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 90

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 90

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and Permelia (Davidson) Markee. Four chil- dren have blessed this union-Miranda, Grace, Permelia and Edith. Mr. Eastman occupies the old homestead in company with his mother. On Jan. 26, 1869, John B. Eastman took a boy to raise. He was Samnel D. Lowman, aged two and a half years, and during his stay in the family has proven to be good, honest and steady in whatever he has done. He is now attending school at Ontario.

Hugh Kerr is one of the pioneers of Union town and a prominent farmer of this section of Vernon county. Ile is of Scotch descent, but was born in county Antrim, Ireland, April 15, 1827. Ile was there raised to agricultural pur- suits, receiving only a moderate education. When twenty-two years of age he came to America and stopped for a few months at Smith's Falls in the province of Ontario. From there he went to Belmont Co., Ohio, where he was joined in marriage, in 1853, to Angeline S., daughter of Robert and Mary (Scott) Milligan. That same fall they went to West Virginia and spent one year. They then returned to Ohio, and in 1857 came to Vernon county. Mr. Kerr purchased a tract of timber land on section 31, town 13 north, of range 1 west, now known as the town of Union. There were three acres of this land partially cleared, in the center of which was a small log cabin. The year fol- lowing Mr. Kerr built a hewed log house, in which the family lived until 1874, when he erected his present commodious frame resi- dence. His farm now comprises 218 acres, 100 of which are under good cultivation, and the entire farm is considered one of the best in the town. Mr. Kerr is a man well read and thoroughly posted on all questions of the day, and highly respected by a large circle of ac- quaintances. Himself and wife are the parents of four children - Eliza J., wife of Harvey J. Eastman ; Robert A., a graduate of Rush Medi- cal College, of Chicago, and now practicing medicine at Peoria, Ill. ; John J. and Homer [.

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

T. S. Jordan, one of the early settlers of Union town, is a native of Indiana, born near Richmond, Wayne county, in December, 1827. His father, James Jordan, was a native of Pennsylvania, his mother, of Tennessee. In 1833, at about the time of the well remembered "Indian scare," they removed to Illinois and located at Reed's Grove, where the settlers found it necessary to work under protection of a strong guard. James Jordan attended the first land sale at the then small village of Chicago, and entered the present site of the city of Joliet. After three years in his new home, he sold his property and returned to Indiana, that his children might enjoy better educational facilities. He located at Blounts- ville, Henry county, erected a hotel and also engaged in mercantile pursuits. Three years later he went to Greenville, Delaware county, in the "Hoosier State," and was landlord of a hotel for one year ; then purchased and cleared a farm in Well's county. He finally removed to Leesburg, Kosciusko county, where he bought town property and where his wife died in 1844. After the death of his mother, T. S. com- menced life for himself. He readily secured employment as a farm laborer in Delaware county and was there married, in 1848, to Martha J. Babb, a native of Clinton Co., Ohio. ITe resided in Delaware county ten years after his marriage, and in 1858 removed to Bad Ax (now Vernon) county and bought land on see- tion 28, of town 13 north, of range 1 west. The family lived in their "moving wagons" until a cabin was erected, in which they resided until 1879, at which date Mr. Jordan erected a comfortable frame dwelling honse. lle has cleared a larger proportion of his first pur- chase and has added to it until he now owns 160 acres. In September, 1864, he enlisted in company I. 12th regiment, Wisconsin Volun- teers ; joined Sherman's army at Atlanta, Ga., and participated in the march to the sea, and north ward through the Carolinas. He was honor- ably discharged May 31, 1865, and returning

home, resumed his farming operations. Mr. Jordan has been prominent in town affairs. He was elected superintendent of schools in 1860, and was chairman of the board of town trustees for ten successive years. In 1876 he was the elected choice of the people for the State Legislative Assembly, and served one term. Mr and Mrs. Jordan have four children- Wesley S., Ann Eliza, LeRoy and Clara Bell. A brother of Mr. Jordon, James M., was born in Madison Co., Ind., in May, 1830. He was but fourteen years of age when his mother died. He then started out for himself. He was em- ployed in farming in the States of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Ile was joined in marriage, in December, 1851, to Mary Ann Babb, who was born in Clinton Co., Ohio. They settled in Delaware Co., Ind. In 1854, in company with his brother, T. S., he came to Wisconsin and visited Bad Ax county, but made no claim. He returned to Indiana and remained in Dela- ware county until 1858, when he came in com- pany with his brother and bought land on see- tion 28, of town 13 north, of range 1 west. He first built a log cabin, 19x21 feet in size, with a stone chimney at the end (southern style). Ax they had no stove, his wife cooked their food in the fire place for five years. They lived in a log house about five years, then built a frame house, in which they now reside. They have five children-Alpheus T., Timothy S., Emory G., Joseph C. and Lydia B. Their son, Oliver B., was born July 10, 1854, and died in Min- nesota in December, 1878. David B. died in infancy. Mr. Jordon has been a successful farmer. He has added to his possessions by buying land adjoining, and now has 160 acres in a body, which was formerly heavily tim- bered, but a great portion of which is now in a good state of cultivation.

Isaac D. Poorman owns 240 acres on sections 29 and 32, and has been a resident of Union town since t861. He is the eldest son of Jacob N. and Eliza (Babb) Poorman, and was born in Delaware Co., Ind., Sept., 30, 1843. His early

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY

life was spent at school and on the farm, and in 1861 he accompanied his parents to Vernon county. On Nov. 27, 1863, he enlisted in the 2d Wisconsin Cavalry, company G, and served under Gen. Sherman and Maj .- Gen. Thomas nit- til the close of the war. Ile was discharged in December, 1865, and in 1867 was married to Mary A. Smith, also a native of Delaware Co., Ind. He then settled on section 32, where he is engaged in raising grain, especially wheat and clover, and is also deeply interested in the improvement of the stock in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Poorman are the parents of five children-Rosetta May, Ahmeda, Eliza Bird and Alma Bertha, twins, and Brud.

Jacob N. Poorman is a native of the "Key- stone State," and came to Wisconsin in 1861. He located a quarter section of land in this town, forty acres of which are located on sec- tions 21, 22, 27 and 28 respectively. He was born in Franklin Co., Penn., in November, 1821. His father, Daniel Poorman, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and died in 1824. When Jacob was but seven years of age his mother removed to Montgomery Co., Ohio, and in 1840 settled in Delaware Co., Ind. He was there married in 1841 to Eliza Babb, a native of Clinton Co., Ohio. He bought a piece of land in Delaware connty, and cleared up a farm, liv- ing there until 1861. His mother had died in Indiana about 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Poorman have been blessed with thirteen children, nine of whom are living-Mary S., Isaac D., Barbara E , Snsan, Martha J., Laura E., Sarah C., Eli S., Louisa B., William H. and Benjamin F., (twins); Margaret C. and Jacob L. Sarah C. was born Nov. 9, 1850, and died Aug. 26, 1851. Margaret C. was born Nov. 24, 1860, and died April 7, 1861. Martha J. was born March 4, 1848, and died Oct. 13, 1868. Lonisa B. was born Sept. 3, 1854, and died Aug. 23, 1877. Mrs. Poorman departed this life Aug. 7, 1883.

A. James McKitrick settled in Union town in 1861. He was born at Deerfield, Morgan Co., Ohio, Jan, 14, 1838, His younger days were

spent alternately at school and on the farm. He was married in 1859 to Martha A. Berry, born in Deerfield township, Morgan county, Feb. 13, 1842. They remained in their native county until 1861, when they came to Vernon county, and Mr. McKitrick purchased land on sections 17 and 18, building a log cabin ou the former section. He lived in that primitive abode until 1879, when he erected on section 18 lis present residence. He has made extensive improvements on his land, and now owns one of the best farms in the town. Mrs. McKitrick died June 12, 1883, leaving six children-Irwin E., Clarence W., Elva May, Bertrand Dupree, Laura E. and Stella J.

David Sabin settled on his present farm in 1861. He came from Richland county, and purchased land on sections 27 and 28, and im- mediately commenced to clear a farm. He built a good two story hewed log house, which he still occupies. He was born in Washington C'o., Penn., Sept. 17, 1831. When he was eight years old his parents removed to Ohio and set- tled in Knox county, where his mother died four years later. When he was fourteen years old his father removed to Indiana and settled in Blackford county, where he soon after broke up housekeeping, and David then started out for himself. He found employment among the farmers of Delaware county, where he grew to manhood. He was there married in January, 1854, to Matilda Babb, who was born in Clinion Co., Ohio. He bought a farm there, on which they lived until 1858, when he sold and came to Wisconsin and settled in Richland county. lle bought land on Mill creek, built a log house and remained there until 1861, when he sold and came to Bad Ax county, as before stated. Ilis farm now contains 160 acres. They have nine children-William C., John B., Emma H., Eli D., Oliver C., Anna, Daniel A., Mary E., Rose B. and Alla A. Annie was born May 14, 1861, and died Oct 16, 1878.

Lorenzo F. Chesbro settled on his land in 1875. The farm is located on section 9 and

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

when he bought it was covered with timber. He has built a good log house and has cleared quite a large tract. He is a native of this State, born in Calumet county, March 31, 1848. His father, whose name was Nicholas V., was born in Oneida Co., N. Y. He settled in Calumet county in 1844 and was one of the first settlers in that county. He then bought land in the town of Chilton, cleared a farm and now makes that his home. The subject of our sketch was there reared to manhood, receiving his educa- tion in the district schools. He made his home there with his parents until 1870, when he came to Vernon county. He was married in Janu- ary, 1871, to Mary I., daughter of James Mc- Coy. Three children have blessed this union- Lorenzo Franklin, Walter and Charles. His cousin, Henry A., son of Lorenzo F. Chesbro, Sr., was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., March 5, 1860. He attended school there until seven- teen years of age, then went to Pennsylvania with his parents and subsequently lived with them in Kansas and Missouri. He came to Vernon county in 1883 and his since made his home with his cousin, Lorenzo F. Chesbro.

Philip F. Steinmetz, a member of the board of supervisors, has resided here since 1875. He was born in Union Co., Penn., March 7, 1841. He received a fair education in the district schools, supplemented with a course of study at the Lewisburg University. He enlisted Ang. 20, 1862, in company E, 142d regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteers, and was severely wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862. He was sent to the hospital and discharged from the service March 9, 1863, on account of disability. He returned to Pennsylvania and in 1864 located in Sandusky Co., Ohio, and from thence to Seneca county, the same State, where he was married in 1868 to Dorotha Salo- ma Krauss. They remained in Seneca county until 1875, when they came to Vernon county and Mr. Steinmetz purchased the northeast quarter of section Is, town of Union. The land was covered with a heavy growth of timber,

and he has cleared several acres, set out an orchard of apple trees, which have com- menced bearing, also paid some attention to grapes and other small fruit. Mr. and Mrs. Steinmetz are the parents of seven living chil- dren-Mary E., John A., Charles H., Samuel E., William P., Emory A. and Oscar E.

George W. Hamilton settled in this town in 1878. He purchased timber land on sections 19 and 20 and began to clear a farm. He was born in Philadelphia, Penn., June 2, 1826, his father having died one month previous. When nine months old he suffered the loss of his best earthly friend, his mother, and was taken in charge by an aunt, who reared him to manhood. He was sent to the city schools and when ten years of age accompanied his aunt to Delaware Co., Penn., where he reached maturity. At the age of sixteen he commenced serving a four years' apprenticeship at the carpenter trade. When twenty years of age he went to Balti- more, and there worked at his trade until 1846, when he enlisted on board a man-of-war in the service of the United States. At the expiration of his service he returnel to Baltimore and re- sumned work at his trade. In 1850 he went to Ironton, Lawrence Co., Ohio, and opened a store, also driving a wagon and bartering groceries for produce. In 1861 he engaged in the United States' service as wagon-master and served in the same capacity in West Virginia for two years. He then returned to Ironton and resumed business. In 1864 he enlisted in the 173d regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, com- pany K, and was mustered in as commissary sergeant. He was promoted to a second lieu- tenacy, serving in company A nntil July, 1865. when he was discharged and returned to Ohio and settled in Gallia county on land he had pur- chased in 1864. He resumed his trade and also engaged in farming until 1878, when he came to Union town, and now owns 320 acres of land, a large portion of which is cleared. He was married May 26, 1852, to Mrs. Mary A. (Van Horn) Dearmon, widowed wife of George W. Dearmon, born in Ohio. They have two adopted sons-George W. Parnett and Charlie 1I. Eakman. Mrs. Hamilton had five children by her former husband, three of whom are living-John P., Nancy and William A.

HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

675

CHAPTER XLVII.

VILLAGE AND TOWN OF VIROQUA.

A third of a century ago, the beautiful and enterprising village of Viroqua had its origin. While there may be nothing really remarkable in the development of the past, or anything peculiarly striking in the present, still there is much that cannot fail to be of interest to those who have been closely connected and identified with the city in all the various changes that have occurred. To those who have watched the growth and progress from its earliest origin, when Vernon county, then called Bad Ax, was but a wilderness, until the present time, the accomplishment of by-gone days would seem now like a great task, but it is, in fact, the sure and legitimate results of an advanced state of civilization.

Viroqua is situated in the civil town of Viro- una, a little southwest of the center of the county. The village is surrounded by some of the finest and most productive agricultural and stock-raising lands in the western part of the State, which is a guarantee of a permanent and ever increasing trade. This is the terminus of the Viroqua and Sparta branch of the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, and therefore the marketing facilities of the place are fully equal to the necessities of the community.

There are many imposing and substantial brick blocks to be seen upon the business streets and a stroll about the place discloses many fine and elegant residences. The location of Viro- qua, being upon one of the highest eminences in the county, is exceedingly healthy; the inhabi- tants are possessed of high intelligence, and the

society is of the most refined and desirable character.

EARLY DAYS.

When the earliest settlers came upon the site now occupied by the village of Viroqua they found a most inviting spot. As it is expressed by one of the pioneers, the site was a kind of an oak opening, interspersed with large oak trees, scattered irregularly over the surface. Adjacent to the north laid the fertile Round Prairie - as inviting a spot as could be found in the west. The very first settlement upon the site was made by Moses Decker. In 1846 he came here prospecting and selected land which is described as the east half of the south- east quarter of section 32, and the west half of the southeast quarter of section 31, town 13, range 4 west. The same fall his sons Solomon and Reasoner came and erected the first building upon the site of the village. They also did some breaking and began other improvements upon the land. The log cabin which they erected stood about where the door-yard or garden, sur- rounding the present brick cottage of James II. Layne, now is. After attending to these im- provements, the boys returned to Illinois, from whence they had come. In the following year, 1847, the whole family came and moved into the building that had been erected. In 1850 Moses Decker erected another building within a few feet of the first one. This was of hewn logs. Although much improved, having been weather-boarded, this building is still standing, the oldest building in the place. In 1850 Mr. Decker bad the original village sur-

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

veyed and platted into lots and blocks by Sam- uel McMichael. A brief notice of Mr. Decker's life will doubtless be of interest:

Moses Decker, the first settler on the plat of the village of Viroqua, was born in Orange Co., N. Y., of German parentage. He removed with his parents to Muskingum Co., Ohio, when a boy, where he grew to manhood and was inar- riel to Elizabeth Reasoner, subsequently re- moving with his family to Mercer Co., Ill. He had a family of fourteen children, eight of whom, five sons and three daughters, are living. Joseph and Henry, the two eldest sons, reside in Ohio.' Solomon, who had grown to manhood when the family came to Viroqua, and where he lived for many years, is now in California. Lewis R., or "Dede," as he is familiarly known, is in Stevens, Minn. Thomas J., the youngest son, is now in Kansas. The daughters are: Eliza, . J., wife of Ira Stevens, of Victory, in this county; Sarah A. is the wife George Nicholas, of Chain Lakes, Minn., and Elizabeth, wife of Owen Rice, of California.

In the meantime, in 1850, Rufus Dunlap had come from Dane Co., Wis. He brought with him a large family and the remainder of a stock of goods, coming across the country by way of Baraboo, with teams. Ile purchased two acres of ground where the Park Hotel now stands and erected a log building, with two wings. In this building he placed his stock of goods and opened up a hotel or public house. Dunlap's was the first store in Viroqua. He kept dry goods, occasionally groceries, and a stock of crockery ware lasted from the time he went in business until the time of his death in 1858.

In 1850 Orin Wisel came to Viroqua from near Liberty Pole, in the town of Franklin, where he had made a claim. He put up a board shanty a few feet north of where the Tremont Hotel now stands, hauling lumber from the saw mill in the town of Kickapoo. He was a blacksmith by trade, and opened a shop, here, which he continued for a short

time, and then removed to Readstown. He was a strong democrat, quite a politician, and was elected the first county clerk and clerk of the circuit court of Bad Ax county.

During the same year, 1850, Moses Decker erected the old school, meeting and court house, which stood upon lots now occupied by the Wil- liams Block. This little building was the scene of all publie doings in early days; it was used for schools, dances, religions services and as a court house. It is fully described in the chapter upon the courts of the county, the first term of court having been held in it.

In August, 1851, the entire population of the village consisted of the families of Moses Decker, Rufus Dunlap and Orin Wisel.

During this month William F. Terhune, the first educated lawyer in the county, come with his wife and located in the village. Hle at once became a leading spirit among the settlers While the county had been organized, yet the wheels of county goverment had not yet been fairly put in motion. He became a sort of deputy for the county at large, opening the books for the various offices and otherwise perfecting the system of county government. Mrs. Terhune opened a subscription school in the little log court house.

During the same fall, for the accomodation of Judge Terhune, Isaac and Solomon Decker erected a small building about 12x16 feet in size, which stood upon the lot now occupied by the Proctor & Tollefson building. This was the first frame building erected in the village. Judge Terhune occupied the building as a resi- dence during the following winter. This build- ing was afterwards removed to the corner where now stands the Tremont Hotel, and was used as an addition to that building.

In the fall of 1851 William A. Bullard moved into the village and took up his residence here.

During the ensuing spring, of 1852, Henry Nichols, S. C. Lincoln and Gilbert Herrick all moved into the village.

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

During the summer and fall of 1852, the building for years known as the Buckeye House was erected by Terhune & Bullard. This was the first frame building of any size erected in the county. It was constructed of the old tim- ber or barn like frame. A number of the old settlers, among whom were James Foster, S. C. Lincoln, Cyrus Gillett, Rufus Gillett, Gilbert Herrick and others, worked upon the building under the direction of John Longley and W. A. Bullard, who might he called quasi carpenters. In those days there were no genuine carpenters; but any one who could handle a maul or drive a nail, worked at the trade. The lumber was drawn from Readstown, on the Kickapoo, where a saw-mill had been erected by Daniel Read. The building stood upon the corner directly north of the present store of Clarke Brothers. The building was occupied as a tavern with a wing attached for a law office until 1854, when the front part was rented to McAnley & Mc- Cormick for a store. They occupied it for a time, then Bullard sold his interest in the build- ing to Dr. James Rusk, who occupied part of the building and Judge Terhune the balance. This continued until about 1862, when Rush bought Terhune's interest. After the decease of Dr. Rusk, Hon. Carson Graham bought the building and owned it until it was burned to the ground, in 1878. Mrs. Carson Graham still owns the lot upon which the building stood.

Early in the spring of 1853 a man named Trott came to the village and bought the lot which is now occupied by the residence of Mrs. Randall. Upon this he erected a small dwell- ing house; it was frame, boarded up and down and battened.

During 1854 the meagre settlement of Viro- qua received a number of additions. Among those who came were: James E. Newell, Israel and Aaron White, William Huntington, Joseph Buckley, Johnson. Smith, J. B. Glassford, Thomas Crawford and Arza and John Strait J. E. Newell erected a building which sto xl just back of where J. II. Tates store now is. |

Israel White came from Ohio, and died about ten days after his arrival. His son, Aaron, erected a store building upon the corner opposite the Park Hotel; he also purchased a building that had been erected by William Huntington. Joseph Buckley erected a dwelling house where William Taylor now lives, which was destroyed by the tornado. Johnson Smith came in May, 1854, and built a dwelling and store where Layne's machinery depot is now located. J. B. Glassford bought a building that had been erected by Thomas Crawford, and put up a little store upon the lot now occupied by Peter Nelson's grocery. Arza Strait came from Ohio; he erected a little building near the center of block 14. The dingy little room which the building contained, was the scene of many rough times in early days. John Strait came at about the same time as did Arza, and erected a little house where the widow Day now lives. He died there.

Since 1854 the growth of Viroqua has been steady and sure. It has met and out lived all the difficulties which have in times past impeded the growth of this country. The crash of 1857; the hard times of the war during the sixties, and the financial panic and depression of 1873; all marked epochs or mile posts, as it were, in the history of Viroqua, as a village.

In 1879 the railroad was completed to Viro- qua, and since that time the growth of the vil- lage has been very rapid. The track was com- pleted to this place during the latter part of August, and the first train reached here early in September. The citizens indulged in a spirited celebration.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

The starting point in the business life of Viroqua has already been treated at length. For many years the stores were general and all car- ried almost every class of goods, but as the business of Viroqua began to assume larger proportions, the general merchandise began to separate, and the various stores, as a rule, handled one line exclusively. In this connec-

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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 90

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

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