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 77

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 77

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The church building is a frame structure, erected in 1871, at a cost of $1,200.

I. O. O. F. Lodge, of Hillsborough, No. 253, was organized March 1, 1876, by N. C. Bradley, D. D. G. M. The following were charter mem- bers : Roger Williams, T. J. Batman, Egbert Wyman, Otto Hammer and Herman Sherman. The first officers were: T. J. Shear, N. G. ; Roger Williams, V. G. ; Egbert Wyman, R. S .; Charles Landrum, treasurer; L. B. Upham, secretary. Since its organization this lodge has lost, by death, the following : Henry Link, died March 12, 1881 ; Charles Landrum, died Aug. 17, 1881, and J. W. Allen, Aug. 30, 1881. In

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

1884 the lodge numbered fifty-four, and was in good condition.

Rebekah Lodge, No. 173, of Hillsborough, was organized Nov 2º, 1882, by Van S. Ben- nett, grand master. "The following constituted the charter membership : Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Tongne, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Shear, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Williams, Mr. and Mrs C. J. Lind, Mr. and Mrs. HI. F. Myers.

The first officers of this lodge were : Mrs. L. L. Tongue, N. G. ; Miss Helen Shear, V. G .; Mrs. J. B. Fox, secretary ; R. Williams, treasn- rer. In 1884 this lodge was in a very flourish- ing condition and numbered thirty-one mem- bers.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Among those who have been instrumental in clearing up the timbered land of this town and improving the many farms within its limits, together with those who have combined to in- crease the manufacturing and business indus- tries are the following named citizens:

Mrs. Sarah A. Couper, of Hillsborough, is the widow of James C. Couper, one of the earlier settlers of Vernon county. Mr. Couper was born in Yorkshire, England, March 1, 1821. Ile came to New York when a young man, where he was married to his present widow, Sarah Ann Scuts. They came west to Dodge Co., Wis., soon after they were married; thence to Marquette county. They came to Vernon county and located in the town of Union in 1850, being one of the first families in that town. Mr. Couper took up a farm of government land which he improved. He was a man of some education and in early life was very fond of hunting and this part of Vernon county afforded ample opportu- uity for sport of that kind. He accumulated considerable property and died Feb. 17, 1883. Mrs. Couper was born March 4, 1828. She has one daughter, Mary Ann, wife of George II. Blackburn, of the town of Union.

Elisha D. Douglass located on section 14 in Norember, 1851. This land he had entered the previous April. He was born in Italy, Yates

Co., N. Y., in 1822, and lived there till thirteen years of age. He then accompanied his par- ents to Pennsylvania and was there married to Mary J. Kerr. In 1847 he removed to Baraboo, Wis., and four years later to his present farm. In 1861 he enlisted in the 16th regiment, Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and was severely in- jured at the battle of Shiloh, necessitating his discharge shortly after. Mr. Douglass lost his first wife Feb. 14, 1872. His present wife was Mrs. Anna M. Edwards, widow of Elias Ed- wards. Ten children were born to the first union, five sons and five daughters. Mrs. Douglass had three children by her former hus- band.

Dier N. Tripp is proprietor of what is known as Trippville in the town where he has been merchant, postmaster and mill owner for many years. Ile was born in the town of Nassau, Renssalaer Co., N. Y., April 27, 1836. He is a son of Gideon Tripp, who removed with his family to Michigan in 1837. Mr. Tripp came to Vernon county about the 10th of May, 1851. At that time he only had ten cents which he gave away and commenced work at nine dollars per month to earn himself a home and has been a resident of Hillsborough town since that date. On the 8th of December, 1856, he married Sally L. Hammond, a native of Allegany Co., N. Y., and daughter of Charles C. Hammond, also a native of New York, who removed his family to Juneau Co., Wis. Mr. Tripp built the mill in the years 1861 and 1862 and commenced in the mercantile business in August, 1871. On the 14th day of November, 1871, his mill burned-a loss of at least $3,000-with no in- surance, and in fifty-five working days he re- built and started the mill in better shape than it was before it burnt. At the date of Nov. 15, 1883, he is quite certain be is the oldest resi- dent in what is known as the "L" of Vernon county. Mr. and Mrs. Tripp have four chil- dren-Gideon, who married Ann Crary; Nancy L., wife of Erastus Mitchell, Jr .; Alice and Grace.

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IIISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

Albert Field is one of the pioneers of Ver- non county, and one of the very earliest settlers of the town of Hillsborough. He was born in the town of Falmouth, Cumberland Co., Maine, Aug. 15, 1821. He is a son of Bracket Field, who was born in the same town and lived there all his life. Mr. Field was reared on a farm, married Angelina Hall April 10, 1845, and in the fall of 1851 went with their only child, Marietta, aged eighteen months, to Sauk Co., Wis The following February, 1852, he came to Vernon county and entered the northwest quarter of section 35, in town 14 north, range 1 east, where he still resides. He now owns abont 2,000 acres of land in this and adjoining towns, and is extensively engaged in farming and dealing in hard wood timber and stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Field have had five children, three of whom are living. Their only son, Walter, is an attorney-at-law at Vir- ogna. Their two daughters are: Marietta, wife of L. B. T. Winslow, and Ella L. Mr. and Mrs. Field are members of the Free Will Bap- tist Church.

James Mutch is the elder of five brothers who were early settlers in the town of llills- borough-John, Robert, William and Alexan- der are the other four. The first three are still residents of the town. James Mutch was born in Scotland, in 1826, and in 1850, with his brother William, emigrated to Ohio. In 1853, William came to Wisconsin to look for land for the two. While he was in this State, James re- turned to Scotland, and was there married to Jane Tough. William had bought a farm of a man named Fritchie, in the town of llillsbor- ough, Vernon county, and in 1854, James and wife came direct to the new purchase. Wil- liam lived with his brother and family for several years, and then purchased 320 acres of land on sections 1 and 12, which, with some subsequent additions, comprises the farms of the two brothers. James Mutch is a man high- ly esteemed in the community in which he lives. Ile is liberal in his support of Churches and

schools, and, although not a member of that body, assisted most liberally in erecting the United Brethern church of the village, and in supporting it. Mr. Muteh and wife have two children-William and Clarence. William, the other brother, married Harriet Bennett, and nine children have been sent to bless their un- ion. He is also a prominent and well known citizen of Hillsborough town, and at present is on a visit to his native land -"Bonnie Seot- land."

llenry Haflich was one of the pioneers of 1865. Ile was born in Perry township, Union Co., Penn., Nov. 7, 1818. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Yeller) Haflich, both natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Ohio about 1824, and settled in Stark county, where they remained a few years, then removed to Richland county, in the same State, where they have died since Henry has been a resi- dent of Vernon county. Mr. Haflich was mar- ried in Richland Co., Ohio, to Mary B. Miller, a native of England. In 1855, he came to Ver- non county, and entered land on section 32, of this town, where he has since resided. This land was covered with a heavy growth of tim- ber, and the home of wild animals, Mr. Haf- lich in his early life remembers of killing ten bear and over one hundred deer. Hlis princi- pal meat for years was wild game. He worked earnestly and sturdily for several years to clear his land, and now rejoices in the possession of one of the finest farms in the town, well supplied with good farm build- ings. Mr. and Mrs. Haflich are the parents of four children-Elizabeth M. born in Sauk county, Sept. 9, 1851; Sarah J. born in Sauk connty, Aug. 2, 1853; Jacob Z. born in Vernon county, Oet. 14, 1857; Alice A. born in Vernon county, July 19, 1859.

George Lacy is a well known farmer, resid- ing on section 3. His father E. Urial Laey, was born in Ohio, Jan. 1, 1794. He was reared in his native State, and was there married. About 1844, he emigrated to Dane Co., Wis.,

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

and there bought and improved a farm. In 1846, he lost his wife, and ten years later came to Vernon county. He purchased a farm of Abner Dayton, who had entered the land from the government. This farm is now owned by his son George, who came into possession in 1865. Mr. Lacy died on this farm March 19, 1867, aged seventy-three years. Ten of his children reached maturity-Esther, Henry, Cynthia, Emily, Clarissa, Laura, Martha, Har- rison, George and Orlin. George, the ninth child and third son of this large family, was born in Loraine Co., Ohio, in 1842. Ile was but a small child when his parents removed to Dane Co., Wis., and in 1862, he enlisted from there in company A, 23d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served till the close of the fratricidal struggle, and was present at the following engagements: Chickasaw Bayon, Miss., Arkansas Post, Ark., Cypress Bend, Greenville, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, siege and capture of Vicks- burg, siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. Since the war, he has been engaged in farming. Mr. Lacy married Frances Conley, and they have two children-Mary L. M. and Enno Il.

C'arl Ludwig came to Hillsborongh as early as 1854 and located permanently the following year. At the same time came William Link and Julins Hohfeldt. Mr. Ludwig made a claim in Mr. Links name of 160 acres on section 36 and this land was divided between the two, Mr. Ludwig receiving one hundred acres and Mr. Link sixty acres. Mr. Ludwig was born in Muhlhausen Thneriengen, Germany, in 1831, and came to the United States in 1851. Hle first stopped in Ohio and went from there to Dane Co., Wis., where he remained two years previ- ous to coming to Vernon county. He first en- gaged in farming but in 1858 commenced the manufacture of beer in a small log building. He afterward erected the present brewery and continued the business until 1874, when he sold to the present proprietor. Ile engaged in the mercantile trade in 1876 and has since contin-

ued in that business. Mr. Ludwig was married in Dane Co., Wis., to Rosina Schuman, a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig are the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living-one son and eight daughters.

Erastus Mitchell resides on the old home- stead on section 33, where his father, Royal Mitchell, located in 1855, purchasing his land of the government. Royal Mitchell was a pio- neer settler of Hillsborough town and well known to all the early inhabitants. He was born in New York Oct. 14, 1805, and was there reared to manhood. He married Susan Shear and subse- quently removed to Michigan, locating near Jack- son. He returned to New York, and after stop- ping a while in Erie county, came to Dane Co., Wis, in 1852 and in 1855 to Vernon county. Mrs. Mitchell died Sept. 13, 1873, and her hus- band followed her over the dark river on March 20, 1874. They were the parents of two chil- dren-Erastus and Ruth Ann. Erastus was born in Erie Co., N. Y., March 16, 1836, and now resides on the home farm of 120 acres. Ile married Amanda Betts, a native of New ) ork. They have four children-Harriet A., born in 1860, Erastus, Jr., born in 1865, Susan S., born in 1871, and Julia, born in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, are members of the Free Will Baptist Church. Mrs. Mitchell's father, Charles G. Betts, came from Dane county to Vernon county with his family in 1856. He located on a gov- ermment claim on section 10, of this town, where he lived till his death in September, 1866. Hle was a native of New York. Ilis wife still survives and resides on the old homestead.

William F. Salts resides on section 24, where he owns sixty acres and also owns eighty acres just south of the home farm on section 25. Mr. Salts is a son of William Salts, who was born in Duchess Co., N. Y., in 1790, and when three years of age removed to Columbia county, in the same State, with his parents. Ile there married Reliance Tieknor, a native of Massa- chusetts. They removed to Erie Co., N. Y., in 1829, where Mrs. Salts died Ang. 15, 1844. In

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

1854 he removed to Jefferson Co., Wis. Mr. Salts then resided with his children until his death. He was the father of ten children, eight of whom are living-Mary J., widowed wife of Q. A. Shout, who died in Hillsborough in 1874; Angeline, twice married, first husband Levi Cooper, present husband Irving Thompson, of Chippewa Co., Wis .; William F., Benjamin, Mi- lan P., Hannah, wife of Thomas Knowles, Julia, wife of Henry Brooks, and Elijah, a resident of of Chippewa Co., Wis. William F. Salts was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., March 14, 1823. He married Hannah Phillips, who died Feb. 4, 1862. Ilis present wife was Hannah Bower, a native of Germany. Of the eight children born to the first union, only three are living. Mr. Salts came to Vernon county in the spring of 1855 and has since resided here. Ile is quite extensively engaged in the dairy business.

. Isaac Shear resides on section 13, where he settled in 1855. Mr. Shear is one of the sev- eral brothers of that name, early settlers of this town. He was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in May, 1823; married Eunice Kibbie, also a native of that State. Mr. Shear's farm contains eighty acres, forty of which he bought of the government. Mr and Mrs. Shear have four children-Isaac, George, Lafayette and Mary Jane. Mr. Shear came from Jefferson county, this State, to Vernon county.

L. B. T. Winslow, of Hillsborough village, is a son of Aaron Winslow, the first regular physician in Vernon county. Dr. Winslow was born at Falmouth, Maine, Jan. 31, 1810. He was of English descent and a lineal descendant of Edward Winslow, the first governor of Ply- mouth colony, whose inhabitants landed at Plymouth Rock from the good Mayflower, in 1621. Dr. Winslow graduated from the medi- cal department of Bowdoin College in 1839, and was first located for practice in New Orleans, and subsequently in Alabama. He was a strong abolitionist, and never hesitated to express his sentiments when called upon to do so. Such a course naturally led to many

petty and trifling annoyances, and the doctor accordingly returned to Maine. He resided at Monmouth six years and at Brunswick (both in Maine), a longer period. In 1849 he went to California, two years later returned to Mame, and in 1853 went westward to Illinois. In 1855 he came to Vernon Co., Wis., and located in the town of Greenwood, and improved a farm. Ile was probably the only regular phy- sician in Vernon county for a number of years. In 1872 he established himself in the drug trade at Hillsborough village, and was succeeded by his son, Loring B. T., in 1876. He died March 28, 1883. Politically, Dr. Winslow was a whig and subsequently a republican, casting his last two votes at the general election for prohibition. He was a careful observer, a good talker, and frank and open on all questions. He was not a member of any religious denomina- tion, but a firm believer in the Bible, as the re- vealed will of God. Dr. Winslow was married in 1839 to Vienna True, also a native of Maine. At his death he left a widow and three chil- dren-Frances, wife of Adolphus P. Mallow; Edwin M., in Winnebago, Ill., and L. B. T. This latter son was born at Monmouth, Maine, as were the other children. On Jan. 1, 1864, he enlisted in company 1, 6th regiment, Wis- consin Infantry, and participated in many seri- ous engagements, witnessing the final surrender of Lee at Appomattox. After the war he re- turned home, and engaged in farming on the old homestead in the town of Greenwood. Mr. Winslow was married in 1870 to Marietta, daughter of Albert Field, of Hillsborough. Of their four children three are living-Edwin, Vienna and Ella Z. The eldest son, Albert, is dead.

Charles G. Betts resides on section 16. He is the son of Charles G. Betts, Sr., who settled government land on section 10, in 1856. Charles G. Betts, Sr., was a native of New York, and came with his family to the eastern part of Wisconsin several years previous to his settle- ment in Vernon county. Ile resided till his

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

decease on the farm where he settled. His death occurred in September, 1866. The maiden name of his wife was Samantha Dor- leska Roza. She still occupies the homestead farm. Charles G. Betts, Jr., was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1839. His wife was Mary Cor- nell. They have four children.

Patrick Maddin is one of the early settlers of Hillsborough. He settled ou section 34, April 18, 1856, where he still lives. Ile purchased his farm, 160 acres, of the government. Mr. Maddin was born in county Galway, Ireland, Nov. 19, 1820. IIe came to the United States when thirteen years of age. His father, John Maddin, died in Ireland. Mr. Maddin made several trips between this country and Europe before making his location here. Before com- ing to Wisconsin he lived several years in the eastern States; thence to Ohio, where he lived eight years and a half. He married Mary Holly, a native of Ireland. They have seven children living, and two deceased. Mr. Maddin's farm was originally heavily timbered, and it required many years of constant work to clear up and improve the excellent farm that Mr. Maddin now possesses. When he settled here in the wilderness, bear, deer and other wild game were abundant, and many are the stories he can tell of his experience with these wild beasts of the forest. Now all these have passed away and given place to cultivated farms and a dense population.

Angustus Mohs has been a resident of Ver- non county since 1856. He was born in Anha't, Germany, in 1828, and came to the United States in 1852. Ile lived two years in New York and then spent a like period in Milwaukee and Madison, Wis. In 1856 he came to Hills- borongh and worked for the mill company for two years. In 1858 he bought a farm in the town of Forest, and after farming for several years returned to Hillsborough in 1865 and en- gaged in the saloon business. He sold out in : 1867 and was a farmer in the town of Green- wood until 1874. Of late years he has been en-

gaged in mercantile pursuits. Mr. Mohs was married in 1874 to Mrs. Sophia (Busse) Lind, widowed wife of C. L. Lind. They have two children-Ida and Freddie. Mrs. Mohs had four children by her former marriage.

Milan Salts resides on section 25, on a farm which he entered in 1856. He was born in Col- umbia Co., N. Y., in April, 1827; came to Jef- ferson Co., Wis., in the spring of 1845, but re- turned the following year to New York. He married Janet Mitchell, a daughter of Knowl- ton Mitchell, who settled in Vernon county in the spring of 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Salts have ten children, six sons and four daughters. His farm contains 120 acres. Mr. Salts went over- land to California from New York in 1852; was absent two and one half years.

Henry, son of Jacob and Angusta Lind, pio- neers of Vernon county, was born in Germany in 1834. He attended school there until four- teen years of age, when he engaged in teaming in West Baden, Germany. At seventeen years of age he, in company with his parents, left his native land and came to America. They landed at New York city and came directly to Wis- consin, settling in Washington county. He was there married in February, 1857, to Mary Coe, born in Steuben Co., N. Y. In June fol- lowing he came to Vernon county and pur- chased timber land, on section 12, town 13, range 1 east, and commenced to improve a farm. Ile has built a good log honse, to which he has made a frame addition. In 1882 he built a frame barn, 30x40 feet, with a stone basement. Mr. and Mrs. Lind have five chil- dren-Lorinda, Matilda, Ida, Arthur and Charles.

Hon. Thomas J. Shear is one of the promi- nent merchants of Hillsborough village. IIe was born in Erie Co., N. Y, in 1836. Ilis educa- tion was obtained in the common schools and later at the Springville Academy. When about eighteen years of age he engaged in teaching school and came to Vernon county in the spring of 1858 and located permanently

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

in Hillsborough in the spring of 1859. He taught the village school for several winter terms and finally bought a farm on see- tion 24. On Feb. 23, 1865, he enlisted in the 47th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, but ill health prevented him from doing active service. In the summer of 1865 he was clerk of a military court in the State of Tennessee. In 1867 he was elected to the position of superin- tendent of schools of Vernon county, and served two years. On Oct. 1, 1870, Mr. Shear engaged in mercantile trade in the village of Hillsborough, and the present firm of Shear & Miteher was formed in September, 1882. Mr. Shear has been postmaster of the village since 1871, and was town clerk for many years. He is the present chairman of the town board. Mr. Shear was elected to the Wisconsin House of Representatives in the fall of 1881, and served one term. Mr. Shear married Emergene Woodbury, also a native of New York They have four children-Helen, Myrtie, Wesley and Byron, the three latter natives of Wisconsin. Mr. Shear's father died in New York and his mother made her home with her son until her death,

Charles Beal was born April 7, 1823, in Ichal- sham parish, county Sussex, England. He came to America when eighteen years of age and set- tled at Oneida Co., N. Y. He there engaged in farming and tanning. Charlotte Buss came over the same year from England and settled in Waterville, Oneida Co., N. Y. Charlotte Buss was married to Charles Beal in New York State, Oneida Co., in November, 1846. The family consists of four daughters, two eldest daughters deceased; the two living are: Char- lotte, the wife of Charles Fowler, and Ade- laide. John Beal, the father of Charles Beal, came to Utiea, N. Y., in 1848. He married his last wife when he was eighty years of age, and died in Utiea, N. Y., when he was ninety years old. Charles Beal came to Wisconsin in 1851, locating in Dodge Co., afterwards in Sauk connty. In 1859 he came to the town of Hills-

borough, Vernon Co., Wis., and located on sec- tion 3, where he now resides, and owns eighty aeres of land. He purchased his farm of Thomas Linden in 1859. Charles Beal enlisted in the 49th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served till the elose of the war.

Peter Shear is one of several brothers who are among the earlier settlers of this town. He came here in 1859, and engaged with his brothers in the manufacture of baskets at Hills- borough. His father, Isaac Shear, was a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Shear has been twice married ; his first wife, Ellen Warner, died in New York. Ile has six children, three sons and three daughters.

Carlos F. Waterman resides on section 2. His settlement dates from the year 1859 IIe was born in Windsor Co., Vt., in 1826, where he lived till twenty-five years of age, when he went to Dane Co., Wis., and located at Stoughton and engaged in farming. Ile came here as stated in 1859; bought forty acres of his farm of H. Seaman, and eighty aeres of Marshall Southwiek. He resides on the eighty acres. Ile was married in Vermont, to Maria Everett. His father, John Waterman, died when his son was but one year old. Ilis mother, Melinda ( Knapp ) Waterman, died a year later. Mr. Waterman is the only member of his father's family who settled in Vernon county. His parents had nine children, seven of whom settled in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Waterman have two children-Ida, wife of Elliott Wyman, and Fred, at home. The children were born in Dane Co., Wis. Mr. Waterman's present farm contains 100 aeres.

John Wesley Allen settled in the town of Hillsborough, on seetion 28, in 1860. Ile located on section 14, in 1877, on a farm which he bought of John M. Bennett. He died Ang. 31, 1881. Mr. Allen was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., January, 1819. Ile was reared in his native State ; married Lavina Boyer, who was born in the same county. They came to Jeffer-

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

son Co., Wis., where they resided several years before settling in Vernon county. Mr. Allen was one of the well known citizens of Vernon county. He occupied the office of county treasurer two terms. His widow still resides at the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Allen had thirteen children, three sons and ten daughters; nine of the children are still living. Their two sons, Thomas J. and Ethan A. reside on the old homestead. The former was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1856 ; married Alice Sheldon, daughter of George W. Sheldon, of this county. They have one son-Clyde. Ethan A. was born in the town of Hills- borough, in 1864. The homestead farm now owned by Thomas J. and Ethan A. contains 185 acres.

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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 77

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

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