History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 99

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

USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth County, Wisconsin > Part 99

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H. J. STARIN lived in Whitewater for forty years, and, if the old saying be true that the man is blessed who maketh a leaf or a blade of grass to grow where one was not before, then truly is the deceased blessed for that one effort of his life. In September, 1840, he arrived from Fultonville, Montgomery Co., N. Y., and spent his forty years in Whitewater as an agricultur- ist or horticulturist. Shade trees he made a specialty, and very much of the acquired beauty of the village is due to his labors. Mr. Starin was one of the best-known men in the town, and the whole community was shocked when he was found dead in his bed on the morning of May 13. 1880. He was in his 72d year at the time of his death. The deceased was a Universalist, the burial services being conducted at the house, by Rev. G. W. Lanrence, of Janesville.

H. A. STARIN, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Whitewater; has 180 acres; was born in Whitewater, November, 1842; is the son of Henry J. and Eva G. (Schermerhorn) Starin. Mrs. Starin was the daughter of Judge Schermerhorn, who was a pioneer of Wisconsin of 1841. The subject of this sketch was brought np a farmer; was married, in Whitewater, in 1869, to Theodora Hare, danghter of Walter Hare. One child was born to them, which died in childhood. Mrs. Starin

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died in April. 1870. Mr. Starin was married again, in 1873 to Miss Eliza A. Rawson, daugh- ter of Emery Rawson. They have three children-Minnie M., George F. and Florence E. Mr. Starin has never been an office-seeker, but has served three years as Justice of the Peace of Whitewater.

JACOB J. STARIN was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., Ang. 16, 1825: is the son of John J. and Elizabeth Starin; eame to Wisconsin in September. 1840, with his uncle, Henry J .; located at Whitewater. In 1844, he engaged as merchant's clerk. with P. Peck, afterward Peck & Keep; in 1848, he bought an interest in the business, making the firm Peck, Keep & Co. Changes occurred, and the firm subsequently became Brady, Starin & Cook. Mr. Starin was engaged about nineteen years in that line of business. He was married, Oet. 2, 1852, by the Rev. R. Humphry, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Whitewater, to Miss Frances E. Hamilton, daughter of David and Belina Brown Hamilton. Mrs. Starin was born in Lansingville, Tomp- kins Co., N. Y. They have two sons-Philander P. and William A .: the eldest is book-keeper in the land department of the Chicago & North-Western Railroad at Chicago: the younger is an attorney, also of Chicago.

J. W. STEARNS, President of the State Normal School of Whitewater, was appointed in Angust, 1878. He was born in Sturbridge, Mass., Aug. 10, 1839: is the son of O. O. Stearns; was educated at Harvard University, graduating in 1860. He accepted a position as teacher in the State Normal School of Minnesota at Winona in 1861. which position he held a little more than a year. He next engaged in newspaper work at Winona, and from there went to Chicago, where he held the position of Professor of Latin in the Chicago University until 1874. He then went to the Argentine Republic, South America, where he organized a normal school at Tucuman, which he conducted successfully four years, serving as President. He then visited Europe, where he spent several months in travel. While in Europe. in 1878, he received an offer of the Presidency of the Normal School of Whitewater, Wis., which he accepted. Returning to the United States, he proceeded to Whitewater and entered upon the discharge of his duties in August of that year. He was married. at Winona. in 1862, to Miss Florence, daughter of David Blood. Mrs. Stearns was born in Dracut, Mass. They have two children living -Fred W. and Florence.

REV. RUFUS D. STEARNS, resident pastor of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Whitewater, since September, 1873. The subject of this sketch was born in Edmeston, Otsego Co., N. Y., Feb. 18, 1821; is the son of Isaac H. and Lois (Doane) Stearns. He received an academic edu- cation at Belleville Academy, Belleville, Jefferson Co., N. Y .; took a regular course at Union College, Schenectady, from which he graduated in 1844. He then took a three years' course at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of New York City, and was ordained in Grace Church, New York, June, 1847. He proceeded at once to Sackett's Harbor, New York, where he was the established pastor of St. Luke's Church four years. From there he went to Medina, Or- leans Co., and officiated as pastor of St. John's Church seventeen years: then to Boonton, N. J., where he presided over St. John's Church five years. From there he came to White- water in September, 1873, and has since performed the duties of St. Luke's Church. Mr. Stearns was married, at Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 23, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth P. Cooke, daughter of Dr. A. B. Cooke, of the United States Navy. Mrs. Stearns was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. They have two sons and one daughter living: have lost three; the eklest, William R., died when 1 year old: Emily B. died at the age of 15 years: Edwin A. is at Blair, Neb .: Charles W. married Jessie Mallory, and is living at Elgin, III .: one child died in infancy; the youngest is an adopted daughter, Bessie B.

N. H. STEENSON, grocer, was born in Norway July 18, 1848: is the son of Rev. Christo- pher and Anna Steenson. He emigrated with his parents in 1850 to America, and settled in the town of Richmond, Walworth Co. In 1856, his father having been ordained a Methodist inin- ister, the family moved to Cambridge, Wis., where the father was the resident pastor. N. H. Steenson was educatel in the common schools and in the Albion Academy of Edgerton, Wis. In 1869, he came to Whitewater and engaged as clerk in the general store of Mr. James Bridge; continued in his employ five years. or until the time of his death. He then formed a partner- ship with Charles Bridge, and bought out the old store. One year later, he sold out to Mr. Bridge. and remained with him one year as clerk. Then. on the account of poor health, he quit

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business for awhile, and attended the normal school till January, 1875, when he engaged in the present business. In addition to a full line of groceries, he carried a full stock of buffalo robes, blankets. gloves and mittens. By fair dealing and strict attention to the wants of his custom- ers. he has built up a very substantial trade. He was married, in Whitewater, Dee. 25, 1878, to Miss Josephene, daughter of Edward and Ann Toal. Mrs. Steenson was born in Eagle, Waukesha Co., Wis.

T. A. STEPHENS. dealer in farm machinery; business established in the spring of 1872. He was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., April 28, 1816; is the son of Sylvanus H. and Mary Fair- child Stephens. Having arrived at a suitable age, he learned the tanner and currier's trade, at which he worked twenty-five years. He went to Buffalo, N. Y., in the spring of 1837, and, in September of that year, he came to Wisconsin, landed at Milwaukee, then only a hamlet, and from there came to Walworth County with an uncle the same fall, and located in Sugar Creek, on Sec. 1; remained two years; sold his claim to Mr. Pike West, and returned to the East. He was married. in Herkimer Co., N. Y., April 21, 1841, to Miss Mary C., daughter of Mathew Smith. He resided in Columbia, Herkimer Co., until the spring of 1858, when he moved to Whitewater, Wis., and engaged in farming. In 1868, he moved to the village of Whitewater, and in 1872 engaged in the present business, He attended the first settlers' meeting in the winter of 1838, to locate the county seat of Walworth County, and it was voted to Elkhorn as the center of the county. He has four sons and two daughters-William R., Theodore, Sylvanus H., Lyman J., Martha Ann and Emma Bonheur : the oldest, William R., is married, and resides at Chicago; Theodore is married, and lives at Brodhead, Wis .; Sylvanus H. is married and is in business with his father at Whitewater; Martha Ann is the wife of Archer C. White, of Whitewater.

JOHN D. SWEETLAND, retired merchant, was born in Stafford, Genesee Co., N. Y., April 8, 1815; is the son of J. D. Sweetland; when 13 years of age, accompanied his family to Chau- tauqua County, where he was brought up on a farm. He was married in that county, in 1842, to Miss Eliza Leffingwell, daughter of Erastus Leffingwell. They had one child born in the East, named Albert, now of Whitewater. Mr. Sweetland moved to Whitewater in 1854, and engaged as elerk for S. C. Hall, merchant; three years later, he formed a partnership with Cushing & Stewart in the hardware and dry goods business, under the firm name of Cushing, Sweetland & Stewart, which connection lasted till 1877, when he sold out and went to Colorado; returned to Whitewater after a few months, and has since been in no active business. One son was born to him in Whitewater-Edgar C., now of South Park, Colo.

CYRUS TEETSHORN, farmer; P. O. Whitewater; has a farm of 200 acres in Lima, Rock Co .. Wis .; was born in Greene Co .. N. Y .; when 7 years of age, moved to Boston, Erie Co., N. Y., and, in September, 1838, left New York for Wisconsin, and arrived in Richmond, Walworth Co., October of that year; was brought up a farmer on his father's place, on the west county line, on See. 6. He was married, Sept. 7. 1851. in Milton, Rock Co .. to Miss Mary Johnson, daugh- ter of Porter and Martha Johnson, of Linn. Walworth Co. Mrs. Teetshorn was born in Niagara Co .. N. Y., and came to Walworth County with her people in 1838. They have two sons -- Frank E. and Marshall E .: the elder, F. E., is Train Dispatcher at Green Bay. for the Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul Railway: Marshall is agent and operator at Black Creek, Wis., on the same line. After his marriage, Mr. Teetshorn lived in Lima, Rock Co., where he still has the farm previously mentioned, situated on Secs. 33 and 34; he resided on that farm eighteen years, and then moved to Lima Center, where he lived ten and one-half years; from there, moved to White- water, in September, 1880. Mr. Teetshorn is at present a member of the Board of Supervisors of the town of Whitewater.

HENRY F. THIELE, of the firm of Thiele & Goodhue, undertakers, and dealers in furni- ture, is a native of Hanover, Germany, the son of Henry and Carolina Thiele. He was born Jan. 23, 1832. He partly learned the cabinet-maker's trade in his native country, and, in 1848, emigrated to America; settled in Milwaukee, Wis., where he resumed work at his trade; resided in Milwaukee six years, two of which he spent as a merchant's clerk; at the expiration of that time. he went to Ft. Atkinson, where he was engaged in the furniture business. In 1858, he came to Whitewater, where he worked awhile as a journeyman, then began in the undertaking business: in 1862, he stocked a store with general furniture, and was building up a fine trade,

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when, by the burning of an adjacent building, he was burned out in 1864, and sustained a loss of $4,000. He rebuilt immediately and resumed business; at this time, had a partner, Mr. F. Achtenhagen, now of Milwaukee. Everything was running smoothly with them till 1870, when they were burned out, this time also from outside fires; the partnership was then dis- solved. Mr. Thiele resmed business again, which has continued to this date. He formed a partnership with Mr. Goodhne Sept. 20, 1881. They occupied their present tasty and commo- dious rooms, with fronts on both First and Center streets. Their stock is full and complete in their line, embracing the most modern and elegant designs. Two hearses are employed in the business, one of which is of the finest finish. Mr. Thiele has had many years' experience as an undertaker in Whitewater; he built the first hearse in town, and has furnished the supplies at about three thousand funerals. This firm are also dealers in pianos, organs and other musical instruments. Mr. Thiele was married, at Delavan, May 27, 1855, to Miss Barbara Loetz, daugh- ter of Michael Loetz. They had nine children, of whom seven are living-Henry. the eldest, is married to Annie Veitenheimer and lives in Milwaukee; Jennie died aged 7 years; Frankie died aged 5 years; the others are William T., Frederick, Clara, Joseph, Annie and Lizzie. William T. is a promising young musician. As a cornet player, he is scarcely excelled in the State.

DR. JAMES TRIPP, deceased, was born in Schenectady, N. Y., in 1795. He received his medical education in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of New York at Albany, from which he graduated about 1817. He engaged in the practice of medicine at Mobile, Ala., which he continued till 1819, when he returned to New York and was married, in Laurens, Otsego Co., to Miss Rosepha Comstock, daughter of William Comstock He was commissioned Surgeon of the 60th N. Y. V. I. June 11, 1822. He continued to practice medicine till 1835, when he decided to turn farmer. Two years later, 1837, he emigrated to Wisconsin Territory and made his home in Troy, Walworth Co., where he built a saw-mill. In 1839, he moved to Whitewater and became one of the founders of that thrifty town, in which he was one of the largest property owners. During his residence in Wisconsin, he only prac- ticed when called in counsel in critical cases. His skill as a physician and thorough knowledge of his profession were well known and appreciated. He died in September, 1844, leaving a wife and two sons-Daniel and William J. Mrs. Dr. Tripp survived her husband many years, her death occurring Feb. 2, 1881. As one of the pioneer women of Whitewater, she will long be remembered for her many sterling qualities by her old neighbors and friends. She was gener- ons and kind to those in distress, possessed of quick perception and sound judgment, combined with great force of character. She was a leader in those schemes of benevolence and reform which the ladies of a Christian community are likely to interest themselves in. A consistent member of the Episcopal Church. she was always liberal in its support.

MRS. ROSEPHA ANN TRIPP, deceased, wife of Dr. James Tripp, was born in Lan- rens, Otsego Co., N. Y., Nov. 2. 1802, and died in Whitewater Feb. 2, 1881. Her maiden name was Comstock. She was married to Dr. Tripp Jan. 4, 1825. The young couple removed first to Montgomery County, but a dozen years' residence in the East convinced them that their star of fortune would rise in the West. They accordingly removed to East Troy in 1837, Mrs. Tripp bringing with her a comfortable little fortune. Her husband built a saw-mill at the outlet of Troy Lakes, but, being persuaded by the Pratts, Powers and others, of Whitewater. that a grist-mill in that vicinity would be more profitable, he removed to that settlement in 1840, having in the meantime put that manufactory in working order. His wife assisted him in more ways than one, and the credit of firmly establishing the village of Whitewater belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Tripp. Mrs. Tripp was a woman of strong will and quite remarkable business capacity, and when her husband died, in September, 1844, she continued the work he had left undone. Though less active in her later years, her influence was felt wherever she went. All her life, Mrs. Tripp was a staneh member and supporter of the Episcopal Church, and when she died. her zeal in its canse was recognized by Bishop Welles, who conducted the funeral exer- cises.

FRANK W. TRATT, farmer, and breeder of Durham (Short-Horn) cattle and registered Merino sheep, Sec. 6; P. O. Whitewater; has 560 acres of land. Mr. Tratt was born in Somer- setshire, England, June 28, 1840; is the son of Thomas and Betsey Tratt. In 1844, he came to

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America with his parents, and was brought up on his father's farm, in Palmyra, Jefferson Co., Wis. In 1857, he removed to Whitewater, where he was married, Oct. 18, 1862, to Miss Eliza- beth E. Cobb, daughter of Simon E. Cobb. Mrs. Tratt was born in Madison Co., N. Y. They have an interesting family of seven sons-Willis J., Clarence, Walter F., Alfred H., Paul; Ralph and one unnamed.

PHILIP TRAUTMANN, of the firm of P. & G. Trautmann, manufacturers of and dealers in boots and shoes. This firm is doing an extensive business, having also a branch house in Marshall, Iowa, under the junior partner. They have been doing business in Whitewater since 1860, and for the past fifteen years have occupied their present roomy establishment. The sub- ject of this sketch was born in Alsace, France, now Germany. Feb. 13, 1837: is the son of Philip and Lena Trautmann. He came to America in 1855, and located at Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y. Two years later, he moved to Madison, Wis., and from there to Whitewater in 1860, where he engaged in business with his brother George, as given above. He was married, in Whitewater, May 8. 1861, to Miss Mary Butz, daughter of John Butz. Mrs. Trautmann was born in Switzerland. They have six children-three boys and three girls-Minnie, May, Carrie, Ed- ward, George and Philip.

SALMON H. TUTTLE was born in Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Mass., Jan. 1, 1820; is the son of Salmon Tuttle; went to Columbia Co., N. Y., when 13 years of age, and remained till he was 22, then returned to Massachusetts, and, two years later, went to Claverack, N. Y. In 1856, he moved to Whitewater and bought the distillery, which he operated with Mr. Schultz two years. The distillery was then destroyed by fire. He built a new one, which he operated awhile, then bought into the planing-mill and sash factory, which connection lasted four years. In the spring of 1874, he went to Colorado and located at San Juan, 100 miles beyond the end of the wagon trails, at a place called Animas Forks, where he and his party were the pioneer miners; was engaged in mining at this point four years, and is still largely interested there in silver mining. He returned to his home in Whitewater, where he still resides. Mr. Tuttle was mar- ried, in Sheffield, Mass., in November, 1843, to Miss Mary E. McIntyre, daughter of Heman Mclntyre. Mrs. Tuttle was born in Salisbury, Conn. They have one child, a daughter, named Louise E., now the wife of Charles E. Densmore, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Mr. Tuttle has served as Supervisor of Whitewater three years, two years as member of the Village Board, and at this writing is President of the village, having been elected in the spring of 1881.

JOSEPH VAN DE WATER, of the firm of Van De Water & Son, proprietors of machine- shop and feed-mill; also do planing and sawing; business established in March, 1878. Mr. Van De Water was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., July 31, 1833; is the son of John and Catharine Van De Water; came to Whitewater in 1841. January, 1857, he went to Milwaukee, where he spent two years in learning the machinist's trade; returned to Whitewater and engaged in the reaper works of George Esterly, and continued in his employ twenty-three years, eighteen of which he held the responsible position of foreman. In April, 1878, he engaged in his present business, in company with his son Fred. The enterprise has proved an entire success. Mr. Van De Water was married, in Whitewater, Wis., in May, 1857, to Miss Eulalie M. Ellis, daughter of S. and A. Ellis. They have two children-Fred and Bertha.

WILLIAM H. VAN GIESON, deceased, son of Samuel Van Gieson, was born in Bloom- field, N. J., June 8, 1835. When about 15 years of age, he went to Canada, where he was em- ployed three or four years as a locomotive engineer. From Canada he went to New York and worked as a machinist. He was married, in Paterson, N. J., in 1856, to Miss Sarah Houghton, daughter of William Houghton. Mrs. Van Gieson was born in Paterson. After his marriage, Mr. Van Gieson made his home in Newark. Having a genins for mechanical pursuits, he be- came an inventor. Having patented an improved brass nail for upholstering, he sold the patent for a goodly sum to New York parties, and then made a tour to Europe, where he introduced the invention. At Birmingham, England, he established a factory for the manfuacture of his im- proved brass nail. One year and a half later, he returned to the United States; studied law at Waterbury, Conn .; was in practice only a few years; his old love of invention prevailed over · professional ambition, and the result of his labors was an invention of a machine for the manu- facture of gun cartridges. After securing his patent, he again visited Europe, and established a large shop for the manufacture of cartridges at Vienna. After one and one-half years spent

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in establishing the business, he sold out, having made a success of the invention. He returned to New Jersey. His various patents had proved valuable, and the income derived therefrom placed him in independent circumstances. In 1868, he moved to Milwaukee, Wis., and, one year later, to Whitewater, where he made his permanent home till his death, which occurred July 21, 1881. Soon after coming to Wisconsin, he became interested in mining and mining machinery in Colorado. He built several stamp-mills. He was the owner and operator of the Little Annie Mine at Summit, which proved rich and profitable. He then built the extensive lixiviation works at Lake City, Colo. He was engaged at that point one year, then sold out, having spent nearly six years in all in Colorado. He died suddenly while at home in White- water, leaving a wife and daughter to mourn his loss. His daughter, Sarah, is the wife of Oliver P. Posey, of Whitewater. His only other children, two sons, died in childhood. Mr. Van Gieson died comparatively a young man-aged 47 years. Beginning for himself at the early age of 15 years, gifted with superior intelligence and great energy, he made good use of his talent as an inventor. He not only knew when he had a good thing, but he had the enter- prise and force of character to make the world acknowledge it.

SALMOUS WAKELEY, deceased, was born in New Milford, Litchfield Co., Conn .. March 17, 1794. His youth and early manhood were spent in cultivating an unkindly soil, picking up a few scraps of regular education, which he improved to their utmost, and learning the shoe- maker's trade, which he also turned to good advantage in after years. Herein seemed to lay the great strength of his character-that he made the most of everything; so that, although his education was limited, by constant application yoked with native penetration, he became a broad-minded citizen, firmly grounded in his beliefs and able to defend them. In 1818, Mr. Wakeley married Hannah Thompson, a woman of uncommon stability and purity of character. He emigrated to New York in early life, where he resided until 1836. He then removed to Lorain Co., Ohio, where he remained seven years, coming to Whitewater in the spring of 1843. Mr. Wakeley became a member of the constitutional convention in 1846, where he made up in common sense what he lacked in brilliancy. In 1855 and 1857, he also represented Whitewater in the Assembly. On Jan. 12, 1867, occurred his death, at the residence of his son, E. Wakeley, in Madison. An acute attack of pneumonia was the cause of his decease, he having retained his bodily and mental vigor to the last. His widow, three sons and two daughters survived him. E. Wakeley and Charles T. Wakeley having established good reputations as lawyers, the former in Nebraska, the latter in Madison, Wis. Mrs. Wakeley has since died.

S. D. WARD. deceased, was born in Madison Co., N. Y., March 18, 1821; was brought up a farmer, and also learned the trade of chair-maker, which he worked at several years. He was married, in Henderson, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1842, to Miss Charlotte Comee, daughter of Benjamin Comee. Three children were born to them-Emiline L., who was the wife of O. B. Williams, of Whitewater; her death occurred in 1881; Benjamin C. married Ines Marsh, daughter of Sanger Marsh, and resides at Whitewater; is a painter by trade; Samuel D. died in childhood. Mr. Ward came to Wisconsin in 1857, and direct to Whitewater; remaining here only a short time, he moved to Hebron, Jefferson Co .; one and a half years later, he returned to Whitewater, where he was engaged in various mechanical pursuits till the time of his death, which occured Dee. 6, 1874; his widow is still a resident of Whitewater. Mr. Ward was a man of peculiar. mechanical genius: whatever he wanted to make, he made; all he needed was the necessary tools and materials; and his finished work was in everything he undertook-would compare favorably with that of master workmen in the same line.

DR. HENRY WARNE, physician and druggist. was born in Oneida Co., N. Y .. June 10, 1825; is the son of Benjamin and Lucy (Beckwith) Warne. He received his medical education at the Indiana State Medical School at La Porte, Ind., from which he graduated in 1848. He had previously come to Wisconsin and located iu Ft. Atkinson in 1845. In August. 1850, he moved to Whitewater and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he has continued to this date. In 1874, he entered into the drug business, which he still carries on in company with his eldest son, who was taken as a partner in April, 1881. Dr. Warne was married, in Jef- ferson Co., Wis., Dec. 1, 1859, to Miss Cordelia Curtis, daughter of Cyrus Curtis, a pioneer of Whitewater of 1836. While away to Milwaukee for provisions, his claim was jumped; rather than contest it, Mr. Curtis went to Jefferson County and made his home, where he built the

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 99

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