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 187

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 187

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM J. AUSTIN, farmer and stock-raiser, also owner of Leon Mills, was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, May 26, 1823. 1Ie came to Sheboygan Co., Wis., about 1847. He settled in Leon Valley in 1851; was County Treasurer in 1854. Superintendent of Schools in 1858, and has held various other local offices. Was elected to the As- sembly of Wisconsin in 1881. Mr. Austin is one of the prominent men of Leon Valley. He is largely engaged in stock-raising, and owns over 1,000 acres of land. lle was married in Sheboygan County, in 1850, to Maria E. Sanford, daughter of Benjamin E. Sanford. Mrs. Austin was born in the town of Copley, Summit Co., Ohio, in 1829. IIer father was

a native of Massachusetts, and went to Ohio from Vermont when a young man. Mr. and Mrs. Austin have four children-Eugene F., Clifford R., Stella I. and Earnest C., all born in the town of Leon.

A. H. GILLILAND, farmer, Sec. 14, P. O. Leon, born in the North of Ireland, 1822; came to the United States in 1840 ; lived in Onon- daga County till 1853, when he came to Monroe County, and settled where he now lives. He is an extensive farmer. His wife was also a native of Ireland. They have two sons, John H. and Albert E.

W. S JEWELL' (deceased), born in England ; came to the United States about 1842 ; settled in Racine Co., Wis., where he lived eleven years ; then removed to Monroe County, and settled in the town of Leon, where he resided till his death, which occurred Jan. 8, 1881. Left five children-Arthur W., born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1832 ; came to this country with his parents; married Mary E. Marshall, born in Dutchess Co., N. Y. : they have one child, Clara E. The other children of W. S. Jewell, are William, Leah, George and Jane. The last two were born in this country.

REV. WILLIAM McMILLAN, pastor of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, Leon ; born in Ohio, in 1826, settled in Richland County in 1856 ; began preaching in 1862. His field of labor has been mostly in Richland and Vernon counties. He came to Monroe County and became pastor of the church at Leon, October, 1880. Married Miss P. H. Harland. They have two children, Harland and A. K. They lost two daughters.

A. H. MATTESON, farmer, Sec. II, P. O. Leon, born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1830, where he was brought up. He came to Leon Val- ley, May, 1857 ; settled where he now lives in 1858, though he had vis- ited the Valley in 1855. His parents M. W. and Abigail Matteson, came in 1858, and resided at the home of A. H. till their death. Par- ents had three children-Melissa B., Willard J. and Alonzo H. Wil- lard died October, 1861. Melissa B. is now Mrs. Charles Morgan. A. H. married Susie Clark, native of Otsego, N. Y. They have three children- Jennie, now Mrs. Clifford Austin ; Vera B. and Grace Abigail. They lost their oldest child, Melville E., who died in 1855, July IS. He was born Feb. 6, 1854.

CHIARLES J. MATTESON, farmer, P. O. Leon. Born in Otsego Co., N. Y., October, 1818. He came to Wisconsin in 1846, and settled in Fond du Lac County. Returned to New York in 1848, and was mar- ried to Livonia Tucker, born in Chenango County. Returned to Wis- consin ; resided in Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties, till June, 1854, when he came to Monroe County, and settled in the town of Leon. He built a store and engaged in the mercantile business, which he fol- lowed for about twelve years; was also Postmaster during this time. This store, which is still standing, was the second frame building in the village of Leon. Was engaged, also, in farming, in connection with his mercantile business. Has a pleasant home in the village of Leon, and a fine farm of 300 acres. His wife died Feb. 18, 1881. Has two chil- dren, Willis and Carrie.

ROBERT SMITH, farmer. Born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1841. He was brought up in Saratoga County. When a young man he trav. eled considerably through the Western States, and settled in Sparta in 1855. He was engaged in various occupations for a time. In 1856, and 1857, was engaged as clerk in Sparta. He finally engaged as a partner with S. D. Jackson, in the firm name of Jackson & Smith. They established a large business; had several branch houses at other points and also did quite an extensive jobbing trade. He continued in the mercantile business till the close of the war. Ile purchased his present farm, in Leon Valley, of Nelson Carrier. IIe has about 500 acres of land. Is engaged quite extensively in stock raising. Mr. Smith has been very fortunate in his business adventures, and is numbered among the wealthiest men of Monroe County. Ilis home in Leon is an elegant one, he having one of the finest brick residences in the county. Mr. Smith has been Chairman of the Town Board for several years. Ile married Mary L. Link, daughter of H. A. Link, one of the earliest settlers of Leon Valley. They have two children, Howard R. and June Bell. The former is a student at the State University, at Madison, which institu- tion he entered in 1880.

CASHTON.

This is a village of about one hundred inhabitants. In 1854 Thompson Hazen, who had settled in the pines on the Kickapoo in 1849, came to this locality, building him a house about two miles south of the present village of Cash- ton. From this circumstance, and owing partly to the fact of Mr. Hazen keeping "open house," the neighborhood was known as " Hazen's," or " Hazen's Corner." The vil- lage of Cashton was surveyed and platted for Col. Cash, on the thirteenth day of September, 1879, the boundary line commencing sixty rods from north quarter-post, on south side

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

of Section 30, Town 15. Since the platting, the town has grown very much, having at the present time eight stores, including the general stores, two blacksmith shops and one wagon shop. One hotel, called after the village, the Cash- ton House, one church building, a post-office and a ware- house. The post-office was established in the Spring of ISSo, at which time Mr. Surdam was appointed Postmaster. The first building erected was the warehouse, by Messrs. Coates & Little, in 1879. This same year the Viroqua branch of the C., M. & St. P. R. R., passed through, and erected a station, adjoining the warehouse. In 1880, this village had but thirteen buildings, and a population of six- ty-five. There has been several additions made to the vil- lage since the original plat was made, and improvements are being made, that will make of it a place of interest in the county.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HENRY H. CREMER. farmer, P. O. Cashton, was born in Prus- sia, on the Rhine, July 25. 1837 where he lived till twenty years of age, when he came to the United States. Ile left Germany Oct. S. 1857. reaching New York on Nov. 27.h following. His mother died in Germany. Ilis father, with three daughters, came to the United States with him. Two brothers of Mr. Cremer, Matthias and William, had come over in the Spring of that year. Family settled in Pine Hollow, town of Jefferson, where father died, August, 1867. Ilenry, being the youngest son, kept the homestead, which he occupied till 1866. He then sold it to one Anthony Sepmelzer, from Ohio. Henry then built him a residence in Pine Hollow. on Sec. 29, where he lived till 1878, which he then sold. He then visited lowa, Minnesota and Nebraska, looking for a location ; but finding nothing that suited him better than Monroe County, he came back, and was elected County Clerk in the Fall of 1878. Ile then located in Sparta, where he remained till the expiration of his office. In January, ISSI, he settled on his present farm, which he had purchased on his return from the West. Mr. Cre- mer has held various town offices : Has been Town Clerk for about twelve years, Chairman of Town Board six years and Justice of the Peace sixteen years. Mr. Cremer is a prominent and intelligent gentle- man, and as his record shows, possesses the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Flock, born in Prus- sia, and came to this country with her parents in the Spring of 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Cremer have had ten children.

MARK DANIELS, station agent at Cashton ; born in Florence, St. Joseph Co., Mich .. in 1842, where he was brought up. Ile enlisted in 1862, in the 19th Mich. He served in the army till the close of the war. Was severely wounded before Atlanta, July, IS64. After the close of the war, he returned to Michigan, and was engaged as clerk at Detroit one year. He has been engaged in railroading since 1866. Was at that time appointed re- ceiving clerk at Winona Junction, on the C., M. & St. Paul R. R. Thence to Trempealean, where he was baggage master for some time. Thence to Mankato ; afterward to St. Peter. Ile then returned to Winona Junc- tion, near La Crosse, where he was station agent for five years ; he was then engaged in the Auditor's office, at Le Seuer for a time; thence to Melvina, Monroe Co., where he was the first station agent at Melvina. Was appointed station agent at Cashton, September, 1879, the first agent at this place. He was married in St. Peter, to Mary I. Clapp. They have one child, Lola. Lost one child, Francis.

W. B. SURDAM, Postmaster at Cashton, born at Iloosac Falls, Rensselaer Co., N. V., went to Massachusetts, where he lived till 1844 thence to Saratoga County, thence to Chautauqua County. He came lo Wisconsin in 1853, and settled al Watertown, Jefferson Co. In 1955, he removed to what was then Adams, now Juneau County, and settled at New Lisbon, and engaged in the mercantile business ; afterward built a hotel in that town ; afterward removed to Fort Dodge, and engaged in the mercantile business ; thence to Chicago ; came here November, 1871; was appointed Postmaster Dec. 18, 1879. llis wife was a native of Mas- sachusells. They have four children-Mary, Dora, Georgia, wife of W. II. H. Cash, after whom the village was named, and William F.

J. B. TROWBRIDGE, M. D., Cashton, born in Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1853 ; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1856 ; father settled in Viroqua, Vernon Co., where he still lives. Dr. Trowbridge studied medicine with Dr. William A. Gott, of Viroqua. Allended lectures at Rush Medical College, where he will graduate in the Spring of 1882. Ile began the practice of medicine at Cashton, in the Spring of 1880. His wife was Belle Clapp.

MELVINA.

The first settler in the town of Jefferson was Thomas Rathbun, in 1855. His claim laid about half a mile south of what is now the village of Melvina. The same year he was joined by Richard Cole, who settled near him upon what is known as the Cole-Rathbun branch. The first house was erected by Mr. Rathbun, 1855, the first school being started by Miss Sarah Osborne, the following year. From this time, the town commenced to grow very rapidly, settlers coming in in great numbers, and making their claims in various parts of the town. The village of St. Mary's was settled at this time. The population of the town now ag- gregates about 1,075 inhabitants, including the villages of Melvina, Cashton and St. Mary's.

This village is situated on the line of the Viroqua branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which passes directly through the town. The first man to settle within the limits of the village was Capt. C. Hunt, who arrived in 1866, and built the first house, which he still oc- cupies, having, however, made considerable improvements during the last few years. Capt. Hunt at this time bought a farm of about 400 acres, and commenced raising grain. A few years later, he disposed of about 200 acres, and used the balance for the purpose of raising stock. In this he has had remarkably great success, particularly with sheep and horned cattle. During this and the following year, there there were quite a number arrived and settled in the village. The post-office was established in 1867, and Capt. Hunt appointed Postmaster. In 1869, he built the grist-mill, put- ting in two run of stone, with capacity for grinding 200 bushels per day. The mills are still owned and operated by Capt. Hunt, and are known as " Hunt's Mills." One of the features of Melvina is the large fish-pond of Capt. Hunt, which he has well stocked with speckled trout, perch and California salmon. The pond is kept well-supplied with water from the Little La Crosse River, which passes through and about the village, upon which stream Hunt's mills are situated. The village was surveyed and platted December 11, 1866, and is situated on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 6, Town 15, Range 3.

The population is estimated at seventy-five ; has one church building, used in common by all denominations ; one hotel, one general store, cheese factory, post - office, grist mill, school-house and blacksmith shop.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

RICHARD S. W. COLE, farmer, P. O. Jefferson. Born in London, England, in 1826. Came to this country in 1847, with his parents, who settled in Racine Co., Wis. Mr. Cole came to Monroe County, June, 1855. and settled in the town of Jefferson, where he now lives. Ilis wife was Harriet Kathbun, daughter of Thomas Rathbun. They have nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Mr. Cole has a pleasant and romantic location, which he is improving. and intends lo have a pleasant resort. He has one of the most beautiful trout ponds in the State of Wisconsin, adjacent to his house. This pond is well stocked with speckled beauties, and the angler for this delicate and beautiful fish, here finds abundant opportunity for his favorite sport.

CAPT. CHIARLES A. IIUNT, Melvina, is engaged in farming and milling ; he was born in Chautauqua Co., N.Y., in 1829. where he lived till 1845, when he came lo Rock Co., Wis. In the following Feb- ruary he went Grant County, where he was engaged in mining, two years ; he then learned the trade of a miller, at Hazel Green, with

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.

Lightcap & Edwards. In 1850, he went to California, where he was en- gaged in mining ; returned to Hazel Green, and engaged again in mill- ing. In the Spring of 1856, he removed to what was then Bad Axe County. now Vernon, and built a mill at Bloomingdale. He enlisted July, 1862, in the 25th Wis. At the organization of the regiment, he was elected first lieutenant of Co. K. He served as aid-de-camp and quarter master about one year ; was promoted to a captaincy, November, 1864, and served in that capacity till the close of the war; he partic- ipated in many important campaigns and engagements; was in the At- Janta campaign, siege of Vicksburg. etc. At the close of the war, he returned to Vernon County and sold his property there ; came to Mel- vina in 1866; has served two terms in the Legislature of Wisconsin, · having been elected in 1868, and again in 1870. In 1874. he was com- missioned by the Governor to remove the Winnebago Indians to their territory in Nebraska. Capt. Hun's first wife was Amanda Melvina Ray, after whom the village was named. The present Mrs. Hunt is a sister of his former wife ; has three children by first wife-Henry W., Francis Marion and Mettella A. Capt. Hunt has a farm of about 200 acres, and is also the owner of Hunt's mill of this place.

THOMAS RATHBUN (deceascd), was born in Newport, R. I., in 1798. When a boy about fifteen years of age, he removed with his father's family to Herkimer Co., N. Y. Came to Wisconsin from Onon- daga County in 1843. and settled in the town of Raymond, Racine Co. He was married in Herkimer County to Lucinda Austin, who survives him. They came to Monroe County from Sheboygan Co., Wis., May 18, 1852, and settled in the town of Jefferson. Had twelve children, two of whom died in the State of New York. Eight sons and two daugh- ters came to Wisconsin with their parents. Six of the sons were soldiers in the Union army during the Rebellion ; one of whom died soon after he enlisted ; another was mortally wounded at the battle of Cold Har- bor, and the fate of another is unknown. Hiram was born in Herkimer County, in 1834 ; now resides on a part of the homestead. He was married to Sarah Osborne, whose father settled in Wisconsin in 1857. George, the youngest son of Thomas Rathbun, was the first white child born in the town of Jefferson. The date of his birth is April 23, 1853

TOMAH.

The town and village of Tomah was named in honor of Tomah, a chief of the Menominee Indians. It is said of him that his hands were never stained with human blood. In 1817, he moved his tribe to Mackinaw, where he died the same year. The first permanent white settler in the village of Tomah, was Robert E. Gillett, who came from Cleve- land, Ohio, in 1855, and settled here. He made or bought a claim, taking in all of the original plat of the village and four forties adjoining in Section 9. In May, 1855, Gillett built a log cabin, containing four rooms, the first building of any kind in Tomah.

In June, 1857, C. C. Miller and Cady Hollister arrived with their families, and at once made arrangements to settle here. This same month they erected their cabins, having received grants from Gillett for that purpose.

There were great inducements offered at this time by the State government, to parties in search of land for homes ; thirty years time being allowed by paying seven per cent in- terest. This, and the location of the land office, caused a great deal of travel by way of Tomah, which naturally re- sulted in the gradual settlement of the village and land near by. In 1856, Gillett built a steam saw-mill in the northern portion of the village, bringing from Portage City a fifteen horse-power engine to run it. This mill was operated by Wallace Jackson and Webster Kenyon, who settled here in August of that year. At this time this was the only steam saw-mill in the county. James Rockwood, and four broth- ers, named, respectively, Josiah, Henry, William and Charles Bradley, came about the same time. James Rockwood built a large log house near the saw-mill, and opened a boarding house. The Bradley boys located in different sections of

the town. Mr. S. Jennings and Elisha Cady became resi- dents of this part of the country in October, 1856. Jen- nings took up land adjoining Hollister's claim, and Cady built a log house a little east of where the Chicago, Milwau- kee & St. Paul R. R. depot now stands. The year 1857, brought its own events, and several new settlers.

On the fourth day of June, Mr. Gillett had the village surveyed and platted. A little later in the same year, C. W. Kellogg, an elder of the Methodist denomination, built the first frame house in the village, upon a lot given him for the purpose, by Mr. Gillett, who was offering lots to all who would build upon them. The lot upon which Kellogg built is known as the "Knoll," and is situated in the western part of the village.

On the first Sunday in July, 1857, Elder Kellogg deliv- ered the first sermon in the village, in a new barn built by Mr. Gillett, who said he wished to have it dedicated. At this time people were constantly making new claims and the way it was done was rather amusing. A man having assured himself that he wanted a certain piece of land, would have a friend go with him, help him cut a few sticks and build a pen, where they would sleep for a night or two. Then they Sought the land office to make the entry ; whereupon witness would be asked : " Are you positive that this man has made improvements on the land that he desires to purchase ?" "Yes." " How do you know it? " " I helped him build his house." "Did you sleep in said house while working for him ?" " Yes, sir." That was sufficient. The party gen- erally got the land.

In 1857, the first store was started by Asher Haynes. The same year, Reuben Shappen arrived and built the first black- smith shop. This shop was located on the next lot to where Powers' drug store now stands. Another small frame house was erected by Kellogg, which he used as a grocery and drug store. The first school was established in the Sum- mer of 1856, and was held in a barn. The following Sum- mer there was a log house erected for the purpose, located opposite Gillett's dwelling, and was twelve by sixteen feet in dimensions. At this time there were but eight pupils. The first teacher was Emma Bush.

Prominent among the arrivals of 1856-7, were Amasa Maloy, Harvey Bush, and Alden Cramer. Solomon Hollis- ter and Emeline Braman were united in marriage, in Feb- ruary, 1857, being the first couple married in the village. Hattie, daughter of Amasa Maloy, was born March 6, 1856. being the first birth in the village. First male child born was Frank, son of C. C. Miller, June, 1856. The first death was Mary, daughter of Harvey Bush, who died in March, 1857. There was quite an influx of settlers in 1857-8 ; so many new parties arrived that it is impossible to enumerate them. Buildings went up as if by magic, and the spot which had so lately echoed to no tread except that of the Indian, became alive with busy people.

This year the first town officers were elected. The election was held in the house of John Sexton, who charged the town $3 for its use. The officers elected at that time were : John G. Staysa, Chairman ; Harvey Bush, Town Clerk;

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Alden Cramer, Treasurer. Supervisors were Benjamin Mel and C. A. Adams. Justices of the Peace, Amasa Maloy, Benjamin Mel, James Rockwood and Robert E. Gillett. The development of Tomah for the following nine years was rapid.

During 1858 and 1860, manufacturing institutions, schools and churches, sprang up. The Milwaukee & St. Paul road was finished through here in 1858, running through from the east to the tunnel, and westward from that point. The tunnel not being finished until about seven months later, the company were compelled to run a stage line over the bluff to transfer passengers from one side to the other. The opening of this line through Tomah caused a great increase of population ; the village fast assuming the proportions of a city. The war of the rebellion came, and the progress that was becoming one of the characteristics of the place, was checked. The implements of industry were laid aside, and the destructive weapons of war taken up. Numbers of the best men of the village gave up their pursuits of peace and joined the army to aid in obliterating treason ; many of them never returning. Like all the Wisconsin villages and towns, Tomah was well represented among the brave men who fought to crush the rebellion.

The year 1859 was one of peculiar significance to the people of Tomah. In that year, the post-office was estab- lished, and Cady Hollister appointed Postmaster. The settlers had made a petition to have an office established here in 1858, but were unable to secure the privilege.

The office was rated fourth class until 1867, when it was made a money order office, the first order being received by Mrs. Charles W. King, in May of that year, and was for $50. In this year, also, the village received its charter as a regularly incorporated village, under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, and the first village officers chosen. From this year (1867) until 1871, the village was very prosperous, numerous stores and houses being built, and the people branching out into all kinds of business. In 1871-2, Tomah, as well as all the new Western towns, felt the shock occasioned by the Jay Cooke failure, and business received a backset from which it has never entirely recovered. While there is, apparently, as much, if not more, capital represented in the town than ever, the people do not seem to bring it forward, being satisfied to do a smaller and safer business. Tomah has at present a population in the town of 2,106 inhabitants, of whom 1,245 are residents of the village.

There are numerous general stores, a bank, which is a branch of the banking house of Messrs. Kingman & Thayer, of Sparta, who established the bank in Tomah in in 1879. Two newspapers, the Tomah Journal and the Ba.iger State Monitor. The former was established by Messrs. Wells & Bro., in 1867. This was the first news- paper in Tomah, and has a circulation, in village and county, of about 500. It is a five-column quarto, and well edited by the present proprietor, C. Wells. The Monitor is a newspaper recently established by Jay R. Hinckley, the initial sheet making its appearance July 1, 1881. Mr.

Hinckley was for some time principal of the Tomah schools, and judging by his success in filling his subscription list, do not doubt his ability and ultimate success as an editor.

The principal business houses of Tomah are as follows :

Bank of Tomah-R. S. Kingman, president ; M. A. Thayer, cashier, and E. W. Beebe, assistant cashier, is lo- cated on Superior avenue. W. Bartels, grocery ; J. T. Bearss, general produce; Benjamin & Eaton, general mer- chandise ; John E. Krebbs, general merchandise; Harry Lea, general store-all located on Superior avenue. The principal hotels are the Boyington House, situated on Su- perior avenue, F. Sherman, proprietor, and the Dodge House, at the junction of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and the Wisconsin Valley railways, George A. Drake, proprietor. The Boyington House, under the management of Mr. Sherman, has acquired an enviable reputation, and is well and favorably known by the traveling public. The jovial Sherman can well boast of catching the "boys." The Dodge House has lately changed hands, and Mr. Drake, who has the management, is very successful in pleasing the public. The principal shipments from this point are farm products, lumber and cranberries.

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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