USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume I > Part 61
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Henry HI. White spent most of his boyhood on the home farm in Lyons township and there he attended the common schools, later going to school at Burlington. After leaving school he spent three or four years on the home farm, then took a contract for carrying the mail from Springfield to Lake Geneva. He also purchased the stage line in 1892, which he has been operat- ing ever since and has also carried the mails between the above named towns since that date. In 1906 he bought a large farm at the northern edge of Lake Geneva, comprising two hundred and thirty-two acres. In 1903 he built the south half of the Diamond block on Broad street, twenty-five by eighty-seven feet, three floors and a basement, this being one of the most substantial busi- ness houses in Lake Geneva. In 1904 he built a large handsome residence on Wisconsin street, near Broad street, where he now resides. He has been very successful in a financial way and is one of the enterprising men of the city honored by his residence.
Mr. White is a progressive Republican, long active in the ranks of the party. In 1904 he was alderman and was candidate for mayor. In 1911 he was appointed postmaster of Lake Geneva, taking office on September 11th following, and he is discharging the duties of the office in an able and faithful manner, eminently satisfactory to the people and the department.
Mr. White was married to Maude Dodge, daughter of Eugene and Sarah ( Relyea) Dodge, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. She was born in Lyons township. this county. Mr. and Mrs. White have two children. Herbert Relyea, who is in charge of his father's farm at the northern edge of the city of Lake Geneva, and Lorna Sarah.
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Mr. White is president of the Lake Geneva Publishing Company, pub- lishers of the News, which is one of the influential and steadily growing papers in this part of the state. Besides owning his property and the stage line at Lake Geneva, he also has a house, several town lots and other valuable property at Springfield, this county.
Fraternally, Mr. White is a Royal Arch Mason, a Modern Woodman and Knight of Pythias, having been banker of the Modern Woodmen camp at Lake Geneva for the past six years.
H. T. HALVORSEN.
It is interesting to note from the beginning the growth and development of a community, to note the lines along which progress has been made and to take cognizance of those whose industry and leadership in the work of advance- ment have rendered possible the present prosperity of the locality under con- sideration. The Halvorsen family, of which H. T., of Whitewater township. Walworth county, is a very creditable representative, belong to that class of enterprising citizens who promote the general good of a community and they are therefore worthy of a place in the history of the same.
H. T. Halvorsen was born on the old homestead in this township, March 22, 1852. He is the son of Tosten and Jane (Linos) Halvorsen, both born in Norway, where they grew up and were educated. The father left that land in 1846 and emigrated to Walworth county, Wisconsin, the mother not coming until 1849, in which year she reached Dane, this state. The father got posses- sion of a farm before he was married and on this they began housekeeping and soon had a comfortable home, their place of one hundred and sixty acres in Whitewater township making them a very comfortable living, but they worked very hard in developing it, for the land was new and the country roundabout a wilderness. Here they spent the balance of their lives, the father dying in October, 1909, having survived his wife many years, her death occur- ring in 1874. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are living. Politically, he was a Republican and a member of the Lutheran church.
H. T. Halvorsen, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm where he worked hard when a boy and received what education he could in the early schools of the home district. He has devoted his life to general farming and raising live stock. He has a very productive and well-improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres.
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Politically, Mr. Halvorsen is a Republican and for three years he served his township as assessor. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Halvorsen was married in 1879 to Anna Nelson, who was born in Lagrange township, this county, the daughter of Nels and Martha Nelson, a highly respected family here. To the subject and wife seven children have been born, namely: Nettie, Theodore, Jessie (deceased ), Emma, Arthur, Alice and Howard.
I. V. B. HOLLOWAY.
In all the relations of life W. V. B. Holloway, one of the most progressive of the younger generation of farmers of Sugar Creek township, Walworth county, has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought into contact as is abundantly evidenced by his retention for a period of fifteen years as township clerk, during which time he has discharged the duties of this important office in a manner that has proven his integrity as well as ability. His capable management of his own business interests and his well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life have brought him well merited success, demonstrating what one may accomplish, often in the face of obstacles, by rightly applied energy and perseverance.
Mr. Holloway is the scion of one of the worthy old families of Sugar Creek township and here he was born on December 23. 1872. and here he has been content to spend his life. Ile is the son of James and Mary B. ( Bray ) Holloway, both natives of England. the father born in Devonshire. August 18, 1839, and she on March 29. 1845, in Cornwall, England.
The father came to Canada in an early day, and the mother accompanied her parents, Walter and Rachael ( Baker) Bray, to Wisconsin when she was a girl. The Bray family settled in Troy township, later moving to Sugar Creek township where they bought a farm and here they spent the rest of their lives.
The parents of the subject were married in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1870 and they began life on a farm in Sugar Creek township, this county, which he rented, then moved to Troy township where they lived three years. By hard work and economy they had gotten a start and so bought a farm in Sugar Creek township and on this they remained nine years, then moved to Rock county. this state, and lived there five years, after which they lived in White- water one year. Then they returned to Sugar Creek township in 1894 and bought sixty-seven acres and there lived until 1903, in which year they moved
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to the home of their son-in-law. Gerden Olsen, with whom they remained two years. James Holloway then moved to the town of Millard, this county, where his death occurred on August 1, 1911. In politics he was a Republican and was active in local affairs. He held the offices of township assessor and town- ship supervisor for a number of years. He was a man well known and highly respected for his public spirit and upright life. His widow is still living. They were the parents of two children, namely: W. V. B., of this review, and Lizzie R., wife of Gerden Olsen, and the mother of one child. Willard J. Olsen.
W. V. B. Holloway was reared on the home farm and educated in the public schools and in the high school at Whitewater, Wisconsin. Early in life he turned his attention to farming. He is now the owner of forty acres in Lagrange township, and besides this he works the homestead, and as a general farmer and stock raiser he has met with encouraging success all along the line. Politically, he is a Republican and, as stated above, is the present incumbent of the township clerk's office. Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal church.
On February 3, 1903, Mr. Holloway was united in marriage with Lorena G. Taylor, a native of Lagrange township, this county, her birth having occurred here on January 25, 1882, and she is the daughter of Charles H. and Nellie ( Wishart ) Taylor, both born in this county, the father on June 22. 1853, and the mother on May 10, 1851. They are now living at Heart Prairie, Lagrange township, Walworth county. To Mr. and Mrs. Holloway one child, Alice Marie, has been born, the date of her birth being April 29, 1906.
CHARLES H. BAKER.
Charles 11. Baker, of Lake Geneva, is a man whose life has become an essential part of the history of this section and he has exerted a beneficial influence in the city honored by his residence, as has also his wife, the former in business circles and the latter in educational affairs. Mr. Baker's chief char- acteristics seem to be fidelity of purpose, keenness of perception, unswerving integrity and sound common sense which have earned for him the esteem of the entire community.
Mr. Baker, like many of our leading citizens. hails from the old Empire state, his birth having occurred at Seneca Falls, New York. He is a son of Hon. Charles M. and Martha (Larrabee) Baker, the father having been one of the most prominent men of this county. His complete sketch appears on another page of this work.
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Charles H. Baker came to Walworth county with his parents when two years old, and was thus a true pioneer, for the country was wild and settlers few at that period. The family settled at Lake Geneva, and there young Baker lived until he was fourteen years old. He then went to Chicago and lived about three years, then spent a year in Beloit College, in the academic department. He had decided to take up mechanical engineering, and the next two years were spent in a locomotive and marine works in Detroit and Boston, along the line of his studies. He also spent some time in Hamilton College, now Colgate University, at Madison, New York. He next spent about ten years on the Pacific coast in mining engineering. From there he went to Mexico in the interests of a mining company in the state of Coahuila. He then spent a year in Europe, trading in almost every country, studying his chosen lines of engineering. Returning, was a year in the employ of the Gug- genheim Company, in Mexico. Later he was employed by the Topia Mining & Smelting Co., of Durango, Mexico, remaining with them about ten years, as general manager. He became an expert in his line and his services were much in demand. During his wanderings in the West, he retained the old home- stead at Lake Geneva, and he has lived retired in this city of recent years. although he sometimes makes a trip as a mining expert.
Mr. Baker was married in 1907 to Marietta B. Smith, of Racine, Wis- consin, a lady of talent, culture and refinement, whose charm of manner has made her a favorite with a wide circle of friends. She was graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and took post-graduate work in the University of Chicago. She is a musician of marked ability.
Before coming here Mrs. Baker spent a summer in Europe, during which she gave particular attention to what would be of special interest in her chosen subject of literature.
She came to Lake Geneva about 1903 to fill a temporary vacancy in the high school, but the position became permanent and her services were of such a high order that she was later offered the position of principal, which she accepted and the duties of which she has discharged ever since in a manner that reflects much credit upon herself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. She has brought the local high school up to an equal place with the best in the state, and in the school room she is an enthusiastic instructor. She is broadly educated and has kept well abreast of the times in all that pertains to her profession. She has been active in public affairs at Lake Geneva, and she is a member of the library board. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Baptist church.
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Charles H. Baker was one of a family of four children, namely : Edward L., who became captain of Company E, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war ; he is now deceased and is buried at Lake Geneva ; Rob- ert H., who became a prominent politician, was a member of the Republican state central committee and a man of influence at Racine: for thirty years he was a partner of J. I. Case, the well-known threshing machine manufacturer; Mary L., deceased, was the wife of Col. George Brown, a prominent attorney of Providence, Rhode Island, commanded the Ninth Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, and at one time was a member of Congress.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker are prominent in the life of Lake Geneva and their pleasant home is the mecca for a host of warm friends.
ALBERT E. PETERSON.
One of the progressive twentieth century farmers of Lagrange township, Walworth county, who ranks among the best of his fellow tillers of the soil is Albert E. Peterson, a native son, and the representative of a good old family, and here he has spent his life. "His sober wishes never learned to stray," for he knew that no better place could be found for his chosen line of work, and succeeding years have brought to him increasing success.
Mr. Peterson was born in this township, on the farm where he still lives, on July 24, 1869. He is the son of Erick and Anna (Churchill) Peterson, both natives of Norway. The father was born at Voss, Burgin, May 13, 1831, and the mother in Nomadoln, Kongsberg, May 15, 1837. They spent their childhood in their native land, emigrating to America when single, he being about twenty years old, and she was twelve years of age when her parents set- tled in Muskegon. Erick l'eterson came alone to Walworth county in an early day and located on the farm now in possession of the subject. He was married in LaGrange township, May 3, 1856. The father of the subject's mother worked in Racine county for some time, finally coming to Walworth county and bought a farm just west of the Peterson place and there spent the rest of his life.
Erick Peterson first bought forty acres here. This he improved and added to until he had a fine farm of over one hundred and sixty acres. The place was timbered with the exception of fifty acres of marsh, covered with willow. Ile cleared and improved the land, erected substantial buildings and here spent the rest of his life. He was a well-educated man and was very active in the early-
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day church work here. being a strong Lutheran, advocating the Norwegian church of Scaponong. His family consisted of five children, one of whom preceded him to the grave by one year; the rest are living, as is also the mother, who makes her home on the old place.
Albert E. Peterson, of this sketch, was educated in the public schools and when but a boy he assisted with the general work on the home place and here he has continued to work. He has met with a large measure of success through his close application and his good management, and he owns not only the home place of one hundred and sixty acres, but also another place of equal size. He has kept his land under a fine state of improvement and cultivation, besides erecting fine buildings. Everything about his place not only indicates good management, but thrift and prosperity. He carries on general farming. stock raising and dairying on a large scale, and each year finds him further advanced than the preceding.
Politically. Mr. Peterson is a Republican and he has been supervisor of his township for the past three years, which office he has filled in a worthy and satisfactory manner. He belongs to the Lutheran church.
CURTIS H. SHERMAN.
The occupation of farming, to which Curtis H. Sherman has applied his time and attention since reaching his majority, is the oldest business pursuit of mankind and the one in which man will ever be the most independent. (i course when this is said reference is made to civilized man, because hunting and fishing were the primitive pursuits of man before he reached the civilized state.
One of the most scientific farmers of Whitewater township, Walworth county, is Curtis II. Sherman, who was born in Cortlandt county, New York, May 5, 1840. He is the son of Erastus and Rhoda T. ( Bostwick ) Sherman, the father born in Connecticut on August 23, 1798, and the mother born in Saratoga county, New York, May 21, 1802. They came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1844 and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Whitewater township, later added eight-seven acres and here the father of the subject developed a good farm, on which he spent the rest of his life, dying June 22. 1866, his widow surviving until June 6, 1870. Their family consisted of seven children, three of whom are living. In politics the elder Sherman was a Re- publican and a member of the Episcopal church.
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Curtis H. Sherman was four years of age when his parents brought him to Wisconsin, and he grew to manhood in Walworth county, attended the rural schools, also the high school at Whitewater. He has devoted his life to agri- cultral pursuits and has lived to see the county develop from its forests to a fine agricultural section. He is the owner of one hundred and eleven acres, which he has kept well tilled and well improved, it being a part of the old home- stead. In connection with farming and stock raising, he makes a specialty of dairying.
Politically, Mr. Sherman is a Republican, but he lias never been an office- seeker. He is a member of the Methodist church.
On August 29, 1862, Mr. Sherman was united in marriage with Harriet E. Hull, daughter of Lomas Hull, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sherman : Lillie May and Lullie Belle, twins, were born on October 18, 1863; the former married Alfred Pitt and four children were born to them, Ernest H., Curtis H., Clara B. (deceased) and Leota M. The death of Mrs. Pitt occurred on February 1, 1898. Lullie Belle married Dr. M. J. Bagley, of Whitewater, and two children were born to them, Frank C. and Mark J. ( deceased). The death of Mrs. Bagley occurred on March 18, 1889. Roy Ravella Sherman, who was born September 19, 1872, was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools and he now manages the home place. Politically, he is a Republican and a member of the Methodist church. He was married on June 5, 1901, to Bessie Bloxhanı, who was born in Lima, Rock county. Wis- consin, in 1873, the daughter of George and Emma (Watson) Bloxham, both natives of England, and there they spent their early lives, finally coming to Rock county, Wisconsin, and they now live retired at Whitewater. One child, George Curtis, has been born to Roy R. Sherman and wife, his birth occurring on December 30. 1907. Mary E. Sherman was born on October 24. 1881, was educated in the public schools and she lives at home.
JAMES CONSTANT REYNOLDS, M. D.
It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that move a life of ceaseless activity and large professional success ; little more can be done than to note their manifestation in the career of the individual under considera- tion. Doctor Reynolds has long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and rigid professional training and thor-
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ough mastery of technical knowledge with the skill to apply the same, without which one cannot hope to rise above the mediocre in administering to human ills.
Dr. James Constant Reynolds, of Lake Geneva, Walworth county, was born in Exeter, Green county, Wisconsin, July 17, 1849. This town, now no longer on the map, was at that time a mining town of probably twelve hundred inhabitants. He is the son of Dr. Benoni O. and Mary J. (Smith) Reynolds, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
The family moved to Elkhorn, this county, in 1854, and have lived in Walworth county, nearly ever since. The subject had the advantages of a liberal education, having attended the common schools and Racine College about two years, also Beloit College about two years. Desiring to follow in the footsteps of his father in a professional way he entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1870. He went to Can- ton. South Dakota, where he engaged in the practice of his profession for about five years, after which he took a course at Bellevue Hospital, New York. He then came to Lake Geneva. Walworth county, in 1876, and this locality has been the arena of his endeavors ever since, during which time he has built up a large and lucrative practice, taking a position second to none of his com- peers in the medical profession in southeastern Wisconsin.
Doctor Reynolds is an active Republican and has been honored by his party with various offices. He served several terms as a member of the village board of Lake Geneva and in 1884 he was elected a member of the General Assembly of Wisconsin, and made such a creditable record that he was in 1886 re-elected by a big majority. He there made his influence felt for the general good and won the hearty commendation of his constituents and all concerned by his wise and judicious course. During the thirty-eighth Assem- bly he served as chairman of the committee on railroads. In 1888 he was elected to the State Senate for four years, and again distinguished himself as a public servant, discharging his duties in a manner that reflected much credit upon his ability and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. irrespective of party alignment. While state senator he was chairman of the committee on town and county organizations and he was a member of the joint committee on claims. He was a delegate to the Republican national convention in 1900 that nominated Mckinley and Roosevelt, and he had the honor of being appointed a member of the committee to notify Colonel Roosevelt of his nom- ination. Doctor Reynolds was one of two physical examiners appointed by the governor to make examination of all the sokliers from Wisconsin during the Spanish-American war. He was a member of the battleship committee, a
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committee of three appointed by the governor of this state to select the person to christen the battleship "Wisconsin," and to convey the ten-thousand-dollar silver service sent to the ship at the Pacific coast and present it on behalf of the state of Wisconsin.
Doctor Reynolds is a member of Geneva Lodge No. 44, Free and Accept- ed Masons, also the State Medical Society. The Doctor was married in May. 1883, to Mrs. Carrie S. Blanchard, daughter of John A. and Rachael (Cald- well) Carson. This union has been graced by the birth of one son, Benoni O. Reynolds, who attended college at Racine and is now a student in Northwest- ern University, preparing for the ministry. Doctor Reynolds and family are members of the Episcopal church.
BENONI O. REYNOLDS.
The name of Dr. Benoni O. Reynolds for many decades was one of the best known in Walworth county, where he was esteemed by all classes and where so much of his useful and honored life was spent. He was born in Semponius township, Cayuga county, New York, July 26, 1824. He was the son of John and Nancy ( Hay) Reynolds and the grandson of Benoni Rey- nolds, who was born in Wales, from which country he came to America in colonial days and took part in the war for independence, as a private in the Thirteenth Regiment of Albany County Militia, and also served in the Sixth Regiment of Dutchess County Militia under Colonel Graham of New York. For many years he lived at Marcellus, that state, and his death occurred when he had nearly attained the century milestone. Nancy (Hay) Reynolds was the daughter of a Revoutionary soldier, who came to this country from Germany. and he, too, lived to a ripe old age.
When thirteen years of age Dr. Benoni O. Reynolds was bound out to learn a trade, and for a time he worked in a cooper shop, but, not liking the work, he ran away and began life for himself. After two years' experience teaching school he began the study of medicine, later taking the course at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and there was graduated in 1851, and about ten years later he was graduated from the Ophthalmic College of New York. He practiced for some time at Huntsville, Ohio, then went to Wisconsin and began practicing in and near Racine in 1848. He enlisted for service in the Mexican war, but was not called to the front. In 1854 he located in Elkhorn and made
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his home in this county until his death. He took up his residence in Lake Geneva in 1866 and here he soon acquired an extensive practice. In 1861 he was commissioned surgeon of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry and he served with distinction in that capacity until the close of the war, in 1865. The estimate of his ability as a surgeon in the army is shown by the following order of Brig .- Gen. J. R. West, chief of the cavalry division : "The operating staff will consist of Surgeon B. O. Reynolds, of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry. and Surgeon W. W. Bailey, of the First Missouri Cavalry, and no operation shall be performed without their sanction and direction, and in all doubtful cases the board of operating surgeons shall consult together and a majority shall decide upon the expediency and character of the operation." In 1863 Doctor Reynolds was appointed medical director on the staff of General Ewing. While in southwest Missouri in 1862 he was taken prisoner by Colonel Coffee's command and after being held ten days made his escape through the Confederate lines on a night when Coffee's camp was attacked by Union cavalry. At the battle of Prairie Grove, in the fall of 1862. his skill as a surgeon was put to the test. General John C. Black was so badly wounded that an eye witness said he looked as if there was hardly enough left of him to call for the services of an undertaker, but Surgeon Reynolds took charge of him, and out of a mass of gaping wounds and splintered bones reconstructed a man who later was of fine personal appearance.
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