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 207

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 207

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In 1873, April 1, M. B. Kimball commenced the publication of what was known as the Prescott Clarion, at Prescott. He sold his interest to E. C. Kibbe the same year, who changed its name to the Pierce County Plaindealer. July 1, 1876, E. H. Ives purchased the paper, and has published it since.

The River Falls Press was established July 23, 1874, by George B. Merrick, editor and proprietor, with strong Republican sentiments. In 1877, Walter S. Fowler bought one-half interest, and assumed entire control of the mechanical department of the paper. Though much younger than the other papers of the

712

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

county, it still has many warm friends. and a fair list of subscribers, and is flourishing like a "green bay tree."

County Agricultural Society .- The Pierce County Agricultural Society was organized March 15, 1859. The officers at the date of organization were: O. T. Maxon, president, with one vice president from each town; George M. Powell, secretary. The grounds of the society are located about one-half a mile east of the city of Prescott, on the higher grounds. They are nicely finished, with a one-half mile race track, and buildings suitable for the display of products of the county. The present officers of the society are : W. T. Bunker, president ; Col. D. J. Dill, secretary. The meetings of the society are well sustained, and fine displays are made each year, with a good attendance from this and adjoining counties.

ELLSWORTH.

Ellsworth, the county seat of Pierce County, is situated on Sections 18 and 19, Town 26, Range 17, in about the central part of the county, and in the edge of the "big woods." It sprang into existence in 1861, by the selection of that point for the county seat of Pierce County. Among the first settlers of Ellsworth, Anthony Huddleson has the honor of being the first. He settled on Section 19, Town 26, Range 17, in the Spring of 1855, and at once began the opening of a farm. He also built a log-house, the first in the place. Among those who immediately followed him and settled during that year, were David Klingensmith, on Section 19, Town 26, Range 17; C. B. Bruce, on Section 20, Town 26, Range 17; Wilson Kinney, on Section 18, Town 26, Range 17; E. W. Bruce, on Section 18, Town 26, Range 17. These men all brought their families with them, built log-houses, and began clearing up the country.

The first hotel was built in the Summer of 1860, by William Crippin. This building burned down in 1877. A store was also opened about this time by C. S. Dunbar. The first school was taught in the Summer of 1857, by Mary Filkins ( now Mrs. G. H. Sargeant, a resident of Minnesota ) in a small school-house, built of logs, in the Spring of that year. The next school-house was built of frame, in 1863. This is now standing, and is used as a saloon.

The first religious services were held at the house of E. B. Bruce, by a Rev. Rogers, of Prescott, a Baptist mis- sionary.

The first death was Mrs. J. Youngman. This occurred in the Winter of 1855.

The post-office was opened in 1860, with Seeley Strick- land as the Postmaster. He was succeeded by J. W. Winn, and he in turn by E. L. Davis, the present incumbent. Mr. Davis has been Postmaster since 1867.

Ellsworth became county seat of the county in 1860, and the county officers first held their offices in the base- ment of the hotel erected by Mr. Crippin. During that year the few citizens built a log structure in which the first term of court was held in Ellsworth, S. S. N. Fuller, pre-

siding. In 1862 the citizens also erected a town hall, in which court was held until the present court-house was built. In 1864 a stone building was erected for the county officers. This is used by them at the present time.

Ellsworth was laid out and platted as a village in 1862, by William C. Kinne, Norris Kinney and Ira Williams. J. D. Trumbull did the surveying. It is now a village con- taining about five hundred inhabitants, and is situated in the center of a thrifty farming district. The most impor- tant figures in this little place are the county buildings, which were erected, in 1869, at a cost of $30,000. It has its stores, hotels, churches, societies, and manufacturing in- terests, such as might be expected in a place of its size.

The first saw-mill erected in the place was by John Barnes, and for a short time did a considerable amount of business. It was subsequently burned down. The next one was built by Evans & Sanderson. It is now owned by G. W. Kimball & Son, and has a capacity of about 5,000 feet of lumber per day, but is operated only to supply the local or custom trade.

One of the most prominent features of Ellsworth is a barrel-stave and heading factory, which was established in 1874 by Obadiah Eames. In 1880, this institution turned out 2,000 cords of staves and 3,300 cords of headings. Twenty-two men are employed, and the factory represents a total investment of $20,000. The product of this mill is sold mostly in Minneapolis and some in Red Wing. Mr. Eames died a short time since, and the property is now in the hands of his heirs, and under the control of G. W. Fletcher, who has been its foreman since the time it was established.

The religious portion of Ellsworth is represented by a neat little church, which was built by the Methodist Epis- copal society in 1876, at a cost of about $2,000. The church society was organized in about 1861.

The present commodious brick school-house, built in 1874, at a cost of $4,000, is a credit to the village and one of the evidences of a high moral and intellectual culture. The schools are kept open from eight to ten months during the year, and the attendance is good, all of the departments being full.

I. O. O. F., Ellsworth Lodge, No. 150, was instituted July 1, 1868, with six charter members; their charter is dated January 21, 1869. The first officers were M. B. Will- iams, N. G .; John C. Anderson, V. G .; A. E. Michael, re- cording secretary ; H. B. Doolittle, treasurer. The present officers are Jacob Schuemaker, N. G .; G. R. Thurston, V. G .; M. M. Sanderson, recording secretary; J. S. Beatty, treasurer. The order is in a flourishing condition, and has a membership of fifty-seven.

Ellsworth, from time to time, has had organizations of different temperance societies, but, like all their lives, have been spasmodic, and at present there is only one such or- ganization-Ellsworth Lodge, No. 224, I. O. G. T .- which was instituted by Jennie Nish in the Winter of 1876, and is now in a prosperous condition with a good membership.

713

HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HENRY P. AMES, Judge of the Probate Court of Pierce Co., Ellsworth, was born in Oxford Co., Maine, Oct. 18, 1831. After re- ceiving a seminary education, he went to Delaware, where he com- menced teaching school in 1849 ; followed that vocation until 1856, when he came to Wisconsin, and pre-empted a claim of 160 acres of land in Pierce County. In the Fall of 1858, located in the village of Prescott, and was elected Sheriff of Prince County. In 1860, he was appointed County Treasurer, serving one term, after which, he commenced farming again, being also County Commissioner under the old system. Since 1867, he has dealt in real estate, and in 1868, erected the hotel, now known as the Keith House, which he ran for two years. He was elected to his present office in the Spring of 1877, re-elected in 1881 ; was mar- ried, in the Fall of 1857, to Miss Augusta C. Betts, who was born in New York.

JOHN S. BEATY, proprietor of Forest House, Ellsworth, was born in Crawford Co., Pa., Nov. 20, 1837. Came to Wisconsin in June of 1864, and settled in Pierce County, on a farm. In the Spring of 1865, he enlisted in the late war; in the 50th Wis. Vol. Inf., Co. G, serving until June of 1866, when he returned to his home on the farm. where he lived until February, 1876. He then moved to the village of Ellsworth, and started a general merchandise store, in company with B. Elliot, which he ran until 1879, when he sold out to his partner, and has since been running the stage line from Ellsworth to Prescott and Red Wing .. In September of 1881, he commenced keeping hotel. He was married. in 1861, to Miss Martha Mumford, of Iowa, who is also a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Beatty was Chairman of the Town Board of Hart- land in 1867, and is a member of the I. O. O. F., Ellsworth Lodge, No. 150.

BENTON ELLIOTT, merchant. Ellsworth, was born in Michigan, Feb. 22, 1846, and lived there with his parents until 1861, his father R. B. Elliot, being an old settler of that State. He enlisted in the Ist Michigan Cavalry on detached service, with Sergeant D. K. Johnson, of Grand Rapids, Mich. Served for one year, and then returned to Michi- gan. In 1864. he went to Idaho, where he engaged at mining until the Fall of 1866. At one tine, in crossing the plains, his train had a despe- rate encounter with the Sioux Indians. He then came to Wisconsin, locating at Ellsworth, where he started a restaurant, which he ran until 1869, when he sold out and bought some land, which he farmed for one year. In 1870, he started a general merchandise store, which business he has pursued ever since. He is a member of the F. & A. M., River Falls Lodge, No. 109. He served one term as Town Clerk of Ells- worth ; was married, in 1868, to Miss Emma J. Johnson, a native of Iowa.

CORNELIUS FENTON, lawyer, Ellsworth, was born in New York, in January of 1838. He enlisted in the first three months call of 1861, and again in October of 1865, serving until the close of the war. In the Fall of 1866, came to Wisconsin, locating at River Falls, where he purchased a farm, and was also engaged at teaching school until 1869; he then moved to Ellsworth, where he continued farming until 1878, then moved into the village. He has served as Town Assessor of Ells- worth for three years, also three years as Chairman of the Board of Su- pervisors, having been Justice of the Peace for three years, still holding that position. He was appointed Court Commissioner by Judge Bundy, which office he now fills, and is a member of the I. O. O. F., Ellsworth Lodge, No. 150. Was married, in 1870, to Miss Maggie D. Travis, a native of New York, and by whom he has four children, two sons and two daughters.

GEO. F. FLETCHER (P. O. Ellsworth), superintendent of the stave-mill of O. Eams, deceased, of Red Wing. Was born in Bloomfield, Me., May 31, 1819, and came to Wisconsin in April of 1855, locating in the town of Hartland, Pierce County, where he entered some land from the Government. In the Spring of 1856, he, in company with Joseph and Wright Sleeper, erected the first school-house in said town, situated on Sec. 15, on the Isabella Creek, near Sleeper's mill. Mr. Fletcher enlisted, in the Spring of 1865, in the 50th Wis .. V. I., Co. I, of the late war, serving until four months after the close of the war; after which he returned to his farm, living there until he engaged with the above firm, which was at the time the business was established, in 1874. He has served one term on the Town Board of Hartland, and was Treasurer of his school district for fourteen years. He was married, in IS44, to Miss Hannah A. Savage, who was also a native of Maine.

JENS B. JENSON, County Clerk. Ellsworth. Was born in Nor- way, Feb. 16, 1851. He immigrated with his parents to the United States in 1862, settling in Pierce County, where the subject of this sketch remained until the Fall of 1878, when he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, in Pierce County. In the Fall of 1880 he was elected County Clerk, which office he still holds. He was married, in IS79, to Miss A. M. Isaacson, who was born in Pierce County, and whose father, Jens Isaacson, was one of the first settlers in the town of Martell. Mr. Jenson served as Town Clerk of Gilmanton for two years, and both himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

J. G. KEITH, proprietor of the Keith House, Ellsworth. Was born in New Brunswick, on the 20th of April, 1846, He left home in 1866. coming to Wisconsin, where he located at Trenton, Pierce County, and commenced farming. Here he resided until 1873, when he moved to the village of Ellsworth, and commenced keeping hotel, which he has run ever since, having added a large addition for an opera hall. Mr. Keith was married to Miss Annie Drake, in the year 1870, she being a daughter of John Drake, of the town of Hartland.

GEO. W. KIMBALL, proprietor of the steam saw-mill. Ellsworth. was born in the State of New Hampshire, Jan. 28, 1821, and in Decem- ber of 1867 came to Wisconsin, locating at Ellsworth, where he founded the Pierce County Herald, in company with his son, Morris B. This paper was Republican in its politics, and was first published on a sub- scription list of 285 copies, but in 1872 had increased to a circulation of 1.472. In 1868, at the time they first edited the paper, Morris B. was the youngest editor in the State of Wisconsin, and his sister Minnie set type, when only five years old, in her father's office. Being too small to hold the stick in her hand, she used to set it on the case and call some of her older fellow-workers to space out her line. At the age of eleven years she was a good compositor and could set up an entire tax list. The subject of this sketch was married in September of 1844, in Porter, Ind., to Adelia A. Dillingham, who was born April 3. 1822, in Huron Co., Ohio, and by whom he has had six children, three of whom are living, Morris B., Martha and Minnie J. They lost one son, Mon- roe D., who enlisted in the war, in the 21st Ind., V. I., Co. I, and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness. His son, Morris B., also served five months in the war, being only sixteen years old. He is now warrant clerk and proof-reader in the Secretary of State office, at Madison. Mr. Kimball and son ran the Pierce County Herald until 1876, when they sold out to the present proprietor. He was also in company with A. Sanderson in erecting the Ellsworth steam saw-mill, said firm exist- ing until 1876, when Mr. Kimball bought out his partner, and it is now run under the firm name of G. W. Kimball & Son. The subject of this sketch is a member of the I. O. O. F., Ellsworth Lodge, he being greatly instrumental in organizing said lodge, although not a charter member.

WILLIAM C. KINNE, farmer, Sec. 19, P. O. Ellsworth was born at Green Mountain, Vt., May 1, 1815. He left his native State in 1841, and came with his parents to Wisconsin and bought a farm and was among the first settlers in Rock County. Here he resided until 1860, when he moved to Pierce County and purchased the farm on which he now lives. He was one of the organizing members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Ellsworth, which society built the first church in the village, Mr. Kinne donating four lots for that purpose, himself and wife having been members of that denomination for thirty years. He was married in New York State in 1841, to Miss Lucina Jacobs, who is a native of that State, and they have now a family of six children. They lost one son, Warren O., who was a soldier in the war, having enlisted in the 20th Wis. Vol. Infty. Co. A, in July of 1862, and died in the Regimental Ilospital at Missouri, on the 9th of November, 1862.

LLOYD L. LEWIS, retired farmer, Ellsworth, was born in Onon- daga Co., N. Y. July 18, 1807. He came to Wisconsin in 1846, and made a claim in what is now known as Lewis Valley, in La Crosse County, moving his family there during the same year. He then com- menced improving his farm, and also erected a saw-mill, which was the first one in that locality. He continued in this business until 1857. when he moved to Trempealeau, where he engaged at merchandising for one year, and in 1858 removed to Pierce County, buying a farm in the town of Hartland. In May of 1881, he moved into the village of Ellsworth. He has served as Register of Deeds in Pierce County, and also Clerk of the Court, and has held various town offices. His son, Knox W. Lewis, is the present Register of Deeds in Pierce County.

J. B. MAYNARD, Jr., furniture store, Ellsworth, was born in Washington Co., Wis,, Feb. 13, IS51, and lived there until 1862, when his parents removed to Pierce County, settling in the town of Ells- worth, one mile north of the village. Ilere the subject of this sketch lived at home until 1874, when he began work in the village at the car- penter trade, which he followed for two years, after which he started a furniture store in company with C. V. Bisell, occupying the building which now joins his store on the east. In 1878 the finn dissolved, Mr. Maynard continuing the business, and in the Fall of the same year moved into the building which he now occupies. Ile was married in the following December to Miss Annis M. Beatty, who was born in Iowa. Mr. Maynard is a member of the I. O. O. F., Ellsworth Lodge, No. 150.

JOHN L. MOODY, druggist, Ellsworth, was born in Vermont in August of 1851. Remained there until 1873, when he c me to Wiscon- sin, going to River Falls, Pierce County, where he engaged in the office of the River Falls Fournal. Here he worked for one year and then commenced clerking in a drug store, at which he continued for three years, when he bought in as partner in the River Falls Pournil. After engaging at this for four years, he sold out and removed to Ellsworth in the Spring of 188t, and started in his present business. He served two years as Town Clerk of River Falls, and is a member of the F. & A. M., River Falls Lodge, No. 109.

714

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

TIIOMAS L. NELSON, retired merchant, Ellsworth. Was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., on the Ist of September, 1831. His parents moved to Monroe Co., Mich., and the subject of this sketch came at the same time to Wisconsin, when he pre-empted a claim in the town of llartland. Pierce Co., in the year 1855. He started a brick-yard the same year, where the present village of Bay City now stands, and after- ward engaged at contracting and building, at Red Wing, Minn., and Prescott, Wis,, until IS59. when he took a trip to Colorado, where he worked at mining. In 1861, he returned to Pierce County. He enlist- ed in the late war, in Co. A, 20th Wis. V. I., in December, 1862. serv- ing until the close of the war, afterward returning to his former home, where he followed farming and contracting until 1872, when he was elected Sheriff of Pierce County. In the years 1854-55, he represented that county in the Assembly, and in 1876 was re-elected Sheriff, and in the same year started a hardware store at Ellsworth, which he ran until April. 1881. He is a member of the F. & A. M., River Falls Lodge. No. 109. and has served as a member of the County Board for three years. Was married. in 1874. to Miss Sarah Stone, daughter of Col. Nathan Stone, of Prescott, who became a settler of Pierce County in 1853.

JOHN PETERSON, blacksmith, Ellsworth. Was born in Nor- way, April 11, 1833, and in 1869 came to America, locating at Eau Claire, where he remained for some time. He afterward moved to Red Wing, Minn., where he lived until 1872. He then removed to Ells- worth and engaged to work for E. L. Davis, and in 1873 he started a shop for himself, where he still does business. In IS75, erected his present residence, and in the Fall of the same year, was married to Mary A. Kile, who is a native of Pennsylvania, and by whom he has one daughter, Lizzie. They are both members of the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Peterson is a member of the I. O. O. F., Ellsworth Lodge, No. 150.

PERRY D. PIERCE, lawyer, Ellsworth. Was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., Dec. S. 1821. His father. Ebenezer Pierce, was born in Taunton, Mass. His mother, Martha Foster, was born in the town of Wilton, Conn. The subject of this sketch received an academic educa- tion, and afterward read law with Abraham Becker at South Worcester, N. Y., and in 1843 was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court. He first practiced at Rensselaerville until 1854, and then came to Wiscon- sin, locating at Prescott, where he continued his profession, being the first practiced lawyer in Pierce County. He served as District Attor- ney of that county for two terms, and has been County Judge six years, and has continued his practice of law ever since, with the exception of four years, when he farmed in the town of Clifton. In 1870, when he took the seat of County Judge, he moved to Ellsworth, where he has made his home ever since. In the years 1864-65, Mr. Pierce was en- gaged with the Government on the construction corps of the Railroad Department. He was married, in 1860, to Miss Lucy E., daughter of William E. Scarsdale, at River Falls, and they have now two daughters, Lulie E., now Mrs. Frank Walsingham, and Grace A.

MARK M. SANDERSON, of the firm of Sanderson & Campbell' merchants, Ellsworth, was born in Tioga Co., Pa., on the 11th of April' IS54, where he lived until 1859, when he came West with his parents, first locating at Red Wing. Minn. In 1869, he came to Ellsworth, and clerked for E. L. Davis. In the Fall of 1875, went to St. Paul, Minn., engaged in the whole ale house of N. B. Harwood & Co .; continued in their employ until the Winter of 1877. and in June of the next year, opened a store at Ellsworth, in company with his present partner, and now does a business of $12 000 per annum, being also engaged in buying and shipping stocks. Mr Sanderson is at present Town Treasu- rer of Ellsworth. He was married, Nov. 6, 1879, to Miss Annie M. Schumacher, who was born in Indiana.

SELAH STRICKLAND, real estate dealer, Ellsworth, was born in Massachusetts, June 8, 1829. In 1839, he went with his parents to Port- age County, Ohio, where his father, Willis Strickland, still lives, at eighty years of age. The subject of this sketch left home in 1850, and clerked in a warehouse until 1856, at which time he came to Pierce County. He bought a section of land in the Spring of 1857, and in company with his brother Seth, and Joseph Sleeper, erected a saw-mill on Isabella Creek. Remained there until 1860, when he sold out his interest, and in the Fall of the same year, was elected Register of Deeds in Pierce County, which offi . he held two years. In the Spring of 1863. he commenced to improve his land, at which he continued until IS66, when he sold his farm and went back to Ohio, remaining two years. In 1869. he returned to Wisconsin, and in 1870, settled again at Ellsworth, which has been his home ever since. He was the first Post- master who served in the office at that place. He was married, in March of 1862. to Miss Eliza W. Woodworth, of Ohio, by whom he has one son, William W.

FRANK B. WHITE, County Treasurer of Pierce County, and of the firm of Spinney & White, general merchants, Ellsworth, was horn in New York, July 19. 1845. Came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1851, locating in the town of Salem, Pierce Co., on a farm, where they resided until 1869, when they moved to the village of Maiden Rock.

Here the subject of this sketch clerked for Merrill & Clifford, merchants, which occupation he followed until IS78, when he was elected County Treasurer of Pierce County, being re-elected in ISSo. He has served three years as Town Clerk of Maiden Rock, and is a member of the Maiden Rock Lodge, No. 196. F. & A. M. He was married, in 1877, to Miss Mary Holbrook. L. G. Spinney, of the above firm, was born in New Haven, on March, 1851, and was married, in 1878, to Miss Bell Skinner, of Lake City, Minn. He is a member of the F. & A. M., Lake City Lodge, No. 22.

MAIDEN ROCK.

The place is in the southern part of the county, on Sec- tion 15, Town 24, Range 16. It was first settled by A. Chapman in 1854, being then a part of the town of Pres- cott. In the Winter of that year J. D. Trumbull entered all the land where Maiden Rock now is, settling there him- self in the Fall of 1855, and began the erection of a saw- mill, putting in a twenty-four horse-power engine. Among the other settlers of 1855 were Amos Harris, I. H. Steele, J. Fuller, M. J. Paine and J. A. Guitteau. Those of 1856, were J. D. Brown and family, Geo. Davis, R. W. Harvey, and G. R. Barton in 1857. Most of these men of the lat- ter date worked in Mr. Trumbull's mill.

The first blacksmithing was done by I. H. Steele in the Winter of 1856, and the first dwelling house was built by J. D. Trumbull during the same year. In the Winter of 1856-7 Mr. Trumbull built a shingle-mill in connection with his saw-mill.

The first hotel was run by G. R. Barton, in a house built by J. D. Trumbull. This house has since been enlarged and remodeled, and is now the Lake View House, kept by H. Richards.

The first religious services were held in the Spring of 1856, at the house of J. D. Brown, by Father Gurley, a Methodist missionary from Pepin. The first school was taught by Lottie Isabel, from Batavia, Ill., in a shanty be- longing to J. D. Trumbull. She had thirteen scholars.

The first store was opened by William Kyle, in 1859.

The first birth was Ida, a daughter of William Trum- bull, in April, 1858. The first death occurred in August of the same year, and was William Trumbull. The first mar- riage ceremony was performed during the same year also, by J. D. Trumbull, the contracting parties being Harry Brown and Percilla Nettleton.

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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