USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume I > Part 62
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Doctor Reynolds was married on March 30, 1848. to Mary J. Smith, of Trumbull county, Ohio, the daughter of Dr. John and Sarah ( Buttles) Smith. In 1861 she was graduated from the Women's Medical College and during the war she enjoyed an extensive practice while her husband was away in the army. She is a woman of unusual attainments and force of personality. To the Doctor and wife two children were born, James C., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, and Willis S., who was graduated from the Chicago Medical College, and who is now cashier of a bank at Hurley, Wisconsin.
Dr. B. O. Reynolds died at his home in Lake Geneva, January 19, 1911, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. He was a member of McPherson l'ost of the Grand Army of the Republic and a companion of the Loyal Legion. He always took an abiding interest in public affairs, and was an active Republican and well-known in state and county politics. Ile once represented his home district in the Assembly and was also in the State Senate for several terms, and for eight years he was a member of the state board of health. As a public servant he performed his duties in an able, conscientions and commendable manner, winning the hearty approval of all concerned irrespective of party alignment. He was a member of the national board of health, of the State
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Medical Association, and of the National Medical Association. He was also prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic. As a physician he had few equals and no superiors in this part of the state. Mrs. Dr. Reynolds is still living at Lake Geneva, now eighty-eight years of age.
JULIAN M. CAREY.
Read back the pages of history until you are lost in the hieroglyphs and obscurity of the dim past; walk back through the dark corridors of time from the magnificent civilization of today until you find yourself musing on the world's first battlefield; scan the characters of every great commander, and throw your brightest light on the motives of every soldier, and the impartial historian will then tell you that in all this gloomy concave of war, in all this cavernous darkness of suffering and death, in all the sacrifice that humanity has offered upon the sanguinary field of Mars, no character so pure, so noble, so unselfish-so heroic has yet been given the world as the American citizen soldier, fighting, suffering, dying to lift up a fallen race, to preserve the integ- rity of a free nation, and to make immortal the flag painted by the finger of destiny and illuminated by the stars of heaven When the dreams of the far- flung legions of the grand army of the early sixties have been terminated by "the angel with the backward look and folded wings of ashen gray." the future generations will find their dream was true, and turn and look down the mist- shrouded aisles of the past to their record of glory, and with a sacred tear and a proud thrill of memory, will be glad that their old age was filled with peace and plenty, and that the republic which they saved was generous with her defenders, and that they faltered not at death, for they carried the everlasting love of their fellow men with them, and reached the mystic goal where no furloughs are given, and none are wanted, and where the password is "Eternal Peace and Rest."
One of this great host, who is yet active in life's varied affairs, is Julian M. Carey, an honored resident of Genoa Junction. He was born in Cayuga county, New York, June 2, 1844, and he is the son of David W. and Jane E. (Rand ) Carey. The father was born in Columbia county, New York, in 1808. and he was the son of Amos E. and Carissa ( Barnes) Carey. the former born in Cherry Valley, New York, in 1790. Amos E. Carey was a soldier in the war of 1812, and he received a land warrant for his services, and located iii Lee county, Illinois. He sold this land to a Mr. Loverage, an early resident
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of this county, southeast of Lake Geneva. Amos and David W. Carey came to Wisconsin in September. 1846, and settled in Bloomfield township, section 5. The subject was then two years old. He recalls, as he grew older, seeing deer run across their farm, and he remembers their first Christmas dinner in this county. David W. Carey had two brothers, but they did not locate here. Amos Carey lived here until 1853. His wife died in 1852 and the following year he went back east and married again, remaining there until his death in 1858. Jane E. (Rand) Carey was the daughter of John Rand and wife. It is believed her parents came from Holland and through them she was one of the heirs of the famous estate that claims the Trinity church property in New York City. After Amos Carey sold out he returned east. David W. Carey and family moved to Kenosha county in 1853 and farmed in Wheatland town- ship. His wife, mother of Julian M. Carey, died there in 1855. That broke up the home. There were six children. Milton B., Victorene. Julian M .. Isadore L., Therese A. and Edwin, who died in infancy.
The father of these children went to California and the children scat- tered : only two of them now survive, Therese and the subject. The former is the wife of Thomas Norton, a native of Kentucky, and they now live in Chicago.
Julian M. Carey was offered a home in Illinois with his father's sister. He lived there about seven years, until the spring of 1862, when he returned to Bloomfield township, this county, and worked on a farm east of Lake Geneva. When the call came for troops to suppress the Rebellion he enlisted on Septen- ber 2, 1862, in Company C, Twenty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. They were sent to Kentucky on garrison duty where they remained until in February. 1863. then went down the Ohio and up the Cumberland to rein force Rosecrans. They went from Nashville to Franklin and from there on a reconnoitering expedition. He was taken prisoner March 25, 1853, and sent to Libby prison, and after being kept there about a month, in April he was sent to Parol Camp, Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and there exchanged in June, 1863. He was sent back to Tennessee and did garrison duty at Murfreesboro and around Nashville until April 19. 1864, when he was ordered to join Sher- man's army, and on May 2d started on the famous Georgia campaign. There was hard fighting almost continually. The brigade containing the Twenty- second Wisconsin Regiment. under Brigadier-General Coburn, has the distinc- tion of having received the surrender of the city of Atlanta. After the capture of Atlanta they went on with Sherman on his march to the sea, taking Savan- nah, December 10, 1864, then on through the Carolinas to Goldsboro where they were when Lincoln was assassinated. From there they went to Raleigh
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in pursuit of Johnson, and from there they went north to Washington, having marched and covered all the distance in that world-famous campaign in thir- teen months to a day. Mr. Carey was eighteen years old when he enlisted and he was just past twenty-one when he was honorably discharged after taking part in the Grand Review in Washington. He was mustered out at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 28, 1865.
After the war Mr. Carey went to Illinois and engaged in the harness business at Chemung, remaining there eighteen months, then gave it up and worked around there until the winter of 1869 and 1870, when he went to Kansas and Missouri. In May, 1870, he joined his father at Georgetown. Eldorado county, California, and worked at gold mining two years. Return- ing to Chemung, he remained there a year, then came back to Walworth county, locating again in Bloomfield township. In August, 1873, he began clerking in a general store. In March, the following spring, he bought the store from the widow who owned it, buying the stock on credit. giving his personal note. He continued the business successfully and paid off the note in due course of time, and he has been in business ever since, having expended his operations in many lines. About 1884 he bought the mill at Genoa June- tion and was in the flour business until 1910 when he sold the mill, but he still carries on the flour and feed business in addition to his general merchandising. On February 14, 1898, the same day the battleship "Maine" was blown up in Havana harbor, he installed an electric light plant for lighting in Genoa Junc- tion. which he ran by water power in connection with the mill. He also built an ice house about 1891 and shipped ice, later selling out to the Knickerbocker Ice Company. He has also been in the coal business ever since coming to Geneva. In September, 1909. he bought a farm at the east end of Genoa Junction, part of it extending across into Illinois.
Mr. Carey was married on January 28, 1874, to Adelia Bywater, at Chemung, McHenry county, Illinois, where she had taught school seven terms. She was born in Cayuga county, New York, and she came to Illinois with her parents when young. Her father had enlisted in 1862 as a soldier in the Civil war and was killed at Vicksburg.
Ten chikiren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Carey, of whom May died when eighteen months old; Eddie died in infancy; those living are, Grace I., wife of John R. Sibley, who is with the Reitz Lumber Company, in Chicago: Myrtle J. married John H. Moore, who is with the Knickerbocker Ice Com- pany and lives in Chicago, where he has a position of great responsibility : David William is in partnership with Mr. Carey in the store, and he is unmar- ried: Blaine, who is also unmarried, is operating the farm for his father;
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Alice married Arthur Maine, and he has charge of the canning department for the Borden Condensed Milk Company at Genoa Junction: Sherman is attend- ing the State University at Madison; Bernice L. is at home and is in school : Winifrede, the youngest daughter, is also at home and in school.
Mr. Carey is a Republican and he has served several terms on the school board, also was town clerk. He has taken an active part in county and state politics at various times.
Mr. Carey joined the Lake Geneva lodge of Masons in 1865 and he held his membership there until the lodge was organized at Genoa Junction, when he became a charter member of the latter. In 1879 he built the store building. with the Masonic lodge hall above. He and his wife belong to the Methodist church.
Although sixty-eight years old, Mr. Carey is exceptionally well-preserved and is as vigorous as most men at fifty. He has long been regarded as one of the leading citizens of Genoa Junction and has done much for the good of the town. He is a plain, obliging, hospitable gentleman who stands high in his community.
JOHN T. TOBIN.
The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. The life of John T. Tobin, one of the successful young farmers of Lagrange township, Walworth county, has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best. having spent his life right here at home engaged in the pursuits for which nature and training have best suited him and is a creditable representative of one of our much respected old families.
Mr. Tobin was born on the off homestead in this township. March o. 1876 He is the son of William and Bridget ( Dooley) Tobin, both natives of Ireland, the father born in 1828 and the mother in 1851. When nineteen years of age the father emigrated to the United States and settled in New York. In 1857 he came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, settling in La- grange township in 1859, and here he and his brother, Patrick, bought two hundred and ninety-six acres, which they divided; later the father of the subject added sixty acres making a good farm of two hundred and three acres, which he continued to operate until his death in 1903. His widow is
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still living on the old homestead. Politically, he was a Democrat, but not an officer-seeker. He was a member of the Catholic church.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Tobin, named as follows: John T., of this review; Ella, wife of Ernest Stallman. of Sugar Creek township: William is with the subject on the home farm: Joseph M. was graduated from the Elkhorn high school and then took three years in the State University at Madison and he is now in the office as bookkeeper for the Pullman Car Company, of Chicago; Francis T. was graduated from the Elkhorn high school and he is now a student at the Marquette school in Milwaukee.
John T. Tobin, of this review, received a diploma from the country school, later attended the Elkhorn high school. He has devoted his life to farming on the homestead and is still here, operating the same with his brother as mentioned above. Politically, Mr. Tobin is a Democrat and he is now serving his fourth term as township clerk.
LEWIS A. KIMBALL.
Among the men of influence in Bloomfield township, Walworth county, who have the interest of their locality at heart and who have led consistent lives, thereby gaining definite success along their chosen lines, is Lewis A. Kimball, one of the leading farmers and stock men of the southeastern part of the county, where he has a valuable and highly productive farmstead, which he manages with that care and discretion that stamps him as a twen- tieth-century agriculturist of the highest order.
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Mr. Kimball was born in this township on March 13. 1869. Ile is the son of John Casper and Christine ( Runkle) Kimball, both natives of Ger- many, the father born in Saxony. November 29. 1830, and died October 21, 1908, at the age of seventy-seven years, ten months and twenty-two days. He grew to manhood in the fatherland and from there sailed to America in 1856, landing on our shores July 17th, after a voyage of nine weeks on a sailing vessel. He came west with the pioneers of Wisconsin and located in Bloom- field township. Walworth county. In 1862 he was able to buy a farm, on which he resided until his death, his well improved place lying in sections 9 and 10, Bloomfield township. In 1863 he married Christina Runkel, who was born in Grolsheim, Hessen-Darmstadt. Germany, in 1840. She came to America with her brother in 1860 and located in Bloomfield township. this county, and here she lived with John Kull's family and attended school.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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RESIDENCE OF LEWIS A. KIMBALL
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LEWIS A. KIMBALL
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Five sons were born to Caspar Kimball and wife, two of whom died in infancy; the eldest lived to be about five years old; Lewis . A., of this sketch; Philip, who has a part of the home farm, and Henry, who is farming in this township and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Kimball was a hard working man, who met his many obstacles with a stout heart and a steady purpose and he succeeded in establishing a good home and a valuable farm was developed by his close application. He was a lover of home and family and trained his children in a Christian manner. He was a tender hearted, kindly, forgiving, obliging gentleman whom everybody respected and admired-always ready to aid anyone in any trouble or need. His wife lived until January 25, 1909, being advanced in years when called to her reward. She was a woman of beautiful character, neighborly, chari- table and a true helpmeet to her sterling husband for over forty-five years.
Lewis A. Kimball, of this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm, where he assisted with the work in the crop seasons, and he received his edit- cation in the common schools of his district and the high school at Lake Geneva. On January 8, 1891, he was united in marriage with Lillian Gifford, daughter of Ezra P. and Marietta (Chapin ) Gifford, a sketch of whom ap- pears elsewhere in this work.
For three years after his marriage. Mr. Kimball continued on the home farm, then bought a farm in the southwest quarter of section 17. Bloomfield township, and lived there five years, then rented for about nine years, part of the time on the Moore stock farm and most of the time in Mellenry county, Illinois. In 1905 he bought the farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres where he now lives in the southwestern quarter of section 16. Here he has developed a good farm, well improved, and has been very successful in his varied operations. He has a commodious and attractive dwelling, from which is a splendid panorama overlooking Pell's lake, but he did not move here until March 1, 1908. In 1911 he completed a large, convenient and, in fact, unus- ually fine barn, substantially built of concrete blocks, with concrete floors, and modern in every appointment. In connection with general farming. Mr. Kimball keeps a good grade of live stock, being a breeder of Holstein cattle and Poland-China hogs, all registered.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kimball. namely : Eunice May, Edna Gertrude, Ruth Helene, Arthur Gifford, and two who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Kimball belong to the Congregational church in Genoa Junction and they stand high in all circles in the community, their pleasant home being known as a place of hospitality and good cheer to their many friends.
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B. J. BAUMANN.
A list of Walworth county's honored and successful families would be in- complete were there failure to make specific mention of the well-known farmer and representative citizen whose name introduces this biographical review, for his life has been one of industry, honor and public spirit, resulting in good to everyone with whom he has had dealings, whether in business or social life. He has won success because he has persevered in pursuit of a worthy purpose. gaining thereby a satisfactory reward, and setting an example not unworthy to be emulated by others, especially the young and the discouraged.
B. J. Baumann, well known farmer in the vicinity of Burlington, Wiscon- sin, was born in Racine county, this state, on March 26, 1876. He is the son of Peter and Dina (Giebel) Baumann, both born in Germany where they spent their childhood, emigrating to America when young, he coming to Racine county, Wisconsin, in 1854, she having preceded him there in 1850. and there they were married. The father's death occurred on June 30, 1897. His widow survives, being now advanced in years. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Baumann, eight of whom are living. In politics the father was a Democrat, and in religious matters a devout Catholic.
B. J. Baumann, of this review, was reared on the home farm, and there assisted with the general work when a boy, and he received his education in the common schools in Racine county, and early in life he directed his attention to farming for a livelihood, which he has followed to the present time, having been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. He is now the owner of one of the choice farms in Spring Prairie township, Walworth county, consisting of one hundred and fifty-nine acres, which he has placed under a high state of improvement and cultivation, and he makes a specialty of dairying, keeping well informed on this and all matters pertaining to his chosen life-work. He has a very pleasant home and maintains a good set of outbuildings on his place.
Politically, Mr. Baumann is a Democrat and more or less active in local party affairs. He is at present school treasurer. In religious matters he belongs to St. Charles Catholic church, being a liberal supporter of the same.
Mr. Baumann was married in 1903 to Emma Reesman, who was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, on August 23, 1876. She is the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth ( Fishman) Reesman, both born in Germany, from which country they emigrated to America in early life, locating in Racine county, this state. the father in 1851 and the mother in 1844, and there they were
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married, and to them three children were born. two of whom are living at this writing. Mr. Reesman was twice married, his first wife being known in her maidenhood as Elizabeth Rau, by whom eleven children were born, three of whom are living. The death of Frank Reesman occurred on April 4, 1907. His widow is living in Burlington, this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Baumann five sons have been born, all of whom survive, namely: George Francis, Ralph William. Elmer Bernard. Waldo Joseph and Mark Henry.
SEYMOUR AMOS COOK.
One of the most active, thoroughgoing and enterprising farmers of Lagrange township. Walworth county, is Seymour Amos Cook. who has been contented to spend his life in his native community, wisely deciding that no better opportunities could be found for the young man of energy and determination, and he has met with success as a farmer here.
Mr. Cook was born in Whitewater township, this county. on .August 21. 1860. He is the son of Alvin Wesley Cook and Lucinda ( Safford) Cook, both natives of New York, he born in Jefferson county and she in Allegany county. Alvin W. Cook came to Lagrange township, Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1845, and in 1846 Lucinda Stafford came and here they were married. Eight children were born to them. three of whom are living. Mr. Cook spent his life on a farm here, owning one hundred and thirty acres. Politically, he was a Republican and he was assessor for twenty-seven years in succession, and later he was again incumbent of this office for three years. He was well known and influential in his community. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church.
Seymour A. Cook was reared on the home farm where he began work- ing when quite small. and he attended the rural schools in his district. About twelve years of his life have been spent engaged in merchandising, at which he was successful, but for some time he has followed farming, in which he is still engaged, owning fifty-seven acres. Ile makes a specialty of breeding Chester-White hogs, for which he finds a very ready market.
In political matters, Mr. Cook is a Republican and he has been more or less active in local affairs. He was township clerk for about ten years, and he is now serving his fourth year as chairman of the town board. A. a public servant he has been most faithful and given the utmost satisfaction
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Mr. Cook was married in 1885 to Vira Holden, who was born in Lagrange township, Walworth county, the daughter of Nathaniel Holden, an early settler of Lagrange township, now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Cook one daughter and one son have been born. Raymond, died, aged eleven months. Edith L. is now the wife of George T. Packard, of Whitewater.
WALTER CURTIS.
Among the earnest and enterprising men whose depth of character has gained him a prominent place in the community and the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens, is Walter Curtis, farmer and stock raiser of Geneva township. A man of decided views and laudable ambitions, his influence has ever made for the advancement of his kind and in the vocation to which his energies have been given through a long lapse of successful years he ranks among the representative farmers of the community.
Mr. Curtis was born December 16, 1854, in Lake Geneva, then a mere village. He is the son of Lewis Curtis and wife, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
The subject grew to manhood in his native town and attended the semi- nary there. When only seven or eight years old he assisted his father in the postoffice, the elder Curtis having been the first postmaster at this place under Republican administration, retaining the office eleven years, the com- mission having been signed by Lincoln, the subject remembering when it was received. As the boy grew older he also assisted his father in his store and on his farm. Lewis Curtis kept a drug store, also handled farming imple- ments. He had bought land when he first came to Lake Geneva.
Walter Curtis gave his entire attention to farming after reaching man- hood. He was married on March 15, 1883, to Caroline Esther Foote, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, a daughter of Lucien Andrew Foote and Susan Greer ( Sunderland) Foote, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. She was born at Clayton, Indiana, but lived at Rockville until she was twelve years old, then accompanied the family to Crawfordsville, where her father had a book store, and afterwards for about eighteen years was deputy county clerk of that county, holding the office under both the Re- publicans and Democrats, because of his efficiency. Ile was a gallant soldier in the Civil war. ( See his sketch in another part of this work.)
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After his marriage Walter Curtis and his wife took up their abode on one of the Curtis farms along the north shore of Lake Geneva and here they established a comfortable home. and he has been very successful as a general farmer. Mr. Curtis is a Prohibitionist and takes an active interest in pro- moting the principles of his party.
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