USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth County, Wisconsin > Part 130
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Although Mr. Holden was undoubtedly the first actual settler of the town of La Grange, the famous Meacham-Bigelow controversy over the claim in the south half of Section 24 occurred the year before his arrival. How that trouble was settled has been fully detailed in the general history of the county.
The next year after James Holden, the Worthingtons. True Rand, the Cornishes, Edwin De Wolf. Benjamin Swett. James Burt and others had either made claims or settled in the town of La Grange, occurred quite an interesting event, it being no more nor less than the arrival of its first-born-a son of James Burt, the last-named settler. This occurred in 1838, and in 1839 Mr. Swett took a wife to himself, he being the first who entered into the matrimonial bonds in the town of La Grange.
The land sale of February, 1836, made sad havoc in the claims of some of the first settlers of Heart Prairie. Volney McCraeken, in 1837, had claimed Section 30, but was obliged to pass
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
over 333 per cent of it to Eliphalet Cramer, a capitalist of Milwaukee, and, as he could not pay for the remainder, the whole property eventually passed into other hands. Much of Dr. Loomis' claim, on Sugar Creek, came into the possession of William MeDougald, who removed to Heart Prairie in March of the next year and obtained land in Sections 29 and 30. Much of this prop- erty he has subsequently deeded to his sons. He is now the oldest settler upon the prairie.
The first breaking of land in the town was upon Heart and Round Prairies, at about the same time- in the spring of 1837. The honor is believed te be due to Gabriel Cornish and his two sons -- or to " Uncle Gabe," as he was more commonly called. This was upon the northwest quarter of Section 23 and the southwest quarter of Section 14.
The following is the account given by Mr. Esterly of his attempts to improve his condition
while a farmer of Heart Prairie: " In 1837. Mr. Esterly removed to Heart Prairie and secured over a thousand acres of land, engaging extensively in the cultivation of wheat-as many as 350 acres in a year. He soon ascertained that wheat could not be grown profitably in the far West, if harvested in the ordinary way, and set abont inquiring how far the inventive genius of the country had supplemented and superseded labor. Obed Huzzy, of Baltimore. had invented a harvesting machine which was talked about, but he ascertained that it required four horses and ten men to cut and bind twenty acres per day, which was not a satisfactory exhibit as a labor- saving contrivance. Similar objections applied to other machines that were announced. and some of which he purchased and tried proved total failures, involving a loss greater than he could afford. He was thus induced, by the pressure of necessity, to attempt the invention of something better than any of which he had knowledge, and commenced by experimenting on a style of reaper where the horses were placed behind the cutting apparatus and steered by a tiller, on the principle of steering vessels. He made many fruitless and costly experiments in his barn, which he had converted into a machine shop, hut succeeded in producing a machine the first season that would cut successfully ten aeres of wheat in half a day. This was in 1844, and in the suc- ceeding year he went to Milwaukee and employed what were called skilled mechanics to build for him five machines of the kind just described, but the result of this was a loss of $1,200, which he was compelled to pay for machines that were only partially finished and of no practical value. The next year, he again converted his barn into a machine shop and began the con- struction of harvesting machines, which proved so entirely successful that he was induced to engage in the business of manufacturing them for sale, and which has resulted in one of the largest manufactories of the kind in the West. Mr. Esterly received his first patent in 1844, removing permanently to Whitewater in 1857."
Orison G. Ewing, whose land lies in Sections 26, 27 and 22, settled in the town in 1838. J. W. Weld, who also came from Vermont during that year, resides on Section 13; William Houghton, who came in the same year, lives on Section 14; James H. Sanford, a " settler " of 1841, npon Section 32: Stephen C. Goff, who settled in 1840, npon Section 32; Isaac C. Phelps, who located in 1842 upon Section 20: J. Patchin, who came in 1847, upon Seetion 16; James Lauderdale, a resident sinee 1844, upon Seetions 25 and 36: James H. Lawton, an Englishman (1847), npon Section 16.
Those mentioned above are all who still live in the town of La Grange who settled there previous to 1847, or ten years from the time that James Holden made his claim of 640 acres upon Heart Prairie. Below is a list of other settlers during that period, with the State from which they came and the year of their arrival. Those marked with an * are dead: the others have moved away: " Father Worthington "* and his two sons, Elijah* and Theodore,* Michigan, 1837; True Rand,* 1837: Moses Rand,* 1841: William Lyon* and Samuel Robinson,* 1841; Gabriel Cornish* and two sons, Nelson and Anson, 1837; also Jerod Cornish,* 1837; Marshall Newell,* 1838; Benjamin Swett. Vermont, 1837; Edwin De Wolf, New York, 1837; John Nor- cross,* Thomas Waterman,* New York. 1838: Charles P. Ellis .* New York, 1840; Enos J. Hazard,* New York, 1840: Stephen B. Davis, Vermont, 1838; Nathaniel G. Holden. * Vermont, 1842; Silas Phelps. * Connecticut. 1842; Volney MeCracken,* New York. 1837: James Burt,* Vermont, 1837 ; George Esterly, New York, 1837; Robert Esterly, Michigan, 1839; Amasa Bigelow, Nova Scotia, 1837; James Field, Rhode Island, 1839; Samuel Loomer,* 1841; Robert Morris .* New York, 1841: Ezekiel Lewis,* New York, 1840; John H. Cooper. Vermont, 1845; Horace Adams,* New York, 1845; Nathan Adams,* New York, 1845; Charles Heth. New York,
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
1845; O. P. Gunnison, New York, 1840; Hiram Cross, New York, 1843; David S. Elting,* New York, 1842; John Olds,* New York, 1842.
CHURCHES.
In 1841, the Troy Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church included Troy, Eagle, Heart Prairie, Round Prairie, Turtle Prairie, Delavan and Elkhorn. Though occasional services were held previous to this year, the first religions organizations in town consisted of the formation of classes at Heart and Round Prairies. At the latter place, the members consisted of Rev. James Flanders, local preacher, Mr. and Mrs Houghton, Mrs. Norcross, " Father " Cornish, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Cornish and a few others. At Heart Prairie, services were held in Father Worth- ington's log house, where a class was also formed, comprising himself and wife and two sons, Elijah and Theodore, and Mrs. Lewis. In 1860, a Methodist Episcopal Church was erected at a cost of $3,500, and a society is now in existence. The next year, a union church building, for the accommodation of all denominations, was erected on Round Prairie.
There are two general stores in the town-one at La Grange Center and the other at Heart Prairie. Amasa Bigelow built a saw-mill in 1838, and, after a few years, a grist-mill was erected. The latter was moved, and a larger and better mill built in its place, by Daniel Will- iams. Its location is just east of Mill Lake, at what is called Williams' Mills Post Office. The town has no railroad facilities, but there is a probability that the old Chicago & Northern Pa- cific, now the Chicago, Portage & Superior Air Line, may pass through its southwestern part, striking Heart Prairie.
A list of Postmasters who have served the town is as follows: Nelson Cornish, William Houghton, Thomas Waterman, George Esterly, John Lewis, William Johnson, Charles Harris. Charles P. Ellis, William Taylor, Andrew Hanson.
Justices of the Peace, William Houghton, Thomas Waterman, John H. Cooper, Sylvester Hanson, James Knight, William Greening, A. W. Dickinson, James H. Sanford and William McDongald.
ROSTER OF TOWN OFFICERS.
1843 -- Supervisors, Edwin De Wolf, Marshall Newell, Elijah Worthington; Clerk, Thomas Waterman; Treasurer, Benjamin Swett.
1844-Supervisors, E. J. Hazard, Moses Rand, O. G. Ewing; Clerk, Thomas Waterman; Treasurer, C. P. Ellis.
1845-Supervisors, Edwin De Wolf, William Houghton, C. P. Ellis; Clerk, E. J. Hazard; Treasurer, Benjamin Swett.
1846-Supervisors, O. G. Ewing, E. Lewis, J. H. Cooper; Clork, Benjamin Swett; Treas- urer, Benjamin Swett.
1847-Supervisors, J. Lauderdale, J. Weld, H. Adams; Clerk, Thomas Waterman: Treas- urer, C. P. Ellis.
1848-Supervisors, J. Lauderdale, H. Adams, J. Weld; Clerk, E. J. Hazard; Treasurer, E. J. Hazard.
1849 -- Supervisors, James Lauderdale, C. Hath, H. Cross; Clerk, E. J. Hazard; Treasurer, O. P. Gunnison.
1850-Supervisors. E. J. Hazard, C. Hath, H. Cross; Clerk, H. Adkins; Treasurer, O. P. Gunnison.
1851-Supervisors, J. Lauderdale, J. H. Sanford, O. P. Gunnison; Clerk, H. Adkins; Treasurer, C. P. Ellis.
1852-Supervisors, D. S. Elting, J. Taylor, J. Holden; Clerk, H. Adkins; Treasurer, C. P. Ellis.
1853-Supervisors, J. Lauderdale, J. Taylor, C. Harris; Clerk, H. Adkins; Treasurer, C.
P. Ellis.
1854-Supervisors, J. Lauderdale, J. Padley, C. Harris; Clerk, H. Adkins; Treasurer, William Bromley.
1855-Supervisors, R. Fairchild, D. W. C. Barron, C. P. Ellis; Clerk, E. J. Hazard; Treas- urer, C. Harris.
825
HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
1856-Supervisors, D. W. C. Barron, A. Bird, J. Holden; Clerk, O. P. Gunnison; Treas- urer, William Battell.
1857-Supervisors, D. W. C. Barron, C. P. Ellis, T. Waterman; Clerks, William King, J. W. Knight; Treasurer, Thomas Astin.
1858-Supervisors, S. Hanson, C. P. Ellis, C. Hath; Clerk, J. W. Knight; Treasurer, J. S. Lewis.
1860 -- Supervisors, S. Hanson, C. Heath, C. P. Ellis; Clerk, John King; Treasurer, A. Martin.
1861-Supervisors, C. Heath, J. N. Case, T. Astin; Clerk, S. Hanson; Treasurer, A. Bird. 1862-Supervisors, James Holden, J. N. Case, A. W. Dickenson; Clerk, J. W. Knight; Treasurer, J. H. Lawton.
1863-Supervisors, G. A. Ray, J. King, J. W. Knight; Clerk, J. W. Knight; Treasurer, J. H. Lawton.
1864-Supervisors, G. A. Ray, J. G. Wood, Charles Heath; Clerk, J. W. Knight, J. King; Treasurer, J. H. Lawton.
1865-Supervisors, G. A. Ray, J. G. Wood, Thomas Astin; Clerk, J. W. Knight; Treas- urer, C. W. Harris.
1866-Supervisors, G. A. Ray, Jolin King, J. W. Wood; Clerk, J. H. Lawton; Treasurer, C. W. Harris. 1867-Supervisors, G. A. Ray, J. G. Wood, John King; Clerk, G. W. Alexander; Treasurer, C. W. Harris.
1868-Supervisors, G. A. Ray, C. P. Ellis, W. D. Zelie; Clerk, W. R. Taylor; Treasurer, George Taylor, Jr.
1869-Supervisors, J. Lauderdale, J. Taylor. D. McNaughten ; Clerk, W. R. Taylor; Treasurer. G. H. Bromley. 1870-Supervisors, G. A. Ray, J. W. Weld. D. K. Sanford; Clerk, W. R. Taylor; Treas- urer, C. W. Harris.
1871-Supervisors, J. Lauderdale, D. K. Sanford, William Greening: Clerk, W. R. Tay- lor; Treasurer, C. W. Harris.
1872-Supervisors, J. Lauderdale, William Greening. W. H. Gibbs; Clerk, J. H. Lawton; Treasurer, F. W. Bromiley.
1873-Supervisors, J. Lauderdale, William Greening, D. K. Sanford; Clerk, J. H. Law- ton; Treasurer, F. W. Bromiley.
1874-Supervisors, William Greening, C. P. Ellis, W. H. Gibbs; Clerk, J. H. Lawton; Treasurer, F. W. Bromiley.
1875-Supervisors, William Greening, C. P. Ellis, G. H. Bromiley: Clerk, J. H. Lawton; Treasurer, F. W. Bromiley.
1876-Supervisors, M. P. Bishop, G. H. Bromiley, E. J. Crane; Clerk, J. H. Lawton; Treasurer, F. W. Bromiley.
1877-Supervisors, M. P. Bishop, G. H. Bromiley, E. J. Crane; Clerk, J. H. Lawton; Treasurer, William Taylor, Jr.
1878-Supervisors, M. P. Bishop, I. E. Doolittle, Iver Wiekingson; Clerk, J. H. Lawton; Treasurer, William Taylor, Jr.
1879-Supervisors, M. P. Bishop, J. Moyse, W. W. Johnson; Clerk, W. T. Taylor; Treas- urer, William Taylor, Jr.
1880-Supervisors, William Greening, A. W. Dickenson, I. E. Doolittle; Clerk, W. T. Tay- lor; Treasurer, William Taylor, Jr.
1881-Supervisors, M. P. Bishop, I. E. Doolittle, S. A. Case; Clerk, W. T. Taylor; Treas- urer, William Taylor. Jr.
WAR HISTORY.
The town was among the most patriotic sections of the county. Most of her good soldiers -and she furnished seventy-four (two in excess of her quota)-went into Whitewater companies. La Grange also raised over $17,000 for all purposes. A full roster of those who went from the town, and an account of their marches and conflicts during the war, will be found in the general military history.
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
Moses Rand died February 26, 1881. at the home of his sister, Mrs. Emily E. Worthington, near Racine. His remains were brought to Whitewater and buried in Hillside Cemetery. He came from Michigan in 1841, and settled on Heart Prairie with the Worthingtons.
Charles P. Ellis, a prominent resident of the town of La Grange for many years, was born in Ashfield, Franklin Co., N. Y., March 20, 1812. Soon after marrying Sarah, sister of Caleb Harris, in 1840, he removed to the town of La Grange and took up land in Section 21, near La Grange Center. During his residence there of over forty years, he made many friends, and his fellow-townsmen showed their confidence in him by electing him Treasurer and Supervisor for many terms. His death occurred January 22, 1881.
BIOGRAPINCAL SKETCHES.
MATTHEW P. BISHOP, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. La Grange; has 160 acres of land. The sub- ject of this sketch was born in West Windsor, Vt., Aug. 15, 1822 ; is the son of Ira and Sarah ( Patrick ) Bishop ; moved with his parents to Rushford, Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1833, and trom thence to Eagle, Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1845. He was married in East Troy, Nov. 14, 1848, to Roxana, daughter of Joseph and Naney Alvord, of Eagle, Wis. ; Mrs. Bishop was born in Frankfort, Herkimer Co., N. Y., April 13, 1827, and died at Little Prairie, Walworth Co., Oct. 2, 1865. There were eight children in the family-Ira, born Dee. 27, 1849 ; Albert, born May 27, 1851, died, aged 11 years ; Charles A., born May 22, 1853 ; Frank P., born Nov. 29, 1855. (These four were born in Eagle, Wis.) Kittie, born Oct. 7, 1857; Nellie, born Dee. 19, 1859; Mary, born July 26, 1861, died at Little Prairie, Oct. 17, 1862 ; John, born Dee. 31, 1863. The four younger were born in Troy, Wis .; Ira married Jennie Berry and lives in Minnesota ; Charles A. married Mary D. Dow, is an attorney at La Porte, Iowa, and is the present member of the Legislature from his Distriet ; Frank P. married Nellie Means, lives in La Grange ; Kittie is the wife of Everett E. Dow, of Waterloo, Wis. Mr. Bishop purchased his present farm in 1865, and moved to La Grange ; he was married again June 20, 1873, in Whitewater, to Miss Mary E. Alvord, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Alvord ; Mrs. Bishop was born in Sauquoit, Oneida Co., N. Y. Mr. Bishop has held various local offices -Superindendent of Schools of Eagle and Troy, Justice of the Peace, and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors six terms, and Chairman of the Walworth Co. Board of Supervisors two terms ; polities, Republican.
FRED. W. BLOMILEY, D. S., dentist and County Treasurer. The subject of this sketch was born in La Grange, Walworth Co., Wis., Aug. 3, 1849 ; is the son of Thomas and Susannah (Lawton) Blomiley ; he received a common school education, and was brought up on a farm ; was elected Town Treasurer of La Grange, re-elected and held the office six years ; he was elected County Treasurer in 1876, and re-elected in 1878 and 1880, being the present incumbent ; in 1879, he began the study of den- tistry ; took a regular course at the Indiana Dental College of Indianapolis, Ind., and gradnated Feb. 28, 1882; he then bought ont Dr. J. M. Barker, of Elkhorn, and entered upon the practice of his pro- fession ; he has his dental rooms and the Treasurer's office connected by telephone, and so manages, with the aid of a deputy, to conduct both with satisfaction. He was married in Elkhorn, to Maryette Sher- man, daughter of Mrs. Wealthy Sherman; Mrs. Blomiley was born in the State of New York. Mr. Blomiley is Republiean in politics; he has resided in Elkhorn since 1876.
THOMAS BLOMILEY, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. La Grange; has 260 acres of laod. The subject of this sketch was born in Cheshire, England, near Manchester, July 7, 1822 ; is the son of Peers and Hannah ( Barton) Blomiley ; came to America in 1843; made his home at New York Mills, Oneida Co., N. Y., till 1848, when he moved to La Grange, Walworth Co., Wis., and located on his present farm ; he was married in Rome, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1847, to Susannah, daughter of Harry A. Lawton ; Mrs. Blomiley was born in Cheshire, England ; they have two sons and one daughter; the eldest, Frederick W., is a dentist by profession, and the present Treasurer of Walworth Co. ; he married Maryette Sherman and lives at Elkhorn ; the two younger, Squire and Susannah, are at home ; Mr. Biomiley and younger son have devoted considerable attention for the past eight years to the growing of Italian bees and queens, for sale. Mr. Blomiley and sons are Republican in politics.
WILLIAM BROMLEY, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. La Grange ; has 160 acres of land. Mr. Bromley was born in Yorkshire, England, Aug. 8, 1808; is the son of Thomas and Martha (Kil- bourn) Bromley ; was employed in early life in the cotton mills ; was what is. known as a boss cotton weaver; he came to America in 1839 ; made his home in New Hartford, Oneida Co., N. Y., where he worked at his trade five years ; he then came to Wisconsin May 12, 1844, and purchased his present farm,
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
where he has continued to reside to this date, 1882; he was married in England in 1836, to Martha, daughter of Joshua and Sarah Taylor ; Mrs. Bromley was born in Yorkshire ; they have five children- Samuel T., George H., Sarah, Edward and Frederick W .; George H., married Maryette Houghton, lives in La Grange ; Edward, married Sarah A. Meadows, and lives in La Grange; Frederick W., married Emma Houghton, lives at Waukesha, Wis. Mr. Bromley and sons are Republican in politics.
JAMES N. CASE, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Heart Prairie ; has 99 acres of land The subject of this sketch was born in Newstead, Erie Co., N. Y., Dec. 1, 1821. Is the son of James H. and Mary (Powers) Case; he was brought up a farmer ; was married May 1, 1845, in Erie Co., N. Y., to Miss Mary J. Lancton, daughter 'of Lewis and Welthy Lancton. Mrs. Case was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Aug. 28, 1826. They had two children born in the East-L. Adelbert and George R., both deceased; Adelbert died aged 23 years ; George R. when 3 years old. Mr. Case and family moved to Wisconsin in the fall of 1848, and located in La Grange, Walworth Co., on the farm on which he still resides. Four children were born to them in La Grange-Thirsah M., Clara, Walter and Minnietta; the eldest, Thirsah M., is the wife of O. C. Allworth, of Fort Atkinson, Wis .; Clara and Walter died in childhood. Mr. Case is Republican in politics.
SAMUEL N. CASE, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Heart Prairie ; has 120 acres of land; he was born in Newstead, Erie Co., N. Y., April 12, 1833 ; is the son of James H. and Mary (Powers) Case ; came to Wisconsin, May 13, 1849, and settled on Sec. 20, La Grange, Walworth Co., and has lived in this town continuously since. For the past eighteen years he has resided on his present farm. He has been twice elected a member of the Board of Supervisors of La Grange, being a member of present board ; he was married in Williamson, Wayne Co., N. Y., Dec. 24, 1856, to Miss Abigail L. Springer, daughter of William and Ann Springer. Mrs. Case was born in Williamson, Wayne Co., N. Y. They have two chil- dren, daughters,-Ella and Clara; Ella, the eldest, is the wife of Edward D. Ellis, of Chicago.
ALVIN W. COOK, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. O. Heart Prairie; has 130 acres of land; was born in Antwerp, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 1825 ; is the son of Jesse and Nancy Lozier Cook. The sub- ject of this sketch was brought up a farmer, moved to St. Lawrence Co. with his parents in 1840, and in 1845 came to Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis., arriving in this town July 17, made his home on Sec. 25, where he was engaged in farming till 1865; he then sold out and moved to his present farm on Sec. 31, La Grange. He was married in Turtle, Rock Co., Oct. 30, 1848, to Miss Lucinda ff. Safford, daughter of Amos and Tabitha Safford. Mrs. Cook was born in Murray, Orleans Co., N. Y. They have had eight children-Henry, who died aged 18 years; Alfred C., married Della Lewis, and lives in Spink Co., D. T .; Arvilla, now Mrs. William Olds, of Whitewater; Charles S. married Miss Mary Ball, lives in La Grange; Seymour A., Emery L., Carrie E. and Arthur R. Mr. Cook's people were of New England origin ; his grandfather on his father's side was a soldier of the Revolution, and his father was a soldier of the war of 1812. Mr. Cook has served thirteen years as Assessor of La Grange, and is now serving his fourteenth year. In politics he is Republican.
LEWIS C. COOK, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Heart Prairie; has 240 acres. The subject of this sketch was born in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., June 28, 1828. Is the son of Edward M. and Persis (McMurphy ) Cook. He was brought up a farmer. In 1846, he came to Wisconsin and made his home in La Grange, on Sec. 30, and in 1864 moved to his present farm. He was married in this town in 1863, to Miss Lois E. Johnson, daughter of Col. Win. Johnson. Mrs. Cook was born in Wayne Co., N. Y. They have no children of their own, but have one adopted daughter named Ella.
BENJAMIN F. COX, farmer, Sec 13; P. O. Adams; has 175 acres of land. The subject of this sketch was born in Springfield, Mass., Oct. 31, 1812; son of Benjamin and Sarah (Bowman) Cox ; when 6 years of age, he moved to Leverett, Mass., with his parents and two years later to Hadley ; he was mar- ried in Greenfield, Mass., April 9, 1835, to Miss Clarissa C. Clark, daughter of Elisha Clark. Mrs. Cox is a native of Hampshire Co., Mass. In 1840, Mr. Cox and family emigrated to Wisconsin, located in Troy, Walworth Co .; one year later, they moved to La Grange, where Mr. Cox had purchased a consider- able tract of land in company with his brother Samuel. In 1845, he bought out his brother's interest. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have no children of their own, but adopted and brought up a daughter (Susannah) now Mrs. Edwin Crain, of La Grange.
AMZY S. DOOLITTLE, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Heart Prairie; has 130 acres of land ; was born in Windham, Greene Co., N. Y., April 4, 1834; is the son of Edward and Sally A. Doolittle; was brought up a farmer, and came to La Grange, Wis., in the fall of 1855; was married in Sugar Creek, July 26, 1857, to Miss Ellen A. Smith, daughter of Francis Smith. Mrs. Doolittle was born in Vermont. One child was born to them -Ida. Mrs. Doolittle died Oct. 20, 1876. Mr. Doolittle was married again Jan.
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
1, 1879, in Delavan, to Frances E. Near, daughter of Lewis C. Near. Mrs. Doolittle was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y. Mr. Doolittle and wife are members of the M. E. Church. In politics, he is Republican, having voted with that party since its organization.
CHARLES P. ELLIS (deceased) was born in Ashfield, Franklin Co., Mass., March 20, 1812 ; he was the son of William and Rhoda Ellis. When he was about 6 years of age, his parents moved to Springfield, Erie Co., Penn .; he was brought up on a farm, and in 1839 was married to Miss Sarah Harris, daughter of Jeremiah and Priscilla Harris. Mrs. Ellis was born in Henderson, Jefferson Co., N. Y. In 1842, they moved to Wisconsin, arriving in La Grange, Walworth Co., in July of that year, and purchased a farm on Sec. 21, near the center of the town. Mr. Ellis pursued the occupation of farmer at this place till his death, which occurred Jan. 22, 1881, leaving a widow and three chil- dren to mourn his loss ; his children-Priscilla, now Mrs. John Menzie, of La Grange; James A., who married Eva L. Williams, and lives at Harvard, Ill .; and Charles E., living at the old home- stead. Mr. Ellis was Republican in politics. Served several terms on the Board of Supervisors of La Grange, and held other minor offices. In all the relations of life, he was universally esteemed.
O. G. EWING, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. La Grange ; has 335 acres of land; settled in Walworth Co., May, 1838; he was born in Townshend, Windham Co., Vt., Sept. 1, 1816; is the son of Luther and Hannah Ewing ; was brought up on a farm; on becoming of age, he went to Boston, Mass., remaining there a short time, and in the fall of 1837 went to Michigan, spent the winter in Flint, and the following spring started for Wisconsin, arriving in what is now La Grange in May, 1838; made his claim, and re- turned to Vermont for the money to enter his land; on his way back to Wisconsin he was six weeks mak- ing the trip by water from Buffalo to Racine, and three days afoot from Racine to La Grange, carrying his money, which was in specie, in a shot bag ; he said it was about the hardest three days work he ever did, wading creeks and marshes ; he purchased the land comprising his present farm, where he proceeded to prepare a home ; he was married, April 3, 1841, in La Grange, to Miss Hannah, daughter of Lotus Watson. Mrs. Ewing was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y. Immediately after his marriage, he took posses- sion of his new home, which has been his place of residence since. Five children were born to them-Albert O., married Annabel Stoner, and lives in Chariton, Iowa; Almanda F. and Alice A. live at Kenosha; Ad- dison L. is Professor of Natural Science at Braddock, Penn., is a graduate of Cornell University; the youngest, Arthur A., lives at home. Mr. Ewing has held various local offices; has served two terms as Chairman of La Grange ; he and his sons are Republican in politics.
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