History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 151

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

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LA FAYETTE AS IT IS.

The population of LaFayette, according to the Federal census of 1880, was 1,028.

The principal farm products for 1879 were : Wheat, 23,800 bu .; corn, 84,170 bu .; oats, 51,239 bu .; barley, 15,722 bu .; rye, 534 bu .; potatoes, 7,180 bu .; apples, 5,789 bu .; clover seed, 1,010 bu .; hay, 4,381 tons; butter, 49,770 lbs .; cheese, 27,200 lbs. No re- port was made for 1880. The products were larger during that year than in 1879.

The town has one manufactory which has a reputation throughout the country- viz .:- the sorghum mills, situated on Section 7, and owned and operated by Wm. Hodges. It was built about five years ago, and turns out first-class product. The building is one and a half stories, and is considered one of the institutions of this portion of the county.

The annual acreage of grain exceeds 6,000 acres. There are 241 acres of apple or- chard, 2,840 acres of mowing and pasturage, and 3,819 acres of growing timber. The number of milch cows reported in 1880 (the last report made) was 705, valued at $13,225.

LaFayette is almost exclusively devoted to farming-not more than one out of

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

every hundred being engaged in any other avocation. The average price of farming land is stated by residents to be $30 per acre. The farms are principally devoted to general husbandry, but the special interest of dairying is becoming quite an important factor in the prosperity of the town. There were in 1881, four whole and six joint school districts. The number of scholars between the ages of four and twenty years was 261, of which number 196 attended school. There were eight schools, taught by eight teachers at monthly average wages of $32.37 for male, and $20.87 for female teach- ers. There were eight school houses, valued at $3,300, including the sites. The amount expended for schools during the year was $2,053.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

J. C. ACKER, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Elkhorn ; is a native of Livingston Co., N. Y., born in 1819 ; brought up on a farm ; received but a meagre education, and in 1842 started west to seek his fortune. He came by railroad to Buffalo, N. Y., then by the lakes to Detroit, Nov. 7, 1842, from which place he came on foot to Burlington, Racine County, where he arrived in December, after a weary walk of five weeks duration. Here he stopped two months, when he went to Chicago, and drove team for Seth Payne, who was the president of the Chicago, and the Ottawa Canal, and purchased 160 acres, on Sec. 29, LaFayette, and commenced improving the same ; he also did work for other parties, and in 1843, opened what is now known as the Vore Stone Quarry, Spring Prairie, and burned 200 barrels of water lime. In June, 1845, he was married to Miss Rachel Mosher, then of La Fayette, Schoharie County, N.Y. In 1847, he sold his farm, and purchased 160 acres of his present farm, but he now owns 240 acres, valued at $12,000. The children are : Delia Jane, now Mrs Frank Whitmore. of Crawford County : George W., a farmer of LaFayette ; Eva lives at home ; Bennett, a farmer of Delaware; William R., a farmer of Sugar Creek ; Mary, Newton and Walter living at home. The first religious service was held in the log house on his present farm, and the town of LaFayette was organized in the same place.

GEORGE F. BABCOCK, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Elkhorn ; was one of the earliest settlers as well as one of the most prominent farmers of Walworth County. Is the oldest of ten children, five girls and five boys, of Joseph and Charlotte ( Fosdick) Babcock, who were native of New York and in that State ; the subject of this sketch was born, March 13, 1825. In 1828, the family removed to Geauga Co., Ohio, here George F. received what was then termed a common school educa- tion, and at the age of seventeen, he bought his time of his father, as in those days most boys were obliged to help their parents until twenty-one years of age. In the following Spring of 1843, came to Wisconsin, purchased eighty acres of land, on Sec. 29, LaFayette, and in the Fall went back to Ohio, but only remained a short time. when he returned to Walworth. In the Fall of 1844, he again went to Ohio, and in February, 1845, was married to Julia Barker, when he again returned to Walworth, settled on his farm, and has since followed farming with remarkable suc- cess, being a good financier, and buying more land from time to time, he now owns 746 acres of real estate in Walworth County, which is well improved, having good buildings, and is worth $50 per acre ; he also owns 240 acres in Buffalo County, worth $to per acre. In the Spring of 1880, he removed to his present place of residence, and is now arranging matters so as to pass his re- maining years in a more quiet way. He is a Republican, but as he has always had plenty of business, he has taken no interest in politics, no more than to perform his duties as a citizen. The children are : Henry E., a farmer of LaFayette; Mary Jane, now Mrs. Alfred Churchill, of Elk- horn ; Frank A., a farmer of LaFayette ; Fred A., who is single, and roaming about in different localities ; Walter and Bryon living at home.

TRUMAN BARTLETT, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P O. Fayetteville; one of the earliest settlers of Walworth County, is a native Vermont, born in Addison County, Aug. 3, 1815; was a resident of that State until twenty-one years of age. He then went to Essex Co., N. Y., where he followed lumbering, and in 1838 was married to Serena Strong. He lived twoyears in Vermont, when he returned to the Empire State, and in October, 1844. came to Wisconsin, first settled in Spring Prairie, where he was engaged in the manufacture of lumber, running a saw-mill for twelve years. During those years he furnished lumber for the fence which formerly surrounded the public square at Elkhorn. In 1856, he purchased his present farm, on which he has since resided, and made farming a business. He now owns ISo acres of land, 100 of which are well improved, and valued

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

at $50 per acre, the remainder is located in the town of Troy, and is valued at $12 per acre. The children are : Mary Jane, now Mrs. James Flint. of LaFayette; Phoebe Elizabeth, now Mrs. R. Moore, of Oconomowoc; and Coris Ann, now Mrs. C. A. Hare ; politics, Republican ; religion, Methodist. Mr. Bartlett is a man who has been the architect of his own fortune, as he came to Walworth a poor man ; a family of three children, and but fifteen dollars of money.

WILLIAM BAUMIS (deceased), was a native of Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1803. He was reared on a farm ; was married ; his wife died, leaving three children, only one of whom is living. He was married again in 1842, came with his family to Wisconsin, and settled on Spring Prairie, when his second wife died, leaving five children, since deceased. In 1858 he was married to Mrs. Lvdia (Beach) Thomas, a native of Warren Co., N. Y .. Mr. Baumis died in 1872, at the age of three score and nine years.

WILLIAM W. BEACH, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. O. Elkhorn ; was born in Warren County, N. Y., in 1821 ; received a common school education, and at the age of 19 commenced work at the carpenter's trade ; the next year at the millwright. Not liking the business very well, he returned to carpenter and joiner work. He came West, to Spring Prairie, Wis., in 1845, with limited means : commenced work at once at his trade. There are many buildings in the towns of Spring Prairie. LaFayette and North Geneva that stand as monuments of his labor. He was married to Clar- rissa Harriman, Dec. 23, 1849, daughter of Noah and Lucinda Harriman. He moved immedi- ately to Marcellon, Columbia Co., remaining there three years, working at the carpenter trade ; then returned to La Fayette, Walworth Co., and purchased the farm he still owns for $1.375, with very little improvements, and a rude log house ; employed a man to take charge of his farm, and he continued working at his trade; but for the past twenty years he has devoted the most of his time on the farm, which is now in a good state of cultivation, with good buildings; valued at $55 per acre. Religion, Methodist, holding different offices in the Church acceptably. Politi- cally, a Democrat. The children are : Alice L (now Mrs. W. A. Dawson), and William L., of Stratford, Hamilton Co., Iowa ; Lucinda I., Mary A., Benjamin H. and Isaac D., living at home. He was a man well adapted to pioneer work, ever ready to turn his hand to any kind of work to help the needv. many times leaving his work to make a coffin for a neighbor, when the country could not furnish them, without charges, and many other deeds of charity.

GEORGE BENTLY, farmer, Sec. 5, LaFayette ; P. O. Favetteville; son of Robert and Maria Burse Bently, both natives of Connecticut, and it was in Litchfield County, of said State, that the subject of this sketch was born May 13, 1834; received a common school education, and in June, 1847, the family came to Wisconsin, and settled on Sec. 5, LaFayette. Here young Bently helped till the soil, with the exception of three years, which he spent in different locali- ties, and in October, 1854, was married to Miss Nancy Welch, daughter of Josiah and Louisa Grant Welch, and as his father died in 1854, and willed the homestead to him, he continued to live on the same, and has since erected good buildings, and has made other improvements. He now owns 204 acres, valued at $40 per acres. He is a Republican in politics, and has held local offices. The children are : Frances. Adam and Varmon.

A. H. BUNNELL, farmer, Sec. 20, LaFayette ; P. O. Elkhorn ; one of the earliest settlers of Walworth ; is a son of Salmon and Lois Leete Bunnell, who were natives of Connecticut ; residents of Broome County, N. Y., in which country the subject of this sketch was born Jan. 12, 1813. When he was but 3 years old his father died, and his mother. with her family of five chil- dren, removed into Dutchess County, where her parents resided. Here the family resided until 1832, then to Otsego County two years, when they removed to Onondago. In 1837, came to Wisconsin, and at once took up a claim of 320 acres on Sec. 20, LaFayette. Of said land, he purchased eighty acres for himself, and 160 acres for his mother, at the first land sale, which took place in February, 1839. In the Fall of 1839, he was married to Miss Mary Dyer, daugh- ter of Charles and Mary Galusha Dyer, who were natives of Vermont, and settled in Spring Prairie in 1837, although Mr. Dyer came to Wisconsin and claimed his land in 1836. After mar- riage, Mr. Bunnell kept improving his land ; but he soon sold the same, and purchased property in Spring Prairie, where he resided about three years, when he purchased his mother's farm of 160 acres. He has always taken considerable interest in education ; is a Republican in politics, and has held local offices. His wife died Feb. 25, 1847, leaving two children, Myron, now mar- ried and living at Newport, Washington Co., Minn., and Charles D., deceased, having died in 1862 while in the United States' service. April 14, 1848, he was married to Harriet Dyer, a sister of his first wife. They have two children, Lottie and Julia.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

V. CASTLE, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Spring Prairie; native of England; came to Wiscon- sin in the Fall of 1855.

S. V. CURTIS, deceased. This well-known farmer met his sad and tragical death Oct. 2, 1877, on which day he directed his hired man to drive the cattle from the field where the fence was down. After getting the cattle out, Mr. Curtis remained to fix the fence, when just as he had the fence repaired, and turned to go from the place, he saw the bull coming toward him. He raised his hands to frighten back the animal, when it rushed upon him, striking him to the earth, and gored him so terribly in both sides as to break all the ribs, besides cutting the lungs. He expired on the spot an hour later. The unfortunate man lived just long enough to say a few parting words to his family, who hurried to the spot when they heard of the shocking tragedy. Mr. Curtis was a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., born Nov. 2, 1819; lived in Monroe County, where, on the 8th of March, 1843, he was married to Miss Jane Blakeman. In 1857, he came to Wisconsin, settled in LaFayette, and engaged in farming. In March, 1871, his wife died, leaving three children - Mary E. (now Mrs. A. M. Owen), L. Ugenia (now Mrs. William Atkin- son). and Orville H., a traveling salesman of the Goodyear Rubber Company. In 1874, he married Mrs. J. Canfield, who. with Orville H., now own and have charge of the estate, which contains 120 acres, valued at $60 per acre.

H. M. CURTIS, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Spring Prairie. He is found among the prominent pioneers of Walworth County, having settled in the county in 1840. He is a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., born Oct. 17, 1818; received an academic education, and lived with his mother, his father having died in 1820, until fifteen years of age, he then went to Onondago County, and re- sided with his uncle, Thomas Clark, who was a farmer, until the Spring of 1840, at which time he came to Wisconsin, and in August of the same year, purchased his present farm of 240 acres, at $5 per acre. He then went to Milwaukee, and clerked in a mercantile business until 1844, when he returned to this farm, and commenced improving the same, and as he was unmarried, he boarded with a neighbor, until 1876, at which date his sister came west, and kept house for him until 1848, when she was married to John Wilcox, he then returned to his old boarding place. In the Spring of 1849, he rented his farm for a year, but remained on the same, built a barn and made other minor improvements. In the Spring of 1850, he was married to Miss Calcina Smith, then of LaFayette, but of Jefferson Co., N. Y. He then commenced keeping house, and continued farming until 1852, at which date his wife died, leaving one child, Harvey. He then rented his farm again for one year, and in the Spring of 1854, he was married to Miss Eliza Smith, a sister of his first wife. He again resumed farming, and has since continued the same, meeting with marked success. He now owns 285 acres of land, which is valued at $50 per acre. He is a Democrat, and although he has no political aspirations, he has been on different occasions, been chosen to fill important local offices, and as his party is in the minority, this goes to show that he is highly respected by his fellow citizens. Of the four children born unto his second wife, but one is living, George O., who lives at home.

W. G. DERTHICK, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. O. Spring Prairie ; he was born in Ohio, Decem- ber, 1838. His parents, Julius and Esther Monroe Derthick, were natives of Connecticut, and settled in Walworth County in 1854. In 1868, he was married to Mary Bell, and his father died in 1863. He, in partnership with his brother, purchased the estate which contains 310 acres, valued at $45 per acre ; he now has charge of the same, his brother living at Spring Prairie. He is a Republican. Has held local offices, and is at present (1881) candidate for the Assembly. The children are Malinda, Julius, Bell and John.

G. W. DWINNELL, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. O. Spring Prairie. Is one of the early pioneers who settled in Walworth County in 1838. He is a native of Worcester Co., Mass., born Oct. 6, 1818, brought up on a farm; he received a common school education and in 1838, with his broth- er Soleman, came to Wisconsin, and at once made a claim of 320 acres, on Secs. 23 and 14, LaFayette, and as the first land sale took place in the Fall of that year, he purchased the same at $1.25 per acre, commenced improving the same, and as he was still living a single life, he boarded with his brother, who had settled on land adjoining his. In the Fall of 1843, he was married to Miss A. C. Wilson, daughter of Alexander and Abagail (Bishop) Wilson, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Vermont, who settled in Walworth County in 1841. In 1861, he purchased his present farm of 160 acres, but he now owns 215 acres, valued at $50 per acre. He is a Democrat, but takes little interest in politics, no more than to perform his duty as a citizen.

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The children living are : Emma, now Mrs. S. A. Hartwell; and Mary, now Mrs. F. L. Bennett, both living in Nebraska.

S. R. EDGERTON, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. O. Spring Prairie ; is the oldest of the two chil- dren of Sims and Harriet Bennedict Edgerton. He was born at Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., in October, 1833. His father married Maria Crego in 1845, who had two children, Hiram and Melissa, the family then came to Wisconsin, and settled at Spring Prairie, Walworth County, where the father died in 1873, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Olive Vaughn, daughter of David and Rebecca Vaughn. He then purchased 190 acres of his present farm, for which he gave $5,000 ; he traded wild land valued at that price. but he now owns 330 acres of real estate, which is valued at $50 per acre. He is a Republican in politics. In 1870, represented his District in the Assembly. The children are: D. S., Bertie, and Evelyn. Mrs. Edgerton died Sept. 22, 1877, and he was married again, to Miss Lila B. Patten, of Spring Prairie.

J. M. ELLSWORTH, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Elkhorn; eldest son of John and Sophronia (Pride) Ellsworth, who were natives of New York, and settled in Walworth County in 1840. He was born in Sugar Creek, Sept. 15, 1845 ; received a common-school education. In the Spring of 1855 the family removed to Iowa, where the father died in 1858, and the mother broke up housekeeping. J. M. returned to Wisconsin, and lived at Greenfield, Milwaukee Co., with his uncle, C. F. Ellsworth, until 1864. He then worked by the month in Walworth County until Dec. 4, 1867, at which date he was married to Harriet Baumis, daughter of William and Lydia Baumis ; then rented land and followed farming, also ran a threshing machine, and since 1875 has resided on and had charge of the estate of William Baumis. He also owns a "Poplar Fencing Saw," with which he does a great deal of work in different parts of the county. The children are Josephine, Willie and Herbert. Politics, Republican.

S. D. ELLSWORTH, farmer, Sec 19 ; P. O. Elkhorn ; is the oldest son of S. S. and Nancy (Fields) Ellsworth, natives of Otsego County, N. Y., in which county the subject of this sketch was born Jan. 10, 1835. In 1847 the family came to Wisconsin, and settled on Sec. 19, La Fayette, where they purchased 240 acres of land. Here S. D. helped till the soil until the Winter of 1859, during which time, in 1858, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Ranney, a native of Vermont. He then purchased tro acres on Sec. 16, La Fayette, where he resided until 1868, when he sold out, and purchased 160 acres of his present farm, which was then owned by bis brother, but which is the original homestead of his parents. He now owns 200 acres, valued at $60 per acre. The children living are-Frank R., Fred I .. , Gella, E. Louie and E. Harry. In politics, Republican. Mr. Ellsworth has three brothers-William, Henry and Eugene.

NOAH HARRIMAN, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Elkhorn ; was born at Bradford, Vt., in 1805. In 1809 the family removed to Canada, and settled near Montreal, where, in 1826, Noah was married to Lucinda Davis. He then engaged in grocery business, and continued the same eight years, when he removed to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he purchased land and commenced farming, but in a few years it was discovered that a man had a life lease on his Canada property, and therefore Mr. Harriman lost the same, which left him financially embar- rassed. He was therefore compelled to sell out, and as his friends of Bradford urged him to come to the place of his birth, but finding it a rough, broken country, and he having seen better land, he could not live content. He, therefore, in 1845, came to Wisconsin, arriving in Wal- worth County a very poor man, having a family of five children and but $5 in money; and as his wife was brought up among the hills of Vermont she was very much dissatisfied to live in the country, abounding in ague and Indians ; but he at once set to work and soon rented a farm on Sec. 4, Geneva, on which he resided three years, during which time, in 1847, he purchased his present farm, settled on the same in the Spring of 1849, and he has so improved it as to be valued at $50 per acre. The children with him are-Julia, now Mrs. E. P. Eaton, of Elgin, Ill .; Guy, living at home ; Clarisse, now Mrs. W. W. Beach, of La Fayette, and Betsy, now Mrs. M. G. Heath, of Sparta, Wis. Politics, Republican ; religion, Methodist. Was in 1850 licensed as local preacher, elected trustee, class leader and steward in the Methodist Church in Elkhorn, which offices he has filled with credit to himself and to the perfect satisfaction of the community up to the present time, 1882.

DUDLEY HARRIMAN, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Elkhorn ; is a native of Canada, born in Montreal, in 1815 ; received a common-school education, and followed lumbering until twenty- two years of age. He then came to the United States and worked on the Wabash Canal, which

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

was then under process of construction. He purchased a piece of land, and in 1839 was mar- ried to Mary Corbett, a native of Ireland. In IS42 he came to Wisconsin and lived in Mil. waukee, and lived until 1846, when he came to Walworth County, where he has since dealt in cattle, sheep, etc. ; has also dealt in real estate, owning at one time over a section of land. He now owns thirty acres, valued at $1.500. The children are-R. D., of Elkhorn ; Louisa, now Mrs. Phil. Wissell, of Sugar Creek. and Frances, now Mrs. A. L. Vanderpool, of La Fayette. Mr. Harriman is a man who is strictly honest, but has little to do with politics or religion.

A. D. HARRIS, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Springfield ; is a native of Windsor, Conn., born June 16, 1820. When he was but three years old his father died; his mother married Justice Graves, in 1334. The family removed to Medina County, Ohio. Here A. D. learned cabinet- making, which trade he followed till 18.45, at which time he came to Wisconsin, purchased eighty acres of his present farm, for which he paid $400, and in June of said year was married to Maria Bell, daughter of William and Harriet Owen Bell, of Medina County, Ohio. He has since made farming his business. He now owns 120 acres, valued at $60 per acre. The chil- dren are-Edwin W., Estelle and Herman S.

H. A. HUBBARD, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Elkhorn ; is a son of Alfred and Anna Steele Hubbard, who were natives of Connecticut, settled in Livingston Co., N. Y., where H. A. Hub- bard was born, Nov. 13, 1882. He received a common school education, with one year at an academy, and in 1854, came to Wisconsin, and settled in Spring Prairie. In 1858, in partner- ship with William Barlow. engaged in hardware business at Elkhorn, which they continued under firm name of Barlow & Hubbard, when they dissolved partnership. Mr. Hubbard went to Gen- eva, where he became a member of the hardware firm of Hubbard & Meigs one year, when they sold out the business, and Mr. Hubbard purchased a farm in Spring Prairie, but only resided on the same one year, when be sold out, and purchased his present farm of 180 acres, at $29 per acre, which he improved, so that it is now worth $55 per acre. He also owns 20 acres of timber- land, valued at $25 per acre. He was married in 1856, to Miss Jennie Carver, a native of Liv- ingston Co., N. Y. They have four children-Fred, Ralph, Marion and Georgia. In politics a Republican, and has held local offices.

R. MACKENZIE, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Fayetteville; one of Walworth County's early pioneers, is a native of Scotland, born in 1825. At the age of fourteen he was left an orphan, and in 1842, with his two brothers and one sister, his older sister having previously started, they came to the United States, and at once came to Wisconsin, where he arrived without money, be- sides being somewhat in debt for his passage to America, but being an energetic young man, he at once went to work by the month, and soon saved some money, and in 1846, purchased eighty acres of land, on Sec. 9, LaFayette, for which he gave $300. This he at once commenced im- proving, and in the following year, he harvested twenty-five acres of wheat, which yielded about 900 bushels, a part of which he hauled to Milwaukee, and sold for a $1.05 per bushel, which was the first wheat sold from LaFayette, sold at $r per bushel. He then sold the land to his brothers, and bought several pieces of land since, and is now living on a farm of 170 acres, well improved, and valued at $40 per acre. In 1850, he was married to Miss Susan, daughter of Thomas and Susan Manderson Pollock, natives of Scotland, emigrated to America in 1831, and settled in Troy, Walworth County, in 1840. They have had four children, one of whom died in 1856, and the other three died in 1858; the last three in seven months. They were then without children, until Feb. 2, 1878, at which time they adopted an infant, which they named Susie R., a bright little girl, and the pet of the family.

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 151

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