History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 94

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

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C. M. BLACKMAN, President of the First National Bank of Whitewater, which position he has held since the fall of 1873. He was born in Bridgewater, N. Y., Oet. 10. 1833. He is the son of Alva and Almira Briggs Blackman; was educated at the Sauquoit Academy, Oneida Co .. N. Y. He emigrated with his parents to Wisconsin in 1847, and made his home at Stough- ton, Dane Co. In the fall of 1856, he engaged in the mercantile business, in which he contin- ned seven years. In November, 1863, he moved to Whitewater, where he helped to organize the First National Bank, of which he was the first Cashier. He continued in that capacity till the time of the death of Mr. Sanger Marsh (its President), October, 1873, when he was elected President, and has held that position to this date-1882. Mr. Blackman was married, at Whitewater, Ang. 10, 1860, to Miss Mary E. Billings, daughter of Seth M. Billings. Mrs. Blackman was born in Cleveland, Ohio. They have four children-Edith, Jessie, Mary and Thane M. Mr. Blackman is a zealous member of the Congregational Church, and has served fourteen years as Superintendent of its Sabbath school.

JOHN BORTLE was born on the Livingston Manor tract. New York, Oet. 18. 1811; is the son of Richard Bortle. He was married, in Verona, Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 21, 1836, to Sarah Wood, daughter of David Wood. Mrs. Bortle was born in Verona. They had nine children, of whom six are living-Sarah M., now Mrs. James Hackett, of Whitewater; J. Wilson, died Nov. 5, 1867, aged 26 years; he was a member of the 28th W. V. I., and served three years in the late war; Mary L. is Mrs. Warner Hadley, of Johnstown, Wis. ; Luther O. died March 4, 1848, in childhood; Almeda G. is Mrs. Wesley Saxe, of Whitewater Village; Almeron died March 3, 1848, in childhood; Rhoda is the widow of Vernon Taft, of Whitewater; Cecil O. married Mary

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Cleland: lives at the old homestead; Oscar married Eva MeLean, and is a grocer of Whitewater. Mr. Bortle came from New York to Wisconsin in 1843, and settled on See. 32. where he still has a farm of 120 acres. He continued his residence on the farm till March, 1878, when he removed to Whitewater Village. his present residence.

CECIL BORTLE, farmer. Sec. 32; P. O. Whitewater; he has 40 acres of land, and his father 117 acres. Cecil was born in Whitewater. Wis., Jan. 7, 1850; is the son of John and Sarah Bortle; was brought up a farmer; married, March 29, 1877, in Lima, Roek Co., Wis., to Miss MaryCleland. daughter of James and Mary (Wilson) Cleland. Mrs. Bortle was born in Koshkonong, Jefferson Co., Wis. They have one child, a daughter, Clara Belle.

JOSEPH C. BOWER, contractor and builder, and proprietor of the Bower House, a first- class hotel. and of Bower's Opera Hall. The Bower House was built in 1879; opened for bus- iness Sept. 9, 1880. The house is a fine brick and stone structure, fifty-four feet front on Main street, and 109 feet on Second street, 54x85 is three stories, balance two stories. The building

contains forty rooms, exclusive of two fine stores fronting on Main street. Mr. Bower will in- crease the dimensions of the house the coming summer, so that it will be 54x144, raising the rear part and adding thirty rooms. The public hall known as " Bower's Hall " is a substantial brick and stone structure, 100x75 feet. The hall proper is 100x44 feet 18 feet high, with stage room 20x44, exclusive of dressing rooms, and has a seating capacity of 800 persons. The hall is supplied with six changes of scenery. This hall was built in 1870, on the site of the old hall that was built in 1850 and burned May 9, 1870. The subject of this sketch was born in York- shire, England, Dec. 9, 1821; is the son of William and Sarah Bower; came to America with his parents in 1827, who made their home in Dutchess Co., N. Y. They moved from there to Bridgeport, Conn., and from there to Derby. When of suitable age, he learned the machinist's trade, in Birmingham, Conn., where he served three years. He then emigrated to Wisconsin and located in Raymond, Racine Co., 1841, where he was engaged in farming till 1843. He then went to Milwaukee and learned the mason's trade, which he worked at three years. In 1846, he came to Whitewater to help build the brewery at that place, since which time he has made his home here. Mr. Bower, by his energy and enterprise, has probably done more toward the development of this town than any other one man. He has been the contractor and builder of a large proportion of the brick buildings of the place, and at one time was the owner of twelve briek business buildings. He was married. in Cold Spring, Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1853, to Miss Adelia A. Marsh, daughter of Jonathan Marsh. Mrs. Bower was born in Ferrisburg, Ad- dison Co., Vt. They have four children, two boys and two girls, living-George W., Albert E., Emma and Nellie. Mr. Bower has served eleven years as Town Treasurer, and is the present incumbent.

PETER H. BRADY, deceased, was born in New York Jan. 3, 1821. When grown to man- hood, he went to Illinois, and was employed as merchant's elerk in Aurora till 1841, when he moved to Whitewater, Wis., and engaged as clerk in the general store of P. Peck, continuing under the firm of Peck & Keep. till 1848. when he was admitted as a member of the firm. This connection continued until 1851, when the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Brady entered into part- nership with Jacob Starin and D. S. Cook in the same line. In 1857, he sold his interest to his partners, and bought into the Whitewater Foundry, with Allen & Powers, under the firm name of Powers, Allen & Co. He closed out his interest in this concern and went to Plano, Ill., in 1865. Here he bought a half-interest with his brother Jesse in a fruit farm. As the cli-

mate proved injurious to his health, he sold out after the first year, and returned to Whitewater. He only survived a short time after his return, dying Oct. 10, 1866. During his residence in Wisconsin, he had various offices of publie honor and trust. In 1858 and 1859, he was elected Secretary of the Wisconsin Central Railway. In 1863, he was appointed Postmaster of the Wisconsin Senate, and in 1864 was elected Assistant Chief Clerk of the Assembly. He was married, April 22, 1852, to Margaret U. Rameau. Two children were born to them-Howard R. and George P. The elder brother. Howard R., is conductor in the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway; the younger, George, is a student of the Whitewater Normal School. Mr. Brady lost his wife in 1861. Her death occurred Feb. 9. He was married again, Oct. 18, 1865, to Harriet A. Wilkinson. who survives him. One child, a daughter, was born of this marriage, named Anna C. Words of praise of the departed are too often hollow and mean-

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ingless; but in the present instance, space will not permit the writer to pay more than a pass- ing tribute to the virtues of a most worthy man: Strictly conscientious and upright in all bus- iness transactions, genial and courteous in his intercourse with all, he was universally liked, and one of the most popular merchants that ever did business in Whitewater. In the words of one of his old partners-a gentleman whose good opinion is a compliment to any one- "he was a grand. good man."

ALBERT F. BRIDGE, of the firm of Bridge Bros., grocers and millers, was born in Jefferson Co., Wis., March 28, 1854; is the son of Robert and Isabel Bridge. He was educated in the common schools. and at the State Normal School of Whitewater. In 1876, he engaged in the grocery business at Whitewater with Edward Engebretsen, under the firm name of Bridge & Engebretsen, with store located at Bower's Hall Block. This connection was con- tinued until 1879, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Bridge began business at the corner of Center and Second streets, which he continued until 1881. In January, 1881, his brother George entered the firm, and it has since been known as Bridge Bros. They carry a full line of staple and fancy groceries, crockery and queensware, and do an extensive business in farm produce. They have a large refrigerator in connection with their establishment, which enables them to handle perishable produce to advantage. They are also interested in what is known as the Stone Mill of Whitewater, of which they own one-third. A. F. is equally inter- ested in a similar store to the Whitewater which is located at Marshalltown, Iowa, his partner being his brother Charles, who is in charge of the business.

BYRON BROWN, of the firm of Brown & Holloway, millers, Fall River, Columbia Co., Wis., resident of Whitewater, was born in South Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., May 20, 1827; is the son of Joseph and Sarah Brown. In early youth, he entered his father's mill, where he learned the miller's trade. In March, 1850, he came to Delavan, Wis .. and engaged as miller with E. F. & J. Mabie, of that place, and continued in that mill thirteen years. He was mar- ried, at Bergen, Genesee Co., N. Y., Sept. 9, 1855, to Amelia T., daughter of Luke and Susan Taylor. Mrs. Brown was born in Delavan, Wis., Oct. 12, 1837, being the first white child born within the limits of the town; and in 1863 Mr. Brown bought the flouring-mill at East Troy, which he operated until 1866, when he bought the Stone Mills at Whitewater, in company with Jolin Lean. One year later, he bought Mr. Lean's interest. and operated the mill alone until May 12, 1873, when he sold a half-interest to C. M. Brown, and went to California in company with his wife, returning after a few weeks. In 1876. be sold the balance of the mill to Girdon Montague, of Geneva, and went to California in company with two of his daughters, one of them, Allie, an invalid, who, they were in hopes, would regain her health from a change of eli- mate. But alas! the disease had made too much of an inroad on the poor girl, and, in less than two and one-half years, death saved her from further pain. Mr. Brown returned to Whitewater in 1877, and, in 1878, bought into the Stone Mills again; continned in business at Whitewater until June. 1881. when he sold out and bought the Fall River Mills, at Fall River, Columbia Co .. in company with John Holloway, where he has since continued in business. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had nine children-Carrie A. ; Alice M., died in California, aged 20 years; Nettie A. is the wife C. H. Sproat, of Dakota: Fred E., Ada L., Dean M., Eva M., Edna E. and Helen T.

CHARLES M. BROWN, of C. M. Brown & Co., proprietors of Stone Mill. He was born in Schoharie. Schoharie Co., N. Y., Dee. 17, 1840; is the son of William B. and Mary H. Brown. When 5 years of age (1845), he came to Walworth Co., Wis., with his parents, and made his home in the town of Walworth. He was brought up on a farm until 1860, when he began learning the miller's trade in the Big Foot Flouring-Mills; was there one year, and then went to Eau Claire, where he engaged in the same business. From that time till 1873, he operated as a journeyman miller in various places. May 12 of that year, he bought into the Stone Mills, and has continued the business to this date. He was married, in Walworth, June 21, 1862. to Miss C. M. Douglass, daughter of G. L. Douglass. Mrs. Brown was born in Walworth. They have had four children. Glennie, a son, died when 2 years of age; Alice A. is aged 14 years; Willie D., 12; and Grace A., 7 years.

OTIS G. BROWN, lessee of the Kinney House, was born in South Bristol, Ontario Co .. N. Y., Oct. 11, 1834: is the son of Joseph and Sarah Brown. He was brought up a farmer, and

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

emigrated to Wisconsin in 1854; located on a farm near Delavan. Walworth Co .; was married. in Delavan, July 4, 1860, to Miss Frances A. Stowell, daughter of Israel Stowell. Mrs. Brown was born in Delavan, Wis. They have had three children -. Nellie, Cady and Herbert. Cady died in infancy. Mr. Brown moved to Darien, where he was engaged in farming eight years. In the fall of 1872, he moved to Whitewater, where he has since resided. He has served as Marshal of Whitewater one year, and as Constable five years. In 1881, he leased the Kinney House, which he is keeping at this writing, and, by his superior management. has made it one of the popular hotels of the place.

BULKLEY. CRANDALL & CO., dealers in dry goods, carpets, groceries and crockery. This firm was organized January, 1882, and are successors to Gallt, Bulkley & Co., which firm was organized January, 1876, and were successors to Gallt, Birge & Co. The business was first started by Orlando Gallt in 1855. in a wooden store situated on the present site of Bower's store block. near the post office. There he did a general merchandising business (see sketch of Mr. Gallt). Mrs. Helen M. Caine, daughter of Mr. Gallt, represents the Gallt interest in the present business. The firm now occupy the fine corner store in the Bower Hotel block, cor- ner of Second and Main streets. Their salesroom is 85x30 feet, and thoroughly stocked with everything in their line. Four clerks are employed. Brownell Bulkley, senior partner of the above firm, was born in Greene, Chenango Co., N. Y., Ang. 18, 1844; is the son of Samuel and Phobe Bulkley; while quite young, moved with his parents to Madison County. He was edu- cated at the Union School of Fayetteville, Onondaga Co., and began his business life as a mer- chant's elerk in Cazenovia. After six years' experience, he was given general charge of the business, and, in addition to a stated salary, was allowed an interest in the net proceeds of the business. He continued in this business eight years under the above arrangement, making four- teen years in all that he was with the house. He was married, June 3, 1872, at Cazenovia, to Miss Amelia M., daughter of Andrew J. Crandall. Mrs. Bulkley was born in Owego, N. Y. They have one son, Robert C.

JAMES BURTON, of the firm of Burton & Dewey, dealers in hardware, tinware and stoves, was born in Malone, Franklin Co., N. Y., April 16, 1821; is the son of Curtis and Phebe Bur- ton: was educated in the public schools and in the Western Reserve College at Hudson, Ohio. His father was a tanner by trade, and proposed to make the son adopt the same business; but, on becoming informed that it was very distasteful to him. he gave his consent that his son might seek some more congenial business. So, at the age of 15, he struck out for himself. He went to Ohio City, now a part of Cleveland, where, on noticing an advertisement for a boy to learn the printing business. he applied at the office of the Ohio City Transcript, where he was engaged, and served two and one-half years. At the expiration of that time, he entered the office of the Ohio Obserrer, at Hudson, Ohio, where he was employed two years. He then at- tended the Western Reserve College at this place. Before completing the course, he had an opportunity to become propriotor of the Ashtabula Sentinet, which he published thirteen years. In 1853. he came to Milwaukee, Wis., and engaged as salesman with the wholesale house of Ball & Goodrich; was in the employ of that firm twenty-eight years, twelve of which he was travel- ing for said firm. On Nov. 24, 1879, he engaged in his present business with Mr. Dewey.

LUTHER CADMAN, carpenter and builder, was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan. 18, 1810; is the son of George and Desire (Bebee) Cadman: when 14 years of age, moved to May- field. Montgomery Co .; came to Whitewater in the fall of 1843; was actively engaged at his trade of carpenter and builder; built a large proportion of the early structures, including the second church in the village; built the American House and kept it twenty-two and a half years, beginning in 1853; was carpentering nine years, farming two years; went to Nebraska in May. 1878. and returned to Whitewater in March, 18SI. He was married, April 3, 1836, in Fulton Co., N. Y., to Miss Maria Miller, daughter of Fred Miller. Mrs. Cadman was born in Montgomery County. They had four children, of whom two sons only are living-George and Charles. George married Celia Mckinley, and lives in Nebraska: Charles married Louisa Car- penter, and lives in Whitewater. He was a member of the 4th W. V. C., and served two and a half years, till the close of the war. Mrs. Cadman died Feb. 28, 1880. When Mr. Cadman came to Whitewater, the whole town constituted one road district. There are but two or three men now living in the village who were there when he settled in the place.

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JOHN M. CLARK, deceased, was born in Pawlett, Rutland Co., Vt., March 3, 1803; was the son of Ozias Clark, who was an early settler of that county. He was bronght up a farmer; was married, in Granville, Washington Co., N. Y., in 1837, to Miss Julia A. Beckwith, dangh- ter of Harry Beckwith. In 1845, Mr. Clark, in hopes of bettering his fortunes, came to Wis- consin and selected a site for a farm in the town of Whitewater, Walworth Co .; returning to Vermont for his family, he moved to the new home in the West in the spring of 1846. He had secured a tract of land comprising 800 acres, situated on Sec. 7 and adjacent section. This tract embraces some of the finest land in this fertile region. The following year, Mr. Clark bought a flock of 270 thoroughbred Merino, or fine-wool sheep, which came from Connectient, and thus laid the foundation for that branch of farming which has since developed to such an extent that the town of Whitewater and vicinity is at this writing the center of attraction for the sheep-breeders of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Clark had three children-two sons and a daugh- ter. The oldest son is Hemy B. The daughter, Frances, is the wife of Judge C. R. Gibbs. of Whitewater; the youngest son, Charles M., is a farmer, and owns the old homestead in White- water. Mr. Clark continued to farm successfully on the wisely chosen location till the time of his death, which occurred May 18. 1864. No words of enlogy are necessary to refresh the mem- ory of friends and neighbors as to the many sterling qualities of the deceased, but as this work is intended for a record, as well for the coming generations as the present, it will be proper to state that he was an enterprising, thrifty, npright citizen, who was always right on questions of public interest, liberal in encouraging the support of schools and churches: a zealons mem- ber of the Congregational Church, his liberal donations and generous example aided in securing the success of that society; a modest and nnassuming man, he won and deserved the friendship and esteem of all who knew him. In politics, he was first a Whig, and, on the organization of the Republican party, became one of the most earnest supporters of its policy.

CHARLES M. CLARK, farmer and breeder of registered Spanish Merino sheep and Short- Horn cattle, Sec. 7; P. O. Whitewater. He is a native of Pawlett, Rutland Co., Vt .; is the son of J. M. and Julia B. Clark; was born Nov. 25, 1833. He was brought up a farmer, and, in 1846, came to Wisconsin with his parents and located on Sec. 7, town of Whitewater, Walworth Co., where his father purchased a tract of 800 acres of land. The subject of this sketch was married, in Plainfieldl, Mass .. Nov. 4, 1859, to Miss Ellen Bassett, daughter of Thomas Bas- sett, of Plainfield. One son was born to them-Henry L. Mrs. Clark died at her home in Whitewater, Dec. 30, 1864. Mr. Clark was married again. Feb. 22. 1866, in Orwell. Vt., to Miss Ellen, daughter of Daniel Holbrook. Mrs. Clark was born in Orwell, Addison Co., Vt. Two daughters were born to them-Jennie and Julia. Mr. Clark's father was interested in breeding fine-wool sheep in Vermont, and, on coming to Wisconsin, purchased a fine flock of pure-blooded Merinos from Vermont. his being the third hand from the importers. These sheep have been bred by both father and son with the greatest of care, and improved, until, at this writing. Mr. Clark has a flock of 250 head of fine-bred sheep, that will compare favorably with any registered sheep in the country. He has been breeding thoroughbreds since 1875, and is recognized as one of the most successful stock-growers in the State. His herd of high-topped Bates Short-Horned cattle are remarkable for their purity and perfection. They are mostly from the best Kentucky herds; are considered to be among the finest in Wisconsin. His herd ranges from seventy-five to one hundred. He has a fine farm of 400 acres, lying just outside of the village of Whitewater, complete in its appointments. and justly noted as a place of attraction to all lovers of fine stock. The general hospitality of its proprietors makes the stranger always welcome, in the genuine. old-fashioned frontier style.

DR. J. A. CLARK, deceased, was one of the first physicians who settled in Whitewater. Although not identified with any church, he was an honest man-" the noblest work of God." He was born in Stowe. Vt., Sept. 23, 1814. When 17 years of age, his father removed to Townshend, Ohio. After studying medicine for three years with Dr. Lathrop, of Bellevne. Ohio, Dr. Clark came to Whitewater in 1839, and commenced the practice of his profession. He afterward took a course in Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which institution he grad- uated with honors. The lamented deceased left a widow and four children.

SIMEON COBB, deceased, was born in Rutland Co., Vt., in the year 1800; was the son of Joshua Cobb. He was brought up a farmer. He moved to Oneida Co., N. Y., where he was

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married, Dec. 12, 1857, to Miss Betsy Hungerford, daughter of Jacob Hungerford. Mrs. Cobb was born in Vernon, Oneida Co., N. Y. Five children were born to them -Henry E., Henry H., Caroline E., Ellen MI. and Elizabeth E. The eldest, Henry E., died when 2 years of age; Henry H. is a farmer of Whitewater; Caroline died when 10 years of age: Elizabeth E. is the wife of Frank W. Tratt, of Whitewater. Mr. Cobb emigrated to Wisconsin in 1855, and en- gaged in farming in the town of Whitewater, where he resided until his death, which occurred Oct. 12, 1866. Though never ambitions of public distinction. he was widely and favorably known as an upright, honorable man, a good neighbor and worthy citizen. Mrs. Cobb survives her husband, and resides with her son, Henry H., on the old homestead, adjacent to the village of Whitewater. Henry H. was born in Oneida, Madison Co., N. Y .. Nov. 28, 1831. He came to Whitewater in 1853, and located on his present farm of 150 aeres.

GEORGE W. COBURN, drayman and dealer in coal and wood, commenced business in 1877 with one team; now runs three teams: employs four men; handles 1,700 tons of coal and 400 cords of wood annually. Mr. Coburn was born in Ohio Dec. 11. 1842: is the son of F. H. and Lodema Coburn; came to the town of Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis., with his parents, in 1848, where his father bought a farm of 392 acres; George was brought up on a farm; was married, Feb. 25, 1863, to Miss Ada, daughter of Joseph Hawes. Mrs. Coburn was born in New York. Mr. Coburn was engaged in farming until 1877, when he moved to Whitewater and engaged in his present business.

ROSWELL COBURN, proprietor of elevator or warehouse, dealer in general produce. His business was established in 1879, under the firm name of Slocum & Coburn. In Septem- ber. 1880, Mr. Coburn bought out Mr. Slocum, and has since conducted the business alone; deals in wheat, oats, barley, rye, clover seed and feed. He was born in Cornish Flats, N. H .. in 1820; when 5 years of age, went to Rochester. N. Y., where he grew to manhood. On achieving his majority, he went to Kalamazoo, Mich., where he resided until 1851, when he moved to Walworth Co .. Wis., and settled in East Troy; was engaged in farming until 1865. when he sold out and moved to Delavan, and engaged in the hardware business. In 1873. he moved to Whitewater and engaged in the same line of business until 1879, when he entered upon his present business. He was married, near Rochester, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1848. to Miss Eliza- beth, daughter of Peter V. Shulters. Mrs. Coburn was born in Herkimer Co .. N. Y.

EDWIN D. COE, editor and proprietor of the Whitewater Register, was born in Jefferson Co., Wis .. town of Ixonia. June 11, 1840. He is the son of Orris K. and Paulina S. Coe. He was educated in the common schools and Wayland University, and in the State University at Madison. Shortly before he was to have graduated, he enlisted in Co. A, 2d W. V. I., April 15, 1861, for three months. The regiment did not leave the State under the three-months' call, and he re-enlisted, August, 1865, in Co. A. 1st W. V. C., in which he served two years, during which time he participated in the battles of Cape Girardeau, Chalk Bluff, Bloomfield. Horners- ville, and various skirmishes. On his return from the army, he began the study of law at Watertown with Gill & Barber, with whom he continued six months. He next spent one year in the office of Bennett. Cassoday & Gibbs, of Janesville, and was admitted to the bar May, 1865. Soon after, he engaged in the lumber business with his father, in Watertown, which connection lasted two years. He then, in the summer of 1868, bought into the Watertown Republican office, with Mr. J. H. Keyes; severed his connection with that paper about a year and a half later. and went to Beloit, where he published the Beloit Journal and Free Press till October, 1871. when he came to Whitewater and purchased the Whitewater Register office. Under his man- agement. the circulation of the paper and business of the office have been increased until Mr. Coe may be said to have the largest and best-appointed office in the county. Mr. Coe has served two years in the Wisconsin Legislature, 1878 and 1879, being elected as a Republican,

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 94

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