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 204
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702
HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.
HENRY A. KNAPP, dealer in agricultural machinery, Durand. Came from Sparta by team to Durand, in February, 1860. At first he clerked for one Foster who had a small store, then for Smith & Prindle, afterward for Maxwell & Luton. In 1865 he commenced selling agri- cultural implements and also bought wheat. His grain warehouse hav- ing burned, he has since devoted his whole time to the sale of agricult- ural machinery, and has built up an extensive business in this and ad- joining counties. He was Census Enumerator in 1870, and has served one term as Under Sheriff. He was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., May 14, 1824. His father, Nathaniel Knapp, who was a colonel in the war of 1812, died when Henry was two years old, and his mother also died two years later. Soon after he was adopted by H. C. Coburn, where he lived until the death of his foster parent. In 1852 he came to Portage, Wis., and clerked for Stewart & Anderson about two years. He was married, in Octo- ber, 1854, to Miss Harriet L. Dunn, of Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., and returned with his bride to Portage, living there, and afterward at Spar- ta, then at Durand. They have two children living, Jessie and Harry. Their son Charles, a very promising young man, died very suddenly Dec. 6, 1879, aged sixteen years. He was very exemplary and faithful, and was universally beloved by all.
MILETUS KNIGHT, Under Sheriff Pepin County, son of Handy and Betsey Knight, was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., March 21, 1838, where he lived with his parents until May, 1859, when he came to Wis- consin and settled in the town of Pleasant, Eau Claire Co., and engaged in farming. In 1870 he removed to Arkansaw, and in 1878 to Durand. He enlisted in 1863 in the 30th Reg. Wis. V. I., and served until the close of the war. The last eight months previous to his discharge (in October, 1865), he was detailed as clerk in the adjutant general's office, headquarters of the department of Kentucky, under Gen. J. M. Palmer. He has held various town offices. Was Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, also Postmaster of Arkansaw for eight years ; Clerk of Pepin County two years; was Assistant Sergeant in the Assembly during the session of 1876 ; held a clerkship in 1877 ; was reporter there for the Eau Claire Free Press in 1878, and is now Under Sheriff of Pepin County. He was married, November, 1865, to Miss E. N. Cran- dall, of Allegany Co., N. Y. They have five children living-Clifford, Anna, Oscar, Edward and Alice. His father came to Wisconsin in 1863 and settled near his son Miletus in Eau Claire County, and in 1870 re- moved to Arkansaw.
PHILLIP LORENZ, brewer, Durand, was born on the Rhine, at Krentznach, Prussia, Jan. 16, 1837. He came to the United States in 1854. landing, Dec. 9, at New Orleans. He then came up to Iron Mountain, Mo., and lived there seven years working in a foundry, and then came to Alma, Wis., and worked there five years, then came to Durand and bought the brewery. In 1871 the brewery burned and he rebuilt it the same year. He was married, March 29, 1860, to Miss Christiana Ellsmann, at Iron Mountain, Mo., formerly from Hanover, Germany. They have four children living-Mina, John, Helma and Jennie.
MARTIN MAXWELL, lumber dealer, Durand, was born in Cuba, Fulton Co., Ill., Dec. 1, 1827, He lived there until 1849, when he went overland to California, where he remained four years. On his return, he commenced in the mercantile business, in Bloomington, Ill .; then en- gaged in the lumbering business at Clinton. In 1857, he came with a drove of 325 cattle to Maxville, Buffalo Co., Wis. He was the second settler there, and in 1859 came to Durand. In 1861, he commenced manufacturing lumber on the Red Cedar, above the village of Menomo- nee, and in 1865, returned to Durand and engaged in the lumbering business, which he still follows. Ile was married in Bloomington, 111., Jan. 15, 1855, to Miss Mary E. Coleman, sister of Charles and Milton Coleman, who were recently killed by the " Williams Brothers," in Du- rand. They have five children living - Albert D., residing in Dakota ; Charles, William J., Etta 11. and Alice C. at home.
ROBERT MORSBACII, druggist, Durand, was born in Ronsdorf, Cologne, Germany, Aug. 4, 1828. After passing through the public schools of his native town, he attended a private school in Cologne, and at the age of nineteen, lie came to the United States. He went to Bal- timore, and from there to Milwaukee, and thence to Sauk City, where he resided twelve years. Then came to Eau Claire, and in 1862, to Du- rand. In 1854, he was appointed Notary Pubhc, which office he still retains. He has held the office of Town Clerk, was Deputy Sheriff of Sauk County, and Under Sheriff of l'epin County one term. Ile was married. Dec. 9, 1855, in Sank City, to Miss Paulina Baumgardt. She died in Durand, May 1, 1868, leaving two sons, Ernst F. and Carl A. Jan. 16, 1870, he married Mrs. Elvira Sarah Sargeant.
MILES DURAND PRINDLE, liveryman and railroad contractor, was born in Derby, New llaven Co., Conn., Sept. 16, 1835. Hle went to Northampton, Mass., at sixteen years of age, and learned the trade of tinner. In 1855, he came to Lyons, Iowa, then to Fulton, and June 27, 1856, came to the place where now is the village of Durand, where he has since resided. l'leased with the location, he bought a tract and laid it out into village lots, and had it recorded as the village of Durand, after his middle name. lle has been a member of the Village Board
several times, and now is Chairman ; also a member of the County Board. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the United Workmen. He ran a very light draft steamer, the " Idell Prindle," be- tween Eau Claire and La Crosse for some time, the lightest draft of any steamer on the Chippewa. He operated the first mail route from Alma to Eau Claire, and has been quite largely interested in mail routes in this section of the country most of the time since. He started in the mer- cantile business when he first came to Durand, in June, 1857. Then he engaged in the hardware trade and steamboating. He has just finished grading the first mile of railroad in Pepin County, on the Chippewa Valley Railroad, just below Durand. He was married, May 8, 1860, to2 Miss Ida M. Ide, daughter of F. J. Ide, Esq., of Naples, Buffalo Co., Wis. Have had one child, Idell, who died at five years of age,
FRANK SCHUR, grocer, Durand, was born in Weidenden-Brück Westphalia, March 6, 1832. Came to the United States in 1842 ; lived nearly five years in New York City. Then came to St. Louis and tend- ed a store about two years. Then, in 1849, came to Chippewa Falls on a "keel boat " from Reed's Landing, and has lived ever since in the Chippewa Valley, most of the time in charge of a boarding house. He was married, May 3, 1857, to Miss Catherine Burrell, of Prairie du Chien, Wis. They have seven children living-Walter, Roland, Ernest, Jennie, Katie, Hurlburt and May. There was no settler at or near Durand when he first passed by there on his way to Chippewa Falls.
H. ROLLIN SMITH, ferryman, Durand. Came to Durand in Septem ber, 1857. Opened a store in company with W. F. Prindle, January, 1859, which continued until 1861, when he went to East Derby, Conn. Mar- ried and engaged in the mercantile business there some eight years. Came back to Durand in 1869, and in March of the following year bought an interest in the ferry across the Chippewa River at Durand. One Stokes started a "pole ferry," then "Sol Crosby" a "horse ferry;" this was bought by Babcock, then by Goodrich Brothers, then by Car- lisle & Smith, who commenced to use a steam ferry- boat. Since the Fall of 1877. Smith has been sole owner of the ferry. He was born in Derby, Conn., June 12, 1831, and remained at home until he came to Durand in 1857. His father, Almon Smith, a merchant, died in 1862. His mother, Jane (Downs) Smith, continued to live at the old homestead un- til her death in 1880. Mr. Smith was married, Nov. 11, 1861, to Miss Emma Ide, daughter of F. J. Ide, Esq., of Buffalo Co., Wis. They have two children, Clara L. and Mand I. Mr. Smith has been a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity ever since he was old enough to be re- ceived.
HON. GEORGE TARRANT, merchant, Durand. Was born in Woolhampton, England, Feb. 11, 1838. His father came with his fam- ily to the United States in 1850, and settled at Janesville, Wis., where he died in 1850. His mother is still living in Janesville. He came to Durand in 1863 and engaged in the mercantile business, in which he still continues at present, in company with Mr. Dorwin, having a store both at Durand and at Arkansaw. He has held various town and vil- lage offices in Durand; has been Chairman of County Board, and now represents this Assembly District in the State Legislature, session of 1881. He was married, in 1860, to Miss Clara, daughter of Bartlett and Margaret Runey, who were the first settlers in the town of Oregon, Dane Co., Wis., having settled there in the Spring of 1842. They have five children living-George, Warren D., Burr, Shirley B. and John L.
JACOB VAN NORNAM, harness-maker, Durand, Came to Du- rand in 1862. Followed the river as engineer on a steamboat until 1871, when he commenced his present business as dealer in harness and harness hardware. He was born in La Cole, Canada, Aug. 16, 1845. His father, Lenman Van Nornam, moved to Vermont about the year 1859, and settled there, and in 1862 Jacob V. left home and came to Du- rand as above stated. He was married at Mondova, May 25, 1871, to Miss Fanny Douglas, formerly from Walsell, England.
ANDREW J. WALLACE, hardware merchant, Durand. Came to Durand in 1860. Enlisted in the Spring of 1861 in Co. I, 2d Minn. V. I. for one year. Was in Buell's Army Corps in Kentucky and Ten- nessee. Came back to'Durand and clerked for Prindle in hardware store, and in 1867 commenced business for himself, dealing in hardware, tin- ware, agricultural implements and sewing machines, and since May, 1880, under the firm name of Wallace & Hammond. lle was born in Lower Canada, Feb. 19, 1840, In 1857, his father, Charles Wallace, moved to Minnesota and afterward to Durand, where he still resides. His mother (Lucy) died in Durand, June 5, 1876. lle was married, March 7, 1871, to Miss Sarah A. Fraser, eldest daughter of John Fra- ser, Esq., of Durand. Mr. Wallace is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and at present master of the Lodge in Durand ; also member of the Chapter at Menomonee, and master of the A. O. U. W. at Durand. He has been Town Treasurer of Durand four years.
ROBERT B. WOOD, agent of the W. W. Kimball Chicago pi- anos and organs, Durand. Came to Durand from Walworth County in 1868. He was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., March 21, 1840. In 1853, his father moved his family to Wiseonsin and settled on a larm near Del- avan, Walworth Co., where he resided several years, then removed to Manchester, Delaware Co., Iowa. Here his father died in 1860, and
703
HISTORY OF PEPIN COUNTY.
the family returned to Delavan. In October, 1861, Robert enlisted in Co. A, 10th Wis. V. I. Remained in active service during the period of his enlistment (in the 14th Army Corps, under Maj. Gen. Thomas), and was mustered out, November, 1864, at Milwaukee. He then went to Decatur, Ill., and worked on a farm; alterward to Delavan, and engaged in the livery business, and in 1868 came to Durand and engaged in farming. For the last four years, he has been agent for W. W. Kimball, pianos and organs. He was married, in 1872, to Mrs. Louisa S. Cong- don, formerly Miss Louisa S. Conway. of Eau Claire, Wis. They have three children-Maggie B., Florence E. and Mary Ella.
PEPIN.
Pepin is situated in the town of Pepin, in the southwest- ern part of the county. It is snugly nestled at the foot of Lake Pepin, and has a population of about 500. Lake Pe- pin, "lying like a pearl dropped from the ocean's casket," is twenty-two miles long by two and one-half miles wide ; is surrounded on the Minnesota side by rugged bluffs, and on the Wisconsin side by undulating hills and prairies, giv- ing a most charming variety to the scene. This locality has been a favorite one for years with hunters, who knew they would be amply repaid for the time spent in the local- ity, not only as hunting and fishing grounds, but for the beautiful scenery that they enjoy.
Among the early settlers of Pepin, W. B. Newcomb has the honor of being the first. He came from Fort Madison, Iowa, in 1846, and built the first house in what is now Pe- pin. This house was built of logs. Soon after this, the population of the embryo village was increased by the set- tlement of a number of others, among whom were Otis Hoyt, Elias Brock, James Little, Ebenezer Thompson and B. O'Connor. Elias Brock built the first frame house in 1853, in which the first school was taught, in the Winter of 1853, by Louisa Ingalls, she having about twenty scholars.
It was supposed by many at that time that a flourishing city would grow up at some point near the mouth of so large a river as the Chippewa, and the settlers of this vil- lage counted much upon it as the embryo city, but the land- ing for steamboats was difficult in low water, the lake being very shallow for a considerable distance from the bank, which was a serious drawback.
W. B. Newcomb, in company with Otis Hoyt and Ben- jamin Allen, laid out and platted the town of Pepin in 1854, the surveying being done by A. W. Miller, then a res- ident o Hudson, and now of Maxville, Buffalo Co., and the first village lots were purchased by Elias Brock. The first store was opened in 1855 by B. O'Connor, in a building erected by Ebenezer Thompson. The first blacksmith shop was built, and blacksmithing done, by George W. Brant in 1855. The first hotel was kept by Ebenezer Thompson, in a building which he himself erected in 1855. During this year, A. C. Allen and a number of others built a warehouse. This is now a hotel, kept by J. A. Dunn. The first church was built by the Methodists in 1856; this was torn down in 1864, and their present elegant and com- modious brick church was built in 1867.
The first school-house was built by E. W. Gurley, by subscription, in 1857. This was subsequently sold to the school district, and is now used both by the district and high school.
The first religious services were held at the house of W. B. Newcomb, in 1850, Rev. Mr. Hancock, a missionary frem Red Wing, Minn., conducting them.
The Post-office was opened in the Winter of 1854-5, with John Newcomb as Postmaster. He has been followed successively by Benjamin Allen, H. D. Barron, Joseph Man- ning, W. B. Newcomb, M. B. Axtell, Minus Richards, Solo- mon Fuller, and the present Postmaster, William Dunlap.
From about this time Pepin began to assume a metro- politan appearance, building after building appeared in quick succession. Hotels and a number of business houses were opened, and two banks, the Oakwood, with B. O'Con- nor president, and A. C. Allen, cashier, and the Chippewa Bank, with E. Lathrop, president, and J. C. Mann, cashier, went into operation under the free banking law of the State, and all the place lacked was a well settled and flourishing country back of it, to make it prosperous, and great efforts were put forth to secure the trade and open up the country around to settlement and civilization. A wagon road was opened to Chippewa Falls and a stage and mail route was soon established.
In 1859, Pepin was set off from the town and incorpo- rated by a special act of the Legislature. The first village officers were: W. B. Newcomb, President; Joseph Min- ning, Dudley Manning, Peter B. Granger and H. D. Barron, Trustees ; U. B. Shaver, Clerk. They maintained their municipal existence about four years, when they gave up their charter, as a great number of causes were operating to defeat their hopes of this lake shore village. The country on the south side of the Chippewa River, was fill- ing up with industrious and enterprising men, and it was soon ascertained that a shorter route could be opened be- tween Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and the Mississippi, on that side. Steamboats, too, of lighter draft, were used to navigate the Chippewa, which, in a great measure, relieved the Chippewa Falls and Pepin stage of any business, and the building of a railroad on the Minnesota side of the lake which has caused travel and traffic to seek other channels. But in spite of all difficulties we find a thriving and pros- perous town, inhabited by an enterprising people, who are filled with energy and doing for themselves.
A beautiful little steamer makes daily trips around the lake during the Summer, calling at Reed's Landing, Lake City, Maiden Rock, Frontenac, as well as at Pepin. Pepin holds out good inducements to farmers who are desirous of obtaining good farms; to manufacturers who wish to locate in a country where they can establish a lucrative business ; to pleasure-seekers who are in quest of a place to spend a few Summer weeks in a state of sweet idleness.
The act of the Legislature that created the county in 1858, also fixed the county seat on Section 25, in Township 23, of Range 15 west-the village of Pepin. It remained here until 1861, when, after a lengthy contest, it was removed to Durand. In 1865, Hiram Fuller established a machine shop, which has since been enlarged and improved, and is now one of the most important features in connection with the village. The size of his shop is 22x30, and gives em-
704
HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.
ployment to six men. He manufactures all kinds of steam engines and machinery, and does repairing of all kinds.
In 1869, George Topliss established a wagon shop. In March, 1879, he enlarged his capacity by putting in a six horse-power engine, and now manufactures on an average seventy-five wagons yearly. He employs four men.
In 1856, a store and warehouse was built in Pepin. This has since been remodeled and refitted, and is now a steam elevator, owned by Hart & Betty. Its capacity is 20,000 bushels. In 1874, F. Stahl built an elevator with a capacity of 15,000. These two elevators handle yearly between 75,000 and 100,000 bushels of grain.
In 1855, a Masonic Order was instituted in Pepin. This is at present a thriving and prosperous order, and has sev- enteen members. The Ancient Order of United Workmen was instituted in April, 1877, by J. H. Tacy, with thirteen chartered members. It now numbers thirty-one members. The Good Templars was organized in the Spring of 1877, also with twenty-eight chartered members, and now has thirty members. The Chosen Friends was organized in March, 1881, by John Howard, with twenty-eight chartered members, and now has thirty-one members. These societies are all in a thriving condition.
In 1856, the Methodists built the first church in Pepin as well as in Pepin County. This was torn down in 1864, to give place to their present brick structure, which was dedi- cated in 1867. In 1860, the German Methodists built a church. These churches are prosperous institutions, and are among the many other evidences of a moral and intellectual culture.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HON. JAMES BARRY, Pepin, was born in County Derry, Ireland, in March, 1812. His father, William Barry, and his mother, Elizabeth, (Duncan) Barry, were both of Scotch parentage. He came to the United States in 1828, and went to Pittsburgh, Pa .; learned there the trade of wagon making, and continued to reside there until 1856, when he came to Pepin, and the next year moved his family here. He was married, Jan. 22, 1836, to Miss Elizabeth Porter, of Pittsburgh, Pa. They have five children-Eliza (Mrs. John McCain) of Lakeport; Wil- liam, in Montana ; Anna, Amanda, Mrs. Solomon Fuller, James H. Mr. Barry was Justice of the l'eace in Pittsburgh, Pa. Has been Chair- man of the Town Board of Pepin three years, and member of the County Board of Supervisors; also member of the Assembly in 1878. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.
S. CARLOS FAYERWEATHER, mason and farmer, was born near Painesville, Onio, Jan. 9, 1827. Ilis grandfather, on his father's side, was born in Scotland. Ilis father David Fayerweather, was born, Sept. 9, 1793, and died at Pepin, Aug. 11, 1878, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. Ile was a millwright by trade, at which he worked until he came to Pepin, in 1853, when he followed larming. His mother, Sarah, was born Dec. 19, 1So4, and died near l'ainesville, Ohio, Oct. 21, 1832. In 1833, his father moved into Jefferson Co., Pa., where they lived until 1853, when they came to l'epin. S. C. Fayerweather was married, April 26, 1849, to Miss Susanna Richards, of Lycoming Co., l'a. They have seven children living-David A., Mary E., Willis A., Roswell, Arthur C., Sarah Ann, and S. Burton. Mr. Fayerweather was a member of the first Board of Supervisors of Town of Pepin, and has served several terms since, and is now Chairman of the Board ; has been Treasurer two years, Justice of the Peace and Constable, and most of the time a school officer. lle is " Mason," a " Granger," and a " Cho- sen Friend."
JAMES HALLSWORTII, hardware merchant, Pepin, was born in England, March 28, 1842. llis father, George A. Ilallsworth. came to the United States in 1856, and resided in Atsionville, N. J., then moved to Pittsfield, Mass., where he died, in 1859. James enlisted in Co. H, 17th Mass. Vol. July 22, 1861, and was mustered out in August, 1864. llis regiment was in the 18th Army Corps. After he left the army, he went to work at his trade, as overseer of weaving-room, in woolen-mill, at Louisville, Ky., and at other places until he came to Pepin, in 1877, and engaged in the hardware business. He was married, Dec. 7, 1866, to
Miss Agnes West, of Findlay, Ohio. They have one child living, Law- rence.
FRED. JAHNKE. furniture dealer and manufacturer, Pepin, Wis., was born near Hamburg, Germany, March 22, 1829. He is a son of Mary and John Jahnke. He came to the United States in 1849, and worked at his trade in New York, Iowa, and Illinois, before he came to Pepin, Wis., in 1856. He enlisted in Co. A, 6th Wis., in January, 1865 ; was wounded at Hatch's Run, Feb. 6, 1865, in the foot, and was mus- tered out at the close of the war. He was married, Oct. 22, 1856, to Miss Mary Pfaff. of Pepin, Wis. They have six children-August, Frank, Louis, Matilda, Amelia, and Otto. He has been Constable two terms, and is now a member of the Town Board.
EMIL LANGERS, druggist, Pepin, Wis. Came to Pepin in July, 1876, and commenced business here as druggist and dealer in fancy goods, Yankee notions, paints, oils, and sewing machines, in May, ISSO. He was born at Belgium, Ozaukee Co., Wis., Feb. 14, 1856. Resided there and at Port Washington, where he learned his occupation of drug- gist, until he came here, in 1876. In addition to the usual common school education, he spent two years at the St. Francis Teachers' Col- lege, near Milwaukee, He is a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Langers, who still reside in Ozaukee County.
JOHN MCCAIN, farmer, Pepin. Was born in Indiana Co., Pa., Feb. 21, 1814. Afterward he lived in Jefferson County, until he came West, in 1840. Jan. 1, 1841, found him in Rock Island, where he stayed until the opening of navigation on the Mississippi, when he came to Dubuque, and joined a party of Government surveyors, and spent the season with them in Iowa. The last of October he went to Prairie du Chien, and from there, in company with David Black, took passage in a keel.boat, bound for Menomonee, Wis., where they arrived the last of November, and engaged in logging Winters, and piloting on the Chip- pewa and Mississippi during the Summers. In the Fall of 1845 he went hunting for desirable lands, on which to settle ; came across and was delighted with the lands he now lives on, and in the following Spring took formal possession of them, and in the Fall of 1846 commenced cultivating them. His farm contains about 600 acres, and is situated about one and one-half miles above the present village of Pepin, near the lake, and is called by him " Lakeport." At the time he settled here, the nearest post-office was at Prairie du Chien, and the nearest farm was at the Indian agency, at Winona. When the Government surveyors reached " Lakeport," Mr. McCain had 130 acres of his farm under culti- vation. He continued to farm, and pilot the river during the season, until 1860, since which time he has devoted himself exclusively to farm- ing. Ile was married, March 28, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Barry, eldest daughter of Hon. James Barry, of " Lakeport," formerly of Pittsburgh, Pa. They have one child living-Maggie. Mr. McCain was one of the three County Commissioners of Dunn County, when Pepin was a part of Dunn County, and has been Treasurer of the town of Pepin.
CAPT. N. O. MURRAY, owner of steamer " Pepin," Lakeport. Came to Lakeport (near Pepin), March I, 1855, and carried on a black- smith shop there. At the time he came, Lakeport was the largest settlement on Lake Pepin. He is a carpenter by trade, and in 1872 built the steamer "Pepin," to run the lake, and with it, every season since, the captain has made his daily trips to each of the towns on the lake. He was born in Evans, Erie Co., N. Y., Feb. 7, 1832. Lived afterward in Buffalo, N. Y .; then eight years in Fox Lake, Dodge Co., Wis .; then came to Lakeport. He was married, March 4, IS58, to Miss Mary J. Lenhart, of Lakeport, formerly from Pennsylvania. They have six children living-Orlando L., engineer on the " Pepin ;" Ida Belle, Carrie Robertie, Walter, Guy, and Glenn. He has been Justice of the Peace several terms, Constable, Sheriff two years, and Under Sheriff two years. He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a mem- ber of the A. O. U. W
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