USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume I > Part 60
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. Again, when the young man was at college, in the carly part of his course, he wished to accept the invitation to join a fraternity. The father objected, or at least professed to object. In this the son acquiesced, and abandoned his cherished hope of joining the fraternity of his choice. After a few weeks the father wrote that he had changed his mind, having made some investigations, and was perfectly willing that the son should join. Later in the college course the son made up his mind to take the important step of joining the church. The father objected, or here again professed to object, claiming that the son was not sufficiently matured in his thought and judg- ment to do such a vital thing. The son wrote to his father in a spirit of deference that, while he was sorry to disagree with him, he had made up his mind to take the step, and was bound to do it. In both instances the father was testing the son. In the first there was no question of principle involved ; it simply related to the pleasure and convenience of belonging to a society of
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young men. In the latter, in the mind of the young man, at least, there was a question of principle which involved the most significant things in life and character. In the one case he willingly conceded to his father's wishes and in the other he insisted on the right to follow his own judgment and con- science : and in both cases, in the light of subsequent knowledge, he is cheered with the assurance that the father was pleased with the outcome.
There have been many regrets in the intervening twenty-one years since November 17. 1890. Many mistakes would have been avoided if the father's experience and counsel had been available. The writer cannot but think how many joyous days he would have had in his father's company and how they together might have visited foreign lands, particularly the land of his High- land forebears. But these things were not to be and were otherwise ordained by the all-wise Providence, whose judgments are altogether just and right. There remain precious recollections and the consciousness of a companionship that mere bodily absence does not destroy. We can recall the confidences and experiences of the past ; we can reflect upon the characteristics of those who have passed beyond, and enjoy the blessed communions and sacred memories.
During the last days of his life the father talked much of his parents and the humble home on the farm in LaFayette. Thus he had hallowed re- membrances of by-gone days. Likewise do we now recall the events and experiences of the past in a spirit of joy and thanksgiving. And so one generation is united with the other, and the fathers and mothers pass along to the coming generations those memories and experiences out of which are sublimated our Christian civilization.
HENRY WILLIAM AYERS.
It is the custom with many farmers, even in this day of known advantage of putting all corn and hay raised on a farm into stock, to sell the grain which they raise and only deal to a limited extent in live stock. Time has shown that this course is unwise, and those farmers who still stick to that obsolete custom are the losers. It is found that the best results are obtained from making the sale of live stock the first consideration, and it is not necessary to point out that most of the successful farmers have adopted long ago this practice. Aside from the improvement of the farm and perhaps the dealings in farms, it is probably the fact that the great majority of the wealthiest farmers have obtained all nor nearly all their wealth from dealing in live stock. One of the
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leading stock men of Walworth county is Henry William Ayers, whose fine cattle have carried his name to remote sections of the country, and which are greatly admired, owing to their superior quality, wherever they are exhibited. It would be hard to find a better judge of the bovine family than Mr. Ayers.
The subject was born in Rochester, Racine county, Wisconsin, July 23. 1855. He is the son of Maurice L. and Lutheria ( Akin ) Avers, the father a native of Monroe county, New York, and the mother of Vermont, his birth having occurred in 1819 and hers in 1826. The father came to Rochester. Racine county, Wisconsin, in 1839. thence to the town of Burlington, that county, where he kept a hotel, then returned to farming, which had been his occupation in his early life. He owned one hundred and sixty acres near Rochester which is still in possession of the family, where his son Edward now lives. Maurice 1. Ayers came to Spring Prairie township. Walworth county, in 1857, and purchased the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch, consisting of three hundred and three acres of as valuable land as the township affords, and here he became one of the substantial and influential farmers of the locality. developed a fine farm and established a pleasant home and here he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1884. his widow surviving until 1897. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are living. Politically, he was a Democrat and was active in political affairs, representing his locality in the General Assembly in 1849, making a splendid record. He is remembered as a man of many sterling characteristics and he enjoyed the good will and respect of all who know him.
Henry William Ayers, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, where he made himself useful during his boyhood days, and he was educated in the public schools of his home community. Early in life he turned his attention to farming, and he now owns the homestead of three hundred and three acres, and for twenty years he has been a breeder of fine live stock. He has kept the place well improved and well tilled, adopting all the modern methods of agriculture and everything shows thrift, good management and prosperity. He built a large, convenient barn some time ago, and has kept the buildings in good shape. He farms on an extensive scale, but the breeding of Brown Swiss cattle is his specialty. He now has a herd of eighty, all registered, of which there is no finer in the state, and owing to their superior qualities they find a very ready market whenever offered for sale. He has been a frequent exhibitor at the state fair and other fairs, and his stock are favorites every- where they are shown. Mr. Ayers also makes a specialty of dairying, and is exceptionally well equipped for this line of endeavor. He has taken many ribbons at the various state fairs where he has had his fine cattle.
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Politically, Mr. Ayers is a Democrat, and fraternally is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Mr. Ayers has never married. Personally, he is a man of pleasing pres- ence, straightforward in his relations with his fellows, a good mixer and a keen business man, but plain and unassuming in all relations of life.
EDWIN EUGENE PALMER.
The life record of the late Edwin Eugene Palmer, for many years one of the leading citizens of Geneva township, should not be permitted to perish, for in it may be found many valuable lessons. He was a man who believed in carrying the Golden Rule into his every-day life and while laboring for his individual advancement and the good of his immediate family, never to neglect his duties as a citizen, and he therefore did much for the general up- building of his locality and won the esteem and admiration of all who knew him.
Mr. Palmer was born in Greene county, New York, in the town of New Baltimore, May 24, 1849. Ile was the son of William S. and _Angeline (Palmer ) Palmer, the mother having been born on April 3. 1820. at Rens- selaerville. New York, and she was the daughter of Joseph and Polly (Palmer) Palmer, they being no relation. Joseph G. Palmer was the son of Jacob and Mary (Gillette) Palmer, the former the son of Thomas and Jennie (VanDusen) Palmer. Polly Palmer, who married Joseph G. Palmer. was the daughter of Robert and Eunice (-Algar) Palmer. Robert Palmer was the son of Gideon and Jane ( Williams) Palmer, who were married, it is believed, in 1744.
William S. Palmer, father of the subject of this sketch, was the son of Ezra and Polly ( Sleight ) Palmer, the latter being born in Dutchess county. New York, and she was of Dutch ancestry. Her mother was Catherine Sleight. She was Edwin Eugene Palmer's great-grandmother and she gave him a little pitcher that her husband, Ezra, gave her on their wedding trip. It is at least one hundred and fifteen years old, and is now the property of Mrs. Palmer. She also has a chair left by the mother of Joseph Palmer.
Polly Palmer, who married Joseph Palmer, and who was the subject's maternal grandmother, was a sister of Ezra Palmer, the subject's paternal grandfather and they were children of Robert and Eunice Palmer. The first of the family to come here were Joseph and Polly Palmer in 1853;
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they settled in the northeastern part of Geneva township where E. C. Petrie lives at present. Joseph G. Palmer was a soldier in the war of 1812. His family consisted of ten children.
William S. Palmer and family came here early in April. 1865, and for six months lived on the farm now occupied by E. C. Petrie; then, in the following August. bought the farm in sections to and it, which is still in the Palmer family. When William S. Palmer purchased this place it was only half fenced, and had on it only a log cabin, and much of the land was grown up in hazel brush. They lived there seven years and improved the place. finally building a good new house, and there they spent the rest of their lives and became active and influential in the pioneer life of their time.
Two children were born to William S. Palmer and wife, Edwin Eugene, of this sketch. and Jennie, who died in 1864, when two years okl.
Edwin Eugene Palmer grew to manhood on the home farm and on December 31, 1873. he was united in marriage with Frances Chadwick, who was born in Liverpool, Onondaga county, New York, August 17, 1852, the daughter of Warren Reid Chadwick and Jane ( Hamlin) Chadwick, the former having been the son of John and Susannah ( Reid) Chadwick. Susannalı Reid was born in New York, but her parents were from Scotland. The birth of Warren R. Chadwick occurred on February 18, 1818, in Schuy- ler. Onondaga county. New York. Jane Hamlin was born in Clay township. that county. June 15. 1832. and she was the daughter of David and Luanna Judd ( Orvis) Hamlin. David Hamlin was born in Connecticut and was an old schoolmate of Henry Ward Beecher. Luanna J. Orvis was also born in Connecticut.
John Chadwick was the son of John, Sr., and Eunice ( Murray ) Chad- wick. It is said that Eunice Murray was of French ancestry. John Chad- wick. Sr., was descended from one of three brothers who lived in England and who emigrated to America in an early day. They had an eller brother who inherited the estate and was a knight and he died unmarried, leaving a vast estate.
Frances Chadwick came here in 1859. Her parents had preceded her two years, having located at Geneva, and she lived with them until her marriage to Mr. Palmer. Her father died in October, 1879, and her mother is now living in Pontiac, Illinois, with her son. Walter. Mrs. Palmer has two brothers, Albert of Chicago, and Walter of Pontiac. She also has a sister living in Pontiac. Mrs. Jennie Braga, wife of A. J. Braga : she also had a sister, Hattic. who died May 9. 1883.
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After Edwin Eugene Palmer and wife were married they lived on the old Palmer homestead for thirty years, successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, then moved to the city of Lake Geneva early in January. 1904.
Mr. Palmer had taken an abiding interest in the affairs of the township and county, and he held a number of local offices, from a sense of duty.
Four children were born to the subject and wife: Kate E. : William Ed- win, a sketch of whom appears in this work; Jennie May, who married Eugene Woolsey, lives at Hawkeye. Iowa, and they have eight children, Clarence Edwin, Warren George, Aimee, May Angeline, Eunice, Mabel, Ruth and a baby girl ; Walter Chadwick Palmer was the youngest in order of birth of the subject's children.
The death of Edwin Eugene Palmer occurred on December 27, 1907, after a successful, honorable and useful life. Since then Mrs. Palmer has lived with her daughter, Kate, and son, Walter. in Lake Geneva.
Fraternally, Mr. Palmer was a member of the Modern Woodmen. Spring- field Camp, and his was the first death in that lodge, and the summons came to him just eighteen years after he had joined this lodge. He was also a consis- tent member of the Baptist church. Mrs. Palmer is a worthy member of the same.
JOHN CHAPIN.
No life is more interesting than that of the old pioneer, for in the days when the wilderness of the West was conquered there were men of iron mould, men who were fearless, courageous and self-sacrificing. who were willing to undergo hardships in order that succeeding generations might be benefited. It is doubtful if such a class of people live today. One of these worthy characters was John Chapin, one of the first settlers of Bloomfield township, Walworth county, who was prominent in the affairs of the county in its history-making days, and a man whose record should be preserved. He was born March 20, 1790, in the town of Heath, Franklin county, Massa- chusetts. Family tradition says that he was a descendant of Samuel Chapin. who was one of the first settlers of Massachusetts, probably coming from England on the "Mayflower."
John Chapin grew to manhood in his native state and there he was mar- ried in 1813 to Clarissa Patterson, who was born in the same town as Mr. Chapin, on September 28, 1703. To this union eleven children were born.
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nine of whom came to Bloomfieldl township, this county. The youngest. Mariette, was born in the town of Bloomfieldl, in February. 1841. She grew to womanhood here and married Ezra Gifford, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work: he is now deceased and his widow lives in Lake Geneva. William D. Chapin was the oklest of the family. The other chil- dren were, Jonathan Patterson, John, Jr .. Jacob, Clarissa Jane, Belinda, Diantha, Emily, Lyman and Monroe. Mrs. Gifford, mentioned above, is the only member of the family now living.
William D. Chapin came to Lake Geneva in the spring of 1837 and made a claim in the present town of Bloomfield in the summer of the same year His brother, John, Jr., came in the fall of the same year. They were thus among the earliest settlers. John Chapin moved with his family to the town of Bloomfield in the fall of 1838 and settled on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 6. At that time the land hereabout had not been placed on sale by the government. Mr. Chapin bought ont a squatter's claim to the land, and in the following spring, when the land was placed on the market, entered it from the government. He and his wife were two of the thirteen charter members of what is now the Congregational church in Lake Geneva, then organized as the Presbyterian church. He was a deacon in the church for a great many years and was an influential man in the affairs of his community. The death of John Chapin occurred on December 29. 1865. at the age of seventy-five years and nine months. The death of his wife occurred on April 23. 1873. in the seventy-ninth year of her age. Of their children, William D. lived until within ten years of his death in Bloomfield township, where he owned a farm of nearly three hundred acres. His death occurred in Lake Geneva in April, 1904. Mrs. Clarissa Jane Ledington, Mrs. Belinda Foster, Mrs. Emily Woldron, all died in 1881, within six weeks of each other. J. Patterson moved to Nebraska and died there. John settled in Bremer county, lowa. where he died. Jacob also died in lowa. Lyman was a soldier in the Civil war in an lowa regiment and he died in lowa. Monroe was a soldier in the Twenty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war and he died in Minnesota.
John Chapin, of this sketch, was a man of courage and bravery, vet loved peace, and he would bear an insult quietly. He was not easily swerved from his course, being a man of strong characteristics, and always defended the right. He was a strict observer of the Sabbath and trained up his large family to respect the Lord's day, and he was a faithful attendant on his church, rain or shine. He bore his full share of the hardships of pioncer life uncomplainingly, and he was well known among the early settlers and highly respected by them.
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ALEXANDER E. MATHESON.
Alexander E. Matheson was born in the village of Eagle, Waukesha county, Wisconsin, on the 11th day of July, 1868. Thereafter he went with his parents to Vernon, in Waukesha county, Mayhew, East Troy and Elk- horn, in Walworth county, Wisconsin. He lived in Elkhorn until July, 1894. when he went to Janesville, Wisconsin, to commence the practice of law. Since that time he has lived continuously in Janesville. He was educated at district schools in the towns of Troy and LaFayette in Walworth county, at the high schools in East Troy and Elkhorn, and finally at Beloit Academy and Beloit College, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, in 1890. He was the valedictorian of his class in college. He received the degree of Master of Arts from Beloit College in 1893. Soon after leaving college his father died. This compelled him to enter business, and he remained at Elkhorn for two years, managing the affairs of the Matheson Trading Company at that place. In 1892, owing to the selling of the business of the Matheson Trading Company at Waukesha, Wisconsin, and the coming of his uncle. George Matheson, and his friend, John Dunphy, to Elkhorn, he was able to enter the Law School of the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 1892 to pursue the study of his chosen profession. He graduated from the law de- partment of the university with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1894. He immediately went to Janesville, where he became a member of the law firm of Fethers. Jeffris, Fifield and Matheson. He remained with this firm one year. Ile then formed a partnership with John M. Whitehead and Samuel M. Smith, under the firm name of Whitehead, Matheson & Smith. After two or three years Mr. Smith left the firm to pursue other activities, and the firm has since continued under the name of Whitehead & Matheson.
In Mr. Matheson's young manhood, for a long time, he was unable to determine whether he would enter the legal or the ministerial profession. He had a strong desire to be a preacher. He finally chose the legal pro- fession for two reasons: first, because one of his father's ambitions for him was that he might be a lawyer : second, because he believed that a Christian man, living a consistent, Christian life, and speaking for the ideals of the church, could accomplish more as a layman than as a minister in the pulpit. Next to his home he looks upon the church as his leading interest in life. Hle is a member of the First Congregational church of Janesville, and active in all its departments. He is also active in many phases of religious work not organically connected with the church.
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Since he became of age Mr. Matheson has been active in Masonry. He has held numerous offices and positions in the various branches, grades and orders of Masonry. In 1900 he received the thirty-third degree in Boston. At the present time he is grand master of the grand lodge of Free and Ac- cepted Masons of Wisconsin. Since attaining manhood he has tried to per- form his duties as a citizen and has always been more or less active in political affairs, although holding but one public official position, that of alderman in the city of Janesville for two years. He has endeavored to keep in close touch with Beloit College, for which institution and its tradi- tions he has a profound admiration and strong affection. For years he lec- tured upon international law to members of the senior class in the college, and at the present time he is a member of the board of trustees.
In September, 1894, Mr. Matheson married Georgia L. Hubbard ( dangh- ter of Henry A. Hubbard), who lived at Elkhorn, Wisconsin. They have two children. Marion Barbara, born August 23. 1896, and John Hubbard, born May 2, 1908.
FRANCIS X. ABBOTT.
The career of Francis X. Abbott, a public-spirited citizen of Geneva township, Walworth county, has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of those with whom he has come into contact, for he has ever conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to the public god is unquestioned and arises from a sincere interest in his fellow men.
Mr. Abbott was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, May 4. 1850. He is the son of John and Sarah ( Herrick ) Abbott, the former having been the son of Navir and Elizabeth (Stevens) AAbbott. Navir Abbott was in the war of 1812. When the subject of this sketch was four years old the family moved to Chautauqua county, New York, and lived there on a farm until 1866, in which year they moved west, locating about a mile from Elkhorn, Wisconsin. After living there a year the father bought a farm a mile north of Como and there the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying on August 23, 1889, and the mother on January 4. 1892. Both were members of the Baptist church. The father was a quiet, home man, an industrions and highly respected citizen.
Francis X. Abbott remained on the home farm until March, 1903. He was educated in the public schools, He was second in order of birth in a family of
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four children, one son and three daughters Emeline, who married Lyman James and returned to New York, where she died, leaving six children. Mar- ietta, the third in order of birth, married Albert Densmore: they live at Elkhorn and have one child, Ethel. Jane, the youngest child. married Floyd Gray ; they live at Como and have two children, sons.
On May 4. 1879. Mr. Abbott was married to Alice S. Goodrich, daughter of Harvey Curtis Goodrich and Sarah Emma ( Dalrymple) Goodrich. She was born, reared and educated in Geneva township. When a young man her father came to Walworth county from Troy, Vermont, and here he was married to Sarah E. Dalrymple, a native of Chautauqua county, New York.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Abbott, namely: Ivy, who married W. E. Palmer, lives three miles northeast of Como, and has three children, Beulah Eileen, Alice Alveretta, and Edwin Eugene. Betha Abbott married George McCormick : they live in Lafayette township and have one child, Ethel Mavis. John, who is the youngest of Mr. Abbott's children. married Ella Belle Randall, daughter of William and Bertha Randall.
Politically, Mr. Abbott is a Republican and he has always been active in politics, and has been a frequent delegate to state conventions and active and influential in the same. He has been clerk of Geneva township for over twen- ty years, which is certainly a criterion of the confidence which his neighbors repose in his ability and integrity. He has held various other offices in his community, always with ability and credit. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Mystic Workers, and is prominent in each. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
11ENRY 11. WHITE.
In the following paragraphs are briefly outlined the leading facts and characteristics in the career of a gentleman who combines in his makeup the elements of the practical man of affairs and the energy of the public-spirited citizen, and all who come within range of his influence are profuse in their praise of his admirable qualities. The high regard in which he is held by all classes indicates the possession of attributes and characteristics that fully entitle him to the respect and consideration of his fellow men.
Henry H. White, the present popular. and efficient postmaster at Lake Geneva, was born in Spring Prairie township. Walworth county, on May 21, 1865. Hle is the son of Edgar and Elizabeth ( Moore ) White, the father born
HENRY H. WHITE
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEHCX TILDEN FOUNDRY DES
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near Lake Champlain, Vermont, the son of David and Amelia (Bowker) White. Edgar White came to Wisconsin in 1856 and located first in Lyons township, working as a hand on the Humphrey farm. Abont 1860 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Moore, daughter of John Adam Moore and wife. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and she came to this county with her parents before 1850 and located in Spring Prairie township, where Mrs. White lived until her marriage. Edgar White made his home in Lyons township, where he had a farm and there reared his family, con- sisting of nine children, eight of whom are living, one having died in in- fancy. They were named as follows: Edgar. Jr., lives in Elkhorn; Seymour lives near the old home in the northern part of Lyons township: Edward lives in East Troy; Henry H., of this sketch; Mary married James Boden and they live in the eastern part of Spring Prairie township: John lives at Spring- field, this county: Louise married John Matteson and they live in Geneva township; Edwin lives in Palmyra.
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