History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 116

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 116

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ALVAH JOHNSON, farmer, Section 17 ; eldest son of Asher Johnson. He came to Walworth Co. with his father in 1838; has been a resident of the county ever since. His first wife he married in

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

the State of New York. His present wife was Jane Kerns; has three children by first wife and five by second ; two children dead, one by the first and one by the second wife.

JOHN J. JOHNSON, Darien ; son of Asher Johnson. Mr. Johnson was born in Steuben Co., N . Y., October, 1821. He came to Walworth Co. in March, 1839. He assisted his father in opening a farm on Section 20, town of Darien. He was engaged in lumbering on the Wisconsin River till 1849. Was married to Eda Howard, daughter of Sylvester Howard. Mrs. Johnson is a native of Maine. ' She came to Wisconsin with her parents about 1844. Mr. Johnson settled in the village of Darien in the fall of 1863. He is a prominent and successful business man. Has been engaged in buying grain and stock for many years. Is an extensive land owner. He also owns the greater part of the original home- stead. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one daughter, Lillie, horn in 1859. They lost one daughter, Emma. Mr. Johnson's father was born Sept. 22, 1791, and died 1874. His mother was born in New Jersey Dec. 25, 1793. The parents of Mrs. Johnson emigrated to Rock Co., Wis, from Maine, in 1844; her father died in Rock Co. Her mother died at the house of her son-in-law, Mr. Johnson, Jannary, 1881, aged 87 years.

TRUMAN H. JONES, farmer, Section 10; P. O. Delavan ; son of Loren K. Jones, who was born in the State of New York, and came to Walworth Co. and laid claim to a homestead on Section 10. Lyman A., brother of L. K. Jones, located a farm the same time, adjoining, which he still owns. Mr. Loren Jones died in 1861. He was married in the State of New York, to Miss Laura Greenman ; they had ten children ; four sons and six daughters, all of whom are living. Only Truman H. and Orcelia, wife of T. Q. Low, who resides at Delavan, are residents of Walworth Co. Truman H. was born in the State of New York, September, 1836. He owns a farm adjoining the homestead, and also has charge of the latter, where his mother still resides. Mr. Jones has been married twice; his first wife was Sarah Nicholas; his present wife was Lottie Rumbles ; he has no children.

STEPHEN KERNS, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Darien; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1835; he removed with his parents when 2 years old to Algonquin, McHenry Co., Ill , where he dwelt until 1873, when he came to Walworth Co. and bonght his present farm of Jacob Sweet ; he was married to Helen Skinner in 1868, daughter of Hiram Skinner; her parents emigrated from the State of New York to Allen Co., Ind., from there to McHenry Co., Ill., where they still live. They have no children. Stephen Kerns enlisted in Co. F, 15th Ill. V. I., May 24, 1861, at Freeport, Ill. Discharged at Springfield, Ill., June 18, 1864; was in seven engagements.

G. F. LATHROP, general merchant, Darien ; is a native of Genesee Co., N. Y .; is a son of L. Lathrop, who came to Walworth Co. with his family in 1866 ; his father settled in the town of Sharon and engaged in farming ; he died in 1871. The parents of Mr. Lathrop had two children-H. L., now now a resident of Michigan, and G. F. Mr. Lathrop's mother lives with him. He came to the village of Darien and engaged in business with Mr. C. S. Teeple, with whom he continued eight years; Mr. Lathrop has been alone in business since March 15, 1880. He keeps a general stock in merchandise, the largest stock found in Darien. He is Postmaster at Darien, a position he has held since Oct. 18, 1875. He was mar- ried to Delia M. Dodge, danghter of J. Dodge. They have two children-Charles D., born December, 1872, and Carrie J., born November, 1877.

FREDERICK LINDEMAN, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. O. Darien ; owns a farm on Sec. 34; was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1826; came to the United States in 1847; lived in Philadelphia about ten years, though he had previously lived in Delaware City for a time. He came to Walworth Co. in 1858; located in Darien, and engaged in the butchering business. His wife was also horn in Germany. They have had eight children, three sons and five daughters.

JOHNSON MATTESON, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. O. Darien ; Mr. Matteson was born in Genesec Co., N. C., Nov. 5, 1823. His father was Price Matteson, born April 17, 1803. Mr. Matteson came to Wal- worth Co. in the spring of 1845; he purchased the farm where he now lives the same year. His brother, Carlos Matteson, came to Darien several years ago, with Mr. William Carter; Carlos now lives in Nevada. Another brother, Cyrus Matteson, came in 1849; he was killed by the Mormons or Indians, while on his way to California, the same year. Mr. Matteson was married in 1848, to Lucy Barnes; she died Decew- ber, 1855. His present wife was Laura Franklin, born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1838; her parents (now deceased ) came to Wisconsin. October, 1844. Mr. Matteson had two children by his first mar- riage-Orra, now Mrs. H. L. Stone, and Price, who died January, 1880, aged 25 years ; has seven chil- dren by present wife-George I., Cyrus A., Frank M., Lizzie A., Johnson G., Clara L. and Marion. Mr. Matteson's farm contains 160 acres.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

ARTHUR W. MAXSON, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Fairfield, Roek Co .; he is a representative of one of the pioneers of Walworth Co., in fact is himself a pioneer ; was born in the town of Centerville, Allegany Co., N. Y., March 10, 1820. His father was Joseph Maxson, a native of Rhode Island, where he was born in 1787, but removed to Otsego, N. Y., with his parents when a child, 17 years of age, in 1804. The father of the subject of this sketch left his home in Otsego Co. for Allegany Co., for the purpose of making him a home at that then Western wilderness ; when he reached his destination, he was not in very affluent circumstances ; he wore a substantial suit of clothes, a respectable pair of shoes, and had in his pockets 2 copper cents. These constituted his earthly possessions ; the shoes he exchanged for an ax, and with this he cleared away the forest, and made for himself and family a comfortable home ; this ax, together with the log-chain nsed by his father in clearing this farm more than three-fourths of a century ago, is still in the possession of his son, Arthur W., as is also one of the pennies above mentioned. In May, 1837, Mr. Arthur W. Maxson, then 17 years of age, came with his father to Walworth Co. for the purpose of making a location of a future home ; the location was made ; the land not being in the market, Arthur W. remained, and kept possession until February, 1839; when it was purchased, he re- turned to New York in June of same year ; the years which he passed alone on his place were lonely ones in the extreme ; his nearest neighbor was at Delavan, a distance of eight miles; his father came again in 1841, and in the fall of 1842 brought out his family. His father died in 1864, his mother in 1846. He is probably the oldest settler living in the town of Darien. Three settlers, Elijah Belden, Christopher Cheesbro and N. S. Comstock, were here when he came. His parents had seven children, two sons and two daughters living, viz .- Artbur W., Orrin T., Caroline Barnes and Ellen Lyon. Mr. Maxson was married to Lucy A. Baldwin, born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio ; her parents removed to Rock Co. in 1840. They have five children-Amelia, Orrie H., Orrin E., Clara May and Mattie A. For the purpose of giving his children better advantages of education, he removed his family temporarily to Janesville, but his home is still where it has been for nearly forty five years, at Maxonville.

JOHN MOORE, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Darien. Mr. Moore was born in New Jersey, in 1820, where he lived till 1854. Married Lorena Hart, also born in New Jersey. They came to Walworth County in the fall of 1854. Bought present farm of Charles Fitzer. Mr. Moore resided in lowa from 1872 till 1878, during which time his son took charge of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have seven children-Daniel H., W. H., John T., Charles F., Edwin H., Eva L. and Minnie E. The four oldest children were born in the State of New Jersey. Daniel Il. is station agent at Rudd, Iowa. William H. resides at Trenton, N. J. John T. resides in Oswego, N. Y. Charles F. was born in New Jersey in 1854; married Ada Rose, born in Illinois; they have one daughter, Nina Ethel, and reside at home. Edwin H., telegraph operator and station agent at Glendale, on B. C. & Northern R. R. Eva, now Mrs. Arthur Robins, at Rockford, lowa. Minnie, born October 4, 1865, lives at home.

DAVID NICHOLAS, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Delavan. Mr. Nicholas was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1812. He was married to Sarah Rider. They came to Walworth County in the spring of 1846, and settled on the farm which Mr. Nicholas still owns. His wife died in 1861. His present wife was Mrs. Polly B. Dunham, formerly Miss Willard. Mr. Nicholas had seven children by his first wife, only one of whom, Edward L., is living. His son now occupies the homestead, and Mr. Nicholas resides near the village of Delavan. Mrs. Nicholas has two children by her first marriage-Amelia M. and Will- iam F. Mrs. Nicholas was born in the town of Stockbridge, Mass., Berkshire County, in 1815. Her parents removed to the State of New York, when she was a child, where she was married to Mr. J. Dun- ham. They came to Wisconsin about 1852, and settled in Jefferson County. Mr. Dunham enlisted in August, 1862, and died in October of that year. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas were married Nov. 3, 1867.

CYRUS PALMERTON resides at Allen's Grove; born in the town of Dryden, Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1822. He removed, when a child, with his parents to Allegany Co., where he lived till 16 years of age. He then went to the town of Covington, Genesee Co., where he lived until 21 years of age. He came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1842, and settled on See. 24, in the town of Bradford, Rock Co. This farm he still owns. He removed to the village of Allen's Grove, in the fall of 1879, and has been married twice. His first wife was Harriet Dykeman, daughter of Cornelius Dykeman. She died Dec. 23, 1876. IIis present wife was Lucy Anderson. He has two children by his first wife-William and George; has an adopted daughter, Ellen, now Mrs. Robert More.

EDWIN E. PARK, farmer; resides on Sec. 20, on the farm of J. J. Johnson ; P. O. Darien. He was born in Chemung Co., in March, 1831. When 20 years of age, he started out to get a knowledge of the world. Arming himself with a pair of tin trunks, well supplied with such small articles which are needed in every family, including pins, needles, thread, etc., he started West, on foot, " to grow up with

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

the country." He peddled his way on foot to Portage, Columbia Co., being about six months on the route, following the adage of " go slow and learn to peddle." He returned, however, to New York, and came permanently to Wisconsin in 1856, and settled at Black River Falls, where he worked at the business of masonry. He enlisted, in August, 1862, in the 95th Ill. V. I., and served till the close of the war. He participated in many important battles and campaigns of the war, including the siege of Vicksburg, Bank's Red River campaign; was at the battle of Nashville, Spanish Fort, etc. After the war, he re- turned to Illinois, where he was residing when he enlisted. He came to Walworth Co. in 1869. His wife was Miss Mary A. Clearwater, born in Chemung Co., N. Y. They have four children-William, M. D., F. A. and Mabel A.

SETH B. PEPPER, blacksmith, Darien, was born in Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vt., Dec. 2, 1823. He resided in Rutland and Bennington Cos. until 1870, when he went to Michigan and worked at black- smithing for one and a half years; then went to Jackson, Mich., and engaged in the mercantile business till 1874; came to Darien, Walworth Co., and established in his present business. Mrs. Pepper, formerly Mar- garet Blakely, was born in Ireland. They have five children-Robert L., now agent on the C., B. & Q. R. R., at Carman, Henderson Co., Ill. ; Amelia, now Mrs. S. P. Curtis, lives in Rutland, Vt. ; Maggie, wife of J. K. Franklin, died Nov. 12, 1877 ; Mary Bell, now Mrs. R. C. Smith, lives at Petoskey, Mich. ; Mattie E., lives at home, aged 15 years.

JUDSON J. PETTY, firm of Stanbro, Petty & Co., merchants at Darien, was born in Northern Illinois in 1855; he spent several years in California; then engaged in business in Sharon, in February, 1880, in the firm name of Stanbro & Petty. The firm is now Stanbro, Petty & Co. They established their store at Darien May 3, 1880. Mr. Petty has charge of the store at Darien, his partners con- ducting the business at Sharon. Mr. Petty keeps a general store, has a large stock of goods, and is establishing a fine trade.

OVID REED, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Darien ; born in Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., Nov. 3, 1820. His father, Alexander Reed, was also a native of the State of New York. Mr. Reed was brought up a farmer. In 1842, he went to Cleveland, thence to Pittsburgh, and thence down the river to St. Louis, and passed the following winter in Pike Co., Ill., where he taught a term of school. In the spring of 1843, he came to Walworth Co. He returned to the State of New York the same season, but came back to Walworth Co. the following fall, and has been a permanent resident of the town of Darien ; his father came the following year and settled in the town of Sharon; he died in the fall of 1869 ; his wife, Betsy (Crosby) Reed, died in 1864 ; Mr. Reed was married, January, 1846, to Jane Seaver, daughter of Joseph W. Seaver, who came to Wisconsin, October, 1840, and settled in the town of Darien. The parents of Mrs. Reed had seven children, all of whom were born in Genesee Co., N. Y .; her father died Aug. 1, 1864; her mother, Mary Long Seaver, died August, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have had eleven children, nine of whom are living-Lewis S., Mary E. (now Mrs. E. L. Green, lives in Sacramento, Cal.), Ann E. (in California), Clara J., D. H. (also in California), Harry D. (in Omaha), Hattie M., George and Alex. Lewis is engaged in business in Omaha ; the names of the children lost were Ida and De Witt.

ANDREW J. RODMAN, M. D., was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1830; he graduated at Union College, at Schenectady, N. Y., in 1854, and was for several years engaged in teaching before studying medicine ; he taught in the New York Conference Seminary, at Charlotteville, N. Y., and afterward in the Academy at Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y. (of which latter institution he was for a time Principal). He began the study of medicine in Perry, and continued it in Delavan and Geneva. in Walworth Co. after moving to Wisconsin, in 1856 ; he began practice in Woodstock, Ill., in 1858, and tbence moved to Huntley, in the same State, where he was engaged in the practice of medicine six- teen years. He graduated at Rush Medical College in 1865, and was a Sanitary Surgeon in the Union army during the rebellion ; he came to Darien in October, 1874, succeeding Dr. Sutherland. In 1858, he was married to Miss Helen A. Streeter, of Geneva, Wis .; they have four children-Carric, Willis, Archer and Helen.

DANIEL RODMAN, dealer in lumber, sash, doors, lime, cement, building paper, etc., Darien ; he was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1831, where he was brought up ; he came to Darien in the spring of 1857 ; he is a carpenter and builder by trade, and was engaged in that business for many years ; he taught school for some time, when a young man ; he engaged in the grain business in 1870 ; has been engaged in the lumber trade since 1876; he is doing a large and increasing business; his wife was Miss Phebe M. Wharton, born in Schoharie Co. They have three children - Edward, Willard, Abina.

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IIISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

MARTIN S. ROGERS, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. O. Darien. Mr. Rogers was born in Chemung Co., N. Y., in 1838, where he lived till 1866, when he removed to McHenry Co., Ill., where he lived till 1875, when he came to the town of Darien and took charge of the farm of J. J. Johnson, on which he now resides. His wife was Asenath Park, born in Chemung Co .; they have three children-Willis E., George C. and Ida G.

J. F. ROOD, M. D., Darien ; he is the son of Erastus Rood, who emigrated to Wisconsin from the State of New York, and settled in the town of Darien in 1838. The Doctor was born in the town of Darien in 1858; he entered the office of Dr. George E. Catlin, of Geneva, as a student of medicine, in 1876 ; he graduated at the Chicago Medieal College in the spring of 1881; he located at Darien as a practieing physician in April of that year; he began the study of medicine from a love of the science, it having been his favorite study from a child ; although engaged in practice but a short time, he has a large and rapidly increasing business.

HARVEY SAXTON, Darien, foreman on railroad section ; son of J. I. Saxton ; he was born in the village of Darien Nov. 30, 1848 ; married Emma Lippitt, daughter of Hezekial Lippitt, born in the State of New York, in 1846. Mr. Saxton has oceupied his present position since 1872; they have no children of their own, but have one adopted daughter; the father of Mrs. Saxton came to Walworth Co. in 1849.

J. I. SAXTON, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. O. Darien. Mr. Saxton was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1822, where he was brought up ; he was married in 1843 to Melissa Relyea, also born in Ulster Co .; Mr. Saxton came to Darien in 1844, his father-in-law, Lucas Belyca, came at the same time. Mr. Saxton engaged in work at his trade, that of wagon-making ; he established the first business of that kind in the village of Darien ; he settled on his farm where he now lives in 1864, but worked more or less at his trade till 1870. His father-in-law, Mr. Relyea, died in the spring of 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Saxton have six children- Henrietta, Harvey, Isaac, Frank, James and Lizzie ; they have lost two children ; Mr. Saxton's farm con- tains 80 acres.

JULIUS H. SEAVER, Darien; born in Washington Co., N. Y., in 1825; he removed with his parents, Lyman H. and Sally Seaver, to Gencsee Co., when he was but 3 months old ; be came to Wal worth Co. with his father's family, consisting of parents and seven children, six sons and one daughter, in September, 1839, and settled on Sec. 33, town of Darien ; Julius H. still owns a part of the original home- stead ; his parents resided where they first settled till 1861, when they removed to the village of Darien. His father died June 1, 1864 ; his mother died Aug. 28, 1878; his parents had eleven children, two of whom died in the State of New York ; two were born in Wisconsin ; five sons and one daughter are still living. Mr. Seaver has been married twice ; his first wife was Martha J. Heron, born in Washington Co., N. Y. ; she died in 1858 ; his present wife was Sarah M. Clerwater ; has two children by first wife -- Sarah J. and J. M. The father of Mr. Seaver was a native of Arlington, Vt., born in 1796; he was prominent among the early settlers of Walworth Co., and a member of the First Constitutional Convention of Wisconsin, and otherwise prominently identified with the early history of the country.

JAMES E. SEAVER, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. O. Darien ; son of Lyman H. Seaver (see sketch of Julias H. Seaver); was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., in June, 1837 ; came to Walworth Co., with his parents, in 1839. Mrs. Seaver was formerly Phebe L. Dodge, daughter of Josiah Dodge ; she was born in the town of Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1841. They have five children-Marcus D., Bertha L., William L., Clara M. and Josiah H. Mr. Seaver made his first home in the town of Sharon, where he lived until 1864; settled on present farm in that year ; his farm contains 114 acres.

JAMES SHERWOOD, retired, Darien ; born in Geneseo, Livingston Co., N. Y., in 1816; was brought up as a farmer; came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Rock in 1844, but returned to New York State, and was married to Daphne S. Patterson in 1847. Mrs. Sherwood was born in the town of Conesus, Livingston Co., in 1821. Mr. Sherwood resided on his farm in Rock till 1849, when he came to Walworth Co. and settled in the town of Darien ; he settled in the village in the fall of 1869. They have three children-Franklin, born 1852, a farmer at Bradford Center; Clark L., born 1860, now station agent at Clinton ; and Eva, born in 1862.

WILLIAM L. STOWELL, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Delavan. The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Delavan, Walworth Co., Wis., Feb. 13, 1851 ; is the son of Elijah and Lucinda Stowell. He was brought up a farmer, and was married March 23, 1881, to Josephene Stevens, daughter of Daniel A. Stevens. Mrs. Stowell was born at Whitney's Point, Broome Co., N. Y., and came to Wisconsin in her childhood with her parents, and resided in Johnstown, Rock Co. Mr. Stowell's people were among the very early settlers of Walworth Co. ; his father came to Delavan in 1844.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

HON. C. S. TEEPLE, deceased, whose portrait appears in this work, was for twenty-five years a well known citizen and prominent business man of Walworth Co. He was a native of Sehoharie Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1830. His parents were prudent and substantial farmers, and upon the farm our subject passed his earlier years, receiving a good common-school education. Deciding upon a merchantile career, he went to New York City and began his business life as clerk in a dry goods house. In 1856, he came to Wisconsin, locating at Darien, where he remained identified until his death, Nov. 29, 1881. Mr. Teeple began business here as a partner of N. W. Hoag, in the general merchandise line ; subsequently continuing business alone until 1872, when G. F. Lathrop became associated with him, under firm name

of Teeple & Lathrop. This copartnership was successfully continued until 1880, when Mr. Lathrop re- tired, and our subject continued until failing health forced him to close. He was appointed Postmaster at Darien in 1865, holding that office until 1876. Mr. Teeple was prominent in advancing all public meas- ures of enterprise and progress, taking a leading interest in educational affairs, and also those of a political nature. In 1876, he was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature, and in 1879 was ap- pointed Depnty United States Marshal. When the Citizens' National Bank was organized at Delevan he was chosen one of its directors, holding that position until his death. He was a consistent member of the Baptist Church during his later years, taking special interest in Sunday school work. In business he was careful, industrious and honorable ; possessing a genial, sunny nature he made hosts of friends, and in all the relations of life was accorded universal esteem and respect. His untimely death, when in the prime of life, was a servere blow to the community, where for a quarter of a century he had been one of the lead- ing spirits. Mr. Teeple was united in marriage in October, 1858, to Miss Emily Enders, also a native of Schoharie Co., N. Y. Four children are descendants-Kate E., Matie, Maude and Charles S., Jr.

LUCIUS C. WAITE, harness-maker in Darien; son of Isaac N. Waite, who came to the town of Darien from the State of New York in May, 1844. Lucius was born in town of Darien in February, 1846 ; learned the trade of harness-maker of Noah Dudley, who came from Orleans Co., N. Y., to Darien, in the fall of 1858. Mr. Dudley died in August, 1879. Mr. Waite was married to Ophelia E. Dudley, a daughter of Noah Dudley ; they have four children-Beulah, Hattie, Herman and Alice. Mr. Waite worked for Mr. Dudley from June 1869, to August, 1875, when he succeeded his father alone in business.

CARY WELCH, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. O. Darien ; was born in the town of Windham, Conn., Jan . 13, 1799, where he lived till 12 years of age, when he removed with his parents to Cortland Co., N. Y., where he was brought up; he was married to Eliza Bond May 28, 1826, who was born at Peterboro, Mad- ison Co., N. Y., July 6, 1805. They came to Walworth Co. with their family in 1844, though Mr. Welch had been here the previous year, and made a location ; he first settled on Sec. 15 ; has lived where he does now since 1863. They have five children-William C .; Reuben MI., George S., Elizabeth and Melissa ; farm contains 121 aeres. Mr. Welch, though 83 years of age, retains in a remarkable degree his strength and activity, and he and his excellent wife are journeying down the hill together, after a long and well- spent life.

JAMES WILKINS, retired farmer ; P. O. Allen's Grove ; Mr. Wilkins was born in New Jersey in 1805, where he was brought up. He was married to Hannah Ferguson, and removed to Steuben County, N. Y., where he lived seven years. He came to Walworth County in 1843, and settled in the town of Darien. He afterward settled in Rock County, where he still owns a firm. He came to the village of Allen's Grove about 1862 ; has nine children, five sons and four daughters, his wife died April, 1878.

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 116

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