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 252

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 252

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steamer bore hither, as passengers, people who were out prospecting, ready to avail themselves of any opportunity that presented itself for purchase. The Fourth of July was celebrated with unusual pomp, the Baptist society was organized, and a terrible cyclone passed over the village in August, doing great damage. These are among the prin- cipal events of 1856.

The good times continued, it is said, until the fall of 1857, and were succeeded by " hard times," during which flour was $12 per barrel ; pork, $10 per hundred, and com- modities generally in proportion. Elk, which at this late day herded among the brush of the bluffs, were killed and supplied the absence of beef; their antlers during this, pre- ceding and succeeding years, until the game became extinct, being presented to the first steamboat to make Trempealeau with the resumption of navigation in the spring.

When hardships and impoverishment followed in the wake of prosperity, it was thought that lands would depre- ciate, and an opportunity be afforded those who came in to settle while they continued, but the opposite of this was the case. The extravagant valuation mentioned was maiu- tained, and had the effect of lessening, in a material degree, the attractions, which at first blush, persuaded the visitor to this portion of the country to halt and investigate. Their investigations extended no further than to ascertain that lots and lands were held at prices, which to them, seemed fancy, whereupon, they retired and sought elsewhere what they were unable to obtain here of Healy and others who controlled the market. The " high prices " drove a num- ber to La Crosse, Winona, St. Paul, etc., who would, but for this impediment, insist those familiar with the facts, have remained and assisted in resolving the village of Trempealeau into a city. As an example, it may be said that a jewelry manufacturer wishing to extend his field of operations, visited Trempealeau for the purpose of locating, and arranged for the purchase of lands upon which to erect a residence and manufactory. Before the negotiations were concluded, however, he became appalled at the price demanded, and returned to Lowell.

Another instance is related of a capitalist from Pitts- burgh, who came here at the solicitation of citizens, with a view to the erection of a hotel. He agreed and bound him- self to put up one. first-class in every respect, and was ready to commence work, but the " high prices " of lands caused him to abandon the project and flee from the vicinity.

This short-sighted policy. in the light of subsequent events, has since been regarded as one of the chief reasons for the decline of the village. Trempealcau came to a standstill for the time being, at least, and though it revived under an era of prosperity acquired as a shipping point, land owners seem not to have profited by their experience of 1857.

Among those who settled here during that year were W. P. Ileuston, R. W. Russell, N. W. Allen, Harvey Bowles, F. A. Utter and others, including Wilson Johnston, who established the first ferry from Trempealeau Village to the Minnesota shore.

In 1858, wheat began to come in here in search of a market, and was readily purchased for shipment to Mil- waukee, via Prairie du Chien, as also to St. Louis. During this year, it is estimated that fully 1,000 bushels were thus bartered, and the fading hopes of those who had centered in the village were revived. The absence of railroads in the interior, and the fact that Trempealeau was the most acces-

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY.

sible point for farmers to merchant their produce, served to attract them in time, and they came in numbers so large that the streets lining the river were often packed for hours by teamsters waiting an opportunity to unload.

The trade, so to speak, inaugurated in 1857-58, increased in strength and vigor with succeeding years, and attained its maximum prior to the completion of railroad in August, 1871. Farmers coming in from Arcadia, Independence, Whitehall and other points in the county, as also from points in adjoining counties, and the sales are said to have averaged 5,000 bushels per diem for not less than 100 successive days. A vast amount of money was thus put in circulation, and an immense tonnage necessary to its transportation. In spite of these facts, there was no perceptible improvement in the policy of land owners, and scarcely any in the material interests of the city. When the road from Portage to La Crosse was completed, shipments were made via the latter place, and Trempealeau's value, as a shipping point, was greatly enhanced. As a result, it was thought that the building of the La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott road would be a valuable adjunct, and its completion was antici- pated with unalloyed pleasure. But the opposite of these anticipations have since been experienced. The line tapped the regions of country theretofore tributary to Trempealeau, and, thus handicapped, its history since has been as a tale that its told.

H. Hoberton's wagon factory, the chief manufacturing establishment in the village, is located on the corner of Main and Second streets, where Mr. Hoberton began the building of vehicles in 1863. In 1868, he erected his present build- ings, which are of brick, one 40x24, and the other 30x20, at a cost of $2,000, which he has since occupied. His line of manufacture embraces every description of wagon, buggy, carriage, etc., furnishing employment to five men, at a weekly compensation of $50, and doing an annual business of $5,000.

Mail facilities were first enjoyed in Trempealeau, while yet that village was known as Montoville, with B. F. Heus- ton as Postmaster, and the office on Front street. Since that date, the following officials have served : Isaac Noyes, George Batchelder. Albert Booth and A. H. Touner, the present incumbent. Mails are received daily from east and west.

Planing mill of W. & C. Church. Included in the manu- facturing industries of the village, is this establishment, which owes its origin to the enterprise of John and Joseph Shaw, and was erected in 1869. Some time after its com- pletion, the mill was sold to S. F. Harris, who, in turn, disposed of his interest to Boynton & Utter. These gentle- men maintained possession until 1880, when they sold to the present owners for a nominal consideration. The mill is supplied with equipments usual to the trade, and possesses a capacity of 10,000 feet daily.

The religious interests of Trempealeau supports three churches, though there are four church edifices within the vil- lage limits. Of these the Methodist congregation was organ- ized in 1856 by HI. M. Hays, with Mr. and Mrs. Goodhne, Mr. and Mrs. Payne, and Mr. and Mrs. Kribbs as the con- stituent members. In 1857 the present edifice was built at a cost of $1,300, and the society now claims a member- ship of three hundred, with a property valued at $1,000.

The Baptist Association was instituted in 1857, by the Rev. J. M. Winn, with twenty-three members. Until 1866 services were conducted in the schoolhouse and at a hall

on Front street. In that year the present edifice was erected at a cost of $2,300. The organization still main- tains an active existence, but since March, 1880, has been without a pastor.

The Catholic Church was established in 1858 or 1859, and worship held in the houses of members until 1867, when the present church of brick was erected at a cost of $2,000. The parish is a mission attached to the diocese of La Crosse, and administered by Father J. B. II. Conroy, of Ettrick.

The first school taught in the village was by Miss Su- sannah Holbrook, in 1854, in a log house located then on Front street. This lady was subsequently succeeded by P. O. Vanslyke and Mrs. Romanzo Bunn. In 1856, Miss Harris taught in a frame on Third street south of the pres- ent edifice. This was used until 1860, but is now occupied as a Masonic Hall. In 1859 the present school building was commenced and finished as demands for accommoda- tions increased. It is of brick, two stories high. 40x60, and cost $5,000. At first but two departinents were needed, under the care of Mr. and Mrs. Dewey, but in 1862 a third department was added, and the school became graded and has so continued. In 1870, a primary school building was erected at a cost of $1,200, and the service now requires the services of a principal and two assistants. It requires an annual levy of fifteen mills on the dollar for school purposes, the fund thereby derived being disposed of by a Board of Trustees, composed of J. M. Barrell, Di- rector ; A. Hoberton, Treasurer, and E. J. Hanke, Clerk.

Trempealeau Lodge, No. 107, A., F. & A. M., was chartered June 14, 1859, with a total of twenty members, and the following officers : J. M. Erwin, W. M .; C. C. Crane, S. W., and S. F. Harris, J. W. Meetings were continued for a number of years in Noyes & Jones brick block on Front street, where the lodge remained until 1867 or 1868, when the present building on the same thoroughfare was purchased of C. W. Thomas, and fitted up in a handsome manner for permanent occupation. The present officers are : John Boyinton, W. M .; Henry Heller, S W .; William Kribs, J. W .; H. Hoberton, Treasurer ; J. H. Crosen, Secretary ; T. J. Seymour, S. D .; L. G. Huntley, J. D .; C. C. Cribs, Tiler. Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, and the value of lodge property is stated at $1,000.

The Trempealeau Cemetery Association was organized October 6, 1856, with S. D. Ilastings as President ; D. W. Gilfillan, Secretary and Treasurer ; Noah Payne, S. F. Harris, J. Nichols, George Batchelder and Byron Veits, Trustees. A purchase of four acres of land was made for cemetery purposes, one mile northwest of the village, in Section 22, and has since been platted and laid out. The annual meeting is convened on the first Monday in October, and the present officers are : E. N. Trowbridge, Presi- dent, and F. H. Kribbs. Secretary and Treasurer.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

LEONARD W. ADAMS, farmer, Sec. 15: P. O. Trem- pealeau ; was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., on the 11th of Janu- ary, 1831; eame to Wisconsin in 1855, first settling in the town of Union, Rock Co., where he remained engaged at farming until 1859, then went back to New York, and, after staying there for four years, returned and bought the farm where he now lives, and. in 1864, moved on to it; he has been a member of the Board of Supervisors, and was married in the year 1870 to Miss

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Mary Eleeta Blake, of Rock County, but formerly of New York ; their family consists of three children-Bessie ( .. Hattie M. and Charles B.

FRANK ATWOOD. farmer, See. 31 ; P. O. Centerville ; was born in Vermont Nov. 17. 1810 ; he came to Wisconsin with his brother Almon in the year 1818, locating in Fond du Lac Co., where the subject of this sketch remained until 1859, at which time he removed to Trempealean Co., and purchased the farm where he now lives ; he is a member of the Riverside Grange, and also of the Farmers' Alliance at Galesville. He was married, in 1862, to Betsey Holbrook, of Trempealeau Co .; they have seven children-Nellie, Emily. Laura. Angie. Lucy, Willie and Bertha.

SAMUEL BARR, farmer, See. 32 ; P. O. Trempealeau ; was born in New York State, Madison Co., March 18. 1818 ; leaving there in June of 1842, he came to Wisconsin, near Whitewater. where he pre-empted a claim from the Government ; in 1856. removed to Trempealeau Co .. and bought his present farm; now has two creameries, keeping sixteen cows; he has been a member of the Trempealeau Town Board. Was married in Dodge Co., iu 1856, to Miss Caroline Lily, a native of New York State. by whom he has seven children- Eliza I .. Ira A., Clara, Ervin R .. Bessie. Ella and Rosa M.

JAMES M. BARRETT, retired merchant, Trempcalean ; came to that village in 1856 in the interest of a Pittsburgh lum- bering company, to ereet a mill for the purpose of manufacturing lumber, etc. ; after spending about 825,000, the enterprise finally became a failure, and the other members of the party, with the exception of John King and James Barrett, returned to their homes in the East; the subject of this sketch becoming inter- ested in the welfare of the town and county, coneluded to make his home in the West, and, in 1857, was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of the town and also of the county. and immediately commen ed laying out roads, and constructing bridges across the Trempealeau River, and, in the spring of 1857, built the first steamboat dock at Trempealeau, which is still in nse as the main landing ; in 1858, started in the merchandise trade in company with Abner llarvis, their business also embracing grain dealing, and, in the fall of the same year, shipped their first wheat on the Mississippi, it being the first wheat ever sent from Trempealean; Mr. Barrett afterward discontinued the grain busi- ness. but continued as a merchant until 1862, then engaged in the lumber trade; he had previously bought and sold the first lumber raft at Trempealeau ; he also had, in connection with his lumber business, a line of agricultural implements and wagons, running them together until 1877. when he abandoned the lum- ber trade, and is now machinist in connection with his farming ; he has held the office of Justice of the Peace in Trempealean for fifteen years, and was elected to the Legislature for the year 1878: has also been connected with the School Board continually, and is a member of the Baptist Church, being the means of establishing that society at Trempealeau. JJames Barrett was born in New Hampshire April 13. 1835, and was married in Orleans Co., N Y., to Miss Johanna Harris, a native of that State, in 1853.

ANSON BELL. farmer. Sce. 3; P. O. Centerville : was born in Medina Co., Ohio, April 9 1818. He first came to Wis- consin in the year 1837. and bought a farm from the Govern- ment in Walworth County. He remained but a short time and returned to Ohio, but in 1839, brought his family with him and settled on his farm; in 1855. he removed to La Crosse County upon a farm in the town of Amsterdam, on which he lived antit 1864 at which time came to Trompealeau County and bought the larm on which he now lives, first erecting a log cabin ; he was marriel in Gilford Ohio, on the 2d of February. 1812, to Eliza Chapman, whos, parents were also very early settlers in this State. They have had seven children, five of whom are living Leroy, Alice, now Mrs. William Bartholomew. Idla, now Mrs. William Rich, Orvill P .. Willis A .: Sarah and Harrison B. both died in the same month in La Crosse County of diphtheria . Mr.

Bell held the office of Town Treasurer, also Assessor in the town of Amsterdam, La Crosse Co., and was at one time Mail Agent between Racine and Janesville.

JOHN BOHRNSTEDT. farmer ; Sce. 2; P. O. Trempea- leau : was born in Germany, April 24. 1833; he lived with his parents until 1826, when they all came to America, first living in Milwaukee for nearly a year, and then removing to Tremį caleau County. Here the subject of this sketch worked for Mr. Healey on a farm for three and one-half years. when he enlisted in Co. (', 30th Wis. V. I., serving until the close of the war; he then returned to Trempealeau County, and in 1866. bought the farm on which he lives. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. John Bohrnstedt was married in 1863. to Mary Frohmeder, a native of New York State, whose parents. Laurence and Marga- ret Frohmeder. were natives of Germany, but settled in Jefferson Co, N. Y., in 1841. Mr. Bohrnstedt's family now consists of four children-George W .. Heory L , William C. and Albert.

DANIEL S BONUM. farmer; Sec. 29, P. O. Centerville; came to Wisconsin in 1847. and first settled in the town of Low- ell, Dodge Co., remaining there until 1856; he then removed to Trempealeau County and bought a farm, on which he lived until 1858. at which time he lost his wife ; returned to Dodge County, where he lived one year, and at the time of the great mining excitement. went the overland route to California ; returning to this State in 1862, and moved to his farm in Trempealean County, having sinee made that his home. The subject of this sketch was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 5, 1816 ; his father was of Scotch and his mother of French extraction. He has three children- Alva II., Alice L. and Elizabeth : has been a member of the Town Board of Trempealeau. There was an old Indian trail which crossed his farm from northeast to southwest, leading from the Trempealeau mountain to the Big Tamarack, and there have also been found on his place several pieces of ancient pottery.

WILLIAM T. BOOHER, Notary Publie and collecting and insurance agent, Trempealeau : was born in Kalamazoo, Mich., Sept. 8. 1834; come to La Crosse in 1854. and in 1855, to Trempealeau, in company with his brother, J. II. Booher, where they started a store, dealing largely with the Indians. For sev. eral years they had a trade on Sundays. of from 8200 to $600. Hle finally sold out his store, but still lives in Trempealeau, having held several offices in the town. and being now Notary Publie : he is also general collecting and insurance agent, and agent for the Cunard and Inman lines of ocean steamers.

ALPHEU'S N. BRANDENBERG, farmer, P. (. Trem- pealeau ; was born in the town of Frederick. Md., Sept. 18. 1814 ; his parents moved to Dayton, Ohio, when he was but six months old, and here he remained until twenty-six years of age, and was married there April 21, 1836, to Miss Catherine Selutman, who was born Det. 15, 1815, in Montgomery Co., Ohio; in 1810, they went to Iowa, where he took up a claim from the Govern- ment, situated fourteen miles southwest of Muscatine ; on this he lived until 1849, at which time he moved into Muscatine and started a grocery and provision store. where he continued until 1852, and then put his goods on board a boat and brought them up the river to Trempealean. then called Montoville, where he landed the 3d day of November, 1852. He immediately opened a store, which was the third one in the village. and in the spring of 1853. went into partnership with N. B. Grover, and continued with him until 1855, when he sold out to his partner, and was appointed Sheriff of Trempealeau County, he being the first man who served in that office, and called the first court in that county. The first town meeting was held in Mr. Brandenburg's store, in the spring of 1853. His family consists of five children-Eliza- beth E., now Mrs. A. Grover, Mary A. S., Catherine .A. M .. now Mrs. Ed. Elkins, Thaddeus A. and Nathaniel O. They have lost one son- William 11. 11., who died March 29, 1852.

WILLIAM T. BURNS. farmer, Sec. 1. P. O. Trempealeau. was born in Essex Co., N. Y .. July 20, 1524 He settled in Trempealeau Co. in 1855, on a farm which he purchased from the

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY.

Government, consisting originally of 120 acres. He has added to it until he now owns 610 aeres in one body. He has been a mem- ber of the Town Board of Trempealeau, and of the Methodist Church, for twenty years. He was married in New York in 1847, to Miss. Louisa Bugbee, who was a native of that State. They have but one child, a son, Delbert C.

ANDREW R. CARHART, farmer, See. 6, P. O. Trem- pealeau, is a native of New York and was born Dee. 31, 1841. In 1852 he came to Wiseonsin, where he farmed in Dodge Co., at Fox Lake, with his father, Isaae D. Carhart, and with whom he made his home until 1865, when he started to farming for him- self. He was married the same year to Jennie H. Hope, she be- ing a daughter of John Gillies, of Trempealeau. In the year 1878 he moved on to his present farm, and now owns 230 aeres of good farm land. During the years 1868-70 he was engaged in the pork-packing and grocery business in the village of Trem- pealeau, and has been a member of the Village Board for two terms and also the Town Board; himself and wife have been members of the Congregational Church of Trempealeau for fif- teen years. Mr. Carhart has been President of the Trempealeau Co. Agricultural Society for two years. They have had three children, two of whom are living-Edward A. and Allen R .; the one who died was named George W.

CHARLES J. CLEVELAN, farmer, See. 9, P. O. Trem- pealeau, was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Nov. 18, 1823. He eame to Wisconsin in 1835, with his unele, Quartis G. Corleg, landing at Milwaukee, where they remained some time. After leaving Milwaukee he went to Pine Grove, where his father was. and remained there until 1841. His father then sold out and went to Texas ; returning in the fall of 1542, he settled in the town of Kenosha, where Charles J. remained until 1852. He then went up Black River to the Falls, and in 1853 went to Clark Co., where he was engaged extensively in trying to establish the county seat at Neillsville. He was also farming, and, in 1855, moved to North Bend, Jackson Co., where he was engaged in a saw-mill. In 1857 he came to Trempealeau Co., first living in the village by that name for two years, then moving to the town of Dodge in 1859. He was still there when the war broke out. and in February, 1865, he enlisted in Co. K, 46th W. V. I., serv ing until the close of the war, after which he returned home, and in 1877 moved back to Trempealeau Co., near where he now lives.

JOHN CLEVELAND, carpenter and builder, Trempealeau was born in New Brunswick, Canada, Aug. 9, 1814. Remained in his native country until 1848, when he moved to Cincinnati, where he made his home for seven years, and then returned to New Brunswick, living in the city of St. John for three years ; in 1858, went to St. Louis, where he worked at ship-earpentering for three years, and in 1861 came North, and loeated in Trempea- leau County. Here he farmed for three years, afterward moving into the village of Trempealeau, where he worked at earpentering and building. Mr. Cleveland was married in St. John. New Brunswick, to Miss Mary E. Morse. in the year 1837 ; she was a native of that city. They are both active members of the Bap- tist Church at Trempealean. Their family consists of five chil- dren-Sanford B .; Annie, now Mrs. J. Shaw : Jennie, now Mrs. Peter Bidwell, of North McGregor. Iowa; William M., of St. Paul, connected with the musie house of Dyer & Howard, and Nettie M.

REV. N. COOK, farmer on See. 13, P. O. Trempealeau. was born in New York, March 5, 1817. The early part of his life was spent at stave-making, and he worked at that until he eame to Wisconsin, which was in the year 184.1. He first located in Walworth County, where he bought a farm from the Government, their market-place being Milwaukee or Racine. Ile also preached more or less in the Wesleyan Methodist pulpit, having been ordained Elder by President McKee; in 1852, he moved to Trempealeau, on the farm where he now lives, which was land that his father entered as a land-warrant for his service in the war

of 1812; his grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Cook has improved his farm, until he has now one of the best in the county. Ile has been a worker in the cause of Christ for over thirty years; his present wife is also a very old settler in Trempealeau, being the widow of Joseph Chase, who died Nov. 30, 1869; in March, 1879, an old settler had lost his wife, and as his children were all married, and he had been acquainted with the widow a number of years, he thought it advisable to marry her. After talking to his children about it, and finding they were willing, he was married to the widow July 6, 1879. The boys in that part of the country were in the habit of "charivari- ing," and on the evening of the day after the marriage, a charivari was given in earnest, by the firing of guns, breaking of windows and doors, and the using of profane language; the crowd finally ex- claimed that they were going to drag the groom out; he went among them and asked what they wanted. Their response was that he could have his choice of two things-paying $10 or being tarred and feathered and ridden on a rail. He asked them what they wanted the money for, and they said for something to drink ; his reply was: " You know I am a strong temperance man, and although I am at the merey of 150 men, I will not grant your request ; you can walk over my dead body, but you cannot subdue my principles." He was then seized by the mob, and dragged and knocked around till senseless, after which he was carried into the house, and the crowd dispersed. It was doubtful for many days whether he would reeover, but he finally did.

WILLIAM L. CUMMINGS, farmer, See. 16, P. O. Trem- pealeau, was born in Bloomfield, Walworth Co., Wis., Sept. 7, 1848; is the son of Israel P. Cummings, one of the early settlers of that that county, who came from Massachusetts in 1844, removing from there to Waushara County in 1852, where he farmed for three years, and from there to Clark County, where he engaged in the lumber business, and was the second resident in the town of Weston, in that county, remaining there until 1861; while there, Israel P. killed 128 deer, and his wife, with a child in her arms, was lost in the woods in a snow storm. being found by the Indians all safe, but very much frightened. They then moved to Trempealeau County, settling on a farm in the town of Lincoln. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and afterward attended the Galesville University for six terms, after which he began teaching-first in Whitehall, then at Area- dia and a number of other schools, until he commenced farming. He was married, in 1873, to Miss Addie Bunn, in Tempealeau County, she being a niece of Judge Bunn, of Madison.

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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