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 37
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Dr. H. J. Suttle, homeopathic physician, located at Viroqua on the 5th of May, 1883. Ile was the first physician of his school to locate here. He was born at Hazel Green, Grant Co., Wis., in 1852. Ile began the study of medi- eine at Lancaster, in 1878, with Dr. S. E. Hus- sell, and graduated at Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, in the class of 1883, coming here soon afterward.
TOWN OF VIROQUA.
Dr. J. L. Walloe, a Norwegian physician, located upon a farm about four miles north of the village of Viroqua at an early day anel en- gaged in the practice of medicine. Ile was a good physician and secured a very large prae- tice, remaining until the time of his death in 1881.
TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH.
Dr. Aaron Winslow was the first physician to locate here. Those who have practiced here
in the past are: Dr. Leonard, J. I. Hamilton, J. R. Dundlett, Dr. Worthy and D. B. Newman. In 1883 the medical profession was represented by Drs. F. R. Pinch and A. C. Morris, in the village of Hillsborough, and Dr. R. Shear, in the northern part of the town.
Dr. Aaron Winslow came from Maine in 1848 and located near Warren, Ill. In 1856 he came north and settled upon a farm south of the village, where he resumed his practice of medieine. In 1870 he moved into the village and remained until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1883. Soon after moving into the village Dr. Winslow engaged in the drug trade, and later his son became associated with him. The business is still carried on under the name of A. Winslow & Son. Dr. Winslow was a graduate of the Bowdoin Medical College, Maine. IIe had been engaged in practice prior to coming west, and had been physician on a line of sailing vessels for a number of years. He was an excellent practitioner.
Dr. Leonard, an allopathist, came from Wone- woc, Juneau Co., Wis., just before the war and settled in the village of Hillsborough. He re- mained for a few years, then left, and has since turned up at Wonewoc, where he still lives. He was a good doctor.
Dr. J. I. Hamilton was raised here, his parents being among the very first settlers in the town. He went upon the road as agent for a Dr. Dodge, learned the business and then started out for himself. He never settled here for steady practice. The most of his business was obtained abroad, and he made money at it. He is now located at Vanville, near Augusta, Eau Claire Co., Wis.
Dr. J. R. Rundlett located in the village of Hillsborough in 1872, shortly after graduating from Rush Medical College, Chicago. He re- mained until 1880, when he went to Augusta, Eau Clair county, where he still lives. He was a good physician and had a very fair practice while here.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
Dr. Worthy came here from Irontown, Wis., in 1875. He remained about six months and then returned to his former home. He was a graduate of Rush Medical College, and when sober was a good physician.
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Dr. D. B. Newman was raised in the town of Forest, Vernon county, where his parents were among the first settlers. He graduated at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, and then lo- cated at Kendall, Wis., remaining for a year or two, when, in 1876, he located in the village of Hillsborough. He remained until 1880, when he went to Cumberland, Barron Co., Wis., where he still lives. He was a good physician, and a man who was respected and esteemed by all.
BLOOMINGDALE.
The first physician to locate here was Dr. Amos Carpenter, now of Seelyburg. Others were Drs. Hamilton and Lewis. The only phy- sieian located here in 1883 was Dr. J. M. Poff.
ONTARIO.
The medical profession is represented at this point by Drs. Manning and Johnson.
ROCKTON.
Dr. Frederick Moffitt was located at this point for several years. leaving in 1882 for Dane C'o., Wis., where he still lives.
TOWN OF WEBSTER.
Dr. A. J. Lewis is the representative of the medical profession in this town.
SEELYBURG.
At this point, Dr. Amos Carpenter is the only physician.
SPRINGVILLE.
Dr. James Il. Hockenberry was the only rep- resentative of the medical profession at Spring- ville, in 1883.
DE SOTO.
The first regular physician to locate at De- Soto was Dr. G. S. Sperry, who came here from St. Paul in the summer of 1856. He was an excellent physician. He died in 1873. Others who were regular physicians, were Drs. G. W. Brooks, F. Worth, Dr. Dunlap and Dr. Hunting- ton. Among those who have borne the title of
" doctor," although not educated physicians, were Dr. E. B. Houghton, the original proprie- tor of the village of De Soto, who removed from here to LaCrosse, and thence to St. Louis, where he died ; and Dr. James Osgood, who came in 1854, and assisted in laying ont the vil- lage.
In 1883 the representative of the medical pro- fession at De Soto was Dr. Orlando Ewers.
VICTORY,
Dr. A. J. Wiard was the only regular physi- cian that has been located at Victory. He left for Nebraska in 1878. .
TOWN OF STERLING.
Dr. S. A. Mellen is located at Retreat, in the town of Sterling, and has a good practice.
Dr. D. A. Bean, located at Red Mound, is also one of the physicians of this town. Ile has a large and increasing practice.
S. A. Mellen, M. D., came to Vernon county in 1871. He lived for one year on section 14, of township 11 north, of range 6 west, and in 1872 bought the place that he now occupies at Retreat. He has built up a large practice, his drives extending into Crawford county. He was born at Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Jan. 2, 1839. When he was eight years of age, his father emigrated to Wisconsin, and became a pioneer of Sheboygan county. He bought government land, improved a farm, and still makes that his home. In early life, Mr. Mellen attended school at the Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis., and in 1863, entered the med- ical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he prosecuted his studies until the fall of 1864. He then went to lling- ham, Sheboygan Co., Wis., and commenced practice. He received a diploma from the She- boygan County Medical Society, and remained in Hingham until 1871, when he came to Ver- non county. Dr. Mellen was married July 7, 1-63, to S. Adelia Lombard, a native of Otsego Co., N. Y. They are the parents of two children -Ilattie A. and Willie A. Since Dr. Mellen located in Sterling township, his excellent repu -.
4
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
tation as a skilled physician has gained for him an extensive patronage, and by his gentlemanly behavior and kind manners has won a host of warm friends.
NEWTON.
Dr. William Webster was the first physician to settle in the town of Harmony. He came from Waupon, Wis., in 1858, and remained here until the time of his death a few years ago.
Dr. Marshall came to the village of Newton from Vermont, in 1871 or 1872. He remained about two years.
Dr. Tucker was the next physician. He came from Chickasaw Co., Iowa, about 1876, re- mained a few years, and then went to Clear Lake, Iowa.
The present practicing physician at Newton is Dr. Mussey, who located there in the spring of 1883.
CHASEBURG.
The first physician to locate at Chaseburg was Dr. W. W. Rusk, who died March 29, 1882. In 1833 the medical profession was represented at this point by Dr. Albert Cory.
Albert Cory, the only physician in the town of Hamburg, was born at Janesville, Wis., in 1855. The following year his parents removed to the town of Kickapoo, in this county, where the doctor was reared. He spent four years at- tending school in Pennsylvania, and then re- turned to Viroqua, where he studied medicine with Dr. Chase. In 1880 he entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago, Ill., from which he graduated Feb. 25, 1882. He then located at Batavia, where he built up a large and hu- crative practice ; but under the urgent solici- tation of his former preceptor, Dr. Chase, he came to Chaseburg, and the success he has attained is proof that his move was in the right direction. The doctor is a very pleasant gentleman and well esteemed as a citizen and neighbor. On Christmas day of the centennial
year (Dec. 25, 1876) he was married to Miss Ida Bennett. They have three sons-Walter, Stanley and Arthur.
GENOA.
The first physician to locate at Genoa was Dr. Bugaizy, an Italian, who came here from Galena, Ill., in 1856. He secured a good practice among his people and remained for about four years, when it is thought he went back to his former home in Galena.
READSTOWN.
Dr. C. M. Poff, eclectic physician at Reads- town, Kickapoo township, Wis., was born March 21, 1840, in Jay Co., Ind., being a son of J. J. and Eliza J. (Miller) Poff, natives of Ohio. Ilis father was a physician and an early settler of Jay county. When Dr. Poff was five years of age his parents moved to Howard Co., Ind., where he commenced the study of medi- eine with his father. On June 8, 1861, he en- listed in company E, 18th Indiana Volunteers, and went south. He was severely wounded at the battle of Rich Mountain, West Va., on July 11, 1861, and as soon as able went home on furlough. In August, 1862, he was dis- charged on account of disability. In 1865, by advice of his physician, he came west in search of health, first settling in Richland Co., Wis., where he bought a tract of land and built a house, and finished the study of medicine. In 1867 he came to Readstown and opened an office for the practice of medicine. He has been very successful, his practice extending into Richland and Crawford counties. Dr. Poff assisted in the organization of the first ecleetie medical society in the State of Wiscon- sin, in 1875. Ile is also a prominent member of the Christian Church, and an ordained min- ister of that denomination. Dr. Poff was mar- ried April 25, 1863, to Rachel C. Armstrong, born at Dupont, Jefferson Co., Ind. Six chil- dren blessed this union, three of whom are livng-Rosella Belle, Ada Florence and Lil- lian May. Rosella Belle, the oldest daughter,
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
is now in Republic Co., Kansas, teaching school.
ONTARIO.
H. P. Miller, the leading physician of the eastern part of Vernon county, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1840. He resided there till fifteen years of age, and then accompanied his parents to Vernon Co., Wis. He was in attendance at the Viroqua High School and the Allamakce College, of Allamakee, Iowa, and then commenced the study of medicine. He had for his preceptors Drs. Tinker, of Viro- qua, and Taylor, of Lansing, Iowa, and at the expiration of a three years' study, went to Chi- cago, Ill. He there entered Rush Medical Col- lege, and attended that famous medical institu-
tion during the winter of 1865-6. Shortly after graduation, he returned to Vernon county, and commenced the practice of his profession in the village of Ontario. Since locating there five other physicians have opened offices, but the tireless energy and determination of our sub- ject, and his growing popularity among all classes of people, forced them to retire from the field, leaving Dr. Miller in complete possession. The doctor has also prospered in a worldly point of view, and now owns a residence and two village lots, and 135 acres of land on section 10. He was united in marriage, in 1866, to Hattie, daughter of Stephen and Cynthia Cotterell. Dr. and Mrs. Miller have five children living -How- ard C., Bessie P., Mary H., Bertha Orpha and Harvey C. One son, Lester D., died in 1872.
274
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXII.
AGRICULTURE AND TIIE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The trend of the earliest industries of a country is the result of the circumstances under which those industries are developed. The at- tention of pioneers is confined to supplying the immediate wants of food, shelter and clothing. Hence, the first settlers of a country are farm- ers, miners, trappers or fishermen, according as they ean most readily secure the means of pres- ent sastneance for themselves and their fami- lies. In the early history of Wisconsin, this law is well exemplified. The southern part of the State consisting of alternations of prairie and timber was first settled by farmers. As the country has developed, as wealth has aceumn- lated, and as meins of transportation have been furnished, farming has ceased to be the sole in- terest. Manufactories have been built along the rivers and the mining industry of the south- western part of the State has grown to be one of considerable importince. The shore of Lake Michigan was first mainly sett ed by fishermen, but the later growth of agriculture and manu- factories has nearly overshadowed the fishing interest; as has the production of lumber in the north half of the State eclipsed the trapping and fur interests of the first settlers.
As Vernon county consists of timber land, oak openings and prairie, it is now, and was originally, settled by farmers almost exclusively. As yet, manufactories may be said to be prac- tically unknown. The farming interests are paramount to all others and doubtless will be for generations to come. There are no pineries or great lakes on its borders and the Mississippi is only available, so far as the county is con-
cerned, to aid in transporting to market its sur- plus farming products. That manufactories will rise up, upon the introduction of greater railway facilities, is certain, but that they will overshadow the farming interests of Vernon county before the ending of a century from this time or even longer, is exceedingly doubtful.
The Chicago Tribune had this to say, in 1861, of Vernon (then Bad Ax) county:
"Of this county nearly one-third is prairie, quite rolling and very rich. I do not know where I have ever seen any prairie soil that looks richer, or that bears heavier wheat It is a rich black, vegetable mould, of a clayey tex- ture and basis, and such as has been tested seems to be enduring and wears well. Near one-third is oak opening or ridge land, covered with oak undergrowth or grubs. These ridges are quite broad in many places, furnishing good locations for farms. There has been opened up many ridge farms. The land where cultivated appears to be a clayey loam-a good wheat soil, and which has so far turned ont excellent crops of wheat.
The balance of the country is covered with heavy timber-oak being the predominating kind. This timber is valuable because of its nearness to good prairie, and the land is as good, even better for eorn. Though the tim- ber is heavy, the land is easily tilled, owing probably to the fact that the roots of the trees lie deep in the ground, which admits of the soil being plowed close to the stumps. Taken as a whole there is scarcely an acre of waste land in this county. Though somewhat rough, its
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
slopes and hillsides admit of cultivation nearly to the top.
Such parts of this county as are unfit for the plough are most admirably adapted to the rear- ing of sheep. In fact, to my mind, much of northwestern Wisconsin is admirably adapted to sheep husbandry.
The population of this county is 11,500. In 1855, it numbered a little over 4,000. La Crosse was then about 4,000, as was Monroe, lying east of La Crosse. These latter have had the bene- fit of railroads to stimulate their growth. La Crosse being possessed of much good farming lands and several small villages, as well as the city of Li Crosse, numbers 13,500, while Mon- roe, with a smart village or two, with more .poor land, has but 8,400. To my mind Bad Ax has more than kept pace with her neighbors, considering her secluded position.
There is estimated to be in this county this year, at least 1,000,000 bushels of surplus wheat seeking a market. Of pork, there will be enough for home consumption, and possibly a little for sale. Cattle and sheep are beginning to receive attention, and but a few years will elapse before the hill-sides will be covered with large herds of lowing cattle and flocks of bleat- ins sheep.
Some attention is being paid to fruit. Here and there were to be seen newly set orchards. In time, after the trees have become acclimated it is my impression that the hillsides, and es- pecially the northern slopes of Bad Ax county will be covered with orchards heavily laden with rich and Inscious fruit.
The numerous streams in this county furnish ample water power, which combined with its ex- cellent timber, will supply numerous openings for the employment of capital in manufacturing agricultural implements, and also for the pur- pose of building mills, to flour their own wheat.
The people of this county look forward with no small degree of interest to the day when they shall be favored with railroad facilities
such as will place them on an equal footing with their more favored neighbors."
VERNON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Bad Ax County Agricultural Society was or- ganized and chartered April 11, 1857. The so- ciety in 1859 had seventy members, each pay- ing an initiation fee of one dollar, and an equal sum per annum. The payment of ten dollars constituted a life membership. Other modes of obtaining funds were from admission fees into the fair grounds. The society possessed in real estate ten acres of land enclosed with a board fence seven feet high, and valued at $800. Ilere an exhibition is held annually, when $100 are paid for premiums, the largest being $5 for the best address; a similar sum, each, for the best stallion and best acre of wheat, and 84 for the best bull. The library then consisted of forty-seven volumes, worth $100. Since the fair of 1857 there was, up to 1859, a great im- provement in domestic animals and an increase in crops. The desire for agricultural knowl- edge had become general.
In 1883 the society was in excellent financial condition. The fair grounds were located about a quarter of a mile west of the court house. They embraced about fifteen acres of land, valued at about $30 per acre. They were well supplied with buildings, and well fenced. The old $10 life membership fee had been abol- ished, and the by-laws provided that "$1 pay for a membership, and each member should buy a $1 family ticket each year." There were $300 in the treasury of the society in 1883.
In 1883 the officers of the society were: President, F. K. Van Wagoner; secretary, O. B. Wyman; treasurer, E. Powell; vice-presidents. H. H. Morgan, of Wheatland; P. Brody, of Clinton; J. Il. Stevenson, of Harmony. Execu- tive committee, E. A. Stark, of Viroqua, chair- man; E. Tilton, of Viroqua; John M. Vance, of Sterling; Edward Minshall, of Viroqua; and F. W. Alexander, of Franklin.
At the last fair held at Viroqua, in Septem- ber, 1883, the whole number of entries was 563. The total receipts from the sale of tickets were $696; receipts from entrance fees were $174.60; from stand licenses, $153.50; from rent of ground, etc., $24.60. Total receipts, $1,048.70.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE PRESS.
Bad Ax county had been organized over five years before there was a newspaper published within its limits. This, of course, besides the inconvenience to its citizens individually, tended, in a considerable degree, to retard thie progress of the county generally. The neces- sity for a printing press and the publication of a paper, to be located at the county seat, finally became so urgent as to induce the establishment of the
NORTHWESTERN TIMES.
The first issne, then called the Western Times, was dated June 7, 1856. J. A. Somerby was editor and proprietor. It was a weekly, and was started as "an independent family news- paper, devoted to news and miscellaneous read- ing." The salutatory of the editor was as fol- lows:
TO OUR READERS.
"We take pleasure in presenting to you the first number of the Western Times. We should have been able to issue it sooner and improved its appearance, but circumstances have pre- vented our having a decent office, and the rainy, tedious weather that we encountered in getting here, the disarrangement and injury to material, have imposed upon all concerned a heavy task, considerable ill health and a great deal of vexation.
" But here it is, without very late news, be- cause we have no exchanges, and had to borrow such papers as we could get.
" The Times will be independent of all party organizations, and will reserve the right to ex-
press the opinion of its editor, and leave its readers to judge of their correctness.
" We invite the co-operation of all who wish correct information disseminated through the community, and all those who are willing to furnish literary articles or items of news, are respectfully solicited to devote a little time to keeping us posted up in relation to all that is new and useful. We have only time to say that we will continue this subject in our next, when there will be less "noise and confusion" than we are subject to in getting out this num- ber.
We regret very much that the '"vari- ous hindrances we met in getting out this num- ber delayed us until Saturday night, instead of getting out as we intended to at 1 o'clock."
The following announcement appears at the head of the editorial column of the first num- ber of the paper:
POSTPONEMENT.
"The sale of the first copy of the Western Times, (being the first copy of a newspaper ever printed in Bad Ax county), to have been sold on the 31st day of May, will now be sold with- out fail, on Saturday, the 7th day of June. The first copy is now printed and safely locked up, ready for the highest bidder. We were extremely chagrined and mortified (sic), that we were un- but a variety of hindrances and disappoint- able to issue the first number on the 31st nlt .; ments rendered it impossible. The eagerness that has been manifested to obtain a copy of the first number, and particularly the first copy, was very gratifying, and particularly so when
J.G. Ningen
TH PUBLIC LIBAA
ASTOR LENOX AND" TILDER FU ATA va.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
the heavy expense and multitude of difficulties that have been encountered, are considered. The prospect is that the bidding on the 7th of June will be very animated, and may even ex- cell the sale of the first paper ever printed in Newport, Wis., last year."
Following this "postponement" is a notice in these words: "We have dated this number a few days ahead of its appearance, in order to be- gin with June, and to have ample time to book our subscription list, and perfect all our arrange- ments."
Another brief paragraph containing informa- tion concerning the paper is found in the same column, and is as follows: "We shall soon be in possession of our exchange list and become familiar enough with onr location to complete our arrangements for receiving late news. We can then make our paper more interesting and acceptable."
In his prospectus the editor says: "The Times will be what its name indicates, a record of pissing events at home and containing for- eign news, miscellaneous and literary reading matter. It will be devoted to the interests of Bad Ax county and the surrounding region The Times will labor ardently for the prosperity of all its patrons without partiality for any particular location, and independent of party organizations.
"The people of Bad Ax county and the adja- cent country, are respectfully invited to send in their own and the names of their friends and neighbors, as subscribers, and also prepare and send in such advertising as they wish to have inserted.
" All letters and communications should be addressed to J. A. Somerby, Viroqua, Bad Ax Co., Wis. Terms, one dollar and fifty cents in advance."
Under "deaths," we find in the first number, the following:
" In Viroqna, Wis., May 15, 1856, Anrelia Louisa, danghter of Hon. Wm. F. and Margaret Terhune, aged four years and two months.
" Little 'Spec,' as she was familiarly called, was a universal favorite in Viroqua, making friends alike by the sweetness of her disposition and the brilliancy of her intellect. Her head and her heart were older than her years; and could she have lived, a bright career would un- doubtedly have been hers. But she died; for ' All that's brightest must fall. The brightest, still the fleetest.'
" Death left its sweetest impress on her face; and standing by her coffin, and looking on her as she lay there; one of earth's loveliest flowers blighted; the following lines are brought to mind:
'I've seen death on the infant lie So sweet, it seemed a bliss to die;
The smiling lip, the placid brow,
Seemed fan'd by some bright angel's wing; And o'er the face a brighter glow
Than aught of earthly joy can bring!"
In another column is seen the following:
NOTICE.
Bad Ax, Bad Ax Co., Wis., May 23, 1856. Whereas, my wife, Christiana Orritta, has left my house and protection, without any jnst canse or provocation. this is, therefore, to warn all persons from harboring or trusting her on my account, as I will not pay any debts of her contracting, unless compelled by law and not then.
JAMES SIEDYIE
The first number of the paper has but one local ; but that one was probably read by the patrons of the Times with a considerable degree of interest and indignation. It was in these words :
A VILLAIN IN CUSTODY,
Columbus B. Brown, who has for some time been attempting in a bungling manner to play the Daguerrean Artist in this place, was arrested at the Buckeye House, on the 29th of May, by officer John P. Delarne, from Janes- ville, Rock county, assisted by sheriff J. M. Rusk, of this place.
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