USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 64
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Mr. Clark was born on the old homestead in this township, March 25, 1879. He is the son of Benajah and Sylvia ( Stormes) Clark, the father born in New York August 2, 1833, and the mother was born in New York on July 20, 1841. Benajah Clark grew up in Wisconsin, having come to Johnstown, Rock county, with his parents, John and Martha (Tubbs) Clark, who settled on a farm there, but later came to Walworth county and in 1861 built the house on the farm where the immediate subject of this sketch now lives and here these parents both died, the father on April 11, 1885, and the mother on June 29, 1897. Benajah Clark was educated in the public schools of New York and Rock county, Wisconsin, and at Beloit College. He took up farming when a young man and made it his life work, meeting with pronounced success all along the line. He and his father owned two hundred and forty acres and he is now the owner of a good farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, and
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he now lives at Corliss, Wisconsin. His family consisted of four children, three of whom are living, namely : Nellie M., born September 14, 1863, died on October 4, 1865; Dr. William G., of Marmette, Wisconsin, born October 6, 1868, was married September 14, 1898, to Katie Killam, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; Martha B. was born October 3, 1871, and on April 13, 1898, she married Don C. Worthington, of Corliss, Wisconsin ; John D., of this sketch.
Benajah Clark was a Republican in politics. He was a soldier in the Union army, having enlisted in Company D, Forty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, February 14. 1865, and served until the close of the war, as first corporal.
John D. Clark was reared on the home farm and when a boy he assisted with the general work about the place and he received his education in the district schools and at Milton College, later attending the University of Wis- consin, graduating from the agricultural department. He has devoted his life to farming, and, being well educated in his chosen line and a close observer by nature, he is forging rapidly to the front. He is making a specialty of breeding Guernsey cattle, and his fine stock is greatly admired by all. Politi- cally, he is a Republican and he has been justice of the peace, also side super- visor, filling the positions with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Mr. Clark was married on October II, 1905, to Maud C. Rosencrans, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, who was born on November 6, 1885, the daughter of Frank and Ella (DeAthey) Rosencrans, a highly respected family of Delavan. One son has been born to the subject and wife. Donald Walter, whose birth occurred on August 5, 1906.
JOHN POHL.
Although John Pohl, successful young farmer of Richmond township, is a Bohemian by birth, he is everything but a "bohemian" in the sense that the word has become generally understood in English, for we are wont to allude to those individuals in our cosmopolitan population who are averse to physical exertion and prone to lead listless, lazy and, in short, unprofitable lives as "bohemians." Our Mr. Pohl has proven himself to be quite industrious, honorable and a most desirable citizen in every respect, and it is a pleasure to look over his well tilled and well kept fields.
Mr. Pohl was born in Bohemia on June 2, 1873. He is the son of John and Theresa ( Houl) Pohl, both born, reared and married in that country and there they spent their lives, both being now deceased.
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The subject was reared and educated in his native country, attending school seven years. He emigrated to the United States in 1887 and located in Jefferson county, Wisconsin. He came to Whitewater in 1888 and rented land in Walworth county for three years. He bought one hundred and twenty- five acres in 1902 in this township, which he improved and on which he has built a fine residence. He has kept his land well tilled and his efforts have met with decided success as a general farmer and stock raiser. Politically, he is a Republican and he belongs to the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Polil was married on November 24. 1898, to AAnnie Wendorff, who was born in Germany, the daughter of August and Bertha Wendorff, both natives of Germany, from which country they came to Wisconsin about 1884 and located in Jefferson county, later moving to Walworth county where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Richmond township and there the Wendorff family still resides, having developed a good farm and established a comfortable home.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pohl three children have been born, named as follows: Olga Helena died in infancy: Ernest, born January 24, 1903; Vernie, born July 29, 1905.
JOHN W. DELANEY.
Among the well known citizens of Richmond township of a past genera- tion, who played a conspicuous part in the agricultural affairs of Walworth county, built up a comfortable home and surrounded themselves with large landed and personal property, none attained a higher degree of success than the late John W. Delaney. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he made an exceptional success of life's work in a material way and in his old age had the gratification of knowing that the community in which he had been residing for a number of decades had been benefited by his presence and his council. He was a man of energy, concentration of purpose, managing his affairs with rare foresight and executive ability, and to these qualities were added scrupulous honesty, integrity and an open candor, that won and re- tained the admiration and universal esteem of all who knew him.
Mr. Delaney was born in Ireland in 1836 and there spent his early boy- hood and attended the primary schools, being ten years of age in 1846 when he accompanied his parents, James and Julia Delaney, to New York, where they remained until 1856 when they came on west, locating in Walworth
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county, Wisconsin, and here the death of the father occurred in 1863, the mother living to a ripe old age, dying in 1907.
John W. Delaney grew to manhood in Walworth county, and early in life took up farming for a vocation and this he continued the rest of his life, be- coming very successful, in fact one of the large landowners and well-to-do agri- culturists of the county, owning nine hundred and twenty acres of well in- proved and valuable land in Richmond township, where for many years he carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale.
Politically, Mr. Delaney was a Democrat and was active and influential in local public affairs. He was chairman of the town board for several years. Religiously, he was a faithful member of the Catholic church. He attended the Democratic national conventions held in St. Louis and Denver.
Mr. Delaney was married on October 14, 1867, to Anna Stewart, who was born in Delaware July 5. 1850, the daughter of James and Elizabeth ( Adams) Stewart, both born in Ireland, where they spent their early years, emigrating to America and settling for a time in Maryland, finally coming to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1852, and here they established a good home and spent the rest of their lives. Of their three children, two are still living.
Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John W. Delaney, named as follows: James, Mary Agnes (deceased), William J., Lizzie, Julie, Fred. Annie, Winfield J., Etta, Edward, Raymond S., and Frank, who is deceased. The death of John W. Delaney occurred on March 16, 1911.
Mr. Delaney will long be greatly missed from the business, political and social life of the county. for he was active and influential in all the relations of life and highly esteemed by all.
CHARLES W. MACK.
Walworth county can boast of few more progressive and successful farm- ers and stock raisers than the well-known gentleman whose name furnishes the caption of this review. He has long been considered one of the leading agriculturists of Whitewater township and as a citizen is intelligent and enter- prising, combining within himself those sterling qualities of manhood that make not only a useful member of society, but a leader in whatever he under- takes. He has ever had an honest determination of purpose and an obliging nature which impels him to assist others on the highway of life while making plain the path of prosperity for himself and family. He is a public-spirited man and has not withheld his aid from any worthy movement having for its
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object the upbuilding of the county in general, and thus for his many com- mendable characteristics he has ever been held in high esteem by all who know him.
Charles W. Mack was born in Oakland, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, on February 19, 1857. He is the son of William and Adaline (Rockwood) Mack, the father born in Madison county, New York, February 9, 1820, and the mother in Smithfield, that county and state, on October 7, 1828. They grew up in their native community and were married there on February 18, 1847. They remained there until 1853, when they came to Walworth county, Wisconsin. They remained at Whitewater one year, where Mr. Mack fol- lowed his trade, that of cooper, then moved to Oakland, Jefferson county, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land where the family home remained until 1864. They came to Richmond township, Walworth county, and bought eighty acres, to which the father later added other land until he owned one of the fine farms of the community, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres. He gave part of this to his daughter, Mrs. A. R. Hulse, and he now owns two hundred and forty acres in this county, and seventy-nine acres in Wood county, also three hundred and sixty-six acres in Texas. He has been very successful in a business way and is one of the substantial and influential men of this part of the county.
The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Mack : Mrs. A. E. Hulse; Charles is deceased; Charles W., of this sketch; Mrs. Nellie Acker, who died in 1897, leaving four children, William, Wiley is deceased, Robert and Anna. The mother of the subject died on March 10, 1895. Will- iam Mack is a Republican, but he never aspired to official positions. He at- tends and supports the Methodist Episcopal church.
Charles W. Mack of this sketch was reared on the family homestead and educated in the public schools. He has made farming his occupation, and is now managing the home place of two hundred and forty acres. He is a breeder of Holstein cattle, and he is very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. Politically, he is a Republican, but is not active in party affairs.
Mr. Mack was married on November 9, 1887, to Julia Hebert, who was born in Bridport, Addison county, Vermont, on December 25, 1857. the daugh- ter of Edward and Margaret (St. John) Hebert, the father born in Canada in 1833 and she in Keeseville, New York, in 1835, and they still live at Brid- port, Vermont.
To the subject and wife one child has been born, Warren L., whose birth occurred on August 3, 1889. He was educated in the public schools, the Whitewater high school and the Beloit Academy, also in the department of
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agriculture of the University of Wisconsin. He made an excellent record in all the institutions and is thus exceptionally well equipped for life's duties. He is now assisting his father on the home place, taking an active interest in the breeding of Holstein cattle and in general farming. He is regarded as one of the best young farmers in the township, and it would indeed be hard to find one more scientific in the county.
The Mack family has always stood high in the estimation of the people of their neighborhood and have ever been influential in the circles in which they move.
OLE OLESON.
The name of Ole Oleson is well known among the leading farmers of the southwestern part of Walworth county, whither he came many years ago, and through close attention to business and unswerving industry he has met with a larger degree of material success than falls to the lot of some of our foreign- born citizens. He comes of a sturdy Norwegian ancestry, his family on both sides going far back into the annals of the mountains, valleys and fjords of Norway. So he has in him many of the elements that always win in the battle of life, no matter where fought out, and while he was fortunate in coming to a rich country where the soil was strong, competition not too fierce and where, as the English poet, Mackay, wrote a century ago, "the humblest may gather the fruits of the soil" if they be willing to put forth a little effort, yet Mr. Ole- son, no doubt, would have succeeded in establishing a good home in any country where he might have settled.
Ole Oleson was born in Norway on July 28, 1844, the son of Ole and Ingebor (Halversen) Oleson, both born in Norway, where they grew up and were married and from there they emigrated to the United States in 1852, and settled in Palmyra, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where they remained until 1858 when they moved to Richmond township, Walworth county, and bought one hundred and twenty acres near Turtle Lake, later adding forty acres, and still later forty acres more, and finally twenty acres. Here the father became prosperous and had a fine farm, carrying on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. But old age coming on, he sold off his land, his son, Ole, of this sketch, now owning forty acres of the home place, which he has kept well improved and well tilled and here he makes a comfort- able living. Politically, the elder Oleson is a Republican, and in religious mat- ters a member of the Lutheran church.
(88)
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Eight children have been born to the subject's parents, namely: Isabel, wife of James Nelson, of Minnesota, has two children, Willie and Annie; Ole, of this sketch, was second in order of birth ; Martha is the wife of T. Helgeson, of Minnesota, and they have six children, Vina, Eda, Minor, Sven, Henry and Mangus; Oliver, who is farming in Richmond township, is a Republican and has held official position; John, who is at home engaged in farming, is also a Republican ; Maggie, now deceased, was the wife of Gunder Haraldsen, and they have two children, Hilda and Ella; Edmund is deceased; Anna was the wife of a Mr. Johnson, and they had one child, Inez, who is now deceased, as is also her mother.
Ole Oleson, of this sketch, was but a child when his parents brought him to Wisconsin, and here he grew to manhood, assisted his father with the work on the farm, and he received his education in the public schools, and has always followed farming, owning part of the home place, as stated in a preceding paragraph. Politically, he is a Republican, and he belongs to the Lutheran church, as does the whole family.
The subject was married in 1882 to Sarah Oleson, who died in 1883 without issue, and in 1897 Mr. Oleson married Sarah Andersen, who was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on February 21, 1855, the daughter of Nels and Andrena (Hanson) Andersen, both born in Norway, where they grew up and were married, emigrating to Wisconsin in an early day, and they are now both deceased, the father dying when eighty-one years old and the mother at the age of forty-four. Sarah Anderson had five children by her first husband, four boys and one girl. Mr. Oleson was in the army in the old country and was a good soldier.
CARL HELLING.
Another of the thrifty farmers of Richmond township, Walworth county, who has come to us from the land of the many-castled Rhine, the realm of the great Iron Chancellor and the sage Goethe, is Carl Helling, to whom a large measure of success has come because he has worked for it along legitimate lines and has not been accustomed to depend upon others to do either his think- ing or his work.
Mr. Helling was born in Germany on June 3, 1866. He is the son of Carl and Carolina (Dove) Helling, both born in Germany, where they grew up, were married and spent their lives, the mother dying on May 2, 1911, the
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father still living at the old home, now eighty-four years of age. They were the parents of seven children, of whom six are living.
Carl Helling grew to manhood in the fatherland and was educated there. Having heard of the vast unimproved lands in the western part of the United States, he had a desire to try his fortune here, so he made the long trip to South Dakota, reaching there on May 18, 1890, but not finding the country altogether to his liking he came to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, six months later, remain- ing there until 1899 when he came to Walworth county and rented a farm in Richmond township until 1902, when he bought it and here he still resides. It consists of one hundred and seventy-four acres, which he has placed under excellent improvements and keeps properly tilled. He has a good home and every convenience, and in connection with general farming he raises stock, making a specialty of breeding Holstein cattle. He leads a quiet home life, taking little interest in public affairs, except to vote the Republican ticket.
Mr. Helling was married in 1888 to Louisa Mahmar, which union re- sulted in the birth of six children, namely: Anna, Augusta, William (de- ceased), Ella, Ernest and Louise. The wife and mother passed to her rest in 1895, and in 1896 Mr. Helling was united in marriage with Minnie Schmid, who was born in Germany, March 1, 1873, the daughter 'or Martin and Frederica (Ehrike) Schmid. The father died in Germany and his widow came to America after his death and settled in Walworth county, Wisconsin, and she is now living in Richmond township. The following children have been born to the subject and his second wife: Gustav, Martha, Margaret and Erna. They are members of the Lutheran church.
F. J. BOEHM.
One of our thrifty German farmers and stock raisers of Walworth county is F. J. Boehm, owner of a valuable and attractive landed estate in Richmond township, which he has obtained through his individual efforts, for he has always relied upon his own resources and he is therefore very deserving of the large success he has achieved. He is one of those men who believe in doing his full duty in his public relations as well as to family and immediate neigh- bors and while he was reared under a different flag and different environment, he has been most loyal to our Republic.
Mr. Boehm was born in Germany, November 5, 1854. He is the son of Philip and Mary (Bolc) Boehm, both born in Germany, the father in 1820 and there he spent his life. The mother died in 1863. They had a large fam-
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ily. thirteen children, five of whom are now living, F. J., of this sketch, and four who remained in Germany.
F. J. Boehm grew up in his native land and was educated there. Believ- ing that the United States held greater inducements than his own country afforded, he set sail for our shores in 1880, arriving at Philadelphia on March Ist. Desiring to get away from the congested cities, he came to wide and newer Middle West, taking up his residence in Illinois, where he remained two years, then went to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and worked for George Wiley, Sherman Harrington and George Pierce, later renting a farm of Mr. Pierce for ten years. In this way he got a good start, was economical and in 1909 he bought an excellent farm of one hundred and eighty-four and one- half acres, in Richmond township. He had moved to this farm on March I, 1906. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising, also dairying and he is meeting with well merited success. He has placed modern im- provements on his place and has a comfortable home and all that goes to make life pleasant in the country, which, most people will agree, is the pleasantest place of all in this rushing, iron clanging age.
Politically, Mr. Boehm is a Republican. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen America at Elkhorn.
The subject was married in February, 1880, in Germany, to Eliza Hart- man, who was born and reared in Germany. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Boehm, namely: John, Lena, Minnie. Lillian, Robert, Sarah and Josephine.
GEORGE P. PECK.
Success as an agriculturist does not come to the indolent and the careless, but to those who plan well and are persistent in the execution of their tasks, neither can large returns be expected in a short time-it takes years to do big things in any line, and one cannot develop a modern farm in a few months. Realizing that it meant hard and consecutive endeavor to become successful as husbandmen, the Pecks have sought to utilize every moment and every opportunity in their chosen vocation of farming and have therefore succeeded.
George P. Peck, one of the enterprising tillers of the soil in Lafayette township, Walworth county, was born May 17, 1863. He is the son of Jed- diah and Adeline E. (Randal) Peck, the father born in Ohio and the mother in New York. They grew up and were married in the East, and the father devoted his life to farming and stock raising, and bought and sold stock for many years. His death occurred in August, 1876. He resided in Lafayette
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until his death, having become one of the large landowners and substantial citizens of this part of the county, accumulating seven hundred acres of val- uable land. In connection with general farming on a large scale he handled large numbers of sheep and other live stock, and, through his industry and good management, accumulated a competency.
Politically, Mr. Peck was a Democrat. He was a member of the town- ship board, also treasurer of Lafayette township, though he was too engrossed in private affairs to take a very active interest in public matters.
Six children, five sons and a daughter, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jed- diah Peck, all still living. A complete history of this family is found in the sketch of C. I. Peck, in this work.
George P. Peck was reared on the home farm, where he worked when old enough, and he received his education in the public schools and the high school at Elkhorn. Early in life he turned his attention to farming and this has been his life work. He is now the owner of a well improved and pro- ductive place in Lafayette township, consisting of one hundred and seventy- one acres. He also makes a specialty of dairying, for which he is well equipped, and he keeps an excellent grade of live stock, especially cattle.
Mr. Peck was married in February, 1887, to Mattie Brownlee, a native of this county, where she grew to womanhood and received her education. To this union three children have been born, namely: Howard H., Madeline and Florence A.
Politically, Mr. Peck is a Democrat, and in 1897 he was elected township clerk and served one term, and in 1910 he was again elected to this office, the duties of which he has discharged in an able and satisfactory manner.
TREASURE KIPP LOVELAND.
This is an age in which the farmer stands pre-eminently above any other class as a producer of wealth. He simply takes advantage of the winds, the warm air, the bright sunshine and the refreshing rains, and with the help of the Creator and by virtue of his own skill in handling nature's gifts he creates grain, hay, live stock and vegetables, all of which are absolute necessities to the inhabitants of the world.
One of the successful farmers of Walworth county is Treasure Kipp Loveland, who was born in Bloomfield township, this county, May 29. 1859. He is the son of John and Elizabeth Katherine (LaTour) Loveland, the father born in Middletown, Connecticut, May 15, 1810, and she in New York City,
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September 9, 1819. The paternal grandfather was Capt. John Loveland, who was born in Glasgo, Connecticut, in August, 1716. He married, in 1844, Susanna Miller, daughter of William and Susan (Kiburn) Miller, who was born in Glasgo, on September 28, 1721. Capt. John Loveland was a sailor all his life, and gave a street which he owned in Middletown, Connecticut, to that town and it is still known as Loveland street. He lived and died there. His father, also named John, built and owned for many years the first wharf in Middletown.
John Loveland, father of the subject, was graduated from the old brick school at Middletown. Then he served as an apprentice to a gold and silver spectacles maker in his home town. Later he followed this trade at Bingham- ton, Connecticut, Springfield, Massachusetts, and New York City. His health failed and he and his father-in-law, James C. LaTour, on May 1, 1837, came to Bloomfield township, Walworth county, Wisconsin, among the earliest pioneers, finding here a wilderness indeed. On May 2d of that year they entered government land, Mr. Loveland one hundred and twenty acres and Mr. LaTour eighty acres. Later the former added forty acres, and still later another forty. He became well established here and was one of our substan- tial farmers. His family consisted of four sons and one daughter, namely : John G., born in New York City, July 15, 1835; Henry C. M., born in Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, September 11, 1841; LaTour, born in Bloomfield township, this county, February 4, 1851 ; Treasure Kipp, of this sketch; Eliza- beth E., born in Bloomfield township, July 16, 1861, died in 1878.
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