History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 95

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

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of which party he is a zealous member. He was married, at Janesville, Sept. 26, 1865, to Miss Emma E. Spaulding, daughter of Joseph Spaulding. Mrs. Coe was born in Janesville. They have five children- four sons and one daughter-Florence E., Elsworth S., Dwight D., Joseph S., Robert K. Mr. Coe is the present Chief Clerk of the Wisconsin Assembly.

J. W. CONVERSE, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Whitewater: was born in Oneida Co., N. Y .. Oct. 6. 1812: is the son of Thomas and Lydia Converse; was brought up a farmer, and, when 21 years of age, went to Jefferson County, where he was married, Oct. 5, 1837, to Miss Susan

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Doane, daughter of Azariah Doane. Mrs. Converse was born in Ellisburg, Jefferson Co. One son was born to them-Azariah D. In 1856, Mr. Converse and family moved to Whitewater. Wis., where they have since resided. The son, Azariah D .. was born in Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., N. Y .. Nov. 10, 1838; came to Wisconsin with his father in 1856: was married, in the town of Whitewater, Feb. 18, 1872, to Miss Marian Crossett. Mrs. Converse was born in She. boygan, Wis. They have one child, a daughter, Stella May, aged 6 years. Mr. Converse and his father have a farm of 200 acres, situated on Sec. 19, Whitewater, which they have occupied since 1871. In 1873, they began the breeding of Ayrshire cattle; have now a stock of forty head, one-quarter of which are full-bloods, imported from Jefferson Co., N. Y. Having also a large stock of other cattle, they do an extensive dairy business.

ORRAMEL COOK, farmer, and breeder of registered thoroughbred Spanish Merino sheep and Durham Cattle; P. O. Whitewater; farm comprises 200 acres, and situated partly in Secs. 9, 10 and 15. Mr. Cook began breeding Merino sheep in 1864, getting stock bred by Tyler Stickney, of Shoreham, Vt. ; also of L. C. Remele and Germain Cutting of the same place; also of R. Gleason, O. C. Bacon, Chester Roach, Dennison Blackmer, of Vermont. Mr. Cook has a flock of 200 choice sheep. His first start in Durham cattle was bred by E. G. Douglass, Elgin, Ill. ; A. Kirshaw, Du Page Co., Ill. ; Samuel Tenny, Durham Hill Post Office, Waukesha Co., Wis. ; John Zuill, Johnstown, Rock Co., Wis. ; George W. Havenden. Galva, Henry Co., III. ; and Richard Wray, Richmond, MeHenry Co., Ill. He has now a fine herd of Short-Horns. Mr. Cook was born in Charlton, Saratoga Co., N. Y., April 6, 1821. He is the son of Zebulon and Margaret Cook. He was brought up on a farm until IS years of age, when he served a regular apprenticeship of three years at the carpenter's trade. He was married. in Ballston. Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan. 22, 1845, to Miss Clarissa Curtis, daughter of Luzon and Susan Cur- tis. They had two children born in the East-Emma C. and Willard O. Emma is now Mrs. Edward I. Morey, of Whitewater. In the fall of 1854, Mr. Cook and family moved to Walworth Co., Wis., and settled on their present farm. Two children were born to them in Whitewater. a daughter and son- Mararetl. S. and Frank H. Mr. Cook and wife are members of the Con- gregational Church, Whitewater.

PITT CRAVATH, attorney at law, editor and proprietor of Whitewater Chronicle, was born in Lima, Rock Co., Wis., Aug. 1, 1844; is the son of Prosper and Maria P. (Noble) Cravath: came to Whitewater with his parents in 1845. He was educated in the public schools and the State University; graduated in 1863, and, the following year, attended the Albany Law School of Albany. N. Y. ; graduated, and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of New York in 1865. He returned to Wisconsin and began the practice of law at Whitewater, in company with N. S. Murphy, of the Milwaukee Senlinel; continued that connection three years, and then went to New Orleans, 1868, where he was elected Assistant Secretary of State of Louisiana. which office he held two years; also served as Secretary of the Senate two years. He then re- turned to Wisconsin and spent a year or more in the office of Carpenter & Murphy, at Milwau- kee. From there he went to Algona, Iowa. where he practiced law and purchased the office of the Upper Des Moines: remained there five years, and returned to Whitewater. Wis., 1879. He started the Whitewater Chronicle, a weekly newspaper. steam power press, which he still publishes. In the fall of 1879, he formed a law partnership with Mr. Samuel Bishop, as Bishop & Cravath. Mr. Cravath was married, in Waukesha, Wis .. Oct. 20, 1867. to Miss Marcia Dowd, daughter of Capt. John Dowd. Mrs. Cravath was born in New York.

PROSPER CRAVATH, attorney at law, Whitewater, Wis. He was born in Cortland. Cortland Co., N. Y., May 28, 1860; is the son of Prosper and Mariam Cravath. When 20 years of age, he began the study of law in the office of Mr. Hawks, a prominent lawyer of Cort- land. After pursuing the study two or three years, he turned his attention to other pursuits. He was married, March 25, 1834, to Miss Maria Noble, daughter of Solomon Noble. Mrs. Cravath was born in Massachusetts. Two children were born to them. The daughter. Emma. is the wife of Dr. Willard Rice, of Whitewater. The son. Pitt, is an attorney at law and edi- tor and proprietor of the Whitewater Chronicle (see sketch). In 1839. Mr. Cravath emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in Lima, Rock Co., near the town line of Whitewater. He resumed the study of law, and was admitted to practice in the Circuit Court of Jefferson, Wis., in the fall of 1843. In 1845, he moved to the village of Whitewater, where he has since resided. He was

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elected a member of the first Wisconsin Legislature, held several local offices and for eight years was Postmaster. For upward of forty years, Mr. Cravath has been an honored resident of Whitewater. He found it a wilderness, without roads, churches or schools. He has lived to. see it grow to a beautiful, prosperous town, of nearly four thousand people. He surveyed its streets and lots, and has always been a zealous worker in behalf of all worthy public enter- prises. He has done more than any other resident of the town in preserving a correct record of its history. Many valuable articles of great historieal importance have been written by his pen, and to him are the publishers of this work under obligations for much of the interesting matter that goes to make up their history of Whitewater. Mr. Cravath is now nearly 73 years of age, but his interest in the town seems just as fresh and earnest as ever, and his voice is still heard with pleasure by his fellow-townsmen as he diseusses the local issues of the day. A gen ial, kind-hearted and honorable man, a good eitizen and true friend, when this generation shall have passed away, and the future historian shall treat of Whitewater and its pioneers, he will find no subject more worthy of his pen than Prosper Cravath.

J. J. CRIGER, manufacturer of and dealer in imported and native marble and granite; business established in 1876. He was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., Nov. 20, 1838: is the son of W'm. Criger; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1842; they located near Brodhead, Roek Co. ; three years later, moved to Whitewater. He enlisted, April 23. 1861, on the first eall for 75,000 troops for the late war; was mustered in as a private of Co. A. 4th W. V. I. for three years; served the term of his enlistment; participated in most every engagement in which his company and regiment took part: re-enlisted at Baton Rouge, La. : was taken prisoner at the storming of Port Hudson, in May. 1863, and held till the capture of that point by the Union forces; was promoted to Sergeant Major July 4, 1864, from 3d Corporal, and served till mustered out, Oet. 14, 1865. After the close of the war, on returning from the army, he engaged in the marble business with Spooner & Marsh, in the spring of 1866. From the last of October, 1872, to the last of October, 1875, he worked as a journeyman. He then ran a shop at Whitewater about two years. In the fall of 1875, he went to Monroe, Wis .. and carried on the same busi- ness there about a year, and returned to Whitewater and started in the marble business again at that place. He was married, in Whitewater, April 27, 1864, to Miss Sarah M., daughter of Levi Edmunds. They have two children -- Frederick H. and H. Frank.

JOHN W. DENISON, of the firm of Denison & Tanner, paper manufacturers, proprietors of the Whitewater Paper-Mills. Mr. Denison was born in Durham, Greene Co., N. Y., April 6, 1819; when 10 years of age, moved with his parents, John and Martha Coe Denison, to Genesee County. On arriving at manhood, he engaged in mercantile, grain and produce business at Spencerport. Monroe Co., N. Y., in company with C. Church & Co. In 1847, without severing his connection with the firm, he went to Wisconsin and established a branch house at East Troy, Walworth Co., under the name of E. H. Ball & Co., Mr. Ball being a member of the old firm of Eastern partners. In 1854, Mr. Denison, purchasing the other interest in the business at Spencerport, conducted it until 1856, when he elosed it up and returned to Wisconsin, and re- smuned business at East Troy with Mr. Ball. In 1860, they sold out to Clark, Church & Hough- ton. Mr. Ball went to Milwaukee, where he has sineo been known as a member of the firm of Ball & Goodrich, wholesale jobbers. Mr. Denison remained at Troy, settling up the old busi- ness of the company, and dealing in wool and other produce. In 1866, he came to Whitewater, and, in company, with Mr. Tanner, bought the paper-mills. In 1868. the mills were burned. They rebuilt them the following year. so that they resumed manufacturing that fall. Mr. Den- ison was married, at Spencerport, N. Y., March 9, 1854, to Mary A. Perkins, daughter of Jul- ius A. Perkins. Mrs. Denison was born in Cortland Co., N. Y. Their family consists of three daughters and one son-Mary. Nellie, John J. and Hattie-all born in East Troy. Mary is the widow of F. W. Winchester, of Whitewater. Mr. Denison is a member of the County Board of Supervisors, representing the village of Whitewater.

H. B. DEWEY, of the firm of Burton & Dewey, hardware merchants, was born in Albany, N. Y., May 4, 1844; is the son of D. L. and Eveline Knapp Dewey. In 1856, he came to Ber- lin. Wis., with his parents, where he was edneated in the city schools. He began learning the tinner's trade in 1868, and served an apprenticeship of three years. He then went to Luding- ton, Mich., worked as a journeyman three years, and then formed a partnership with J. D. Hus-

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ton in the hardware business, which connection was continued two years. He then returned to Wisconsin and engaged in the same line at Spring Green, Sauk Co. Three years later, he sold out and came to Whitewater, and, in company with Mr. James Burton, entered upon his present business, Nov. 24, 1879. He was married, at Lndington, Mich., in the spring of 1877, to Miss Lena R. Eggleston, daughter of H. L. Eggleston. Mrs. Dewey was born in Paw Paw, Mich. They have two children-Addie and Belle.

WILLIAM D. DE WOLF, hardware merchant and wire-cloth manufacturer, was born in Bridgewater, Oneida Co., N. Y., July 21, 1821; is the son of Jabez and Thankful (Fairchild) De Wolf, who were the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are living at this date, the youngest being over 58 years of age. He was brought up a farmer, and, when nearly 21 years of age, he emigrated to Wisconsin, arriving at. Milwaukee, his cash capital amounted to 75 cents, which was absorbed in paying for his conveyance to hotel and a night's lodging on the floor of a crowded hotel. The next morning, on falling in with a neighbor of his brother, who resided in Heart Prairie, La Grange, Walworth Co., he started for that town. By the kindness of his brother's friend, he obtained a dinner on the road, and arrived at his brother's on the 15th of May, 1842. He soon after bargained with his brother for 250 acres of land for $1,000, to be paid at some future time. Thus, when scarcely of age, he was the owner of a large farm, sit- uated on the south side of Heart Prairie, and $1,000 in debt. By working out, he earned the means to improve his farm, and was shortly enabled to pay off his indebtedness. He was mar- ried, in November, 1845, in the town of Richmond, to Miss Eunice L., daughter of Esquire F. Hawes, an early pioneer of that town. Mrs. De Wolf was born in Tyrone, Steuben Co., N. Y. Mr. De Wolf's desperate efforts to secure a clergyman or some one competent to perform the marriage ceremony were interesting and arduous. His first venture was a letter to the Rev. Mr. William C. Reger, an Episcopal clergyman of Janesville. On the failure of that gentleman to put in an appearance on the day before the one set for the wedding, or to give notice of his coming, Mr. De Wolf became nervous, and, being determined to have no postponement of the nuptials, he sallied forth in search of a substitute for the tardy dominio. He first visited Delavan, only to be dis- appointed, then tried Elkhorn with little success: from there he went to Troy Center; the only encouragement he received was a promise from a Justice of the Peace that he would try and get a Methodist minister he knew of to come to his relief. On the way to the home of his bride the next day, he intercepted the Episcopal clergyman on his way to the wedding. On arriving at their destination, they were surprised to find the Justice and the Methodist minister on the ground ready for duty. This complication only added zest to the occasion, and the knot was duly tied by the Rev. Mr. Reger. Mr. and Mrs. De Wolf prospered in worldly affairs, and, in the course of time, were blessed with a family of six children, three sons and three daughters --- Delos, Sarah W. D., Mannering, William, Gertrude and Lizzie W. The oldest son, Delos, died at Denver, Colo., in 1876. aged 31 years: his widow is a resident of Rock Prairie, Wis .; Sarah is the wife of Henry McGraw, Postmaster of Whitewater; Mannering married F. A. Salisbury, and is in business with his father at Whitewater; William married Mary E. Cook, and is also in business with his father In 1852, William De Wolf moved to Whitewater and entered into partnership with Mr. L. A. Winchester in the manufacture of plows and in hardware merchan- dising. He continued this connection until 1865, when, on dissolving partnership, he took the hardware trade. Subsequently, he engaged in the manufacture of wire cloth, in the fall of 1877. See sketch elsewhere of the latter business. Since 1875 and 1877, his sons have been in part- nership with him. Mr. De Wolf has never been an aspirant for public office, but has served his town, Whitewater, three terms as Chairman.

GEORGE D. DOUBLEDAY, farmer, and grower of blooded horses, sheep and cattle, Sec. 17; P. O. Whitewater; has 400 acres; was born in Scott, Cortland Co, N. Y., Sept. 12, 1836; is the son of Charles D. and Mary J. Doubleday; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1848, and settled in the town of Whitewater, Walworth Co. He was married, Jan. 14, 1867, in Chi- cago, to Miss Carrie Rockfellow, daughter of Rufus R. Rockfellow. Mrs. Doubleday was born in New York City. They have four children-Emma L., George D., Everette and Lewis. With the exception of eight years spent in the mining region of Colorado and in New York City, Mr. Doubleday has been a resident of Whitewater since coming here, in 1848. He has long been a successful grower of blooded horses, and his stables turn out some of the best steppers in the West.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

GEORGE ESTERLY, manufacturer of farm machinery, was born in Ulster Co , N. Y., Oct. 17, 1809; is the son of Peter and Rachel Esterly. He was brought up on a farm, and, in 1837. came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of La Grange, Walworth Co., where he purchased 1,120 acres of land and engaged in farming. As early as 1843, he had 300 acres under wheat. The difficulty and expense of harvesting by hand, what was in that day a great number of acres for one farmer to have, led him to inquire into the nature of the machinery that had been in- vented for harvesting purposes. Not being satisfied with what he found in use, he became an inventor, suffering the usual fluctuations of hope and fear, success and disappointment, till finally he got on solid ground. His immense works in operation at Whitewater, covering acres of ground and giving employment to hundreds of men, afford the best proof of his success. See sketch of his reaper works in history of Whitewater. Mr. Esterly is the author of sundry pam- phlets on the currency, in which enlarged views of national importance are presented in a clear and forcible manner.

SIMON B. EDWARDS was born in Windsor, Broome Co., N. Y., Nov. 10, 1815; is the son of Joseph and Abigal Buelt Edwards. When 7 years of age, he moved with his parents to Chenango Co., N. Y., where he was brought up on a farm till 16 years of age, then learned the blacksmith's trade; served four years. He was married, at Sherburne, March 8. 1838. to Miss Betsey Ann Wheeler, danghter of I. U. Wheeler, since a well-known pioneer of Walworth Co., Wis .. late of Whitewater. Mrs. Edwards was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., April 18, 1818. In the spring of 1839, Mr. Edwards came to Walworth Co., Wis .. on a tour of inspection. He selected a location at a point now called East Troy. As it became known that he was a practi- cal blacksmith, the settlers rolled up some logs for a shop, and. procuring some tools near by, he began operations in that line. He returned East in the fall. and in October he moved his family to their new home. He built a frame shop, with dwelling in the second story. This was the first frame structure in East Troy. He alse located the southeast quarter of Sec. 11, Town 4 north, Range 18 east, 160 acres. He subsequently increased his acreage till at one time he had 800 acres. He worked at his trade about four years after coming to East Troy, and then devoted his attention to farming. In 1852, he sold out, and bought a large farm in Troy. However, he remained only one year in that town, and then returned to East Troy, where he was

engaged in milling and dealing in real estate. Mr. Edwards was Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Mallory: was also the first Treasurer of the two Troys, and Supervisor of East Troy several years. In 1878, he moved to Whitewater. where he purchased a fine residence, just completed by Mr. Coburn, situated on Main street, adjacent to the normal school. Since coming to Whitewater. he has been called on to part with his wife, who had been an invalid for some time previous to moving to Whitewater. Her death occurred Nov. 21, 1880. She was an honored member of the Baptist Church from early life, having been admitted to membership in Norwich, N. Y. She was known as an exemplary wife and mother, beloved and respected by a large circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards' family consisted of six daughters and two sons-Helen M. is the widow of Lient. George H. Wright, of the 7th Infantry. U. S. A. ; Hattie A. is the wife of Hon. Lem- uel Duelle, State Senator, of Northwood, Iowa; Sarah K. is now Mrs. Robbins Parker, of Da- kota; Melville died when 7 years of age; Herbert is in the employ of a large wholesale hardware house at St. Paul, Minn. ; Mary L. is a teacher in the Whitewater school; Etta L. is also a teacher. of Northwood, Iowa; Anna W. is a teacher in Necedah, Wis. Mr. Edwards was in- fluential, in company with Mr. Seymour Brooks, of East Troy, in organizing the Walworth County Agricultural Association, and these two are probably the only surviving members of the few who first moved in the matter. Mr. Edwards has been faithful in his efforts for the success of the association, and, with the exception of the year when he lost his wife, he has never missed a meeting of the association.

EDWARD ENGEBRETSEN, grocer, was born in Whitewater, Wis .. April 8, 1854: is the son of Andrew and Ester Engebretsen. His parents are natives of Norway, and emigrated to Whitewater, Wis .. in 1849, where they still reside. His father is a millwright, and helped build the Stone Mill of Whitewater. He was educated in the public school at Whitewater. He began his mercantile education as a clerk with John A. White, with whom he was employed two years. He next engaged with John D. Alcott, grocer, as a clerk, and. on that gentleman selling out and going to Stillwater, Minn., he accompanied him, and was retained as clerk in Mr.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

Lowell's store at that place two years. He returned to Whitewater, and, in October, 1876, he entered upon his present business. Mr. Engebretsen has a large and well-stocked store in his line of groceries, provisions and crockery. He is also agent for the Domestic sewing machine. He was married. Oct. 10, 1878, in Cold Spring, Jefferson Co., Wis .. to Miss Florence Steele, daughter of Hugh Steele. Mrs. Engebretsen was born in Cold Spring. They have one child, a daughter, Pearl V.

DAVID L. FAIRCHILD, of the firm of D. L. Fairchild & Co., undertakers and dealers in furniture. The business was established in 1879, under the firm name of Case, Fairchild & Houston. Mr. Fairchild bought out the other parties July IS, 1881, and formed the present partnership with Mr. L. C. Smith, of D. L. Fairchild & Co. The subject of this sketch is a native of Hunter, Greene Co., N. Y. ; is the son of Edward and Sally (Winter) Fairchild. ,When 7 years of age, he moved with his parents to Cattaraugus County, where he resided until 1850. He then went to Nashville, Tenn., and remained till September, 1854; then came to the town of Walworth, Wis., and engaged in farming till 1867, when he moved to Elkhorn; was elected Treasurer of Walworth County; was re-elected, and served eight years in succession. He then moved to the village of Whitewater, where he has continued to reside to this date. He was married, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., June. 1854, to Miss Cornelia M. Luce, daughter of Robert and Philomela Luce. Mrs. Fairchild was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. They had five chil- dren; the eldest, Matthew, died in infancy; Robert L. died when 33 years; the eldest living is H. Laura; next, Mary G. ; and the youngest, David L. In addition to other official duties, Mr. Fairchild served as Superintendent of Schools in the town of Walworth several terms. The firm of D. L. Fairchild & Co. have a large assortment of furniture, including some of the latest and finest designs. They are also previded with a fine hearse and undertakers' goods, and have also a branch store in Ft. Atkinson, under the management of A. H. Downing, who is the junior partner. They carry an equally large stock in Ft. Atkinson, where they have another fine hearse and complete outfit in the undertaking line. This firm handle the walnut and ash fur- niture manufactured by Berkey & Gay, Grand Rapids, Mich., and white ash goods manufact- ured by the Widdicomb Furniture Company, of the same place, both justly celebrated for their fine workmanship.

CHARLES G. FAY, Deputy Sheriff, was born in the town of Fenner, Madison Co., N. Y., Nov. 27, 1826; is the son of Alvin and Roxa E. Fay. He was educated in the Theological Seminary at Cazenovia, Madison Co. He learned the trade of carpenter and builder, at which he worked till 1849, when he moved to Wisconsin and located in Koshkonong, Jefferson Co. The next year, 1850, he came to Whitewater and engaged at his trade. He was elected Con- stable; re-elected, and served ten years. In the fall of 1870, he was elected Sheriff of Wal- worth County for the term of 1871-72. Since the expiration of his term of office, he has served as Deputy Sheriff continuously, excepting two years. He has also served as Deputy State Treasurer Agent for the past ten years, being the present incumbent. He was married, in Koshkonong, Wis .. Nov. 6. IS51. to Jane E. Beemer, daughter of Simon Beemer. Mrs. Fay was born in Sussex Co., N. J. They have one child. a son, named Elton A.

REV. JAMES FITZGIBBON, Pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Whitewater, is a native of Clare Co., Ireland, the son of James Fitzgibbon, and was born June 22. 1830. The subject of this sketch emigrated to America in 1849, and made his home in Chicago, Ill. He was educated for the priesthood at St. Mary's University of that city, and was ordained at St. Louis, by Archbishop Kenrick, June 14, 1854. His first charge was St. Mary's Cathedral, of Chicago, and subsequently was assigned to the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Springfield, III., where he labored eight years. On the breaking-out of the late war. he was appointed Chaplain of the Post Hospital, with headquarters at Harper's Ferry, Va., receiving his commission from President Lincoln, which position he held till the close of the war, since which time he has been laboring in Wisconsin. In October, ISS1. he was called to his present charge at Whitewater.

CAPT. BENJAMIN M. FREES, of the Kirby-Carpenter Company, Inmber-dealers, Chi- cago, formerly a resident of Whitewater, is the son of Benjamin M. and Maria F. Frees; was born in Orono, Penobscot Co., Me., in 1846; lost his father while an infant; came to Wisconsin with his stepfather, Mr. Nathan H. Allen, in 1856, and from there to Whitewater in August.

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 95

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