USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 52
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On May 14, 1866, Mrs. McMillen married Perry Lewis Purdy. He was born in Delaware county, New York, and was the son of Nathan and Sally Ellwood Purdy. He came to Lyons about 1843 and was married to Orpha Kinney and to them two children were born. Charles E. and Audella Lavon Purdy. The latter is the wife of A. Booth and lives in Rockton, Illi- nois. The former lives at Vincennes, Indiana. His first wife died and he then married Mrs. McMillen, as aforesaid. The children of her marriage to Mr. Purdy were, Esther Louise, now the wife of George O. Kellogg, of Elkhorn, and Perry Lewis. The latter is a farmer and lives about a mile northwest of Elkhorn on the Whitewater road. He married Nellie Slavin and has two sons, Perry L. and William Harold. Mr. Purdy was a farmer. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. His death occurred in August, 1887.
In 1891 Mrs. Purdy was married to Lewis Spencer Weeks, son of Spen- cer Weeks, a sketch of whom appears herein. Lewis S. Weeks was a well known and successful farmer, lived a worthy life, and accumulated the largest fortune of any man of his day in Lyons township. ITis death occurred in
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1903. Mrs. Weeks now lives in Elkhorn in her cozy and neatly furnished home.
Elijah Stanton was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was born in the township of Preston, New London county, Connecticut, in 1754, en- listed in the beginning of the war for independence, and was taken prisoner at Long Island in 1776, and was confined about five months in a prison ship in Wallabont bay, where he contracted the smallpox, being taken ill on his way home. After his recovery he re-enlisted in the service and remained at the front until the close of the war, taking part in various engagements, in one of which he was wounded in the hip. He died, highly esteemed, at a good old age. One of his daughters, a sister to Mrs. Weeks' mother, was Samantha Stanton Nellis, of Naples, New York, who reached the remark- abl age of one hundred and three years on November 4, 1911. She remains alert, erect, quick of step and is able to read and sew, and enjoys life gener- ally. Through her father's side of the house she can trace her lineage back twenty-four generations to Byram, Lord of Stanton Castle, and the ninth generation brings her to Robert Washington, ancestor of George Washing- ton.
REINERT, MALCH & BAUMBACH.
The well known and popular firm of Reinert, Malch & Baumbach, of Lake Geneva, building contractors and manufacturers of concrete blocks, was formed in 1906, when Edward C. Reinert, Herman Malch and William Baumbach, all practical men and successful masons, started their present business in partnership. They manufacture concrete building material, also deal in cement building and masonry supplies. In 1908 the firm began ex- perimenting in the building of silos made of concrete blocks and also made . some improvements in the doors. Several were erected for experimental purposes and were tried two years, being found to be eminently satisfactory, and in 1911 they began their manufacture on an extensive scale. During the first year they have built them all over the southern part of the county, and have had calls for them from different cities. They also take contracts for building houses and public buildings. They built a school house at He- bron and the Gardener's Association building at Lake Geneva. They have also taken up the manufacture of a cement block, the face of which resembles granite, being coated with crushed granite. It bids fair to become very pop- ular in the world of building.
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Mr. Reinert spent some time in New York City in an effort to gain all new and practical ideas possible that would assist the firm in their business, and, being a keen observer and a close student, he has gained ideas which may revolutionize building construction. He has sought to combine those things which would make for durability, beauty and convenience.
The business of this firm is growing rapidly, in view of the fact that they understand so thoroughly every branch of their work, and seek to give satisfaction in every detail to their many patrons and customers, and they manage their affairs in a business-like way.
They are all three plain, straightforward, honorable, everyday business men, without sham or pretense. Their plant is equipped with every neces- sary modern apparatus for the prompt and successful manufacture of their products.
D. S. COOK.
One of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Walworth county is the venerable merchant, D. S. Cook, of Whitewater, a pioneer who has done his full share in the development of the northwestern part of the county, which he has honored by his citizenship for more than sixty years as a citizen, having given his support to the church, the school and to all measures for the public good, and his name has ever been synonymous with honorable dealings in all the relations of life. As he has passed so many years in this locality he has a wide acquaintance among its best citizens, many of whom are included within the circle of his warm personal friends During his long residence here he has tried to live up to the Golden Rule.
Mr. Cook was born at Homer, Cortland county, New York, August 30. 1827. He is the son of Mathias and Elizabeth (Coburn) Cook, the father a native of New York and the mother of Massachusetts. His father was a hatter for many years in Homer and there he was very active in public affairs. The subject was one of a family of six sons and three daughters. He was educated in the public schools and in the Cortland County Academy, upon leaving which he turned his attention to merchandising, becoming a clerk in a dry goods store in his home town, where he remained two years, then moved to Oneida county, New York, and was clerk for John J. Knox & Son, of Knox- boro, five years. In the fall of 1849 Mr. Cook emigrated to Wisconsin and located at Whitewater, Walworth county, where he clerked for his board until 1851. He subsequently entered the general mercantile business with two
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partners under the firm name of Brady, Starin & Cook, which partnership continued until 1858. In 1860 the subject formed a partnership under the firm name of Cook & Shedd, continuing the mercantile business with his usual success, which firm lasted three years; then the firm was known as D. S. Cook & Co. for a period of twenty-four years, after which he retired to private life. His customers covered a wide territory. He always treated them courteously and fairly, and kept a good grade of carefully selected goods. He always had the confidence and good will of his thousands of patrons. In 1889 he became a stockholder in the First National Bank of Whitewater, later becoming a director, continuing as such to the present time, and he has also been a director of the Citizens State Bank at the same time.
Mr. Cook was married in July, 1853, to Rachel O. Shepard, daughter of Joseph Shepard, of Knoxboro, New York, and to this union two children were born, Cornelia E. and Seymour S. The latter is cashier of the Minne- sota Loan & Trust Company of Minneapolis, and is a business man of much ability.
Mr. Cook is a member of the Congregational church and he has been clerk of the Congregational Association for fifty-eight years. In his fraternal relations he belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons. Early in life he was a Whig and since the organization of the Republican party he has voted that ticket. He has always supported such measures as made for the general advancement of his town and county and entertains an unfailing love for Whitewater and its citizens.
CLARENCE EDWIN UTTER.
The name of Clarence Edwin Utter needs no introduction to the readers of this book, for much of his useful and strenuous life has been spent in Walworth county and here his conduct has been such as to merit the high esteem in which he is universally held. He was born in Rock county, Wiscon- sin, on September 2, 1846. He is the son of Joseph Curtis Utter and Clarissa (Keech) Utter, the father born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on March 4. 1814. the mother was born in Great Bend, Susquehanna county, Penn- sylvania, on February 15, 1825. The father came to Richmond township on January 3, 1838. He located on what is known as Utter Corners, which farm lies in the corner of the township. He took up two hundred acres of govern- ment land, which he developed into a good farm and here spent the rest of
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his life, dying on October 3, 1861. His wife died in Whitewater in January. 1884. Their family consisted of three children, namely : Henry Edgar, born in Loma, Rock county, this state, March 27, 1844, and here he died on a farm September 21, 1910: his wife Elizabeth survives: Clarence Edwin, of this sketch: Lydia L., born at Utter Corners, August 22, 1849, married George W. Chesebro, of this county, and they have three children, Curtis Edward, Mabel and Pearl: Mr. Chesebro lives at The Dalles, Oregon. Politically, the father of the subject was a Whig, later a Republican, and was once assessor of his township. He was a Universalist in his religious belief. When he first came to this country he walked to Madison where he worked on the Territorial Capital, and he set the type on the first paper published at Madison. He kept a tavern at Utter Corners for several years. He was married in 18.42.
An uncle of the subject, Burch Benedict Utter, married Lydia Keech, of Bradford, Pennsylvania, about 1826, and he came with his wife and three children and settled in Richmond township at Utter Corners July 24, 1837. and there established his home.
Clarissa Utter was born here in October, 1837, being the first white child born in Richmond township. Here she grew up and married Dr. Stephen Williams, and she now lives in Missouri.
The paternal grandfather, Joseph Utter, was born in Massachusetts. May II. 1777. He married Betsey Russell, daughter of Doctor Russell. She was born in Pike, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in 1782. They came to Whitewater township. Walworth county, Wisconsin, in an early day and bought two hundred and forty acres at Utter Corners, and here the grand- mother died on August 5. 1855, the grand father surviving until in September. 1861.
The maternal grandfather of the subject was Stephen Keech. He mar- ried Tabitha Smith : they were both born in New York City, and they came to Utter Corners in 1840, and here spent the rest of their lives, the grand- father dying in 1843 and his wife in 1844.
Clarence E. Utter, of this sketch, grew up on the home farm and he was educated in the public schools and Milton College. He followed farming until 1882 when he moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where he engaged in buying grain for several years, building up a large business. Then for siv- teen years he was in the grocery and cracker business, having a large trade He sold out and has since been in the real estate and insurance business. He has been very successful and has added two hundred and forty acres to the
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homestead, now owning four hundred and forty acres at Utter Corners, and he has placed this excellent land under fine improvements.
Politically, Mr. Utter is an old-line Republican. He has been assessor of Whitewater city.
Mr. Utter was married on February 15, 1883, to Elizabeth McCollins, who was born in Whitewater on November 6, 1858. She is the daughter of John W. and Mary (McMillian) McCollins, the father born in New York and the mother in Ireland. His father, William McCollins, was a pioneer of Ogdensburg, New York. The parents of Mrs. Utter came to Whitewater in an early day and here established the family home. Their two daughters are living, Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Utter, of this sketch, and Lottie, who lives with the subject and wife. They own the old homestead in New York that their grandfather bought.
To Mr. and Mrs. Clarence E. Utter two children have been born, one who died in infancy and Clarence Curtis, born April 20, 1899.
The paternal great-grandfather of the subject was Simeon Utter, a native of Rhode Island. He went to Massachusetts in 1775 and there his death occurred in 1777. His father was born in Buckinghamshire, England, and he came to Rhode Island prior to 1750, and there spent the rest of his life.
Dr. E. R. Utter, an uncle of the subject, with two sons, Frank and Charles Utter, settled in Elkhorn about 1840 and there the Doctor practiced medicine, and the son, Frank, edited the first paper printed in that town, known as the Elkhorn Independent. The paternal grandfather of the sub- ject was captain of a company of state militia in Pennsylvania. The father of Mrs. Utter was at the battle of Windmill, at Ogdensburg, New York, about 1836, being captain of a company.
GEORGE A. CRUMB.
The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch contains no exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete with well defined purposes which, carried to successful issue, have won for him an influential place in business circles and high personal standing among his fellow citizens. His life work has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted not only in gaining the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings,
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but also in the building up of a profitable industry and the accumulation of a competency while yet comparatively young in years.
George A. Crumb, well known hardware merchant of Whitewater, was born in Richmond township, Walworth county, Wisconsin, on December 31, 1872. He is the son of Hiram and Mary ( Bishop) Crumb, the father born in Oneida county, New York, December 27, 1826, and she was born in Rush county, Indiana, on July 13, 1832. They grew to maturity in their respective communities, and he came to Rock county, Wisconsin, in. 1844. He was a carpenter by trade, and he found plenty to do here, the country being new and many settlers coming in from the Eastern states. Later he purchased eighty acres of land in Richmond township, and to this added another eighty, then sold the place and purchased another containing one hundred and ten acres, and he was one of the successful farmers of his day in this county. He spent the rest of his life here, dying at an advanced age on October 14, 1908. His widow is still living, making her home in Whitewater. They were the parents of five children, two of whom are living at this writing, George A., of this sketch, and Mrs. Lulie Calkins, of Richmond, this county. Politically, the father was a Republican, and his widow is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
George A. Crumb, of this review, was reared on the home farm where he made himself useful during his boyhood days, and he received his educa- tion in the public schools of his home district and in Milton College, and early in life he took up farming for a livelihood. He is now the owner of one hundred and fifty-six acres, which he placed under excellent improvements and carried on general farming and stock raising successfully until 1909. when he left the farm, and in 1910 he engaged in the hardware business in Whitewater where he has a popular store, well stocked with all kinds of hard- ware and farming implements, and he has enjoyed an excellent trade from the start. This store is under the firm name of Crumb & Winn.
Politically, Mr. Crumb is a Republican. He has taken an interest in public affairs and was township treasurer for one year. He is a member of St. John's Lodge No. 57, Free and Accepted Masons, at Whitewater.
The mother of the subject, known in her maidenhood at Mary Bishop. came to Walworth county in 1844 with her father, Solomon Bishop, and her step-mother, and they settled in Whitewater township, where Mr. Bishop became the owner of a large tract of land in Richmond and Whitewater town- ships, and here the father died. his wife dying in Milton, this state. There were five daughters and four sons in the Bishop family.
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HERBERT O. HAMILTON.
One of the best known of the younger attorneys of Walworth county is Herbert O. Hamilton, of Whitewater, an honored native son who has always tried to measure up to the standard of correct manhood and this locality is proud to number him among its progressive and representative men, having always maintained his home here, having the interests of the community at heart, seeking to promote the same in every way possible. In all the relations of life he has proven true to every trust reposed in him and no one is worthrier of the high esteem which they enjoy.
Mr. Hamilton was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin, April 14. 1872. He is the son of one of our sterling pioneer families, Oscar T. and Sarah (Steele ) Hamilton, both natives of Whitewater. The maternal grandparents. Samuel and Olive (Armstrong ) Steele, came to Whitewater in early pioneer days, he having been a native of Vermont and she of the state of New York. Here they engaged in farming and spent the rest of their lives. The paternal grandparents of the subject are mentioned under the sketch of C. M. Williams.
Oscar T. Hamilton, mentioned above, grew up and spent his life at White- water, farming being his principal life work. He served for some time as school commissioner and as justice of the peace. Politically, he was a Repub- lican and a member of the Methodist church. He belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In his younger days he followed teaching in the common schools. He became well known throughout the county and was a useful and highly respected citizen. His family consisted of four children. two of whom died in infancy, Herbert O., of this sketch, and one other still surviving.
Herbert O. Hamilton enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education, having attended the grade schools and the high school at Whitewater, later took a course in the normal and at the Northwestern University and spent two years in the College of Liberal Arts. He then entered the law department of the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in 1894, having made a splendid record there for scholarship. Thus well equipped for his life work, he returned to Whitewater and began the practice of his profession in which he has met with encouraging success from the first, now enjoying a large and ever-growing patronage and taking a high rank among the professional men of this locality. He keeps well abreast of the times in all matters per- taining to the law, being ever a profound student, and he is universally re- garded as a safe, conservative and able advocate and a strong man in the trial of cases.
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On October 8, 1897, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage with Mary L. Wheeler, a popular young lady and a daughter of a well known family of Whitewater. To this union two children have been born, Robert O. and Laura. The mother and children are members of the Congregational chunch.
Fraternally, Mr. Hamilton is a member of the blue lodge Free and Ve- cepted Masons, the chapter of Royal . Arch Masons, and the Knights of Pythias. He is a loyal Republican and active in party affairs. He has been justice of the peace and city attorney at Whitewater, also district attorney of Walworth county. He is a member of the board of regents of the State Normal School, and is a captain in the First Infantry, Wisconsin National Guards. As a pub- lic servant he has discharged his duties faithfully and worthily, winning the commendation of all concerned. Personally, he is a gentleman of refinement and genial address, unassuming and an advocate of wholesome living and high ideals.
GEORGE WASHINGTON SPERBECK.
One of the enterprising citizens of Whitewater is George Washington Sperbeck, a man of excellent characteristics and true public spirit. He was born in Marion county, Indiana, on February 22, 1860. He is the son of John Romain Sperbeck and Jenetta ( Thomas) Sperbeck, the father a native of New York and the mother of Indiana. They were married in the latter state at Marion, whither he had gone from New York after finishing his edu cation. He organized a private school at Marion and Jenetta Thomas was one of his pupils. After teaching there several years he went to Richmond. Indiana, and was a wool dealer and shipper. His death occurred in 1863. his widow surviving but a few years, dying in 1866. They had two children, George Washington of this sketch, and Florence Lurene, who died in 1863. when three years old. The father was a Republican and a Freemason, and the mother was a member of the Christian church.
The paternal grandparents of the subject came to Walworth county in an early day and settled on a farm west of Delavan, and here they spent their last days at the home of a son-in-law. John Fuller. The father of the subject came with them here and attended school, then went to Marion, Indiana The grandparents had a family of five sons and four daughters, two of whom. a son and a daughter, are living. The father of the subject was the oldest of the family.
George W. Sperbeck was seven years old, when, in 1867. he left Marion.
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Indiana, and he was reared by an uncle, Porter Calkins, a pioneer of Delavan township, Walworth county, Wisconsin. Here the subject received his edu- cation in the public schools and at Beloit College. In 1883 he came to White- water and was employed as clerk and painter, then engaged in business for himself as painter, and he established a store in 1897, handling paints and wall paper, and by his industry built up a large business. He also handled sport- ing goods. He still operates the store, and he carries one of the largest stocks of wallpaper in Wisconsin, for a town the size of Whitewater, and even larger. He also deals considerably in real estate.
Politically, Mr. Sperbeck is a Republican and he was alderman here for six years and supervisor for five years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Sperbeck was married on February 16, 1888, to Etta M. Wells, of Whitewater, her birth having occurred here in 1863. She is the daughter of Horace and Mary M. (Thorn) Wells, early settlers of Walworth county, and here the father died in early life. The mother is living with the subject of this sketch.
Mrs. Sperbeck is a member of the Episcopal church, and he is a liberal supporter of the same.
HENRY WINN.
The record of the subject of this sketch is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts has worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of comfort and influence in his community. His life has been one of un- ceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods he has followed have won him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens of Walworth county whose interest he has ever had at heart and sought to promote when practicable, although of foreign birth.
Henry Winn was born in England on April 8, 1865. He is the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Camm) Winn, both born in England, where they grew up and were married. From that country they emigrated to America in 1871. coming to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where they rented a farm. Then they came to Walworth county in 1886 and settled on a farm of ninety- seven and one-half acres, only fifteen rods from the line of , Whitewater. This farm was bought at that time by the two sons, Henry and George, and here their father remained until his death. The mother died on April 25. 1888, at the age of sixty-nine years. They were the parents of seven children,
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of whom six are living at this writing. In politics Robert Winn was a Repub- lican, and he belonged to the Episcopal church.
Henry Winn, of this sketch, was six years of age when his parents brought him to Wisconsin, and he grew up and was educated in Jefferson county, attending the public schools and the Whitewater Normal. He has de- voted his life to farming and has met with encouraging success all along the line. He is now the owner of one hundred acres of good land. For about twenty years he has been a breeder of Poland-China hogs, for which he has always found a very ready market.
Politically, Mr. Winn is a Republican, and he attends the Methodist church.
Mr. Winn was married on December 27, 1889, to Ada Catral, who was born in England in 1865, the daughter of George and Elizabeth Catral, natives of England where they grew up and were married and there the father lived until his death. The mother survives. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Winn, namely : Albert Henry, Harley E., Eldyn R. : one child died in infancy.
A. K. ALRICK.
The names of those men who have distinguished themselves through the possession of those qualities which daily contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability and who have enjoyed the respect and confidence of those about them should not be permitted to perish. Such a one is A. K. Alrick, one of the sturdy sons of Norway who has found a good home and operates a popular store in the town of Whitewater, Walworth county, and here he is highly esteemed by all who know him.
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