USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 21
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Mr. Schulz and family are members of the German Evangelical church at Walworth; fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order and he and his daughter Lucy are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, to which order and also the Masons the latter's husband belongs. Mr. Schulz is also a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Mystic Workers.
Mr. Schulz has refused to accept any public office, although well quali- fied to hold many of them, and he has been frequently importuned to accept nominations ; he has even been elected against his will, consequently resigned. He has never had any ambition to be a public man, being fond of home and family and preferring to lead a quiet, unobtrusive life, devoting his at- tention to his business. Personally, he is kind, genial and obliging, scrupu- lously honest and a broad-minded, quiet citizen, who merits the high esteem in which he is universally held.
WILLIAM SAILOR HIGBEE.
Such a life as that led by the late William Sailor Higbee is worthy of earnest contemplation, for it abounds in both lesson and incentive. It was a life conservatively and nobly lived, thus resulting in much good.
Mr. Higbee was born on November 9, 1830. at Shiloh, Cumberland county, New Jersey. He was the son of Thomas and Nancy Highee. His father was the son of an old English sea captain who went down in a storm with his ship and all on board. His mother's ancestors were among the early settlers of New York and New Jersey.
William S. Higbee lived at home with his parents in Shiloh until he was thirteen years old, when his father died and he went to work on a farm. A year later he was bound out to Smith Dunham, a wagon-maker at
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Shiloh, to learn the trade, and there he remained over seven years, receiving nothing for his labor but his board and clothing. After serving so long as an apprentice he was abundantly able to make his own way in the world, and on February 2, 1852, he married Emma Ann Ayars, and they continued to live at Shiloh until 1856, when they moved to Walworth. Here Mr. Higbee found it difficult in finding work at his trade, and during his search for work he made the distance to Milton and to Edgerton on foot, but with- out success. He returned to Walworth and his first work here was helping construct a barn for Eli Davis, Mr. Higbee hewing the timbers and doing most of the work alone. During his early residence in Walworth he formed a partnership with Welcome Crandall for the manufacture of wagons. They occupied as a shop a building that in later years Mr. Higbee used as a barn. He continued wagon-making until 1892, when his shop and all his tools were destroyed by fire. Many wagons of his make were in use throughout the country and he did a big business, his wagons being of such superior quality and workmanship that they were in great demand.
Mr. Higbee's first home here was built by him on the east side of Main street, about one hundred and fifty yards north from the park. In later years it burned down, while it was the property of Frank Pollard. Later he built two houses in the same part of the street.
During the Civil war, Mr. Higbee was a member of the Wide-awakes, and was subjected to draft, but feeling that his duty at home was greater than at the front, he hired a substitute, and he was elected treasurer of the town to receive the money for the quota. He was a public-spirited man and always stood ready to use his time and means for establishing public enter- prises. He was among the stockholders that controlled the Walworth Acad- emy building, now the public school building at Walworth, and he served with H. W. Randolph and E. R. Maxon as building committee when the Walworth Seventh-Day Baptist church was built. He was also a stock- holder and was president of the Farmers Creamery Company, of Walworth, and during the year before his death he was trustee for the Chicago, How- ard & Geneva Lake Railway to receive funds contributed for that enterprise. He himself gave the company the site for the power house, the right of way across his farm and three hundred dollars in cash. He made various im- provements in Walworth, the most important one being the erection of the double ironclad store building in 1898.
The death of Mrs. Higbee occurred in 1890, and Mr. Higbee survived until October 29, 1903. He was a faithful member of the Seventh-Day Bap- tist Society. He left two children, Ezekiel J. and Josephine, the latter being
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the wife of O. L. Smith, a sketch of whom appears in this work. Although not a member of the church, the subject was strong in the faith of the Seventh- Day Baptists, and helped maintain the local church of this denomination. His son has always resided in this locality and he has a fine farm near the village of Walworth. He was married on January 25, 1912, to Minnie Rennison. of Walworth. She was born in England, the daughter of John and Esther Rennison. Mrs. Rennison lives on Mr. Higbee's farm. Ezekiel J. Higbee is successfully carrying on general farming and stock raising, making a spe- cialty of Holstein cattle and fine chickens.
JOHN I. MORG.A.N.
The life of John I. Morgan, well known merchant of the town of Sharon, Walworth county, has been characterized by industry, honesty and steadfast- ness of purpose, seldom if ever mistaken in matters of business. He is essen- tially a man of affairs, careful of his plans and exercising a judicious fore- sight, for he not only possesses energy by concentration of purpose and a discernment that causes a large degree of success to result from his outlay of labor in whatever line he devotes his attention to. He is public-spirited and lends his aid in the furtherance of all movements having for their object the general upbuilding of the community whose interests he has ever had at heart and where he has spent his life.
Mr. Morgan was born on February 14, 1871, in Darien township. this county. He is the son of Theron R. and Henrietta ( Saxton) Morgan, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Wisconsin. Theron R. Morgan. the father, was active in public affairs and he was township clerk for a number of years. He was in the hotel at Clinton for five years, then came to Sharon township, where he continued the hotel business for ten years, then was elected clerk of the circuit court, and he held the same in a manner that won the approval of all concerned until his death in 1905.
There were four children in the Morgan family, namely: Mrs. A. B. Truax lives in Chicago; E. H. also lives in Chicago; E. R. is a dentist at Lockport, Illinois; John I., of this sketch.
John I. Morgan received his education in the Sharon high school. He became deputy clerk of the circuit court, which position he filled for nine years, giving the utmost satisfaction in this capacity. He then engaged in the bowling alley business for two years in Elkhorn, and also in the same line
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at Waupon for three months. He then came to Sharon, Walworth county, where he is now proprietor of a popular and well patronized book, notion and grocery store. He carries an up-to-date and carefully selected stock of goods and enjoys a good trade at all seasons.
Mr. Morgan has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his community, and was mayor of Sharon, his administration being marked with fairness and is doing much toward the permanent good of the town and com- munity ; he was elected to this office in April, 1911. He was president of the village in 1908 and 1909. He was school treasurer for three years. Politi- cally, he is a Republican and loyal to his party. He belongs to the Masonic order at Sharon, and the Order of the Eastern Star, being worthy patron of the same, also is a member of the chapter of Royal Arch Masons.
Mr. Morgan was married in 1894 to Zetta Pearson, daughter of Robert and Rosetta Pearson, of Wisconsin. This union has been without issue.
STEPHEN E. CONLEY.
Success has come to Stephen E. Conley, of Sharon, Walworth county, because he has diligently sought it along time-tried lines and has not held back for someone else to do his work or lay his plans, and today he finds him- self very comfortably located and enjoying the respect and good will of all who know him, as did his honored father, the family having been an esteemed one here since pioneer times.
Mr. Conley was born February 2, 1869, in Sharon township, this county. He is the son of Thomas and Ann (Duffy) Conley, the father a native of Vermont and the mother of Ireland. The latter came to the United States when about three years old with her parents and here grew to womanhood and received her education. The father of the subject came to Wisconsin with his father, John Conley, in 1842 or thereabouts, and they settled in Sharon township, and here the father followed farming until his death, on June 2, 1898. His widow survives and lives on the homestead. Eight chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Conley, namely : Mary, Elizabeth, Anna, Theresa, Stephen E. (subject), George, who died in 1881 ; Sarah and Stella.
Stephen E. Conley received his education in the schools of Sharon town- ship, and he grew to manhood on the home farm, where he assisted with the general work when a boy. He has always followed farming, up to twelve years ago, 1900, when he retired and moved to a pleasant home in Sharon. He had worked hard and managed well and accumulated a competency.
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Mr. Conley is a member of the city council. Religiously, he is a Catho- lic, and is faithful in his support of the mother church, and assists in any movement looking to the betterment of his community.
Mr. Conley was married on June 27, 1900, to Agnes Kinna, daugliter of Michael and Margaret Kinna, natives of Ireland, where they spent their earlier lives, coming to America when young. To the subject and wife one child has been born, William Henry, whose birth occurred on February 13, 1907.
J. B. STUPFELL.
The subject of this sketch was long one of the important factors in the agricultural life of Walworth county, but he is now living in retirement in his cozy and attractive home in the village of Sharon. The son of one of the pioneer residents of this locality, a man who held a record as a prominent farmer and public-spirited citizen, he is entitled by birth to a conspicuous place in the life of the community. He has lived to see and take part in the wonderful changes that have marked the passing of the years in Walworth county since the coming of the first settlers, some three-quarters of a century ago or less, and he has never regretted remaining in this favored section.
J. B. Stupfell was born on September 13, 1840, in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and he is the son of John and Rachel (Conder) Stupfell, both natives of Germany where they spent their earlier years, emigrating to the United State in 1836, first settling in the state of New Jersey. They came to Wis- consin in 1842, after living for some time in the state of New Jersey, and settled at Sharon, taking up eighty acres of land from the government, and establishing their home in Sharon township. After living there a few years they sold out and bought a farm one mile west of where they lived before, where they continued to reside until 1880; then they retired to the village of Sharon, where the mother died in 1903, after which time the father, John Stupfell, made his home with his youngest daughter, Mrs. R. A. Lyman, who lives in Sharon. He died March 24, 1912. When advanced in age he re- called many interesting reminiscences of the early days here when the country was wild and neighbors were few and hardships were the rule. He was well known to the older residents and had a wide circle of friends.
Eleven children were born to John Stupfell and wife, named as follows: Elizabeth, John, Charles, Mary, George, Elizabeth (the second), Theresa. Jo- seph. Rachel, Frances, Katherine. Of these John, Mrs. Rachel Moon and Katherine Lyman are living.
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J. B. Stupfell, of this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work when a boy, and he received his edu- cation in the district schools and in the academy at Allen's Grove, from which he was graduated. He later taught school for some time very successfully, and then came to Sharon and went into the harness business, and soon built up an excellent trade, also handling hardware and continuing the same for three years. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper with Wolf & Brun- son, at Sharon, with whom he remained for a period of thirty-two years. giving eminent satisfaction. He then retired from active business and is now living quietly in Sharon in one of the finest residences in this part of the coun- ty. He is a member of the English Lutheran church, and a liberal supporter of the same.
Mr. Stupfell was married on July 4, 1866, to Emma L. Clapp, and to this union one child has been born, Katherine B. She was married to Isaiah Weaver in 1887, and her death occurred on August 11, 1906, survived by a husband and two sons, Paul J. and Warren. Paul was graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and he is teaching in Racine College. He is regarded as a splendid scholar. Warren graduated in the spring of 1912 at the State University in Madison.
BENJAMIN J. BILL, M. D.
If definite accomplishment in the utilization of subject power and ability is to be the criterion of success, then Dr. Benjamin J. Bill, of Genoa Junc- tion, one of the best known physicians of Walworth county, certainly has achieved success in one of the noblest callings of man. Looking into the clear perspective of his career, there may be seen the strong lines of courage, persistence, determination and self-confidence-qualities which alone work forward to the goal of worthy and distinct achievement.
Dr. Bill is descended from a long line of sterling ancestors, and was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, August 24, 1850. The name Bill is an Eng- lish word of Norman origin. It will be remembered that in the period of the Norman conquest of England, the invading soldiers were divided into knights, mounted and clad in full armor; battle-axe or bill-men, whose weapons had a hook or blade or bill attached; and archers. The former continued to be called bill-men long after the conquest, and when surnames came into use during the first fifty years of the fourteenth century, their descendants took
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the name of Bill, and this is consequently one of the very oldest names in England, being directly traceable in a single community for about five hun- dred years. The first of the name of whom we have authentic record was Dr. Thomas Bill, who was born in Bedfordshire in 1490, and was a physi- cian of great note, having attended both King Henry VIII and Edward VII, also Princess Elizabeth, afterwards Queen Elizabeth. One of the most famous of the family and one of the learned men of his day in England was William Bill, D. D., LL. D., who was born in Ashwell in Herefordshire about 1505. He became master of St. John's College, vice-chancellor of the university and one of the King's chaplains. He was ejected by Queen Mary for his pronounced faith in Protestantism, but he was recalled by Queen Elizabeth, and became her chief almoner, and was restored as master of Trinity and elected provost of Eton College. He was installed dean of West- minster, June 30, 1560, being the first incumbent of that office ; on July 15th of the following year his death occurred and he was interred in Westminster Abbey. No other person ever held at the same time the three important positions enumerated above. He was an author of note and some of his writings are now in the university collections. Both his son Charles and his daughter Mary held many important positions. John Bill, born in the parish of Much Wenlock, appears in London in 1606, as a publisher to King James I. One of the earliest volumes showing the imprint of Mr. Bill is that written by the king himself, and it is now a book of great value, because of its antiq- uity and rarity. He was the first king's printer. From 1607 until 1700 the names of John Bill and his son, Charles, his successor, appear as publishers. Several important and successful publishing houses have been formed in America by Gurdon, Ledyard, Henry, James A., Avery Bill, and many of them have been prominent in political and civic affairs.
The first of the family to emigrate to America was John Bill and his wife, who settled in Massachusetts about 1630, making their home near Boston. It is probable that he was the son of the first king's printer. His death occurred in 1638, leaving three sons, James, Thomas and Philip, the majority of the Bills in America have descended from him, over one thousand persons bearing his name at the present time, and they are to be found in many states of the Union. John Winthrop, later governor of Connecticut. prevailed upon Philip Bill to settle on the east bank of the Thames at New London, Connecticut, the town of Groton now occupying the site of his homestead. Dr. Benjamin J. Bill, of this sketch, belongs to the eighth gen- eration of descendants of Philip Bill. He is the son of Jephthah Gear Bill and Prudence P. (Benjamin) Bill, who were the parents of three children,
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those beside the Doctor being Harriett P. Young, of Griswold, New London county, Connecticut, and Ann Isabella, who died when thirteen years old. The father, a prosperous farmer and influential citizen, still lives at Norwich, Connecticut, where he has held many public offices, including that of repre- sentative to the state Legislature. For many years both he and his wife have been members of the Methodist church, long active in church and charitable work.
The Benjamins have also been a prominent Connecticut family from pioneer times and are of English origin. Many generations are buried in the churchyard at Griswold, Connecticut, among them being Eames Benjamin, a soldier in the war of 1812. Like the Bills, they have always borne excellent reputations as citizens in all the relations of life.
Among the Bill family we find many physicians, ministers, book pub- lishers and agriculturists, also find the names of a number of noted army surgeons, including Dr. James Howland Bill, Dr. Curtis Harvey Bill and Dr. Frederick Bill.
Dr. Benjamin J. Bill, of this sketch, grew to manhood in the east and he attended the Providence Conference Seminary, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and after leaving there, at the age of nineteen, he began studying medicine under Dr. R. C. Young, at Voluntown, Connecticut. In 1871 he came west and the following winter attended a course of lectures in the medi- cal department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, later entering Rush Medical College in Chicago, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1879.
Doctor Bill's domestic life began on September 1, 1873, when he was united in marriage with Rebecca Coggeshall, a daughter of Dr. S. W. and Mary Coggeshall, natives of Little Compton, Rhode Island. She was a devoted Methodist, in which faith she passed to her rest on December II, 1875. Doctor Bill was again married, on September 13, 1877, to Sarah Stickland, a daughter of George and Harriet (Toms) Stickland, natives of England. To the latter union seven children were born, namely: Benjamin J., Harriet P., Ann Isabella, Luther L., Kenneth G., Ransom S. and F. Olivet.
Doctor Bill and his wife are members of the Congregational church, and he is now serving as clerk of the local congregation. They have a large, com- fortable home which is the frequent gathering place for their many friends, who are always made to feel welcome. Politically, the Doctor is a Republi- can. He has served as a member of the school board for many years, which office he still holds. He belongs to the State Medical Society and the Ameri-
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can Medical Association, and he was formerly a member of the Fox River Medical Society. He is surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company.
Doctor Bill has practiced his profession continuously at Genoa Junc- tion for over thirty years, enjoying a large and ever-growing practice and ranking among the ablest of his compeers in the medical world in this part of the state. He has always been a profound student and has kept well abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession.
Seven children have been born to Doctor Bill and wife, namely: Benja- min J., Jr., Harriet P., Ann Isabella, Luther Lisle, Kenneth Geer, Ransom and Francis Olivet. They are all living; the eldest who married Lotta Deig- nan, still resides in Genoa Junction, and they have three children, Harriet, Benjamin and Theron.
WILLIAM HARRISON SOUTHWICK.
It is a good sign when a county like Walworth can boast of so many of her enterprising farmers and business men who are native sons, for it indi- cates that here are to be found all the opportunities necessary to insure suc- cess in the material affairs of life and that her native sons, unlike so many from various sections, have found it to their advantage to remain at home. They have been wise in doing this for nature has offered the husbandman un- usual advantages here and seldom fails to reward the honest worker with gratifying results, and when the tillers of the soil are prosperous all lines of business flourish, consequently not only the farmers have succeeded in Walworth but also the merchants, millers, lumbermen, stock dealers, and many others, and the county ranks well with the thriving sections of this or any other state.
One of this worthy band of native sons is William Harrison Southwick, of Delavan township. He was born here on April 17, 1852. He is the son of Jonas G. and Mary Ann ( Reese) Southwick, the father a native of Ver- mont and the mother of Pennsylvania. They grew to maturity in the East and were married in Ohio, from which state they came to Wisconsin in 1849 and settled on the DeWolf place, where they remained two years, west of Delavan, then moved to the farm where the subject now lives and here they established a very comfortable home and reared their children.
Jonas G. Southwick was twice married, first to Mary Brown, which union resulted in the birth of three children, Leonard, Franklin and Nelson,
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all now deceased. The following children were born of his union with Mary Ann Reese: Henry and Harriet, twins; George, deceased; Charles lives at Williams Bay ; James and Oliver are deceased; William H., of this review ; Mary married C. M. Williams, of Chicago; Sanford died when four years old. The father of the subject died on April 2, 1894, and the mother on January 14, 1888.
William H. Southwick, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm where he worked when a boy. He received his education in the public schools of his home community and a short time in the academy at Big Foot, Wis- consin. He has devoted his life to farming. He lives on the homestead in section 36, Delavan township, which consists of eighty acres, and he has kept the land under an excellent state of improvement and cultivation. He owns the place and takes a pride in keeping it in fine shape. He has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, and his efforts have been liberally rewarded.
Mr. Southwick was married on December 14, 1861, to Marietta E. Bowlsby, daughter of B. F. and Catherine Bowlsby. To this union two chil- dren have been born, namely: Loran B., who died when eleven months old; and Ernest E., who married Rosina Weeks, of Chicago. He is at home with his parent. The wife of W. H. Southwick died on May 5, 1904. Politically, the subject is a Republican. With the exception of a year spent in Elkhorn, he has farmed all his life.
PETER PETERSON.
One of the most painstaking and energetic farmers of Whitewater township, Walworth county. is Peter Peterson, one of the thrifty Norwegians who have found homes in our republic and have benefited alike themselves and us. He has led a quiet life here, been law-abiding and has been loyal to our institutions.
Mr. Peterson was born in Norway on April 22, 1871. He is the son of Ole and Dorothy Marie (Isaaksen) Peterson, both natives of Norway, where they grew up and were married, and there the mother's death oc- curred in 1885. The father finally came, in 1890, to America, locating in Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he spent his last days, dying in 1906. In 1892 he was married to Mrs. Halvor Hanson. One child was born to them. His wife owned thirty acres in Sugar Creek township. His family consisted of seven children, six of whom are living and in the United States.
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Peter Peterson was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools of Norway. He emigrated to America in 1892 and settled in Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, at Elkhorn, and there he remained until 1910, when he moved to the farm he now owns in Whitewater township, which consists of one hundred and fifteen acres of valuable and well improved land, on which he carries on general farming and stock raising. He also owns forty acres near Elkhorn.
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