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 219

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 219

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M. A. ROUSSEAU, Sheriff, Stevens Point, was born on the Island of Mackinaw, Mich., Feb. 5, 1822. Lived in Michigan until June, 1835, when he came to Green Bay, Wis. Resided at Fond du Lac in 1846 and 1847. In the Spring of 1848 he went to Neenah, where he re- mained until November of that year. He then came to Grand Rapids and remained a short time, afterward located in Plover and made that his home until the Spring of 1854, when he engaged in farming in the town of Stockton, and resided there until he was elected Sheriff, in 1860. In IS52 and 1853 he served as Under Sheriff. From 1864 to December, IS69, he was engaged in lumbering, and was saw-mill foreman. He then purchased the Brown mill, situated two miles east of Stevens Point, and run that until October, 1878. He was elected Sheriff in the Fall of 1879. Mr. Rousseau was married, in Stockton, Aug. 31, 1854, to Sophia K. Hall, a native of Clarksville, Madison Co., N. Y. They have five children-Maggie H., Louis A., Orville M., Albert M., and George Franklin.

DR. EDGAR P. RUSS, dentist, Stevens Point, was born in De- troit, Mich., Nov. 23, 1858. When he was about two years of age, his parents removed with their family to Pontiac, Ill. When he was four- teen years of age he entered the State Normal School, at Valparaiso, Ind., and graduated from the business department of that institution, and returned to Pontiac, where he engaged in the dentistry business. Afterward was located at Dixon, Ill., and in August, 1880, he came to Stevens Point, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession.

STILLMAN H. SAWYER, County Treasurer, Stevens Point, was born in Gardner, Me., Nov. 2, 1820. In the Spring of 1852, being then a resident of Bangor, Me., he went to California, and was engaged in the saddlery business, and doing a little mining a portion of the time he was there. In November, 1855, he came to Portage Co., Wis., and has been engaged in farming on Sec. 12, in the town of Belmont. In December, 1861, he enlisted in Co. E, 18th Wis. V I., being sergeant of his com- pany ; was in all general engagements of his regiment ; mustered out of the service in January, 1864 ; was Register of Deeds for this county from 1867 to 1870. From that time until 1881, when he came into his present office he was engaged in farming. He has served as Town Clerk of Bel- mont most of the time since he has resided here. Ile was married at Bangor, Me., to Mary M. Fogg, a native of.that place. They have five children.

DANIEL SEYLER, boiler manufacturer, Stevens Point, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 29. 1845, and came to America, in December, 1854, living in Dunmore, Penn., until 1865, when he came to Oshkosh, Wis., living there until 1873, in which year he came to Stevens Point and engaged in foundry and machine shop business, with R. A. Cook as a partner, under the firm name of Seyler & Cook. They continued together until March, 1881, when Mr. Seyler sold out his in- terest to Mr. Cook, and engaged in the manufacture of boilers. He was married in Oshkosh, Dec. 16, 1870, to Ernestina W. Wagner, who was born in Germany. They have six children-Flora, George, Medora, Grace, Daniel, Jr., and an infant daughter.

SIMON AUGUSTUS SHERMAN, Stevens Point. Was born in the town ol Westboro, Worcester Co., Mass., Jan. 27, 1824, and lived there until he was seven years of age, when his parents moved to Pax- ton, in the same county, living there until the suject of this sketch was twenty years old ; he then located at Southboro, Mass., and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. Two seasons later he moved to West Boylestown, and assisted at the building of the Slater cotton mill. He remained here one season, attending the Thomas Hall School, and dur- ing the following Summer helped erect the lange gingham factory in Clintonville. The following Winter, attending the academy at West- minster. The ensuing season he was established at Fitchburg, as fore- man in building machine shops, paper factories, etc., whence he removed

757

HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.

to Winchendon, Mass,, and took charge of the building of a church at that point. He also attended the academy there. In 1848, he came by way of the lakes to Milwaukee, and from Milwaukee to Plover, arriving Oct. 28, 1848. He aided in the finishing of the American House, which was the first house north of Fox River, painted, plastered and with chimneys. He also put up the shelves in the first store of Matt and John Campbell, in Stevens Point. He built the first framed house on the Indian lands, at a place called the Junction, near Plainsville, in 1848, and in 1849, made a trip to Galena, running lumber on the river. The next season he run lumber down to Alton, Ill. He then went to Massa- chusetts, and remained two years ; then returned to Fond du Lac, and

S, A, Sherman

rented an old saw-mill, in which he started the first successful planing- mill in that city, operating it one year, when he returned to Plover, where, or in that vicinity he has resided ever since. Mr. Sherman operates the mills at the month of Big Plover River. He commenced build- ing where he is now located, in 1854,, and got the mill in full operation two or three years later. Mr. Sherman has been Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors for the last four years, and is one of the most active members of the Board. He was married, in Rindge, N. H., April 22, IS57, to Rachel S. Jones, of that place. They have two children, Clar- ence Augustus, born July 9, 1854, and Eugene Augustine, born in March, 1857.

CLARENCE A. SHERMAN, now engaged with his father in his large saw-mill on the Plover, called Sherman's mills, was born in Plover, Wis., July 9, 1854. He spent his school days principally at home, and attended the Lawrence University, at Appleton, Wis., for some time. After arriving at maturity, he went to work for his father in the saw-mill, and has made that his business since, excepting that he built a shingle mill on the Big Plover River in the Winter of 1876 and 1877, which he operated two years, sold out, and returned to his father's employ, and has since been there. He was married at Plover, on July 11, 1876. His wife's maiden name was Myrta A. Downing ; she was born in Portage County, Aug. 10, 1857. They have three children, named Walter C., Frank A. and an infant, not yet named.

EUGENE A. SHERMAN, engaged with his father, S. A. Sherman, in his saw-mill on Plover River. Mr. E. A. Sherman was born in Plover, Wis., March 28, 1857. After arriving at suitable age, he attended the public schools in his village, and began with his father at the age of six- teen years, taking charge of the business several years since beginning work. He has also followed running the river for some time, and had a fleet of lumber run out of the river to the lower markets in the Spring of 1881. He was married in Linwood Tp., Portage Co., Feb. 1, 1881. His wife's maiden name was Kitie L. Andrews. She was born in the same town where they were married, Jan. 3, 1864.

JOIIN A. SLOTHOWER, dealer in diy gocds, groceries and gen- eral merchandise, of the firm of Sloth( wer & Hamacher, Stevers Poirt, Wis. Mr. S. was born in La Fayette Co., Wis., July 3, 1840, at which

place he lived until he was fourteen years of age, and then went with his parents to Stevens Point. He first clerked in his father's store, Mr. John Slothower, two years, after that he was engaged in various kinds of busi- ness, and in 1861, was engaged in a lumber yard at St. Louis, for his father. He returned, and followed various occupations until August, 1880, when he went into the mercantile trade as above noted. He was married, in Stevens Point, in 1865, to Miss Ella Orrick ; she died in 1866. He was married again, November, 1877. His wife's maiden name was Alice A. Morgan ; she was born in New Jersey in 1850. He had one daughter by first wife, named Anna W., born Jan. 6, 1866, at Stevens Point.

JOHN SLOTHOWER, lumber manufacturer, Stevens Point. Was born in Menallen Township, two miles from Gettysburg, Pa., Dec. II, 1811. Lived there until he came to Galena, Ill., in the Spring of 1836. In October of the same year, he removed to Wiota, Wis. He was en- gaged in mercantile business, mining and farming there, and in that vi- cinity, until 1840, when he commenced supplying the lumbermen of the pineries with produce, etc., dealing extensively with Bloomer, Campbell, and others in this region, which he continued until IS48. In that year he engaged in mercantile business at Stevens Point, in partnership with Matthew Campbell and Samuel R. Merrill. Mr. Campbell retired from the business in about two years, and Messrs. Slothower & Merrill con- tinued together until 1856; also engaged in lumbering during this period. Built a steam saw-mill on Little Eau Claire in 1849, and a few years later they bought the Weston mill, on the Big Eau Claire, and purchased another mill on the Little Eau Claire. Mr. Slothower continued mer- chandising until 1860; since then he has been in lumber business, manu- facturing now. His family resided at Wiota until 1852, since then at Stevens Point, except three years in the town of O'Plaine, where Mr. Slothower's mill was located. During the time he lived there, he was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. He has served seven years as one of the Aldermen of Stevens Point. March 26, 1835, he was married, in Gettysburg, Pa., to Mary Ann Agnew, a native of that place ; she was born Feb. 12, 1812. They have two children living, John Alexander, born July 3, 1840 ; Adeline Rosella (now Mrs. E. L. Clark, of Menasha), was born Aug. 8, 1848.

M. C. SLUTTS, Deputy Sheriff, Stevens Point. Was born in Fair- field, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, Sept. 30, 1825. Most of his life was spent in the Southern States, prior to his coming to Wisconsin, in 1844. He came to Galena, Ill., by steamboat, and from that place he made his way to the pineries of Wisconsin on foot, arriving at Stevens Point the last of August, 1844; from here he went to Dubay's trading-post and Mosi- nee. For a short time he was engaged in rafting for the contractors of John L. Moore, who was the owner of the Little Bull Mill. During a portion of four years, he was engaged in shaving shingles for himself in that vicinity ; running lumber down the river during the season for raft- ing, he became a river pilot. After being in the Territory a year, he made his headquarters at Stevens Point, and was constantly engaged in lumbering from 1845 until 1873. For twenty-eight years he never missed making trips each year with lumber on the river. From 1850 to 1852. he also had lumber yards at Illinois Town (now East St. Louis), and Venice, the latter a town a little further up the Mississippi River. Mr. Slutts was also engaged in the hotel business in Stevens Point, in an early day, having purchased a half interest in the American House about the year 1850. He was married in Stevens Point, Nov. 20, 1856, to Mary C. Luce ; she died May 30, 1869. Five children survive her-Francis L., Charles M., Arnold D., Olive A. and Joseph J. Mr. S. relates ; the story of a remarkable escape which he had from drowning, about 1850. Having been thrown from a raft at Little Bull Falls, where many rafts- men have lost their lives, Mr. Slutts being the only man who was ever thrown into the water there and escaped death. He was also one of a party of nine who were swamped at Pine Bluff, and only four were saved. Ile has been Deputy Sheriff most of the time for the last seven years. He has been Coroner of the county, and is now one of the Coun- ty Supervisors, having served one term prior to this time.

DR. JESSE SMITH. surgeon dentist, Stevens Point, was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, March 12, 1850. Came to America in 1875. Located in St. Louis until he came to Stevens Point, July 3, 1880. He attended the Missouri Dental College two terms, and after- ward entered the Western College of Dental Surgeons, of St. Louis, and graduated from the latter institution March to, 1880. The doctor com- menced the study and practice of his profession in his native place, in England, prior to coming to America. lIe was married at Rochdale, England, March 12, 1870, to Sarah A. Holt, also a native of that place.

WILLIAM W. SPRAGGON, baker, Stevens Point, came to Wis- consin in May, 1856, and stopped until Novemher of that year with his brother, Robert R. Spraggon, in Adams County. Nov. 14, 1856, he came to Stevens Point and was employed in a bakery until 1859. He established himself in business in September, 1859, and has continued it since, keeping a bakery and dealing in fancy groceries and confection- ery ; he has had a steam bakery since 1873. Mr. Spraggon was born in Rothbury, Northumberland Co., Eng., Nov. 30, 1836, and went to 1.on- don in the Winter of 1851-2, where he finished learning the baker's trade, having commenced it in Rothbury. He arrived in New York

750

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

City in January, 1854, and was there and on Long Island until he came to Wisconsin, being in the bakery business all the time. He has man- ufactured crackers since he started a bakery, and since 1873 has run a steam bakery. He manufacture, from 500 to 600 barrels of flour into crackers, etc., each year. Ilis sales amount to from $8,000 to $10,000. Mr. Spraggon was Alderman of the Second Ward from the Spring of 1864 until the Spring of 1866, and was afterward appointed but re- signed. He was Mayor of the City from the Spring of 1878 to the Spring of 1881. He was married at Stevens Point, Sept. 12, 1858, to Bridget Masterson, who was born in Veldenstown, County of Meath, Ire- land, and died April 17, 1881. She was a daughter of John Kinseller, and with her first husband was-one of the early settlers at Stevens Point, arriving there abont 1849.

GEORGE STENGER, of the firm of Stenger & Betlach, proprie- tors meat market, Stevens Point. Mr. S. was born in Fremont Tp., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1855. He left there in the Spring of 1857 and went to St. Louis, Mo., remained there about a year. His parents then traveled and lived in various portions of the West and finally located at Stevens Point in April, 1858, where he spent his youthful days and went into his present business in 1874. He was married Jan. 9, 1879. His wife's maiden name was Margaret July. She was born at Green Bay, April I, 1857. They have two children, named George Stenger, Jr., and Gertrude Stenger.

WASHBURN STONE, grocer, Stevens Point, was born in what is now the town of Waverly, Luzerne Co., Pa., June 6, 1843. Came to Wisconsin with his parents, Arnold and Orphie (Shaw) Stone, when he was about twelve years of age. His father died at Palmyra, Jefferson Co., Wis., in August, 1861. IIis mother still resides at Palmyra, where they first located in this State. In 1871, Washburn Stone removed to Stevens Point, coming here on the second passenger train which ever entered the town. For two years after coming here, he carried on meat market and grocery business ; since then engaged exclusively in grocery trade. Mr. S. was married at Palmyra, Wis., Dec. 25, 1862, to Irene B. Higgins, who was born at Fredonia, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and died April 6, 1881. One child, Jennie, survives her.

JOHN STUMPF, attorney, Justice of the Peace and City Treas- urer, Stevens Point, was born in the city of Darmstadt, Germany, Jan. 8, 1828. Came to the city of New York Oct. 22. 1847. Remained there until early in the Summer of 1848, when he came to Iowa Co., Wis. From there he came to Stevens Point, in the Spring of 1849. Was employed by the month, doing such work as he could find to do, until he was elected, in 1852, Clerk of the County Board and Register of Deeds. The county seat being then located at Plover, he removed to that place in 1853, and continued to live there until 1874. In the latter year he returned to Stevens Point, where he has since continued to re- side. From 1855 to 1857, he was Deputy Clerk of the County Board. In the Fall of 1856, he was again elected Register of Deeds, and after- ward elected Clerk of the Circuit Court. Early in 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 18th Wis. V. I. Was captured at the battle of Shiloh, and was a prisoner for seven months. At the siege of Vicksburg, he was wonnd- ed, and in consequence thereof was discharged from the service in the Spring of 1864, having been promoted to orderly sergeant and finally to lieutenant of his company. In the Fall of 1864, he was elected County Treasurer, and twice re-elected, serving the terms in that position. In 1873, he was elected County Judge. While serving as County Judge he was admitted to the Bar, and during a portion of the time was City Clerk. He is now serving his third term as Justice of the Peace, and also holding the office of City Treasurer for the third term. In 1828, he was married in the town of Stockton, to Harriet M. Richmond, who was born at Ft. Covington, N. V. They have three children living- John H., Edwin O. and Albert M. Lost three children.

CALEB SWAYZE. proprietor of the Pinery, Stevens Point, was born at Bremerville, N. J., Dec. 12, 1833, and learned the printer's tra le at Goshen. Orange Co., N. V., working in that county seven or eight years, until he came to Stevens Point, in April, 1856. He en- gaged in newspaper business when he first came. Was superintentend- ent of the Pinery printing office, and has been sole proprietor of that paper since the last of 1857.

FRANK H. TAYLOR, foreman in Brown Bros. planing mill, Steven, Point. Mr. Taylor was born at Mt. Pleasant, Racine Co., Wis., Aug. 24. 1855. His parents lived there about one year after that date, and moved to Plove , Portage Co., where they still live. Mr. T. lived at home until he was twenty years of age. He worked in a shingle mill for C. A. Sherman, on the Plover River, a short time ; he afterward en- gaged with Olin & Harvey, at Stevens Point, in a planing mill about nine months from there to Wight & Harvey's sash and door factory ; was there a short time, then he went to work at his present place and has been there since. He was married at Plover, Wis., Oct. 3, 1877. His wife's maiden name was Alice Bell ; she was born in Plover, May 26, 1856. They have one daughter named Clara B. Taylor, born April 4, 188 1.

DAVID HI. VAUGHN, proprietor furniture store, on Main street, Stevens Point, Wis. Mr. Vaughn has charge of the boom, and has a contract for the fourth season, including 1881. He has thirty men in

his employ, sorting and delivering logs. Mr. V. first settled in Oregon Township, Dane Co., in 1847, with his parents. They moved directly to Stevens Point in the Spring of 1854; he attended school and assisted his father until August, 1862, at which time he enlisted in Co. H, 3d Regt. Wis. Cav., and was mustered in the United States service, at Madi- son, Wis .He served three years and was mustered out in St. Louis, Mo., July, 1865. He then returned to Stevens Point, and afterward began lumbering, logging and piloting and running lumber by the thousand. He has followed the above business, and labor connected with it, until the present writing. He purchased the furniture store Dec. 14, 1880. He was born in Saranac, Clinton Co., N. Y., Nov. 7, 1842. He was married, Dec. 25, 1870, at Stevens Point. His wife's maiden name was Jennie Brawley ; she was born in Stevens Point, Wis., March 29, 1851. They have five children, named, Ma'tie E., Lulu, Virginia, D. Lynn and Charles Vaughn. Mrs. Vaughn's father, Abraham Brawley, is said to have built the first log house at what is now the city of Stevens Point, her parents being the first white family that settled in that vicinity. Her mother's name was Sarah Brawley.

STILES H. VAUGHN, ticket and freight agent of the Wisconsin Central Railway, Stevens Point. Was born in the town of Oregon, Dane Co., Wis., July 10, 1854. When he was an infant his parents, Eliphalet H. and Mary C. (La Fontaine) Vaughn, came to Stevens Point, where his mother died and hils father still resides. Mr. S. H. Vaughn was County Surveyor four years, his last term expired Dec. 31, 1880. Since Dec. 25, 1878, he has also been employed as clerk in Stevens Point for the Wisconsin Central Railway, and as ticket and freight agent for the Wisconsin Central Railway Co., at that place since Jan. I, 1881. Mr. Vaughn was married in Tomah, Wis., Dec. 25, 1878, to Harriet A. Phillipps, who was born in Dane Co., Wis. They have one child living, May C., and lost one son, Stanley S., who died Dec. 27, 1880, aged fifteen months. Mr. Vaughn is a member of the A., F. & A. M.

HARVEY M. WADLEIGH, real estate and lumber dealer, Stevens Point. Was born in the town of Hatley, Stanstead Co., Lower Canada, May 16, 1845 ; lived there until he came to Wisconsin with his parents in May, 1858. In 1872, he engaged in business for himself, logging and furnishing railroad ties for the Wisconsin Central Railway Co .; con- tinned that for a few years, then engaged in present business. He was married, in Stevens Point, Nov. 18, 1877, to Miss Lora B. Ellis, a native of Wisconsin. They have one child, Matthew F.

MATTHEW WADLEIGH, lumber manufacturer, and also mem- ber of the firm of Herren & Wadleigh, proprietors of planing mill, Stevens Point, is a son of Samnel and Mary Evans Wadleigh, and was born in Hatley, Stanstead Co., Lower Canada, Sept. 22, 1821. His father was born in Sutton, N. H., and his mother was a native of Hartland, Vt .; Matthew came to Wisconsin in the Spring of 1857 and has been a resident of this State ever since. He has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber all the time since he came here. He was also engaged in mercantile business for thirteen years in part- nership with J. R. Kingsbury. He has been Mayor, Alderman, member of County Board, etc. He has been a director of the Wisconsin Central Railway Company since its organization. Mr. Wadleigh was married in the town of Compton, two miles from the village of Hatley, Lower Can- ada, to Judith M., daughter of Lemuel P. and Fletcher Harvey. She was born in the town of Compton. They have five children-Mary, Harvey M., Lucy, Lizzie and Eva.

JOHN ALEXANDER FRAZER WALKER, lumberman, Ste- vens Point, a son of John and Eliza Armstrong Frazer Walker, was born in County Down, five miles from Belfast, Ireland, April 21, 1828, and came to Canada, an orphan, in the Fall of 1845, having sailed from Europe Aug. 3, and arriving at Quebec, Sept. 6, 1845. He was in Leeds Co., Upper Canada until October, 1849, when he came to Wisconsin, and was employed at work by the month in Schofield's mill and in Goodhue's mill, at and near Wausau, until 1852. He was engaged in logging for himself in the Winters of 1852, 1853 and 1854. In the Fall of 1855 he purchased his first lumber, and has operated in Inm- ber ever since. In the Fall of 1858 he located at Stevens Point, and purchased what is known as the Valentine Brown property, which was Valentine Brown's second addition to the village (now city) of Stevens Point, which covered, perhaps, one-third or more of the then site of Stevens Point. Mr. Walker still owns a portion of the prop- erty. He was for four years in partnership with D. R. Clements, dealing extensively in lumber, then for several years with Matthew Wadleigh, engaged in running saw-mills. Since coming to Stevens Point he has dealt extensively in lumber and real estate. He has been Sheriff two years and Alderman for the same length of time, and was one of the principal movers in the boom-building. Mr. Walker was married in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1859, to Lizzie C. Hedges, who was born in Mattewan, N. Y. They have two children living, Jessie Louise and Mary Ada, and lost two who died in infancy. Mr. Walker, with his wife and daughter Jessie, visited Europe in 1869.

WILLIAM WALKER, proprietor saloon and wholesale liquor dealer, Stevens Point. He first settled at Almond, Portage Co., in the Fall of 1865, and lived there with his parents until 1873, at which time

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HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.

he went to California and was engaged in mining 'and farming about four years, after which he returned to Almond and followed farming a short time; sold his place and moved to Stevens Point and engaged as above stated. He also carried on the livery business a short time. He was born in Canada West, Sept. 5, 1854. He was married at Almond, December, 1879. His wife's maiden name was Rose Felker ; she was born in Almond, March, 1862. They have one child, named Harry E. Walker

SILAS S. WALSWORTH, Iumberman, Stevens Point. Came to Plover, Wis., Aug. 20, 1844, and in the following October, came to Stevens Point and hauled logs for the first house built in this place, by Abraham Brawley. Mr. Walsworth engaged in logging and teaming until 1845. being employed by his father, Silas Walsworth, who died in PortageCity Wis., in 1848. M1. Walsworth, Jr., was engaged in farming in Iowa from 1845 to IS48, when he returned to Stevens Point where he has since resided, being in the lumber business most of the time, except four years, from IS52 to 1856, when he was engaged in mining in California. He was United States Deputy Collector at one time; and was married at Stevens Point, May 22, 1856, to Mary J. Livingston, and has three children-Silas, Fred L., and Mary L.

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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