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 119

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 119

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Barnett Encampment, No. 26, I. O. O. F., was instituted January 19, 1869, at which date the following officers were selected : O. O. Hearn, C. P .; S. W. Bowman, H. P. ; H. J. Holmes, S. W .; E. O. Jones, J. W .; F. H. Allen, scribe ; and A. Le Claire, treasurer. The present officers are George F. Cooper, C. P .; G. H. Monish, H. P. ; Charles Erdman, S. W .; J. P. Crosby, J. W .; L. L. Dimmick, scribe, and Charles Erdman, treasurer. The encampment now contains fourteen members. Meetings are held semi-monthly, on the second and fourth Wednesdays, and the property of the order is valued at $300.

Victoria Lodge, No. 29, I. (). O. F., was chartered No- vember 23, 1879, but is not in active operation.

Albion Lodge, No. 62, Temple of Honor, was chartered July 19, 1876, with fifteen members, and organized immedi- ately by the election of D. T. Lindley, W. C. T .; G. H. Perkins, W. V. T .; N. A. Batcheller and S. G. Sharpless, secretaries; D. B. Jackson, W. T .; Rev. G. Haigh, chap- lain ; G. F. Cooper, usher ; F. Cooper, W. C. Jones and

409

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

John Parsons, trustees. The present members number fifty- six. Meetings are held on Monday evenings of each week, and the officers are B. E. Wheeler, W. C. T .; D. Barclay, W. V. T .; C. M. Hobart and Frank Johnson, secretaries ; George F. Cooper, W. T .; J. C. Hussey, W. C .; S. Sam- dahl, W. U .; J. C. Hussey, D. T. Lindley and G. W. Miller, trustees. Lodge property is valued at $200.

Independence. Lodge, No. 149, I. O. G. T., was char- tered May 9, 1873, with twelve charter members. At the organization, J. A. Van Schaick, was elected W. C. T .; Mrs. C. J. Cooper, W. V. T .; C. J. Cooper and D. J. Lind- ley, secretaries ; Rev. J. D. Tull, W. C .; Mrs. J. A. Van Schaick, W. T., and Benjamin Franklin, marshal. The present membership is twenty-five. Meetings are held weekly, on Tuesday evenings, and the officers are George F. Cooper, W. C. T .; Miss Josephine Lindley, W. V. T. ; Mrs. D. T. Lindley and F. A. Parsons, secretaries ; Edward Emerson, W. T .; Mrs. F. Simpson, chaplain, and J. A. Johnson, marshal.

Hope Temple, No. 142, Juvenile Templars, was char- tered April 26, 1878, and was for a time quite prosperous. Latterly, however, it is comparatively inactive.

Manufacturing .- Spaulding's Planing Mill, erected by D. H. Spaulding in 1872, at a cost of $15,000, is located near the bridge across Town Creek, on the Johnson street extension, and is one of the most complete in every respect of the manufacturing establishments in this portion of the State. The venture is supplied with machinery for the framing of sash, doors, blinds, etc., and was operated by its founder for many years very successfully. In October, 1879, J. J. McGillivray secured possession as lessee, and has since been conducting the establishment. He employs a total of twelve men, at a weekly compensation of $144, and does a business of about $12,000 per annum. The investment is considered worth $25,000.

Hussey & Wheeler's Foundry and Machine Shop is lo- cated on Mason street, adjoining Town Creek, where it was established by J. C. Hussey, in 1866. Within five years, his business became extended, and he was compelled to erect a stone building for molding purposes. In 1879, A. Wheeler became a partner in the venture, and so continues. The firm do a general foundry and machine business, em- ploy five men at a weekly salary of $42, and turn out work estimated at $10,000 per annum. The investment is rated at $20,000.

Black River Falls Brewery, the oldest of its kind in the county, is located on Spring street, where it was established in 1856, by Ulrich Oderbolz. The same year, he erected the frame building still used for brewing purposes, at a cost of $5,000, and has since made improvements as necessity demanded. He employs two hands, manufactures 500 bar- rels of beer, and does a business of $4,000 per annum.

Albion Mills are located on Black River, north of the village and contiguous to Town Creek, and were erected in May, 1871, through the enterprise of J. D. Spaulding. The building is of frame, 52x102, four stories high, and was completed at a cost of $30,000. Originally, they were sup-

plied with four run of stone, but in 1873 three run of stone were added, making the capacity 125 barrels of flour in twenty-four hours. In 1876, J. G. Heaton assumed charge of the enterprise, and has since conducted the same. He employs six men, at a weekly compensation of $150; and furnishes the market with the "Albion Cap Sheaf" and "Snow-flake " brands of flour. The investment represents a valuation of $75,000.

Jackson County Bank is located on Main street, in Bow- man's building, and is regarded as one of the most sub- stantial financial corporations in the Northwest. The bank was duly organized, under the laws of Wisconsin, on Jan- uary 1, 1877, with a capital of $50,000, and the following officers : W. T. Price, president ; H. B. Mills, vice-presi- dent; W. R. O'Hearn, cashier, and J. H. Mills, assistant cashier. In December, 1876, the directory purchased Bowman's building, which has since been occupied by the Bank, which has not changed its officers since their election in the first instance, and is doing a business which footed up, at the close of the fiscal year for 1881, a grand total of $1,500,000.

The first post-office opened in the county was at the Falls, during the Spring of 1850. The office was located in Albert Tuttle's residence, and here W. W. Bennett, as confidential agent for the distribution of the mail, exercised the duties thereunto belonging. In 1852, C. R. Johnson was appointed Postmaster, and established his headquarters in what was then known as the "Hole in the Wall," on Town Creek. He was followed by H. E. Prickett, who was in turn succeeded by John Lockhart, both of whom "kept " on Water street. Subsequently, the office was re- moved to Main street, where it still remains; and after service by James Barber and Dr. S. A. Sheldon, John Par- sons was commissioned officer in charge. This was twenty years ago, and the commission then issued is still recog- nized.

Two mails from east and west are received daily, and mails from points off the main line of railroads semi- and tri-weekly.

The first cemetery in the present village limits was on the second table land west of the Falls, in the addition sur- veyed and platted by Price & Rublee. In 1867, the asso- ciation was organized by the election of W. T. Price, pres- ident ; Peris Brown, treasurer, and C. R, Johnson, secretary, with W. T. Price, Peris Brown, Jacob Postweiler, J. Darrow, Capt. McSwain and J. M. Garrett. A lot, 400 feet square, on the hill east of the village, donated by D. J. Spaulding, was accepted, platted and decorated, and has since been used for burial purposes. Recently, an addition of three acres has been made to the cemetery proper, and in July, 188t, the custody and control of the society property was transferred to the town authorities, by whom the affairs have since been managed.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

J. H. ALLEN, Black River Falls, Sheriff of Jackson County, was born in New York, Jan. 13, 1839. Came to State of Wisconsin with his parents Oct. 15, 1853, and located al Janesville. Remained there four months, when they bought a farm fifteen miles west of the city and con-

415

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

tinued on that until 1855. Then moved to Jackson County, town of Ilixton, where they pre-empted 160 acres, and bought in addition, to make a farm containing 280 acres. Ile remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, and on Jan. 21, 1860, was married to Miss Ann R. Newell, She was born in New Portage, Summit Co., Ohio. In the Fall of 1870, Mr. A. sold out, and moved to Black River Falls, and started a livery stable, which business he followed until 1875, when he disposed of all the property there and moved to Virginia with his father, and farmed for two years. Returned to Black River Falls, and rented the Merchants' Hotel. Was also appointed Under Sheriff, and in 187S was elected Sheriff. Has held several other offices in the town where he has lived. He is a member of the order A., F. & A. M., Black River Lodge, No. 74, Chapter No. 41. Also the order of I. O. O. F., Albion Lodge, No. 134. Have two children living, Rosa F. and James H. Also two dead, Jessie F. and Edwin N.

11. C. ARNOLD, station agent and telegraph operator, Black River Falls, was born in Maine, Nov. 29, 1844. Came to Wisconsin in 1868, and located at Boscobel : commenced to clerk in the railroad office. Went to a station then called Baldwin in 1871, and went to work for the Chicago, St. Panl, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad. Went to Black River Falls in 1876, and has remained there ever since. Has been en- gaged with the same company for ten years. Mr. Arnold is a member of A., F. & A. M., Black River Lodge, No. 74, Chapter No. 41. He was married, Oct. 8, 1878, in Madison, to Alice H. Durrie. She was born in 1853, and is the daughter of D. I .. Durrie, librarian at Madison. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have one son, Henry C.

N. A. BATCHELLER, undertaker and furniture dealer, Black River Falls, was born in Jefferson Co., Wis. Came to Black River Val- ley with his parents in 1855, and settled at Galesville. His father, a millwright, was the man who erected the first grist and saw-mill at that place, in 1855-56. Mr. B. worked with his father till 1864, and then enlisted in the late war, 46th Wis. V. I. Served one year; then came home to Galesville. In 1867, went to Melrose, where he worked at the carpenter's trade till that Fall, then located at Black River Falls. Worked for D. J. Spaulding until 1869. Worked as book-keeper for the West Wisconsin Railroad. Continued as such for two years, then engaged with Mr. Spaulding, where he remained until 1878; then opened a furniture store where the Freeman House now stands. In October, 1879, moved where he now is, and still continues in the furni- ture line. Mr. Batcheller married Agnes Wiltse, who was born in Platteville, Grant Co., Wis. Have one son, Hugh W. Mr. B. is a member of I. O. O. F., Albion Lodge, No. 134. Is also a member of Temple of Honor, and is at present Justice of the Peace.

FREDRICK BEST, dealer in meats, etc., Black River Falls, was born in Germany, Feb. 15, 1846. Came with his parents to America. In 1869, came to Black River Falls, Wis. He started a meat market there in 1877. Mr. Best does a good business, and in 1880 built an ad- dition to his shop. He was married to Mary Fisher in June, 1878, by whom he has one daughter. His wife died in October, 1879, and in May, ISSo, was married the second time, to Miss Minnie Peters. She was born in Milwaukee. They have one son, Edward. Mr. Best is a member of the Lutheran Church.

SAMUEL D. BLAKE, County Treasurer of Jackson County. Was born in town of Hallowell, Kennebec Co., Me., in the year 1848., Went to New Hampshire, and engaged in a cotton mill one year, and in 1857 went to Chicago, Ill., and engaged as clerk in a commission house. Came out to Wisconsin the same year, and settled at North Bend, Jack- son Co., and went to work in a saw-mill for $26 per month, which was being rebuilt by Thomas Douglas. When the mill was completed, Samuel engaged as sawyer, where he remained until 1861, when he en- listed in the Ist Light Artillery Battery, Wis. V. I., at La Crosse, Wis. ; served for three years and ten months, and was mustered out as sergeant. Samuel was engaged in all of the principal battles of the Mississippi, and then came to Irving, Jackson Co., and in 1866, took charge of a saw-mill for Olsin & Tibbets, in town of Manchester, and in 1867, was elected Clerk of Circuit Court, to fill vacancy, on resignation of Ira Pope ; held that office until 1868, when he was elected County Sheriff for two years, and in 1870, was Assessor of town of Albia, then in March, 1871, went to work for E. J. Spaulding, at Black River Falls, and 1873, he was ap- pointed as Deputy County Treasurer, under Oliver O'llearn, and at the death of O'Hearn, was appointed by County Board to fill his vacancy, then in 1875, was elected to the office he now holds. Samuel is a mem- ber of A. F. & A. M., Black River Lodge, No. 74, Chapter, No. 41, La- Crosse Commandery, No. 49, etc., and of the Wisconsin Consistory, 32° S. P. R. S. Was married, Jan. 7, 1878, to Miss Frances O'Hearn, who was born in Dodge Co., Wis., in 1850. Have had two children, Henri D. and William O., who died Aug. 16, 1878, buried in Black River Cemetery.

JAMES CHIANDLER, retired farmer. Black River Falls. Was born Nov. 18, 1812, in West Granville, N. Y. Came to Wisconsin in 1846, and settled in Black River Falls, and opened the first grocery store in that town in 1858, on Water street. Continued at that business twelve years, adding dry goods, etc., to his grocery line, and in 1870, sold out

and started a store at Greenwood. In 1878, sold out to E. F. Brown. Returned to Black River Falls and farmed for one year. In 1880, he went up the North Wisconsin Railroad, and got a post-office established at a station named Chandler, after him. Is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Black River Lodge, No. 174, and was married to his first wife, Miss Harriett M. Woodworth, in 1844 ; she was born in New York State, and died Feb. 28, 1855, leaving two children, Caleb W. and Nettie G., now Mrs. B. F. Brown. Was married to his second wife. Mrs. William Her- riell ; she was born in New York, July 27, 1824. They have three chil- dren-Jennie, now Mrs. W. G. Taylor, Virgil W. and George W., now in Florida in the mercantile business. They have lost one child, Jane A., who is buried in the Black River Cemetery.

F. R. CHAPMAN, proprietor of Merchant's House, Black River Falls. Was born Jan. 16, 1828, in Ohio. Came to Wisconsin in 1847. and located in Racine County on a farm. Staid there for two years, then returned to Ohio, remaining there four years. Came to Black River Falls, Wis., in the Spring of 1853, and engaged in lumbering and farm- ing until 1879, when he bought the hotel where he now is. Has been Assessor in the town of Albia, Town Clerk and Chairman of Town Supervisors. Was married, in 1845, to Sarah Nichols ; she was born in Ohio, Ang. 7, 1827. They have four children-Marshall J., Sarah F., Eveneene and Clara.

H. B. COLE, M. D., Black River Falls. Was born in New York State, July 6, 1838. Came to Blach: River Falls, Wis., Oct. 1, 1865, and commenced to practice his profession, and has remained there ever since. Was a graduate of the University Medical College, New York City, in the class of 1859-60, which class consisted of 150. Dr. Cole read medi- cine under Dr. J. L. Adams, at Cornell, N. Y., also under Dr. P. A. Aylett, New York City. He first practiced at Faribault, in 1860, and left there in the Fall of 1862. Was appointed surgeon of the 128th N. Y. V. 1., and continued in the service until 1865, stationed at New Orleans. Then came to Black River Falls, Wis., and was married to Clara A. Baxter, July 15, 1866 ; she was born in New York, May 5. 1848. They have two children, Cepha H. and Halbert B. Dr. Cole has been Chairman of County Board two years, and of Village Board one year, and a member of School Board eight years. Is a member of A. F. & A. M., Black River Lodge, No. 74, Chapter, No. 41, LaCrosse Commandery, No. 9, and Wisconsin Consistory, S. P. R. S, at Mil- waukee.

J. W. COLE & CO., druggists and manufacturers, Black River Falls. The firm was established in 1865, consisting of J. W. and Dr. H. B. Cole, and Dr. J. B. G. Baxter. Opened their first store on the corner of Main and Mason streets, and moved to the building they now occupy, Aug. 15, 1875, and have continued to increase their stock ever since, and now carry from $18,000 to $20,000 stock. In January, 1867, Drs. Cole and Baxter sold out to F. W. Cole, and the firm still remains J. W. Cole & Co. J. W. and F. W. are both natives of New York. J. W. was born Oct. 15, 1843, and F. W. was born Ang. 8, 1846, and was married to Miss Ella Bowman, Sept. 23, 1877, who was born in Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 1856. They are also proprietors of a large gents' furnishing house, at Neillsville, Wis. Both are members of the A. F. & A. M., Black River Lodge, No. 74, Chapter, No. 41, and also LaCrosse Commandery.

JOSEPH CLANCY, stone mason, Black River Falls, was born in New York, May 22, 1823 ; came to Black River Falls, Wis., in the Fall of 1844, and has lived there ever since, engaged, most of the time, in the lumber business, during the Winter. Enlisted in Co. I, 14th Wis. V. I., in the late war, serving two years, and was second lientenant under Capt. C. R. Johnson. Mr. Clancy was married, Feb. 14, 1844, in Grant Co., Wis., to Miss Lucinda N. Daney. She was born in New York State.

OSCAR F. CLAPP, dealer in books, stationery and fancy articles, Black River Falls, was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Sept. 16, 1841 ; went to La Crosse, Wis., with his father, in the Summer of 1854; in the Fall of the same year came to Black River Falls and commenced clerking for W. B. Porter, druggist, continuing to do so for four years, after which he started in the grocery business with his father, the firm afterward changing to Clapp & Perry. In 1872, Clapp sold out to Perry, and went to clerk- ing for D. P. Spaulding. Remained there ten months ; then went back to work for W. B. Porter, and continued with him until he started in his present business. Is a member of A. F. & A. M., Black River Lodge No. 74, and also of Temple of Honor ; has been Town Treasurer two years, Town Clerk one year. Married to Sophia W. Thorpe ; she was born in Ohio, April 21, 1864. Have two children living, Charlie O. and Maud S.

LUDOVICK L. DIMMICK, manufacturer and dealer in harness, saddles, etc., Black River Falls, is a native of New York, having been born at Oshen, July 1, 1839; came, with his parents, to Wisconsin at the age of eight years, and settled in Dane County, where they lived six years, and went to Minnesota, remaining there until 1859. They came back to Wisconsin, first living in Monroe County for one year, and then re- moving to Irving, Jackson Co. In 1861, Ludovick L. enlisted in Co. I. 10th Wis. Regt. V. I., and served until 1862, when he was wounded at the battle of Perryville, Ky., resulting in the loss of his left leg. He was married. Feb. 19. 1865, to Miss Mary E. Smith ; she was born in Pennsylvania, March 17, 1847. They removed to Black River Falls in

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

November of 1865, and have made that their home ever since. They have four children-Ruby B., Sarah E., Inez and Lytton.

CARL F. W. ERDMAN, meat market, Main street, Black River Falls, was born in Germany, Aug. 13, 1840; came to America in 1865, and settled in Jefferson Co., Wis., where he worked by the day at farming until 1867, when he moved to Black River Falls, and started to work for H. B. Greenly until 1874, when he started a meat market for himself, and built the building which he now occupies the same year. Mr. Erdman is a mem- ber of I. O. O. F., Albion Lodge, No. 134, and was married to his wife, Mary ; was a native of Germany, and born Feb. 21, 1843. They have three children-Augusta E., Pauline W. and Fredrick C. A. Carl.

F. M. GOODENOUGH, electro-magnetic baths, Black River Falls, was born in New York State, March 19, 1852 ; came, with his parents, to Wisconsin in 1854 ; settled in Jackson County, where he worked on the river until 1868 ; then worked in saw mill for J. B. Smith, and at the same time was studying his profession, which is electro-magnetic baths. He opened his first office Feb. 19, 1881, at Black River Falls, and is meeting with success in treating various diseases, and has indorsements from the best citizens in Jackson to prove it.

JAMES ICE, lumberman, Black River Falls, was born in Pennsyl- vania, Dec. 2, 1831 ; came to Wisconsin in 1855 to look up a location, only staying two months and then returning to Pennsylvania. In 1859, came to Wisconsin with the intention of remaining here, and settled in Black River Falls and opened a hardware store in a building which stood where the Jackson County Bank now stands, said store being destroyed by fire in 1860. Mr. Ice then opened a general merchandise store, in partnership with Frank Parsons, which he continued one year, and then started in the lumber business, but only followed it a short time ; moved to Hixton, where he kept a general merchandise store in company with L. G. Merrill. Remained there three years, and then returned to Black River Falls, and started in the lumber business again, at which he still continues, and has made Black River Falls his home since. He has held the office of Assessor and Supervisor in his town and county ; is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., Albion Lodge, No. 134, and of the Encampment. Was married to his first wife, Miss Sarah J. Shansbook, Dec. 25, 1852 ; she was a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Ice died in February, 1855, leaving two children, Ella J., now Mrs. A. D. Merrill, and Franklin S. Mr. Ice was married to his second wife, Miss Elizabeth Southern, April, 1859 ; she was born in Pennsylvania, in 1828, and by whom he has four children-James S., Laura J., Mary and Thuey. Mr. Ice now owns 3,200 acres of land in Texas, 200 in Kansas, and 800 acres of pine land in Wisconsin.

C. R. JOHNSON, Black River Falls, was born in Norfolk Co., Mass., May 22, 1822 ; his parents soon after removed to Holliston, in Middlesex Co., where he received a common school education, ending his school life with several terms at the only academical institution in that vicinity. At the age of eighteen, acting under the advice of friends, and the better to develop his physical powers, which needed strengthen- ing, he shipped as a green hand on board a New Bedford whaler, and for the two following years was cruising on whaling ground in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and returning home, after a successful voyage, he was soon possessed with a desire to go West, and acting upon the im- pulse, he was soon on the way, reaching Monroe Co., Ill., February, 1844, where he remained, among relatives, about one year, in the mean- time making several trips between St. Louis and New Orleans, buying goods below and disposing of them above. In Spring of 1845, he landed at Dubuque, Iowa, and after disposing of some goods that he had on hand, he was, during the Summer following, engaged upon a surveying contract, covering territory west of Dubuque, at that date a wilderness of prairie .. Returning to his starting point about the middle of September, he immediately engaged in a trip up the river to the present city of La Crosse, then almost a naked prairie ; from thence he went eighty miles up the Black River to Douglass Mills, so called, and being present site of the village of North Bend, in Jackson Co., Wis. The object of the expedition was to receive a raft of lumber at the " Mills," and run the same down to Dubuque, and, after accomplishing the contract, Mr. Johnson returned and spent the following Winter among his relatives in Illinois; but, being very favorably impressed with the appearance and prospects of the Black River country-so much so, in fact, that he returned to the river in the early Spring of 1846, and located at the Falls, which has been his home ever since, with the exception hereinafter mentioned. That season he " roughed it " among the rough settlers, and enjoyed it. The following Winter, that of 1846-7, he was engaged by Jacob Spaulding, Esq., the owner of the mill property at the Falls, to teach the first school taught in Wisconsin north and west of Prairie du Chien. In the Spring of 1847. after assisting to run a raft to Galena, Ill., he found an officer enlisting recruits for our army, then battling in Mexico, and with his strong love of adventure, he was easily induced to enlist, and reached Vera Cruz July 4, 1847, and became attached to the brigade of General Franklin Pierce (afterward President), then marching toward the City of Mexico. IIe was engaged in the battles of the Na- tional Bridge, Contreras and Charubusco. After peace was declared, he returned from Mexico, and was discharged at New Orleans, and made his way back to Black River Falls, where he taught school again several

terms, in the meantime being appointed Postmaster, elected Town Clerk. and Justice of the Peace. At the organization of Jackson County he was elected Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and Register of Deeds, and was re-elected to the latter office. In 1852, having qualified himself, he was admitted as an attorney at law, and commenced the practice, in con- nection with W. T. Price, the present State Senator from the 32d Sen- atorial District, and, with the exception of nearly three years' service in the late war of the Rebellion, has, since his admission to the Bar, heen in constant practice of his profession. Has served, during that time, ten years as District Attorney, also two terms as a member of the Wisconsin Legislature, being elected for his last term while in the army. In Octo- ber, 1861, he raised a company in Clark and Jackson Counties, which was mustered into the service at Fond du Lac, as Co. 1, of the 14th Regt. Wis. Vols., and he as captain of the same. Ever since his advent on Black River, Mr. Johnson has been a prominent citizen, and has taken an active interest in all educational matters, as well as upon others of general interest to the people of his section.

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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