History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 108

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 998

USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth County, Wisconsin > Part 108

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

NICHOLAS M. HARRINGTON,* Delavan. The personal history of this gentleman is worthy of record and a fixed place in the annals of the earlier days of Wisconsin's mergence from her once barbaric state, when the stalwart Winnebago occupied, or later, when the wily chieftain, Black Hawk, invaded her territory to wrest it from the intruding white man. Mr. Harrington may be ranked with the class called " self-made men," but his career through life thus far illustrates more than the common meaning of that appellation in its ordinary applica- tion: for, from his boyhood, he has stood aloof and far above what usually are regarded irresis- tible influencing surroundings: and it is this strongly marked feature of his character, without apparent studied effort or ostentation, as best known to his boyhood acquaintances, that renders the history and progress of his life of peculiar value to those of coming generations who would be directed by example, and what has been and what may be achieved, as a rule and guide for life efforts and duties, rather than by the laggard plea and defense of " destiny " and " fixed fate." Mr. Harrington, therefore, stands before his generation, and is an example to those who follow-as, from first effort, establishing himself on a pedestal of elevated moral principle and always cultivating order and system in his habits; thus acquiring, as a result, perfect mastery over inclination, passion, and the directing attributes of organization, physical and mental, until he has been able to subordinate all to a rational control of judgment. and, really, a pleas- urable direction in the line of duties, that has marked his manhood and career. It is in this light that his history is of special valne to the coming man, as strikingly illustrative of what one may do for and of themselves when once imbued with a love of being right, and an ambition to climb the hill of life among those to be known and valued for their virtues and successes, always assuming, as a rule for himself. that the "individual is wholly responsible for the use made of the talents with which he is endowed, and that the seed of usefulness is in his own hands." Mr. Harrington was born in Rhode Island, at West Greenwich, July 15, 1815, and was the son of David Harrington and Amy Andrews, the widow of William Corey, a sea Captain. His paternal ancestors on both sides were fugitives from religious persecution under Cromwell in the seventeenth century, and settled in Smithfield, R. I. They and their descendants par- ticipated in the French and Indian wars and the Revolution. Two brothers and a near relative on his father's side were engaged in the opening fight for independence at Lexington, and two of them were killed, viz., Jonathan and Caleb Harrington. (See Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution, Vol. I. p. 554.) The whole race of emigrants and descendants seem marked with courage, good, strong common sense and sound judgment, and vigorous intellects. In 1817, Mr. Harrington became a resident of the town of Potter, Yates Co., N. Y., by the emigration of his parents in connection with his maternal grandparents and family, Mr. Samuel Andrews. Here he spent his youth and early manhood, cultivating his mind by every means within his limited reach, and achieving a marked character for earnest yet consistent love of duty, and a faithful discharge of it, both to himself and others; hence he became a man without vicious or demoralizing habits, and with principles fixed in heart and habit. His early educational ad- vantages were very limited, his attendance at school not being more than one year, previous to his 19th birthday. At this time, he began teaching at $11 per month, an occupation which he

*Written by the Hon. 'R. H. Williams, of the State of New York.

700

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

continued during seven winters and two summers. During this time, he attended the Yates County Academy, and the Franklin Academy, of Prattsburgh, N. Y., and. by close application to his studies, in and out of school, acquired a good English education and some knowledge of Greek and Latin. He has all through his life been devotedly attached to books of the best authors, and, with his first earned 50 cents, invested it in a three-months' subscription to a newspaper. In 1843, he became an inhabitant of the Territory of Wisconsin, making Delavan, then an in- fantile hamlet, his first stopping-place, and soon fixed upon it as his permanent home, and en- tered into business life under the firm name of Harrington & Monell, as merchants, his partner being J. D. Monell, Jr .. of Hudson, N. Y. Subsequently, he assumed the whole business, and pursued it to a successful issue in the year 1850, when he retired from this line of business and devoted his time and attention to travel, and afterward to banking, insurance, and varions agen- cies and speculative purchases, and sale of real estate, in which he has been eminently success- ful, never having failed to meet his business engagements to a day for the whole period of his business career, and rendering universal satisfaction to those who committed business trusts to his hands; yet thus careful and exact in his dealings, no fair man will charge him with mean- ness or oppression, while his neighbors award him universal respect. With regard to ambitious aspirations for public positions, he disclaims any lack of appreciation of the honors, but says that the people can find just as good servants for less pay than he can afford to abstract his services and skill from his own affairs, and therefore has occupied comparatively but few pub- lic positions, except where constrained to do so from a conscious obligation, and in those only where the emolument was nothing, or nominal, and that, too, without regard to the responsi- bility or labor involved: hence he gave his services to the Deaf and Dumb Institute, located at Delavan, for fourteen years, as Trustee. Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary, and his best fostering care, without salary, and until this asylum of mercy had gained a hold upon the charities of the State that now carries it along triumphantly. He also accepted the office of Postmaster under the administration of Franklin Pierce, unsolicited. for the purpose of obtain- ing additional mail facilities for Delavan at this time-1853-when there were but three mails each week from the East, and three from the West, making a tri-weekly mail. So effectnal were his efforts and influence with the Post Office Department that, in one and one-half years after his acceptance of the post office, Delavan could boast of forty-six mails each week. When these additional weekly. semi-weekly and daily mails were secured, he resigned the office of Postmaster. In this connection it seems quite proper to say that Mr. Harrington is an admitted attorney at law in the courts of the State, which, with his other business qualifications emi- nently fit him for the intelligent discharge of all duties assumed. In politics, he is usually associated with the Democracy, but in the late war period he lent his influence earnestly to the

preservation of the Union. He holds decided religious opinions, and is a zealous member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and also a Freemason of a high order, to which institution he is strongly and conscientiously attached. Socially, he has few superiors; ever ready to draw, from all rational sources, knowledge and pleasure, he gratefully contributes, in return, from his exhaustless fund of carefully collected facts and points of history and interest, to the pleasure and profit of those about him. In his domestic relations, his treasure of a wife with him presides over the household in genial unison, and their home is the seat of domestic peace, plenty and happiness, without excess or stint. For some years, they have mutually devoted their first care and attention to the rearing and education of their four children, viz., three sons and one daughter: and, for the purpose of training his sons to practical business duties, Mr. Harrington has to some extent resumed merchandising, and now, since he has passed his sixth decade, is engaged in establishing himself and family permanently at a rural home one and one- half miles distant from the village, which shall embrace the practical facilities of farm life with that of cultivated moral taste and freedom from fancied town life restraints. To this end is he occupied in the erection of a country residence and outbuildings that shall vie with any in the State for taste, convenience and practical uses, and with other improvements of lawn and soil to correspond, and render it a success, both agriculturally and artistically. This, he says, is to be the climax of his ambition, and to this end he is sparing neither skill nor money, and, when consummated, it will compare favorably with any place in the State for its combination of taste, convenience and utility. Another feature of Mr. Harrington's character is an ardent love of his

701

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

kindred and friends, never forgetting and never failing to extend an up-lifting aid to their ne- cessities and deficiencies, that seems almost by intuition to elevate and advance them above the plane of their ordinary personal dependence, and place them where hope and prosperity bear them onward. It is with a most commendable pride that he points to scores of individuals whose lives and fortunes verify this fact, and that, too, without an instance where the ends do not more than justify the means and affirm the value and blessing of an elevating hand and spirit. His sympathies have always been deeply engaged in the welfare of the weak and those in distress, and for the aid of all such his labors have never been withheld. It is no purpose of the writer to eulogize or flatter the subject of this life sketch beyond the statement of simple facts, and from them find evidences that confirm and bear out the philosophy of his life rule. viz .: "Sys tem in all things that we do, a hearty, honest purpose to attain a higher and better and more perfect plane of human usefulness than from whence we start, and, by patient industry and per- severance, secure success." Such has been his course, his aim and faith, and the results are before the world; yet, with all this, I would not claim that he is not without eccentricities, pe- culiarities, and even faults-for who that is human is? His is a life and he a sample of what consistent effort. directed by correct principles, may aim at and hope for. Mr. Harrington has been thrice married: his two first wives died in early wedded life, without children; therefore it is with his present companion, the mother of his children, that his paternal ties have been formed, and, by mutual bearing and forbearing, a most genial unity has been maintained and cemented, and which, doubtless, largely contributes to secure results so favorably distinguish- ing their lives and condition. Mrs. Harrington's maiden name was Catharine M. Crosby, daughter of Eber Crosby, a descendant of Enoch Crosby, alias Harvey Burch, Cooper's Spy of the Revolution. She was born at Patterson, Putnam Co., N. Y., Oct. 27, 1825, and is a lady of culture and sterling qualities, and a most fitting balance and aid to her husband. Mr. Har- rington is now a Justice of the Peace for the town of Darien, where he now resides at his country home.

ELIAS HARRIS, carpenter and joiner, settled in the town of Delavan in March, 1846. He was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., July, 1819; is the son of Joseph Harris; moved to Gene- see County, where he lived thirteen years, and from there to Erie County, near Buffalo. In 1838, he went to Will Co., Ill., and resided at Plainfield till March, 1846, when he came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Delavan. In the fall of 1852, he began work in Delavan as a carpenter and builder, which he has continued to this date. He was married, in the win- ter of 1838, to Miss Harriet Southwell. They had three children, none of whom are living. Mrs. Harris died in 1868. Mr. Harris was married to his present wife, whose maiden name was Miss Rachel, daughter of Deacon John Reader, Jan. 17, 1870. Mrs. Harris was born in Walworth, Wis., of which town her people were early pioneers. See sketch of her father. Since 1854, Mr. Harris has resided in the village of Delavan.

JAMES B. HEMINWAY, M. D., physician and surgeon; practice established in Delavan in 1856. He was born in Shrewsbury, Rutland Co., Vt., March 7, 1820; is the son of Sewell and Polly Bullard Heminway; was educated at Castleton Medical College, Fair Haven, Vt., and at Ludlow, Vt., studied medicine with Middleton Goldsmith, of Vermont, taking a regular course of lectures, and began practice of his profession. After practicing six years, he attended three courses of lectures at the Castleton Medical College, Vermont, and graduated in 1855; continued to practice at Middleton till 1856, when he came to Wisconsin and established him- self in practice at Delavan, which he has continued to this date, or during a period of twenty- five years. He was married, at Ira, Vt., Jan. 26, 1843, to Miss Mary Harrington, daughter of Joshua Harrington and sister of Judge C. B. and Philander Harrington, of Burlington, Iowa. They had two daughters. The older, Mary M., was born May 26, 1846, died when 2 years of age; Lillie H. was born Oct. 29, 1849; was married to S. M. Parish, of Chicago, Jan. 20, 1869. Dr. Heminway has been a member of the School Board several years, and President of the vil- lage of Delavan four years. He is the present physician of the State Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Delavan, having been appointed from time to time for many years.

N. W. HOAG, proprietor of Delavan, Clinton and Elkhorn elevator, and dealer in grain and live stock; business established in 1875. He was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., Aug. 24, 1835; is the son of Enoch I. and Sarah Wing Hoag. He came to Wisconsin in 1856, and

702

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

located at Darien, Walworth Co., where he was engaged in mercantile business, also grain and lumber business, till 1872, when he closed out and moved to Door County and engaged in the lumber business there: three years later, he sold out and moved to Delavan, built the elevator which he is now operating, and engaged in his present business. The elevator has a capacity of 50.000 bushels. Mr. Hoag handles about five hundred thousand bushels of grain annually. He was married, at Darien, to Miss Laura A. Dodge, daughter of Leander Dodge. Mrs. Hoag was born in Genesee Co., N. Y. They have three children. The oldest, Frank D., is book- keeping in Chicago; Henry S. is engaged in the live stock business at Delavan; the youngest is a daughter, Gertie W. Mr. Hoag has served eleven years in succession as Town Clerk of Darien, Wis.

WILLIAM HOLLINSHEAD, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Elkhorn: has 420 acres of land; set- tled in the county June 20, 1837, on the farm on which he now lives; he was born near Strouds- burg, Northampton Co. (now Momoe), Penn., Sept. 3, 1806; he is the son of James and Sarah Hollinshead: was brought up a farmer and came to Wisconsin in 1837; early in July, located on the Goverment land in Sec. 3. town of Delavan; went East in 1842; was married, in Stroudsburg, Penn., June 20 of that year, to Miss Caroline, daughter of James and Deborah Bur- son: Mrs. Hollinshead is a native of Stroudsburg; they have one daughter, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Herman A. Briggs, residing at her old home. Mr. Hollinshead has held various town offices in the town of Delavan, and leader in advancing the agricultural interests of the county: in 1880, he retired from active farm business, having turned his farm over to his son-in-law, Mr. Briggs. Though not an aspirant for public office, Mr. Hollinshead has always been influential in local matters; by his intelligence and purity of character, has commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens.

C. N. HOLLISTER, retired farmer. His farm comprises 700 acres, lying mostly in Da- rien, of which town Mr. Hollister was an early settler -June 10, 1839. He is the son of Kinner and Mary Winchel Hollister; was born in Olive, Ulster Co., N. Y., Dec. 11, 1808; when quite young, moved to Dryden, Tompkins Co., with his parents, where he was brought up a farmer. He was married in that county, May 7, 1837, to Maria C. Latimer. Mrs. Hollister was born in Ulster Co., N. Y. One child was born to them in the State of New York-Uriah S., now mar- ried to Emma Morrison, and living at St. Paul, Minn. In June, 1839, Mr. Hollister and fam- ily moved to Wisconsin and located on Sec. 5, Darien, Walworth Co., where he resided twenty- seven years, and then moved to Delavan. Six children were born to them while living in Dar- ien. Kinner N. married Frances MI. Tilden, and is a merchant of Delavan; Eugene B. married Nellie V. Jones, resides at Delavan; Helen L. died in infancy: Lillian, now Mrs. A. H. Ken- drick, of Delavan; Warren C. is an employe of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad; Elmer L. is a student of the Chicago Medical College.

EDWARD B. HOLLISTER, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Delavan; has 120 acres; was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., Nov. 23, 1825; is the son of Seth L. and Catharine Hollister; came to Wisconsin in 1842. arriving in Delavan Nov. 13. He took up a quarter-section of land on Sec. 24, subsequently deeded 80 acres of it to his father, who came to Delavan some years later. He was married, in Geneva, Wis., May 24, 1849, to Miss Harriet Eaton, daughter of Francis Eaton. Mrs. Hollister was born in Erie Co., N. Y. They have three children- Jehial E., of Chicago; Adelia, of Geneva, and Albert. The latter married Ida Burdick, and resides at Delavan. Mr. Hol- lister, though never conspicuous in public affairs, is well and favorably known in the county as a worthy citizen, and at home as a genial, kind-hearted neighbor and friend.

HENRY G. HOLLISTER, farmer and proprietor of livery stable; business established July, 1875. He has resided in Delavan since 1871; was bore in Perry. Wyoming Co., N. Y., May 19, 1826; is the son of Seth L. and Catharine Brigham Hollister. In 1843, he came to Wisconsin and located on a farm in the town of Delavan, Walworth Co., Secs. 13 and 14, where he still has a farm of 280 acres. In 1871, he moved to the village of Delavan and engaged in the butchering and live-stock business. During 1874 and 1875, he was interested in buying and shipping horses. In 1875, he entered into partnership with Mr. C. W. Phelps in the livery business; continued that connection till May, 1880, since which time he has conducted the business alone. He was married, at Elkhorn, Dec. 21, 1848, to Miss Mary Ann Mallory, daugh- ter of Henry Mallory. They have had four children-Seth H., John H., Pemelia and Ella.

D.E. Halterau

705

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

John H. married Miss May Howe, and lives in Iowa; Pemelia died when 18 years old; Ella is living at Colorado Springs. Mrs. Hollister died Dec. 29. 1873. Mr. Hollister was married, at Rockford, Ill., Nov. 29, 1877, to Mrs. Helen C. Crary, widow of William Crary and daughter of Peter M. Keeler. She was born at Darien, N. Y. Mr. Hollister has been Chairman of the town of Delavan six years: is the present incumbent.

K. N. HOLLISTER, of Hollister & Jackson, merchants, successors to K. N. Hollister, who commenced business in 1865 as a manufacturer of patent medicines. In 1871, he added a gen- eral drug store; in 1875, added groceries; and in 1879, stoves, hardware and tinware, having a double store, with a frontage of fifty-seven feet and depth of seventy-five feet. In the fall of 1881, Mr. S. L. Jackson became associated with him in the business, under the firm name of Hollister & Jackson. They have one of the most extensive and complete stock of goods in the county. Mr. Hollister was born in Darien, Walworth Co., Wis., Jan. 21, 1841; is the son of Cyrenus N. Hollister. He spent his boyhood on his father's farm. When 20 years of age, he started a hardware store in Delavan, which he carried on from 1861 till 1864, when he enlisted in the 40th W. V. I. for 100 days; he received a Captain's commission; spent the winter of 1864-65 at Nashville, Tenn. On his return the following year, he began in the patent medi- cine business. He was married, Feb. 3, 1870, at Delavan, to Miss Fannie Tilden, a daughter of I. D. and Margaret Tilden. Mrs. Hollister was born in Utica, N. Y., and was a popular teacher of Delavan. They have four children -- Kenneth, Margaret, Warren D. and Ned.

SETH L. HOLLISTER, deceased, was born July 19, 1792, in Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y. ; was married, April 2, 1818, to Catharine Brigham; Mrs. Hollister was born in Barrington, Mass., Feb. 10, 1796; about 1824, they moved to Perry, Genesee Co., N. Y., where they lived till September, 1843, when they emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in the eastern part of Del- avan, Walworth Co., where Mr. Hollister was engaged in farming; his death occurred March 16, 1867; his wife survived him a little more than a year: she died May 12. 1868.

MRS. BRIDGET HUTTON resides in Sec. 13; P. O. Elkhorn; she is the widow of John Hutton, who was born in England about 1804 and came to the United States when 18 years of age; his first wife was Mary Fay, born in Ireland; she died in the town of Delavan, Jan. 1. 1864. Mr. Hutton was one of the early settlers of the town of Geneva: he settled in Delavan about 1858; his second wife, formerly Miss Bridget Mack, now owns the homestead; Mrs. Hut- ton is a native of Ireland, and came to the United States with her parents when she was a child Mr. Hutton had seven children by his first wife, six of whom are living, and two of them reside at the homestead, viz., Frank, born in the town of Geneva in 1853, and Henry, born May, 1856. Mrs. Hutton has four children-George, Sarah, Eliza and Alice; her farm contains 160 acres.

CAPT. HENRY C. HUNT, master of the pleasure steamer D. A. Olin, of Delavan Lake. He was born in the town of Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Dec. 26, 1833; is the son of Henry and Mary Hunt. When 20 years of age, he came to Delavan, Wis., and engaged in farming near the village; continued on the farm till 1859, when he went to Pike's Peak, Colo .; spent three years in the mountains, in mining and such other employment as he found available. On re- turning to Wisconsin, he devoted one year to farming, and in January, 1864, enlisted in Co. D, 22d W. V. I .; participated in the battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Lost Mountain and Peach Tree Creek. At the latter battle, July 20, 1864, he received a gun-shot wound by which he lost his left leg below the knee. He was discharged from hospital in June, 1865, and, on his return to his home at Delavan, he was obliged to submit to a second amputation of the limb, which, in his enfeebled condition, nearly cost him his life. On recovering his health, he engaged as salesman in the clothing store of Myers & Alcin, Delavan, which position he held five years. During this time, he served as Town Treasurer two terms. He next engaged with J. H. Good- rich as salesman, and continued in that capacity five years; next engaged in the tobacco busi- ness, which he continued five years. In 1874, he was employed as master of the pleasure steamer D. A. Olin, on Delavan Lake, and has served as her Captain to this date-1881. Capt. Hunt was married, Sept. 25, 1863, at Delavan, to Miss Mary E. Rewey, daughter of Addison Rewey. Mrs. Hunt was born in the State of New York.

WILLARD W. ISHAM, deceased, was born in Smyrna, Chenango Co., N. Y., March 24, 1820; died Nov. 26, 1876. He was the son of Enoch and Mary Isham, and was married to Eluah N. Francis March 1, 1843. They had six children-Hattie, Frank. Delia. Charles, Lena

706

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

and Minnie- - all of whom are living. At the age of 18, he went to learn the carriage-maker's trade. In 1843, he started a carriage-shop of his own at Earlville, N. Y. In 1845, he sold out his business there, coming to Wisconsin and locating at Delavan, where he and C. H. Sturte- vant went into partnership. making carriages, wagons, coffins, and doing carpenter work. In 1849, they bought ont another shop, making plows, of a Mr. Stewart, which they added to their other business. In 1851, they sold the blacksmith shop to Charles Fitzer for $1, 100 in gold. In 1853, he bought out C. H. Sturtevant and continued alone for one year, when Joseph Wal- ton bought one-half of the business. They were together for three years, when he sold the rest of the business to his partner, Joseph Walton. He was then out of business for one year, when, in 1858, he bought out J. D. Monell, of the firm of Sturtevant & Monell, dealers in dry goods and groceries, etc. The firm then continued as Isham & Sturtevant until 1861, when they sold to W. W. Sturtevant. During the same year. they built the large brick wagon and carriage shop on the north side of Walworth avenue, where they built wagons and carriages that had few equals for durability and good workmanship. They shipped their work to the northern part of the State and Iowa, and remained in the business until 1869, when they closed out their stock and discontinued the manufacture. In the same year, they sold one-half of the building to A. H. Barnes to be used for bank and offices, and W. Isham started a hardware store in the west half of the brick building, where he continued in business until his death, when the stock was purchased by C. T. Isham & Co. During his life, he held many offices of trust. In 1855, he served one term in the Wisconsin Legislature. He served six terms as Trustee of the Wisconsin Deaf and Dumb Asylum, his death occurring while in office. He has also been Mayor, Treasurer, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and Clerk of the School Board.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 108

Author: Western Historical Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 998

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 998