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 111

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 111

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HENRY BIERBAUER, brewer, New Lisbon, one of the early settlers and prominent men of New Lisbon, is a native of Ba- varia, Germany, Feb. 12, 1828. Emigrated to the United States in 1850, and first settled in New York City, where he worked at carriage work about three years, then engaged in grocery business, which he followed until 1858, at which time went to Utica, N. Y., learned the brewer's trade (with his brother Charles), and in 1859, came to Wisconsin, and after looking around for a few months, concluded that New Lisbon was a good point for business, and therefore, in part- nership with Peter Fauerbach, purchased the brewery and ran the same, under the firm name of Bierbauer & Fauerbach, about three years, at the end of which time he purchased his partner's interest, and has since carried on the business as sole proprietor, and has met with marked success. He was married in 1850, to Barbara Fauerbach, a native of Germany. They have ten children - Henry, Louis, Peter, Louise, Liz- zie, William, Carl, Emma, Matilda and Eda.

M. F. CARNEY, editor and proprietor of the Juneau County Argus, published at New Lisbon, was born in Ireland. in 1836, and came to the United States while a lad. Subsequently he became a resident of Mil- waukee, where he lived for several years, during which he was engaged in active pursuits, as an employe, but devoted his leisure to study. He located at New Lisbon in 1858, and engaged in business for himself, at which place he has continued to reside. He has frequently been called to positions of trust and responsibility by his fellow-citizens. From 1860 to 1864. he served as Town Treasurer; in 1867, as Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors; in 1869, he was elected County Superin- tendent of Schools; in 1874, was elected to the office of County Treasurer ; in 1877-79. he served as Village Treasurer, and was again elected to the latter position in 1881. He became sole proprietor of the Argus in 1863, and has continued at its head without change or in- terruption since then. As a writer, he is terse and pointed in style, and in newspaper duties his ability is acknowledged by the reading public. Quiet and unassuming in his manners, respectful in his bearing, he aims at observing the Golden Rule in his intercourse with men, and will hew to the line at all hazard, let the chips fall where they may. The business methods of early life are traceable and easily recognized in his every-day work. ] . He possesses popular traits of character that secure for him the

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HISTORY OF JUNEAU COUNTY.

esteem and confidence of all who know him. The nuptial ceremonies which united Mr. Carney and Miss Winifred E. Owens, of Watertown. Wis., were duly solemnized, Sept. 20, 1869, by Rev. P. F. Petitt, at St. Bernard's Church in that city. Of the seven children born to them, four died in infancy and three are living. The oldest of the living, a daugh- ter, named Mary, was born Sept. 22, 1873 ; the second, a son, named Francis, was born Jan. 18, 1878 ; and the youngest, a daughter, named Agnes, was born Feb. 20, 1881.

W. H. H. CASH, speculator, New Lisbon, was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1843, where he was reared on a farm, and received but a small amount of schooling. In 1861, he came to New Lisbon, and as he was then a poor boy, he worked at all sorts of jobs until Jan. 4, 1864, when he enlisted in the 10th Wis. L. A., and was first assigned to Kilpatrick's command, of Sherman's army, afterward to the 12th Wis. L. A., and served until the close of the war. He then returned to New Lisbon, and as he had saved a little money while in the army, he engaged in mercantile business, keeping a meat market and general provision store about ten years, during which time he always kept his eye open to speculations, dealing extensively with the Indians, of whom he pur-' chased a great many cranberries, blueberries, etc. He also dealt in grain, and, in fact, anything he thought would prove profitable. After quitting the mercantile business, he dealt in live stock, and in 1877 was awarded the contract to build the Necedah branch of the C., M. & St. P. R. R., which he completed in a very short time, and as the scheme had proven a financial success, he, in 1878, in partnership with D. Van- dercook, under the firm name of Cash & Vandercook, concluded to build a railroad of their own from Sparta to Viroqua, and at once pro- cured the right of way and commenced work, but before completion they sold the same to the C., M. & St. P. R. R., and by so doing cleared quite an amount of this world's goods. The town of Cashton, on said road, was laid out and started by Mr. Cash, after whom it was named. After completing the Viroqua branch, Mr. Cash, Sept. 19, 1879, was awarded the contract to build the extension of the Wis. Val. R. R. from Wausaw to Jenny (now Merrill), a distance of eighteen miles, the same to be completed by Jan. 1, 18So. He immediately commenced work, and at eight o'clock, P.M., Dec. 31, 1879, the last rail was laid and the first locomotive run over the road-but not without encountering con- siderable trouble, as the month of December was a very cold one, and many of his employes were badly frozen. One day, six were com- pelled to leave the work on account of frozen hands, etc. The following year, he was engaged in speculating in wood, ties, piles, etc., and in the Fall of said year he started a stock ranch in Iowa and one in Nebraska, where he now has about 600 head of cattle and about 1,000 sheep. The present year, 1881, he has been investing in mining interests in Michi- igan, Wisconsin and Texas, and general speculation. Mr. Cash is a Republican in Politics, was a Member of the Assembly of Wisconsin in 1877, has held various local offices, and is a member of the F. & A. M. He was married, in 1865, to Miss Georgia Surdam, then of New Lisbon, but formerly of New York. They have five children-Charles F., Adel- bert B., Jessie M., John Avery and William N.

J. J. HUGHES, attorney, New Lisbon, is a native of Wales, born in 1841. Emigrated with his parents to the United States in 1856, and came direct to Wisconsin, settling first at Fond du Lac. where he re- sided about fourteen years, during which he attended school at the Way- land University, ol Beaver Dam, and in 1865 entered the Lawrence University. of Appleton, where he graduated in 1870. He then followed teaching, having charge of the schools at Fox Lake one year, New Lisbon High Schools two years and the public schools at Portage City two years, after which he read law law, and in 1876 was admitted to the Bar, and has since carried on a general law and collection business. He was married, in 1873, to Nettie F. Beebe, born in Juneau Co., Wis, Aug. 2, 1854 They have four children-Avis E., Walter W., Mary J. and Eva A.

F. E. HURD, merchant, New Lisbon, was born in Ohio, in 1847, and at nine years of age came with his parents to Juneau Co., Wis. Received an academic education at the New Lisbon High School, and also attended commerciat college of Milwaukee. In 1864, he enlisted in Co. E, 4Ist Wis. I. V., and served 100 days. He then returned to Wisconsin, and clerked in the stores of William Runkle, W. P. Carr, Runkle & Ingersol and others until 1867. He then wen to Kewaunee, Ill., and worked in a store about eighteen months ; then returned to New Lisbon, and in March, 1869, in partnership with C. D. Curtis, engaged in a general mercantile business, under the firm name of Curtis & Hurd, and carried on the same until the Spring of 1874, when he sold out his interest to Mr. Curtis, and in the Fall of the same year, engaged in a general mercantile business, and has since carried on the same. He was married, Dec. 26, 1870, to Libbie Gibbs, born at Delafield, Wis., in 1850. They have two children, Avery L. and Erle N. Is a Republican in politics. Was Postmaster at Camp Douglas two years -at which place he ran a branch store at the time. Has also been a member of the Village Board.

PETER LA SARGE, barber, New Lisbon, is a native of Canada, born July 7. 1844, and when about six years of age moved with his parents to the State of New York, where he learned the shoemaker's

trade. In November, 1867, he came to New Lisbon, Wis., and followed his trade until the Spring of 1877, during which time he learned the barber's trade, and has since been engaged in that business. He was married, Dec. 2, 1867, to Idell Gunion, a native of Canada, They have one child, adopted, Lizzie.

WILLIAM McKAY, Justice of the Peace, is one of the oldest set- tlers of New Lisbon. He is a native of Ireland, born in the county of Tyrone, Dec. 23, 1823 ; received a good common school education, and at the age of nineteen emigrated to the United States, and worked at joiner work, in the State of Illinois, about two years; he then went to New York City and followed the same trade until 1855, at which time he came to Wisconsin, continuing his trade at Waterloo until 1858. He then came to New Lisbon, and in 1864 enlisted in Co. E, 38th Wis V. I., and served until the close of the war, when he returned to New Lisbon, and worked at his trade most of the time until May, 1881, since which time he has been engaged in restaurant business and attending to the office of Justice of the Peace. Was married, in 1856, to Martha J. Ken- yon, a native of the State of New York. They have one child, W. J., born in 1857.

CHARLES E. MACOMBER, druggist, New Lisbon, was born in New Lisbon, Wis., Aug. 13, 1858; attended New Lisbon High School and the State Normal School, at Oshkosh, during which time he taught two terms of school and kept books in the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank, of New Lisbon, a short time. April 1, 188t, he purchased the drug busi- ness of E. B. Nichols, and bas since carried on the same. He was mar- ried, May 19, 1881, to Miss Gertie Carr, daughter of W. P. Carr, of New Lisbon. Politics, Republican.

W. D. MACOMBER, cashier of the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank, was born in Juneau Co., Wis., in 1859 ; received an academic education at the New Lisbon High School, and in 1878 attended Business College at Davenport, Iowa, after which he was employed in the office of the Amer- ican Express Company, at New Lisbon, until Jan. I, ISSo; he then went to Flandreau, Dakota Ter., and acted as book-keeper for the Bank of Flandreau until September, when he returned to New Lisbon, and has since acted as cashier of the Farmers & Merchants' Bank, of New Lisbon.

D. H. MILLS, harness maker, New Lisbon, a native of Pennsylva- nia, born in Erie, May 10, 1836 ; was brought West by his parents while he was but an infant, living in Illinois until 1843, at which time they came to Wisconsin, and settled at Madison ; there he learned his trade, and in 1853 removed to Portage City, where he followed his trade until 1866, during which time he served in the United States Engineer Corps about six months ; he then came to New Lisbon, and has since been in the employ of Charles Smith as foreman of the harnessdepartment. Was married, in 1860, to Miss P. C. Jackson, a native of Pennsylvania. They have three children-Josephine, Abba and Frances.

JOHN R, NEWELL, proprietor of Crosby House, New Lisbon. This jovial and accommodating landlord was born at Brockport, N. Y., May 27, 1851 ; received a good common school education, and at twelve years of age entered the store of James Whelan, for whom he clerked two years ; then for George R. Ward untit 1866; he then went to Rochester, and was employed in the Ocean Oyster House until the Spring of 1870, when he concluded to try the West, and accordingly went to Michigan, stopping at Coopersville, a few months after which he came to Wiscon- sin, and soon engaged as advance agent of the dramatic troupe of Ed- ward Clifford, which situation he held until the Fall of 1874. He then served in the same capacity for Frank E. Aikin about one year, at the end of which time, in 1875, he came to New Lisbon, and November 25th was married to Miss Della Crosby. He then served as clerk of the Crosby House one year, after which he had the management of the house, and has been proprietor since 1880. The Crosby House has a good reputation throughout the State, for it is the place where travelers find the table well supplied with all the market affords, and all parts of the house neat and tidy. Mr. Newell is a Mason.

PHILIP RUNKEL, merchant, New Lisbon ; a native of Germany ; born Oct. 13, 1832; emigrated to the United States in 1849, and came direct to Wisconsin, settling first at Milwaukee, where he learned the carriage trade, and followed the same in that city (with the exception of about eighteen months, when he was at Mineral Point, and about the same length of time at Rochester) until March 1855. at which time he came to Juneau County and spent the Summer at Necedah, where he helped build a warehouse. The following year he engaged in mercantile business at Germantown, and continued the same until 1866, during which time, in 1864, he was elected County Treasurer, which office he held un- til 1868. In 1866, he moved to Mauston. From 1868-73, he was en- gaged in farming; he then came to New Lisbon, and has since been engaged in grocery business. He also deals extensively in cranberries, shipping about 1,000 barrels per year, being the principal shipper of New Lisbon. Mr. Runkel was married, in 1857, to Charlotte Gund- lack, a native of Illinois. They have seven children -- Anna E., Julius P., Harman E., Charlotte A., Henry P., George W. and Albert W.

THEODORE SERRURIER, proprietor Commercial Ilotel, New Lisbon, is a native of France. His grandfather, Jean Mathew Philhbert Serrurier, was Marshal of France under Napoleon I, from 1804 untit his

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

death, in 1819. His father, Fredrick D. Serrurier, was a State officer of France. When but an infant Theodore moved, with his parents, into Germany, where he received a good education, after which he served as paymaster for a railroad company about five years; he then engaged in the manufacture of iron and zinc ornaments, at Berlin, and followed the same until 1856, at which time he emigrated with his family to Austra- lia, and engaged in mining, and while in said business he traveled over a great part of Australia and New Zealand ; afterward he was engaged in hotel business, and in 1867 he came to the United States, and carried on a grocery business in Chicago about six years, and in 1873 came to New Lisbon, and has since been engaged in hotel business. He was married, in 1844, to Johanna Schmidt, a native of Berlin, Germany ; born in 1825. They have had seventeen children, thirteen of whom are living-William, Cort Richard, Paul, Max F., Bertram, Theodore, Alex- ander, Johanna, Theressa, Philip, Richard, George and Edith.

G. A. SINCLAIR, dentist, New Lisbon, a native of Scotland, born in 1853. and in 1855 his father, Alex. Sinclair, emigrated with his fam- ily to America, and settled at Eaubu, Canada, where G. A. received a common school education, and learned the cabinet trade, which he fol- lowed about five years, after which, in 1874, he turned his attention to dentistry, and followed the same till October, 1877, when he came to the United States, and has since continued his profession at New Lisbon, and is meeting with marked success. He has one assistant, J. Hus- band, D. D. S., a graduate of the Philadelphia Dental College, and one student, J. H. Ramsey, who has served since September, 1880.

CHARLES SMITH, New Lisbon, a native of Germany, born in 1825; learned the shoemaker's trade, and in 1856 emigrated to the United States; came direct to Wisconsin and followed his trade at Port- age City, about fifteen months ; after which, in 1857, he came to New Lisbon, which place at that time consisted of ten dwellings. Here he worked at his trade, also dealing in boots and shoes, until Aug. 9. 1864, at which time he enlisted in the 8th Wis. Battery, and served until the close of the war. Returning to New Lisbon, he again resumed his trade and boot and shoe business, to which, in the Fall of 1865, he added har- nesses, and has since carried on the same. Is a Liberal in politics ; has held various town and school offices. Was married in 1858 to Mary Schumaker, a native of Germany. They have three children-Emma, Carrie and Otto.

RICHARD SMITHI, attorney, New Lisbon, was born in Ilamburg, N. Y., in 1818 ; received an academic education, and at the age of twen- ty-two turned his attention to the study of law, reading with James Mul- let about three years, when he was admitted to the Bar, and soon after came West and practiced law at Joliet, Ill., when he was admitted to the Bar of all the courts of the State, until the Fall of 1846. Ile then came to Wisconsin and followed his profession in Waukesha County until December, 1856, at which time he came to New Lisbon, at which place he was the first lawyer, and has since carried on a general law and collection business. Ile was married in 1846 to Miss Maria C. Moore, a native of New York. They have three children-Henry, Lizzie and Mellie. Mr. Smith is a Democrat ; has been Justice of the Peace and District Attorney.

THOMAS H. WILCOX, station agent, New Lisbon, was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., March 26, 1845. When four years of age, his father died, after which he went to live with his grandfather, Thomas Wilcox, with whom he soon came to Wisconsin and lived at Aztalan, Jefferson Co., about seven years, during which time his grandfather died. He then went to Beaver Dam and lived with his uncle, O. H. P. Fisher, until 1861. He then enlisted in Co. F, 29th Wis. V. I., and was rejected on account of his age, but served about a year as lieutenant-colonel's or- derly, after which he returned to Wisconsin, but soon departed for the State of New York to visit his mother, who was then living at Palmyra, and remained about one year, when he again returned to Wisconsin, and soon afterward re-enlisted in Co. G, 40th Wis. I. V., and served 100 days, at the end of which time he returned to Beaver Dam, Wis., and at- tended school at the Wayland University nearly two terms, then worked for his uncle nearly one year, after which he followed farming at Milford, Wis., about two years. At the end of this time, he turned his attention to railroading, learned telegraphy, and worked for the C., M. & St. P. R. R. Co. at Oconomowoc a short time, then, in May, 1870, came to New Lisbon, at which place he, with the exception of one year when he was in their employ at Tomah, has since served them as telegraph ope- rator, and as station agent since Ang. 1, 1878. He was married May 12, 1874, to Eliza M. Daily, then of New Lisbon, but formerly of Pennsyl- vania. They have three children-William M., born March 27, 1875 ; Kittie M., born July 16, 1876; Cecele J., born Dec. 9, 1880. Politics, Republican, and a Mason.

A. C. WILKINSON attorney, New Lisbon, a native of England, born in Wibsey, Yorkshire, in 1853. Emigrated with his parents to the United States in the Spring of 1858, and came direct to Wisconsin, set- tling first at Ironton, Sauk Co., and after about eighteen months moved to Lavalle, where he received a good common school education, and in 1874 came to Mauston, Juneau Co., where he read law with his brother, R. A. Wilkinson, until 1877, when he came to New Lisbon, and has since carried on a general law and collection business. He was married Dec. 31, 1878, to Miss Agnes L. Harris, of New Lisbon, born March 22, 1861. They have one child, Lorraine Agnes, born July 9, 18So. Mr. Wilkinson is a Democrat, a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the A. O. U. W.

a. Wilson

A. WILSON, retired, New Lisbon, the first settler of Juneau Coun- ty, and has lived in said county, with the exception of about three years, since 1838. He was born in Windsor County, among the mountains of Vermont, in April, 1817 ; received a common school education. and with his parents came to Wisconsin in 1837, and lived at Ft. Winnebago, now Portage City, about one year, when he concluded to push on a lit- tle farther west, and the Winter of 1838-9 found him lumbering near the Dells of the Wisconsin. In 1841, he cut the first timber on the Lemon- weir River, and in 1843, he built a saw mill at what is now New Lisbon, and run the same until 1847. Up to this time, about his only neighbors were Winnebago Indians, but they were very friendly to Mr. Wilson and seldom stole anything from him. Once he had an ox taken, but on in- forming the chief it was returned. He then went to Portage and en- gaged in a general mercantile business, keeping the first store on the north side of the canal at said place, and continued the business until the Fall of 1850, when he returned to New Lisbon ; built a new mill on the

HISTORY OF JUNEAU COUNTY.

383

site of the old one, and concluded to make New Lisbon his future home. He continued in the lumber business about twelve years ; then operated in real estate with considerable success until about 1870, when he was afflicted with sore eyes which resulted in the loss of sight in one eye, and caused him much trouble with the other. He was married in 1862 to Harriet Colvin, then of New Lisbon, but formerly of Madison Co., N. Y. Mr. Wilson is a Republican in politics, and although political honors have been tendered him he has refused to have anything to do with politics more than to perform his rights as a faithful citizen.

blind manufactory of Messrs. Fuller & Co., does a heavy business.

In early times the lumber was all rafted down the Wis- consin to the Mississippi, the cities of that valley furnish- ing the market. Since the building of the railroad, the cities west and northwest provide a market.

Moss ENG CO NY.

RESIDENCE OF A. WILSON, NEW LISBON.

NECEDAH.

Necedah is situated at the base of a high bluff, on the Yellow River, a few miles from its mouth, and opposite the famous Pete-en-Well Rock, a curiously constructed quartz- ite mound, on the west bank of the Wisconsin River. It is the important lumbering town of this region, and is first in the county in manufacturing interests and wealth. Its as- sessed valuation is $366,000, and the amount paid for taxes during present year, reached $8,439.53, besides a railroad indebtedness of $2,262, making a total tax of $10,701.53. The business of the town is the manufacture of lumber, and outside of the different supply and business houses of the various lumber firms, there is a fair representation of busi- ness. Sixty-five million feet of logs are sawed annually, and employment is furnished for one thousand men in the various departments of this industry. The logs are cut chiefly in the counties of Wood and Clark, and driven down the Yellow River a distance of eighty miles. The arrange- ments for booming them at Necedah are perfect and secure for all stages of high or low water. The lumber business is represented by the Necedah Lumbering Company, who manufacture twenty million feet per year; Lyman & Son, who manufacture thirteen million feet; Birch & Co., who turn out nine million feet, and J. W. Bradford & Son, who have a large mill. The planing-mill, and sash, door and

In the Winter of 1844-5, Thomas Weston and John Werner, Jr., both at that time living at the Grand Rapids, explored the Yellow River from a point now embraced in Wood County to its mouth. In 1848, Mr. Werner and Hon. John T. Kingston, made a further exploration of the river, and laid claims at points of the mouth of the river, and the present site of the village of Necedah. Taking formal pos- session, according to claim laws and usages, they returned to the Grand Rapids and formed a company to operate on the Yellow River, under the firm name and style of F. Weston & Co. The firm consisted of Thomas Weston, John Wer- ner, Jr., Hon. John T. Kingston and E. S. Miner, who held an equal interest with Mr. Werner. They employed Uriah Hill and Usal V. Jeffreys to run a raft of lumber to the mouth of the Yellow River, and erect a shanty, and to fur- ther identify their claim by fencing in a small strip of land adjoining it. In November, Weston and Werner made a trip to the Yellow River country, selecting a place for logging operations for the ensuing Winter. Having found a suitable location, Werner returned to the Rapids, and Kingston continued down the river, meeting Weston at the shanty.

They followed up the river, made a more thorough ex- amination of the pine they had selected, and then took a direct route to Point Bousse, the nearest point for obtaining

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

supplies. Reaching the Rapids, they commenced their prep- arations for the Winter's work. Three yoke of oxen, sleds and tools were procured, and a crew hired, consisting of Vanbunker, Daniel Dugan, Prospier Beauchane, John B. Savoy, Samuel Bean, George A. Peters, Gilbert Adams, Uriah Hill and Usal V. Jeffreys. Also a millwright and one or two assistants were engaged to build the wheel and other machinery of the mill, to be erected the next season. Messrs. Weston and Kingston accompanied the expedition.

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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