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 68

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 68

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Hon. D. C. Yakey was one of the early teachers of southwestern Wisconsin. He was born in Loudoun county, in the good old State of Virginia, the home of Washington, in 1830. When two years of age, his parents sought a new home in Ohio, and D. C. grew to manhood in Perry and Muskingum counties of the Buck- eye State. His father, Jacob Yakey, is living, and still resides in Ohio. Mr. Yakey received fair educational advantages in his youth, and being of an enquiring turn of mind, thought to see what advantage the famous western country afforded for a young man. On Oct. 6, 1856, he arrived in Bad Ax (now Vernon) county. Soon after his arrival, he was em- ployed to teach, and followed that profession for some years, the greater portion of the time

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

in Vernon county. He was a thorough teacher and firm disciplinarian, and his success was good. In 1861 he was elected superintendent of the schools of Clinton town, but subse- quently enlisted in company A, 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the varied fortunes of that regiment through its long and tedions three year's service. In 1866 Mr. Yakey settled on his present farm on section 20. Mr. Yakey married Julia Adams, and seven children have been born to them- Clara, Luna, Laura, Ira, Hattie, Lucy and Byron.

Samnel Russell Curry resides on section 28. Ile has been a resident of this town since the spring of 1860, when he settled on his present farm, which was entered by his father, William Curry, several years previous to that time. Mr. Curry was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1837, and there lived until 1860, when he came to Vernon county. A sister of Mr. Curry, Mrs. Abi Adams, wife of Mordecai Adams, was the first member of the family who came to the county to reside. Mr. Curry married Martha A. Griffin, a daughter of John Griffin, of Viro- qua, born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1844, and came to Vernon county with her parents in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Curry have three children - Albert U., Sarah E. and John W. They have lost three children-George W., their first child, Edward B. and Ida F. Mr. Curry's farm contains 188 acres. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the town of Clinton.

Rood, whose father, Augustus B. Rood, died in Norfolk, Conn. Mr. Knapp finally concluded to locate in one of the western States, and with his wife and family came direct to Madison, Wis., in 1855, with his brother-in-law, W. F. Webster, who had preceded him westward only a few months. Mr. Knapp went to Beaver Dam, in January, 1856, and the two engaged in the manufacture of siding lumber. In the fall of 1856, in company with C. P. Clark, Mr. Knapp erected a steam plaining mill, which the firm operated for two years. Mr. Knapp then sold his interest in the business, rented a farm, and was engaged in farming until he came to Vernon county. lle has held nearly all of the town offices, and was chairman of the town board for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp have been blessed with three children-Emma, wife of G. W. Martin, Wal- cott H. and William E.

John Parr came to the town of Clinton, in 1867, bought a farm of Martin Flemming and James Wagner, and settled on section 33. IIe has been a resident of the county since 1860. He was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, and is a son of Thomas Parr. He married Mary, daughter of Jesse Appleman. She was born in Perry Co., Ohio, and accompanied her father to Vernon county in 1855. They have seven children living-Charles E., Cora E., Nellie C., Beulah J., Jesse J., Arthur O. and Gracie P. One daughter, Mary E., is dead. Mr. Parr's farm contains eighty aeres, on which he has made various improvements.

Henry Knapp is one of the well known Dr. D. W. Adams, a prominent citizen of Prestonville, in Clinton town, has been a resi- dent of Vernon county since 1861. He was born in Washington Co., Olio, in 1818, but mostly reared in the adjoining county of Mor gan. He there commenced the study of medi eine in 1845, and prosecuted his studies until 1848, when he commeneed practicing. In 1861 he removed to this county and located on sec- tion 36, of Clinton town. Ile abandoned the pioneers of this town. Ile came here in 1860, and located on section 19, where he still resides. His farm contains 220 acres, and he also owns and operates a saw mill on section 30. Mr. Knapp was born in Litchfield Co., Conn., in 1821. His father, Ilenry W. Knapp, was also a native of Connecticut, and died when his son Henry was a child. Henry was reared on a farm, and also learned a mechanical trade. He was married in his native State, to Lois A. | practice of medicine and improved a farm,

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

which he sold in the fall of 1870. He then engaged in the mercantile trade at Prestonville. He resumed the practice of his chosen profes- sion in 1872, and also owns another farm located near his former one. Dr. Adams mar- ried Catharine Bailey, a native of Louisiana. Her father was a native of Virginia, but when a young man went to Louisiana, and was there married. His wife died shortly after their union, leaving one child, now Mrs. Dr. Adams. The father was absent at the time of her decease, and the mother gave her child in charge of whom she supposed was a true friend. This person, a Mrs. Blanchard, was a slave owner, and soon compelled the little girl to associate with the slaves, with the evident intention of reducing her to slavery. The father knew nothing of this, but the facts reached the ears of the Lady Superior of the Orphans' Asylum of New Orleans, who rescued the child, and placed her in that Catholic insti- tution. She remained there six months, and then her father learned of her residence and had her removed to the home of Dr. Norton, with whom she lived until the latter's death. She was then twelve years of age, and went to Ohio with her father, where she was married. Dr. Adams and wife have five living children- Nerana D., Mary J., James Q., Alice A. and Nelson H. D. The eldest son, Isaac M., was a soldier in the 20th regiment, Wisconsin Vol- unteers, during the late war, and while assist- ing with a battery, at the taking of Spanish Fort, was severely injured by the recoil of a cannon, from the effects of which he died in the spring of 1870. A daughter, Harriet F., lost her life by the accidental explosion of a kerosine lamp. She was married, and left one child. Another married daughter, Elvira, died at Prestonville. Several children died in infancy.

William Dolen resides on section 34, where he settled in the fall of 1863. He purchased a quarter section of land of William Bryson, who located it from the government. He was born

in York Co., Penn., in 1814, and there lived until he arrived at the age of manhood. He then removed to Ohio, and worked as a laborer for five years, and subsequently married Susan Forest, a native of Ohio, and engaged in farm- ing on a piece of land which lay both in Wash- ington and Morgan counties. He lived there until 1863. In 1862 his wife died, leaving him with two children-Mary E. and William, Jr. Ile lived on the farm one year after his wife's death, and then came to Clinton, Vernon Co., Wis. Mary E. was married in 1866 to James F. Wakeman, a native of Ohio. They resided on the homestead until 1875, and then removed to Curry Co., Oregon. William Jr., married Sarah A., daughter of Lawrence Smith, a native of Sauk Co., Wis., and now resides on the old homestead. Their union has been blessed with three children-Hattie M., Jennie M. and Bertha E.

Christian A. Morterud is the oldest estab- lished merchant in the village of Bloomingdale. Ile is a native of Norway, where he was born in 1833. He was well educated in his native tongue, and reared to a mercantile life. In 1865, when thirty-two years of age, he came to Wisconsin, and for a short time clerked for H. Pierce, then a merchant of Bloomingdale, now deceased. Ile soon after formed a partnership with his employer, but in a few months bought out Mr. Pierce's interest in the stock, and has since conducted the business alone. Mr. Mor- terud has put into practice all the business qual- ifications he was taught in his youth, and in connection with years of practical experience, has succeeded in building up a large and lucra- tive trade and winning the respect and esteem of all his acquaintances. His trade will aggre- gate $12,000 to $15,000 annually, and the profits of his past business has enabled him to aceumu- late a fine property. In 1880 he erected his present store building. It is of frame, 24x65 feet in size, and cost about 81,500. Mr. Mor- terud has served as a member of the school board for several years, treasurer of the town

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

nine years; was justice of the peace two years and declined to serve longer, and has been a notary public since February, 1874. He married Sina, daughter of Ole Svend- son. They have five children-Anna, Gustavus, Clara, Oscar and Matilda.

Pearly J. Owen, a native of Ohio, came in 1866 He bought a farm on section 28, of Henry Pettit, and put up a log cabin in which he lived until 1871, when he erected his present residence. The farm was covered with a heavy growth of first timber, and Mr. Owen has al- ready cleared about 100 acres out of a total of 2123 acres. Pearly J. Owen was born in Wash- ington Co., Ohio, in 1826. He was reared in Athens Co., Ohio, and lived there until 1866, the date of his removal to this county. His father, James Owen, and his mother were the parents of seven children, none of whom are residents of Wisconsin except our subject. P. J. Owen married Rosa Ann Hughes, formerly of Ohio. They have two children-Mary E., wife of Edward Allen, and Viola A. Mr. and Mrs. Owen are members of the M. E. Church of this town.

Gaylord S. Wakeman came to Vernon county with his father, Samuel Wakeman, in 1866. He was born in Athens Co., Ohio, in 1848. In 1869 he settled on his present farm on section 22, which he bought of William Merrill, who en- tered the farm as government land. Mr. Wake- man's farm contains eighty acres, well im- proved He married Phebe, daughter of John Norris, and four children have been given to them-Tessa A., Huldah A., Myrta E. and Charles H.

William Wakeman is a son of Samuel S. Wakeman, who came to Vernon county from Ohio, in March, 1866, and entered eighty acres of land on section 28, of Clinton town. Samuel Wakeman and wife were the parents of six children, five of whom have resided in Ver- non county-William, Mrs. Fidelia Calhoun, who subsequently returned to Ohio, Mrs. Eve- line Snyder, who, at the time the family located

here, was Mrs. Patterson Carey. The two youngest were Gaylord and Francis 11., the lat- ter of whom returned to Ohio in 1881, and now resides with the eldest daughter, Mrs. Sabra A. Morris, in Athens county. The mother of these children died in this county, Feb. 1, 1881. The father is still a resident of Clinton town. Wil- liam Wakeman was born in Ohio, in 1839, and made his first visit to Wisconsin in 1861. He was here when the war commenced, and imme- diately enlisted in the 19th regiment, Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, serving three years and three months, and participating in all the bat- tles and skirmishes in which his regiment was engaged. After an honorable discharge, he re- turned to Ohio, his native State, and in 1866 made a permanent settlement in Clinton town, purchasing his present farm of Smith Messer, in 1867. Mr. Wakeman has been twice mar- ried. His first wife was Ellen, daughter of Jesse Appleman. Two children were born to them. His present wife was Elizabeth Silbaugh, a daughter of Isaac Silbaugh. This union has been blessed with three children. Mr. Wake- man's farm comprises eighty aeres of land, on which he has made various improvements.

Philip W. Cary resides on section 15, where he settled in the fall of 1868. He purchased a heavily timbered farm of 120 acres of Patrick Brody, eighty-five aeres of which Mr. Cary has well improved. He is considered one of the substantial citizens of Clinton town; was as- sessor three terms; has been a member of the board of town trustees for several years, and is its present chairman. He was born in "Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1848. His grand-father was a na- tive of the Isle of Guernsey, and emigrated to America in 1848. Mr. Cary's parents, Henry A. and Dolly (Newton) Cary, were natives re- spectively of Philadelphia and Massachusetts. Mrs. Cary's ancestors have been residents of New England for several generations past. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom, Philip W. and James P., are the only members of the family that ever located in

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

Wisconsin. James P. served in the 18th reg- iment, Ohio Volunteers; was in the army of the Cumberland, and participated in several import- ant engagements. After the war, he returned to Ohio and married Eveline Wakeman. He came to Vernon county in 1866, and settled in Clinton town, where he died Sept. 5, 1869, leav- ing a wife and two children, a son and a daugh- ter. Philip W. married Clarissa Norris, a daughter of John II. Norris. They are the parents of one son-Cyrus Seward, born Jan. 14, 1873.

C. W. Dyson is engaged in the general mer- cantile trade at Bloomingdale. Ile was born in Athens Co., Ohio, in 1842, and was married to Lucy A. Danes, also a native of that county. During the civil war, Mr. Dyson was subject to the orders of the 3d regiment, Kansas Volun- teer Infantry, and served one and a half years, guarding the frontier. In 1874 he came to the | town of Clinton, and purchased a farm of S. A.

Matson, on sections 17 and 20, with a dwelling house on the latter section. This farm was first settled by Mr. Matson's father-in-law, John Adams. In 1876, Mr. Dyson came to Bloom- ingdale, and is enjoying a fair trade.

J. M. Poff, eclectic physician and surgeon, Bloomingdale, located here in 1882. His father, Dr. J. J. Poff, came to Wisconsin from Indiana some years ago. He first settled at Tomah, and subsequently in Richland county, at Belle Cen- ter, Crawford county, where he died July 6, 1875. Dr. Poff commenced the study of medi- cine with his brother, Dr. C. M. Poff, of Reads- town, and at present is attending lectures at the Bennett Medical College, Chicago, Ill., from which he will graduate in the class of 1884. Dr. Poff has been in Bloomingdale about | one year, and has secured an extensive and in- creasing practice. He married Lellah Gates, daughter of Willian Gates, of Readstown.

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE TOWN OF COON.

The town of Coon is in the northern tier of congressional townships of Vernon county. It is bounded on the north by La Crosse county, on the east by Christiana, on the south by Jef- ferson, and on the west by Hamburg towns, and comprises township 14, range 5, having an area of 23,040 acres. Coon river flows through the northern part of the town, entering on sec- tion 1, passing through sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. This stream has several tributaries, which water the entire northern portion of the town. Coon, in common with all the territory embraced within the county, has a rolling and in some places a very rough hilly surface. The soil is of a sandy loam, which produces the finest crops of grain, corn and vegetables known to this part of the State.

SETTLEMENT.

The first settlement was effected by Norwe- gians, in 1848, and in 1884 they owned nearly every farm within its borders.

Helgar Gilbronson was the first actual settler of the town. IIe came in 1848 and located on section 8, where he died a few years later. His widow was still living in the town in 1884, at the village of Coon Valley.

Next came Peter Anderson, who settled in 1849 on section 9.

O. Martinson came in during 1850, locating on section 36, where he was still living in 1884.

Christian Anderson came the year following.

Lars Helgerson and his son, IIelga Larson, located in the town, on section 11, in 1852.

Among the settlers who came in during 1854, were the following : Ole Nearison, who came from Dane county and settled on section 33.

Halver Asmonson, who located on section 22, where he died in 1873.

Swen Thorson located in the northeast part of the town.

Neary Nearison came to section 27, located and was still a resident of the same farm in 1884.

T. Seagerson also settled on section 27, where he lived till 1873, then moved west.

Brea Erickson, who came from Dane county the same year, settled on section 28, where he still lived in 1884.

Hans Hanson also came from Dane county, and located in 1857.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first marriage in the town was that of Lars Olson and Anna Onset. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Stubbs, some time during 1853.

The first child born was Mary, daughter of Helga and Agnetta Gilbronson, in 1852.

The first death was that of Nels Olson, in 1854.

The first school was taught in 1855 by Peter O. Brye, in a dwelling belonging to John Christianson. The first school house was built on section 33, in 1859.

The first religious services was preaching at the house of IIelga Gilbronson, in 1859.

ORGANIC. .

The town of Coon was organized in 1859. The first election was held April 6, 1859, at the

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

old log school house on section 33. The first town officers elected were : Peter O. Brye, chairman ; John P. Johnson, clerk ; Peter O. Brye, treasurer ; Ole Nearison and Amund Martinson, side board; Peter O. Brye, superin- tendent of schools ; Peter O. Brye, assessor. The officers of 1883 were : Helgar Larson, chairman ; E. O. Teffre, elerk ; C. O. Brye, treasurer; Jacob Johnson and Peter J. Johnson, side board ; Peter M. Johnson, assessor.

SCHOOLS.

Notwithstanding the greater portion of the population of this town are Norwegians, much attention has been paid to schools in which the English language has been taught. The first school dates back to 1855. In 1884 there were six school houses in the town and 378 scholars.

VILLAGE OF COON VALLEY.

This village was laid out and regularly plat- ted in 1859, by Henry Johnson, and is situated on section 7. It was named Coon Valley, as it is located in the valley of Coon river. The river at this point furnishes an abundant water power. The first house was built by Henry Johnson. There are no school or church build- ings within the village proper, but just at the edge of the place, the district school building is located.

In 1861 or 1862 the Evangelical Lutherans organized a Church, and in 1878 built a church edifice on section 8. In 1884 this was the only religious organization in the town.

The beginning of business in the place was the opening of a store by Henry Johnson, in 1863. A saw mill was put in operation in 1858, by Mr. Johnson, who in 1863 erected a flouring inill. The first blacksmith shop was opened by Hans Nelson in 1866. The first shoemaker was Knudt Olson.

In 1884 the business of the village was rep- resented as follows : Peter Swan & Co., and H. IIanson, dry goods ; the same firms also operated largely in the hardware and grocery trades. Peter Swan & Co., were proprietors of the flouring and saw mills, also a wool card-

ing mill. Andrew Smaby ran a blacksmith shop, doing general repair work. Ole Lien was the proprietor of a syrup manufactory.

11. Hanson, the leading merchant of the vil- lage of Coon Valley, was born in Norway in 1840, and emigrated to the United States in 1850. He first settled at La Crosse, Wis., where he remained until twenty-two years of age. He then came to the town of Coon and located in a settlement that two years later was laid out and platted and named Coon Val- ley. Mr. Hanson purchased a house and lot in the new village and for a number of years worked for Henry Johnson in the saw-mill and general store. In 1872 he opened a general store at Coon Valley postoffice, where he carries a stock valued at about $3,500, and enjoys a large and paying trade. Mr. Hanson was the third ap- pointed postmaster of Coon Valley and has held the position continuously for fourteen years. He was married in 1877 to Alma Olson. They are the parents of three children-Henry Alfred, William Howard and Christian Ger- hard.

L. P. Swan, senior member of the firm of Swan, Naperud & Co., was born in Sweden in July 8, 1845. He was induced to come to the United States in 1869, and first located at Lans- ing, Iowa. He remained in that place for two years and then removed to La Crosse, Wis., where he was a resident for four years. In 1875 he came to the town of Coon and soon after purchased a third interest in the flouring and saw mill and a general store at Coon Val- ley. The firm is the largest in the village and carry on an extensive business. Mr. Swan was united in mariage, in 1876, to Lina Neperud, and two children have been born to them- Anna and Amanda.

John A. Neperud, of the firm of Swan, Ne- perud & Co., millers and dealers in general merchandise, Coon Valley postoffice, was born in Norway, in 1847, and when ten years of age came to this country with his parents. They located in the town of Hamburg, where John A.

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

grew to manhood. He worked on a farm in early life, and in 1878 came to the vil age of Coon Valley and became a member of the firm of Swan, Neperud & Co., owners of the flour and saw mill and a stock of general merehan- dise. Mr. Neperud has prospered fairly since engaging in business. He married Caroline Haswald, and they have one child-Anna.

Simon P. Lier, junior member of Swan, Ne- perud & Co., millers and merchants, was born in Norway, in 1842, and was there educated In 1869 he emigrated to the United States and came direct to Vernon county. He located in the village of Coon Valley, and in 1882 rented a one-third interest in the flour and saw mill and mercantile trade, of which he is now the junior partner. The grist mill contains four run of buhr stones, has a capacity of fifty barrels of flour per day and is valued at $15,000. The saw mill has a capacity of 3,000 feet per day. Their stock of goods is valued at $2,000 In 1882 Mr. Lier was married to Regina Frantson.

POSTOFFICE.

Peter O. Brye was instrumental in the estab- lishment of a postoffice in 1861. The first post- master was Henry Johnson, who was in time succeeded by Andrew Engerbretson, who was followed by H. Hanson, the latter being post-

master in 1884, having thus held the office for fifteen years.

Jacob Johnson was born in Norway, March 6, !845. In 1867 the family emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Wisconsin and settling in Fond du Lac county. In 1869 they came to Vernon county. Jacob Johnson was married June 17, 1875, to Hetta A. Berg. They have three children-Clara Isabel, Cal- man Albert and Petter. In 1874 Mr. Johnson settled in the town of Coon, on seetion 32, where he now resides. In 1878 he was elected a justice of the peace, which position he still holds, and is also serving his third term as mem- ber of the town board of supervisors.

Ole Evenson Nesting, a young and prosper- ous farmer of the town of Coon, was born in Norway, in 1849. TIe emigrated to the United States in 1871, and first came to the town of Coon, in this county. He purchased a farm of 200 acres from Christopher Hanson. Mr. Even- son is an energetic and enterprising young man, and not being content with only a farm, he wooed and won Mr. Hanson's daughter, Inge- borg, and they were married in 1874. Three children have been given to them-Eliza, Charlie and Selmer.

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE TOWN OF FOREST.

This town is located on the northern line of towns in Vernon county, and is the first west of Hillsborough, the northeastern town of the county. The town is bounded on the north by Monroe county; on the east by Hillsborough town; on the south by Union town, and on the west by the town of Whitestown. This town is known as a congressional township, six miles square, and containing 23,040 acres. In 1880 the population of Vernon county was but 23,235, and each of these, with the exception of the surplus 195, could have been located in Forest town, settling one person on each acre of land.

The town is well watered by three main streams and their tributaries. Warner creek rises in the northeast quarter of section 27, and flows southerly and westerly through sections 27, 34, 33, 32 and 31. On this latter section it unites with the northern branch, which finds a head on section 29 and takes a southwesterly course till it reaches the main channel. The north branch of Billing's creek enters the town on section 4, and passes through sections 5, 8 and 7, leaving the town on the southwestern quarter of section 7. The south branch of Billing's creek rises near the center of section 14, and flows westerly through sections 14, 15, 22, 21, 20 and 19, leaving the town near the southern line of section 18. Two other streams flow through the town. One rises on sec- tion 11, and takes a northerly course through section 2, and the other rises on section 26 and flows easterly through section 25. The surface of the town is very rolling and of a rongh

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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 68

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

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