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 205

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 205

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

WILLIAM B. NEWCOMB, farmer and pilot, Pepin, came to this vicinity in 1845 ; lived on the other side of the river one year ; then came on this side in 1846; made a claim where now is the village of Pe- pin, split some rails and plowed a piece of ground. lle did not do much more on his claim until about the time of his marriage to Miss Esther Foster, of Ft. Madison, Iowa, which occurred June 19, 1849. During most of this time, he was working for J. II. Knapp, of Menomonee. lle built a dwelling on his claim and commenced residing there, carrying on the farm and piloting on the Mississippi River in the season of it, piloting, in all, about twenty-five years. lie laid ont the village of Pepin in 1855, and engaged actively in building up the village, which grew rapidly until the financial crisis of 1857. Mr. Newcomb was born in Jefferson Co., Pa., near Brookville, Nov. 24, 1822; he came to Lee Co., lowa, in 1843, and in 1845, to Wisconsin, as above stated. lle has held, most of the time, some town or county office since the organiza- tion of the territory, where he resides. He was Register of Deeds for Dunn County when Pepin was part of Dunn County, also Register of Deeds of Pepin County after it was organized ; also Treasurer of Pepin County and Justice of the Peace for the past ten years ; also Postmaster at l'epin for many years. Ile is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has five children living, and all residing at Pepin-Orin James, Mary Eliza, John, Isaac and William B.

705

HISTORY OF PEPIN COUNTY.

PHILIP PFAFF, miller and grain dealer, Pepin, came to Pepin in May, 1855. He was by occupation a carpenter and glazier. In 1861. he established a store and built the first elevator in Pepin, which was used also as a warehouse, and commenced dealing in general merchandise and buying grain and all kinds of produce. This he continued until 1874, when, on account of ill health, he was obliged to quit business almost entirely. He built a steam mill on Roaring Creek in 1875, on the ruins of an old water mill, which mill he still owns and runs ; he also owns and operates an elevator, and has commenced to build a store. He has held the office of Town Clerk some ten years, been Town Treasurer three years, County Commissioner two years, Justice of the Peace three terms, and Deputy Postmaster seven years. He was born in Michel- stadt, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Sept. 11, 1828 ; came to the United States in the Spring of 1853; lived in Allegheny City, Pa., nearly two years, then came to Davenport, Iowa, and, soon after, to Pepin. He was married, Jan. 1, 1859, to Miss Frederika Schultze, of Pepin, form- erly of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. They have seven children living -Au- gusta, Ida, Justinian, Lonia, Belle, Ernest and " the baby."

GEORGE TOPLISS, wagon manufacturer and general blacksmith, Pepin, landed with his family at Pepin, in January, 1869, with $107.50 ; bought a place for $350. paid $100 down and had left $7.50, with which to commence business and meet family expenses. The household furni- ture was very meager and very primitive, consisting, for the first three years, of such things only as he himself made for the emergencies. From such a straitened beginning, he has built up an increasingly large and pro perous business. He was born at Castle Dunnington, Leicestershire, Eng., June 1, 1842. When old enough, he learned the trade of wagon- making, painting and blacksmithing. He left England, June 24, 1866 ; arrived at New York in July, and went to Slatington, Lehigh Co,, Pa., where he lived until he came to Pepin, in 1869, He was married, April 30, 1864, to Miss Fanny Wade, of Derby, Eng. They have five children living-George Robert, Clara Emma, Eliza Ann, Sarah Ellen, Fanny. His father, William Topliss, was killed on Christmas day, 1841, and his mother (Sarah) was left destitute, with five children to support. This she did by laundry work. She died in 1877, at the age of seventy-five years. His brothers and sisters are all living in England.

ARKANSAW.

The village of Arkansaw, situated in the town of Water- ville, was first settled in May, 1845, by George and W. F. Holbrook, who built a log house, moved into it, and com- menced building a saw-mill and furniture shop. The next year, H. M. Miles built a small grist-mill upon the site where his present large mill stands. One of the best in the Chip- pewa Valley. Previous to these settlements a small settle- ment had sprang up on the Dead Lake Prairie, a short dis- tance west of the village of Arkansaw, but this locality offer- ing better facilities for the investment of labor and capital than the prairie, a number of the settlers moved into Ar- kansaw.

The first marriage was solemnized, November 30, 1857, the contracting parties being W. F. Holbrook and Mary Ames.

The first death was old Mrs. Cascaden.

The first birth was a child of Mr. and Mrs. Grant Stev- ens, in March, 1855.

The first religious services were held at a log house on Dead Lake Prairie, a short distance west of Arkansaw, in 1855, by a Rev. Mr. Kellogg.

The years intervening between 1855 and 1870 was char - acterized by hard struggles and no very rapid advancement. In the year above named, James Pauley, of Read's Land- ing, entered into partnership with Holbrook. They en- larged their mill, built a large furniture manufactory, a large store, potash and pearl-ash room, and during the next year, H. M. Miles and Miletus Knight started in business, under the firm name of Miles & Knight, in the general merchandise business, and in 1872, F. Hillard and V. Rounds started a drug and variety store.

In 1869, the first church was built, by the Methodists, at a cost ot $2,500. It is 30x40, and a monument to the vil- lage.

The saw-mill and furniture factory built in 1855, by Hol- brook, now employs about thirty-five hands. The yearly sales from his furniture amounts to $30,000. In addition to the manufacture of furniture, he saws about 1,000,000 feet of lumber per year, about one-half of which he uses, and the other half sends to down-river markets. Besides this they operate an extensive pearl-ash factory, which has proven more successful than was anticipated.

Arkansaw is situated just on the border of the large tract of hard wood timber, lying in Pepin, Pierce and St. Croix counties, and two and one-half miles from the Chippewa River. To farmers seeking homes, or capitalists seeking a locality for investing their money, it offers superior induce- ments. The facilities for manufacturing from hard wood, bass and butternut, are not excelled. There are eight good water-powers within a distance of two miles from the place, only part of them being improved.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

STEPHEN CLIFF, proprietor of Cliff House, Arkansaw. Came to Arkansaw in July, 1864 ; is a wagonmaker by trade, and followed that business until 1873, when he started the Cliff House. He was born in Lower Canada, near the Vermont line, Jan. 25, 1828. His father was from England, his mother from Vermont. In 1849, he went to East Berkshire, Franklin Co., Vt., and worked there at his trade until he came to Arkansaw. He was married, Jan. 11, 1855, to Miss Phehe Kelton, of Montgomery, Franklin Co., Vt. They have four children-Fred, Mary and William, born in Vermont, and Jesse, born in Wisconsin.

FOREST H. HILLARD, druggist, Arkansaw. Came from East Troy, Wis., to Arkansaw, May 23, 1871, and commenced business as druggist in 1872, under the firm name of Hillard & Rounds. He has kept a strictly temperance drug store, the first one in all this section of country, and for several years the only one. He was born in East Tioy, Walworth Co., Wis., Dec. 28, 1848. His parents were among the car- liest settlers, having settled there in 1837. Early in 1865, when just past sixteen years of age, he enlisted in the army, but it was so near the close of the war, that he did not see much service. When eighteen years old, he joined the Wisconsin National Guards, the " Badger Battery " of Wal- worth County, and he helped to organize the Pepin County Guards, at Arkansaw, July 19, 1879. He went into the company as fourth sergeant, and now is second lieutenant. He was one of the charter members of Waterville Lodge, No. 305, I. O. O. F., organized Apul 19, 1881, also of Good Templar, Arkansaw Lodge, No. 166, organized Dec. 9. 1876, also a member of the Young Men's Literary Association at Arkansaw. He was married, June 4, 1873, to Miss Kate Rounds, daughter of J. H. Rounds, Superintendent of Schools of Pepin County. They have two children, Archie H. and Mary A.

WILLARD F. HOLBROOK, manufacturer of furniture and hard- wood lumber. Came to Wisconsin in August, 1852, and lived about three years not far from the Eau Galle Mills. In 1854, he selected the site of his present mill property on the Arkansaw Creek, and com- menced to build a dwelling, and in 1855, built the saw-mill, and com- menced sawing in February, 1856. He also began in a small way the manufacture of furniture. in one corner of the mill, empl ying at first only two hands, increasing the number from time to time as needed. In 1866, he built a separate factory, employing from eight to ten hands, and in 1871, a large factory, which burned in 1872. In 1873, he rebuilt, and at present employs from thirty lo thirty-five hands, and he sales of fur- niture amount to $25.000 to $30,000 per year. For many years he has had a store also in addition to his other business. He was born, April 27, 1827, at Wrentham, Mass., afterward resided in Mansfield, Mass, Hle commenced at the age of eighteen to run a cotton factory, employing twenty-two hands, making cotton cloth, afterward he eng. ged in the manufacture of straw goods. Ile was married, March 15, 1848, to Miss Saralı Jane Dunham, of Mansfield, Mass. ; she died June 5, 1852. In August of the same year he came to Wisconsin. Ile married Miss Mary Ames, of Waubeek, Wis., formerly of Mansfield, Mass., Nov. 30, 1857. They have eight children living-Alla F., Willard A., now at school at West Point Military Academy, Merigen (now Mis. W. B. York), Martha Jane, Benjamin Franklin, Mary Lilian, John Snell and Roy.

706

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

JACOB S. McCOURTIF, merchant and farmer, Arkansaw. Came to Pepin County with his family of October, 1854, and settled on the lower end of Dead Lake Prare in the present town of Frankfort, where he built a dwelling and store, on Sec. 2, Township 24, Range 14 west, which be bought when it came into maikel. The next year a post-office was estal lished here called Frankfort, and he was appointed Postmaster, a position which he held continuously until 1878, when he moved to Arkan- saw, where he still resides. Grant and Elisha Stevens were the only settlers on the prairie when he came, they having settled here some six months before. Ile was born in Saratoga Co .. N. Y., May 31, IS13. Ilis father, William, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, came to Saratoga County, where he lived a few years, he then went to Cayuga County in 1816, where he died in September, 1822. The next year, when only ten years old, Jacob left home and worked for $3 per month until he saved money enough to attend school a year, when his school year was up he clerked in a store in Onondaga, N. Y., a year, then went to l'ort Byron, where he clerked for Smith & Draper some time, then to Galena, Ill., three years ; then returned to New York and was married in August, IS39, to Miss Sophia M. Bushman, of Westbury, Cayuga Co., bought a farm there and went to farming. In IS44, sold out and went to Carroll Co., Ill., aud farmed there eight years, then sold farm. moved to Savannah, Ill., and started a general stock store, thence to Pepin County in 1854. bringing his stock of goods with him. They have had nine chil- dren, five of whom are still living-Cha les, now in business in Zum- brota; David B. now in business in Arkansaw ; Engenia, now Mrs. Ganse, of Frankfort ; Alvita, in Arkansaw ; William, in Frankfort. His sons Charles and David were in the Army.

HON. SAMUEL L. PLUMMER, farmer. Came to the north of Bear Creek (now in Durand Tp.), early in the Spring of 1855. At that time Perry Curtis had a log house there, the only one east of the Chippewa for many miles. C. N. Averill came into the town of Lima two days before Mr. P. reached his place. Ile selected a mill site near the mouth of Bear Creek, built a saw-mill which he sold out the next year to a cousin, who ran the mill as long as there was pine in the vicinity to saw. Mr. P. then built a saw-mill at Durand for Prindle. Ellsworth & Co., of Massachusetts, and ran the mill about eighteen months, then built a wagon shop and a sash and door factory at Durand. In 1861 he moved to a farm on Dead Lake Prairie, near Aikansaw, and has engaged in farming since. His residence on his faim of 420 acres is on Sec. 35, Township 25, Range 13 west. He was born in New Hampton, N. II., March 5, 1828. At sixteen years of age he went to Massachusetts and lived there four years, then to New Orleans one year, and in IS49 came to Wisconsin and lived a while near Beloit, afterward near Brodhead in Green Co., where he worked at his trade of carpenter. He was married, May 30, 1852, to Miss Eunice Belknap, of Hartley, Canada. They have nine children living-Forest, David, Frank, Arthur, Mary, Willie, Carrie, Lillie and Lane. Mr. P. is descended from a long-lived stock. His great grandfather, Jesse Plummer, lived to a great age. His grandfather, Nathan Plummer, one of nine brothers, lived to be eighty- five years old, and the ages of the nine averaged over eighty years. His maternal grandfather, Daniel Cooley, of New Hampton, N. H., lived to the age of one hundred years. Mr. P. was member of the Assembly for the year 1874; is president of the Pepin County Agricultural Society ; has held the office of County Judge since 1861 ; has been member of the County Board most of the time since then, and Chanman of the Town of Waterville all but three of the twenty years he has resided in the town.

STOCKHOLM.

This place is situated in the town of Stockholm, in the western part of Pepin County, and on the shore of Lake Pepin. It was first settled in 1852, by Erick Peterson. He remained only a short time, but returned to Norway, and in the Fall of 1854 came again, with his family. In the Spring of 1854 came Jacob Peterson, John Anderson, Erick Frieck, Lars Olson and Frank Nelson, with their families. Most of these came from Norway in 1853, and wintering in Illinois, came to Stockholm as above stated. They at first built a log shanty, which served as a shelter for all until each one could build for himself a separate house. Jolin Ander- son built the first frame house, in 1854. This house is now standing.

The first birth was Matilda Peterson, daughter of Erick Peterson. She was born on the day of his arrival from Norway with his family, in the Fall of 1854.

The first marriage was consummated, in the Spring of

1856, the contracting parties being Abram Josephson and Annie Peterson.

The first hotel was kept by George Rickerd, in 1856. A church was also built during that year. The church building was subsequently sold and converted into a school- house, in which the first school was taught by Amelia Smith, in the Summer of 1859. Their present school-house was built in 1877.

The first religious services were held in 1856, by a Rev. Mr. Norerius, a missionary from Red Wing.

The post-office was established in 1860, John Rosenberg being the first Postmaster.

Stockholm was laid out in 1858, by Eric Peterson. A. W. Miller did the surveying. It has now four stores, representing a considerable amount of capital. A neat little school-house and a Lutheran Church are evidences of a moral, religious and intellectual culture.

Stockholm Lodge, No. 363, I. O. G. T., was organized April 4, 1877, with sixteen charter members, and now num- bers thirty-four members. The first officers were: A. F. Peterson, W. C. T .; Matilda Peterson, W. V. T .; Alfred Josephson, secretary ; Anton Peterson, financial secretary ; G. Stille, treasurer ; Agnes Peterson, I. G .; John Mattson, O. G .; Isaac Windberg, chaplain; Charles Tidbolin, mar- shal. The present officers are : Anton Peterson, W. C. T .; Miss C. O. Bock, W. V. T .; H. J. Bock, secretary ; O. Matt- son, financial secretary ; G. Stille, treasurer; Amanda An- derson, I. G .; R. B. Nelson, O. G .; A. F. Peterson, chaplain ; John Mattson, marshal.

In 1868, Paul Sandquist started a lemon beer manufac- tory, which he has since operated. He now manufactures between 400 and 500 cases per year. John Gunderson started a spruce beer manufactory in 1878, and now manu- factures about 500 dozen bottles per year.

In 1874, Andrew Stromberg established a wagon manu- factory. Soon afterward, Charles Plann went into partner- ship with him, and subsequently G. Stille became a partner. They manufacture about twenty-five wagons per year, besides doing general repairing work.

A. D. Post built a warehouse in 1873. Martin Nelson purchased it in 1876, and now buys about 50,000 bushels of grain per year. The capacity of the warehouse is 30,000 bushels.

Stockholm is situated on the edge of the richest farming country in Pepin County, and its growth has been slow but permanent, and when it is in possession of railroads, we an- ticipate a more flourishing village.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ERIC PETERSON, farmer, Sec. 12, Town 23, Range 16, came to Stockholm in the Fall of 1862, selected his claim and settled on it. Ile was the first settler at Stockholm, his nearest neighbor, this side of Pepin, being Nelson Doty, who lived some distance below here. Ile engaged in farming, and in addition, for several years, owned and operated a grain warehouse and a store. He was born in Ilerrnas Bjurkarn, Sweden, March 2, IS22, came to the United States in 1849, tarried in Illinois one year, traveled in the pinenies of Minnesota another year, then came to Wisconsin and settled as above. Early in 1854 he went back to Sweden for a wife, and in July of that year was married to Miss Louisa Josephson, of Carlskoga, Sweden, and with her soon after re- turned to Stockholm, Wis. She died in the Fall of 1856, leaving one child, Matilda, now Mrs. Karl A. Peterson. He married Miss Maren

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707

HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY.

Olson, in Stockholm, Wis., November. 1858. She was born in Nor- way. They have five children-Anton, Agnes Cecelia, Amelia, llilda Frederika, and Julia. Mr. Peterson has held many town offices, and is now Justice of the Peace.

KARL A. PETERSON, merchant, Stockholm, son of Lars and Maria Peterson, was born in Hennas Pjuikarn, Sweden, Dec. 14, 1852. He came to the United States in 1872, and settled in Stockholm, where he found employment for awhile, as cleik, and, in 1875, engaged in tre mercantile business on his own account. He was married, June 23, 1876, to Miss Matilda Peterson, daughter of Eric Peterson, of Stock- holm. They have one child, Cordelia Disederia Aurora. He is agent, for this vicinity, for the various lines of steamets to Europe, for the sale of passenger tickets.

LOUIS PETERSON, merchant, Stockholm, came to Stockholm in the Spring of 1858, with his stepfather, Lars Grund, who came with his family to the United States, and settled in McGregor, Iowa, in October, 1857, and, in May, 1858, came to Stockholm. Mr. Peterson was born near Goffle, Sweden, April 18, 1847. Dec. 26, 1829, he was married to Miss Hannah Johnson, of Sto. kholm, Wis. They have three children living-Mary, Charles Edward and Edna. In 1874 he commenced selling agricultural implements, and, in 1878, under the firm name of Youngquist, l'eterson & Co., engaged in general merchandise and the sale of farm machinery. He has held several town offices; was Chair- man of the Board four years in succession, Register of Deeds for Pepin County one term, and Sheriff one term. He is a member of the order of Good Templars.

AUGUST SAHLSTROM, hardware merchant, Stockholm, com- menced about a year ago here in the hardware business. He came to Stockholm first in 1867 directly from Sweden and followed farming for about three years, then moved to Chicago and went to manufacturing refrigerators, was burned out in the great Chicago fire, then went to Pie City in the southwest part of Missouri, where he remained until

about two years ago, when he returned to Stockholm, Wi -. Ile was born in Amal, Sweden, June 11, 1824, and afterward lived in Citbeo, Nerike, until he came to the United States in 1867. He was manicd Nov. 2, 1842, to Miss Louisa Larson, of Nerke. They have Your children living-Anna Louisa (Mis. Loeffler), Lais August, Caroline Sophia, Hans Gustaf.

GEORGE L. WAKEFIELD, physician and druggist, Stockholm, was born in Plymouth, Vt., Oct. 18, 1845. His high school studies were interrupted by his enlisting in the 9th N. H. Regt., Co. G, on the 12th of July, 1862, for three years. His regiment was under Gen. Burnside in the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 9th Army Corps. Hle was with his company except a short time in the hospital, when he was wounded in the right elbow, but he reported for duty before it was healed, still having his arm in a sling. Ile received five wounds in all, none of the others being very serious, although he participated in every skirmish, battle, or engagement that his regiment was in, among which are second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, the chasing of Morgan, Vicksburg, Jackson, siege of Knoxville, then east with the Army of the Potomac again, Wilderness, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and at the springing of the "Mine" his regiment did guard duty over the "Mine" while it was being prepared and Lieut. Drew and himself were the ones who raised the Stars and Stripes over the crater of the "Mine" after it was exploded and his regiment captured that day sixteen stand of rebel colors. He commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Moulton, a homoeopathic physician, while in the army, and pursued it as he had opportunity. After the war was over he went to Ludlow, Vt, and in 1866 came to Pepin Co., Wis., where he has resided since. He followed several pur- suits here, then took up again the study of medicine and has practiced about six years. Ile was married Jan, I, 1870, to Miss Sarah Ann Conger, of Lima, Pepin Co., formerly of Bangor, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. They have two children living, George Herbert and Electa Estella.

PIERCE COUNTY.

LOCATION AND NATURAL FEATURES.

This county was named in honor of President Franklin Pierce. It is situated in the western part of the State, and lies immediately south of the forty-fifth parallel of north latitude, between ninety-two and ninety-three degrees of longitude west from Green- wich, and is consequently west of the fourth principal meridian. It is triangular in shape, the hypothenuse being formed by Lake Pepin, the Mississippi River and Lake St. Croix, which secure to the county one of the longest navigable water-fronts of any of its size in the State. The boundaries on the north and east are St. Croix, Dunn and Pepin counties. It embraces an area of 600 square miles, or 364,583 acres, the greater part being owned by actual settlers. About one-sixth of the land in the county belongs to railroads.

The county is situated at the junction of the Mis- sissippi River with Lake St. Croix, the lake forming its western boundary, its southern border resting on the Mississippi. Along the river, it presents the usual features of valley succeeded by bluff, broken at fre- quent intervals by ravines, through which the streams seek communication with the " Great River." Toward the north and east, the hills become less elevated and the valleys more extensive. This gives a diversity to the scene, though less bold and grand than is found in mountainous distriets, yet one strongly marked. The luxuriant sward, clothing the hill-slope to the water's edge, the steep cliff, shooting up through its mural es- carpments, the streams, clear as crystal, now quiet, now ruffled by a temporary rapid, now forming a ro- mantic cascade over some terrace of rocks, trees, dis-

posed in a manner to baffle the landscape gardener, now crowning the height, now shading the slope, the intervening valleys giving the picture of cultivated meadows and rich pasture lands, irrigated and drained by frequent rivulet and stream, along which and on the hill-side are seen the farm-house and village-scenes of wealth, happiness and comfort-all these and many more are features of the county. On the summit lev- els spread the wide prairies, abounding in flowers of the gayest hue, the long undulations stretching away till sky and meadow mingle in the horizon. The coun- try is sufficiently level to allow of the highest grade of cultivation, perhaps two-fifths of the county being in active state of agriculture. The principal part of the farming land is in the western part of the county, which was originally oak openings and prairies, the eastern part being timbered land, and covered by the big woods. This is a belt of hard-wood timber that ex- tends from the Mississippi River to Lake Superior. In the limits of Pierce County the timber is of hard wood varieties, such as the red, white and black oaks, sugar maple and butternut, all timber of first-class grade for the manufacture of farm and other implements.

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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