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 220

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 220

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WILLIAM WALTON, Stevens Point. Was born in Rochester, N. Y., March 30, 1824. In 1832 his parents came to Pontiac, Mich., where he lived until 1842, then went to Chicago and remained there until 1844, when he came to Wisconsin and was located in Johnston, Rock .Co., about one year ; May 10, 1845, he came to the present site of Stevens Point, finding only one rough-board shanty here at that time. During the Winter of 1845-46 he worked by the month, at Wausau making shingles, and continued to work by the month in the pineries for four or five years ; afterward until 1861 he was engaged in mercantile business ; since then he has been engaged in lumbering, farming, and dealing in real estate. Dec. 22, 1854, he was married at Stevens Point, to Frances C. Copp, a native of New York.

THOMAS WELCH, lumberman and liquor dealer, Stevens Point. Was born in County Down, Ireland, Aug. 15, 1853. Came to America in 1843. Resided for several years at Flushing, L. I .; was employed aboard steamboat running between Flushing and New York City for some time, afterward on steamboats running between New York and Southern ports. In the Spring of 1852 he came to Beloit, Wis., and to Stevens Point, Oct. 28, 1853. For five or six years he was employed in Goodhue's mill on the Big Eau Claire, and Springs rafting lumber until he lost a leg Aug. 29, 1859, at Grand Rapids, his leg getting fouled in cable while rafting, which resulted as stated. Ever since 1859 he has been dealing in lumber and shingles, and also running the "Star" saloon. He was married at Stevens Point, September, 1868, to Adelia M. Felker, she was born in Prussia. They have six children-Katie E., Alice G., Nettie M., John T., Ada M., and Inez L. Mr. Welch has one son William M., by a former marriage. Mr. W. has served several years as Alderman.

MAURICE WEISEN, harness maker and saddler, also dealer in all articles pertaining to the business of his trade, Stevens Point. Mr. W. was born in Scandinavia, Waupaca Co., Wis., Jan. 1, 1857, where he lived with his parents until he was about fifteen years of age, when he went to Stevens Point, and first worked in the butcher business eight months. Then he returned to Waupaca and learned his trade, and there remained three years. Afterward went to Stevens Point and worked a short time at the harness business. Then ran the river, going to Louis- iana, Mo. Returned to Weyauwega, Wis .; worked three and one-half months in a harness shop, and during the Winters of 1877-78, worked making railroad ties. From there he went near Fountain City, Wis., and remained until November, 1878. During the Winter and Spring, worked at lumbering, and the Winter of 1879, worked in a har- ness shop at Plainfield, Wis., and in the following Spring began working in a harness shop at Stevens Point. Remained until July, 1880, and be- gan business on his own account.

GEORGE E. WERT. dealer in dry goods, staple and fancy, also groceries, provisions, flour and feed, Stevens Point. He first settled at Wiota, La Fayette Co., in 1850. He followed farming eighteen months, and in 1852 he went to Stevens Point, where he first engaged running lumber on the Wisconsin River. He followed lumbering about fifteen years. During the Winters, he kept a feed store, and in 1867-68, he be- gan business with Mr. Hamacher in the same line. He continued in company about two and one-half years. He then built his present store, and has been doing business there since. Mr. Wert was born in Adams Co., Pa., Aug. 16, 1826. He was raised in Gettysburg, Pa. He was married in Wiota, Wis., Oct. 15, 1855. His wife's maiden name was Sarah E. Miller. She was born in Indiana, Jan. 22. 1833. They have five children, named George M., Clara J., Walter D., now deceased, Charles E. and Arthur A.

CHARLES WESTON, saw filer in the mill of his father, William Weston, Stevens Point. He was born on Token Creek, Dane Co., Wis., June 2, 1851. His parents, with their family, moved to Stevens Point in the Fall of 1851. At a suitable age he attended the schools in the village, after which he attended the Geneva Normal School, Ohio. He

began with his father soon after finishing at Geneva, and has worked in the mill in the Summer seasons and in the woods in the Winter, and during the three last Winters he has run a shingle mill in company with his brother, George Weston. The capacity of their shingle mill is about 5,000,000 per year; located on Mill Creek, five miles northwest of Ste- vens Point. He was married in May, 1873. His wife's maiden name was Levena Maw. She was born in Portage City, Wis., in 1849. They have two children, named Fred R. and Alice E.

WILLIAM WESTON, lumber manufacturer, Stevens Point. Was born in Leicester, England, July 3, 1815. Came to Vienna, Dane Co., Wis., in September, 1847. Engaged in farming there until June, 1851, when he came to Stevens Point. Was for a time in the employ of Judge Beem; then for about two years was agent for Strong & Ellis in their grist mill here; afterward, for.a period of three years, he was engaged in steamboating between this point and Mosinee; then, after spending one year and a half in selecting pine land, he built (in 1858-59) a small saw-mill, with capacity for cutting 2,000 or 3,000 feet of lumber per day. He has since gradually increased the facilities. and at present (1881) cuts 30,000 feet of lumber and about 30,000 shingles per day. His present mill was built in 1872-73. Mr. Weston was pro- prietor of a machine shop here for six or seven years. He was for eight- een or twenty years a member of the School Board here. Has been Su- pervisor and member of the Common Council. He was married in Lei- cester, England. April 15, 1843, to Elizabeth Clark. She was born in Leicestershire, England, Aug. 2, 1813. Their children are: William Rowland, born Feb. 5, 1844; Nathaniel, born April 5, 1846; Paul, born Nov. 4, 1848; Charles born June 2, 1851; George, born Nov. 23, 1853. William R. and Paul are residents of Alta, Iowa. The other sons re- main with their father in the lumber manufacturing business.

FRANK L. WHEELOCK, lumberman, Stevens Point. Mr. W. first settled at Marquette, Green Lake Co., with his parents, in 1859. His people still live there. He left home at the age of sixteen, and went to Utah Territory. Followed mining and teaming about one year. He also guarded a snow-shed on the Sierra Nevada Mountains for the Union Pacific Railroad a short time. He then returned to Jackson, Mich., and was there employed on the police force, as special policeman, and remained two years. In 1869 he went to Stevens Point, Wis., and followed working in the pineries, running the Wisconsin River. In 1874 he went to lumbering for himself. He was appointed by the city as policeman, in March, 1875, and served thirteen months. He was elect- ed City Marshal in April, 1876, and served one year. In the Fall of 1875, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, having charge of the County Jail. He served in that capacity two years, holding both positions at the same time. Since that time he has been engaged in the lumber business with his brother, A. B. Wheelock, until the Spring of 1881. He is at present on his own account. Mr. F. L. Wheelock was born in Frankford, Ohio, Oct. 21, 1850. He was married, September, 1874, at Stevens Point. His wife's maiden name was Mary Maddy. She was born in Stevens Point, Sept. 22, 1854. They had three children, named Charley B., died July 5, 1881, Lydia A., and an infant, not yet named.

O. C. WHEELOCK, proprietor ot livery stable and stage line, Stevens Point, was born in the town of Eden, Vt., Feb. 8, 1833; was reared in the town of Morristown, Vt., and resided there until he came to Wisconsin, and located at Stevens Point, April 5, 1856. He was em- ployed as a clerk in the old City Hotel here for several years. From 1858 to 1862, he was proprietor of a stage line between this point and Wausau, and in 1861 and 1862 resided at Wausau. Since 1862 he has been engaged in livery business and lumbering. Was, for a short time, in mercantile business. Mr. Wheelock was Alderman for about ten years, member of County Board six years, Under Sheriff two years, Assessor for four years, and member of the School Board four years, being at present President of the Board. In December, 1859, he was married, at Stevens Point, to Amanda Sturdevant, a native of Fairfield, Franklin Co., Vt. They have three children-Edward Bradley, Ab- bie Fidelia, and Addie Olive.

MRS. FIDELIA N. WILITE, Stevens Point, widow of Charles R. White, who came to Wisconsin in April, 1864, and was married in Waupaca, Aug. 28, 1865. Mrs. White's maiden name was Fidelia N. Miner. She was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., and is a daughter of Joel H. and Nancy Miner, and with them came to Dayton, Waupaca Co., Wis., in 1856, where her parents still reside. Mr. and Mrs. White moved to Plover, Portage Co., in April, 1866, and lived there until April, 1873, when they moved to Stevens Point, and he was engaged in mercantile business until April, 1880, when they moved to Appleton, where Mr. White died Sept. 6, 1880. Mrs. White returned to Stevens Point, Oct. 25, 1880, and the following November engaged in business. She has recently built a new store, on the corner of Division and Church streets. She has five children-Fred C., Olive P'., Lottie E., Oscar F., and Arthur C., and lost two children, Mary Emma, who died June 12, 1872, aged nearly five years, and William Glenn, who died June 6, 1872, aged three years.

THOMAS JEFFERSON WRIGHT. gunsmith and dealer in guns, pistols, pocket cutlery and sportsman's articles, Stevens Point. Hle first

760

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

located in Oshkosh, in 1858, with his parents, and lived there until the war began, and enlisted in Co. B, 3d Regt. Wis. V. I., April 21, 1861, and served until Dec. 21, 1863, at wnich time he re-enlisted in the same regiment and company, and served until July 12, 1865, and was mus- tered out at Lonisville, Ky. Mr. Wright never had but one furlongh dur- ing his service in the war, and that was after his re-enlistment. After the war closed, he returned to Oslikosh, and worked in a saw-mill and followed logging. lumbering, etc., for ten years. He went to Stevens Point. October, 1875, and engaged in his present business. He was born in the township Ulster, Bradford Co., Pa., Feb. 3, 1843. He was married in Oshkosh, August, 1865. His wife's maiden name was Eliza- beth A. Skinner, born in Painted Post, N. Y., June, 1849. They have four children, named Adelbert C., William H., Claude A. and Frederick J. Wright.

A. F. WYATT, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Stevens Point, was born in Wesleyville, Erie Co., Penn., May 7, 1843, lived there until he came to Stevens Point, in July. 1856. From 1857 to 1863, he was employed in the office of United States Register of Lands at this point. From 1863 to 1865 he was at La Crosse, in the Provost Marshal's office. From May, 1865, until the Fall of 1867, he was Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue for this district. During this period he engaged in mercantile business, which he continued until March, 1869. In the Winter of 1870, he entered McCulloch's bank as book-keeper, and con- tinned there until November, 1871. At that time the Wisconsin Cen- tral Railroad Company established a depot here, and Mr. Wyatt was ap- pointed station agent, and held that position until May, 1877. After- ward, for two years, in McCulloch's bank again, and one year with B. Burr & Son. Since Jan. I, 1881, he has been Clerk of the Circuit Court. He is now a member of the School Board, has been Alderman of the Third Ward two years, and was re-elected this year ( 1881 ). At the time he was elected Clerk of the Court, he was a member of the County Board. He took the recent census of the Second and Third wards of Stevens Point. During the war he took the enrollment for the Northern District of Portage County. Sept. 4, 1876, was married, in Stevens Point, to Emma A. Redfield, a native of this place. They have had one son, William Franklin, who died Nov. 11, 1880, aged twenty-three months.

PLOVER

This little village was formerly the county seat of Portage, and was among the first places settled on the Upper Wisconsin, and at the time the vote of the county, selected it as the shire town, it was a stopping-place on the road up the river. It was called the Plover Portage, because, at this point, the canoes had to be taken from the river to go around Conant's Rapids, or across the country to the Wolf River on the east, and the Black River on the west. As to the location of this trail, it may be said that there were several going both ways from between the Big Plover and Little Plover, and at another point above Shaurett's Rapids. A party, coming from the Wolf, to go up, would strike the river above the Falls, if to go down, below Conant's Rapids. So in going to the Black River.

As before intimated, Plover had a tavern on the road between Grand Rapids and Big Bull Falls, and, although nearly a mile from the river, it was on a direct line between the Grand Rapids and the eastern bend of the river, where the Little Plover comes in. John Batten was the landlord of the house, and being central, it was selected as the site of the county seat. Moses M. Strong laid out the village. in 1846. It is level and handsomely laid out, and kept on flourishing, so that in the Summer of 1857, not a house could be rented in town. With the removal of the county business, it began to decline, but with the building of the railroads, and the filling up of the country with farms, it is again coming up.

The Portage" division of the Wisconsin Central Rail- road passes through this place, and the Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul crosses it at right angles. This road is also con-

structing a branch road to Stevens Point, and it is hoped, that for the better accommodation of the public, a union depot will be established.

The first records of the town of Plover begin in 1850. The Supervisors elected were : John H. Bachelor, Jacob L. Myers and H. H. Young. George W. Cate was Assessor; Caleb D. Ogden, Superintendent of schools; Jonathan Wyatt, Clerk, and Justice of the Peace. Marquis Beach was Constable; William Dunton, Treasurer. The town- hall was built in 1867.

The town offices of Plover, in 1881, are : Supervisors, H. H. Bourn, Chairman; Moses Buariea, M. H. Mouger; Town Clerk, Charles A. Lane, for the past fifteen years ; Treasurer, John Eckels ; Constables, W. H. Potts, Robert Morrison, John H. Morrison ; Justice of the Peace, A. J. Welton William R. Alban, L. B. Farr, Cyrus W. Dott.

One of the most interesting and important establishments in town, is that of S. D. Clark, for the manufacture of sirup from sorghum. It was started in 1880, and 700 gallons were made the first year. In the season of 1881, about 3,000 gallons will be made. The farmers bring in the cane and it is made into a sirup, weighing from eleven to twelve pounds to the gallon, for twenty cents a gallon. The Minnesota early amber, is the variety mostly planted, and the yield varies from 75 gallons on an acre to 200 gallons. The average being perhaps 125 gallons.

It now sells for domestic use, at fifty cents a gallon, so that the farmer realizes, as a rule, $37.50 gross earnings per acre for their crop. This is a pioneer mill in this business and the material is brought as far as fourteen miles. A long pan alternately subdivided, is used as an evaporator, the juice flowing in from the mill at one end, and the sirup drawn out at the other. No alkali is used to correct the slight acidity, which is by no means disagreeable to the taste.

Mr. Clark also has a hay press operated in the Winter. He puts up 200 tons or more of tame, and fifty tons of marsh hay.

The present business is represented by the following parties :

William E. Shepard, manufacturer and dealer in furniture.

Barr & Scott, manufacturers of boots and shoes.

David Derby, wagon maker, repairing.

A. A. Walbridge, general merchandise; everything want- able, from pins and needles, to stoves and lumber. The only place for dry goods in town.

M. S. Pierce, drugs and medicines.

J. D. Rogers, grocery-an old settler of thirty years. J. Prince, groceries.

Smith & Co., and J. Waters, saloons.

R. Thompson and Phillip Bremmer, blacksmiths.

George Frayeser, shoemaker.

F. H. Bohner & Bro., hardware, stoves, tin-ware, agri- cultural implements, etc.

Latterment & Morrison, meat market, groceries and provisions.

Samuel Drake, cigars, confectionery, and restaurant.

761

HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.

Empire House, first opened in 1856; it has been kept by Joseph Bettis, George Hibbard, O. H. Lamoreaux, George Wilmot and others. T. F. Cooley is the present proprietor.

Bigelow House, a quiet home-like hotel.

The Plover Cornet Band, organized in June, 1879. F. H. Bohner, leader. Twelve pieces.

At the Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul Station, where Ch. H. Shager is agent, the amount forwarded per month is 1,258,076 lbs. Received, 48,000 lbs. Passenger fare for one month, $508.

Wisconsin Central, Morgan Danks, agent. The receipts for a month in the early Fall of 1881 was $598.

There are two churches in the village.

The Methodists were first in the field, and at one time there were five societies of different kinds in operation.

The Methodists have a house of worship, erected in 1861, although there was a regular supply long before that time.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1856. In February, 1871, nine women, members of the Church met, and transformed themselves into Presbyterians, and organ- ized with nineteen members, and that society has sinceused the church erected by the Presbyterians in 1862.

Rev. R. M. Webster, was the first pastor. There is no pastor now.

The legal profession is ably represented by W. R. Alban and O. H. Lamoreaux

Plover Lodge No. 76, A., F. & A. M., was instituted in 1855. First officers : Luther Hanchett, W. D. McIndoe, D. S. Sanders. Their hall was burned in 1871. It now has forty-seven members. The present officers are: L. M. Gregory, W. M .; W. O. Lamoreaux, S. W .; F. Halladay, J. W.

The Good Templars also have a lodge in good con- dition.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

PHILLIP BREMMER, general blacksmith, Plover, Wis. Mr. B. was born in Whitewater, Wis., May 31, 1850, where they lived a num- ber of years, after which they moved to Plover, and lived until 1869, then they went to Minnesota and lived about seven years, and Mr. B. followed blacksmithing, which trade he also followed at Plover, before moving to Minnesota. He returned to Plover in 1876, and has since lived there. He was married at Plover, in November, 1873. His wife's maiden name was Louisa A. Waters ; she was born in Plover. They have three children, named Etta B., Charles, and Bertha.

LEVI M. GREGORY, practicing physician and surgeon, Plover, Wis. The doctor was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Aug. 17, 1827, His parents settled at Whitewater, Wis., in 1847. He lived there with his parents a short time and went to Fort Atkinson, and began the study of medicine with Dr. H. M. Gregory, his brother. He remained until July, 1850. He graduated at the Cleveland, Ohio, Medical College in Febru- ary, 1869. He also attended two courses at the Indiana Medical Col- lege, in 1848 and '49, located at La Porte, Ind. ; he settled in Plover, July, 1850. He was married, at Marcellon, Columbia Co., Wis., Feb. 22, 1852. His wife's maiden name was Olive S. Babcock ; she was born in New York, Nov. 29, 1835. They have one daughter, horn in Plover, July 27, 1855, named Frankie Gregory ; married, Sept. 14. 1876, to Dr. R. H. Darling, and living in Manitowoc, Wis.

OLIVER H. LAMOREAUX, lawyer and farmer, Stevens Point, was born in Clockville, Madison Co., N. Y., April 22, 1824, and lived there until he came to Wisconsin. In 1849, he came to Wisconsin, prospect- ing, but did not locate here until Oct. 22, 1851, when he came to Port- age Co., Wis., living in Stockton from the following Spring until January, 1859, when he moved to the village of Plover, where he still lives, farm- ing in that town, and in Buena Vista. Mr. Lamoreaux was admitted to

the Bar in the State of New York, in the Fall of 1851, and to practice in the Supreme Court of Wisconsin in 1858, and has been engaged in practice of law over twenty-five years. From 1861 to November, 1862, he practiced with [. O. Raymond and Luther Hanchett, at Plover. After the death of Mr. Hanchett, in November, 1862, Lamoreaux & Raymond continued in partnership until 1868. Mr. Lemoreaux was Chairman of the Town Board of Stockton when that town was first organized. He was also Justice of the Peace there. He was District Attorney first by appointment, and three times by election, and then engaged in enrolling under the commissioner system, and was afterward special Indian Agent for the Winnebagoes, Pottawatomies and stray Indians, for four years. In 1871, he was elected to the Assembly. He was married, in Clockville, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1848, to Elizabeth C. Hall, a native of that place. They have four children-William O., Mary E., now Mrs. D. V. Bean, Boulder, Col .; Frank B., and Charles A.

JERRY D. ROGERS, dealer in groceries, crockery, etc., Plover, Wis. He settled at Wausau in 1842, and followed lumbering eight years, after which he moved to Plover, and directly engaged in the mer- cantile business, which he has since continued. He was elected Clerk of Court and Clerk of Board of Supervisors in November, 1849; held the offices one term, and in November, 1851, he was elected Register of Deeds, which he also held one term. He was appointed regimental quartermaster of 18th Reg. Wis. Vol. Inf., and was mustered into the United States service Jan. 6, 1862, and resigned on account of ill health, Aug. 31, 1862. Mr. R. has seen a good deal of pioneer life. He was born in Barnet, Vt., Sept. 8, 1823. Married to Miss Mary Conklin, Dec. 22, 1852, at Grand Rapids, Wis .; his wife was born in New York, Feb. 28, 1828. They had three children, an infant born March 24, 1854, died April 5, 1854 ; Sarah I., born July 23, 1855, now married and living in Watertown, D. T., and Arthur J., born May II, 1859, now Assistant Supervisor at In- sane Asylum, Madison, Wis.

HON. MINER STROPE, deceased. Was born in Wysox, Luzerne Co., Pa., May 11, 1806. Educational opportunities in that region were extremely limited when he was a youth, but he made the best of the chances presented, and acquired a good education. He studied law, and was admitted to practice in Western New York, in 1830. In 1841, he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of that State, and on the 6th day of June, 1843, he underwent an examination for admission as a solicitor in the Court of Chancery of the State of New York, and was admitted on that day, and up to the time of his removal from that State, he was in the active practice of law in all of those courts. Deciding to go West, Judge Strope, in June, 1850, came to Wisconsin, and located in Plover, where he resided continuously until his death, Aug. 31, 1880, Prior to coming to Plover, he resided, for a few months, in Watertown, Wis. At Milwaukee, in 1859, he was admitted to practice in the United States Courts. He held the office of District Attorney for both Portage and Wood counties, and was County Judge of Portage County for two terms. Judge Strope was one of the oldest, if not the oldest lawyer in the State at the time of his death. He was twice married. By his first wife, Mary E. Morton, he had six children, three of whom are married and survive him. By his second wife, Miss Lucilla Wilmot, he had three children, all now living. The Judge was a safe counselor and a success- ful practitioner, courteous in his intercourse with his brothers of the Bar, but firm and determined in the presentation and argument of contro- verted points ; his management was able, and he always tried his cases well, and in a manner satisfactory to his clients. In his business rela- tions he was honorable, and his integrity was never called in question.

JOHN W. STROPE, son of the late Hon. Miner Strope, of Plover, Portage Co., Wis. Was born in the town of, Villanova, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., April 13, 1850. His father was born May 11, 1806, and when six- teen years old, went with his parents to Erie Co., N. Y. His mother was also a native of New York State. When John W. was a few months old, his parents came to Watertown, Wis., remaining there but a couple of months, then removed to Plover. He commenced teaching at the age of eighteen ; taught ten terms in Portage County, afterward working as car- peuter and millwright. He studied law with his father for two years, and was then appointed ronte agent on the Wisconsin & Minnesota Rail- road, Abbottsford & Ean Claire Mail Route. Mr. Strope was married in Plover, July 20, 1871, to Ada M. Alban, who was born in Stark Co., Ohio. They have one child, Etta Maude, born Aug. 10, 1875.

WILLIAM B. SHEPARD, dealer in a general line of furniture, Plover, Wis. Mr. S. first settled in Plover, September, 1855. Mr. S. learned the carpenter and cabinet trade, and has made that his principal business. He has a small engine in his shop, with which he does many kinds of fancy and bracket work. He was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Aug. 12, 1837. He began business in 1876, at Plover. He was married at Buena Vista, Portage Co., Wis. His wife's maiden name was Helen M. Wales ; she was born in New York. They have one boy, named Frank, now living at home.

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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