USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 9
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Mr. Mayhew was married on March 10, 1857, to Eliza Paden, who was born in Oneida county, New York, August 10, 1838. She is the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Bolton) Paden, the father a native of Scotland and the mother of the state of New York. Mr. Paden was but a child, seven years old, when he emigrated to New York, and there he grew to manhood and married, finally coming to Walworth county, Wisconsin, locating in
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Spring Prairie township, buying forty acres of land here, on which he made his permanent home and on which he and his wife spent the balance of their lives.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Paden, two of whom are living at this writing.
To Mr. and Mrs. Mayhew five children have been born, named in order of birth as follows: Emma, Anna (deceased), Earnest. Eddie and Chester.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSTON.
One of the progressive and scientific farmers and stock raisers of Troy township and one of Walworth county's representative citizens is William H. Johnston, a worthy native son and creditable representative of an excellent old family. He was born in 1864 two miles from Troy Center, this county. He is the son of William P. and Susan (Kerin) Johnston, the father born in Scotland and the mother in Canada. The former was about four years old when he accompanied his parents to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1840. His mother was known in her maidenhood as Margaret Porter. The father, Alexander Johnston, started the Johnston Bakery of Milwaukee, which has been well known there for many decades, and there he followed this busi- ness until his death.
The father of the subject began life as a baker, in which business he continued many years. When seventeen years old he came to Walworth county, and here worked for his uncles on the mother's side, who were pio- neer farmers here. Mr. Johnson later returned to Milwaukee and was there married to the matron who accompanied his family to Milwaukee. The father of the subject then came back to Walworth county and located two miles west of Troy Center, buying a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He later changed locations several times, and for many years lived retired in East Troy. He was a general farmer and raised sheep extensively. He was a Democrat, but would never accept public office. He was a Catholic in his religious relations. His family consisted of eight children.
William H. Johnston was educated in the district schools of Troy Center and at Sacred Heart College, at Watertown, Wisconsin. He then returned home and remained there until he was twenty-two years old, then went to North Dakota, where he spent four years, then spent four years at Spokane, Washington, farming in the former state and engaged in the com-
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mission business at Spokane. He then returned to East Troy and teamed between that town and Milwaukee for six years. He then bought the fine farm where he now lives in 1900, consisting of two hundred and twenty acres, and here he has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. For some time he made a specialty of raising sheep: now he carries on dairying on a large scale, and is well fixed for the same. He has kept his farm well improved and well cultivated and he has a pleasant home and good outbuildings. For a time he was treasurer of the local creamery.
Mr. Johnston was married in October, 1894. to Anna Kessler, who was born at Port Washington, and to this union the following children have been born : William, Francis, Charles, Margaret and Robert.
Mr. Johnston belongs to the Catholic church and he is a Democrat, but he has never accepted public office, except that of membership of the local school board.
JOHN COLBO.
One of the scientific farmers of Spring Prairie township, Walworth county, is John Colbo, whose thrift, however, is not to be wondered at since he comes of a race that produced the famous "Iron Chancellor," the greatest statesman, all things considered, that ever walked this footstool. He comes of a race that is famous for its original investigations in the problems of civilized life and such men as Goethe and Haeckel, Schiller and Beethoven. The Germanic blood is found in many of the greatest men and women of this and former years, and the subject of this sketch may well be proud of his descent from such a race.
John Colbo is of the second generation of Germans in this country, his birth having occurred in Racine county, Wisconsin, on October 16, 1863. He is the son of William and Sophia (Kreger) Colbo, both born in Germany, where they spent their childhood, and from there they emigrated to Racine county, Wisconsin, in 1855, and settled on a farm. In 1863 the elder Colbo purchased forty acres, to which he added twenty acres, and this he developed and had a very comfortable home here, where he spent the balance of his days, dying in 1883, his widow following him to the silent land in 1884. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are living at this writing. The father was a soldier in the Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry for nine months in the Civil war.
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John Colbo was reared on the home farm, where he worked when he became of proper age, and he received his education in the country district schools. He took up farming for a livelihood and in the early eighties came to Spring Prairie township, and in 1887 bought a farm here of sixty acres, to which he later added twenty acres. He has made practically all the im- provements on the same and has one of the choice farms of the locality. He has made his own property through his own industry. He has a good home and is a successful general farmer and stock raiser, though much of his at- tention is now given to masonry, the bulk of the farm work devolving upon his sons. Politically, Mr. Colbo is a Republican.
Mr. Colbo was married in 1883 to Julia Bendixen, who was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, on April 29, 1863. She is the daughter of Hul- ver and Anna (Andersen) Bendixen, the father a native of Norway and the mother of Racine county, Wisconsin, the daughter of Ole and Isabel Ander- sen, pioneers in Racine county, where the father spent the rest of his life, dying there on July 15, 1902: the mother is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Colbo seven children have been born, named as follows: Roy, Mabel, Ella, Lester, Harvey, Ira and Frank, all living.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MITCHELL.
Among the farmers of Walworth county, Wisconsin, who believe in following twentieth-century methods is B. F. Mitchell, of the vicinity of Honey Creek. He comes of a splendid family, one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. Such people are welcomed in any community, for they are empire builders and as such have pushed the frontier of civilization ever westward and onward, leaving the green wide-reaching wilderness and the far-stretching plains populous with contented people and beautiful with green fields; they have constituted that sterling horde which caused the great Bishop Whipple to write the memorable line, "Westward the course of empire takes its way."
Mr. Mitchell was born in East Troy, Walworth county, Wisconsin, on June 2, 1869, and here he has been content to spend his life, the fields of his fathers having greater charms for him than the allurements of distant climes, and here he grew to maturity on the home farm, which he worked when young, and here he was educated in the common schools. He is the son of
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Edward Mitchell and wife, a well known and highly respected pioneer family, a complete sketch of whom is to be found on another page of this work, to which the reader is respectfully referred for a further history of the family.
Early in life B. F. Mitchell took up farming for a livelihood and he is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and fifty acres, which he has placed under a high state of improvement and cultivation, and here he has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, having a pleasant home and convenient outbuildings.
Politically, Mr. Mitchell is a Republican, but he has never been espe- cially active in party affairs. In religious matters he is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
On February 26, 1896, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Clara Louise Parker, who was born in Waterford, Racine county, Wisconsin, April 5, 1870. She is the daughter of Carl Barker and wife, a highly respected family, a complete sketch of whom is to be found on another page of this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell two children have been born, namely : Oliver Chester, whose birth occurred on February 19, 1897, and Lester War- ren, who was born August 23, 1905.
CHARLES H. GAGE.
The subject of this review has long enjoyed distinctive prestige as one of Richmond township's most enterprising and successful agriculturists and stock raisers. Additional interest attaches to his career in view of the fact that he has spent his entire life in his home community, which he has seen transformed from a vast forest to fine farms and the log cabins give way to pretentious dwellings. The Gages have been well known in Walworth coun- ty since the early days.
Charles H. Gage was born in this township, February 9. 1855. He is the son of Emory and Margaret (Farquer) Gage, the father born in Chau- tauqua county, New York, December 28, 1822, and the mother was born in Ireland in 1821. The paternal grandparents, Jonas and Philena (Cook ) Gage, the former born in New York, March 4, 1787, came to Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1843, and in 1844 they located in Richmond township, Wal- worth county, and here spent the rest of their lives, the death of Philena (Cook) Gage occurring on March 19, 1846, and that of Jonas Gage on Feb-
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ruary 23, 1868. The father of the subject came to Richmond township about 1844 and settled on a farm and here established a good home in which he spent the remainder of his life, dying on December 31, 1893, his widow sur- viving until February 25, 1902. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are living. Politically, Emory Gage was a Republican and a mem- ber of the Methodist church.
Charles H. Gage grew up on the home farm where he worked hard when a boy and he was educated in the common schools. He has devoted his life to farming and has now a well improved and productive place of two hun- dred and forty acres. He has a good home and such farm buildings and up- to-date machinery as his needs require. He has long kept fine live stock, now making a specialty of Guernsey and Jersey cattle. He has accumulated a competency and is living retired. He started out for himself with little assistance and he has made what he has himself.
Politically, Mr. Gage is a Republican and, while he is interested in the general good of his county and state, he has never taken a very active part in public matters.
On August 2, 1884, Mr. Gage was married to Mary E. Gage, a native of this county, born on October 22, 1857. She was the adopted daughter of R. H. Gage, an early settler of Walworth county, whose death occurred on January 14, 1910. His widow, known in her maidenhood as Betsey A. Humphrey, is still living, making her home with the subject.
WILLIAM H. HAMMERSLEY, SR.
In the death of William H. Hammersley, Sr., Lake Geneva and vicinity lost one of its most valued citizens. The latter part of his life, covering over forty years, was spent here and during that time he took an active part in the general progress of the county. He belonged to that type of progressive business men who believe in carrying the Golden Rule into their everyday affairs. Always quiet and unostentatious in manner, he nevertheless left a strong impress of his individuality upon all whom he met. He had the happy faculty of seeing the beautiful things of the world, enjoyed nature, loved flowers, appreciated noble traits in mankind and had an optimistic outlook on life, so that to know him was to respect and admire him for his exemplary characteristics.
WILLIAM H. HAMMERSLEY, SR.
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Mr. Hammersley was born January 8, 1832, in Hanley, England, and was the son of William S. and Ann (Pedley) Hammersley. His paternal grandfather, Ralph Hammersley, died in England when about seventy-five years old. He was a man of strict integrity, a consistent Christian and for many years was a deacon in the Congregational church.
William S. Hammersley, father of the subject, was a manufacturer of chinaware in England, which business he followed until 1843, in which year he emigrated to America, locating in New York city, where he became an importer of china and earthenware. In 1855 he moved to Flint, Michigan, and retired from business, and now he and his wife are both deceased; they were members of the Presbyterian church. They were the parents of the following children: Ann Jane, widow of Henry C. Walker, lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan; William H., of this review; Lucilla Oakley is the wife of Edward M. Mason, of Girard, Kansas; Fannie is the wife of W. B. Bucking- ham and lives at Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
William H. Hammersley, Sr., was twelve years old when his family brought him to the United States. He had attended school in his native land, and soon after coming to New York he began clerking in his father's store. When he reached manhood he became associated with his father in business and so continued until 1853. On October 6th of that year he was united in marriage. with Elizabeth S. Smith, daughter of Henry and Phoebe Ann (Barker) Smith. She was born in Erie county, New York, near Buffalo, and in her early life the family moved to New York city, where she lived until her marriage. Her parents had come from Saybrook, Connecticut, to New York state and settled at Butterworth Falls, near West Point. subsequently moving to Erie county, where Mrs. Hammersley was born.
In 1863 Mr. Hammersley and family came to Walworth county and lived a year on the farm. He then went to Lake Geneva and went into busi- ness as a dealer in drugs, books and stationery. He had a well stocked store and enjoyed a large trade. In later years he also engaged in the floral busi- ness, having charge of the Lake Geneva Floral Company. He was very suc- cessful as a business man and was known to all with whom he had dealings as a man of the highest integrity.
Politically, Mr. Hammersley was a Republican and he took more than a passing interest in public affairs, and held a number of township offices, such as township clerk, and he was chairman of the board of supervisors.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hammersley: Grace C. is the wife of C. D. Gilbert, a grocer of Lake Geneva, and they have one daughter,
(54)
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Lizzie; Charles H., who was a florist in Lake Geneva, married Ida C. Gilbert, which union was without issue, and his death occurred in 1894: William H. married Emma M. Seymour and they have three children, Seymour, Henry and Evelyn ; he is in the drug business in Lake Geneva, having succeeded his father.
William H. Hammersley, Sr., was a Royal Arch Mason, a prominent member and officer of the Congregational church, and an earnest Christian. He was one of the prominent and influential men of the southern part of the county, being a man of steadfast purpose in all the relations of life, whether religious or secular, conscientious and faithful to every trust. He was sum- moned to his reward on April 14, 1906.
CLARENCE MERENESS.
One of the worthy native sons of Walworth county is Clarence Mere- ness, a progressive farmer of Sharon township, who is easily the peer of any of his fellows in the qualities that constitute correct manhood and good citizenship. He is what he is from natural endowment and self-culture, having attained his present standing solely through the impelling force of his own strong nature. He possesses not only those powers that render men efficient in the material affairs of the community, but also the gentler traits that mark genial and helpful social intercourse. In his daily affairs he mani- fests a generous regard for his fellows, and he therefore commands the good will of the people of the southwestern part of Walworth county, where he has made his home since the pioneer epoch, in fact, has spent his life.
Mr. Mereness was born on September 30, 1852, in Sharon township, this county. He is the son of Gerit and Elizabeth M. (Seber) Mereness, both natives of the state of New York, who came to Wisconsin and settled in Sharon township in 1842, buying a farm of one hundred acres, when the country was new and sparsely settled, and here they established a good home through close application and hard work, remaining on the place until 1852, when they sold out and bought another farm, where the subject now lives, and this was the family home until 1880, when the father retired from work and moved to Delavan, and there remained quietly until his death in 1890, his widow surviving until February 7, 1901.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerit Mereness, named as follows: Mrs. Emma F. Farnsworth, of Delavan, this county; John L. is
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living in Oklahoma; William Newton died in 1864; James Edward lives in Iowa; Wilbur died in 1907; Clarence, of this sketch; Dayton died in 1858; Fayette died in 1858 also; Dwight died May 30, 1900.
Clarence Mereness, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, where he worked hard when a boy in the summer months, attending the district schools in the winter time in Sharon township, and later at Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin. He began life by teaching school, which he followed suc- cessfully for a period of twelve years, and then he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he has continued to the present time. He owns one hundred and fifty-two acres of well improved and well tilled land in Sharon township, where he carries on general farming and stock raising. Politically, he is a Republican and is a member of the Congregational church.
Mr. Mereness was married on July 25, 1888, to Luella J. Spooner, daughter of Alfred S. and Sarah M. (Bristol) Spooner, and to this union two children have been born : Luella, whose birth occurred on June 22, 1889. is a student at Beloit ; Albert N., born August 27, 1894, died October 3, 1895.
Mr. Mereness has always taken considerable interest in public affairs and while he has been a close observer and kept well posted on current and political events he has never sought public office.
FERN S. TEETSHORN.
A gentleman true to the duties of citizenship, faithful to every trust reposed in him and well worthy the high regard in which he is held-such is Fern S. Teetshorn, one of Richmond township's successful young farmers and a worthy descendant of one of our sterling pioneer families.
Mr. Teetshorn was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, March 30, 1871. He is the son of Orlando A. and Ann M. (Stone) Teetshorn, the father born in this township on December 30, 1838. The paternal grandparents. John and Margaret (Saxe) Teetshorn, were natives of New York, from which state they came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in October, 1838. locating in Richmond township. Here Mr. Teetshorn bought a claim and he had a farm of four hundred acres on which he spent the rest of his life, dying on Septem- ber 6, 1855. his widow surviving until in February, 1880, being eighty-two years old, he having been sixty-three.
Orlando A. Teetshorn grew up on his father's farm here and he was educated in the rural schools. later attending Milton Academy, and he de-
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voted his life to farming. He had sixty-five acres of land in Rock county, this state, living on land which his father had bought, since he owned land both there and in Walworth county. He spent his last days with his son, Fern S., of this sketch, his death occurring on August 22, 1908, his wife dying April 8, 1901. They had but one child, Fern S. The father was a Democrat. The mother of the subject was born in Linn, Walworth county, February 4, 1844, the daughter of Randall and Maria (Johnson) Stone, the father a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. She came to Wal- worth county in 1838 and soon married Christopher Chesebro, who died shortly afterward; then she married Randall Stone. The maternal grand- mother of the subject was the first postmistress of Delavan, and in that town her death occurred in July, 1901, Mr. Stone having died in August, 1885. The maternal grandfather, Porter Johnson, came to Walworth county in pioneer days and here spent the rest of his life.
Fern S. Teetshorn was educated in the public schools of Rock county, and he turned his attention to farming early in life, and he is now the owner of a good farm of one hundred and twelve acres in Richmond township, Wal- worth county. He came here on March 1, 1901, and has met with success as a general farmer and stock raiser, in connection with which he is making a specialty of dairying.
Mr. Teetshorn is a Democrat. He was married on March 27, 1895, to Alice Sprackling, who was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin, July 31, 1867, the daughter of George and Susan (Hewlett) Sprackling, who came from Eng- land to Walworth county in the forties. Her father died in October, 1877, and her mother is still living, now advanced in years. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Teetshorn, Evelyn M., Emily A. and Howard Fern.
GEORGE W. ELLS.
The gentleman whose life history is herewith outlined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a large degree of success, solely by his individual efforts. By a straightforward and commendable course Mr. Ells has made his way to a respectable position in the agricultural world of Wal- worth county, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his community and earning a reputation as an enterprising, progressive man of affairs which the public has not been slow to recognize and appreciate, and those who know him best will acquiesce readily in the statement that he is eminently deserving
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of the material success which has crowned his efforts and of the high esteem in which he is held, representing, as he does, one of the honored old families of western Walworth county, members of which have done much for the general upbuilding of the same from the pioneer epoch to the present time.
George WV. Ells was born on January 15, 1853, in Richmond township. this county. He is the son of George and Eliza ( Borden) Ells, natives of Nova Scotia, where they grew to maturity, were educated and married ; they came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1851, and settled in Richmond town- ship, and spent the balance of their lives on a farm there, becoming well sit- uated through their industry.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George Ells, namely : William is deceased; George W., of this sketch; H. A. lives at Sherburn, Minnesota : Jesse lives in Sycamore, Illinois ; Margaret married a Mr. Moses and they live in Dekalb, Illinois; B. F. lives in Rockport, Illinois; Mrs. Mary Boardman lives at Dekalb, Illinois; Mrs. Catherine lives at Sycamore, Illinois; Nellie is deceased.
George W. Ells, of this sketch, received his education in the district schools of Walworth county and here grew to manhood. He has followed farming most of his life and has been very successful. He spent some time engaged in digging wells and in carpentering. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres in section 22, Darien township, which he has placed under a high state of improvement and cultivation. He has a substantial dwelling and good outbuildings, and he always keeps an excellent grade of live stock.
Mr. Ells was married to Edna Barker, daughter of Timothy and Alvira Barker, natives of the state of New York. Three children have been born to this union, namely : Myron lives in Delavan; Ross and Genevieve both live at home.
JOHN SAMUEL ALLEN.
John Samuel Allen, well known electrical engineer of Lake Geneva, has spent most of his life in Walworth county. He is a man who is entitled to the respect of his fellow men owing to the well ordered life he has led.
Mr. Allen was born on February 28, 1872, at Bloomfield, this county. He is the son of George R. and Mary (Grier) Allen, the father a native of Washington county, New York. The paternal grandparents, Samuel Allen and wife, were natives of England, from which country they emigrated to
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the state of New York in an early day, where they settled and lived for some time. George R. Allen came west with his parents in 1841 and located in Bloomfield township, Walworth county, Wisconsin, which locality was new and sparsely settled and here his father entered a homestead from the govern- ment and established the family home and this land has been in the possession of the family ever since, never having been conveyed since it was taken from the government, except by inheritance from father to son. George R. Allen was much in public life in his community and was influential in public affairs. He was a member of the Assembly in 1880. He was a man of sterling qual- ities, and was esteemed by all who knew him. For many years he was a director in the First National Bank at Lake Geneva, and was president of the Farmers Insurance Company. His family consisted of three children, John S., of this review ; James G. and Mary C.
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