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 88

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 88

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Thomas Sidyie was the oldest son of William and Ellen (Panrie) Sidyie, and was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, June 22, 1834. His

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

father was a miller, and when thirteen years of age, Thomas began to work in the mill. In 1855 he came to America, settling in Vernon Co., Wis. He made his home with an uncle, near Springville, for three years, when, in 1858, he was married to Sarah Pidcock, born in Ohio, June 28, 1835. 1Ie then, for four years, rented a farm in Viroqua town, after which he was en- gaged in farming in different parts of the county. In 1869 he went to Iowa, locating in Allamakee county. Ile remained there two years, after which he returned to Vernon county and rented a farm on section 16, town 12, range 6, Sterling town. After renting this two years, Mr. Sidyie purchased it, and has since made it his home. Mrs. Sidyie died, at Viroqua, Dec. 18, 1863, leaving three children-William, Eliza Ellen and Margaret J. The two oldest ones live in Genoa, the youngest in Iowa. Mr. Sid- yie's father was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1809. He died in 1866. His mother was born in Perthshire, in 1810. They were mar- ried in 1833. Mrs. Sidyie came to America to join her son in 1857, and has since made her home with him. She has six children living- Thomas, James, Margaret, William, John and Robert.

Leonard Wakefield, one of the early settlers of Sterling town, was born in New York State in 1800. He grew to manhood in his native State, and was there married to Polly Whitney, also a native New York. Soon after marriage he moved to Pennsylvania, where he boughta farm and lived until 1833. He then went to Ohio, settling in Seneca county, and living there twelve years. Going then to Illinois, Mr. Wake- field purchased government land in Lake county, and cleared a farm. In 1856 he again turned his face westward, locating in Sterling town, Vernon Co., Wis. He purchased land on section 2, town 11, range 6, and also on section 35, town 12, range 6, and here remained until his death, which occurred in 1871. His wife died in 1878. Their son, Elijah, is still a resident of the town. He was born March 15, 1827, in Pennsylvania.

In 1853 he married Cleora Stickney, by whom he had four children, one of which is living. He lived in Ohio and Illinois with his parents, and came with them to Sterling, locating on land on section 2, which his father had entered in 1855. He enlisted in 1864, in company B, 42d Wisconsin Volunteers, and went south. lle served until the close of the war, being dis- charged in June, 1865.

Adelbert, son of Elijah Wakefield, was born Sept. 21, 1854, in Lake Co., III. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in the district school. He was married, March 30, 1876, to Jane Wilder, born in Crawford Co., Wis. Four children have blessed this union- Effie C., John B., Charles and Hiram. He now occupies the old homestead of his grand- father. His children are the fourth generation that have lived on that place.

Henry Weber is a settler of 1856. He was born in Saxe-Coburg Germany Aug. 25, 18 22. He at- tended school until fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade, at which he continued to work until 1847, when he left his native land and emigrated to America. He landed at New York, but not finding employment went out of the city and succeeded in getting work on the New York & Lake Erie Railway, and subsequently on the Erie Canal. In 1850 he started west, visited Chicago, and from there went to St. Paul, Minu., and also Stillwater, and afterward to St. Louis, Mo., where he worked at his trade until 1856. In 1856 he made a settlement in Vernon county. He has since been a resident of Sterling town. Mr. Weber has improved his farm, erected sub stantial buildings for stock, grain, etc., and is an extensive raiser of small fruits, making a speciality of grapes. His farm comprises 280 acres. lle was married in 1854 to Mary Pauly, also a native of Germany. They have had ton children-Elizabeth, Henry, Bertha, Mary, Chris- tian, Louisa, Josephine, Sophia, John and Caro- line J. Josephine died when four years of age.

THE AW YORK PUBLIC LI RARY

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Laura A Sterling

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

P. D. Miner was born Aug. 12, 1828, in Mon- terey township, Berkshire Co., Mass. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. In 1854 he came to Wisconsin, locating in Grant county. He bought a team and was engaged for three years in breaking prairie. In 1857 he came to Sterling town, settling on a farm that his father had entered a few years previous. For a few months he boarded with E. T. Bishop. He, in company with another man, kept bachelor's hall in an old log honse on the place. He was married in 1858 to Sarah D., daughter of Dr. Simeon F. and Antoinette (Brush) Huntington. Her father was a native of Connecticut, and an early settler of Craw- ford Co., Wis. Mrs. Miner was born in Ohio. They have five children-Wilbur E., Henry T., Mary E., Iliram and Alice. After marriage Mr. Miner built a house on his farm. He has been a successful farmer, and now has 410 acres of land, a good set of buildings, and is now living with the surroundings of a comfort- able home.

Simeon Gibbs was an early settler in Wasl ington Co., Wis. He emigrated to that county in 1845, and bought government land ant cleared a farm. lle remained there until 1859 when he made his present settlement on sectio. 10, of town 11 north, of range 6 west. TIe wa. born in Otsego Co., N. Y., May 13, 1806. When he was but seventeen years of age his parents removed to Jefferson county, where they were early settlers, and where he assisted his father in clearing two farms. lle was there married in June, 1827, to Lucy Page, born in Cheshire Co., N. II., Dec. 7, 1806. Her father, David Page, was born in Brattleboro, Vt. Ile served the United States in the War of 1812, and was severely wounded at the battle of Sackett's Harbor. He was also an early settler in Jeffer- son Co., N. Y. At the time of his marriage Mr. Gibbs bought a farm in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and lived there a few years, then sold and re- turned to Jefferson county, where he remained until 1847, when he came to Wisconsin, as be-

fore stated. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have five children living-Jane, Lindley, Clara, John and Mary. His son John lives on the farm adjoining his father. He was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Aug. 3, 1844, and came to Wisconsin with his parents. Ile enlisted in February, 1865, in the 50th regiment, Wiscon- sin Volunteers, and went west to the frontier. While in the service he nearly lost his eyesight, but has since partially recovered. He was mar- ried April 25, 1869, to Rosella Fish, of Vermont. They have five children-Harrison, Herbert, Alfred, Edith and Charlie.

Alvin M. Hayden was quite a prominent citi- zen of Sterling town for eighteen years. He was born in Somerset Co., Maine, Oct. 2, 1810, and died in the town of Sterling Nov. 6, 1878. At the time of his death he was postmaster of West Prairie; had always taken an active inter- est in town affairs; filled several offices of trust and for years was a justice of the peace. He married Clarissa Mitchell, also a native of Som- erset Co., Maine. Five children were born to them, three of whom are now living-Lucy, William W. and John F. In 1855 Mr. Hayden emigrated with his family to Wisconsin and lo- cated in Monroe county. In 1858 they removed to Missouri, but returned within two years, and in 1860 settled in Sterling town. Mr. Hayden purchased land on section 6, town 11 north, of range 5 west. He improved this farm, erected a comfortable residence and here resided until his death. His widow still occupies the old homestead. The youngest son, John F., was born in Franklin Co., Maine, Jan. 13, 1851. Ile was united in marriage April 12, 1876, to Jane Cox, a native of Wisconsin. They have four children-Herbert F., Arthur M., Vesta May and an infant. In 1874 Mr. Hayden purchased a farm on section 6, of this town, where he has resided since his marriage.

D. T. Smith, wagon maker at Retreat, was born Sept. 21, 1826, in Sandisfield, Berkshire Co., Mass. He was raised to agricultural pur- snits. When twenty-two years of age he re-

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

ceived employment in a wagon shop, where he worked a year. He then engaged in farming and carpentering. In 1857 he procured work in a rake factory, where he stayed four years. In 1861 he came to Wisconsin, locating in Crawford county. He remained there, how- ever, but a few months, coming to Sterling town, Vernon county, and engaging in work at his trade and farming. He was drafted in 1863 in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, went south and was with Sherman as far as Atlanta. He con- tinned in the service until the close of the war and was discharged in July, 1835. He then re- turned to Sterling town. In 1871 Mr. Smith went to La Crosse, and engaged in carpenter and joiner work. In 1873 he opened his wagon shop in Retreat, near his residence. Mr. Smith was married to Lois C. Thompson, a native of Sandisfield, Mass. Mrs. Smith died in 1862. He subsequently married Sarah C. Davis, widow of John Frye and a native of Maine.

Jesse L. Davis has been engaged in the mer- cantile trade at Retreat since 1868, and is the present postmaster of the village. He was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Nov. 7, 1809. When ten years of age, his parents removed to Shippenburgh, where Jesse attended the village school, and in vacations assisted his father in the tannery. At eighteen years of age, he left home and joined his brother, a physician at Carlisle, Ind. He was there employed as clerk in a store but two years later went to Edwards- port, in Knox county, and engaged in mercan- tile pursuits. He there continued in business until 1846, when he received an appointment as clerk in the sixth auditor's office, at Wash- ington, D. C., and immediately entered upon the duties of his position. In 1855 be obtained a leave of absence and went to Wisconsin, where he bought land on sections 10 and 15, of town 11 north, of range 6 west, now embraced within the limits of Sterling town. He re- turned to Washington, and resumed his duties, but in 1862 resigned his position and settled on his land, where he engaged in farming. In

1868 he engaged in his present business. Mr. Davis was married in 1832, to Vienn. " .. daughter of William M. and Sarah Purdy, natives of Kentucky, but early residents of that part of Indiana, now known as Sullivan county, and where Mrs. Davis was born June 5, 1816. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been blessed with four children-John W., Warren G., Martha A. and Laura V.

Christian Puls came to Wisconsin in 1851, locating in Washington county, where he bought timber land of the government. He cleared a farm, erected a log house and barn, and lived there until 1862, when he purchased a farm of John Whitney, on section 2, town 11 north, of range 6 west, known as Sterling town. Mr. Puls has given considerable atten- tion to fruit growing and has a fine orchard. lle was married, Feb. 1, 1852, to Christena Tuegel, born in Marienburg, Germany. They have six children-Caroline, born Nov. 9, 1853, John, born May 3, 1858, Annie, born July 25, 1862, Mary, born Oct. 11, 1866, Jimmy, born March 17, 1869, and George, born Feb. 25, 1873.

Lewis Thompson settled in the Bad Ax val- ley, in 1862. He took up a homestead on sec- tion 20, of town 12 north, of range 6 west. Ile is a native of Norway, born March 21, 1841. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. In 1860 he emigrated to America, landed at Quebec, and came directly to this county, and first stopped with Scott Thompson, who lived on section 17, of town II north, of range 5 west. He was employed in farming in the neighborhood until 1862, when he started to make a home for himself. He first built a small log house in which he lived several years, and then built another log house to which he has a frame addition. He has been a successful farnier and now owns 315 acres of land. He was married, in 1-60, to Christina Erickson, who lived but two years after marriage. llis second wife was Dean Olson, who bore him eight children, three of them are now living- Thomas L., Ole L. and Margaret L. Mrs.

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Thompson died in 1882. His third and present wife was Anna Sorenson.

J. Booth McClurg was born Jan. 22, 1835, in Columbiana Co., Penn. When six years of age his parents moved to Ohio, locating in Guernsey county, where they lived six or seven years, then removed to that part of Morgan now known as Nobles county. In 1853 he started for California, going by way of the Isthmus. He engaged for a year in mining at Nevada City. He then went to Shelby Flat, made a claim and worked there for a short time, then started out on an exploring tour, traveling in Washington, Oregon and Idaho territories, making claims and living in different places. The winter of 1861 -- 2 he spent in Florence City, Idaho. It was a severe winter, and provisions were scarce, as means of transportation were limited. Flour sold at $13 per pound, sugar $5 per pound, and tobacco $10 per pound. In the spring of 1862 Mr. McClurg determined to return to his oldl home in Ohio and visit his parents, from whom he had not heard for eight years. On board the vessel at San Francisco. while engaged in conversation with a gentle- man from Wisconsin, he learned that his parents were living near Viroqua town, Ver non county, that State. He accordingly went to Viroqua instead of Ohio. In 1863 he camc to Sterling town and purchased an improved farm on seetion 1, town Il north, range 6 west. In the spring of 1864 he bought a farm on sec- tion 11, same town, on which he lived but a few months. He then purchased his present home, on seetion 2, on which he has erected a good frame house and barn. Mr. MeChurg was mar- ried in 1863 to Annis, daughter of Eliab and Eliza (Higgins) Bishop. They have had nine children-Inez I., Reno, Mabel and Maud (twins), Leo, Cyrus, Jennie, John Philip and Walter R.

Prominent among the German settlers of Sterling is John Shoenberger. His first settle- ment in Wisconsin was made in Crawford county, in 1854. lle then bought an improved

farm near Prairie du Chien, and lived there until 1863, when he came to Sterling and bought his present farm, on the northwest quar- ter of section 8. He was born in Hesse-Cas sel, Jan. 9, 1818. He spent his younger days in school and qualified for a teacher. Ile engaged in teaching in 1839. He also performed the duties of organist in the church, a duty that devolved on teachers in that country. Ile con- tinned teaching until 1854, when he left his native land and came to America. He landed at the port of New York, and came direet to Wisconsin and located in Crawford county, and from thence to Sterling town. Ile was married in 1838 to Annie C. Croll, who was also a native of Hesse-Cassel. Eight children blessed this union - Henry W., Mary, Kate, Annie, Otto, Dorotha, Charles and Lonis C. Otto is dead.

Solfest Otteson is a native of Norway, born April 1, 1837. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. When nineteen years of age he emigrated to the United States. He landed at Quebec, and came directly to Dane Co., Wis., where he was employed on a farm. He remained there until 1864, when he rame to Sterling town, purchasing wild land on section 24, town 12, range 6. He has since im- proved a portion of the land, and erected a house and barn. He has also purchased more land, now having 320 acres. Mr. Otteson was married in 1863 to Christina Severson. They have seven children-Christina, -Otto, Mary A., Severena, Jacob L., Kiah and Julia. Christina, the eldest, is teaching in the public schools of Vernon county.

William Getter was born Dec. 20, 1847, in Schoharie Co., N. Y. When seven years of age his parents came to Wisconsin, settling in Ster- ling town, Vernon county. Here William spent his younger days in school and on the farm. He enlisted in February, 1865, in company B, 50th Wisconsin Volunteers, and went to the western frontier. He was honorably discharged in June, 1866, and returning home settled on

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his present farm. It is situated on high table land, on section 28, town 12, range 5. Part of this land he pre-empted and a part he bought. It is in a good state of cultivation and has on it a neat frame house. He has recently purchased more land. and now has 360 acres. Mr. Getter was married in 1868 to Mary Robson. Six children blessed this union-Albert, George, Robert, Willard, Bina and Howard. Robert died in infancy.

James B. Gilman was a native of Vermont and came to Bad Ax county in 1852. He was born in 1797 and when quite young was appren- ticed to a carpenter and joiner to learn that trade. He worked at it for five years, then spent five years in learning the wagon-maker's trade. Resolving to still better his prospects for future employment, he served a three years' apprenticeship at millwrighting. About this timethe United States and Canada were quarrel- ing over the boundary line question and Mr. Gil- man enlisted in the service of his country and was mustered in as major. The epaulettes which he wore are still in the possession of his daugh- ter. He removed from Vermont to Illinois, and was one of the first to mine for lead at Galena. lle remained there until 1852, when he came to Bad Ax county and made a settlement on section 21 and 22, town 12 north, range 5 west. In 1854 he erected a saw mill and lived there until 1863, when he sold his proper- ty and removed to Viroqua town, where he bought a farm. He resided on the farm until his death, which occurred in 1865. Mr. Gilman married Emily Twitchall, a native of Virginia, who died in 1858, leaving five children. One son, James W., was born in Calhoun Co., Ill., in 1839. Ile there attended the district schools and worked with his father at the carpenter and wagon trade. 1Ie came to Wisconsin with his parents nd in 1861 purchased a farm one mile west of Viroqua and en- gaged in farming. In 1862 he enlisted in com- pany. A, 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and served nine months, mostly on frontier duty. He was discharged for disability and re-

turned to Viroqua, where he opened a wagon shop. In 1867 he sold his shop and stock and bonght land on section 21 and 22, of town 12 north, of range 5 west, the farm lying in both Franklin and Sterling towns. He was married that same year to Harriet Lamb, also a native of Illinois. They have six living children-Hattie Belle, Lurinda May, Willie Burton, Maud, Wal- ter and Mary Candis.

Iliram Bellows, the genial proprietor of the West Prairie Hotel, is a native of the old "Bay State." lle was born at Blackstone, Mass , Dec. 6, 1830, and when quite young accompa- nied his parents to Rhode Island, and eight years later to Oswego Co., N. Y. He there remained until seventeen years of age, when he returned to Rhode Island and obtained employ- ment as bridge carpenter on the Providence & Worcester Railroad, working for that company two years. He was subsequently engaged in various occupations at the following named localities : bridge carpenter on the railroad, in New Hampshire, one year; teaming at Nassua, two years ; in employ of Worcester and Nassua Railway Company, four years ; baggage master, four years, and conductor, seven years, for Boston & Lowell railroad ; four years as conductor on Galesburg & Quincy branch of the C. B. & Q., in Illinois ; one year as conduetor between North Platte, Neb., and Cheyenne, W. T., on the Union Pacific road, and from 1865 to 1868, again in the employ of the C. B. & Q. Railway Company. In 1865 Mr. Bellows had come to Vern n county and purchased land on "West Prairie," on section 17, of town 11 north, of range 5 west, and section 36, of town 12 north, of range 5 west. In 1868 he settled on the former named piece of land, and has since been en- gaged in farming. At the present time he is extensively engaged in the raising of fat stock. In November, 1877, Mr. Bellows repaired his residence, made quite an addition to it and hung ont the sign of the "West Prairie Hotel." Ilis long experience with travelers as conductor,

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and happy disposition, together with the pleas- ant and sociable character of his wife, render his hostlery one of the best in western Wiscon- sin, and a most popular stopping place for the best class of travelers. Mr. Bellows has been twice married. His first marriage was in December, 1853, to Augusta D. Chase, of Meri- mac Co., N. H. One child blessed this union- Ida. llis second and present wife was Addie A., daughter of Alfred and Mary (Blodgett) Proctor, born in Saugus, Essex Co., Mass. They have one son, Elmer. Mr. Bellows is also postmaster at West Prairie.

Charles S. Fourt, superintendent of the Dis- ciples Church Sunday school, was born Dec. 25, 1832, in Henry Co., Ind., being there raised to agricultural pursuits. In 1853 he emigrated to Iowa, becoming a pioneer in Allamakee county, where he entered land on section 12, Paint Creek township, breaking forty acres and build ing a log house thereon. In 1859 he sold this farm and purchased land on section 16, town 10, range 6, Crawford Co., Wis. He cultivated this farm and built a frame house, residing there until 1869. He then came to Sterling town and purchased land on seetion 14, town Il, range 6. In 1876 he bought his present home on section 11, this town, on which, in 1882, he built a neat frame house. Mr. Fourt has been twice married. His first wife was Ilannah Valentine, a native of Manchester, England, born Feb. 28, 1836. She died April 9, 1876, leaving seven children-Lavinia, Ed- win and Edgar, twins; Ida E., Franklin, Min- nie M. and Lucinda T. In October, 1876, he married Hannah Davis, born in Sullivan Co., Ind. Mir. Fourt has been for some time an elder in the Disciples' Church.

Belns Shepherd Abrams settled on his pres- ent farm in the spring of 1870. Ile was born in Cuyuga Co, N. Y., June 5, 1821. He remained there until eighteen years of age, when he re- moved to Wayne county, in his native State, and engaged in farming, remaining, there until 1856, when he came west to Wisconsin, and en-

tered land in town 12 north, of range 5 west, now in the town of Sterling. Mr. Abrams now owns 200 acres of land, 100 of which are fairly improved, and the other half is in pasture and timber land. He was married, in 1863, to Fan- nie, widowed wife of Leland Brown, who was a soldier in the late war, and died while in the service. Of late years, Mr. Abrams has rented his land, and a portion of the time has made his home at Boscobel, Grant Co., Wis. Before marriage he was unsettled, and spent a large portion of his time traveling.

J. S. Dustin settled on his present farm in 1870. He was born at Bethel, Maine, Aug. 6, 1834. He passed his early life amid rural scenes, and received his elementary education in the district school. When a young man, he learned the carpenter and joiners trade, at which he worked in Maine and New Hampshire until 1862. In that year he came to Wisconsin, and 1863, located at Eau Claire, where he was en- gaged in the lumber trade until his removal to Vernon county. He settled on his present farm, which is located on section 3, town 11 north, of range 6 west. Mr. Dustin was united in marriage, in June, 1868, to Sarah Cole, of Orleans Co., Vt. They are the happy parents of two children-Frank and Albert.

John Wesley Cade was born April 19, 1847, in St. Joseph Co., Mich. lle came to Wiscon- sin with his parents in 1853, making his home with them' until eighteen years of age. He then returned to Michigan, attending school four years at Sturgis, fitting himself for a teacher, teaching one term there, returning to Vernon county, where he engaged in farming in the summer seasons and teaching in the winter, a practice which he still continues. In the fall of 1871 he came to Sterling town, rent- ing a farm for one year. In the fall of 1872 the house where he lived was blown down by a cyclone; he bought a farm situated on section 5, town 11, range 5, where he has since made his home. His residence was burned June 13, 1883, with most of the contents. He was mar-

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

ried in 1871 to Electa I. Cass, born in Lorignal, Province of Ontario. They have had four chil- dren-Stell, Roscoe, Rocklin (who died in 1878), and Orpheus Blaine. Mr. Cade has been promi- nent in town affairs, and has filled offices of trust in the town.

Ole Ganper, postmaster at Purdy, was born in Norway, Aug. 29, 1851. When he was but eleven years of age, his parents emigrated to America. They first stopped in Madison, Wis .. until the spring of 1863, then went to Black Earth town, in Dane county, where they re- mained until 1885, then came to Vernon county and located at Chaseburg. He made his home with his parents until he was fifteen years of age, then started in life for himself. He went to DeSoto and was there employed in a saw- mill four years. After that he attended school two winters. He was married in 1872 to Amelia, daughter of Ove and Elizabeth Lind, a teacher in the public schools of this county. He purchased land on sections 10, 11 and 14, of town 12 north, of range 6 west. He built a house on section 10 and lived there until 1878, when he removed to section 12 and lived there until 1883, when he bought the old stand at Purdy, located on section 13, and now makes this his home. He was appointed postmaster in 1883. Ile is also justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Gauper have three children-Robert Oscar, Elida and Alfred.

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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 88

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

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