History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 86

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

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At a very early day, a saw-mill was built on Section 31. There was afterward a grist-mill started in the same locality, known as the Foster Mill, built by Bemis Foster, of Elkhorn. It was first run by Mr. Foster, and afterward by Patterson & Lane until the former's death. No- vember 13, 1SS1. It is now run by Mr. Lane.

MAYHEW STATION.

In 1871, a warehouse was built at this point by subscription, under the supervision of John Mather, and the railroad company established a station there. Subsequently, the ware- house was burned down, and, in 1872, was rebuilt by John Matheson. Mr. Matheson, at about the same time, built and opened a store, blacksmith-shop, etc. In 1873, he was commissioned as Postmaster at this point, in accordance with a petition presented to the Post Office Depart- ment asking for the establishment of the office. During the same year, he was made railroad and express agent, and telegraph operator. Mr. Matheson carries a general stock of goods, and deals in live stock, grain, wool, and all kinds of produce. Mayhew Station is connected with East Troy by a telephone line, built by John Matheson and H. H. Rogers.

Little Prairie is a small hamlet in the extreme northwestern part of the town of Troy. Adam E. Ray and the Bigelow families were among the prominent early settlers.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was the earliest organized in that section, Elder Butts, a revivalist, being the first mover in its formation. A small building was erected for the society, which, after being moved several times, was finally sold to Jolin Credicutt.

The Bible Christians organized a society at Little Prairie about the year 1858, holding their first services in a schoolhouse. They subsequently purchased the " Temperance Hall." and remodeled it into a church building, which was destroyed by fire. About 1874. the society built another church, and organized a society, the first members of which were Joseph Lackey, James Baird, Jerome Cook, Henry Cook, William H. Morrison, William Malcolmson, Thomas Coombs and others. A Sabbath school has been maintained in connection with the church. The first pastor was Rev. Henry Ebbetts, who has been succeeded by the following clergymen: Revs. William Jolliffe, Wait. I. Dumbleton, Samuel Jolliffe, T. H. Day. Greenway, Williston and George Haycraft.

The society of the Seventh-Day Adventists of Little Prairie held their first meeting Jan- uary 19, 1867, at the house of C. W. Olds, in the town of Eagle, Waukesha Co., Wis. The first Trustees were Pliny Potter, C. W. Olds and William Cartley. The society owns a church build- ing, but it is not at present in a very flourishing condition.

The school grounds are all in Troy; the district comprises two and a half acres, being situated in four towns -- Troy, La Grange, Eagle and Palmyra. The school property is valued at $1,800.

CHURCHES.

Methodist .-- In 1837, the old Aztalan Circuit was organized, and an appointment established at Troy. The first preachers were Revs. Samuel Pillsbury and Jesse Halstead. A quarterly meeting was held during the year at Meacham's Prairie.

The Congregational Church was organized August 17, 1839, by Rev. Lemuel Hall. There were twenty-five constituent members. In the ten years following its organization, the church was increased by eighty-three, having had, in all, a membership of 108. In 1848, the church and society erected a church edifice costing $1,400, with a seating capacity of about 300.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

There was at this time a Sunday school connected with the church, which was largely at- tended and very successful. There have been connected with the church as pastors: Rev. Lemuel Hall, Rev. M. Ordway, Rev. D. A. Sherman, Rev. S. Chatfee, Rev. C. E. Rosenkranz. Rev. R. R. Snow, Rev. Millon Wells, Rev. James Hall and Rev. E. Sedgwick. The church be- came weakened in consequence of some internal disagreement, and, about 1860, it was sold, and is now used for school purposes.

THE WAR RECORD.

Troy stood the siege of the war days in the spirit of her namesake several centuries ago. She furnished her full quota, and raised $12,659 as her share of blood money in putting down the rebellion. Her record. as found in the general war history, is one over which she need not blush.

TROY IN 1881.

The population of Troy, according to the Federal Census of ISSO, was 964.

The grain and other agricultural products were: Wheat, 34,750 bushels; corn, 61,000 bushels; oats, 34,000 bushels; barley, 5,100 bushels; rye, 1,500 bushels; potatoes. 7,500 bush- els; apples, 9,000 bushels; tobacco, 9,000 pounds; hay, 1.952 tons: butter, 48,000 pounds: cheese, 6,000 pounds.

In 1881, there were 5,331 acres sown to grain, 215 acres of orchard, 3,000 acres of mowing and pasture lands, and 2,600 acres of growing timber.

There were five whole and five joint school districts. The scholars between the ages of four and twenty years numbered 329, of which number 230 attended school. There were seven schools, tanght by eight teachers, at monthly wages averaging $35.83 for male, and $21.92 for female teachers. The total amount expended during the year for school purposes was $3,473. There were seven schoolhouses, valued, including the sites at $5,150.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

F. A. BENNETT, farmer, Section 20, Troy; P. O. Adams; one of the prominent farmers of Walworth, was born at New Berlin, Waukesha Co .. Wis .. August 2, 1847; received a com- mon-school education and was brought up a farmer. In 1872, his father gave him 160 acres of land, located on Section 20, Troy, since which time he has been farming the same. He now has fine buildings and other good improvements, so that his land is valned at $45 per acre. He was married, October 15, 1873, to Miss Celia S. Kling, daughter of J. R. and Emily (Bliss) Kling, and have one child-Blanche. In polities, he is a Republican, with temperance principles.

J. M. BREWSTER, farmer, Section 22, Troy; P. O. Troy Center; was born in Troy Jan. 17, 1847; received a common-school education; remained with his parents on the farm, and, in December. 1870, was married to Miss Roxie Randolph, daughter of Charles and Anna (Cowell) Randolph, and is now engaged farming on the estate of his father, Hiram Brewster, deceased. The children are Carrie J. and Charles H.

HIRAM BREWSTER (deceased), one of the early pioneers of Walwortli, was a native of New Hampshire, born near Dover Dec. 21, 1806; learned the trade of a machinist, and, in 1841. was married to Miss Achsha Mansur, a native of Vermont, born in 1812. He then came to Wis- consin, lived in East Troy two years, when he settled on Section 22, Troy, where he followed farming during the remainder of his life. At his death, which occurred Jan. 18, 1861, he owned 300 acres of land, which he left to his wife, who has since carried on the same. She now owns 437 acres, 280 of which is worth $40 per acre and the balance valned at $20 per acre. The children are J. M. and George, both of whom are now helping take care of the estate. .

NATHANIEL M. BUNKER, of the town of Troy, Sec. 10; P. O. Troy Center; one of the prominent farmers and senior member of the firm of Bunker & Smith, Troy Center; was born in the town of Milan, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Ang. 31, 1817. He lived at home until 18 years of age. when he commenced to work in a foundry in the city of Troy, N. Y., which was his principal business, although he worked at various employments until 1840, when he was married to Miss Phebe E. Prescott, removing to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., serving as foreman in the foundry of A. J. Coffin & Co. for fourteen years. His wife died in 1853, leaving three children-Henrietta S.

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now Mrs, L. E. Perry, of Dunham Park, Kan. : Sarah M., now Mrs. Charles B. Babcock, and Nathaniel P., deceased. In 1854, he married Miss Phebe S. Coffin, and came to Wisconsin March 17, 1855; settled in the town of Troy on a farm of 160 acres, valned at $40 per acre. The children by his second wife are Carrie C., Ward S. and George W. Since November, 1875. has been in partnership with L. J. Smith, in the warehouse at Troy Center. Mr. B. is a Re- publican in politics, has held several town offices, and, in 1876, represented his own district in the Assembly.

S. B. CHATFIELD, farmer, Section 18: P. O. Adams: one of the early settlers and prom- inent farmers of Walworth; is a native of Connecticut, born Oct. 21. 1822. when he was but 2 or 3 years old, the family removed to Chenango Co., N. Y. : here the mother died, when he was but 7 years old, and, three years later. the father died. Thus, at the age of 10 years, he was left at the mercy of the world to take care of himself. He was soon bound out by his uncle, who was his guardian, to a farmer by the name of Theodore Burchard, of the town of Hamilton, Madison Co., with whom he lived until he was 18 years of age, when Mr. B. rented his farm to Mr. James Stratton, and, as Mr. S. wished to have young Chatfield remain on the farm, he served out the balance of his time with Mr. S. Upon reaching his majority, he was given $100, two suits of clothes and a Bible, and, as he was now his own master, he served as a la- borer for farmers also attended school one term, and, in 1846, started West to seek his fortune. On his way West, he stopped with his guardian, David Bard, who then resided in Ohio. Here he received $87, which was his share of his father's estate. He then came to Wisconsin, arriv- ing at Troy Nov. 1, 1846, with $301 in money and a few carpenter's tools, which he purchased on his way to the West. He at once went to James Stratton, who had come West, and settled in Troy in 1843, where he made it his home until Dec. 22, 1849, when he was married to Mary E. Holcomb; he then settled where he now resides, having previously purchased 80 acres of his present farm. Dec. 31, 1854, his wife died, leaving two children -- Norman A. and Levi L. In 1857, he was married to Miss Catherine L. G. Kling, daughter of Jacob and Dorothy Kling, by whom he had seven children-George K., born June S, 1858; Dewitt C., born Aug. 11. 1862; Omer C., born April 24, 1860; Jane E., born Feb. 22, 1864; Jane E., who was accidentally burned to death, June 28, 1871, her clothing taking fire while asleep from sparks flying out of the stove: S. Libbie, born July 27, 1869; Alice J., born June 22, 1873; Senecca B., born November 15, 1875. Mr. C. now owns 1183 acres of land (24 acres of marsh land, on Section 32, at $10 an aere), which has good improvements and is valned at $60 per acre. In politics, he is a Republican, and in religion, a Baptist. He has raised sugar cane and man- factured cane syrup for fifteen years, taking an interest in its growth and best methods of mann- facture.

THOMAS COOMBE, Section 18; P. O. Adams; a native of Cornwall. England: was born in 1814; brought up on a farm, and, in 1839, was married to Miss T. B. Hutchings. In 1849, they emigrated to the United States with their three children: settled in the town of Palmyra, where he purchased a farm of 80 acres; continued working and improving the same until the year 1866, when he sold the said farm for $900 more than the purchasing price; in the same year, he bought an adjoining farm of 160 acres, harvesting four crops and then selling the same for $1,600 more than it cost him, and, in June. of 1870, when he purchased his present farm, which contains 240 acres, situated on Section 18, town of Troy, where he has since resided. His family consists of ten children-John, Elizabeth, Serena, Oliver, Rosepha, Eliza, Emma. Hemy, Levi and Ella. Death has never visited the house of this hardy pioneer. For many years past. both have been consistent members of the Bible Christian Church, father and sons being Repub- licans.

ALBERT HALL, farmer, Section 1; P. O. Troy Center; his father. W. H. Hall, is a native of Vermont, born March 14, 1821; in 1828, the family removed to St. Lawrence, N. Y., and to Monroe County, from which place. in 1840, they came to Wisconsin, arriving at Whitewater No- vember 4, but settled at Koshkonong, Jefferson Co., where W. H. was married, Feb. 24, 1845. In 1858, he removed to Whitewater, where he followed farming until 1869, when he purchased 160 acres of land, located on Section 1, Troy, and Section 6, East Troy, where he continued farming until 1881. in which year. on the Sth day of February, his wife died, leaving three children-James ,1., of Marshalltown, Iowa: Albert W., of Troy. and Lansing E., of Gonesee,

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Waukesha Co. Mr. Hall is a Democrat, and, in 1861, enlisted in Company H. 13th W. V. I., and served three years and two months. A. W. Hall was born at Koshkonong, Jefferson Co., Wis., Aug. 6, 1848; has always lived with his parents, and, in 1873, was married to Miss Mary E. Webb, daughter of James and May (Stacy) Webb, and they now have one child William. Mr. A. Hall now owns the homestead which he purchased in August, 1881, and is valued at $6,000.

E. A. HUBBARD, farmer, Section 24; P. O. East Troy: one of the carly settlers; is the eldest son of Alfred and Hannah (Steel) Hubbard; born in Greene Co., N. Y., March 12, 1824. When he was but 2 years of age, he was taken by his parents to Livingston County, where he received a common-school education, helped his parents till the soil, and subsequently clerked in a store two years. In 1845, he was married to Miss Eliza Kinney, daughter of Ezra and Louisa (Clough) Kinney, and the same year came to Wisconsin and first settled in East Troy, where he purchased land, and followed farming until 1847, when he purchased his present farm of 160 acres, at $12 per acre, which he has well improved. The children are Hannah L., Frank A., Edward A., Clara A., Willis P. and Paris P. In politics, Mr. H. is a Republican, and has held local offices. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

J. R. KLING, farmer, Section 19; P. O. Adams: one of the early pioneers and prominent men of Walworth: is a son of Jacob and Dorothy (Gasper) Kling, and was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., Jan. 7, 1815; received a common-school education; subsequently, was engaged on the canal, having charge of cargoes to and from New York City; during those years, he always had a desire to go West: he, therefore. in the fall of 1835, went to Michigan, where he pur- chased land, and, in the spring, went back East; he subsequently went to Michigan, and was exposed to many pioneer hardships. In the fall of 1839, he concluded to go farther West: this time he came to Wisconsin and soon found his way to Walworth: he at once purchased land on Section 1, La Grange, and, two years later, purchased the land on which he now resides; during those years. he kept bachelor's hall, sewed on his own buttons and took care of himself, but. as this kind of life grew more and more monotonous year by year, he began to look for a partner. and, Jan. 25, 1843, he was married to Miss Emily Bliss, daughter of Gideon and Prudence (Pease) Bliss; continued farming with marked success and reared a family of eight children, seven of whom are now living-Mary E., now Mrs. George A. Matthews, of Woodbine, Iowa; Henry B., resident of Woodbine, Iowa: Celia S., now Mrs. F. A. Bennett. of Troy; Willard J., of Lake City, Colo., and Frauk W., Edith A. and Ruby, living at home. Mr. Kling now owns 160 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. He is an active worker for the Republican party, always taking a great interest in conventions. and has held local offices. He is also an active worker for the cause of temperance. In religion, he is a Baptist.

JACOB KLING, who is at present the oldest living man in Walworth Co., Wis., was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y .. Dec. 27. 1784; was brought up on a farm, and. in 1808, was married to Dorothy Gasper, and brought up a family of twelve children, all of whom are now living. al- though the youngest of the children is nearly fifty years of age. The names of the children are John L., born Jan. 25. 1810, resides at Syracuse, N. Y .: Peter, born Dec. 2, 1811, resides in Schoharie Co., N. Y .: Henry, born Feb. 10, 1813, resides in Syracuse, N. Y .: Jacob R., born Jan. 7, 1815, resides in Troy, Wis .; Mary Ann, born July 30, 1817, now Mrs. John Anderson, resides in Troy, Wis. : William, born November 14, 1819, resides in Mason City, Iowa: Hiram, born Sept. 4, 1821, resides in Algonia, Iowa; Elizabeth, born July 27, 1823, now Mrs. H. E. Nourse, resides in Troy. Wis .; Norman, born May 7, 1825, resides in Rome, N. Y. ; Christopher, born March 19, 1827. resides in Utica, N. Y. ; George H., born Jan. 29, 1829. resides in Chi- cago, Ill .; Catharine L. G., born May 10, 1832. now Mrs. S. B. Chatfield, resides in Troy, Wis. In about 1850, the aged couple came to Wisconsin to spend their remaining years with their son Jacob R., where the mother died, in 1874. at the age of 81 years; the father still livs with his son at the advanced age of 97; he is in quite good health and able to walk to the neigh- bors'.

WILLIAM S. LUMB, farmer, Section 30; P. O. Adams: one of the pioneers who settle l in Walworth in 1842; is a native of England, born Feb. 10, 1819; reared a sailor, and, in 1841. emigrated to the United States, and, after living one year in Oneida Co., N. Y., came to Wisconsin and settled in Walworth. First, he lived in La Grange one year, then on Section 18, Troy, about seventeen years. after which he purchased his present farm and has since resided

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

on the same. He now owns 160 acres, valued at $20 per acre. Mr. Lumb is a man of more thau ordinary intelligence and has a good memory. ' He was married, in 1841. to Ann Rayner, a native of England. She died in 1569, leaving four children -- William H. lives at Pensaukee. Oconto Co .; Frank B., lives at Rockdale, Milan Co., Texas; Ben; Lettie, now Mrs. James Shearer, of Eagle, Waukesha Co. Mr. L. is a Democrat. Ben Lumb was born in Troy, Wis .. in 1857; received a common-school education: has been brought up a farmer; spent two years in the iron mines of Northern Michigan, and now has charge of his father's farm.

GEORGE MACCARTHY. proprietor of Empire Mills, Troy; is a native of Ireland; born in 1844; learned the miller's trade, and. in the year 1865, emigrated to the United States, landing at Portland. Me. He then went to New York City, where he landed March 17, and immediately started for Wisconsin and first stopped with his brother, who resides at Palmyra, Jefferson Co. But within one week he enlisted in Company H. 51st Wisconsin, and served until the close of the war, when he was mustered out as Corporal. Returning to Wisconsin, he worked at his trade at Janesville a few months, then at Quincy. Mich., a short time, when he came to Walworth County and worked in the East Troy Mills three years; then a short time at Richland Center, after which, in partnership with his father. he rented a mill at Dover, Iowa Co., which they ran six months. He then returned to Walworth, and. for the next two years, 1870 and 1871. was head miller in the East Troy Mills. The next seven years he was foreman in the City Mills, of Madison, since which time he has been proprietor of the Empire Mills, having rented the same May 15. 1880. In 1881, he leased the Lake Mills, of La Grange, and now runs the same. He also owns 120 acres of land in Eagle, Waukesha Co .. valued at $30 per acre. The children living are Tessie. George, Lizzie, Fred and Jennie.

L. MARTIN. farmer, Section 18; P. O. Adams; was born in the State of New York May 4, 1824; reared on a farm, received a common-school education, and, in 1844, came to Wisconsin and soon purchased his present farm. In 1846, he was married to Miss Dyantha Bliss, daughter of Gideon and Prudence Bliss, and has since followed farming with the exception of the time from 1856 to 1865, when he was engaged in the blacksmith and wagon business at Troy. He now owns 120 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. The children living are Chester, Frances (now Mrs. Fred Bowman, of Iowa), Arthur, Hattie and Willie. In politics, Mr. M. is a Repub- lican: in religion, a Baptist.

W. P. MEACHAM, farmer, Section 25: P. O. Troy: is a son of U. D. and Prudence (Gidds) Meacham, and grandson of Maj. Jesse Meacham; he was born in Troy Sept. 27, 1836, and is, therefore, the first male child born in Walworth County. When he was 8 years of age. he moved to Elkhorn, and, in 1852, to Freeport, III. The next four years, he spent in rambling about in different States, when he returned to Freeport and followed farming at that place for about eight year. during which time, in 1861, he was married at Monroe, Wis., to Miss Celesta J. Smith, daughter of Stephen and Amanda M. (Carter) Smith. In February. 1865, returned to Troy to take charge of his grandfather, Maj. Meacham, and subsequently, on the death of his grandfather, he came in possession of the estate, which he now owns, the same containing 210 acres, valued at $50 per acre. Mr. M. now keeps forty cows, manufactures about 8,000 pounds of butter per annum and about 600 pounds of curd per week. He is a Democrat in politics and has held local offices; he is not a religions man, but is an honest, upright citizen, who is highly respected by his fellow-men. The children are Carrie and Herford C.

FRANCIS MINETT, farmer, Section 21; P. O. Troy Center: is a native of England, born Oct 21. 1835: in 1849, with his parents, William and Sarah Minett, he came to the United States and at once came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Troy. Francis lived at home but little, as he spent most of his time in the employ of other parties until 1855, when he was married to Polly, daughter of Edwin and Mary Randall. She was born Jan. 16. 1837, in Gen- esee County. State of New York. He then followed farming for a number of years on Section 16, Troy, where he purchased his present farm, which contains 190 acres, valued at $35 per acre. The children are Albert F., Charles S., Jennie May, Hattie, Frank F. and Mattie E. Mr. M. is a Republican and has held local offices. He also took part in the war of the late rebellion. His father died Nov. 19, 1868, aged 83 years: Sarah, his mother, died Sept. 22. 1859, aged 73 years. The children were born as follows: Albert F., born Feb. 10. 1857; Charles S., born March 2, 1860; Jennie M., born June 20, 1866: Hattie, born March 18, 1872; Frank F., born Aug. 31. 1876; Mattie E., born Jan. 8, 1879.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

H. E. NOURSE, farmer. Section 20; P. O. Adams; one of the prominent farmers of Walworth County :. is a native of Vermont. born in May, 1824. In 1825, they removed to Her- kimer Co .. N. Y. Here he received a common-school education, helped till the soil, and. in February. 1849, was married to Miss Elizabeth Kling, daughter of Jacob and Dorothy Kling, and the following May came to Wisconsin and at once settled where he now resides and has since followed farming with marked success. He now owns 180 acres of land, 100 of which is improved and valued at $40 per acre, and 80 acres unimproved, valued at $10 per acre. He keeps a dairy of thirty cows and manufactures large quantities of butter and Dutch cheese; he has one daughter -- Clara F. Mr. N. is a Republican in politics and has held local offices; in religion. he is a Baptist.

N. J. RANDOLPH. farmer, Section 22: P. O. Troy Center; son of Charles and Ann (Cowell) Randolph. He was born in Spencer. Tioga Co., N. Y., Sept. 11. 1845; was brought by his parents to Wisconsin and lived with them in Granville, Milwaukee Co., seven years. when the family removed to Walworth County, and settled in the town of Troy. Here he helped till the soil, and, in 1876, was married to Miss Ella, daughter of Edwin and Catharine De Puy, of East Troy; in January, 1879. his father deeded his farm, which contains 120 acres, valued at $50 per acre. His parents are both living with him. In politics, he is a Republican.

CHARLES RANDOLPH, is a native of Fredericksburg, Va .; when three years of age, was taken by his parents to Tioga Co., N. Y., where, Oct. 28, 1834, he was married to Anna Cowell. In 1848. he came to Wisconsin and lived in Granville, Milwaukee Co., until 1855, when he came to Walworth. purchased 120 acres of land on Section 22. Troy, which he culti- vated until January, 1879, when he deeded the same to his son, Nathan J. The children are Harvey L., of Troy Center: Mary E .. now Mrs. M. Lytton, of Talbot Co .. Md .: William H., of Illinois; Nathan J., of Troy, and Roxie, now Mrs. John Bresster, of Troy.

JOHN A. SCHWARTZ, merchant. Troy Center: oldest son of Paul and Elizabeth (Wag- ner) Schwartz; was born at Saline, N. Y., in 1840; was brought by his parents to Troy, Wis., in 1843, and here helped till the soil until 1867, when he was married to Elizabeth Wilmer, daughter of Bernard and Elizabeth, of East Troy. He then engaged in mercantile business at East Troy, which he continued for one year, then carried on a general huckster trade eighteen months, at the end of which time he came to Troy Center, where he has since been doing a general mercantile business, carrying a stock of about $3,500. He is a Republican, but takes no interest in politics, more than to perform his duties as a citizen. His children are Albert, Bernard, Flora, George, Edna, John and Walter.

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 86

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