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 186

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 186

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ASA RICE, lumber dealer, Sparta. Born in the town of Hannibal, Oswego Co., N. Y., August, 1822. Came to Racine Co., Wis., with his father in the Fall of 1835. Resided in Kacine County till 1843, when he went to Kentucky where he worked at his trade, that of a carpenter and joiner. He returned to Wisconsin and settled in Janesville, Rock Co., where his father had removed from Racine County. He lived in Janesville about seven years, engaged in the grocery trade. He came to Sparta in 1858 and engaged in the same business. Went to Milwaukee in 1864 ; came back to Sparta in 1868, where he has since resided. He was married to his first wife, Sarah A. Clark, December, 1830 ; she died in Milwaukee, November, 1866. Ilis present wife was Mrs. Jennie E. Boyden. Has two children by first wife, Frank G. and Edwin C., they are engaged in a general mercantile business at Watertown, Dakota, His wife has two sons by former marriage; they are with the sons of Mr. Rice in Dakota. Mr. Rice has been engaged in the grocery trade most of the time since he came to Wisconsin, but has now retired from that business and is chiefly engaged in the manufacture of lumber.

ROBERT RICHARDSON, farmer, Sparta. Born in Orange Co., Vt., in 1812. When eleven years of age, his father removed to Ashta- bula Co., Ohio. When twenty-one years of age, he went to Cattaraugus Co., N. V., and engaged in lumbering. Went to Illinois in 1844 and settled in the town of McHenry, McHenry Co. Came to Sparta in the Fall of 1870. Married in Illinois to Isabel Lindsley. They have five children-Robert, Mary, Sylvia, Paul and Lewis.

REV. E. L. SEMANS, pastor of Methodist Episcopal Church. Born in Randolph Co., Ind., September, 1844. lle enlisted April, 1861, in the 8th Reg Ind. Vol., Co. C, and served till the close of the war. He participated in many of the most important battles and campaigns in the war of the Rebellion. Was in Mcclellan's campaign in West Virgina in 1861, took part in the battle of Rich Mountain; was in Fremont's Missouri campaign, took part in the battle of l'ea Ridge, and was present at the siege and surrender of Vicksburg under Gen. Grant ; afterward transferred to the department of the Gulf, under Gen. Banks. Thence to the department of the shenandoah ; was severely wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek ; afterward down the Atlantic Coast to Georgia, where they met the army of Gen. Sherman, in the memorable march to the sea. After the war, Mr. Semans returned to Indiana, where he attended school. Thence to Minnesota, where he was for some time a student at Hamlin College at Red Wing. Thence to Madison, where he became a student of the State University at that city. Ile entered the ministry in 1870. His first charge was at Black Earth, where he remained two years ; then followed three years at Monroe, and the same time at Viroqua. Came to Sparta in 1878. Mr. Semans was married to Miss Sarah Walrath, daugh- ter of Adolphus Walrath, who was an early settler of Dane County, from Ohio, having settled there in 1855, They have four children- Raymond L., Gilbert B., Clara E., and Francis M.

JAMES W. SMITH, retired, Sparta, Born at Northampton, Mass .. in 1816. He went to Rockingham, Vt., when a young man, where he was married to Katherine Ellis. lle removed to Coudersport l'enn., and engaged in the mercantile business. Went to Sheboygan, Wis .. in 1857, where he was engaged in the same occupation. Came to Sparta, December, 1858, and engaged in the hardware trade. His wife died May, 1881. Ilas three children-Mary Nias, Katherine Farnham and James E.

STEVENS HI. STEARNS, Sparta, born in Cayuga Co., N. V., in 1814. His parents removed to the State of Ohio, when he was a child, where he remained till thirty-one years of age. Ile removed to Noble Co., Ind .. in 1845, where he lived till May, 1855, when he removed to Colum- bia Co., Wis. In June, 1856, he came to Monroe County, and settled in the town of Wellington, and engaged in farming. Mr. Stearns is a mill- wright and machinist by trade, which he followed for many years. Was elected Clerk of the Court of Monroe County, in the Fall of 1864 ; since

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.

that time has resided in Sparta. He served as Clerk of the Court twelve years, and as Deputy Clerk for many years. Was married to Matilda Carothers, born in Ontario County. They have had three children, two of whom are living, Orra, wife of Dr. George F. Hamilton, of Augusta, Clark Co., and Elna. Lost second child, Mrs. Adna Ellis.

8. Stilo Euro.

TYLER & DICKINSON, attorneys, Sparta. T. B. Tyler, of the above firm, was born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., in IS24; was brought up in Ontario County ; removed to Potter Co., Penn., 1852, where he was Prothonotary, or Clerk of Court ; here he also read law, and was admitted to the Bar; came to Sparta in April, 1857, and has been engaged in the practice of his profession here since that time. The firm name was originally Montgomery & Tyler. In 1863, it became Mont- gomery, Tyler & Dickinson, and since 1874 has been Tyler & Dickin- son. Mr. Tyler was married to Sarah E. Dean, daughter of Dr. Francis Dean. They have one daughter, Mary E., wife of Ira Hill.

S. M. Dickinson, of the firm of Tyler & Dickinson, was born at Wellsboro, Penn., 1833. Read law at Warren, that State, where he was admitted to the Bar in 1857. Practiced law for a short time in Aurora, Ill. ; came to Wisconsin in 1858, and located at Neillsville, Clark Co .; came to Sparta in 1863. Mr. Dickinson has been married twice; his present wife was Miss Mary S. Dunn. Has four children-Stella and Nora by first marriage, Fannie and Samuel Kent by his present wife.

J. A. WARNER, merchant, firm Warner & Burton, was born in Connecticut, 1835, where he was brought up. He went to Chicago in 1853 ; thence to Sparta in 1856, and engaged in work at his trade, that of a mason. After one or two years, he engaged as a clerk for O. Mc- Farland, a dealer in groceries, boots and shoes. He engaged in busi- ness with Mr. D. D. Cheeny, about 1865. This firm continued a few months. The firm of which he was a partner was known as J. A. War- ner & Co., until about 1871 ; then as Warner & Hill till 1873. Mr. War- ner was then alone in business till 1877; then retired from business till the Fall of 1880, when he again engaged in business under the present firm name. For many years he did quite an extensive jobbing business in connection with his retail trade. Married Miss Frank L. Cornes, daughter of George Cornes. They have one son, Fred C.

ALFRED W. WILSON, Sparta, station agent for C., M, & St. P. R. R. Co., was born in Wakeman, Huron Co., Ohio, in 1831. IIe has been connected with railroading for many years. He was at one time station agent on the Toledo & Cleveland Railroad, now the Lake Shore & Mich- igan Southern. He was located at Townsend Station. This was in 1852. He remained there two years. In 1855, was connected with the C., B. & Q. road; went to Quincy. III .; was conductor for a time; also acted as station agent ; altogether about four years. He came to Sparta, February, 1859; went to California the same year, where he was en- gaged in railroading, having charge of a railroad over the mountains. Ile returned from California in 1863; went into the army, as sutler, for two years ; then went to his native town, Wakeman, Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile trade till the Spring of 1868. Ile then returned to Sparta ; took charge of his present station October, 1870. This position he has occupied since. He was married to Mary A, Blodgett, daughter of Joseph Blodgett. They have four sons.

ANGELO.

Directly west of Sparta is situated the town of Angelo. The first settlement was made by Dr. Seth Angel and his brother Loyd in the year 1852. The latter took up a farm, while the doctor built a saw mill and house within the lim- its of the present village of Angelo. Dr. Angel's saw mill, at this early day, was the only one nearer than Esau Jolin- son's on the Kickapoo, and the settlers were often compelled to wait in line for hours for their turn to come to get boards. On the third day of May, 1856, the village was platted, tak- ing its name from the town, which was named in honor of the family who first settled it. The population of the town and village is about 450; that of the village will not exceed fifty. The farming land about the town is unusually fine, the principal grain products being wheat and corn.

BIÓGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JAMES C. BOYLE, farmer, Sec. 19, P. O. Sparta, was born in Knox Co., Ohio, in 1833. His parents were James and Mahala Carey Boyle. The former was born in Virginia, the latter in New Jersey. The father of Mr. Boyle went to Ohio with his parents from Virginia in IS07. James C. came to Sparta, November, 1857, and settled on his present farm soon after. His first wife was Ellen Hedge, born in Ohio ; his present wife was Zipporah Binkley, born in Stark Co., Ohio. Mr. Boyle had three children by first wife, one of whom is living, Lewis C., at present telegraph operator at Viroqua. Has two by present wife, Anna Adele and James B. The parents of Mr. Boyle still reside in Knox Co., Ohio, on the farm where his grandfather settled in 1807. Mr. B.'s farm contains about 200 acres. He is engaged quite extensively in dairying.

GEORGE W. GRAVES, farmer, Sec. 32, P. O. Sparta. Born in Yates Co., N. Y., in 1811, where he lived until October, 1857, when he came to Sparta. Mr. Graves is a carpenter and millwright by trade, which occupations he has followed for the greater part of his life. He was engaged in the construction of many of the best buildings in Sparta, including the High-school building of that village; also framed and raised the Baptist Church in 1864. With his brother, Israel Graves, he built the present Sparta Bank building. In 1868, he and his brother were engaged on the construction of the West Wisconsin Railroad. Here he was employed about six years. He built the first depot at Eau Claire, also round-house, tank, etc., in that city ; in fact, nearly all the first railroad buildings from Eau Claire to Hudson. Other prominent buildings might be mentioned in whose construction he was identified. He built a flouring mill in Sparta in 1869; also the woolen factory in that village. Was also engaged in bridge building many years, building most of the bridges in the town of Sparta. He was married in the State of New York, to Jane Page. She died in the Spring of 1863. 1Iis pres- ent wife is Lucy Ayers. He had six children by first marriage, five sons and one daughter. The daughter only survives. One son, Nathan, en- listed in the 36th Wis. V. I. in 1864, was through the campaign of the Wilderness, was taken prisoner, and died in prison at Saulsbury the lat- ter part of 1864. Mr. Graves has now retired to his farm in the village of Angelo.

LOREN M. HUNTLEY, farmer, Sec. 7, resides in the village of Athens. P. O. Sparta. Born in the town of Duxbury, Washington Co., Vt., in 1812. He was brought up in his native State. Came to the vil- lage of Sparta, November, 1854, where he lived one year. Settled where he now lives in 1855. Married Hannah Hoyt, a sister of Samuel Hoyt, Esq., of Sparta. They have three children-Mary, wife of O. F. Dor- win, Samuel M. and S. C. Mr. Huntley was first Assessor of the town of Angelo.

GEORGE SHEPHERD (deceased). Born in Yorkshire, England. April 10, 1796. Married in England to Mary Brookes. Emigratel to the United States in the Fall of 1843, and settled in the town of Win- chester, Scott Co., Ill. Removed thence to Springfield, whence to Wau- pun in the Fall of 1845. Mr. Shepherd was a business man, and when a young man, was engaged in his native town of Barnesby, in the manu- facture of linen goods. Was afterward engaged in the manufacture of cutlery, in Sheffield, England. He came to Monroe County with his family in the Fall of 1854, and settled in the village of Athens. Ile died, Nov. 22, 1877. Ilis widow resides with he Mr. and Mrs.

Shepherd had seven children, four of whom died in England. The sur- viving children are-Ann B., now Mrs. H. Il. Pettis: Wilham, born in England in 1831; he enlisted in 1863 in the Igth Wis. V. 1., and served till the close of the war. IIe was married to Ann E. Southard, born in Vermont. They have no children; have one adopted child, Archie C.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Mr. Shepherd has been quite prominent as a teacher in Monroe County; has taught about fifteen terms in Monroe County. Mrs. Shepherd was born in Bridgeport, Addison Co., Vt., mn 1844. Came to Wisconsin with her parents in 1859. George W. Shepherd, the youngest of the three children of George Shepherd, was born in England, June, 1837. He was also a member of the 19th Wis. V. I. The farm on which the brothers reside, is the homestead where the father settled soon after he came to the county.

JOHN A. SHOLTS, teacher, principal of the Angelo village school, P.O. Sparta, was born in Springfield, Erie Co., Penn., May 30, 1846. His parents removed to Wisconsin in the Fall of that year, and settled near Madison, Dane Co, where they resided till their death. Mr. Sholts began teaching in the Spring of 1866, in Rock County. Has followed the profession of teaching since that time. Has taught in Monroe Conn- ty since the Fall of 1869. Began teaching the school of which he now has charge, in 1878. Mr. Sholts is a popular and successful teacher, and the school in Athens has prospered well under his administration. Not less than eighteen of his pupils of 1880, began teaching in the Spring of ISSI. His wife was Miss Emma Kenyon. They have four daughters.

JOHN W. SMITII, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 35, P.O. Sparta, was born in Schoharie Co., N.Y., in 1833 ; came to Wisconsin in the Spring of 1854. He lived at Beloit till the following Fall, when he came to Monroe County ; lived the ensuing Winter in the village of Angelo ; settled in Farmers' Valley in 1855, where he has since resided. His father was K. G. Smith, and came to Wisconsin from the State of New York in 1854. He died in the town of Angelo, February 1879. Mr. Smith was married to Eveline L. West. They have one son, Ansyl E. Mr. Smith has about 300 acres of land. and is engaged quite extensively in dairying. He makes a specialty of the Devonshire breed of cattle ; has at present about thirty head of that popular and valuable class of stock.

LAFAYETTE.

CHANDLER DAMMON, farmer, Sec. 32, P.O. Sparta, was born in Maine, in 1319, where he was brought up, and married Matilda Doan, born in the same State. They came to Dane Co., Wis., in 1844, and settled in the town of Rutland, where they lived till 1857, then came to Monroe County and purchased present farm; lived, however, one year in the village of Sparta, before locating on his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Damman have had twelve children, nine of whom are living-three sons and six daughters. His farm contains eighty acres.

CYRUS E. HANCHETT, farmer, Sec. 32, P.O. Sparta, was born in Cortland Co., N.Y., in 1826, where he lived till fourteen years of age, when he left home. He engaged at work on a farm for several years. In 1847, he went to Connecticut where he was engaged as overseer on iron works till 1855. His first wife was Miss Sarah A. Hanchett, born in Connecticut. They came to Wisconsin in December, 1855. Mr. Hanchett bought a farm in the town of Angelo, Monroe Co., which he owned about two years ; he then settled on his present farm, which he purchased at the same time. His wife died January, 1874 ; his present wife was Miss Sarah E. Brigner. Mr. Hanchett began life a poor boy ; his mother having died when he was but two years of age, he did not have the bene- fit of her valnable influence in his early manhood. After he left his father's home, he lived for some time with Mr, George Truesdell, for whom he possesses a grateful remembrance. By him he was sent to school, and thus enabled to obtain the rudiments of an English educa- tion. Mr. Hanchett has a pleasant home and a well-improved farm of 120 acres.

A. H. ISHAM, farmer, Sec. 29. P. O. Sparta, was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1819. He was married to Sabrina E. Smith, born in the same county. They came to Wisconsin in the Spring of 1850. Mr. Isham engaged as foreman in a boot and shoe manufactory at Beloit, for about four years. Came to Monroe County in the Fall of 1855, and set- tled where he now lives. Ile, however, had purchased his farm in 1853. Mr. Isham has held several town offices ; has been Chairman of Town Board many years, and Chairman of Board of l'oor Commissioners nine years. Ile is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, has been Master of Valley Lodge, No. 60, for a dozen years or more. Is also a member of the degree of Knights Templar. Mr. and Mrs. Isham have four daughters-Phebe, Lois, Josephine and Mary. Mr. Isham is en- gaged in general farming. His farm contains 260 acres.

MARTIN V. B. MORSE, farmer Sec. 32, P. O. Sparta. Born in Hanover, Grafton Co., N. 11., in 1829, where he lived till January, 1856, when he came to Monroe County and settled on his present farm, which he purchased of Cyrus Rich. Ile has a fine farm of 440 acres, and is pleasantly located. His father, Moses Morse, came to Monroe County about 1860. Ilis wife was Maria II. Doten, born in New Hampshire. They have four children- Fred O., Flora B., J.nella E. and William M.

REV. WILLIAM BUSII, farmer and minister of the M. E. Church, Sec. 33. P. O. Sparta, was born in llerkimer Co., N. Y., in ISO8. Ilis parents removed to Madison County when he was a child. Ile was brought up a farmer. He began the ministry about IS38, as a member of the Genesee Conference. Ile was connected with this conference till 1852. llis health having failed from overwork, he decided by the ad-

vice of his physicians, to make a change of climate. He therefore came to Wisconsin in May, 1853, with the intention of engaging in missionary work. He soon after purchased the farm where he now lives, where he settled with his family in the Fall of 1855. Mr. Bush was engaged in doing missionary work in the interest of the church with which he is identified, for many years. He understands well the privations and hardships incident to the life of a pioneer minister. He has labored long and faithfully in the interests of his church, and is reaping the reward which comes from the memory of a well spent life. The first sermon he preached in Monroe County was delivered in a blacksmith shop in Sparta in 1853. He was instrumental in building the first Meth- odist Church in Sparta, which was built in 1856. At the time Mr. Bush came to Wisconsin the Rev. Alfred Bronson, D. D., now of Prairie du Chien, was the presiding elder. Of him Mr. Bush speaks in the highest terms for his energy and enterprising Christian spirit. Mr. Bush lost his first wife in New York. His present wife was Ursula Graves, born at Victor, Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1817, Her parents, Na- thaniel and Amanda Graves came to Wisconsin with Mr. Bush. Her father, a local minister, died in 1876, aged eighty-three years. Her mother is still living. Mr. Bush has one son by first wife, Orris R. His children by present wife are Mary E., Elbert, George W. and Nettie, all born in the State of New York.

ISAAC W. COOPER, farmer, Sec. 21, P.O. Sparta. Born in Litch- field Co., Conn., in 1820. Was brought up in Connecticut. Married Elizabeth H. Decker, born in Columbia Co .. N. Y. They came to Wisconsin in the Spring of 1855 and settled on their present farm. They have seven children-James D., Laura I., Sarah E., John P., Ed- ward E., Albert W. and Minnie E. Lost their oldest daughter. Mr. Cooper's farm contains 200 acres.

CATARACT.

Is a little village situated in town of Little Falls, has a school and church, also a large flouring mill, run by Messrs. Moffat & Scantleing. The surrounding country is a fine agri- cultural district.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

AUSTIN S. BEEMER, farmer, Sec. 28, P. O. Cataract. Born in the State of New Jersey, in ISIS. Removed to Orleans Co., N. Y., he went to Fulton Co., JI1., in 1841. Came to Wisconsin in the Summer of IS43 ; lived in Washington County till the Spring of 1856, and settled on lris present farm, where he has since lived. He enlisted in the Spring of 1865, in the 53rd Reg., but was discharged after three months' service, for disability. His first wife was Susan M. Matthews, His present wife was Mrs. Eliza La Barr, formerly Eliza Johnson ; she was born in Ver- mont, she was the daughter of Willis Johnson, who came 10 Wisconsin from Vermont, in 1855, settled in this town in 1856, and died in the Fall of 1871. Her first husband, Alonzo La Barr, enlisted in 1863, in the 36th Reg., Wis. V. I., and was killed at the battle of Spottsylvania, in 1864. Mr. Beemer has two children by first wife, Adolph S. and Thomas M. His farm contains 120 acres.

D. V. COLE, proprietor of hotel, P. O. Cataract. Mr. Cole was born in Rutland Co., Vt., in 182S. In the Fall of 1855, he came to La Crosse, Wis., thence to Jackson County. He entered land in Sec. 12, town of Little Falls, the following January, where he lived till the Spring of IS74, he then came to Cataract, kept a meat market here for three years, then engaged in keeping his present hotel. lle was married to Alma M. Maxham ; born in Franklin Co., Vt. He was married in the Fall of 1854. They have three children-Julia M., now Mrs. Charles Walker, Emma and Hattie. Lost one daughter, Fannie P.

MARK P. MATTESON, farmer, Sec. 29, P. O. Cataract. Born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in IS20. He moved to Monroe Co., Mich., with his parents, Roswell and Miranda Matteson, in 1834. His parents removed from St Clair Co., Mich., to Wauwatosa, Wis, in 1848, where they lived two years, thence to Washington County, thence to Wanpaca County, where they now reside. Parents had thirteen children-nine sons and four daughters. Six sons and two daughters reached mature years; five sons and two daughters still living-Ezekiel D., Mark P., Charles K., David A., Zapher W., Lucy and Martha. They are all residents of Wau- paca, except Mark P. The latter came to Wisconsin in 1851, he resided in Fond du Lac County till the Fall of 1856, when he came to Monroe County, and settled on his present farm. Ile was married to Eliza Locke; born in Lower Canada. They have seven children, four sons and three daughters. Mr. Matteson's farm contains 100 acres. He has been Town Treasurer of Little Falls, and member of Town Board several years.

LEON.

The first settlement in the town was made by Ephraim Shaw, who arrived in June, 1851. Mr. Shaw took up land and

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY

went to farming. The farm was afterward sold to Robert Smith, who, in 1880, erected a handsome brick house almost upon the same site where Mr. Shaw's house stood. In August of 1851, W. J. Austin arrived in Leon, taking up 1,400 acres of land, 100 of which he cleared the first Sum- mer. Mr. Austin says : " I came to this country to make money, and I have made it." The fifth season he gathered a crop of 12,000 bushels of grain, 9,000 of which being oats, the balance wheat and corn. On the fourteenth day of November, 1853, the village was surveyed and platted, and begins at the quarter post on the section line between Sec- tion 10 and II, in Town 16, north of Range 4, west of fourth principal meridian, thence running east on the quarter line of Section II, to the Little La Crosse River; thence up said river to the south line of northwest quarter of south- west quarter of Section 11 ; thence west on said line to the quarter line of Section 10; thence east three chains and ninety links to the place beginning. The village contains about twenty-four acres. North of Leon about one mile is the Leon Cemetery, platted October 10, 1865. The lots are laid out very nicely, being 10x20 feet, with the walks twelve feet wide. First house either in town or village was built by Ephraim Shaw, June 1851.

In July, same year, R. S. Kingman and his two brothers, Rosalvo and Alvarado, came to the county from Ashtabula, Ohio, and settled in Leon. At this time, there was a great many came into the town, settling in different parts of the valley among whom was a man by the name of Metzgar, who afterward moved to Portland, settling in the extreme south of that town. First post-office was established in 1856, but was discontinued a few years later, but has since been re-established. In 1861, a grist-mill was built by C. F. Western, who ran it about a year, when it was purchased by Mr. Austin, in 1862. The mill has four run of stone. Mr. Austin did a large business, turning out from 100 to 150 barrels of flour per day. The mill is situated on the Little La Crosse River, having a water- power, equal to 48-horse power.

There are three churches in the village, the Methodist, Congregational and Adventists. The Methodist meeting- house was erected March, 1869, and the Congregational a little later in same year. The Adventist's was not built until 1878.

Leon Valley, in this town, is settled by a thrifty class of farmers, who have, many of them, realized consider- able wealth by patient and careful cultivation of the soil. The general products are wheat, oats and corn. The population of the town and village is 975, the village claiming about sixty-five inhabitants.

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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