USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 63
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Carlos L. Douglass was deeply interested in public affairs and he was a member of the county board of supervisors and for many years was treasurer of the town board. In 1873 he was elected to the Assembly, in which he made a most commendable record. He was also deeply interested in the schools of the community and was a leader in local affairs for many years.
Mr. Douglass was married on August 29. 1849, to Margaret Stewart. daughter of Arthur and Jessie (Simpson) Stewart, early settlers of Rock
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county, this state. To this union four children were born, namely : Ruth Warren, who married James R. Davis, died when twenty-five years of age; Carlos Stewart, born August 1, 1854, lives at Fontana ; Horace Greeley, born November 12, 1857, lives at Lake Geneva; Lewis Christopher, born Septent- ber 22, 1859, lives at Boise, Idaho.
Mr. Douglass was a man of courage, enterprise and energy. In 1855 he accompanied a party who drove a large herd of cattle across the country to Lake Superior. Before reaching their destination their food supply was exhausted and as there was no settlement along the trail Mr. Douglass made his way to Ontonagon to get supplies, journeying two days and two nights, sleeping in the open air. The matches he carried got damp and he could not even make a fire. He went through all the experiences and hardships incident to pioneer life, later experienced the advantages of civilization, and acquired a handsome property, all through his individual efforts. He owned a beautiful home on Lake Geneva. The death of this excellent citizen occurred on January 6, 1898, at the age of seventy-two years. He was very widely known and held in the highest esteem by all, for his life was exemplary and resulted in much good to the community in general. He was kind, obliging, hospitable and broad in his sympathies, and he did not hold malice toward anyone. He was a good citizen and faithful to every trust reposed in him. His wife was a woman of noble attributes, a fit companion of a half century to him, and his success was due in no small manner to her encouragement and sympathy. Her death occurred on November 6, 1901, at the age of seventy- three years. She was a native of county Cavan, in the ancient kingdom of Tilster.
FRED LINCOLN ELLSWORTH.
The life of Fred Lincoln Ellsworth, farmer and stock raiser of Sugar Creek township, Walworth county, has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best, owing to the fact that he has always been true to the trusts reposed in him and has been upright in his dealings with his fellow men, at the same time lending his support to the advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the community at large.
Mr. Ellsworth was born in Lafayette township, Walworth county. November 19, 1860, the son of Stewart D. and Elizabeth ( Ramey) Ellsworth, a complete sketch of whom will be found on another page of this volume.
Fred L. Ellsworth was reared on the home farm where he worked when
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a boy, and attended the public schools during the winter months, later the high school at Elkhorn. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and has met with encouraging success all along the line, being now the owner of a very productive, well improved and well kept farm of two hundred and ten acres in Sugar Creek township, one and a half miles from Elkhorn. He makes a specialty of dairying and keeps about sixty cows, and no small part of his annual income is derived from this source.
Politically, Mr. Ellsworth is a Republican, but he is in no sense a public man.
On June 2, 1885, Mr. Ellsworth was united in marriage with Carrie Melina Cobb, who was born in Milwaukee, November 9, 1866, the daughter of William and Harriet ( Hale) Cobb, the father a native of New York, born in 1827, and the mother's birth occurred in Milwaukee county, Wisconsin. They were married in the latter place in 1859, and three children have been born to them, all of whom are living. Mr. Cobb has spent his life engaged in farming. He has made several trips to California. Politically, he is a Repub- lican and he was clerk of the school district for about thirty years. He now lives at Hales Corners, Milwaukee county, Wisconsin. His wife died October 9, 1883. Her father, Seneca Hale, was a pioneer of Milwaukee county. He was born on October 5, 1811, in New York.
To Fred L. Ellsworth and wife seven children have been born, namely : Cassius Melvin, born July 2, 1886; Harriet Aileen, born February 1I, 1889; Myrtle Belle, born March 26, 1892; Glen Lincoln, born May 27, 1895, died September 2, 1902; Gladys Melvina, born February 5, 1901 ; Eugene Grant, born January 26, 1903, died May 22d of the same year ; Rosina Elizabeth, born August 16, 1904.
BENJAMIN H. BEACH.
It is a great privilege to be able to spend our lives on the old home place. "The roof that heard our earliest cry" has a charm and fascination for us which we cannot find elsewhere, and no matter where on earth our restless footsteps may wander we ever long to be back beneath the old roof-tree of our parents. However, this is not always the privilege of man. For many rea- sons, often through necessity, we leave our childhood home and seek our for- tune in other countries, and seldom ever revisit the hearthstone around which we played as a child. So those who, like Benjamin H. Beach, farmer of Lafayette township, Walworth county, are fortunate enough to spend their
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lives at their birthplace, are to be envied, and no doubt, being a fair-minded man, he fully appreciates the privilege, and he has labored hard to keep the old place well tilled and well improved so that it has retained rather than lost its original strength of soil, and the home has been carefully looked after and tastily kept.
Mr. Beach was born on the farm where he still resides in Lafayette town- ship, Walworth county, Wisconsin, on June 14, 1870. He is the son of War- ren W. and Clarissa (Harriman) Beach, the father born on September 28, 1821, and the mother was born on April 5, 1832. They grew up in their respective communities and he came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1845, when settlers were few and the land covered with vast forests, and here he underwent the usual privations of the newcomer, but through hard work and economy had a good farm and a comfortable home in due course of time. In 1849 he located his permanent home in Lafayette township, and here reared his family of nine children, six of whom are living at this writing. He was a carpenter by trade and, being a very skilled workman, his services were in great demand and he built about two-thirds of the older buildings, dwellings and barns, in this community. In later life he devoted his attention exclusively to farming.
Politically, the father was a Democrat and he and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. The father died April 17, 1912.
Benjamin H. Beach was reared on the home farm and when of proper age he helped with the general work there, and he received his education in the public schools. He has devoted his life to farming and is now the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of the home farm which he tills in a skillful manner, getting abundant returns for his pains, carrying on general farming and stock raising.
Politically, Mr. Beach is a Prohibitionist and in religious matters a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Beach was married on February 11, 1891, to Hattie A. Humphrey, who was born in Lyons, Walworth county, this state, on June 13, 1870. She is the daughter of Roswell P. and Harriet (Griswold) Humphrey, both born in New York, he in 1832 and she in 1834, and there they spent their early years. She was the daughter of Rev. A. Griswold, a native of New York and a pioneer of Walworth county, Wisconsin, and his death occurred in Dayton. this state. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Hannah Sterns, and her death also occurred in Dayton, Wisconsin. They reached unusual ages, each being over ninety years old when summoned to close their earthly careers. Three children were born to the parents of Mrs. Beach, all living at this writ-
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ing. Mr. Humphrey's death occurred February 1, 1874, his widow surviving until July 26, 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Beach four children have been born, namely : Elmer Benjamin, who died when ten years old: George H. died at the age of twelve years : Hattie May and Frederick Delbert.
WILLIAM WARREN BEACH.
We are always glad to honor the old pioneers, and this is as it should be, for they are deserving of every consideration; they have done so much for us of this generation that we cannot begin to repay them, even in gratitude; in fact, we often lose sight of the great sacrifices they made for us, their descend- ants, and of the hardships they endured that the bounds of civilization might be pushed farther westward and outward. They had a hard time and no mistake, combating the root-interlaced soil, the quick-growing underbrush and weeds; combating the wild folk of the woods and the air, that sought to destroy their crops, domestic animals and even themselves; combating the skulking, treacherous red men who claimed the domain on which the pale faces settled. It is doubtful if we of today, many of us at least, would be willing to brave the wilds as did our progenitors, and wrest from a resisting nature and bloodthirsty race the fair realms now to be seen dotted with happy homes, thriving cities and schoolhouses and church-spires pointing skyward.
One of the men who had the courage to take up life in Walworth county in the pioneer epoch was William Warren Beach, a venerable and well known citizen of Lafayette township, whose death occurred April 17, 1912. He was born in. Warren county, New York, on September 28, 1821, and there he grew to manhood and received such education as the old-time schools in his district afforded. When nineteen he began learning the carpenter's trade, which he made his chief life work; he also learned to be a millwright, but later returned to carpentering, also followed the joiner's trade, becoming quite skillful in both. In the fall of 1845 he came to Spring Prairie township, Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, and began working at his trade, and today many of the substantial residences and barns throughout the eastern part of the county stand as monuments to his skill as a builder.
On December 23, 1849, Mr. Beach was united in marriage with Clarissa Harriman, who was born in 1832. To this union nine children were born, six of whom are living at this writing.
Soon after his marriage the subject moved to Marcellon, Columbia
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county, Wisconsin, where he remained three years, working at his trade, then returned to Lafayette township, Walworth county, and purchased a farm which he worked successfully. In 1906 he sold out to his son, Benjamin H., who still operates the place, but he lived with his son on the place till his death. For several years the subject employed a man to take charge of his farm while he worked at the carpenter's trade, later devoting practically all his time to farming.
Politically, Mr. Beach was a Democrat and he took more or less interest in public affairs; however, he never sought public honors. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The following are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Beach, of this sketch : Alice L., now Mrs. B. F. Frasier, of Pocahontas, Iowa; William L. lives at Norcross, Minnesota ; Lucinda J., who married G. P. Humphrey, lives in New York City ; Mary A., now Mrs. D. S. Edgarton, lives in North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Benjamin H., who owns and operates the home place; Isaac D. lives at Grand Rapids, Wisconsin.
STEWART D. ELLSWORTH.
We are, or at least should be, proud of the old pioneers and accord them the greatest esteem, for they blazed the way for succeeding generations and made possible our present prosperity and pleasant homes ; but we of today are apt to forget the great sacrifices they made, the privations they had to face and the years of toil and suffering they endured in order that the wilderness might give way to fertile farms and populous cities.
One of this sterling band is Stewart D. Ellsworth, long a well known citizen of Lagrange township, Walworth county. He was born in Otsego county, New York, on January 10, 1835, the son of Stukly S. and Nancy (Field) Ellsworth, both born in Otsego county, New York, the father on February 19, 1803, and the mother on August 3, 1805. There they grew up and married and from there they came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1845, when the subject was ten years old, and they settled in Lafayette town- ship on one hundred and sixty acres of land which they improved and there spent the rest of their lives. the father dying in 1883, and the mother in October, 1880. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters, of whom Stewart D. of this sketch is the only one living.
Mr. Ellsworth of this review was reared on the home farm, which he helped develop from the wilderness, and he received such education as he could
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in the old log school houses of his day, and later attended the State University at Madison. He took up farming for a livelihood and became the owner of two hundred acres of good land. In 1904 he moved to Elkhorn, after a suc- cessful career as a general farmer and stock man, and there he purchased valu- able property in which he still lives, enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of toil. Politically, he is a Republican, but has not been a public man.
Mr. Ellsworth was married on January 1, 1858, to Elizabeth Ramey, who was born in Stockbridge, Windsor county, Vermont, December 7, 1840, the daughter of Silas and Martha (Sawyer) Ramey, the father born at Stock- bridge, Vermont, on February 21, 1810, and the mother was born in New Hampshire, on April 23, 1810. They came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1854 and settled in Lafayette township on a farm. From there they moved to Iowa in 1869, and Mr. Ramey's death occurred in that state in 1897, his wife surviving until 1900, reaching the advanced age of ninety years. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters, of whom four are still liv- ing. Mr. Ramey was first a Whig, later a Republican. He was a member of the Methodist church.
To Stewart D. Ellsworth and wife four sons and one daughter have been born, namely : Frank R., born February 20, 1859: Fred, born November 19, 1860; Zella E., born October 18, 1862; Silas Grant was born April 2, 1869; Louie E., born October 18, 1871 ; Harry, born August 8, 1877.
JAY H. WHITE.
By indomitable enterprise and progressive methods Jay H. White, one of the pioneer citizens of Walworth county, has contributed in a material way to the advancement of his locality during the course of an honorable career in which he was always fairly successful and established a reputation for honesty of purpose as well as energy in material affairs. He now lives retired in his pleasant home in Elkhorn.
Mr. White was born in Essex township, Chittenden county, Vermont, August 25, 1854. He was the son of Forest and Rhoda ( Bascome ) White. both born in Vermont, in which state they grew up, were married and spent their lives, the father dying in 1906 and the mother in 1886. Their family consisted of seven children, five of whom are living. Politically, the father was a Democrat, and he and his wife attended the Methodist church.
Jay H. White was educated in the public schools of Vermont where he grew to manhood. In 1878 he came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and, in
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order to get a start, worked by the month for three years, then rented land for several years and he bought a farm in 1889 of two hundred and thirty- eight acres in Lagrange township. In 1894 he traded for a farm in Jefferson county, consisting of eighty acres, which he later sold and bought one hun- dred and sixty acres in Sugar Creek township, Walworth county. He sold this in 1909 and moved to Elkhorn where he purchased a fine home and is now spending his declining years in comfort. He has been very successful as a general farmer. He has five acres of valuable land surrounding his home in Elkhorn.
Politically, Mr. White is a Democrat. For some time he was a mem- ber of the school board. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Equitable Fraternal Union. Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
On June 15, 1882, Mr. White was united in marriage with Maria Par- sons, who was born in Sugar Creek township in 1861. the daughter of James and Catherine ( Hicks) Parsons, both born in Cornwall, England, where they grew up and were married, and from there they emigrated to America and settled in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, in an early day, later coming to Wal- worth county, and settled on a farm in Sugar Creek township and here the father's death occurred in 1880, his widow surviving until 1901. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are living. Politically, Mr. Par- sons was a Republican and a member of the Methodist church.
To Mr. and Mrs. White four children were born, namely: Catherine is the wife of Charles H. Fountaine, mentioned in this work : James is deceased ; Florence is at home : Mary is deceased.
BENTON B. TAYLOR.
One of the progressive men of Walworth county is Benton B. Taylor, whose indomitable courage, persistent and aggressive efforts and his excellent management have brought to him the prosperity which is today his. He has ever stood ready to do what he could in pushing forward the wheels of progress and advancing commercial prosperity in this vicinity and his career, both private and public, has been one worthy the high esteem which those knowing him best freely accord.
Mr. Taylor was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, at the town of Lyons on September 8, 1864. He is the son of Jay L. and Eliza M. (Shaft) Taylor, the father born in the state of New York in 1832 and the mother in
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Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of William Shaft, a pioneer of Sheboygan Falls. He was a miller by trade. The father of the subject came to Walworth county in an early day with his parents, Jesse L. Taylor and wife, who spent their last days here. Jay L. Taylor devoted his life to farming and became the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of land, which he later sold, and moved to Iowa, and bought one hundred and sixty acres, to which he added eighty acres and then one hundred and twenty acres, owning in all three hundred and sixty acres of excellent land which he farmed on a large scale. There his death occurred in 1901. His widow subsequently moved to Florida, where her death occurred in 1907. They were the parents of five sons and one daughter, all of whom are now living but one son. Politi- cally, the father was a Republican, and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a man of influence in his community and highly respected by all who knew him.
Benton B. Taylor was reared on the home farm, where he made himself useful when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools and the high school at Elkhorn. Early in life he turned his attention to farming. In January, 1897, he went to Pasadena, California, where he engaged in the creamery business for four years, and he was also manager and one-half owner of a butter company for four years. He then engaged in the produce business for six years. He was very successful while on the Pacific coast, but he re- turned to Walworth county. Wisconsin, in 1910, and began operating his fine farm of one hundred and forty-four acres in Sugar Creek township, one mile from Elkhorn. In connection with general farming he has made a specialty of breeding Holstein cattle and dairying. He has brought his place up to a high state of improvement and cultivation, and it ranks well with the leading farms of the county. He has an attractive and comfortable home and excellent out- buildings. Politically, he is a Republican, and he belongs to the Congrega- tional church.
Mr. Taylor was married on December 29, 1887, to Helen R. West, who was born in Sugar Creek township, Walworth county. She is the daughter of S. G West, a pioneer of this county, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, namely: Walter P., born October 31. 1889, was educated in the public schools and was gradu- ated from the Washington grammar schools. He also attended Throop Polytechnic School, and he was graduated from the University of California, at Berkeley, and he is now a curator at the state museum, having charge of the mammal department. He has published several books dealing with the museum, which have been very successful. He is regarded as an expert in
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his line and is a man profoundly versed on such subjects. The subject's sec- ond child, Fletcher Branden Taylor, was born on January 3, 1892. He was graduated from the Washington grammar school, later attending the Throop Polytechnic School, and he is now in his sophomore year ( 1911-12) in the State University of California. He had taken post-graduate work at Pasa- dena.
CHARLES FOUNTAINE.
Among the successful young farmers of Sugar Creek township, Walworth county, Charles Fountaine occupies a conspicuous place and enjoys the con- fidence and esteem of all who know him. His record demonstrates that where there is a will there is a way and that obstacles to success may be overcome by courage and self-reliance. His career has not been devoid of good to his fellow men and his example is cordially commended to other young men of the county whose life work is yet a matter of the future.
Mr. Fountaine was born on the farm which he now owns in this township on October 23, 1878. He is the son of Thomas and Luna (Stearns) Foun- taine, the father born in Lincolnshire, England, April 29, 1835, and the mother was born in Vermont in 1844. Thomas Fountaine emigrated to the United States with his parents when seventeen years of age, locating in Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he married and where his four children were born, all of whom are still living. His father was Thomas Fountaine and his mother was Sarah Fountaine, both natives of England. They came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1852 with their children, eight in number, named as follows: Joseph, Thomas, Mary, John, Isaac, William, Fred and Sarah, all of whom are deceased but Thomas and Isaac. The elder Fountaine bought sixty-four acres of land, to which he later added six acres, and here he spent the balance of his life, dying on February 26, 1857, his wife dying on June II, 1859.
The father of the subject of this sketch was educated in England. After coming to this country, he devoted his life to farming and became very com- fortably situated in this county. He owned one hundred and eighty acres of good land here. Politically, he was a Democrat, later a Prohibitionist and now he votes the Republican ticket. He has been a member of the school board for several years. He was married in July, 1869, to Luna Stearns, and to this union four children were born, namely: Mary Jane, Frankie, Charles and William. The wife and mother passed away on January 24, 1903. Mr. Fountaine is now living retired.
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Charles Fountaine of this sketch, was reared on the home farm and was educated in the public schools of his district and at the Elkhorn high school. He has devoted his life to farming and has been very successful, now owning the old homestead, which he has kept well improved and under a fine state of cultivation. He makes a specialty of seed corn and he always keeps some good stock, and has bred some fine grades. Politically, he is a Republican and is at this writing clerk of the local school board. He is a member of the Equitable Fraternal Union.
On September 14, 1905, Mr. Fountaine was united in marriage with Catherine White, who was born in Sugar Creek township, this county, June 23, 1883. She is the daughter of Jay White, a native of Vermont and a pioneer of Walworth county. A complete sketch of Mr. White is to be found on another page of this work. To Mr. Fountaine and wife two chil- dren have been born, namely: Forest Charles, born June 19, 1906, and Vivian Maria, born June 28, 1908.
JOHN D. CLARK.
One of the most progressive and up-to-date young farmers of the western part of Walworth county is John D. Clark, of Richmond township, and to him the future holds much of promise, for he believes in doing well whatever he undertakes and he has started out by making the Golden Rule a factor in his intercourse and relations with his fellow men, both in business and social life. Idleness and indolence seem to be entirely foreign to his nature and he refuses to permit obstacles to thwart him from his course.
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