Mr. Arntzen was married, in 1853, to Johanna M. Sternberg. They have six children-August M., llenry, Peter O., Rudolph, John and Arendine. August is now married to Mary Vance.

Heinrich Heinrich, a justice of the peace of the town of Whitestown, was born in Germany in 1831. He left his native land ina steam ves-

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

sel in the spring of 1869, and when near Eng- land, the vessel broke a propelling screw, and had to put into London for repairs. After leaving England, and when fully in mid ocean, terrific storms drove the vessel hither and thither. Their provisions alinost gave out, and their coal was entirely consumed. They found it necessary to use bedsteads, benches, stools, etc., for fuel, and with great difficulty and many misgivings, reached New York harbor. Mr. Heinrich came directly to Vernon county, and purchased eighty acres of land in Whitestown town, on sections 34 and 27, where he has since resided. In 1880 he was appointed justice of the peace, and is now serving in that capacity. Mr. Heinrich was married, in 1852, to Alh Zae- ger, born in 1832, and a grand-child of a native of Germany, who came to America at an early day, and fought under Washington in the Rev- olutionary war, but afterward returned to Germany, and there died. Six children were born to this union, one dying in Germany, and five now living-Carl D., born in 1853, studied theology for three years at the Northwestern College, Naperville, Ill .; Louise M., born in 1856, and wife of August Krugel; 1 .. Emielie, born in 1859, and resides in New York city ; A. Auguste, born in 1861, and wife of Carl Krugel, and Eliese Adelia, born in 1866, and wife of George Thomas.

Rev. W. F. Phillips, the present pastor of the Baptist Church, of the village of Ou- tario, Vernon Co., Wis., was born in Wales, in 1801. When quite young he became imbued with the idea of becoming a minister of the gospel and at the age of fifteen years com- menced to talk on religious matters. In 1818 he entered Brecon College, in the south of Wales, to prepare for the ministry. He was graduated in 1822, and in 1842 came to these United States. His first charge was the Welsh Baptist | Church, at Utica, N. Y., where he remained four years. He then removed to Freedom, in the same State, where he officiated as pastor to both the English and Welsh Baptist Churches

for about nine years. He was subsequently in charge of two Baptist congregations at Dodge- ville, Iowa Co., Wis., for three years, and was then called to the Church at Spring Green, Sauk Co., Wis., where be ministered to the spiritual wants of three congregations until 1870. In the latter year, he came to Ontario, and has since officiated as their pastor. A glance at the foregoing will abundantly serve to show that Rev. Phillips has spent a long and useful life in the service of his Lord and Mas- ter. He is now nearing the end of this mortal life, but the years that have whitened his locks and enfeebled his steps have also added strength to his soul and a determination to die in the harness. He was united in marriage, in 1831, to Ann Jones, and seven children have been born to them, five living-Frank M. (Daniel), Jennie (Davis), William C., Lucinda (Green) and Catherine (Fox). Mrs. Phillips crossed over the dark river in 1869, and Jan. 12, 1875, Rev. Phillips married Lydia Beecher, a native of Hinesburg, Vt.

Christian Fransen is a native of Norway, where he was born in 1844, and emigrated to the United States in 1872, and first located on Coon Prairie, where he lived until 1875, when he moved to Whitestown, and purchased sixty acres of land on section 7, where he now resides. He has increased bis farm to one hundred acres. Mr. Fransen was united in marriage in 1872 to Mary Christianson, by whom he has six children-Clara, Laura, Carrie, Jenette, Zena and a twin sister not yet named. Mr. Fransen has about twenty-five acres of land under cultivation.

Steen Steenson was born in Norway in 1850. His father, John Steenson, was born in Nor- way, in 1823, and came to the United States in 1865. He now resides in this town, on section 5. Steen Steenson came to America in 1868, and first settled on Coon Prairie, in this county, where he lived five years. In 1873 he removed to Whitestown, and purchased eighty acres of land, on section 5, which he now owns. Mr.

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IIISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

Steenson married Johanna Ericson, daugh- ter of Ericson Thompson. They have two children-Albert and Amel.

V. A. Stoddard, a native of the "Badger State," was born in Dodge Co., Wis, in 1854. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Sheldon, in Monroe county, where he remained until 1875. receiving a good common school education. In the latter year, he purchased fifty acres of land on section 6, Whitestown town, and moved on to his farm the same year. Mr. Stoddard was elected clerk of Whitestown in 1882, and has been clerk of his school district for six years. Ile was married in 1874 to Anna E., daughter of Michael and Mary J. Dunn. They have four children-Charles D., William P., Rettie A. and Bessie A. Mr. Stoddard's father was born in New York, in 1828, and his mother in Maine, in 1833.

Hans Hanson is a native of Norway, and was born in 1828. He emigrated to the United States in 1853, in the month of August. He first settled on Coon Prairie, in Vernon county, where he remained until 1877, when he removed to Whitestown and purchased 140 acres of land from Christian Thompson on section 6, which he still owns. Mr. Hanson was married to Anna Evenson in 1860, by whom he had one child-Caroline, who died in 1866. Mr. Han- son was unfortunate in losing his wife in 1865. He again married, in 1866, Mary Larson. They have five children-Anna, Henry, Laura, Clara and Ida, all single and living at home. Neither of Mr. Hanson's parents came to the United States.

removed to Madison, and there lived until 1855. He traveled extensively over the States of Wis- consin, Iowa and Colorado, and in 1881 located in the town of Whitestown. He now carries on a cabinet and wagon-shop, and enjoys a good run of custom. Mr. Winsor was married, in 1835, to Polly Ann Brown, who was the mother of four children-Chauncey A., who married Frank Ten Eyck, Lucy M., wife of E. Groer, Jirah R., who married Cordelia A. Bishop, and Jason C., who selected for his wife Anna Piper. Mrs. Winsor died in 1861, and Mr. Winsor was again married, in 1863, to Jane A. Wilcox, wbo departed this life in 1875.

Arnold Widmer, junior member of the firm of Bennett & Widmer, proprietors of Rock- ton flouring mills, was born in Switzerland, in 1848. He received a thorough collegiate edu- cation in the mother country, and subsequently learned the milling trade. He came to these United States in 1868, and first located in Buffalo Co., Wis. He there worked on a farm for some time, and since then has been constant- ly employed at his trade. In 1874 he came to Rockton, and worked in the grist mill. In January, 1883, he purchased a half interest in the flouring mill, and the business has since been conducted by the firm of Bennett & Wid- mer. Mr. Widmer also owns a residence and three village lots in Rockton, and eighty acres of land in the town of Stark. Mr. Widmer was married, in 1870, to Viola, daughter of David and Jutita Kellicut. They have five children-Franklin A., Bertha, Elmer L., Net- tie C. and Hattie L. (twins).

Ora Winsor, cabinet and wagon-maker, was A. Burlingame, a physician by profession and a farmer by occupation, was born in Wy- oming Co., N. Y., in 1819. In 1828 he accom- panied his parents to Putnam Co., Ind, and in 1836, to Milwaukee, Wis. His mother was the first married white woman in that city. Mr. Burlingame attended the public schools, and in 1847 returned to Putnam Co., Ind, where he born in Chenango Co., N. Y., where he re- mained until 1827, and then removed to Chau- tauqua county, in the same State. He there learned the carpenter trade, and in 1831 went to Canada, and worked at his trade for two years. Returning to New York, he there remained until 1847, when he came west and located in York town Green Co., Wis. In 1851, he studied medicine for four years. He first locat-

HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

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ed for practice in Geauga Co., Ohio, where he remained twelve years. He then removed to Elroy, Wis., where he practiced his profession for about eighteen years. In 1881 he came to Whitestown town, and purchased 120 acres of land on section 14. He has increased this farm

to 280 acres. Mr. Burlingame was married, in 1844, to Julia Ruggles, and four chil- dren were born to them-E. C., G. W., L. F. and J B. Mrs. Burlingame died in 1858, and he was again married, in August, 1882, to Mrs. C. F. Rush.

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

CHAPTER LI.

HONORABLE MENTION.

It is but natural that those persons who have been honored with high official positions should be entitled to the esteem of good citizens when it is known that their advancement has been due wholly to merit. Such, in a marked degree, has been the case with those few , citizens of Vernon county who have been intrusted with high official responsibilities. In this connec- tion may, with propriety, be named Daniel B. Priest, who filled the office of collector of inter- nal revenue of the 6th Wisconsin district; Wil- liam Nelson, appointed marshal of Utah; Jere- miah M. Rusk, who was first elected bank comp- troller of the State of Wisconsin, and afterward its governor, and is still in office, and William F. Terhune, the pioneer lawyer of Vernon county, and subsequently its representative in the State Assembly, and county judge.

Gen. Jeremiah M. Rusk, governor of Wis- consin, was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1830, and settled in Vernon (then Bad Ax) Co., Wis., in 1853, where he has since resided. lle was sheriff of the county some years, and repre- sented his district in the Assembly in 1862. Hle was commissioned major of the 25th Wisconsin regiment in July of that year. After a brief service in the Minnesota Indian campaign, his regiment was ordered down the Mississippi and up the Yazoo river, and subsequently partici- pated in the siege and capture of Vicksburg. After that place fell he returned to Helena, Ark., and was promoted lieutenant-colonel of his regiment, and served a short time as presi- dent of a court martial there. On the 1st of February, 1864, he took command of his regi-

ment, joined Gen. Sherman's army, and partici- pated in the Meridian campaign. He was com- plimented in general orders for the discipline he maintained on that march, and for not los- ing a man from straggling or inattention. He continued with Gen. Sherman, participating in all the hot fights in the Atlanta campaign, from May 1, until the battle of Jonesboro, which gave the Union forces possession of Atlanta in Sep- tember. At the battle of the "Twenty-second of July," when the heroic McPherson fell, Gen. Rusk was in command at the front, and lost one-third of his men. During the battle he was once fairly cut off from his command and sur- rounded by soldiers armed with sabre bayo- nets. His sword was seized, and he was ordered to surrender, but drawing his pistol, he used it with such deadly effect that he broke through his assailants, and escaped with a slight wound in his leg and the loss of his horse, riddled with bullets. This incident is mentioned in illustra- tion of his bravery and daring. Conduct under trying circumstances is a fair index of charac- ter; opportunities make men; we are creatures of circumstance. Distinctive traits of character or positive qualities cannot be successfully as- sumed for the occasion. Give a man an oppor- tunity, and the metal he is made of, either vol- untarily or involuntarily on his part, will be made to appear; the keen perception of a dis- criminating public will soon detect the impos- tor, notwithstanding he may play the game with consumate art. The public man, especially, cannot long play undetected the part of the deceiver. Gen. Rusk is a brave, true and

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History of Vernon County, Wisconsin, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 101

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Union Number of Pages: 814

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Union
Number of Pages: 814