History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc., Part 102

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052

USA > Wisconsin > History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc. > Part 102

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The citizens of Berlin are justly proud of their public schools. The graded schools are among the best in the State; there are three school buildings in the city, valued at $56,000. The High school building was erected in 1868 at a cost of $30,000.

Financial statement for the year ending August 31, 1880 as taken from the City Superintendent's report :

Number of children attending school, 1,119. Number of teachers employed : male, 2 ; female, 14. Highest salary paid to male teachers, $1,000. Highest salary paid to fe- male teachers, $400.

Money on hand August 31, 1879.

$2.577 14

From General Tax for School purposes.

5,500 00

County Tax

440 42

State Tax

781 73

From all other sources

268 69

Total $9.567 98

Money expended during the year. 6,817 87 Balance on hand August 31, 1880. 2,750 II

There are two private or parochial schools in the city, which receive a liberal support.

The Postmasters who have been in charge of the Berlin office since the city incorporation took effect, were as fol- lows : Chauncy Vedder, from 1856 to 1861 ; Martin L. Kim- ball, from 1861 to 1866; William A. Bugh, 1866 to 1875 (died in office); Julius A. Wilcox, from 1875 to 1877 (died in office). The present incumbent, Mr. Griff. J. Thomas, was appointed in 1877. The office was established in 1848, Mr. Hiram Conant, then Postmaster, reported that his re- ceipts for the whole year did not exceed $100.

The first newspaper started in the city was the Mar- quette Mercury, established by J. H. Wells, in 1850. Two years later the paper was purchased by the late Colonel W. C. Bugh, who changed its name to that of the Berlin Mes- senger. July 1, 1854, the paper again changed proprietors, this time falling into the hands of J. G. Tracy, who re- christened it and gave it the name of the Berlin Courant, which it has ever since maintained. During the same year, T. L. Terry purchased the paper and changed its politics from Democratic to Republican. During the war of the re- bellion, it was published by Terry & Co. At the close of the war, Captain W. B. Arnold purchased an interest, when the firm name became Terry & Arnold. In 1871, D. P. Blackstone purchased T. L. Terry's interest, when the paper was published under the name of Blackstone & Ar- nold. This partnership continued until September 1, 1872, at which date the present publisher, David Junor became the sole proprietor. Mr. Junor is a graduate of the Uni- versity of Toronto, Canada, and was for a number of years a member of the Canadian Bar. In 1875, Mr. Junor re- signed his editorial chair to accept the principalship of the Berlin High School, which position he filled for two years, at the end of which time he accepted a similar position in Saginaw City, Mich., where he remained for two terms. During Mr. Junor's absence the editorial chair of the Courant was filled for one year by Griff. J. Thomas, now city Postmaster, and for the remaining three years by F. F. Livermore, now publisher of the Gazette, Lanark, Ill. In 1879, Mr. Junor resumed the editorial chair, which he still occupies. The Courant was a steadfast supporter of the Union cause during the war, and has ever since firmly ad- hered to the principles of the Republican party. The Ber- lin Journal (weekly) was founded August 30, 1870, by Hoyt, Everdale & Williams. Two months later it passed into the hands of C. G. Starks, who is the present editor and pub- lisher. The politics of the Journal have always been Re- publican. Mr. Starks seems to possess the sort of perse- verance requisite for a good newspaper man. Encouraged by the success with which his efforts were attended in the publication of his weekly, Mr. Starks ventured on a still broader field of journalism, and on January 24, 1881, founded the Berlin Daily Journal. This paper is ably managed in all its departments and is fast gaining the patronage it so well deserves.

HISTORY OF GREEN LAKE COUNTY.

353

C. A. Mather & Co.'s banking house, Berlin, was estab- lished in 1861, by Mr. Mather. In 1864, it merged into a National bank, of which Mr. Mather was a stockholder and cashier. In 1870, the company dissolved and Mr. Mather succeeded to the business, which he conducted until 1876, when he associated with him in the business his nephew, Mr. J. M. Hawley. Mr. Mather is a son of Bethel Mather, who was a native of Connecticut, and of Hulda Smith Mather, a native of New York. He commenced his busi- ness career as a clerk in a general store. He came to this city in 1856, and commenced the banking business in 1861.

Charles S. Morris, proprietor of the Third Ward Steam Flouring Mill, also dealer in flour, feed, coal, lime, plaster and cement, was born in the town of Brooklyn, this county, in 1849. He is a son of Isaac and Jane (Secor) Morris, who were natives of the State of New York. He is a lineal descendent of Gouvenour Mor- ris, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ- ence. His parents were farmers, and came to this State in 1842, locating near Racine. They came to this county in 1847. His father held the office of Sheriff of the county two terms. Mr. Morris was educated in this city, and at Ripon College. He commenced his business career at the age of fourteen, engaging as book-keeper for Forbes Broth- ers, in this city, remaining with them one and one-half years. He accepted the position of Assistant Postmaster, where he remained for one year .. He then returned to the paternal roof, remaining four years, teaching school Win- ters, and working on the farm Summers. He then bought one-half interest in the business which he now owns, James MacNish owning the other. At the end of three years he bought Mr. MacNish's interest. He is now serving his second term of Alderman of Second Ward, and is also Chairman of the Republican County Committee. He was married, in 1876, to Miss Lucy E. Smith, a native of the State of New York.

Morris & Mann, manufacturers of Berlin solid leather whips, solid leather and bone, and soft leather whips, and round and braided lashes. They employ from ten to four- teen hands. Business was established in 1870, by Lockwood & Luther, Mr. Luther being the patentee of the solid leather whip. Mr. Morris bought the business in 1876, which he conducted until January 1, 1881, when Mr. Mann took an interest in it. Jonathan N. Morris was born in Madison County, N. Y., in 1836. His father was a farmer, and his ancestors among the early settlers of the State. Mr. Morris lived with his parents until 1854, when he went to Canada, and engaged with the Civil Engineer Corps, in building the Great Western Railway; remained one year, when he came to Milwaukee, and served an apprenticeship of two years in the old Menomonie Locomotive Works. The company failed, and he engaged as machinist with the old Milwaukee & Horicon Railway, which was then being built, remaining in their employ as machinist, engineer and conductor, until en- gaging in his present business. He has served one term as Alderman of the Second Ward, and is a member of Berlin Lodge, No. 38, and of Chapter, 18, and Commandery, 10. 23

BERLIN.

He was married at Horicon, in 1859, to Miss Isabella Wall- work, a native of New York.

Berlin Coffin and Casket Manufacturing Company, office and salesrooms, 287 Broadway, Milwaukee. E. G. Wood-

354

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

worth, president ; D. R. Johnson, secretary and superintend- ent ; Phil Alexander, treasurer. The company keep em- ployed twenty-five workmen. The business was established in 1876, and is strictly wholesale. Marcine E. Osborn, fore- man, and a stockholder, was born August 2, 1837, in Dela- ware County, N. Y., where he was educated and employed in manufacturing drugs and patent medicines. He is a son of Ozra B. and Matilda Flint Osborn, who were natives of the State, and whose ancestors settled in Connecticut in an early day. His father was engaged in patent medicines and drugs, and after his death, the subject of this sketch, in com- pany with his brother, succeeded to the business, which they conducted until 1860. In 1857, he came to Adrian, Mich., and remained three years, then on account of poor health, he retired upon a farm, where he lived until 1875, when he came to this State, locating at Elkhorn, in mercantile busi- ness. Remaining one year, he came to this city, and es- tablished his present business. He was married at Adrian, Mich., in 1861, to Miss Helen S. Davis. They have one son. O. B.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

THOMAS E. BASSETT, harness-maker, Berlin, wasborn in Oxford Co., Me., in 1814. His parents were Joseph and Sally (Smith) Bassett, who were natives of Maine, and whose ancestors were among the early settlers of that State. Mr. Bassett was educated and learned his trade in his native place, and in 1864 established business for himself in Pe- nobscot County, where he remained until 1854, when he came to this city and began his present business. He was married in New Hamp- shire, in 1841, to Miss Ellen Stanton. They have six children-two sons : Edgar, who assists him in the business, and Charles Henry, who is a mechanic, and employed by the Berlin Coffin Co. He enlisted, Sept. 1, 1861, and was mustered out Sept. 1, 1864, at Cartersville, Ga., and was a member of Co. D, Ist Wis. C., and participated in all the battles of the regiment, and was honorably discharged with them. He has held the office of City Clerk one term, and has been three years in his present situation. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Fannie C. Smith, of this city, but born in the State of New York.

CAPT. JAMES A. BIGGEST, of the firm Biggest & Blackstone, agricultural implement business, Berlin, established by Mr. Biggest in 1866. In 1871, Mr. MacNish took an interest in the business, which continued until 1879, when Mr. Blackstone succeeded to the interest of MacNish. Mr. Biggest was born in Hamilton, Canada, in 1838. In 1840, moved with his parents to Niagara Co., N. Y., and to this town in 1850, where they engaged in farming. Mr. Biggest enlisted, Aug. 31, 1861, in Co. A, 15th Wis., and was soon made orderly sergeant of the company, and promoted to second lieutenant in June, 1863, and the following November to the rank of captain. He remained in the serv- ice until the close of the war. The first engagement in which he par- ticipated was the battle of Shiloh, his company being among the first engaged. He was mustered out at Madison, in August, 1865. He has been Sheriff of this county one term, and Deputy U. S. Marshal four years, and at present is School Commissioner. He was married, in 1865, to Miss Jennie Megran. They have eight children.

EDGAR T. CHAMBERLIN, dealer in fruit, staple and fancy gro- ceries, flour and feed, Berlin, was born in Franklin Co., N. Y., 1836. He is a son of Franklin and Eliza Basford, who were American born, but of English ancestry. Edgar T. was educated and lived in the State of New York until 1856, when, with his parents, came West, locating in this city, and for the following five years, engaged in farming and work- ing at the millwright trade. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C. of the 18th Wis. V. I., serving with the regiment and participating in all the battles of the regiment, and at the expiration of his term of serv- ice, re-enlisting with them as a veteran regiment, and serving until the end of the war. The first engagement of the regiment was at Shiloh, the 6th or 7th of April, 1862. The night of the 5th, he was on picket duty, and at the time acting as sergeant. The Union lines were resting, as they supposed, in peaceful security. They were not suspecting, neither were they prepared for, the attack of the Rebel army, at daybreak, Sunday morning of April the 6th. There were no vidette-posts out, and nothing to warn them of the approach of the enemy. The 15th Michigan, which was on the extreme left of the line, had no ammunition, and the attack was a complete surprise, which at once threw the line into con- fusion. Mr. Chamberlin was wounded early in the engagement by a

musket-ball, which struck him in his left bowels, and his life was only saved by a copy of the Milwaukee Sentinel, published March 29, 1862, which lay closely folded in his pocket, and through which the ball passed before reaching his body. He was badly wounded, and left upon the field to die; but his courage and indomitable will saved him. He crawled into and secreted himself in a brush pile, and so evaded the en- emy, and eventually made his way into the Union lines; and afterward participated in the following battles : Corinth, Iuka, Jackson (Miss.), Missionary Ridge, Champion Hills, Vicksburg, and others of lesser note too numerous to here mention. He participated in Sherman's triumphal march to the sea ; also in the grand review of the army, at Washington, and afterward was mustered out with his regiment at Louisville, Ky., and discharged with them at Milwaukee, July 18, 1865. During two years of service he was orderly sergeant, and afterward promoted to second lieutenant. In the battle of Shiloh he was in Gen. Prentiss's division, who, with 2,100 of his command, were taken prisoners. The first two men killed were Capt. Sax and John A. Williams, of the 16th Wisconsin. When peace again smiled upon the country, Mr. Chamberlin turned to civil life and established his present business. He was mar- ried, in 1874, to Miss Sarah Hibbard, of this city, who died Aug. 16, 1877, leaving two daughters. He has served one term as Alderman of the Second Ward, and is a member of the Grand Army, and I. O. O. F., and A. O. U. W.

HARRY G. CHILD, groceries, crockery, flour and feed, Berlin, was born at Brandon, Rutland Co., Vt., 1830. His parents, Frederick and Charlotte C. (Sessions), who were natives of Union, Conn., and whose ancestors were among the early settlers of New England. The paternal grandfather was in the Revolutionary war, and was a native of France. Mr. Child was raised, educated and learned the trade of molder in Vermont, and was later in life employed at his trade in Troy, N. Y., in one of the large stove foundries. He came to this State in 1855, and located at Kingston, Marquette Co., where he bought a farm, remaining there sixteen years, when he came to this city and established his present business. He was married in Vermont, in 1852, to Miss Juliet C. Allen. They have two sons, Herbert W., born April 24, 1856, who lives here and is engaged in the grocery business ; and Hiram A., born Jan. 23, 1858, who assists in his father's business.

CLARK BROTHERS, general dry goods and carpets, Berlin. Es- tablished in 1877, also a branch store at Ripon the same year, which was burned out in 1878, when they consolidated their business here. Alex, the senior member, was born at Niagara Falls, Canada, in 1851. His parents were John and Kate McDonald Clark, who were natives of Scotland. Father of Aberdeenshire, and mother of Perthshire. They emigrated to Canada in 1837. Mr. Clark commenced his business career in Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained eight years. In 18;4, he came to Oshkosh, where he was employed by Clark & Forbs two years, and one year for Bigger & Clark, when in company with his brother he established business in Ripon. Robert Clark commenced his business career at Niagara Falls, as clerk for Wm. Mckay, where he remained four years, when he went to Buffalo and graduated at Bryant & Strat- ton's Business College. Then he came to Appleton and remained there three years.

WILLIAM WORTH COLLINS, merchant tailor, Berlin. The largest business of the kind in the county, employing seventeen men and women. It was established in 1871, by G. F. Jones, who conducted the business very successfully until February, 1877, when he was stricken with paralysis, which resulted in his death. In March, 1872, Mr. Col- lins entered the employ of Mr. Jones as errand boy, at two dollars per week, and remained in his employ until the time of his death, when he rented the building Mr. J. had occupied and purchased a sinall stock of clothing, mostly on credit, and commenced business. Fifteen months later he was joined by his brother, C. H. Collins, who remained with him two and one-half years, when he sold his interest to his brother who since, has conducted the business alone. Mr. Collins was born in the town of Aurora, Waushara Co., June 14, 1858, being the third child and second son of Hugh J. and Elizabeth B. Wray Collins. The family of Collins dates back to beginning of the seventeenth century, when in Germany under the reign of Philip II, of Spain, and Duke of Alva, on account of the prosecution of Protestants by the Romish Church, they were compelled to leave the land of their nativity and take refuge in the North of Ireland. The family of Vance, to whom the great-grand-mother of Mr. Collins belonged, were driven from Scotland because of their religious faith, about the year 1725. and also settled in the north of Ire- land. Here the direct line of ancestry is lost, and nothing but tradi- tion remains to remind them of the early forefathers of the family. They were farmers, and lived quietly, peacefully and undisturbed in their religion. Felix Collins is the first of whom they have any knowl- edge. He married a Miss McGuire, who was born in 1730. Of this union, Hugh, one of the sons, born in 1760, married and was the father of seven children, named respectively : Mary, Elizabeth, James, William, Hugh, Joseph and Annie. James was born Jan. 12, 1802, and was mar- ried to a Miss Bell Phillips. They had eight children, viz .: William, Annie, James, Hugh, Mary, Joseph, Robert and Thomas. James Col- lins came to America in 1842, landing April 28th. The youngest son,

355

HISTORY OF GREEN LAKE COUNTY.

Thomas, was born in this country, and the family are all living at this time except William. Hugh Collins located in Rochester, N. Y., where he commenced his business career as Steward at the House of Refuge. In 1854, he came to this State, and purchased a farm in Waushara County, which he conducted for ten years, when he came to this city and established his present business, that of general produce and com- mission merchant. He was married in Rochester, to Miss Elizabeth Wray. Two children were born to them there, Maria Isabel, July 4. 1853, and Charles H., Aug. 20, 1855. Two were born in Waushara County, William Worth, June 14, 1858, and Florence E., in June 17, 1861. The children all completed their education in this city. In June, 1877, Maria Bell married Mr. F. A. Kendall, of this city, and in February, 1880, Charles H. married Miss Louisa Barnes, of Winona, Minn. They now reside in Wanpun, where he is engaged in general clothing business. The ancestry of Elizabeth Wray (Collins) were En- glish. Her father, Henry Wray, came to America when a boy and set- tled in New York, from there removed to Poughkeepsie, and then to Rochester, where he, in 1842, established a brass foundry, which is still running, and carried on by Henry Wray, Jr. Elizabeth B. Wray was born in New York City, Feb. 3, 1830, and was educated at the Method- ist Seminary at Lima, N. Y., and was married to Hugh Collins, at Rochester, June 2, 1852, where she had spent most of her life.

CAREY BROTHERS, Berlin. The most extensive cultivators and raisers of cranberries in the United States. Their marsh embraces 400 acres with an average annual yield of 4,000 barrels. The largest pro- duction of any one year was in 1872 when the yield was 10,000 barrels. They commenced picking cranberries for market in 1865, but did not cultivate the lands until 1868. During the picking season they employ as high as 1,800 pickers. They have dug a canal through their lands at an expense of some $20,000, for the purpose of flooding them, and for other purposes. James Carey is a son of William and Margaret Elroy Carey, who were natives of Ireland, but emigrated to Canada when both were quite young, locating in Quebec, where they were married. They afterward moved to Albany, N. Y., where James was born, April 4, 1846. They came to this State in 1852, locating upon the farm which embraces their celebrated marsh, and where the father now lives.

JAMES CROFT, agent Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, Berlin, was born in Janesville, Rock Co., in 1844, where he was edu- cated, and lived until the age of eighteen, when he enlisted in Co. G, 8th Wis. Inf., Aug 1, 1861. He served with the regiment during its term of service, participating in all its battles, and was mustered out with them at Madison, in October, 1864. The regiment was attached to the 16th and 17th Army Corps. In 1865, he engaged with the St. Paul road, as clerk, in which capacity he served for four months, then took an agency, and has occupied that position since. He has been four years in his present location. He was married at Beaver Dam, 1876, to Miss Ida May Dougan.

EDWARD F. DANN, homoeopathic physician and surgeon, Berlin, was born in Stamford, Conn., in 1846. He is a son of Salleck and Ann (Pierce) Dann. They were natives of Connecticut, and their ancestors were among the early settlers of that State. In 1853, they came to this State, locating at Whitewater, where his father engaged in a manufactur- ing business. Dr. Dann pursued his medical studies at New York University and at the Michigan University, and graduated at Rush Medical College and Hahnemann Medical College, in 1871 and 1872, and located here in practice. He was married in October, 1872, to Miss Sarah Forsythe, who died Sept. 28, 1874, leaving one daughter, Helen. In December, 1877, he married Miss Sally Mcclellan, who is a native of this State, and whose father is one of the earliest settlers of the county. They have one daughter, Ethel.

CAPT. ALBERT G. DINSMORE, Berlin, was born in Perry County, Ohio, Oct. 9, 1832. His parents were William and Catherine (Higgins) Dinsmore, natives of Washington County, Penn .. and died when Mr. Dinsmore was nine months old. He was adopted by John Gaffield, of Licking County, Ohio, and raised on his farm, and remained with him until he became of age, when he married Miss Matilda Sher- man, a native of Ohio, and engaged at wagon and carriage making, which trade he had previously learned, and which he followed until 1861, when he enlisted, being the first man in the State to respond to the call. He was assigned to Co. B, 17th Ohio, Gen. Rosecrans's brigade, Gen. McClellan's division, Army of Western Virginia, where he served three months (his time of enlistment), when he returned home, and again en- tered the service, and was commissioned second lieutenant of Co. D. 13th Mo. He participated with the regiment in the battles of Ft. Donel- son and Shiloh, where he was prostrated with sickness, and resigned in May, 1862. For over one year his poor health would not allow him to eitheragain enter the service or engage in business; but, on recovery in 1864, he raised Co. C of the 4Ist Wis., who were one hundred days men. He served the term with them, returned, and raised Co. B of the 49th Wis. Since the war, engaged in carriage and wagon making for several years, and is now employed by the Berlin Coffin Co.

BENJAMIN F. DODSON, Berlin, was born in Huntington, Lu- zerne Co., Penn., Jan. 23, 1832. He was son of John Dodson maiden

name of his mother, Sophronia Monroe. The former a native of Penn- sylvania ; his ancestors came to this country from England with Wm. Penn, and settled north of Philadelphia. During the Revolutionary war, his grandparents were subject to great annoyance from the hostile Indians, being driven from their farm at Mahoning Valley, Northampton Co., where Abigail Dodson, a girl of sixteen years, was taken prisoner, carried into captivity, and detained a captive over five years, until the close of the war. His mother was a native of Litchfield, Conn., of Scotch parentage. The subject of this sketch lived at home on the farm until nineteen years of age ; came to Wisconsin in 1851. Attended the State University, at Madison ; graduated at Cincinnati College of Physicians and Surgeons, in 1855, standing second in his class; commenced the practice of medicine at Wautoma, Waushara Co., March 14 of the same year, where he soon built up a large practice, but the county was new and the people poor, owing to which the financial distress of the year 1857 was doubly felt, and in 1859, he removed to Brandon, Fond du Lac Co. Here he secured a good practice. In 1863-64, he attended a full course of lectures, at Bellevue College Hospital, New York, re- freshing his memory and gaining much additional information, that he might better serve the people. In 1870, he came to Berlin, where he still resides, engaged in active practice. He is a member of the Rock River Medical Society, also of the State Medical Society. In 1857, was married to Miss Ella Smith, by whom he has three living children. She died in 1872. In 1872, was married again, to Miss Lizzie Sexton, by whom he has one son.

N. MONROE DODSON, physician and surgeon, and proprietor of Berlin Drug Store, established over thirty years, and the oldest in the city. Born in Luzerne County, Penn., in 1826; son of John and So- phronia (Monroe) Dodson, who were natives of that State. He spent the early years of his life, and received a part of his education, in his native place, and graduated at Davenport, in the medical department of the lowa University, in 1850, and has followed his profession since gradu- ation. He first located at Madison, in 1851, and the same year came to this city; bought the drug store of De Riemer, in 1862 ; the store burned down in 1870, and the same year he built the large and commodious building which he now occupies. He was married near Auburn, N. Y., to Miss Elizabeth O. Abott. They have two sons. John M., the oldest, assists in the business ; Charles M. is a student.

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Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1052

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052