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 85
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Eli MeVey, an early explorer of the Kickapoo valley, was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, Dec. 7, 1832, and there he spent his younger days, in school, and on the farm. In 1854 he came to
Wisconsin, and visited Vernon county. In the winter he engaged in lumbering in the Kicka- poo pineries, and in the summer in rafting lumber down the river, being thus occupied for three successive summers, after which he en- gaged in breaking prairie. In October, 1861, he enlisted in company I, 12th Wisconsin Vol- unteers, and went sonth. Ile took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea ; also, participated in the many battles and skirmishes in that memorable campaign. Hle was discharged in August, 1865, and returning to Vernon county, purchased wild land on section 3, Stark town, and engaged in farming. He has since built the frame house in which he lives, and a frame barn 30x40 feet. In 1878 be purchased eighty acres of land on section 33, Whitestown town, and has since improved a part of that. Mr. MeVey was married, in 1867, to Caroline Bryan, by whom he has had four children-Sherman, Ag- nes, Ella and William.
ITiram, son of Jesse and Mary (Gheen) Orri- son, pioneer of Vernon county, was born in Mns- kingum Co., Ohio, April 18, 1834. When he was ‘nite young, his parents removed to Perry county, where he grew to manhood. He was but twenty years of age when his parents came to Bad Ax county. Ile made his home with them in Stark, and went to Franklin in 1858, and there bought a tract of land. Ile made some improvements on the land and lived there two years ; then sold. He was married in 1863, to Mary Parr, and bought a farm in the town of Webster, and lived there until 1866, when he came to Stark and bought the farm he now occupies on sec- tion 7. They have four children-Sarah Al- meda, John A., Minnie C. and Francis W.
John HI. Anderson, an early explorer of the Kickapoo valley, and a pioneer settler of Stark town, is a native of Scotland, born in Glasgow, Nov. 14, 1826. When fourteen years of age he left home and went to sea; sailed two years be- fore the mast and then came to the United States, stopping first in Maine and spending
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some time in Portland; thence to Biddeford and other places. In Saco he was employed for one year in a brick yard. He then visited New Haven, New York and Philadelphia, and spent a winter in Lancaster, Penn., where he was employed teaming. From there he went to Washington county, where he remained till the fall of 1849, then went to Adams Co., III., spend- ing the winter near Quincy, being employed in chopping wood. In the spring of 1850 he came to Wisconsin, spending the summer at Spring Green Prairie, Sank county. In the fall he vis- ited Richland county, and was employed in get- ting out lumber to build the Hazelton saw mill, the first one in that county. Late that fall he went to work in the pineries, and from that time until 1855 was employed in getting out lumber and rafting it down the Kickapoo river. While so doing he became acquainted with the localities and also with the few settlers along the river. He settled in 1855 on section 20, town 13, range 2 west, now known as Stark town, Vernon county. He built a cabin on the west bank of the east fork of the Kickapoo river, and there lived a single man for five years. Mr. Anderson was married Feb. 7, 1860, to Lucy Mellenry. One child blessed this union- Naney Elizabeth. At the time of his marriage he owned a farm house on the brow of the hill, which he now makes his home. For the past few years his health has not been good, and not being able to farm has turned his attention to bees and has started an apiary. His wife was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Wal- lace) McHenry, born in Ohio. Her parents settled in Webster in 1857. Her father died in 1865; her mother in 1882.
Philip Aumock was born in Perry Co., Ohio, June 17, 1827, and was reared on a farm till fifteen years of age. He then learned the car- penter trade, and was married on the 29th day of January, 1846, to Eleanor Dusenberry, also a native of Perry Co., Ohio. Soon after marriage Mr. Aumock engiged in the cabinet business, which he followed until the fall of 1855: then
with a team of two horses and wagon, loaded up his family and started for the west, and after thirty-two day's travel landed in Bad Ax (now Vernon) Co., Wis., and pre-empted the north one-half of the northwest quarter of sec- tion 17, town 13 north, of range 2 west. Ile built a log cabin in which he lived until 1867, then erected a frame house, in which he now lives. He also built a good frame barn in 1870, and has cleared up quite a large farm. He has worked a good deal of his time at his trade, and is now the owner of 160 acres of land, don't owe one cent in the world, and is well and com- fortably situated. At the time of Rebellion he enlisted in the 43d Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, and served his country until the war closed. Ile then returned home. Ilis first wife died shortly after his arrival home, of nervous prostration brought on by his absence. About the 1st of February, 1866, he went back to Ohio, and on the 4th day of March was married to Mrs. Mary Ann Essington, and brought her home with him, and they are now .living hap- pily together. Ile had a family of nine chil- dred, all of which are dead except four. Two of them are married and two are single. Mary E. married Perry A. Brown; John Wesley mar- ried Mary A. Thomas; George Washington and Hannah R. are still single. The boys own a good farm each and are out of debt.
Adam Bryan, one of the early settlers of Stark town, was born in Forks, Lycoming Co., Penn., June 11, 1817. His father was a clothier by trade, and was also engaged in the lumber business and in farming. Adam's early days were spent in school, in assisting his father on the farm and in the saw mill. The first school which he attended, was nine miles dis- tant from his home. When twenty-one years of age, he entered a woolen mill and there learned to manufacture woolen goods. He was married March 2, 1843, to Mary Barge, born in Lycoming county, Ang. 3, 1825. He continued to work in the woolen factory until 1848, when he engaged in the lumber business, which he
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
followed until 1851, when he started west to seek a home. He located in Illinois, purchasing a farm in Jo Daviess county. In May, 1854, he came to Wisconsin. Taking the cars to War- ren, he there procured a team, took the overland route to Vernon county. He stopped but a short time then returned to Illinois, remaining until May, 1855. He then came to Vernon county, entering land on section 3, town 13, range 2, now known as Stark town, then re- turned to Illinois for his family. In June, the family started for their new home, George Walsh and family accompanying them. After taking the cars to Warren, Ill., they started with ox teams. In many places they had to cut a road. Arriving on his land, he moved into a lumberman's log cabin and lived there three years, then built a hewed log house, to which he has since made a frame addition and in which he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan have had six children-Caroline, born March 16, 1848, was married to Eli McVey, and died Jan. 1, 1876; Alexander J., now in Sioux Falls, Dak., engaged in farming; George H., a grain dealer at Viroqua; Albert T., a physician in Eagan, Dak .; Aaron R., an attorney at law, in Sioux City; and Henrietta. Mr. Bryan united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, when a young man, but failing in his efforts to organ- ize a class in Stark, he united with the German Evangelical and later with the United Brethren.
Thomas De Jean, one of the pioneers of Stark town, was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in 1806, and there grew to manhood. He was a natural mechanic, and when a young man, he went to Pennsylvania and there worked in a saw mill for nine years. He then moved to Ohio, locating in Maumee City, where he was an early settler. While there he took contracts for building warehouses and docks on the canal, and later, engaged in farming. In 1841 he came to Wisconsin, locating at New Berlin, Wauk- esha county. After remaining there one year he went to Genesee, same county, bought laud and built a saw mill, also running a blacksmith
shop and plow factory. In 1855 he sold out there and came to Vernon county, settling on section 29, town 13, range 2, now known as Stark town. Two years later, he built a saw mill, in 1873 a grist mill, and also engaged in farming. Ile erected a large frame house and made this his home until his death, which occurred February, 1877. He was very enter- prising and took a prominent part in town affairs. He was elected town assessor in 1856, and later, held other offices. Mr. De Jean mar- ried Polly Butterfield, also a native of Chau- tauqua Co., N. Y. She is still living on the old homestead. There were three children, two of whom are now living- Anson W., the eldest, is now living near, and owns an interest in the flouring mill; Alfred H., is also living near, on a farm; Ann C., who became the wife of Wil- liam Sanbers, in the year 1861, and resided in this and an adjoining county, until 1879, re- moved with her husband and four children, to Roseburg, Oregon, where she died the year fol- lowing.
Anson W. De Jean was born in Maumee City, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1838. His younger days were spent in school and assisting his father in the mill and on the farm. He was employed for a while as teacher in the public schools of Vernon county. He was married in 1862 to Juliet Potter, born in Collin's Center, Erie Co., N. Y. lle then settled on section 29, on land which his father had entered for him in 1855. In 1863 he erected a building on section 29, and engaged in mercantile business, which he has followed ever since. In 1864 he bought an interest in his father's saw-mill, and in 1873 was associated with him in the building of a flour mill, which Anson W. now operates. He has been engaged for some years in farming, and at one time owned 1,100 acres of land in this county. He now owns but 320 acres in Vernon county, and a quarter section in Mur- ray Co., Miun. Mr. and Mrs. De Jean had but one child-Charles, who clerks in his father's store. Mr. De Jean has taken a prominent
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part in town and county affairs, and has filled offices of trust the greater part of his time since he attained the age of twenty-one years. His first, and all his voting has been done in the town in which he now lives.
John Barge settled in Vernon county, in 1856. He is a native of Germany, born in Wurtemburg, Oct. 15, 1819. He was but eigh- teen months old when his parents left their native land for America. They first settled in Mifflinsberg, Penn., where they lived eight years, then moved to Cherrytown, Lycoming county, where John grew to manhood. Hle was there married, in 1849, to Elizabeth Melhine, born in Brier Creek, Penn. They resided in that part of Lycoming, now known as Sullivan county, until 1856, at which time they came to Vernon county, making a settlement on Jng creek. Mr. Barge entered the northwest quarter of section 12, and immediately commenced the cultivation of a farm. lle built a log house in which he lived several years, then erected a frame resi- dence, which was burned, Feb. 8, 1881, with about half its contents. He then erected another frame house. Mr. and Mrs. Barge were blessed with seven children-Mary C., Francis E., George W., Adlett, Caroline E. and John F. The youngest child, Hardwell Lin- coln, died when nine years and four months old. Mrs. Barge died Sept. 27, 1871. Mr and Mrs. Barge are both members of the Church, and took active steps to secure a Church organi- zation, which was effected soon after their settlement here.
Joseph O. Parker, one of the pioneers of Stark town, is a native of Kentucky. He was born in that part of Franklin, now embraced in Anderson county, March 11, 1811. When he was nineteen years of age, he removed with his parents to Illinois, and settled in Edgar county. He made his home with his parents there until 1832. He was married the 3d of November, of that year, to Permelia Clark, who was born in Pulaski Co., Ky., in December, 1814. He bought a farm in Edgar county and
remained there until 1856, when he sold out and started for Wisconsin with two oxen and one horse' team. They were twenty-four days on the road ; bringing their cooking utensils they camped out on the way. Arriving at Bad Ax ( now Vernon ) county, he entered land on section 35, of town 13 north, of range 2 west, now known as Stark, and lived in a log cabin until after the war, when he built the frame house in which he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Parker were the parents of ten children, nine of which are now living-Archibald, Harriet, James F., Jemima, Rebecca, Mary, David, Sarah and Stephen. Their oldest daughter, Mahala, died in Illinois, at the age of sixteen.
E. Potter, one of the early settlers of Stark town, is a native of the Empire State, born in Washington county, Sept 10, 1811, where he grew to manhood. When twenty-one years of age he started west, locating in Erie Co., N. Y., where he was married, in 1840, to Mary A. Stone. IIe bought a tract of timber land in Erie county, built a frame house and cleared a farm, remaining there until 1855. In the fall of that year he started for Wisconsin, locating in Grant county and remaining one year, when not being satisfied with the location, he came with a team to Vernon county, bringing a year's provisions with him. He bought land on sec- tion 24, town 13, range 2 west, and erected a log cabin. Mrs. Potter painted the door red, and it was known as the house with the red door, and was the stopping place, for many years, of travelers No one hungry and tired was ever turned away from their door. The family lived in this cabin until 1871, when Mr. Potter built the frame house in which they now live. Mrs. Potter was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., in December, 1819. When she was very young her parents moved to the western part of that State, in Erie county. It was here that Mrs. Potter began her pioneer life. Mr. and Mrs. Potter have four children-James, Jubette, Allison and Mary.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
Samuel Gray, an early settler of Stark town, is a native of New York State, born in Erie county, Feb. 1, 1830. When twelve years of age he engaged on the New York and Erie canal, which occupation he followed until twenty-one years of age. Ile was married in the fall of 1850 to Elizabeth Stone, born in Chenango Co., N. Y. He engaged in farming, for one season, in Cattaraugus county, and, in 1852, started west to seek a home, settling in Grant Co., Wis. He there entered land, built a log house, and made other improvements. In 1857 he sold out and came to Vernon county, buying land on section 26, town 13, range 2 west. Ilere he built a hewed log house, and has since made it his home. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have had six children-Emertt, Leroy, Lucy, James, Frank and Elva.
Timothy MeGrath was one of the early set- tlers of Stark town. He came here from Madison, in 1857, making the journey with an ox team, and being eight days on the road, lo- cating the west half of section 16, which he had bonght two years previous, built a log house and immediately commenced to make improvements, and made this his home until his death which occurred in 1868. He was a native of Ireland. His wife, whose maiden name was Ellen Quinn, was also a native of Ireland. They emigrated to America in 1847, settling in Milwaukee, and living there until 1855, when they moved to Madison, remaining until 1857, when, as before stated, they came to Stark. Mrs. McGrath died on the old homestead, Feb. 25, 1883. They left two children-John and Timothy W.
John McGrath was born in Milwaukee, Feb. 27, 1849. Ile was married in January, 1874, to Annie Gallagher, daughter of John and Bridget Gallagher, who settled in Clinton in 1855. Two children have blessed this union-John E. and Ellen. Mr. McGrath now occupies the home- stead. Ile has built a neat frame house, and is engaged in stock and grain raising.
Timothy W. MeGrath was born July 3, 1853. His early education was received in the district
school supplemented by two years at the normal school at Whitewater. He taught several terms of school in this county, and is now studying law in an office in Minneapolis.
John Small, Sr., a settler of 1858, was born in the District of Columbia, July 31, 1786, and grew to manhood in the Nation's capital. In 1819 he enlisted in the 14th regiment, United States Volunteers, and served under Gen. Scott through that war, after which he located in Turkey Foot township, Somerset Co., Penn )le was there married March 16, 1817, to Olivet Skinner, who was born in that township, April 3, 1794. Remaining there until 1820 they re- moved to Perry Co., Ohio, and a short time after he purchased timber land and partly cleared a farm. In 1828 he sold out there and moved to Athens Co., Ohio, and bought a farm, which he sold three years later, returning to Perry county and buying land in Salt Lick town- ship where he remained until 1858. He then came to Vernon county, settling on land that he had entered in 1856, situated on section 18, town 13, range 2 west. Hle cleared a farm and lived here until his death, in 1873. His wife died April 19, 1867.
John Small, Jr., son of John and Olivet (Skin- ner) Small, was born in Monroe township, July 22,1824. He was married in 1853 to Mary Paxton, also born in Salt Lick township. After receiving a fair education, he engaged in teaching in Perry county. In 1855 he started west to seek a home, settling in Rossville, Allamakee Co., Iowa. He bought town property and engaged in teaching and later clerked in a store and also ran an engine in a saw and grist mill. Ile re- mained there until 1859, when he sold out and came to Stark town, settling on land that he had previously entered on sections 10 and 15. Ile built a log house on section 10, living there until 1872, when he built the frame house in which he now lives. He has also built a large log stable, granary, etc. Since living here Mr. Small has not devoted all his time to his farm, having taught school and also worked
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
at the carpenter trade. Mr. and Mrs. Small have three children-William, Isadora and Isa- bella. Isadora is the wife of John Teel and lives in Stark town. Isabella is the wife of Stephen F. Adams and lives in Webster.
James Moore came to Stark in 1860, and is numbered among the early settlers of that town. He is a native of Ohio, born in Muskingum county, Oct. 28, 1839, and was there raised to agricultural pursuits and received his education in the public schools, He was joined in mar- riage in March, 1860, to Annie Lytle, who was also a native of Muskingum county. The same year he brought his bride to Vernon county and settled in Stark town as before stated. He bought a tract of wild land on section 17, and erected a cabin of poles. They lived in this humble abode two years and then he built a hewed log honse. . He enlisted in October, 1864, in the leth regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and went south to join Sherman's army at Marietta. He served until the close of the war and was discharged in June, 1865, and returned home and resumed farming. Hc weather-boarded and painted his log house and lived in that until 1881, when he built a com- modious frame house, in which he now lives. In 1875 he built a frame barn 30x44 feet in size and is engaged in raising grain and stock. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have been blessed with four children-John, Leslie, Anson and Elmer. An- son was born in September, 1867, and died April 22, 1883.
Paul Bates was born in Hanover town, Ply- mouth Co., Mass., March 22, 1834. His younger days were spent in school. When seventeen years of age, he engaged to learn the boot and shoe trade, at which he continued to work until nineteen years of age, when he came to Wiscon- sin with his parents. Ifelived at home until 1863, when he was married to Mary Hoberts, a native of New York State. He then settled on his present farm on section 1, Stark town. He has not devoted his entire time to farming, being engaged part of the time in lumbering
and at work in saw mills. Mr. and Mrs. Bates have three children-Harvey A., Albert W. and Emma A.
Dempster Seely, proprietor of the saw-mill at Seelysburg, was born in Westmoreland town, Oneida Co., N. Y., March 25, 1820. He received his early education in the district schools, which was supplemented by a short term at the high school, in Hampton village. He stayed with his parents until 1840, when he came west to seek a home. He located in Wau- kesha Co., Wis., buying land and remaining there until 1843. He then returned to New York State, where he was married Aug. 16, 1843, to Maryett Blodgett. Returning to Wau- kesha county with his bride, he remained until February, 1844, when he sold out and removed to Jefferson county, being an early settler there. He purchased land in Jefferson town and built a saw mill on Bark river. In 1849 Mr. Seely built another saw mill on Duck creek. He was engaged in the lumber business and running these two mills until 1863, when he sold and came to Vernon county, purchasing a water power on the east fork of the Kickapoo, on sec- tion 20, town 13, range 2, known as Stark. In five months' time he had erected a frame house, built a large barn and had a saw mill running. He has since that time been extensively en- gaged in lumber business and farming. Mr. Seely has had contracts for the erection of quite a number of buildings and has built most of the bridges across the Kickapoo river in this see- tion. Mrs. Seely was born in Madison town, Madison Co., N. Y., April 18, 1812. When she was abont one year old her parents moved to that part of the Holland purchase now known as Chautauqua county, where they were early settlers. She was educated for a teacher and taught some years in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Seely have two children - Charles M. and Alice L Charles is married to Emma J. Harorden, born in Boston, Mass. They are blessed with two children-Harry L. and Charles Ernest. Alice is the wife of Edgar
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Nixon. They also have two children-Mercy J. and Raymond.
Irvin C. Nixon settled in Stark town in 1864. His land is on sections 28 and 29. When he bought the land it was quite heavily timbered, but he has cleared a good part of it and has it under a good state of cultivation. He first built a log house on section 29, but has since built a neat frame house on the same section which he now occupies as a residence. He was born Aug. 2, 1825, in Belmont Co., Ohio. When fourteen years of age his parents moved to Morgan county, in the same State, living there two years, then removing to Washington county. He was married Jan. 1, 1850, to Sarah A., daughter of Samuel and Leahvina (Van Clief) Smith. They remained in Washington county, where he owned a farm, until 1864, when he sold huis farm and came to Stark. They have had four children, three of whom are liv- ing-Edgar T., Irvin D. and Ross K. Irvin is town assessor. Mr. Nixon has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1854 and was the first class leader of the Stark Chapel class.
William Bacon came to Stark town in 1865 and purchased a farm of William Evans on see- tion 17, which he has since made his home. He is a native of Ohio, born in Washington county, May 31, 1819, where he was raised to agricul- tural pursuits. Ile was married, in 1844, to Mary A., daughter of Samuel and Leahvina (Van Chief) Smith. He purchased land in Washington county and made that his home until coming to Stark town in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have one child-Laurana-who makes her home with her parents. The family are members of the Star Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church.
Samuel Smith, superintendent of Star Chapel Sabbath school, was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., Oct. 6, 1800. In 1814 his parents moved to Ohio, locating in Delaware county, where they were early settlers. His father bought timber land and Samuel assisted him in clearing a
farm. They lived there seven years, when his father sold out and moved to Washington county. Samuel made his home there with his parents until 1823. He was married in that year to Leahvina Van Clief, born in Washington county in 1804. Mr. Smith bought the Van Chief farm in Waterford, Washington Co., Ohio., which was one of the first farms opened in Washington county. He remained there until 1865, when he sold out and came to Vernon county, settling in Stark town, where some of his children were living. He bought a farm on section 17, Stark town, living there until 1872, when he sold and moved to Stark, where be bought a house and lot. He has since completed the house and now makes that his home. In 1874 he purchased a farm on section 32. He rented this farm until 1881, when he sold it. Mrs. Smith died in 1865, leaving him five children- Mary A., now the wife of William C Bacon ; Sarah, the wife of. I. C. Nixon ; Jesse, Auge- line, wife of Henry Hank; Leahvina, wife of Charles Miller. le married in November, 1866, Sophia Heaston, who was born in Rich- mond, Va. When quite young her parents moved to Ohio, settling in Columbus, where she lived until 1865, then came to Vernon county. Mr. Smith united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1850. Soon after he was elected superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is said to be the oldest Sabbath school superintendent in the world. His health is re- markably good ; he is not in the least hard of hearing, and has never worn glasses.
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