USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 14
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Mr. Munson was born on January 31, 1850, in Kenosha county, Wis- consin, and he is the son of William and Mary (Lockwood) Munson, the
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father a native of the state of New York where he spent the early years of his life, coming to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, about 1841 when the country was new, and located there on a farm, and by hard work established a good home, continuing to engage in general farming on his place there until about 1886, when he sold out and moved to Florida, where he spent the rest of his life, dying in the summer of 1900, and in that state his widow still lives, being now advanced in years.
Six children were born to William Munson and wife, namely: Frank, Fred, Charles H., of this sketch ; Rose is deceased; Ruth and Sarah.
Charles H. Munson grew to manhood on the home farm in Kenosha county and there assisted with the general farm work and he received his education in the common schools, and remained in his native county until 1888, in which year he moved to Darien, Walworth county, where he fol- lowed blacksmithing for about three years, moving to Sharon in 1891 where he established his shop and where he has since remained, successfully follow- ing his trade.
Fraternally, Mr. Munson belongs to the Masonic order, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Modern Woodmen. Politically, he is a Republican, but is not active in public affairs.
Mr. Munson was married on January 30, 1872, to Helen Rector, daugh- ter of Henry and Mary Rector, natives of the state of New York. To the subject and wife three children have been born, namely: Maude, now Mrs. George Stocking, of Sharon; Mabel, now Mrs. C. K. Calvert, of London, Kentucky ; Blanche, now Mrs. C. Hamlin, of Sharon, Wisconsin.
CHARLES A. SIKES.
The subject of this sketch has spent his entire life within the borders of Walworth county and his persistent and commendable efforts have benefited alike himself and the community, for he has always had deeply at heart the well being and improvement of the county, using his influence whenever possible for the promotion of enterprises calculated to be of lasting benefit to his fellow men, besides taking a leading part in all movements for the ad- vancement of the community along social, intellectual and moral lines. He is the scion of an excellent old pioneer family, in fact, Mr. Sikes himself may be said to have come down to us from the pioneer period, having noted the great changes that have taken place here during the past half century and seen the wilderness give way to as fine farmsteads as the state can boast.
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Charles A. Sikes was born on November 4, 1849, in Sharon, Walworth county, Wisconsin, and he is the son of George and Elvira ( Perkins) Sikes, natives of Connecticut and Vermont, respectively. They came to Wisconsin in the year 1843, thus being among the early emigrants, and first settled in Sharon township, Walworth county, taking up one hundred and sixty acres of government land, which they improved through years of hard work, and there established a good home and carried on general farming and stock raising George Sikes's health finally failing, he gave up the active work of the farm and moved to Sharon, where his death occurred a few years later, in October, 1881. His widow survived until in 1906.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George Sikes, named as fol- lows: Mary is deceased; Martha, now Mrs. Keyes, lives in Colorado: Clara R., now Mrs. Blodgett, lives in Harvard, Illinois: George R. lives in California ; and Charles A., of this sketch, who was the oldest.
Charles A. Sikes grew to manhood on the home farm in Sharon town- ship and there he assisted with the general work during his boyhood, receiv- ing his education in the public schools of his community-in Sharon and Walworth.
Mr. Sikes took up farming for a livelihood and followed the same suc- cessfully for several years, then engaged in the creamery business a number of years. He has long taken an abiding interest in public affairs, and he is now filling the office of supervisor of assessments of Walworth county, which position he has held for the past eleven years in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned,-in fact, his long retention in this important office would prove his high standing in the county. Prior to taking this office he was township assessor and village assessor. Fraternally, Mr. Sikes is a member of the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen.
Mr. Sikes was married to Ella Dennis, on June 1, 1874, and to this union one child has been born, Albert H., who makes his home in Milwaukee.
RAY C. CHURCH.
The old-fashioned notion that hard work, patient industry and far-sight- edness make for success in the various avenues of life does not seem to be ac- cepted so unreservedly in our day. The spread of pessimism engendered by many phases of our complex civilization is in a great measure responsible for the lack of faith in the old idea. However, if we observe conditions
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closely we will find that the intelligent individual who leads a practical and industrious life will reach a point of success commensurate with his efforts. The life of Roy C. Church, one of the progressive young farmers of Delavan township, will afford us an instance of this. He is the representative of one of the highly respected old families of this locality, the Churches having long been well known in Walworth county where they have been influential in promoting the general good.
Roy C. Church was born on September 8, 1884, in New Berlin, Wis- consin, and he is the son of Daniel D. and Mary (Evans) Church, both natives of this state. They were born in the town of New Berlin, reared and educated there and there they were married and continued to make their home until 1886, then moved to East Delavan, this state, buying a farm of one hundred and eighty acres near that town, and there they established a good home, worked hard and developed an excellent farm on which they con- tinued to live until the death of Mr. Church on May 19, 1908, after which Mrs. Church moved to Delavan City, where she still resides, having a very pleasant home there. To Mr. and Mrs. Daniel D. Church one child, Roy C., of this review, was born.
The subject grew to maturity on the home farm and there assisted with the general work and he has made agriculture his life vocation. He received excellent educational advantages, having attended the public schools of his district, the high school at Delavan and the Beloit Business College. He is now operating successfully the excellent farm in section 25, Delavan town- ship, carrying on general farming and stock raising in a manner that stamps him as a young man of enterprise and good ideas.
Mr. Church was married to Ina Gage on December 2, 1908. She is the daughter of Frank and Emma Gage, a highly respected family of Delavan, Wisconsin. This union has been without issue. Politically, Mr. Church is a Republican; he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Methodist Episcopal church.
RUSSELL E. CRUMB.
Among those of a past generation in Walworth county who distinguished themselves in the active duties of life was Russell E. Crumb, who has now long been sleeping the sleep of the just, but who is well remembered for his many estimable characteristics. He came of an excellent family, one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality.
MR. AND MRS. RUSSELL E. CRUMB
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Mr. Crumb was born on November 6, 1816, and he was reared at Leon- ardsville, Otsego county, New York. He was the son of Joseph and Susan (Clark ) Crumb, the father having been the son of Joseph Crumb, Sr., who emigrated to this country from England in colonial days. The name was originally Crumbwell. Susan Clark was a sister of Dr. Harry Clark, one of the pioneers of Walworth township, this county. . \ sketch of him appears elsewhere in this work. It is believed that Joseph Crumb came to Leonards- ville, New York, from Connecticut.
Russell E. Crumb grew to manhood in his eastern home and on Septen- ber 2, 1835, he was united in marriage with Fidelia J. Richardson, who was born on August 11, 1818. They remained at Leonardsville, New York, until 1872, then emigrated to Walworth county, Wisconsin. The following chil- dren were born to them, all at Leonardsville: Helen F., born November 14, 1837, died August 1, 1840; Mary E., born January II, 1840, married on February 7, 1861, Anson Harder, a lawyer, and lived at Redwood; New York, and there her death occurred on March 27, 1871, leaving two children, Lizzie and Mary E. The former married Herbert Townsend, who is now deceased, and she lives in Delavan, this county; she was living in Seattle, Washington, when her husband died in 1908. Mary E. Harder married Harry Judson at Redwood, New York; they live in Washington, D. C., and have one little son, Lawrence Judson. Emma Crumb lives in her own home in Walworth. Edgar D. Crumb was born on August 5, 1852, and died December 4, 1910. Alice A. Crumb married Newell L. Burton, October 27, 1868, and he died about 1895, having made his home at Delavan; they had one son, Charles R. Burton, who lives with his mother on the home farm, lying two and one-half miles east of Delavan and owned by Mrs. Burton; the son married Jessie Fair- child, and they have one little son, Ralph Burton. Eugene W. Crumb was born at Unadilla Forks, New York, in 1849, and he married in that state, on June 17, 1871, Mary Babcock, daughter of Henry and Hannah ( Parmeter) Babcock. He came to Walworth county with his father and engaged in farm- ing at the edge of the village of Walworth. and also bought and shipped live stock to Chicago for thirty-two years. He has one daughter, Mary E. Crumb, who married Oliver Putnam, undertaker and furniture dealer at Howard, Illinois. They have two sons, Russell E. and Monroe L. Putnam. Eugene W. Crumb platted about twenty acres of his farm and sold it off into city lots for addition to Walworth. Edgar D. Crumb, mentioned above, was born in Leonardsville. New York, and he came to Chicago about the time of the great fire in the fall of 1871 and there he spent the rest of his life, engaging at
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first in the mercantile business, later was on the Board of Trade, then became a diamond broker. He married Hattie Eastman.
The Crumb family came to Walworth county in 1872, as before stated, Russell E. Crumb, the subject, buying a farm at the northeast edge of the vil- lage of Walworth. At that time there was no railroad nearer than Howard, and there were only two stores, a blacksmith shop, a school house and an old way- side inn, called "The Red Lion," and a few houses at Walworth. When the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad came through Walworth county it cut across Mr. Crumb's farm, as did also the Chicago, Howard & Geneva Lake electric line, and another line is now being constructed across a corner of the place. Since the family settled here a great change has taken place in this community.
Russell E. Crumb spent the major part of his life, forty years, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was also a traveling salesman for agricultural implements in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and the Western states, and he had a wide acquaintance and was very successful both as a farmer and sales- man, accumulating a competency. His death occurred on June 5, 1883, his wife dying on January 25, 1889. They were both members of the Seventh- Day Baptist church at Leonardsville, New York. Emma Crumb still retains her membership in the old church at Leonardsville, as does also Mrs. Burton, and so did Edgar W .. Crumb.
ISAAC U. WHEELER.
The gentleman to a review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith briefly called is among the most progressive business men of Walworth county, who, by energy and correct methods, has not only achieved success for himself, but has also contributed in a very material way to the industrial, civic and moral advancement of Whitewater and community where his life has been spent. During his earthly sojourn of three score and ten years in this vicinity he has seen and taken part in the wonderful trans- formation from a wilderness, with here and there a straggling village and now and then a cabin and a small clearing. He has a wide acquaintance among the best citizens of this and adjoining counties, many of whom are included in the circle of his best friends. He has ever tried to measure up to the standard of correct manhood, and in the course of an honorable career he has established himself in a liberally remunerative enterprise and won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
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Isaac U. Wheeler, cashier of the Citizens State Bank at Whitewater. was born in Chenango county, New York, in 1841, and in that year he was brought to Whitewater. Wisconsin, by his parents and here he has been a con- tinuous resident ever since. He received his education in the local schools, and he began life for himself by clerking in the Bank of Whitewater from 1859 to 1865. He was bookkeeper in the First National Bank here from 1868 to 1882, then assumed the duties of assistant cashier in that bank and continued in that capacity until 1898. Since that date he has been cashier of the Citizens State Bank. For a period of fifty years he has been connected with some banking institution in this city, and he is one of the best known bankers in this part of the state, having ever discharged his duties faithfully and conscientiously and so honestly that he has always enjoyed the universal and undivided confidence of the thousands of patrons of these banks and the general public.
Mr. Wheeler is the grandson of Isaac U. Wheeler, mentioned in the early history of Whitewater, who was prominent here in the pioneer days, holding the office of justice of the peace many years.
Isaac U. Wheeler, of this sketch, was married to Sarah C. Vincent in 1859, representative of an excellent old family. This union resulted in the birth of five sons and one daughter, all living. Mr. Wheeler has been a Mason for the past thirty years. He has been treasurer of St. John's Lodge for the past twenty-one years continuously.
NATHAN DICKINSON.
The influence of Nathan Dickinson, of Linn township, has ever made for the advancement of Walworth county in every relation of life, and, standing for upright manhood and progressive citizenship, he has long occupied a con- spicuous place among the representatives of the great agricultural interests of southern Wisconsin, his life having been signally free from even the suspicion of wrongdoing, and he is known as a liberal-minded, obliging and useful citizen who has justly won large material success and the confidence and good will of all who know him.
Mr. Dickinson was born in Curtisville, Massachusetts, amid the beautiful Berkshire hills, February 6, 1848, and he is the second son of Albert F. and Ann Eliza (Anthony ) Dickinson. His mother was a sister of Daniel Anthony, whose children were known throughout the country, including Susan B. Anthony, the great woman's rights advocate and authoress.
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Samuel Dickinson, paternal grandfather of the subject, was the school- master of the town where he lived and one of the selectmen. Albert F. Dickinson, father of the subject, was a miller in early life and he took an active interest in public affairs, finally serving in the Massachusetts Legisla- ture. In 1854 he and his family moved to Chicago, where he engaged in the general grain, produce and seed business, and was among the oldest members of the Chicago Board of Trade. There Mrs. Dickinson was one of the founders of the First Society of Friends in Chicago.
Nathan Dickinson attended school in that city, being a student in the Dear- born high school in 1865 when he found it necessary to leave school and assist his father in business. The elder Dickinson had started his store on Kenzie street, between Dearborn and State streets. In the great fire of 1871 he lost everything except a memorandum of the debts which the firm owed. The blow was a severe one, and the father's health was failing; but in 1872 his two sons, Albert and Nathan, who had been engaged with him, together with their brother, Charles, then only fourteen years old, gathered up the remnants of the business and carried it on for a period of sixteen years under the old firm name. They did all the work themselves, their sister, Melissa, keeping the books. They paid the debts incurred by the old firm and put the business on a paying basis. The quarters on Kenzie street were outgrown and other quarters were rented for a few years, later moving to the corner of Clark and Sixteenth streets where large elevators and commodious offices were erected. In time even these were outgrown and an office was built especially for them by the Chicago Dock Company on the property in Taylor street, into which they moved May 1, 1898. The business extends over a large part of the world, and they are buyers as well as sellers in all the large foreign markets where goods in their line are handled. They make a special- ty of clover, flax and grass seeds, also do an extensive business in bird seed, pop-corn, seed grain, grain bags, etc.
The business was incorporated in 1888 under the name of the A. F. Dickinson Seed & Grain Company, the incorporators being Albert Dickinson, Nathan Dickinson's eldest brother, who is president; Charles Dickinson, a younger brother, is vice-president, and Nathan Dickinson is treasurer. The business was founded on honesty and square dealing and by reason of unim- peachable record for integrity and conservative management they established a high credit in the world of business and finance.
Nathan Dickinson has been in the seed business since boyhood. He is also a director in the Chicago Dock Company. In 1883 he bought the nucleus of what later became his home farm, which lies near the southeast shore of
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Lake Geneva, and he built a commodious home there and here he has resided ever since. Nathan Dickinson was married in 1889 to Louise H. Boyd, daughter of Gen. J. W. Boyd. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson, namely: Ruth B. and Albert B. Mr. Dickinson is unassuming and modest to a fault, contented with a quiet life on the farm rather than the bustle and hurry of the metropolis. He is firm in his convictions for the right, considerate of others and he values character above wealth.
DR. CLINTON P. IVES.
It requires about as much painstaking effort to become a thorough veter- inary surgeon as it does a general practitioner of medicine, and a proficient knowledge of the anatomy of the horse is by no means acquired by indolent methods ; on the contrary, the man who becomes an expert in this line must needs spend years of painstaking effort,-study and research,-and be natur- ally endowed with the many qualifications of a successful veterinary, such as patience, sound judgment, steady nerve, keen observation and honesty of purpose. Dr. Clinton P. Ives, of Sharon, Walworth county, seems to be the possessor of such attributes, and he has won a wide reputation in his particu- lar field of endeavor, being frequently called to remote parts of the county and to adjoining counties in serious cases.
Mr. Ives was born on May 14, 1856, in Darien township, this county. He is the son of Amos and Lydia (Tift) Ives, the father born in Genesee county, New York, and the mother in Trumbull county, Ohio. The father emigrated to Walworth county in 1841 when the country was new and first settled in Darien township, where he farmed for about ten years, then bought a farm of sixty acres in Richmond township and there he spent the remainder of his life, dying on October 15, 1896, having farmed all his life. His wife died in 1873. Four children were born to them, named as follows: Clinton P., of this sketch; Leamon J. and John W., both live in Richmond township; A. R. lives in Darien township.
Dr. Clinton P. Ives grew to manhood on the home farm and there made himself useful in his boyhood days, and received his education in the public schools of Ridge Prairie, Darien township. Then he began farming and studying to be a veterinary surgeon, then went to a medical school, complet- ing his course, and was admitted to practice, which he carried on in connec- tion with farming until October 15, 1908, when he sold his farm of one
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hundred and nineteen acres in Delavan township, and moved to the town of Sharon, where he has since given all his time to his profession, which has been constantly growing for years, until today he is regarded as one of the leading veterinary surgeons in this part of the state. He has kept well abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession, and he is well equipped in every way for prompt and high-grade service.
Doctor Ives is a Republican, and in church affairs is a Methodist and he belongs to the Mystic Workers.
The Doctor was married on June 19, 1878, to Helen E. Whaley, daugh- ter of Lysander and Mary A. ( Pease) Whaley, the father a native of Canada and the mother of England.
Four children have been born to the subject and wife, namely: Mamie L., who married Fred Hurdis, is now deceased; Elanora P., who married F. M. Willey, lives in Sharon; Mabel married R. O. Barnhart, and lives in East Delavan; Florence, who married H. Larsen, lives in Sharon.
WILLARD RODMAN.
One of the enterprising native sons of Walworth county, whose varied career is one of interest and who has ever noted with growing pride the rapid advancement of this locality to one of the foremost farming and dairying com- munities of the great Badger state, is William Rodman. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his character and illustrates his steadfast- ness of purpose, for he has persistently refused to be downed by untoward circumstances.
Mr. Rodman was born on April 21, 1859, at Darien, Walworth county, this state. He is the son of Daniel and Phoebe M. (Wharton) Rodman, both natives of the state of New York, where they grew to maturity, were edu- cated and married, and where they lived until about 1857, when they came west and settled at Darien, this county, where they established the family home and lived until 1883, the father being engaged successfully in the grain and lumber business. He then moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he continued the lumber business, also followed farming, later taking up car- pentering and contracting, which he had followed in his earlier years, and this he continued until he retired. He also taught school for a time when young. He is now living at Ipswich, South Dakota, enjoying the fruits of his long life of successful endeavor.
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Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Rodman, namely : Edward lives at Watertown, South Dakota; Willard, of this review ; Abina, wife of B. E. Allen, lives at Ipswich, South Dakota; a daughter died in infancy.
Willard Rodman received his education in the schools at Darien, this county, and he remained at home, assisting his father, until he was twenty- two years old, then worked for the Barnes & Persons Lumber Company in Aberdeen, South Dakota, later returning to Darien township, where he engaged in farming. He was at one time manager of the Delavan Creamery, after which he went back to Aberdeen, and was bookkeeper for the Barnes & Persons Lumber Company there. He was then on the road for the Standard Oil Company for a period of eight years, rendering them the utmost satisfac- tion as a successful salesman. He was also with the Crew Levick Company, and The Marshall Oil Company, of Marshalltown, Georgia. He then re- turned to Wisconsin in 1902, and is now located on the William Blakely farm, one mile northwest of Darien.
Mr. Rodman was united in marriage with Minnie E. Blakely, on March 31. 1885, in his home county. She is the daughter of William Blakely, a well-known and influential citizen of Darien, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work. Two children have been born to the subject and wife, namely : Daniel Blakely, born February 9, 1886, and Willard, Jr., born February 8. 1888. Mr. Rodman is an independent voter, and, fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order.
HARVEY BAKER.
New England has sent to southern Wisconsin much of its best blood in times past and Walworth county is much indebted to that older section for much of its progress along various lines, for these sterling people have come here and put their shoulders to the wheel, as it were, and the car of civiliza- tion has moved steadily up the steeps. One of this worthy band was Harvey Baker, who was born at Arlington, Vermont, July 26, 1799. He was the son of Amos and Abigail (Royce) Baker, the father also a native of Arlington, Vermont. The paternal grandfather of the subject was Jonathan Baker, a native of Connecticut, a pioneer of Arlington, Vermont, and a prominent citizen there in the old colonial days. There he spent the rest of his life. He was a justice of the peace and he kept a hotel at Arlington, then known as a tavern
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