History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 83

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 83

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).

HOMER BROOKS, farmer, Sec. 17: P. O. East Troy; one of the most prominent farmers of Walworth County; is a son of David and Catharine Brooks; was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., in September, 1819. He received a common-school education; helped his parents on a farm until 1843, when, with his brother Seymour, he came to Wisconsin, bringing along a threshing machine and horses: they landed in Milwaukee and started in search of work, but, as they were

545

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

strangers, and the machine a new thing (it being the first separator ever in this part of the State). the people would not employ them; so they finally arrived at East Troy, where, after agreeing to do the work for nothing if not satisfactory, they obtained permission of Adolphus Spoore to do his threshing, and, while doing that job, the neighbors eame to see the new ma- chine, and as they were all well pleased, they immediately requested the Brooks brothers to do their work. Thus the machine was furnished work for several months. In December, Homer went back to his native State, driving a team and wagon all the way. While there, he associated N. R. Wilson as partner, purchased 2,000 Merino ewes, and drove the same from New York to East Troy; this required three months; Mr. Brooks kept his sheep, also worked some at farming, and in 1848 purchased 160 acres of his present farm. The year following, he was married to Almine Burgit, daughter of Jacob and Polly Burgit, and has since made farming his principal business. In 1854, his father sent him a few head of Durham stock, which was the first in the vicinity of East Troy. He now owns 218 acres of land, valued at $60 per aere, it being a good grain and stoek farm. He now keeps 220 Merino sheep, besides other stock, etc. He is a Re- publican, and has held local office, but takes little interest in polities. The children are Walter, Kitty (now Mrs. Henry Schwartz, of Spring Prairie) and William.

WILLIAM BURGIT. farmer. See. 29; P. O. East Troy: oldest son of Jacob and Polly Gardner Burgit: was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., in 1818; was brought up on a farm; received a common-sehool education. In the fall of 1835. he removed with his parents to St. Joseph Co., Ind., and, in March, 1837, eame to Walworth County. Here he helped his father in saw and grist mill; also worked some at farming until 1862. when he was married, at Rochester, N. Y., to Miss Maria J. Burleigh, and has since followed farming on the homestead of his father, which is located just sonth of the village of East Troy, and contains 270 acres of well-improved land, worth $40 per acre. Mr. Burgit is a gentleman who is highly respected by his fellow-men: a Republiean in polities: was a member of the Town Board many years, and, as he always has taken an interest in edneational affairs, he has been a member of the School Board for many years. He has one daughter Edith. He is the oldest living settler in East Troy.

EDWIN T. CASS, attorney, son of Cyrus and Elizabeth (Thomas) Cass, was born in East Troy April 4, 1854; was educated at the graded schools of the village. In 1873. he went to Ocon- omowoc and studied one year with Rev. James Magoffin. The following year, he had charge of the Boys' Department of the Lake Side Seminary. In 1875, he entered the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, with the intention of beeoming a civil engineer; but he soon entered the law class, from which he graduated in March. 1877, since which time be has been doing a general law and collection business at East Troy, meeting with good success. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and the I. O. O. F. ; politics, Republican.

C. P. F. CHAFIN, farmer, Section 4: P. O. East Troy, Mukwanago, Waukesha Co. : one of the pioneers of 1837: son of Samuel and Elizabeth Chafin, the former of New Hampshire and the latter of Massachusetts. The subject of this sketch was born in Weston. Vt., April 9, 1819; was left fatherless at the age of 5 years. In 1837, with his mother and two brothers, he came to Wiseonsin, and settled in the town of East Troy. He at onee located land on Sec. 4, which he commenced to improve, boarding with his mother until 1849. when he was married to Miss Parthena Graves, then of East Troy, but a native of St. Lawrence County, of New York. He now owns 200 acres of land, 160 of which he purchased at the land sale of 1838, which he now has well improved. and is valued at $40 per aere. He is a Republican, and has been a Super- visor during the past six years. He has had two children, one of whom is living Frank.

H. B. CLARK, deceased, was born at Southbury, Conn .. May 21, 1814, and, as his parents died while he was in his youth, he commenced work at the tailor's trade, which he followed in his native State until 1836, by which time he became impressed with the future possibilities and probabilities of the West, aud, believing that the chances were better for him in this broad do- main than in his native State, he came alone to Milwaukee, where he eontinned his trade until 1843. He then came to East Troy, and at once became a silent partner of the firm of Austin & Wright, at the same time working at his trade. In April, 1845, he was married to Miss Char- lotte H. Stewart, a native of Wellsville, N. Y. In August, 1845. Mr. Wright died, and the bus- iness of Austin & Wright elosed out. Mr. Clark was then in business as merchant tailor alone until 1858. when he engaged in general merchandise, being a member of the firm of Clark.

546

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

Church & Co., afterward Clark & Houghton. In 1863, he purchased his partner's interest and continued alone until January, 1866, when he associated H. H. Rogers as partner; continued under firm name of FL. H. Rogers & Co. until 1868, when the firm sold to Austin & Willis. Mr. Clark then purchased the East Troy House. subsequently deeded a one-half interest to H. H. Rogers, and spent his remaining years in hotel business. Mr. Clark was a thoroughly good, wholly use- ful and truly honest man. He was a kind husband and loving father, and a most excellent citi- zen -a man who probably had as few enemies as it is possible for any one to have. But a short time before his death, he made the remark chat, although he had not accumulated as much of this world's goods as he might have. he was able to say that he could " die an honest man." He was a Democrat in politics, and for many years was Chairman of the Town Board. His death took place Oct. 12, 1875, and the funeral ceremonies were conducted by the Trojan Lodge. No. 45. I. O. O. F., East Troy, and the East Troy Encampment. No. 13, I. O. O. F., of which he was Past Grand and Past Chief Patriarch. He left a wife and one daughter.

A. C. DEIST, dealer in harness, trunks, robes, etc., is a native of Germany, born Oct. 7. 1853, but was brought by his parents to the United States when he was but 6 months oldl. The family at once came to Wisconsin, and settled in East Troy. The father worked at his trade of mason a few years, then purchased land, and has since followed farming. A. C. lived with his parents until 18 years of age, when he concluded to learn the harness-maker's trade; he there- fore served an apprenticeship of two years with Mr. J. W. Church, when he purchased the busi- ness. In 1875, he removed to his present location, and is now doing a good business. He was married. Jan. 23, 1876, to Miss Isabella I., daughter of Charles and Mary Fraser, of East Troy. They have two children

Mary E. and W. Foster. ' In politics, he is a Republican.

HON. STEPHEN FIELD, deceased, was born in Windsor Co., Vt., Jan. 10, 1791; was married in his native State, in 1814, to Miss Mary Jordan. Mr. Field emigrated to Wisconsin in 1838; spent one winter in Mukwanago, Waukesha Co., and, in the spring of 1839. moved to East Troy; settled on Sec. 20. where he had a fine farm of 320 acres. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly from Walworth County in the winter of 1845, and held various minor offices in his town. Mr. and Mrs. Field had a family of five children, all born in Vermont. The eldest, Martin, married an adopted daughter of Maj. Meacham, and lives in Mukwanago. Wis .: Mary is the wife of A. E. Elmore, of Ft. Howard, Wis .: Angusta died in 1878, aged 55 years; Stephen F. married Ellen Elmore, and is a farmer of East Troy; Rosanna is the widow of A. O. Babcock, an attorney of East Troy. Mr. Field was engaged in farming till 1857, when he moved to the village of East Troy, where he resided till his death, which occurred Jan. 27. 1879. In politics, he was a Whig, then Federalist, in early life, and, after the organization of the Republican party, he became an earnest supporter of that party. Mr. Field was one of the earliest of the pioneers of this section, and, during the forty years of his life spent in this com- munity he was always known as an honorable and upright citizen, who commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

STEPHEN F. FIELD, farmer, Sec. 20: P. O. East Troy: has 300 acres of land. The subject of this sketch was born in Windsor Co., Vt., Feb. 2, 1822; is the son of Stephen and Mary (Jordan) Field: emigrated to Wisconsin in January, IS38: made his home in Mukwan- ago, Waukesha Co., till the spring of 1839, when he came to East Troy and settled on Sec. 20, where he has made farming his business to this date. He was married, in Lloyd, Ulster, Co., N. Y., Sept. 18, 1848, to Ellen Elmore, daughter of Job Elmore, of that county. One child, a son, was born to them, named Albert, which died in childhood.

P. O. GRISTE, druggist, was born in Ohio in September, 1840; received a common-school education, and at the age of IS commenced to clerk in a general store. In 1862, he came to East Troy and served as clerk for C. W. Smith & Co. most of the time until 1865, when he pin'- chased the drug business of E. K. Barker, which was established in 1864. and has since been the only druggist in East Troy. He removed to his present location in August. 1880, at which date he completed his present store, building a wood structure, 22x55, and two stories in height: the first floor he uses for drug store and post office, and the second floor furnishes a lodge room for the I. O. O. F. Ho is a Republican, and has been Postmaster since 1868. He was married, at Hampden, Geauga Co., Ohio, Ang. 31, 1866, to Miss Millicent L. Quiggle, of Geauga Co .. Ohio. Gertie, their only child, died Aug. 23, 18SI, aged 11 years.

547

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

WILDER M. HOWARD, dealer in boots and shoes, one of the pioneers of Wisconsin, is a native of Andover, Windsor Co., Vt., born Oct. 21, 1821. When 4 years of age, his parents moved to St. Lawrence County, State of New York. At the age of 12 years, his mother died, leaving five children-four boys and one girl. In about one year after, he, with his father and brothers, returned to Vermont: hired out for one year to Dr. Burton to work on a farm; at the end of the year, he hired to John A. Larkin to learn the shoemaker's trade: stayed with Larkin about one year, then worked one summer in Chester, Vt., at wool-carding and cloth-dressing: in the spring of 1837, hired to Webber Andrews, and in the following September, he. with Andrews and wife, left Vermont for Wisconsin; arrived some time in October, and settled in Mukwanago, at 16 years of age. working most of the time on a farm until the winter of 1839-40, then went to Troy and attended one of the first schools in this part of the then Territory; in the spring of 1841, went to Milwaukee and hired to Cornelius Howard to finish learning the shoemaker's trade; in the summer of 1842, carried United States mail from Waukesha, Wis., to McHenry, Ill., and in the fall of the same year returned to Vermont, after an absence of five years, to visit relatives and friends: remained in Vermont about eighteen months, working most of the time at his trade. May 16, 1844, he was married to Miss Electa L. Howard, and, during the same month, started for Wisconsin: arrived and settled in East Troy about the 1st of July. 1844. where he has since been in business. He is a citizen who is highly respected: is a Republican, and, in August, 1864, enlisted in Co. E. Ist Wisconsin Heavy Artillery; was appointed Company Clerk, and left the State for Washington, D. C., and arrived at Ft. Lyon Oct. S, and in a short time transferred to Ft. O'Romk, Va., where we remained in defense of Washington until the close of the war; returned home at East Troy July 3, 1865. His wife died Dec. 5, 1878, leaving one child -Frank W. Dec. 2, 1879, was married to Miss Elizabeth Fountaine, of Racine, Wis .; is still in the boot and slioe business.

J. M. HUNTER, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. East Troy, Caldwell Prairie, Racine Co .; was born in. Montgomery. Orange Co., N. Y., in 1817; received a common-school education: brought up on a dairy farm, and was thoroughly educated in the art of butter-making. He was married Feb. 1, 1839; removed to Wisconsin in 1857, and first settled in Waukesha County. Three years later, he removed to the Soldiers' Home, Milwaukee Co., where he was the First Superintendent of the Farming Department. In 1869, he purchased his present farm, which contains 200 acres, valued at $8.000, and has since been engaged in dairying. He now keeps forty cows, manu- factures butter on the Orange County plan, and solls the same to regular customers in Milwau- kee at 30 cents a pound, delivering the same every two weeks; is a Democrat, and has been Su- pervisor for five years. The children are Fanny, now married, and living in Orange Co., N. Y .: David, Albert and Henry.

GEORGE MEADOWS, hardware merchant, firm of Meadows Bros., is the oldest son of William and Elizabeth Howker Meadows: is a native of England, who emigrated to the United States in 1839; lived in Oneida Co., N. Y., until 1849, when they removed to Wisconsin and settled on Sec. 32. East Troy, where they brought up a family of five children -George; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Joseph Wolfenden, of Troy: William; Sarah, uow Mrs. Edward Bromley, of La Grange; and Alice, now Mrs. L. H. Clark, of Horicon. Wis. The mother died in 1865, and the father still resides on the farm. George was born in Oneida County Oct. 13, 1842; came West with his parents and lived with them until 1866, when he was married to Miss Elizabeth Holden then of Springfield, Walworth Co., but a native of England; purchased a farm of 189 acres on Spring Prairie, and lived on the same until 1872, since which time, in partnership with his brother William, he has been engaged in hardware business. In 1881. they built their present store, a brick structure, 26x75, and two stories in height; they removed into the same in Novem- ber, and now do a leading hardware business, carrying a stock of $4,000. Mr. Meadows is a Republican, but takes no interest in politics more than to perform his duties as a citizen. The children are Mary J., Jennie E. and Frank H. Meadows.

WILLIAM MEADOWS, firm of Meadows Bros., son of William and Elizabeth Meadows, was born in Rome, N. Y., Sept. 4, 1849; came West with his parents. and. in 1869. went to Del- avan, where he learned the tinner's trade. In 1872, he engaged in the hardware business with his brother at East, Troy, and is now doing a leading hardware trade. He was married, in Sep- tember. 1878, to Miss Clara S., daughter of R. W. and C. M. Goodrich. Politics, Republican.

548

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

JOHN F. POTTER was among the earliest settlers of East Troy. He is a native of Au- gusta, Me., born in 1817, and comes from the good old Puritan stock that emigrated to Con- necticut as early as 1637. His grandfather, who was pastor of the First Congregational Church of Lebanon, N. H., full of the patriotism that fired many noble hearts, went into the army as Chaplain, and served in that capacity at the battle of Saratoga; and. although the battle eom- menced before the good Chaplain had finished the morning prayer, vet he never shortened it one particle by reason of the cannon's roar. While his ancestors had been, many of them, grad- mates of Yale, and his father of Dartmouth College, N. H., Mr. Potter took his course of study at Phillips Exeter Academy, which has long ranked one of the first educational institutions of New England. In 1836, he came to Chicago, and spent that and the following year in Michi- gan. Visiting his old home in Maine in the spring of 1837, he resolved upon locating in Wis- consin, and came West for that purpose in the spring of 1838. He was charmed by the beauti- ful country and the lake which now bears his name. and resolved to make a claim on its shores. He built a shanty a little north of the lake, and not far from the great Indian trail leading from Waukesha through Mukwanago to Big Foot, now Geneva, Lake. Here he lived alone for awhile. In course of time, a companion from the East joined with him in life's partnership, and contin- ned with him the pilgrimage till death snatched her away, during their future residence in Washington. Mr. Potter's father was a prominent lawyer in Augusta, and his son, naturally of a legal turn, had studied with his father before coming to Wisconsin. He was early admitted to the bar, and is one of the oldest members of the bar in the State. He practiced law in Burling- ton some four years, and served as County Judge in this county ten years. He has served the town in several capacities. He was its first Postmaster. receiving his appointment in 1839. He was a member of our State Legislature in 1856, and acted a prominent part in the memorable events of that year. Being Chairman of the committee appointed for investigating the election frauds, he did much in uncovering and bringing to light the irregularities which made such an excitement in political circles. During the same year, he was chosen as United States Repre- sentative from this district, and for three consecutive terms was continued in that capacity at Washington. Those were stormy days. The fire-eaters of the South were more defiant than ever before, and their insolence became too much for human endurance. Mr. Potter proved to be the right man in the right place. Southern chivalry could not frighten him a particle. He manfully and fearlessly stood for the rights of his constituents. Incensed at some things which had transpired, Roger A. Pryor sent Mr. Potter a challenge to mortal combat, which he very promptly accepted: but when he named, as was his right, bowie knives as the weapons to be used, Mr. Pryor refused to fight, urging as a reason. " the conditions were barbarous." The fact was, he feared to come into such close contest with the brave Representative from " Woody Wis- consin." The whole transaction gave Mr. Potter notoriety at home and abroad. Notwithstand- ing threats made that placed his life in great and constant peril, he continued, in all his service at Washington, to advocate the cause of liberty without fear of man. The slave found in him a friend and helper. He strova to be a true representative of the wishes of his constituents. He was their servant, and felt it his duty to do their bidding, cost what it might. After his service as Representative. he was appointed Consul General at Montreal, Canada. Since then, he has retired to the peaceful rest and quiet which he finds at his own home; and. after a public life so stormy and dangerous as that through which he has passed, rest at home seems doubly sweet. and no one can say he has not dearly earned the rest which he now so much enjoys.

H. H. ROGERS, proprietor of the East Troy House. This enterprising gentleman and genial landlord is the eklest son of Adam and Harriet Wiggins Rogers. He was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Aug. 15, 1843. In 1855, he came with his parents to Wisconsin, and four years sub- sequently he launched his bark on the ocean of life and commenced to build his fortune. He first served as clerk for Clark, Church & Co .. of East Troy, two years; then. to better fit himself in business, he spent a term at Lincoln Commercial College, Milwaukee: subsequently, he clerked two years for L. A. Tanner, of Whitewater, and six months for Sherwin, Nowell & Pratt, of Milwaukee, when he returned to East Troy, and, in August, 1864. responded to the call of his country by enlisting in Company G, 3d W. V. C., and served until the close of the conflict. when he was mustered out as Sergeant Major. Returning to East Troy, he clerked for H. B. ('lark until 1866, when he became a partner in business, under the firm name of H. H. Rogers

549

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

& Co., until February, 1868, when the firm sold to Austin & Willis. Mr. Clark then purchased the East Troy House, and soon deeded a one-half interest to Mr. Rogers, who has since been proprietor of the place. He also keeps a livery in connection with the house. His bar, erected in 1878, is one of the first in the State; he also owns and runs the only billiard hall in East Troy. Mr. Rogers is one of those enterprising men who is found ever ready in making public improvements that may be needed in the village, town or county. In 1881, in copartnership with John Mathson, he erected a Bell telephone from East Troy to Mayhew, a distance of four miles, which is now in successful operation. As a landlord, he is a general favorite with the public, being ever ready to accommodate his guests. He is a citizen who is highly respected; a Democrat in politics, and is at present Chairman of the Town Board. He has one child living Edgar A.

O. B. ROGERS, merchant, son of Adam and Harriet E. Rogers, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1848; came with his parents to Milton, Wis., in 1855; soon after, moved to East Troy, thence to Elkhorn, county seat of Walworth County; in 1871, went to Nebraska and took a Gov- ernment claim. Returning one year afterward, in 1874 was married to Miss Ella J., daughter of Edmund M. and Catharine S. Mills: in fall of 1876, engaged in the meat business, first in Elkhorn, then in Burlington; in spring of 1878, bought a farm in La Fayette; in January, 1880, exchanged for property in East Troy, and has since been engaged in the meat and grocery bus- iness; built his present store in IS81, being a substantial wood structure, 22x55 feet, and two stories in height, using first floor for his business and second floor for dwelling; is a Republican; has two children-Herschel E. and Mabel M.

SEWALL SMITH, deceased. The name of Sewall Smith is one worthy of special men- tion. He was among the early settlers, and, by reason of the influence which he has exerted and the positions which he has occupied, has done much for the welfare of the place. Mr. Smith was a native of Andover, Vt., where he resided until his removal to Wisconsin. In the fall of 1840, he came West on a tour of inspection, and. being pleased with East Troy, resolved upon locating there. He contracted for the building of a store, designing to enter into mercantile business when he should move there. Returning to Vermont, he removed his family to East Troy in July, 1841. and resided in the upper part of the store, while on the day after his arrival he opened his store for trade, it being the first store in the place. Here he continued in trade some four years, and then rented his store for a time to R. H. Mallory. At the expiration of the lease, he returned to the store, in which he continued some four or five years, and then sold out to Stone & Hurlbut, with the stipulation that he would not engage in trade for a period of three years. He had now built a house on the corner now occupied by the store of C. W. Smith & Co. In 1855, he built the fine mansion now occupied by Mrs. Hibbert. In 1856, he built the store now occupied by his sons, and, at the expiration of the three years' limitation re- opened a store, which has for the most of the time since been occupied by his sons. Mr. Smith has served the town in several positions. in all of which he has shown himself not only compe- tent, but faithful to the trusts placed in his eare. He was the first Postmaster in the village of East Troy. For this he had special fitness, having already served ten years as Postmaster in Vermont; and, although he lost the office two or three times by a change of administration at Washington, yet it was sure to come back to him again, so that he has been a public servant in that capacity not less than fifteen years. He was a member of the first Constitutional Conven- tion; was the first Town Clerk for Troy, before East Troy was set off, and served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and as Treasurer. Mr. Smith has always taken a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the town, State or nation, and has ever kept in sympathy with every movement for the good of humanity. Whatever he undertook, he undertook in earnest. He was always decided and outspoken in his views, which may sometimes have called out the opposition of those who differed from him in sentiment, but it also endeared him the more to his friends, who always relied upon him as true to his convictions. Mr. Smith was born in 1802; married Miss Nancy Mansur in 1825, and died in Jannary. 1880, leaving five sons and one daughter, and his widow, now aged 77 years. His children are George H. and C. W., of the firm of C. W. Smith & Co .; E. A., now living at Lawrence, Kan .: Nancy, Mrs. L. A. Tanner. of Whitewater; W. F., clerk for C. W. Smith & Co .; and O. M., now residing at Philadelphia.

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 83

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