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 112

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 112

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The party left the Rapids, December 21, 1848, crossing the Wisconsin at Point Bousse, and cutting a road to the location of their camp. The men employed during the sea- son, were Alanson Eaton, Oliver Bourbon, Morris Thomas, Edwin Thayer, Anthony Philips, Jr., Nichols Bateman, Anthony Philips, Sr., William and Henry Harding, Levi Girnean, Richard Baker, John Pottsveign, Uriah Hill and A. Wiltse, the millwright, in all twenty men, including Messrs. Weston and Kingston.

This was the first settlement made in Juneau County north of the Lemonweir River. Early in the Winter of 1849, Burley Philbrick, Newell Carleton, M. Larabee and J. Turner located on the Yellow River in Wood County, get- ting out square timber and rafting it to the lower markets. Their rafts were the first run out of this stream. In May, 1850, E. S. Miner removed to Necedah with his family. A frame house had already been erected-a part of the pres- ent Armstrong House-and was the first built in Juneau County north of the Lemonweir River. Mr. Miner's fam- ily was the first to locate, and their daughter Ella, born during the same year, was the first white child born in the same territory. In July of this year, Robert Thompson and family located at Necedah, making the second family of the settlement. John H. Armstrong, John McGregor and William Adderly located at Necedah during this season, and by 1851 the new settlement began to put on the appear- ance of a village. A second mill had been erected by Mr. Werner, which was one of the first steam saw-mills built in this region. The two mills were in active operation. A store had been opened by Messrs. Weston & Co., with a stock of general merchandise, additional houses had been put up, and new settlers were constantly coming in.

In 1852, an election precinct was established at Necedah, by order of the Board of Supervisors of Sauk County, to which Juneau and Adams were then attached. An election for State and county officers was held the same Fall.

At this time, the nearest post-office was at Dell Prairie; but during the following Winter, the mail route was ex- tended to Necedah, E. S. Miner was appointed Postmaster, and Messrs. T. Weston & Co. carried the mails for the pro- ceeds of the several offices on their route.

Necedah was organized as a town, April 5, 1853, with the following officers: Thomas Weston, Chairman ; John Werner, Jr., and Robert Dawes, Trustees ; Town Clerk, Hon. J. T. Kingston; Treasurer, E. S. Miner ; Justices of the Peace, E. S. Miner, John Werner, Jr., Edwin S. Knapp ; Overseers of Highways, Charles Dawes and John T. Kings- ton ; Constables, R. Huntley and E. R. Knapp. The origi-

nal village was laid out and platted by T. Weston & Co., in 1856, and incorporated as a village by act of Legislature, February 28, 1870.

Necedah has two churches, Methodist and Roman Cath- olic. The Methodist organized its first class in 1855, and held its services in the school building until the present church was built, which was dedicated in 1868. The mem- bership reaches seventy, and the Sabbath-school has an aver- age attendance of eighty scholars. The present pastor, Rev. D. D. Brothers, is a native of England, born July 10, 1830, canie to the United States in 1840, was educated at Lowell, Mass., entering the Methodist Conference at Portage, in 1869. The Church property is valued at $3,000, and the parsonage, which was built in 1855, at $1,000.

The name of the Catholic Society is Saint Francis Xavier, and is as yet a mission, attended by Rev. Father Gilbert, of Mauston.

Necedah's schools are under the careful charge of Prof. O. N. Wagley, aided by an able corps of assistants. Value of school property, $7,200 ; number of children of school age, 488 ; number of children attending school, 344. The first school was opened by Messrs. T. Weston & Co., in 1852, and maintained by them until the organization of the District School. Miss M. C. Fay was the first teacher. On the 23d of December, 1854, the voters of Necedah met at the house of E. S. Miner, organized District No. 1, and chose the following District Board : Charles Dawes, Director ; John Werner, Jr., Clerk, and J. T. Kingston, Treasurer. Miss Mary Morehouse was the first teacher after the dis- trict was established.

Zero Lodge, No. 169, A. F. & A. M., was organized in 1866. Has at present a membership of about eighty. A Lodge of A. O. U. W. was organized in 1880.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

J. W. ALLAN, foreman Lyman & Son, Necedah. A native of Maine, born in 1834 ; worked at his Irade as carpenter, also followed lumbering and fishing until 1868, when he came to Wisconsin, settled in Adams County, where he worked at his trade and farming for three years ; at the end of which time he came to Necedah and worked in the mill of Bradford, McCoy & Co., doing their saw-filing until ISSo; since which time he has acted as foreman in the mill of Lyman & Son, successors to Bradford, McCoy & Co. Is a Republican, and a member of the A. O. U. W., of which lodge he was the first master at Necedah and repre- sented the same in the Grand Lodge at Madison, In February, ISSI. Is now serving his fourth year as Justice of the Peace. Was married in the Fall of 1856, to Harriet M. Davis, a native of Maine; born in 1837. They have five children living-Sofila, now Mrs. Newlin ; Ursula I., Nellie A., Frank W. and Rena B.

WARREN AUDS, attorney, Necedah. A native of New Hamp- shire ; born June 18, 1850; received an academic education, and also attended the Business College of Worcester, Mass. Commenced the study of law when twenty-one years of age, and continued the same until 1979, when he was taken sick from over study, and after about eight months, having somewhat recovered, he, in accordance with the advice of his physician, concluded to try the western climate, and accordingly came to Wisconsin, settling at Necedah. Was admitted on the fourteenth day of February. 1881, to the Bar of the Circuit Court of Juneau County, and the United States District and Circuit Courts for the western district of Wisconsin. Politics, Republican.

J. H. ARMSTRONG, proprietor Armstrong House, Necedah. Is a native of New Brunswick; born in 1827; where he received a com- mon school education, and worked at lumbering until IS4S. Ile then went to Buffalo, N. Y., and was in the employ of Davis & Sutton, com- mission merchants, acting as tallyman (that is keeping account of goods shipped and received) for about two years, after which he came to Ne- cedah and followed lumbering, in the employ of T. Weston & Co., for about seven years, when he engaged in farming, which he made a part of

385

HISTORY OF JUNEAU COUNTY.

his business until 1881. He has been clerk of the Yellow River Im- provement Company for about seventeen years, which occupies most of his time. Has held various local offices, being at present Treasurer of both town and village, which offices he has held for seven years. On the first day of April, 1881, he purchased the Bentley House, changed the name to Armstrong House, and is now running the same. Was married in the Fall of 1851, to Mary Ann Young, a native of New Brunswick. Born in 1830. They have seven children living-Anna, William, Dora, Amelia, May, Martha and Nellie.

A. BLAKE, foreman Necedah Lumbering Co. A native of New York, born in Oswego County, in 1830, where he received a common school education, and followed farming until 1856, when he came to Wis- consin, settling first at Baraboo, Sauk Co., and worked at carpenter and joiner work for three years, at the end of which time he came to Necedah and worked as millwright for T. Weston & Co., until February, 1874, when he took charge of said company's mill, as foreman, until February, 1881, when said firm changed to the Necedah Lumbering Co., for which he is now foreman. Hewas married in 1854, to Angeline Brown, born in Wisconsin. They have eight children living-Emma, George, Alvin, Hulda, William, John, Nellie and Frederick.

J. W. BRADFORD, manufacturer, Necedah. Was born in Piscata- quis Co., Me., in 1820, where he learned the tanner's trade, and was en- gaged in mercantile business until 1845. He then went to California, and remained three years, when he returned and settled at Quincy, Ill., en- gaging in the livery business, which he carried on until 1864, when in partnership with George Brown and R. McCoy, he engaged in lumber- ing in Wisconsin, under the firm name of Bradford, McCoy & Co., running mills at Seneca, Wood Co., continuing under said firm name for three years, when Mr. Brown sold his interest to J. T. Bradford, and the business continued under same name, Bradford, Mc- Coy & Co. (the place of business changed to Necedah, purchasing the mill property of McDonald Bros.) until 1880, when they sold to Lyman & Son. In 1876, Mr. Bradford purchased the Shorey mill property and organized the firm of Bradford, Duff & Co., and carried on the business two years when Mr. Duff retired, leaving the firm, Bradford & Son, as it now exists. Mr. Bradford is a Democrat and a Knight Templar. He was married in 1846, to Aletha W. Snow, a native of Maine, born in 1820. They have two children living, Angia and Joseph.

F. ANTES CANFIELD, physician, Necadah. A native of Pennsyl- vania, born in 1830; received an academic education at the Dickenson Seminary of Williamsport, and at the age of eighteen commenced the study of medicine with his father (Ira D. Canfield) as preceptor, continu- ing his study at the Medical College of Philadelphia, receiving diploma in 1856, and diploma at the Rush Medical College of Chicago, in Jan- uary, 1872. Practiced medicine at Ridgeway, Penn., one year; two years at Philipsburg, Penn., and two years at Little Falls, Minn .; after which on the third day of March, 1857, he came to Necedah, where, in connection with his profession he has carried on a drug business since the Fall of 1862. In partnership with St. German. has dealt in lumber since 1867, under the firm name of Canfield & St. German, and deals extensively in real estate. Is a Democrat in politics ; was President of the Village Board in 1878, but does not consider he has time to attend to it, neither does he wish to have public office. Dr. Canfield has many friends; he has gained a good reputation as a physician, and has been a success financially as well as practically.

J. E. DALY, jeweler, Necedah. A native of Pennsylvania, born in 1851 ; received an academic education, and at the age of twenty-two commenced work at the jeweler's trade, and in 1873 came to Wisconsin, stopping at Watertown a short time ; when he went to Grand Rapids, where he worked at his trade for about two and a half years; he then went to Spencer for about nine months, after which he went to New Lisbon and in partnership with N. E. Adams engaged in the jeweler's business for abont two and a half years ; when he came to Necedah, bought out J. C. Link, and has since carried on a jewelry business alone. Was married in 1878, to Ella Hurd, a native of Ohio; born in 1856. Mr. Daly is a Mason, and in politics a Republican.

W. F. DAWES, lumberman and cranberry grower, Necedah ; a na- tive of Maine ; born in 1832; received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen, with his parents, came to Wisconsin, settling in Columbia County, and in less than two years after coming to Wiscon- sin his parents died, and he engaged in lumbering on the Wisconsin River for about two years, at the end of which time he, with his two brothers, Charles F. and George S., came to Necedah and continued lumbering until 1861, when he recruited a company of 100 men, of which he was chosen captain, and assigned to the 16th Wis. V. I. Was in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and in many skirmishes, being with Grant until after the surrender of Vicksburg, after which the regiment (with but three exceptions) re-enlisted as veterans, and soon joined Sherman, with whom he remained until January, 1865, when his time having expired he was mustered out as major. Returning to Wis- consin he again followed lumbering for about five years, since which time he has been engaged in the cultivation of cranberries, of which he has sold as high as 1,400 barrels per year. Is a Republican. 1Ias been County Treasurer, and held various local offices. Was married in 1857,

to Ladora P. White, a native of Pennsylvania, and who died in 1868. In 1869, he married as his second wife, Minervia J. Austin, a native of Ohio.

JOHN H. DONAGHUE, livery, Necedah, was born in Hartford, Conn., in 1854 ; received a common school education, and in January, 1870, came to Wisconsin and settled at Necedah, and has since been dealing in cattle, wood and real estate. In May, 1881, in partnership with Ever Everson, engaged in livery business under the firm name of Donaghne & Everson. Is a Democrat in politics.

M. G. DUSTIN, omnibus and dray, Necedah, a native of the State of New York, born in 1841. In the Fall of 1851, he came, with his parents, to Wisconsin and lived at Baraboo until the Spring of 1854, when he came to Necedah and helped his father who was engaged in hotel business until 1861. He then enlisted in Co. E, 16th Wis. V. I., and served about one year, when he was discharged on account of dis- ability occasioned by sickness. Returning to Necedah he worked at vari- ous employments until 1867, when he went to Baraboo and was married to Sylvia Holden, a native of Ohio, and who died in May, 1872, leav- ing two children Elizabeth and Edgarbott, living with their grandpar- ents, Henry and Elizabeth Holden, near Baraboo. In 1873, Mr. Dus- tin returned to Necedah, but was engaged in no regular business until the Fall of 1877, since which time he has been engaged in the omnibus and dray business, and is doing well. Is a Republican and a Mason.

ANSON GREEN, JR., attorney, Necedah, was born in Neillsville, Clark Co., Wis., in 1858, and graduated at the High School in 1876. In the Spring of 1878, he entered the Law School at Madison and grad- uated in June, 1879. He then returned to Neillsville and prepared for the law practice until April, 1880, when he came to Necedah, since which time he has been practicing law with good success. He is a promising young man. Was married, October, 1880, to Mamie Dawes, born in Juneau Co., Wis., Dec. 10, 1860. In politics Mr. Green is a Democrat.

J. A. JENKINS, foreman J. W. Bradford & Son, Necedah, a native of the State of New York ; born in 1836; received a common school education and when not attending school was employed in the manu- facture of Inmber, until 1857, when he concluded to see some of the country, and accordingly traveled over the West and South of the Unit- ted States, for about two and one-half years, during which time he at- tended one term at the Oberlin College, of Ohio, and in 1860, came to Necedah and was in the employ of Geo. B. Burch & Co. and T. Weston & Co. most of the time until 1869. He then went to Ohio and acted as foreman of a mill for four years. Then went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he had charge of the mill of B. P. Faber & Co., for nearly six years, after which, in April, 1879, he returned to Necedah and has since been foreman for J. W. Bradford & Son. Mr. Jenkins is a hard working man who is faithful to his employers, and a man who understands the manu- facture of lumber, thoroughly. Was married in 1860, to Sarah Jane Watkins, born in the State of New York in 1840, and who died in No- vember, 1866, leaving one child, Carrie, now living in Allegany Co., N. Y., and in May, 1874, he married Mary McIntyre, a native of Kentucky, born in 1852. They have three children-Grace, Glen and a small boy.

C. D. LOOMIS, merchant, Necedah, was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1848, where he received a common school education and worked in flouring mills until 1869, when he came to Wisconsin, stop- ping in Green Lake County for three or four years, then spent one Sum- mer in Iowa, after which he came to Necedah, where he took charge of the flouring mill of T. Weston & Co. until May, 1881, since which time, in partnership with Henry Galvin, has been carrying on a flour and feed business, under the firm name of Galvin & Loomis. Was married, in May, 1874, to Agnes Hall, a native of Ireland. They have one child, Nannie. Mr. Loomis is a Democrat. Has held local offices, and is a member of the A. F. & A. M.

C. E. LYMAN, of the firm of Lyman & Son, was born in Sheboy- gan, Wis., in 1850. When about one year of age, the family moved to Berlin for a few years, and then removed to Ripon, where they lived about fifteen years, C. E. helping his father, who was engaged in mer- cantile business and pine lands, after which they went to Milwaukee and run a packing house for about two years. In 1874, Mr. Lyman, Jr., went to Fairchild, and engaged in lumbering until 1877, when he went to Texas, and engaged in the cattle business, purchasing a fine cotton plantation and fancy stock farm of 800 acres, which he still owns. In 1880, he returned to Wisconsin, and in the Fall went in partnership with his father, purchasing the mill property of Bradford, McCoy & Co., which they have greatly improved, and are now carrying on business under the firm name of Lyman & Son. He was married, in the Fall of 1878, to Alice M. Michell, daughter of G. W. Michell, of Milwaukee. She was born in Ripon, Wis., in 1855.

E. S. MINER, firm of Necedah Lumbering Company, was born in Madison, N. Y., March 20, 1818 ; received a common school education ; came with his father, who was a Presbyterian clergyman, to Green Bay, Wis., in 1828. In March, 1829, his father died, when he returned to New York, and remained until 1834, when he came to Illinois, and fol- lowed farming until 1842. He then returned to Wisconsin, and en-

386

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

gaged in mercantile business at Grand Rapids until May, 1850, when he moved his family to Necedah, built a shanty on the ground now occu- pied by the Armstrong House, being the first family that settled at Necedah ; has been engaged in lumbering and mercantile business ever since. He was a member of the firm of T. Weston & Co. from its or- ganization until 1881, when said company changed to the Necedah Lumbering Company, of which he is now a stockholder. He was the first Postmaster of Grand Rapids, and held the office until he moved to Necedah ; is the first Postmaster of Necedah, having held the office the entire time, with the exception of two years, when he served as State Senator ; is the oldest merchant in the State of Wisconsin, having been engaged in mercantile business the entire time since IS41, and is, with the exception of one, the oldest living settler of Wisconsin. lle has been a member of the Assembly two years, and a member of the Senate two years; was the first County Judge of Adams County, when that county embraced Juneau ; was a member of the Board of Supervisors of Portage County, when that county embraced a vast amount of territory ; has been Justice of the Peace, Treasurer of Necedah fourteen years, and in 1870 was appointed by Gov. Fairchild one of the committee to visit the several State institutions. He was married in November, 1845, to Serena Elliot, a native of Canada. They have six children-Edward, Ella, Frances, Julius, Mary and John.

H. L. NYE, druggist, Necedah, was born in Vermont in IS25. When but four years of age, he was adopted into the family of his uncle, Richard Meriam, who lived in Canada, with whom he lived until he went to Steuben Co., N. Y., and en gaged in lumbering until about 1851. He then went to work on the N. Y. & E. Railroad, which was then in construction, working on the same until its completion, after which he served two years as roadmaster on the Western Division, at the end of which time, in 1856, he went to Ohio, and followed railroading for one season, as contractor on the S. & H. V. Railroad, when he returned to the State of New York for about one year ; then, in the Spring of 1857, he came to Wisconsin, and settled near Watertown, where he engaged in lumbering for about one year, at the end of which time he came to Mauston (on the first train which ever came to Mauston), proceeded up the road to Tomah, near which place he graded two miles of the railroad. In the Fall of 1859, he came to Necedah, and engaged in lumbering, which he followed until 1861, when he enlisted in the 4th Wis. Cav., and served until April, 1863, when he resigned his commission as second lieutenant, on account of disability, occasioned by a gun-shot wound, when he returned to Necedah, and followed lumbering until March 26, ISSI, since which time he has been engaged in the drug business. Ile is a Democrat in politics; has been Justice of the Peace six years, and held other local offices. He has been married three times-in 1851, to Mary Herron, from whom he was di- vorced in 1857 ; they had one child, Minnie, now living at Addison, N. Y. In 1864, to Jane Downing, who died in the Spring of 1875; had five children ; two died in the Fall of 1874, and one in the Spring of IS75 ; the remaining two are Lottie and Phoebe. In 1876, to Srintha A. Barringer, of Reedsburg, Wis .; they have two children, Truman and Earl.

WILLIAM PECK, engineer and millwright, Necedah, is a native of New York, born in Allegany County in 1827 ; received a common school education, and followed farming until 1845. He then went to Illinois, where he worked at farming during the Summer, and in Winter seasons engaged in lumbering near Watertown, Wis., for two years, when he moved to Jefferson Co., Wis., for about two years, after which he went to Sauk County, settling at Reedsburg, of which place he was one of the first settlers, and was engaged in the manufacture of lumber for about four years, at the end of which time, in March, 1853, he came to Nece- dah, and was employed in the mill of John Werner for three years, then in the mill of T. Weston & Co. for three years, after which he purchased an interest in a mill, and run the same for three years, at the end of which time he was employed as foreman in the mill of T. Weston & Co. until 1875, then as foreman in the mill of Bradford, McCoy & Co. until the Spring of ISSo. lle then spent the Summer in the Dilly Shingle Mill, since which time he has been in the employ of George B. Burch & Co. as engineer and millwright. He was married, in the Fall of 1848, to Eliza S. Ward, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1830. They have six children-Theron, Martha E., Mary, Ver- non and Elmer. Mr. Peck is a Republican in politics, and a great joker. The number of "gianthers and crockajoes" he has slain is un- known.

I. B. PICKARD, foreman, Necedah. Was born in Madrid, Me., in 1846. When five years of age he came with his parents to Wisconsin, settling first in Columbia County. Received a common school educa- tion, and in 1861, enlisted in Co. E, 18th Wis. V. I., and served until the close of the war; was a prisoner the last seven months. After the war, he returned to his home in Wicensin, for four years, at the end of which time he came to Necedah, and was employed in the mill of T. Weston & Co. for a short time; then in the mill of Bradford, McCoy & Co. for four years, since which time he has been foreman of the mill of George B. Burch & Co. Is a strict Republican in politics. Was married in the

Fall of 1868, to Cornelia Cone, a native of New York, born jin 1846. They have two children, Lottie A. and Miles A.

J. H. PLUMMER, book-keeper. A native of Maine, born in 1837, Received a good education, and clerked in store until 1860, when he en- gaged in the hoot and shoe business, and carried on the same until I 865 when he commenced book-keeping. In 1869, he came to Necedah and kept books lor Bradford, McCoy & Co., until the Fall of ISSo, since which time he has kept books for Lyman & Son, successors to Bradford, McCoy & Co. Is a Republican in politics. Has been a member of the Town Board three years, Treasurer of Town three years, and Secretary of high school six years. Jan. I, 1871, he was married to Emily F. Doe, a native of Maine, born in 1838.

E. D. ROGERS, Justice of the Peace, Necedah. The subject of this sketch is a native of the State of New York ; born in Argyle, Washing- ton Co., June 27, 1838. Attended school at the Argyle Academy until 1850, when he came to Madison, Wis. Worked in a store and attended school at the State University of Wisconsin until the Spring of 1855, when he came to Necedah, and at once engaged as clerk for T. Weston & Co., and served about six years. Was the first County Surveyor of Juneau County, being elected at the age of twenty-one, and served four years. Has been Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk for the last four- teen years. Has also served as Deputy Sheriff. Is at present engaged in insurance, real estate and cranberry business. Enlisted, in 1863. in the Ist Wis. Artillery, and served until the close of the war. Is a Demo- crat in politics. Served as a member of the Assembly in 1878, and is a Mason. Was married, in IS5S, to Hellen A. Woods, born in Maine, in IS41. They have seven children-E. D., Amy, Eva, John, Harry, Mary. Mabel and Hugh.

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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