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 95

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 95

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Daniel W. Favor is a son of Jonathan Favor, who settled in Jefferson town, Vernon Co., Wis., where he lived until his death, in July 1854. He was a native of New Hampshire, but came to Vernon county from Illinois. His wife still lives on the homestead. Daniel W. was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1837. He, with his brother Philetus and sister Miner- va, came to Jefferson township in April, making preparations for the family who came the fo !- lowing July. Jonathan Favor exchanged his farm in Illinois for a half seetion of land in Jef- ferson town. Daniel settled on eighty acres of this land, located on section 24, where he lived until 1877, when he removed to his present res- idence, the northeast quarter of section 33,

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

Viroqua town. Ile bought this farm of eighty- three acres of Dr. Tinker. He has a liberal supply of water on his place, having near his res- idence a fine spring of pure, cold water. He also has a fine stone quarry on his place. Mr. Favor was married to Cecelia, daughter of Alexander McConnell, April 23, 1861, an early settler of Jefferson town. They have had ten children, seven sons and three daughters-Cecil P., Oscar D., Lucius U., Loren D., Constantine A., Am- brosia C., Franklin C., Mattie R., William True and Mary E. They were all born in Jef- ferson town with the exception of the two youngest, who were born in Viroqua. Mrs. Favor's father remained here but a few years, returning to Indiana, his former residence. He died in Noble county, that State, May 4, 1879.

E S. Goodell was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1847. He removed to Marquette Co., Wis., with his parents, in 1851. In 1870 he engaged in the livery business in Viroqua, which busi- ness he continues to conduct. Ife was mar- ried to Helen Brown, whose father was an early settler in Greenwood township. His father, Merchant Goodell, came to Viroqua town with his family in 1855, settling on sec- tion 8 and removed to the village of Viroqua, in 1872, where he died July 29,1883. The fol- lowing notice we clip from one of the Viroqua papers:

Merchant Goodell was born at Charleston, Mass., Sunday, Sept. 4, 1808, and would there- fore have been seventy-five years of age if he had lived till the 4th day of next September. He removed to New York State in 1840, and from thence to Marquette Co., Wis., in 1851, where he resided over three years, coming to Viroqua and settling in the northern part of the town, in 1855. In 1834 he was united in marriage to Miss Janette Comstock, and four children were born to them, three of whom are living.

Mr. Goodell was in every respect a good man. During his long life he "did unto others as he would have them do unto him." He was

a member of the Methodist Church and a con- sistent Christian. His life was a pure and hon- orable one, upon which there was no stain. He enjoyed the friendship and respect of every one who knew him, for he was a good citizen, a true friend and a kind neighbor. His aged partner, with whom he had traveled the path- way of life so many years, and his sorrowing children have the sympathy of the whole com- munity in their loss.

W. F. Lindemann is one of the earliest settler of Viroqua, and one of its most promi- nent and successful business men. He is at present engaged in the banking business with Gov. J. M. Rusk, and also in mercantile pursuits. He owns a fine farm of 560 acres on sections 19 and 20, of the town of Viroqua, and is extensively engaged in ra sing fine stock. Mr. Lindemann was born in Prussia, Dec. 30, 1832. He came to the United States in November 1850, landing at New Orleans, La. He went to St. Louis, Mo., and from thence to Johnstown, Penn., where a brother-in-law was then residing. Ilis next move was to St. Paul, Minn., and in 1855, he came to Vernon county. He was first employed as a clerk in the store owned by Keeler & Capon. This firm's name was afterwards changed to Keeler & Mc- Michael. In 1858 he become partner of II. Greve, his brother-in-law, he being the successor to Keeler & McMichael. In 1861 he sold out his interest to Mr. Greve and moved on a farm in the town of Sterling, Vernon county and returned to Viroqna in 1862, and in 1863, he em- barked in the mercantile trade for himself. In 1868, he went to Sparta, in this State, and there engaged in mercantile pursuits, but was burned out one and a half years later, and re- turned to Viroqna. Mr. Lindemann was united in marriage to Rebecca Eckees, a native of Ohio. They are the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter-Henry, born in May, 1859, (is cashier of the bank,) Albon, born in May, 1862, is clerking in the store,

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY

Regina, born Dec. 1, 1864, and Wille, born March 30, 1874

John MeCInrg was born in Mercer Co., Penn, in 1805, where he grew to manhood. He was married to Jemima Booth, born in Ohio. Ile came to Vernon county from Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 1855. He purchased his farm of Noah Garrett, who died in the Union service during the war. It is situated on section 27, Viroqua town, and was originally owned by Jona- than Hay. Mr. and Mrs. McClurg have had eight children, six sons and two daughters- Mary Jane, Mrs Jesse Garrett, (deceased,) John B., residing in Sterling town, James, died in the war at Long Island, Manassah, died in . the hospital at HI lena, Ark., while in the ser- vice, Nancy, wife of W. S. Moore, Seth, who reside- in this town, was also in the service, Lu- ther, also enlisted, but died before entering the army, Sylvanus, who resides in Washington territory. In 1858 Mrs. McClurg died, and in July, 1859, Mr. McClurg married Mrs. Martha J. Payne, widow of Uri Payne. She was born in Lisle town, Broome Co., N. Y., in 1827, and was married in that State to Mr. Payne, com- ing to this county Sept 8, 1856. Mr. Payne died Jan. 3, 1857, of typhoid fever. He had not yet made a settlement. A son, George, died a short time previous to his father. Mr. and Mrs. McClurg have had three daughters, only one of whom is living-Eva, born in Viro- qua town. Mrs. McClurg has lost two children by her first marriage.

William T. McConnell was born in Muskin- gum Co., Ohio, in 1817. He removed with his parents. to LaGrange Co., Ind., in 1831. He removed to Vernon (then Bad Ax) county, June 29, 1855. In the fall of 1854, with his brother, Alexander, he had purchased nearly 1,000 acres of land, lying mostly in Jefferson town. They also purchased a saw mill there, with the inten- tion of manufacturing lumber. William T., however, sold his interest in the mill to his brother Alexander, who operated it for several years. Subsequently they sold this tract of

land to different parties. Mr. McConnell's first settlement in Wisconsin was in Crawford county, where he bought a half interest in a grist mill. Hle afterwards exchanged this for a farm in Jefferson town, on which he resided until 1882, when he came to Viroqua village and engaged in the grocery business. Mr. MeCon- nell, during his agricultural life, paid mueb at- tention to the cultivation of fruit, being one of the earliest, as well as one of the most success- ful fruit growers in Vernon county. He ex- perimented with various kinds of fruit trees for the purpose of discovering those best adapted to this region. He made the cultivation of apples a specialty, and the many premiums which he received is evidence of his success in fruit growing. Mr. McConnell took great in- terest in the organization and success of the Vernon County Agricultural Society, of which he was the presiding officer for several years. He was also its secretary one year, and treasurer a number of years. He is highly respected and esteemed as an upright and honorable citizen. Politically, Mr. McConnell is a democrat. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors, and has several times been a candidate for ofhee, but while he has generally run ahead of his ticket, his party has been too much in the mi- nority to elect him. He has been twice married. llis first wife was Rhoda Moses. She died in Indiana. He subsequently married Sarah A. Caldwell, a native of Virginia. She died in August, 1882. Hle has two children by his first wife-Marshall A., who resides near Sioux Falls, Dak., and Rhoda. He has three children by his second wife- Homer, of Sioux Falls, Dak., Ag- nes and Ellen.

Hiram Moody was born in Waldo Co., Maine, in 1813. In the fall of 1817 he removed with his parents to Morgan Co., Ohio, where his father, Nathan Moody, resided till his death. He came to this county as early as 1853, enter- ing at that time, 800 acres of timber land in Webster and Clinton towns. In 1855 he located on land in Jefferson town, part of which he

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

still owns. He has a farm of 120 acres in Jef- ferson town and also owns considerable prop- erty in the village of Viroqua, on which he now resides. He married Sarah Longstreth, born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 1813. They have five children-James C., Catharine, Mar- tha J., Nathan E. and Abigail. They lost one son-Bartholomew. Mr. Moody enlisted in the 14th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was transferred to the 3d Iowa Battery, and died while in the service at Corinthi, Miss. One son, J. C. Moody, enlisted in company I, 6th Wis- consin regiment, where he attained especial honors for bravery. Our subjeet also enlisted in the 18th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, serving a full term of three years.

Nathan E. Moody is a son of Hiram Moody. He was born in Perry Co., Ohio, in 1849. In 1855 he came with his parents to Vernon county. He is engaged in the manufacture of brick at Viroqua. Brick had been manufac- tured from an early period in the history of this town, but the present yard was established in 1874. It has been operated by different in- dividnals, and has been quite an important feature since the advent of railroads. The quality of the briek is good, and their dura- bility has been proven by long use. Mr. Moody has had charge of the yard since 1878. In 1882 he manufactured 300,000 brick, supplying home trade only. There is but one other brick yard in Vernon county, located at Hillsbor- ough. Mr. Moody married Martha, daughter of Rev. James A. Cook, born in Viroqna town in 1852. They have two children-Bertha and Jessie They lost two daughters-Blanche and Edith, both of whom died when five years of age.

father, Michael Weleh, was a native of county Cork, Ireland, where he was married, and with his family went to London. From London he eame to the United States, to secure a home for his family, which he left behind him. He se- cured work near Philadelphia, Penn., where he remained several years. He sent for his family about 1820. In the mean time, his wife had died. He removed with his children to llarri- son Co., Ohio, and thence to Perry county in the same State, where he died in 1857, at the age of seventy-eight years. He married again after coming to this country ; had four chil- dren by first marriage and three by his second union. Mr. Weleh is the only survivor of the first children. On coming to this county in 1855 he purchased 200 acres of land, where he now lives, of Mr. Conkling. Very little im- provement had been made upon the place, a few acres only being under cultivation and a log house had been built by Mr. Conkling. All other improvements have been made by Mr. Welch. He has now 340 acres well improv d, and is regarded as one of the most successful farmers of the town of Viroqua. His wife was Barbara Coher, born in Columbiana Co., Ohio She is a sister of the wife of Jeremiah Cona- way, one of the early settlers of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Welch have had six children, five of whom are living-John, a publie lecturer ; George, Mrs. Rebecea Ellsworth, Christopher and James. They lost one daughter-Mrs. Catharine Rogers.

Israel Williams came to Viroqua town, Ver- non Co., Wis., with his family in 1855. Ile was a native of Connecticut, where he was born in 1799. He removed when a young man to New York State, where he married Harriet Rockwood, born in Herkimer county. In 1837 they removed to Walworth Co., Wis , settling in Spring Prairie town, being among the earliest settlers of that county. They came from there to this county, as before stated, in They did not survive long after coming

One of the successful farmers of the town of Viroqua is Michael Weleh, who resides on section 10, town 12 north, of range 4 west, where he located in June, 1855. He bought his farm the previous winter of Abner Conkling. Mr. Welch was born of Irish parents, in the : 1855 city of London, England, May 16, 1816. Ilis to this county, Mr. Williams dying in 1856,

I. W. Blake

THE NEW YORK PUDIAC LIBRARY

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

and his wife the year following. They had nine children, seven of whom are living-Caro- line, wife of J. I. Taylor ; George 11., Clarke D., Howard D., Louise, wife of E. A. Rogers ; Amanda, wife of Col. E. M. Rogers, and Frank E. Two sons, Clarke D. and Howard D., are residents of the village of Viroqua, and are among her prominent business men. But one daughter resides here, Mrs. E. M. Rogers.

Clarke D. Williams was born in Walworth Co., Wis., in 1837. He came to Vernon county with his parents. In 1859 he went to Califor- nia, residing there and in Nevada for ten years, returning in 1869, since which time he has been engaged in farming and in merchandising. He married Sarah V. Jewell, daughter of J. 11. Jewell. They have three children-Florence V., George J. and Le Roy J.

Howard D. Williams was born in Walworth C'o., Wis., in 1839. He spent several years in New York State, after which he came to this county. Ile is a member of the mercantile firm of Rogers, Henry & Williams, He mar ried Mrs. Sarah C. Tourgee, widow of Charles Tourgee. They have one son-Frank, born in Franklin town. She has a daughter by her firs: husband-Emma Tourgee.

William Bowman was born in Perry Co .: Ohio, in 1825. His father, Thomas Bowman, came to Vernon county with his family in 1856. He lived in Viroqua town but a year or two, when he removed to Missouri, and from thence to Iowa, where, in 1881, he died. He was twice married. He had six children by his first wife, and nine by his second. William is the only one of his father's family who resides in Vernon county. Like many other carly settlers he came here poor, but by industry and economy he has secured a competency. The farm on which he resides, on section 21, contains 160 acres, uuder a good state of cultivation. Ile also owns 200 acres of land elsewhere in the town. He was married in Ohio to Grizelle Crawsky. They have eight children, four sons and four daughters-Mary E., wife of Sebastian Silbaugh;

Thomas J., Rebecca E., wife of H. Anderson; Jerome, Erastns, Violetta, William and Sarah E. Samuel died at the age of twenty-five years,

Amos W. Green came to Vernon Co., Wis., in 1856, settling on section 27, Viroqua town, where he resided two years. He purchased his present farm in 1864, of Joseph Brothers. It contains 101 acres on seetion 33. Ile also has 160 acres of land on section 35, this town. Mr. Green was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1833, where he was married to Mary E , daughter of Joshua Ady, born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1837. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter-Minnie J. She is a daughter of Thomas Ady, of Jefferson town. Mr. Green is the only member of his family in this county. He has two sisters in Monroe Co., Wis. Mrs. Green has a brother, Thomas, in Jefferson town, and a sister, Mis. Elijah Tilton, in this town. Jesse Green, father of Amos W., was a native of Maine. He came to Vernon county in 1857, settling on a farm adjoining that now owned by his son, which is now the prop- erty of Marion Henry. He subsequently re- moved to Sparta, where he died in 1882. His wife died while in Viroqua town in 1876.

Mrs. Martha A. (Sabin) Hall is the reliet of Ralph Hall, who with his family came to "Vernon county in October, 1856, and settled on seetion 5, town 12 north, of range 4 west, where Mrs. Hall with her family still resides. Mr. Hall purchased the farm of Oscar Henry. He was born in England in 1830, and came to the United States in July, 1843, with his parents, who settled in Cook Co., Ill. He was married in Illinois in 1851, to his present widow, Mar- tha A. Sabin. Mr. Hall died July 6, 1872. His father, George Ilall, died in Illinois. His mother came to Viroqua in the fall of 1865, where she still resides. Mr. Hall was a highly respected and industrious citizen; was a eharter member of the Vernon County Agricultural Society, and was also for some time treasurer I of that organization, and was also at one time

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

chairman of the town board of Viroqua. Mrs. Hall was born near Cleveland, Ohio, in October, 1830. Her parents, Sylvester and Phebe Hall, settled in Cook Co., Ill., in 1841, where they lived till their decease. Mrs. Ilall has three children-Phebe A., wife of Henry McDermott, was born in Cook Co., Ill .; Ananias, born in the town of Viroqua, in De- cember, 1858, and John, born in 1868. She still resides on the homestead farm, which con- tains 140 acres.

Nathaniel Morrison is one of the settlers of 1856, having settled on section 8, town 12, range 4 west, in June of that year. Ile is not only one of the early settlers, but is also one of the most aged citizens, having been born in 1804. in Guernsey Co., Ohio, where he resided until coming to Vernon county. His father, Hans Morrison, was a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Morrison was married, in Ohio, to Charlotte Havens, born in Pennsylvania. She died Sept. 22, 1866. He has had nine children, five of whom are living-Elisha, Robert B., Alexander C., Nathaniel and John, all of whom, with the exception of Nathaniel, who lives in Kansas, live in Vernon county. Alexander served in the army during the war, enlisting Ang. 14, 1862, in company A, 25th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and serving until the close of the war. HIe married Sarah, daughter of F. K. Van Wag- ner, an early settler of Franklin town. Nathaniel enlisted, in 1863, in the 35th Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. Mr. Morrison lost two children who had arrived at maturity-Mary Ann, who married Justice Smith; he died of disease contracted in the army; Margaret, who married Oliver C. Smith. Mr. Morrison still owns his original farm of 200 acres. He was a member of the town board for nine year. He is connected with the Christian Church.

Earl M. Rogers, of Rogers, Henry & Wil- liams, merchants of Viroqua, has been a resi- dent of Vernon county since May 1, 1856, when lie located at Liberty Pole. Col. Rogers was

born in Wayne Co., Penn., in 1839. His father, Clayton Rogers, settled with his family in Crawford Co., Wis., in 1850. In 1860 Col. Rogers crossed the plains to the mountains, but returned in 1861, to enter the Union army. Ile enlisted in company I, 6th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry in June, 1861, and was made a lientenant in December, 1861. Ile was for one year aid-de-camp to Brig .- Gen. Wadsworth, and on the death of that gallant officer, served in the same capacity with Brig .- Gen. Bragg. Ile was severely wounded, June 18, 1864, in the as- sault on the works of Petersburg but, returning to the army in October served till April, 1865. In 1867 he re-entered the army, receiving a commission as lieutenant in the 3d United States Infantry; served two years in frontier service, and resigned to return to Vernon county. He then embarked in mercantile pursnits at Liberty Pole, and in 1872 came to Viroqua, en- gaging in business under the firm name of Rogers & Ilenry. In the fall of 1880 the present firm was formed under the firm name of Rogers, Ilenry & Williams. Col. Rogers married Amanda, daughter of Israel Williams. They are the parents of three children-Edith, Henry and Edward.

C. C. Brown has been dealing in furniture in Viroqua since 1867. Ile carries quite an ex- tensive stock, and, as this is the only furniture store of any importance in Vernon county, his trade is naturally very large and lucrative. Mr. Brown was born in Oakfield, Perry Co., Ohio, in 1844. Ilis father, James Brown, came to Vernon Co., Wis., in 1856. He was a native of Maryland, and by occupation a surveyor. Ile found plenty of work to do in the new country, and was soon made county surveyor. With the proceeds of his labors, he bought a farm in the town of Greenwood, where he resided till his death, in 1878. His widow is a native of Bloody Run, Penn., and now resides in Viroqna. C. C. Brown resided in his native State until May. 1857, when he joined his father's family in this country. Ile married Dora Graff, a native of

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

Illinois. Her father died when she was but a small child, and she subsequently lived for a number of years at Viroqua with her grandfather, Moses Decker, one of the well-known pioneers of Vernon county. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two children-Otto and Bennie.

Levi R. Gaines resides on seetion 32, ad- joining the town plat of Viroqua. He was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1833, and was reared amid the refining influences and ingen- ious productions of the Nutmeg State. In 1852, he left New England manners and convention- alities, and sought a new home at Kenosha, Wis., among the frank, practical and pleas- ant inhabitants of the Beaver State. His father, Theodore Gaines, came to Viroqua, with his family, in 1856, and died there May 31, 1862. Levi followed his father's family the next year (1857) and has since been a resident of Vernon county. He early learned the carpenter trade, and erected many of the earlier private resi- denees and public buildings of Viroqua, inelud- ing the Congregational and Methodist church edifices. Since 1869 Mr. Gaines has been engaged in selling sewing machines and musi- eal instruments. He resides in a pleasant home just withont the limits of the village, and also owns a farm in the town of Webster. He married Cornelia, daughter of A. C. Stevens, born in Oswego Co., N. Y. Four children were born to this union, two sons and two daughters. The former are living and named Eugene and Edward.

John W. Aikins was born in Vernon Co., Wis., in July, 1859. Hle resides on seetion 8, Viroqua town, on a farm purchased by his father, Daniel Aikins, of William Beabout. A sketch of Daniel Aikins will be found else- where. Mr. Aikins was married to Ella, a daughter of Capt. R. S. MeMichael, of Viro- qua. They have two children-Walter L. and Cora. His farm contains 120 acres.

I. W. Blake is a contractor and builder, and a member of the firm of Blake & Co., lumber dealers. Mr. Blake is also a carpenter by trade,

and many of the private and public buildings of Viroqua show evidence of his handiwork. He was born in Bristol Co., Mass., in 1838, and when a young man went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he served an apprenticeship to the car- penter trade. In 1859, he came still further west, and located in the town of Wheatland, where he found work at his trade. On the breaking out of the war, he immediately re- turned to New' England, and enlisted as a private in the 12th regiment, Maine Volunteers serving three years and three months. The regiment was first attached to the command of Maj .- Gen. Butler and afterward to that of Maj .- Gen. Banks. He participated in all the important engagements of the southwest, and at the siege of Port Hudson performed an aet of valor which gained for him the admira- tion of both friend and foe, and deserves special mention in this work. The two armies were resting in their entrench- ments after a temporary repulse of our forees from an attack on the enemy. They were but a few rods apart and within short range of musketry. Many of the sorely wounded lay writhing and groaning under the "broiling sun, in the narrow space that separated the combat- ants. One poor comrade in partienlar was mortally wounded, and eried piteously for a drink of water, to allay his burning thirst. Mr. Blake listened to his pleadings but a short time, and could stand it no longer. He volun- teered to make an attempt to relieve him, although the sufferer lay just before the rebel fortifications, and within easy range of their guns. Filling a canteen with fresh water, he cautiously emerged from behind the intreneh- ments, and seereting himself behind the dead bodies of his comrades, he erawled slowly to- ward the wounded man. He had passed over about half of the intervening distance, when he chaneed to look toward the enemy, and found an unbroken line of rebel muskets staring him in the face. He was hailed by one of the enemy, and asked if he was wounded. Think-

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

ing to gain time and possibly further progress, he replied in the affirmative, but on second thought concluded to face the danger, if any, at once. He boldly arose to his fect, and rely- ing upon his errand of mercy for respite from danger, swiftly sprang to the side of his com- rade. The poor fellow swallowed the contents of the canteen, and in a faint voice thanked his benefactor for his kindness. Mr. Blake was seized with a desire to drag the wounded man back to the friendly intrenchments, but he was too badly wounded to endure the kindly meant but rough treatment. By this time, the enemy were wild with excitement, and scores of guns were nervously and threateningly handled to compel the audacious "yank" to surrender. He looked around, and seeing no alternative, cooly marched over and gave himself up as a prisoner of war. When the enemy learned that the poor soldier whom he had supplied with water at the risk of his own life was not a brother, as they had supposed, but a perfect stranger to his benefactor, they were strnek with admiration for their brave captive, and treated him with due respect. He was kept in confinement until the capitulation of the enemy. The wounded soldier was subsequently identified as Sergeant Hall, a resident of Monroe Co., Wis., living near

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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 95

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

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