History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 97

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

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W. S. JOHNSON, teacher, and Professor of Natural Science of the Whitewater Normal School. He was born in Rutland Co., Vt., Nov. 6, 1847; is the son of C. D. Johnson. He came with his parents to Waukesha, Wis., and from there to Kilbourn City; was educated in the public schools and by subsequent private study. At the age of 20 years, he began his career as a teacher; was elected Superintendent of Schools and County Surveyor of Dunn County in 1871, and served until 1874; was Principal of the New Lisbon school three years. In 1877, he came to Whitewater to accept the position of teacher of drawing and book-keeping. About a year ago, he was assigned to his present position-that of Professor of Natural Science. He was married. in Menominee, Dunn Co., Wis, Ang. 3, 1873, to Miss Cora E. Smith. daughter of Royal Smith. Mrs. Johnson was born in Maine. They have two sons-Paul F. and Carl F.

JOHN LEAN, of John Lean & Co., proprietors of the Branch Mills, Whitewater, Wis. See sketch of these mills in history of Whitewater. Mr. Lean purchased these mills in 1866, enlarged and improved them, substituting two turbine wheels for the old overshot wheel, and increasing the run of stone from two to five. The mill has machinery for and turns out the finest flour by the new process; capacity of the mill is seventy barrels per day; does a general custom and merchant business. The mill is 36x60 feet in size; has an abundant power, having a twenty- seven-foot head. It is located just south of the village limits, on a branch of the Whitewater. John Lean was born in Cornwall, England, near Plymouth, Aug. S. 1833; is the son of William and Martha Lean. He learned the miller's trade, and in 1848 came to the United States; spent one year in traveling in this country, and returned to England. In 1851, he emigrated to America: made his home in Chestnut Ridge, Dutchess Co., N. Y. In 1854, he went to Markham, Canada West; remained in Canada till 1867, working at his trade. In the last-mentioned year, he came to Walworth Co., Wis .. and located at Delavan; was employed in the Delavan Mills two years, then went to La Grange and operated the Lauderdale Mills two years. He also operated the Genoa Mills two years; worked in various places in Walworth County until 1865, when he bought an interest in Stone Mills at Whitewater, with Mr. Bryan Brown. One year later, he sold out, and bought the Branch Mills, which he operated alone until recently. He was married in Delavan, in September. 1858, to Miss Susan Jones. Mrs. Lean was born in Utica, N. Y. They have two children, a son and a daughter-Sarah J. and John W. Mr. Lean has 57 acres adjacent to his mill property.

DR. A. G. LELAND, surgeon and homœopathist physician, commenced practice in White- water, Wis., in June, 1865. He was born in Otto, Cattarangus Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1830.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

When 8 years of age, he lost his father, Asa Leland, by death, and, about three months after- ward, his mother. He was then adopted by his uncle, C. R. Leland, a prominent lawyer in New York State. He received his education at Cornell's Private School and Irving Institute. After spending some time in his uncle's office and in teaching, in 1848 he began the study of medicine. The next year, he removed with his uncle to Milwaukee. As the latter died about two months after his arrival at Milwaukee, he concluded, for pecuniary reasons, to temporarily suspend his medical studies and accept a clerkship in the Milwaukee Post Office. Subsequently, he was teller in a bank, and afterward served three years as Secretary and Local Treasurer of the Milwaukee & Chicago Railroad Company, now Chicago & North- Western. He then resumed the study of medicine, under the instruction of Drs. Tracy & Brown; attended lectures and graduated at Hahnemann College in February, 1865. He commenced to practice in Milwau- kee, but, in June of the same year. was induced to take the practice of Dr. Fish and remove to Whitewater, where he has continued the practice of his profession with marked success. H was married. in 1857. to Gertrude H., daughter of Prof. A. Mills, of New York City. They have three children-Frank. Abram M .. Lillie G.

HON. NEWTON M. LITTLEJOHN, lumber-dealer, is a native of Litchfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y, He is the son of Tilly and Nancy Littlejohn; was born July 28, 1823. While quite young, he removed to Hamilton, N. Y. He was educated in De Lancy Institute, Hampton Springs, and, in 1852, went to Illinois, where he remained until 1854. From there he removed to Chesterfield Court House, Va., and from there returned to Hamilton, N. Y., in 1856, remain- ing only a short time in that place. He came to Wisconsin in 1856 and located at Whitewater, Walworth Co., where he engaged in the lumber business. In that early day, before the railroad had intersected the county and created markets every ten miles or less, Whitewater was a popu- lar trading-point for a radius of many miles. Mr. Littlejohn was enabled to build up an exten- sive business, his annual sales amounting to 3,000,000 feet of lumber. At this writing, it is only about half that amount. However, with a full stock of dressed lumber, sash, doors, blinds, etc., in addition to his general stock, he has a very satisfactory trade. He was elected Chair- man of Whitewater in 1861, and re-elected each term during the late war, and many terms since, having served eighteen years in all. He is the present Chairman. During the trying years of the war, he was active in procuring the necessary quota of troops for his town, and performed the arduous and often unpleasant duties of his office in those trying terms in a most satisfactory and credible manner. He was elected to the State Senate from Walworth County in the fall of 1863, on the Republican ticket, for the term of 1864-65; was re-elected the two successive terms, serving in all six years. During these eventful years, when grave questions were pend- ing, both in State and national matters, Mr. Littlejohn proved himself an able and patriotic leg- islator. In addition to other public trusts confided to his care, he was chosen President of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Madison, and served four years. He was married, at Hamilton, N. Y. Sept. 8, 1848, to Miss Jane S. Newton, daughter of A. Newton. Mrs. Littlejohn was born in Bridgewater, Oneida Co .. N. Y. They have two children-Jessie and Ernest.

SANGER MARSH, deceased. for over a quarter of a century a leading business man and a public-spirited citizen of Whitewater, was a native of Alexander, N. Y., where he was born Aug. 27, 1815. His father, Wolcott Marsh. was a farmer, and the son passed his youthful days in acquiring a good basis of health and education for his long business career. After reach- ing his majority, Mr. Marsh. believing that his destiny was not to be worked out as an agricult- urist, left the old homestead, and, furnished with a small capital by his father, resolved to become a merchant; was in business at Nunda and Attica, N. Y. Seeing that there were better oppor- tunities for a young, pushing man in the active and growing West, in 1845, Mr. Marsh, in com- pany with J. S. Partridge, a near and a dear friend, settled in Whitewater and opened a general store. For ten years thereafter, he followed in the straight and onward career of a merchant, continually growing in worldly influence and establishing himself in the confidence and hearts of the community. At the expiration of that period, he was enabled to retire from active busi- ness. In 1863, Mr. Marsh and C. M. Blackman organized the First National Bank of White- water, and the former continued its President up to the day of his death, Oct. 29, 1872. An un- fortunate accident, by his team running away, brought his life to a close and left a widow and four children to mourn his untimely end. Mr. Marsh was twice married-the first time to Miss

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

Harriet N. Horton, of Nunda, N. Y., in January, 1841. His wife died Jan. 22. 1843, and left to the care of the young widower his only son, George S. Marsh, now Cashier of the First Na- tional Bank. In January, 1851, he married Miss Chelsea Pratt, by whom he had three dangh- ters, two of whom reside in Whitewater. The deceased was a broad-minded, broad-hearted bus- iness man, and earned success and the warmest place in hundreds of hearts by his strict integrity and his kind treatment of all, in whatsoever condition of life he found them. He was a man of mind and of heart, and when his presence was taken from the community, it left a great and a sad gap behind.

GEORGE S. MARSH, Cashier of the First National Bank of Whitewater, Wis., was ap- pointed to his present position in 1872. He was born in Nunda, N. Y., Jan. 17, 1843. He is the son of Sanger and Harriet Marsh. He came to Whitewater in 1857; was educated in the public schools, and student of the State University during the years 1860-61. On completing his studies, he was engaged as merchant's clerk, which occupation he pursued three years. In 1864, he was employed as book-keeper in the same bank of which he is now cashier. In 1872, he was promoted as cashier, and has occupied that position to this date. He was married, Jnne 6. 1865, at Stoughton, Wis., to Miss Harriet Blackman. Mrs. Marsh was born in Bridge- water, N. Y. Two sons were born to thert-Fred B. and Henry H. The older died at the age of 13, and the younger at the age of 11 years. Mr. Marsh lost his wife, who died Ang. 2, 1872. He was married to Miss Rebecca Wight, his present wife, at Whitewater, Wis., May 20, 1874. Mrs. Marsh is the daughter of J. Wright; was born in Girard, Penn. They have two children -- Alice F. and Fitch G.

ROBERT McBEATH, merchant tailor, established himself in business in Whitewater in 1850, in company with Mr. Patrick McLaughlin, which connection lasted till 1858, when, on the death of his partner, Mr. McBeath bought out the heirs and has since conducted the business alone. He was born in Paisley, Scotland, March 15, 1828; is the son of John and Mary Mc- Beath. He served a regular apprenticeship to the tailor's trade with his father, in his native town, and, in 1847, came to America. He spent a few months at Lonsdale, R. I., and then re- moved to Quincy, Mass., where he remained one and a half years. From there he went to Chi- cago, and, in April, 1850, came to Whitewater, Wis., and began business as given above. In 1854, he and Mr. McLanghlin built the first three-story brick building in Whitewater. He has had no time to devote to public business, but has served on the Town Board of Supervisors three terms, and as a member of the Village Board one term. He was married, in Cambridge, Wis., Nov. 13, 1856, to Mrs. E. A. Bell, widow of Alexander Bell and daughter of Alexander Stew- art, an officer of the British Army. Mrs. Bell had one son and one daughter-Ellen A., died in her 12th year -- by her former marriage: Harry D. Bell, now of the firm of Cook & Bell, mer- chants, of Whitewater. Mr. and Mrs. McBeath were blessed with five children, of whom four are now living. The eldest, Mary E., is the wife of Charles F. Hill, of Geneva, Wis .; Robert and John were twins; John died in infancy: the next born was named John A., and the young- est, Edward N. Mr. McBeath, while one of the oldest of the Whitewater merchants, is also one of the most substantial and respected citizens.

H. H. McGRAW, Postmaster of Whitewater, was appointed Jan. 12, 1879, and entered upon the duties of the office Feb. 1 following. Mr. McGraw was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., March 30, 1839; is the son of John and Minerva McGraw. He came to Wisconsin in 1855 and spent one and a half years at Delavan, Walworth Co. At the expiration of that time, he returned East, where he resided till October, 1865, when he moved to Whitewater, and has since made this place his home. He has been engaged in nursery business, and subsequently engaged in the grocery line; has been in the latter business four years. He was married, at Whitewater, Dec. 16, 1869, to Miss Sarah W. De Wolf, daughter of William De Wolf, a pioneer of Wal- worth Connty. Mrs McGraw was born in La Grange, Wis. They have three children-Will- iam H., Elizabeth G. and Arthur G.

JOHN MCINTYRE, retired farmer, has a farm on Secs. 9 and 15, Whitewater, of 240 acres. He was born in county of Annapolis, Nova Scotia, Nov. 17, 1809; is the son of James C. McIntyre. In 1828, he moved to London District, Upper Canada, and from there to White- water, Wis., in September, 1845; made his home on the farm described above, and pursued the occupation of farmer till April, 1881, when he leased his farm and retired to the village of

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

Whitewater, where he now resides. He was married in Canada, Jan. 7, 1838, to Miss Hannah Edison, daughter of Moses Edison. Mrs. McIntyre was born in Canada. They had six chil- dren, the three eldest born in Canada, the others in Whitewater, Wis. Eliza is now Mrs. F. E. Worthington. of Racine: Susan is the wife of George Ferris, of Whitewater; Hannah: William died Jan. 1, 1880, aged 33 years; Margaret is the wife of John Sercomb, of Chicago; Louisa is the wife of Niles J. Burton, of Richmond, Ill. Mr. MeIntyre, though often solicited to, has never served to any extent in official positions, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his farming interests, in which he was eminently successful.

ZERAH MEAD, one of the most prominent and most respected of the early citizens of Whitewater, was born in Rutland, Vt., June 4, 1800. He spent his boyhood days on his fa- ther's farm; removing to Wadington, N. Y., in 1825, built a woolen factory, which he operated till 1832; afterward, he settled at Niagara Falls, Canada, 1832, where he operated a woolen- mill. Oct. 6, 1835, he married Miss Fama Mott, his surviving widow, at Wadington, N. Y. The next year, he bale his wife good-by and started for the West, September, 1837. to fashion out a home in the forests of Wisconsin. How well he succeeded-shingle roof and all -has already been learned. Returning to Wadington, he brought back his wife to their new home in Whitewater the succeeding spring, and engaged actively in farming. Although Mr. Mead shunned public offices, the people of the town and village had such confidence in the justness of his character that they favored him with almost a life term as Justice of the Peace. Their only child and son, James M. Mead, was born at Niagara Falls, May, 1837, and, when the war was at its height, received his commission as Lientenant of Co. D, 28th W. V. I. The young man left the State with his company Dec. 20, 1862, and in two months and two days from that time, his body was returned for burial to his grief-stricken parents and a sorrowing community. He died at Helena, Ark., Feb. 13, 1863, while waiting to join the Yazoo Pass expedition. Mr. Mead would have been 25 years of age in May. His death was a sad blow to his parents, but they bravely bore up under it. On March 23, 1875, the mother was made a widow. Mr. Mead had been a remarkably active man, and his death was occasioned by bilious pneumonia. His wish that no lingering disease should wear away his strength was gratified, and he passed away in the full enjoyment of his faculties, and possessed almost of his early manhood strength.

JEREMIAH MILLIS, farmer, Sec. 27; P. O. Whitewater; he has 160 acres of land; set- tled in Whitewater in December, 1842. He was born in Gallatin, Columbia Co., N. Y., March 1. 1918; is the son of Teal and Olive Millis. While quite young, he moved to Yates County with his parents, and from there to Whitewater, Wis., in December. 1842. He was married, in Johnstown, Rock Co., Wis., Jan. 10, 1844, to Sarah A., daughter of John and Nancy Courtier. Mrs. Mills was born in Bedford Co., Penn. They have had twelve children, of whom only four are living Montgomery. James, Cordelia and Lemuel; Orin D. died aged 17 years. Mr. Millis was one of the pioneers of Whitewater. He was elected one of the early Road Commissioners, and helped to lay out many of the roads in this town. He and his family participated in the hardships of pioneer times of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Millis are members of the M. E. Church. In politics, Mr. Millis is a Republican.

PETER B. MILLIS. farmer, Sec. 27; P. O. Whitewater; he has 180 acres of land; was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., April 27, 1820; was married, at Barrington, N. Y., Oct. 13, 1844, to Miss Eliza J., danghter of Samuel and Martha Vance; moved to Whitewater, Wis., in 1846, where they have since resided. They have five children-Mary E., Henry C., Myron B., Martha A. and Arthur W.

E. I. MOREY, of the Union Carriage Works. He, in company with Andrew McCloy and E. D. Holmes, organized this business under the above-written title Jan. 18, 1879. . Mr. Morey has charge of the blacksmithing department, Mr. McCloy of the wood-shop, and Mr. Holmes of the paint-shop. They employ eight hands and do a general carriage-making business, and turn out about fifty new jobs a year. They had operated together in the same line in another shop the year previous to the opening of their present shops. Mr. Morey was born in Homer, Cort- land Co., N. Y., July 21, 1847: is the son of Reuben and Abby Morey. He learned the trade in Wausaw, N. Y., commencing when 15 years of age, and serving a four-years apprenticeship. He then worked as a journeyman in Illinois a short time, and came to Wisconsin in 1866 and spent one and a half years in Delavan, working at his trade. He then attended the State Nor- mal School at Normal, Ill., one year, worked at Ottawa, Ill., one year, and then attended the

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

Chicago University one year; returned to Wisconsin and worked at his trade in Milwaukee and Janesville: came to Whitewater in 1877, where he has since resided. He was married, in Whitewater, April 13, 1881, to Miss Emma C. Cook, daughter of O. Cook. Mrs. Morey was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y.

RICHARD O'CONNOR was one of the pioneer business men of Whitewater of the early days of 1842. He was born in New York City March 17, 1816. While a young man, he was employed as salesman in the dry goods house of Nathaniel Weed. where he acquired a thorough business education. He came to Wisconsin in 1846 and selected Whitewater as his future home; returning to New York soon after, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Morgan. Mrs. O'Connor was born in the same city as her husband. Almost immediately after their marriage, they emigrated to Whitewater, and Mr. O'Connor began business as a druggist and dealer in books and stationery. By the exercise of the superior business ability with which he was blessed, and a fair and honorable manner of conducting all transactions, he soon built.up a prosperous business, and firmly established himself in the esteem and confidence of the fellow- citizens. For more than a score of years, he discharged the duties of Assessor of the town with unparalleled satisfaction. He was prominently identified with the establishment and embellish- ment of the beautiful cemetery of Whitewater. In fact, all local enterprises calculatad to im- prove or benefit the place received his hearty encouragement. Possessed of a wide range of general information and gifted with superior conversational powers, he was always entertaining and instructive in his intercourse in his family circle and acquaintances. For forty years. he was a potent factor in the business and social life of the home of his adoption, and his influence was always good. There is no danger that his virtues will fade from the memory of his gen- eration, but it is appropriate that, in preserving the annals of the town so long hiis home, that some record of so worthy a man should be preserved. Death came to him amidst the happy holidays of the Christian world. Dec. 27, 18SI, at the age of 63 years. His family left to mourn his loss consists of his wife and six children Lilla, Josephine (now the widow of F. E. Day. of Nebraska), Dora. Nellie, Frederick and Harry.

DR. CHARLES M. PALMER, was born in Lincolnville, Waldo Co .. Me .. June 23, 1823; is the son of Nathaniel and Susan Palmer; came to Wisconsin in 1850 and made his home in Fitchburg, Dane Co., where he was engaged in farming. He began the study of medicine in 1861. The following April, 1862, he enlisted, and was commissioned Captain of Co. F. 2d W. V. I., and served until July, 1863, when he was obliged to resign on the account of physical disability. On his return from the army. he was engaged in farming in Dane County. He was married. in Canaan, Me., in 1846, to Miss Sarah E. Plummer. Eight children were born to them: Georgia and Mary E., the two eldest, married the " Wallace Bros.," of Lebanon Mo .; Velma, the third daughter, married W. B. Kerve, but she died a few years after her marriage; her death occurred in March. 1876; Florence, the fourth daughter, is the wife of Hiram Dodge, of Minnesota; Charlie, the eldest son, married Miss Mattie Herndon, of Lebanon, Mo., where they still reside; also the younger brother. Arthur: both are in the employ of the " Wallace Bros. ; " Susie died at the age of 15 mouths: Birdie the youngest, has been with her eldest sister since her mother's death, which occurred in the autumn of 1872, at the age of 46 years. Dr. Palmer went to Colorado in April, 1879, and practiced his profession in Colorado Springs. when he was married, March 27, 1881, to Miss Frances E. Hawes, fifth daughter of Morris F. Hawes, of Wisconsin, when they returned to spend the winter of 1881-82, in October, when they will again return to Colorado.

JOHN S. PARTRIDGE, Secretary and Treasurer of the Winchester & Partridge Manu- facturing Company. Mr. Partridge is a native of Covington, Genesee Co., N. Y .; is the son of Rufus and Priscilla Ashley Partridge: was born Jan. 28, 1819. His parents were descended from old New England families. When 18 years of age, he went to Lockport, N. Y., where he spent a couple of years, and from there to Nunda, N. Y., and engaged as merchant's clerk, which employment was continued five years, when he moved to Attica, N. Y., and began business for himself as a merchant. In the fall of 1846, he emigrated to Wisconsin with Sanger Marsh, now deceased. They located at Whitewater and engaged in mercantile business. On the com- pletion of the railroad to this place, they erected what is still known as the " Big Warehouse," and, in connection with their other business, they bought grain and produce extensively. In 1856. he closed out with Mr. Marsh, and was associated with Mr. Alex. Graham in the same

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

business one year. They both sold ont, and Mr. Partridge helped to organize the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank of Whitewater, of which he became Cashier. In the fall of 1857, he pur- chased an interest in the manufacturing business of Winchester & De Wolf, and the firm was known as Winchester, De Wolf & Co., since which time his business history has been identical with that of Winchester & Partridge Manufacturing Company, of which he is Secretary and Treasurer. The present prosperity and assured success of the company testifies to the faithful and able manner in which he has discharged the duties of his department.

JOHN PEACOCK, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Whitewater; has 200 aeres; was born in Cam- bridgeshire, England, Dec. 9, 1830; is the son of Richard and Lucy Peacock; came to America in 1853; made his home in Cook Co., Ill., one year and a half, then came to Whitewater, Wis .; was married in that town. May 10, 1856, to Miss Caroline Doubleday, daughter of Charles and Mary J. Doubleday. Mrs Peacock was born in Scott, Cortland Co., N. Y. They have two chil- dren-Ella J. and Millie; Ella is the wife of Alfred Bennett, of Whitewater. In 1860, Mr. Peacock and family moved to Central City, Colo., where they resided five years, and then returned to Whitewater, where they have since resided.

ANDREW PEDERSON, blacksmith and farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Whitewater; has 72 acres; was born in New Christian, Norway, Feb. 5. 1835; is the son of Peter and Carrie Anderson. He learned the blacksmith's trade in his native country, and came to America in 1866; made his home at Madison, Wis., one year; went from there to Stoughton, where he worked one and a half years. He then came to Whitewater and engaged with Winchester & Partridge; worked in their shops ten years. In 1877, he purchased his present farm. on See. 22; three years later, he moved on to it, continuing his work in town. In the fall of 1881, he built a substantial blacksmith shop on his farm, where he is doing a good business. He was married, in Norway, April, 1857, to Miss Torriana Christianson. They had three sons born to them in Norway- Peter, Samuel and Christian. Four other children were born to them in America-Charlie, Alfred. Caroline and Carrie. The two younger died in infancy.

WILLIAM POTTS died April 4, 1861, under such peculiar circumstances as call for nar- ration. He was born in England and trained to the sea. He held office in the British Navy. For many years, he had been a member of the Baptist Church. On the day in question, he left Elkhorn, with his wife, in his usual health. When a short distance from the former place, find- ing her questions unanswered, she turned to look in his face, and found him dead. In 1843. Mr. Potts built a saw-mill on Sec. 27, and operated it a number of years. He was generally respected, and his quiet demise was universally mourned.

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 97

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