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 82
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Samuel Estes is one of the oldest settlers now living in the county. He first came here in 1850, to hunt and trap. He camped on sec- tion 26, of town 12 north, of range 3 west, built him a bark hut and here lived in solitude two years. He killed elk, deer and bear, and other small game, selling the pelts at Prairie du Chien. After stopping here a few years, set- tłers began to come in, and he concluded this would be a good place to settle. Ile accord- ingly entered land on sections 25 and 26, and built a log house and engaged in farming. As he was the first settler here, he made a good selection in the Kickapoo valley. He has been twice married. Ilis first wife was Ruth Hall, who was born in Ohio. Four children blessed this union, two of whom are now living-Eliza- beth and Rachel. Mrs. Estes died in March, 1866, aged twenty-eight years. His second wife, to whom he was married in the fall of 1866, was Mary A. Shaw, also a native of Ohio. They have four children-Mellisa, Samuel, Annie and Henry. Mr. Estes was born in
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Adams, Berkshire Co., Mass., May 28, 1820. When he was quite young, his parents removed to New York, and lived two years ; then re- moved to Canada, and settled at London, now in the province of Ontario. At the breaking cut of the patriot war, they returned to York State, and settled near Watertown, Jefferson county. They lived there but a short time, when they again moved to Cayuga county, and later to Cortland county. In 1846 he started west. He first halted near Elk Horn, where he was employed in farming and teaming until 1850, when he came to this county, as before stated. lle lived in his log house until 1877, when he built the neat frame house in which he now resides.
James M., son of Abel C. and. Elizabeth ( Lawton ) Cushman, was born in Jefferson Co., Wis., Sept. 6, 1850. His father was a native of Vermont, and his mother of New York. They were early settlers in Jefferson Co., Wis., and also in Vernon county, coming here in 1853. James M. attended the district school and the public school at Viroqua for two years. When young, he commenced to work in his father's saw-mill, and learned to be a sawyer. In 1873 he bought land on section 26, of town 12 north, of range 3 west, and has since that time en- gaged in farming summers and has run the saw-mill the remainder of the year. He was married, in 1868, to Maria J. Snow, who was born in Ohio. They have three children-Lil- lian, Alta and Florence.
Henry B Hopkins, one of the early settlers of Kickapoo town, was born in Newington, Hartford Co., Conn., May 18, 1817. He was the son of Horace and Fannie ( Root ) Hopkins, natives of Connecticut. When Henry was eight years of age, his parents moved to Ohio, set- tling in Portage county, where he grew to man- hood, learning the carpenter trade. He was married May 30, 1839, to Emeline Dean, born in Trumbull Co., Ohio. They settled in Portage county, where Mr. Hopkins worked at his trade until 1848, when he came to Wisconsin, locat-
ing in Grant county. In 1853 he came to Ver- non county, and entered the land where he now lives. He built a log house in which he lived until 1873, when he built the frame house in which he now lives. Mrs. Hopkin's mother died in December, 1837. Of the seven eliil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins, four are living-Albert, Delia, George and Elsie. Harriet, born May 27, 1840, married Henry Henthorn, died Nov. 6, 1873 ; Eluell D., born May 27, 1858, died Nov. 2, 1880 ; Alfred H., born Oct. 6, 1852, died at Esofea, Wis., June 18, 1883. Mr. Hopkins second wife, to whom he was married May 6, 1875, was Nancy Holeomb, widow of Charles Allen. He was the first justice of the peace in the town, and was repeatedly elected to that office as long as his health was such that he could attend to the duties of it. He was also first postmaster of Sugar Grove postoffice, holding the position many years and resigning on account of his ill health.
Albert II, eldest son of Henry B. Ilopkins, was born in Ellenboro, Grant Co., Wis., Nov. 14, 1847. In 1853 he came with his parents to Vernon county, making his home with them until 1868, when he was married to Mary J., daughter of William and Ann (Williams) Shore, and widow of Zebulon Metcalf. She was born in Perry Co., Ohio. They have six children, four of whom are living-Bertha A., Frances E., Myrta C. and Guy F. Emmet V. and Willie H. died in infancy. Soon after marriage Mr. Hopkins settled on his present farm, on the northwest quarter of section 11. .
David Barrie is one of the oldest settlers now living in Kickapoo town. Ile is a native of Scotland, born in Perthshire, Feb. 14, 1814. When fourteen years of age he commenced to learn to weave, working at that for some time, after which he was engaged for thirteen years, on the river Tay, in the salmon fishing busi- ness. He was then employed for three years as gardener. In 1853 he came to America, landing at Montreal, and going to London, where he
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visited with a brother-in-law, two months, then went to Butler Co., Penn., where he visited a brother. In November, 1853, he started west to seek a home, first stopping at Viroqua, and on the 1st of January, 1854, entering land on section 35, town 12, range 3, Kickapoo town. lle first built a log cabin, in which he lived ten years, then erected a neat frame house, which was burned in October, 1877. Mr. Barrie then erected the frame house in which he now lives. Hle also has a log and a frame stable on his place. He made a good selection for a home, and now has one of the best farms in the county. When Mr. Barrie began pioneer life, in 1853, he worked three weeks in the dense wilderness without seeing a human being. Still he was not without company, for there were any amount of deer in the forest at that time. He went to LaCrosse, a distance of fifty miles, with an ox team, for his first provisions. It took him eight days to make the trip. His nearest postoffice was Viroqua, twelve miles distant. The nearest grist-mill was at Spring- ville, a distance of sixteen miles.
Adelbert S. is a son of Roswell and Eliza Corey, pioneers of Vernon county. He was born in Bradford Co., Penn., March 29, 1851, and was but three years of age when his parents came to Vernon county. They located land on section 10, of town 11 north, of range 3 west, and our subject was there reared to manhood, · dividing his time between the school and farm He was married in October, 1871, to Hester Salmon, and soon after bought land on sections 10 and 15, of town 11 north, of range 3 west, but two years later sold this piece and purchased 120 acres on section 12, of town 11 north, of range 4 west, where he resided until 1882, and then removed to an adjoining farm, on the same section. Mr. Corey and wife have been blessed with five children-William, Minerva, Ernest, James and Lillie May.
his parents emigrated to America, locating in Dane Co., Wis. His mother died when he was seven years of age and his father was again married within a year after her death. In 1854 they started from Dane county with two yoke of oxen to each wagon, and settled in Vernon Co., Wis., on section 11, town 11 north, range 4 west. Here Daniel grew to manhood, receiving a good education in the district schools. He was married June 9, 1868, to Arna Peterson, and settled on the homestead. This union was blessed with seven children, of which three went to the Eternal home while infants. The four living are Torger, Nils Elias, Anna Maria and Gerhard Olaus. His father died in 1880, in his seventy-second year. Mr. Fortney has been prominent in town affairs, having held offices of trust in the town. In 1882 he en- gaged in mercantile business at Liberty Pole, in company with his brother-in-law Knudt Pe- terson. They are doing an extensive business- buying and selling live stock and grain.
Reuben Drake is one of the early settlers of Vernon county. He was born in New Jersey,in 1824. When quite young, his parents removed to Ohio, and settled on a farm. He was there married, in 1846, to Matilda A. Sanders, born in Columbiana Co., Ohio. He bought a piece of land in Perry county, and engaged in farm- ing until 1851, when he sold and went to In- diana, and spent one and a half years. He then returned to Perry county, and remained there until 1855. In the spring of that year, he came to Vernon county, and entered land on section 12, of town 11 north, of range 3 west, where he still resides. Ile first built a small log cabin in which the family lived five years, and then built a hewed log house. In 1870 he erected the frame honse in which he now lives. lis son Benjamin was born in Perry Co., Ohio, in Oc- tober, 1849. lle came to Wisconsin with his parents. His younger days were spent in school, and on his father's farm. Ile was joined in marriage in April, 1871, to Sarah Beiglile, a
Daniel T., son of Torger and Kari Fortney, pioneers of Vernon Co., Wis., was born in Nor- way, April 7, 1845. When three years of age, I native of Pennsylvania. In the fall of that
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year, they went to lowa, and he took a home- stead in Lyons county, and there remained one and a half years; then returned to Kickapoo town, and bought land on section 13, of town 11 north, of range 3 west. In 1881 he bought another tract on the same section, on which is the neat frame house in which he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Drake are the parents of five children-Blanche, Elmer G., Epsie E., Jesse O. and Gertie J.
Seth: Edson, one of the early settler of Kick- apoo, was born in Broome Co., N. Y., July 8, 1827, and was there reared to agricultural pur- suits. He lived there until 1855, when he came to Bad Ax county, as it was then called, and purchased land of Daniel Day, on sections 17 and 18, of town 11 north, of range 3 west. There was a log house on this land at the time. He lived in that a few years, then built the frame house in which he now lives. He was married, in 1859, to Caroline Weybright, a na- tive of Ohio. Five children blessed this union- Almira, Rhoda, Ella, William and Margaret Mrs. Edson died in May, 1874, and he was again married in 1877, to Susan Anderson. They have three children- Samuel L., Dora J. and Nora May. His father's name was Gny Edson; born in Pelham, Hampshire Co., Mass., March 17, 1794. He was there married to Rhoda Packard, who was also a native of that county. They moved to New York, and settled in Broome county, where he bought a farm and lived until 1871, when he came to Wisconsin to join his children. He now makes his home with his daughter, in Crawford county.
where he bought town lots. He died here in 1857. His son James was born in Butler Co., Penn., Feb. 14, 1837. He came to Wisconsin and made his home with his parents until the time of his father's death. In 1856 he bought land on section 2, of town 11 north, of range 3 west. Ile was married in 1857 to Marga- ret, daughter of Robert Dobson, a native of Pennsylvania, who settled in Kickapoo in 1857. At the time of his marriage he settled on his land. Ile had already com- menced improvements, and had built a log house in which he lived until 1864, when he built the frame house in which he now lives. He has been a successful farmer and now owns 216 acres of land, a part of which is in the Kieka- poo valley. Mr. and Mrs. Foreman are the parents of four children-Sarah A., Charles, Martha E. and Jane M.
Ole Fortney was one of the first Norwegians to settle in the town of Kickapoo. He was born June 4, 1823. He received a liberal education when young, and after finishing school, he en- gaged with a carpenter to learn the trade, and worked at that until 1850, when he came to America. He located at Madison, Wis., and worked at his trade. He was there married, in 1852, to Cornelia Johnson. They remained in Madison until 1855, when he took an ox team and with his family started for Bad Ax (now Vernor) county. He bought land on section 13, of town 11 north, of range 4 west; built a log honse and lived there one year, then traded for land on section 11, of the same town, and moved there with his family. He built a log house and lived in that until 1882, when he gave that farm up to one of his sons. Ile then built a neat frame house on section 2, of the same town, and moved there with his family. He had for some time been in feeble health and did not live long to enjoy his nice new home. He passed to his rest April 1, 1883, leaving a widow and eight children to mourn his loss.
James Foreman, an early settler in Kickapoo Center, was born in Butler Co., Penn., in 1808. ITis wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Bortemus, was also a native of Butler county. Seven children blessed this union, three living -- Rudolph, now a resident of Fayette Co.,; Iowa; Romania E., wife of Ransom Kellogg, who resides on section 14, and James. In 1855, in company with his family, he came to ! The children are-Catharine, Hans, Christina, Bad Ax county and located at Kickapoo Center, : John, Ole, Martha, Sophia and Mary.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
William Geddes was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, April 12, 1830. His father, llenry Geddes, was born in Bucks Co., Penn., twenty- eight miles from Philadelphia, in the same house in which his father was born. He was there married to Tamzon Forst, born in New Jersey. They settled in Ohio at an early day. When William was quite young, his parents re- moved to Morgan Co., Ohio., where they re- mained until the time of their death. In early manhood William went to McConnellsville, the county seat of Morgan county, engaging with a carpenter to learn the trade. He worked at his trade until the fall of 1854, when he started west to seek a home. He spent the winter twelve miles from Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio. In the spring of 1855 he again started on his journey, and coming to Vernon county, located on section 33, town 12, range 3, in the Kickapoo valley, and built a frame house, 16x24 feet. Mr. Geddes has since cleared a farm, made a large addition to his house, and now makes this his home. He was married in 1851 to Laura Ann Hagerman, born in Washington Co., Ohio. Eleven children blessed this union -IIenry, Rhoda A., James E., Julia A., Isabell, Fiannah, Edward D., Ella and Nellie, twins, Rosa and John Irving. Henry was born July 28, 1852, died Feb. 8, 188]. John Irving died in infancy.
Zachariah Smith was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Nov. 25, 1821. When fourteen years of age his parents moved to Morgan county, where they lived four years, then moved to Perry county. His father died soon after and Zacha- riah then started in life for himself. Ile mar- ried, in 1843, Amy Battin, born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, March 27, 1822. They went to Indi- ana in 1846, locating in the western part of Howard county. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were among the first in starting the Disciple Church in Burlington, Carl Co., Indiana. Mr. Smith was deacon of that Church for a number of years. In 1855 he and his wife and five small children started for the northwest with their
covered wagons. They traveled under many hardships, especially the mother who had the care of the children, they being sick most of the time. They forded the Tippecanoe river, and narrowly escaped being drowned. They landed in Bid Ax (now Vernon), Co., Wis., Nov. 9, 1855. Mr. Smith bought timber land and immediately commenced to clear a farm. There was a small cabin on the place where they lived four years. The country being new and no churches near, the early settlers met in his house to worship God. Eller Parkerson was the first preacher in this place. In 1860 Mr Smith erected a hewed log house in which he lived until 1881, when he built the neat frame house where he now resides. His farm is in Sugar Grove, one of the most pleasant localities in Vernon county. Mr. Smith was one of the first in establishing the district ' school and also the Disciple Church, in this place, of which he was an elder for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are parents of ten children. The oldest son enlisted in the War of the Re- belion and died at Nashville, Tenn., in 1865.
Sever Thompson was one of the early Nor- wegian settlers in Vernon county. He was born in Norway, Jan. 14, 1828, and in 1853 came to America, joining his countrymen in Dane Co., Wis. He remained there two years and in 1855 made a settlement in Bad Ax (now this) county. Ile located on the south- west quarter of section 13, town 11 north, of range 4 west, on which he erected a log cabin. One year later he sold this land and purchased the northwest quarter of the same section, and removed his primitive dwelling house to his new farm. He subsequently weather-boarded and painted his cabin, giving it the appearance of a frame house. He cleared up the farm and lived there till his death, whic , occurred April 24, 1883. Ile left a widow and five children to mourn his death. The children are-Betsey, Ole Nels, Emma, Thomas and Soren. The eldest son, Ole, is a teacher in the public schools. He was born in this town, Nov. 1,
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1858. lle received his early education in the district school and was afterward a student at the graded schools of Viroqua.
Henry Benn was an early settler of Kicka- poo town. He was born in Cumberlandshire, England, Oct. 16, 1829. In January, 1853, he left his native land for America, and located in Jefferson Co., Wis., where he was married, in 1854, to Susan Holinger, a native of Ohio. In 1856 Mr. Benn came to Vernon county and bought forty acres of land on section 35. of town 12 north, of range 3 west, erected a log house, and resided, there for three years. HIe then sold his property and purchased another . "forty" of unimproved land, and again erected a substantial log cabin. In 1864 he enlisted in company C, 43d regiment, Wisconsin Voluin- teers, and served till the war closed and re- eeived an honorable discharge. In 1864 he purchased land on section 35, adjoining the town plat of Kickapoo, on which he has since resided. In April, 1882, he had the misfortime to lose his house by fire. Mr. and Mrs. Ben have been blessed with two children-Ida, wife of John Lowry, of Richland Co., Wis., and a son that died in infancy.
James Claney, one of the pioneers of Vernon county, was born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1815. When fifteen years of age he left home and his native land to seek a home in America. After living in Maryland for some years he went to Memphis, Tenn., where he was married to Maria Osborne, born in Kentucky. They went to Galena, Ill., where they lived until 1856, when they came to Vernon Co., Wis., set- tling on section 36, town 12, range 4. Mr. Claney improved the land, making this his home until his death in 1875. His widow, with her son James, now occupies the home- stead. Mr. Claney left four children-William, John, Mary and James.
days were spent in school and at work on the farm. In 1867 he engaged with George Read to learn blacksmithing and has worked at that trade the greater part of the time since. Mr. Claney also owns a farm lo- cated on section 1, town 11, range 4. In 1881 he formed a partnership with Mr. Baker, at Readstown, to do general blacksmithing and wagon making. In 1882 Mr. Baker died and Mr. Claney now has a shop at his home. In 1870 Mr. Claney was married to Catharine Joyce, born in Madison, Wis. They have had four children-Thomas Francis, Isabelle and Grace, twins, and Charles. On Sept. 1, 1864, Mr. Claney enlisted in the Union army, serving ten months and receiving an honorable dis- charge when the war closed.
Thomas Flanagan was born in county Long- ford, Ireland, in 1821, where his younger days were spent in school. In 1841 he came to America, landing at New York city, where he was engaged in the manufacture of brick on the Hudson river. He remained there until 1845, when he went to Galena, Ill., and engaged as clerk in the smelting furnace of Corinth & Co. In 1851 he went by way of the Isthmus to California. He engaged in mining at Downie- ville until winter, when he bought a lot of mules and with provisions started for the moun- tains. In 1853 he returned by way of Nica- ragna to Galena. He remained there until 1854, when he bought eight horses and sixteen head of cattle and, in company with seven others, started across the plains for California. He was there engaged in the mines and in a saw mill. In 1856 he returned to Galena and after making a short stop came to Wisconsin, buying land on sections i and 12, town 11, range 4, and on sections 6 and 7, town 11, range 3, where he removed in the winter of 1856-57 with his family. He first built a small frame house in which he lived until 1871, when he built the
John Claney, son of James and Maria (O)- borne) Claney, was born March 20, 1847, in commodious one in which he now lives. Ile Galena, Ill., being but nine years of age when has nearly 600 acres in Kickapoo town and 140 his parents settled in this county. Ilis younger in Franklin town. Mr. Flanagan was married
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
in 1847 to Bridget Finley, who was born in La- fayette Co., Wis. They have had six children -Edmund P., Maria, William, John, Joseph and Nellie. Mr. Flanagan has been prominent in town affairs and has filled offices of trust. He was town clerk for eight successive years.
Helge Larson, one of the pioneers of Kicka- poo town, was born in Norway, Feb. 16, 1826. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. He was married in 1850 to Carrie Svalhein. In 1855 they left their native land and came to the United States. They first set- tled in Dane Co., Wis., and in 1856 came to Vernon county, purchasing land on section 13, town 11, range 4. He built a log house and improved a part of the land. Ile sold this farm in 1867 and purchased land on sections 28 and 33, town 12, range 3. He moved there with his family and made this his home until his death, which occurred in 1875. Ile left five children-Soin, Lewis, Susan, Emma and Ole. Soin was born June 17, 1850; died June 3, 1880. Lewis was born Nov. 9, 1855; died May 29, 1880. Ole, the youngest son, was born Feb. 16, 1862. Ile received a liberal education in the public schools. Ile with his sisters, resides on the homestead with his mother.
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died in 1870; his father now lives in Franklin town.
John R. Lake, one of the pioneers of Vernon county, was born in Devonshire, England, March 29, 1829. His father was a farmer, but when quite young John R. engaged with a plasterer to learn the trade, at which he worked, until 1855, in his native land, when he came to America. He landed at Quebec, coming directly to Wisconsin, and locating at Janesville, where he worked at his trade for three years, then going to Towa, spent one year in Mitehell, Mitchell county. He then came to Vernon county, bought forty aeres of land on section 26, town 12, range 4, and commenced farming. He built a small frame house in which he lived twelve years, then moved to section 23, town 12, range 4, in Viroqua. He has since improved this land, built a neat frame house, and now makes it his home. He has been a successful farmer, now having 320 acres of land. Mr. Lake was mar- ried, in 1859, to Charlotte, danghter of John and Charlotte (Searls) Crook. They have had ten children - William Henry, Levi John, Augustus Stockholm, Amelina Ann, Samnel Welobee, Albert, Clementine, Frederick, Ella and Ethel. Mr. Lake was instrumental in the organization of the school district in which he lives, and was the first elerk, which office he has held continuously, with the exception of a short time in which he was not in the district. During the war, Mr. Lake enlisted in company B., 50th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and served faithfully until honorably discharged.
William Crook is a native of England, born in Devonshire, August, 1845, living there and in Cornwall until 1857, when he left his native land, with his parents, for America. After landing at New York city, they came to Ver- non county, settling on section 26, town 12, range 4. William was married, in 1869, to Catharine Hall, born in Ohio. They have had three children-Frank, Minnie and Rosa A. In Fredrick Olson first visited this county in 1859. He was born in Norway, Nov. 5, 1834. His younger days were spent in acquiring an education. At sixteen years of age, he was apprenticed to a tailor at Lilliehammer, to learn the trade. He served three years; then worked as a journeymen until 1859, when he left his native land for America. He came direct- ly to this county, and spent the summer at 1879 he moved to Franklin town, buying a farm on section 21. After remaining there two years, he returned to his former home on section 26. Kickapoo town, on which he has erected a good set of buildings, now hav- ing one of the best farms in the town, con- taining 200 acres of land. Mr. Crook's parents, John and Charlotte (Searls) Crook, were both natives of Devonshire, England. His mother . Coon Prairie, where he was employed in farm-
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IHISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
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