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 258

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 258

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ADDISON H KNEELAND. druggist and farmer, Gales- ville, was born in Elizabeth, Essex Co., N. Y., June 16, 1839 ; came to Illinois in 1857. first living in Cook County, where he engaged in farming, and in 1862, came to Sparta, where he was employed by S. D. Jackson & Co., merchants, as elerk and trav-

eling agent ; remained with them for six years, after which he went to Trempealeau, where he started a store, conducting it for three years. He then removed to Galesville, where he opened a general merchandise store, and in 1871, built a brick block on the corner of Main and Allen streets. the size of which is 27x100, two stories high, iron front and plate glass windows. He moved into it with a stock of $23,000 worth of general merchandise, and did business there for eight years, when on June 26, 1879, the entire building and stock were destroyed by fire, at a loss estimated at $25,000. Mr. Kneeland then began business at his present location. Has held the office of Town ('lerk ; has also been Treas- urer of the Trempealeau Agricultural Society for five years. He is a charter member of both the A .. F. & A. M., Decora Lodge, No. 177. and the I. O. O. F .. Lodge No. 238, at Galesville.

THOMAS T. MAC ADAM, photographer, Galesville, Wis .: was born in the State of Maryland, among the Alleghany Mount- ains, March 29, 1853. In 1862, he came with his parents to Wisconsin, and located in the town of Melrose, Jackson County, where the father and mother still live on the old homestead. In 1878, he came to Galesville, where he started io his present bus- iness; there is also a millinery store in connection with it, which his wife controls, he having married her in the year 1877, in the town of Irvin, Jackson County. She was born in England and was a daughter of the Rev. H. Hutchins, of Prairie du Sac, Wis- consin.

JOHN W. MeLAURY. President of the Galesville Univer- sity ; was born in New York. Aug. 9, 1830. He was a graduate of Rutledge College, New Brunswick, in 1859, but had previously taught in a college in New York. He also taught at Harpersfield. Roxbury and Hammondsport, and came to La Crosse, Wis., in the year 1869, where he taught in the La Crosse Academy for two years; his health failing at that time. he was obliged to dis- continue teaching, and going to Dubuque. Iowa, was connected with the press of that city ; was elected President of the Galesville University in the year 1877.

LOUIS O. MOE, proprietor of stage line and livery stable, Galesville ; was born in Norway, Feb. 25, 1848. He came to America io 1870, and first lived in the town of Gale, Wis., where he worked by the month, at farming in summer, and at lumbering during the winter. In 1874. bought a farm for himself, which he owned until 1877, when he traded it for his present home and property in Galesville. He now runs a stage line from Galesville to Trempealean, and also from the former place to Centerville. Is at present Deputy Sheriff of Galesville. He was married Dec. 26, 1877, to Miss Carrie C. Lund, who was also born in Norway. They have one daughter-Sophia M.

GILBERT F. MYHRE, dealer in drug-, crockery, etc., was born in Norway April 9, 1853. In 1870 he came to America ; first lived in the town of Gale, Wis. He commenced business in Galesville in 1878, and his present business in August. 1880; was married in 1876, to Miss Stokke, who is also a native of Nor- way.

JOHN R OGDEN, furniture dealer and undertaker, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Aug. 23, 1844; came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1852. locating at Beaver Dam, Dodge Co .. and here his father. Francis Ogden, died in 1864. After his death Mrs. Ogden moved with her family to Freeborn Co., Minn., and there the subject of this sketch remained until 1873, when he and his mother returned to Wisconsin, and he went into partner- ship with P. W. Kribs at Galesville, in a furniture store, in the building now occupied by G. F. Myhre as drug store. it being the first general furniture store in the village. Mr. Ogden was mar- ried in the winter of 1873. to Miss L. C. Pace, of Minnesota, and in 1874 he bought out his partner and has since conducted the business himself. He enlisted in March, 1865. in Co. F, Ist Minn. V. 1., serving until the close of the war.

OLE N. SAGEN. head miller of W. Davis's flouring mills, Galesville, came with his parents to the I'nited States in 1866, being a native of Norway, and born there on the 7th of May,

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY.

1848 ; they located in the town of Gale, and having commenced to learn his trade in the old country, he engaged with Mr. Davis in 1869, and has been employed there ever since, having held the position of head miller for three years. Was married in 1873, to Miss Ella Thompson, of Galesville, who was born in Norway. They have three children-Emma J., Alford N. and Oscar T. Mr. Sagen is a member of the I. O. O. F., Galesville Lodge No. 238, and also of the Norwegian Workman Society, at Galesville ; himself and family being members of the Baptist Church of that place.

ANDREW J. SCARSETII, dealer in groceries, Galesville, was born in the county of Christiania, Norway. June 30, 1842 ; he was sent to a common school at the age of six years; when fif- teen years old, he attended the mercantile college at the Capitol city, and afterward went to the religious seminarium ; in 1862, he came to the United States, his father giving him as a start in life, 860 and a three-year-old colt ; he embarked on the Brig. William Tell. landing in Quebec on his 20th birthday ; he came to the town of Gale, Trempealean Co., where he worked three months for Geo. H. Smith, and was then sent, by request of Rev. John B. Frick, and Professor L. Larson, to hold a religious school in Norwegian language in behalf of the Lutheran Church, in the Trempealeau Valley, which embraced both Jackson and Trempea- leau Cos. ; he taught this religious school for five months of each year, from the year 1862 to 1867, working or a farm during the summers, and holding Sunday school in two different districts every Sunday ; he is now a merchant in the village of Galesville, and is an active worker in the Lutheran Church at that place, being Secretary and one of the Trustees; he was sent from Trempealeau Valley in 1864, as a delegate to the Norwegian Lutheran Synod, held in Perry, Dane Co., and was the youngest elector among 345 delegates and reverends ; he also had bestowed on him, at the same Synod, the honor of issuing an arithmetic in the Norwegian language, to be used in the schools of this country.

GEO. H. SMITH, farmer, Sec. 8, P. O. Galesville, came to Wisconsin in 1845 ; was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., May 14, 1820. After his arrival in this State, he located in the town of Lafayette Walworth Co .. where he bought a farm which he cul- tivated for eight years; in the spring of 1854, entered the land of which his present farm consists, and in March of the same year was called home to New York to witness the death of his father ; returning to Trempealeau Co, in October 1854; he began to im- prove his claim, his nearest neighbor on the north being twenty-two miles away. The first crop of wheat that Mr. Smith raised, he marketed at La Crosse, and was glad to get 40 cents per bushel ; has raised eleven hundred bushels of wheat on thirty-six acres of land ; he also had to go to La Crosse in 1860, to get a horse shod, and at one time took a two-horse wagon load of wool to Trempea- leau, for which he received 8804, having been offered $1,200, at his door before he started with it, but was unable to accept it because the Wool was contracted for. He was married in Wayne Co., N. Y., in May, 1850, to Miss Carrie C. Johnston, by whom he has one son living -Welcome J., also one dead-Willie, who died in 1861.

ARTHUR TIBBITTS. carpenter and builder. Galesville, was born in Maine, Jan. 8, 1840 ; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1848, first settling in Sheboygan Co., where his father pur- chased a farm from the Government ; here the subject of this sketch lived until Oct. 1, 1861. when he enlisted in Co. 1, 1st Wis. Vol. Infty., serving for three years, being in all the principal en- gagements of the Army of the Cumberland ; he was finally wounded in the battle of Chickamauga, and was taken prisoner, being held on the field for two weeks, and then paroled ; he re- turned home and began work at his trade, which has been his employment ever since he came to Galesville, in 1874; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Galesville Lodge. No. 238, and also the A., F. & A. M., Decora Lodge, No. 177. Fle was married in 1866, to Miss Maggie Ilardie, who was born in Scotland, and by whom he has one son-Ernest J.

DR. WM. M. YOUNG, Galesville, was born in Schenectady Co., N. Y., March 31, 1829. He came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1843, where they settled in Elkhorn, Walworth Co .; here he received a common school education, and in 1852 was a graduate of the Rush Medical College of Chicago; in 1853 he went to La Crosse, where he practiced his profession for one year, and then came to Trempealeau Co. where he started the village of Galesville, with George Gale, the gentleman for whom the place was named. Dr. Young has been a resident of the place ever since, practicing his profession ; he has held the office of Post- master for a number of years ; he was also first Clerk of the Court of Trempealeau Co. at Galesville, under Judge Knownton, of La Crosse, and was one of the first trustees of Galesville University. In the year 1867 he took a trip, in company with George Luce, to Florida, where he purchased an orange orchard, which he still owns.

ANTHONY G. WILLIAMSON, stone and brick mason, Galesville, was born in Maine, Aug. 16, 1834. He came West in 1863, locating in Galesville, and enlisting, during the same year, in Co. L, 2d Minn. Vol. Cav., serving until the close of the war; he afterward returned to Galesville, where he worked at the stone mason's trade ; Mr. Williamson was Deputy Sheriff of Trem- pealeau Co. under D. W. Wade, deceased, in the years 1870-71; has also been Constable in Galesville for ten years, and is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., Galesville Lodge, No. 238; he was married in Maine, in 1854, to Miss Sophronia Douglass, a native of that State, by whom he had one son, Hiram, who died in infancy, and one son living, Greenleaf A.

INDEPENDENCE.

located in the southeastern portion of, and the most prominent point in, Burnside Township. Independence, though the result of the completion of the Green Bay road, was not laid out until 1876. The country round about had been settled some years before, in fact, was among the earliest settled of the townships in this portion of the county.

In the spring of 1856, John Markham with his family, accompanied also by the Rev. Mr. Davis, from Dane County, came in and located on Section 24. About the same time, Dr. Traverse, a pronounced Mormon, paved the way for the coming of his followers by locating a farm in what has since been known as Traverse Valley. Giles Cripps came up from Dane County in the fall of the same vear. and opened the first farm in the town of subsequent Burnside. His son Frederick, born during the following year was the first birth in the county.

In 1857, George Hale removed from Hale to Burnside, and soon after his advent, he was followed by D. C. Celley. For the next ten years, the immigration was comparatively limited. H. W. Rumsey, H. P. Rumsey and some others came into Burnside, and located on Sections 13 and 14. Between 1860 and 1870, there was quite an influx of Nor- wegians and Polanders into the town near the village, including Gunder Christianson, John Iloganson, Ole Oleson, Charles Oleson, E. A. Bentley, Michael White and James Reed also became identified with the town, and located at points not far distant from the village. Between 1870 and 1880, the accessions were large, and before the dawn of the latter year, the lands in the town were almost entirely taken up.

The first death in the town was a Norwegian by the name of Mrs. Churchill, in 1858, who died in Traverse Valley, but upon the location of a graveyard at another point, was removed thither. The first marriage is shrouded in obscurity.

IO66

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Thus premising, it may be stated, that, for several years prior to the location of Independence, the necessity of farmers for an accessible point of shipment of their prod- ucts was, in truth, the occasion of the birth of present Inde- pendence. A place one mile nearer Arcadia called " New City," containing a tavern and grocery aspired to the proud position awarded Independence, but miserably failed of its efforts. It is said to have been possessed of no single redeeming feature in its character for wantonness and dis- order. Its name was a synonym for all that was vile, and the frequenters of the place as familiar with guile and cun- ning as a Zulu, and ferocious and blood-thirsty as Capt. Jack or Shack Nasty Jim. In short, they were very bad men, and the pretentious ambitions of "New City " to be dressed in corporate authority and wield the metropolitan baton in fact, as also in name, though commendable, were not to be considered when the fate of a township, perhaps a county, hung in the balance.

Out of the requirements cited was Independence sug- gested ; by reason of their absence was Independence brought forth, but without convulsion or collusion.

Early in May of the Centennial year, D. M. Kelly, of Green Bay, who was possessed of title to lands upon the greater portion of Independence was subsequently built, caused forty acres of the same to be surveyed and platted for village purposes. The original plat contained eighteen blocks of regular dimensions, fronting Washington, Adams, Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin, Jackson and Lincoln streets on parallel lines intersected by streets from First to Sixth. On the map, the village presents the appearance of a parallelogram, and only needs to be illus- trated with bright colors to convey an absolute conviction in the eyes of the beholder as to its appearance in the mind of those who projected the enterprise. Great things were expected would result from the venture. The destruction of "New City " was inevitable, and was realized ; its loca- tion as a shipping point was deemed invaluable and is un- deniable. But that it would become a great city or even a place of prosperous prominence is a question, though still mooted, and undetermined by some, has been decided in the negative by those who reason from cause to effect, and are confident of the correctness of their premises.

On the 25th of May the lots which had been ex-appro- priated earlier in that merry month were offered for sale in the market, and while no crowd of purchasers elbowed their way into the madding crowd and shouted precedence above the multitude, quite a large number were disposed of, and these to men who have since become residents as also men of wealth and import among their neighbors. The first to offer bids which were accepted, and be entered as of con- tracts executed, were J. C. Taylor, Edward Elstad and David Garlick, the latter of whom appeared on the ground accompanied by Mrs. Garlick, the first lady to identify her- self with the growing village, and whose attachment then formed has never been dissipated. These gentlemen pur- chased the first lots offered for sale, and completed the first improvements concluded in the village. Mr. Taylor erect- ed a drug store at the corner of Main and Railroad streets ; Mr. Elstad a general store on Washington street, and Mr. Garlick a home on Adams street. These initiatory efforts still stand on the spot where they were born, and are still occupied and owned by the gentlemen who accomplished their creation.

The exhibition of confidence thus offered inspired others to come laden with purchase money : and, as the prospects of the old city went glimmering as the dreams of childhood, those of Independence were brightened and correspondingly augmented. The week following brought with it G. W. Parsons and family ; Ira Smith, who became the first lum- ber dealer ; Hans Melgard. Ernest Walters, Edward Gordon, who opened a store with his first improvement ; John Kuder- man, the first carpenter; Hans Christianson, Andrew Ander- son and some others, who came from different portions of the county to enjoy the opportunities for speculation, it was thought existed in Independence. All began to build, and carried their improvements to completion. Walters had been a tavern-keeper at " New City," and came hither to Independence, whence he removed the " Green Bay House." which still furnishes accommodations to the hungry and weary. These were followed before the actual coming of summer by J. W. MeKay, who added to the appearance of the village which was becoming quite chipper, by the way, with each day's arrivals, by the building of the Tremont House, a piece of enterprise which caused many who were debating the expediency of building, to stand no longer idle in the market place. The spirit of emulation thus created produced its natural result; and, during the summer, the sound of the artisan as he plied with his tools was heard from all points of the compass of industry and enterprise. Nor did the waning summer witness any cessation. So long as it was permitted, work was carried on, and houses and stores came to the surface where they had previously been unknown. Business, too, was conducted with that brusqueness visible when purchasers are numerous, and none but the modest refrain. Among those who entered upon merchandising were C. J. Lambert and O. P. Larson, who began business in a building erected by Ernest Walters adjoining the Green Bay House; Edward Gordon built a store and loaded it with goods; E. H. Warner deserted Whitehall and opened a hardware store in Independence, etc. Residences were erected by Mary E. Noteman, D. M. Short, John Halckson, Theodore Gospelder. West Snow, O. P. Clinton, Charles Clawson, Nathaniel Nichols. the first attorney, with briefs and authorities, in pursuit of clients ; Edward Linse, C. A. Raetz and John Hofer-all of them new-comers, and all of them deserving of the com- mendation men of character and enterprise do not always receive.

During this year, after the village was created, occurred the most important events that can be associated with its history. The first birth took place this year. It was a lit- tle daughter to George Parsons and wife. The event hap- pened in July and the youthful stranger was welcomed- personally and audibly welcomed to its new life with praises and kisses and thanksgivings. It clapped its little hands with joy at its surroundings, and had scarcely learned to pipe its lay of wants before it crossed over into the summer lands beyond the Jordan, and another home was rendered desolate. Blest be the innocent lives who lead the way to everlasting bliss ! may their memory always be kept green and their innocence be emulated until the voyage of man- kind is ended and the great world is resolved into space.

In the fall, the first marriage was announced. between Lewis Benjamin and Susan Jenny. The celebrants sought the home of George Parsons, who was a Justice of the Peace, and invoked his aid in effecting the combination.

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1067

HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY.

But "Squire " Parson being in doubt as to his authority under the law to act, at first hesitated, and finally refused absolutely to be a party to the contract. Such being his decision, the sighing twain were reduced to a condition of disconsolateness, described by an eye-witness. melancholly to behold. In the emergency, J. C. Taylor, who, it may be parenthetically observed, was saddled with the honors of Justice, one day after his arrival in Independence, came to their rescue, and Lewis and Susan were so indissolubly united as that no power could thereafter put them asunder.

At the close of 1876, the population of Independence was quoted at 400, including men, women and children. These were gathered in forty houses, built during the year for residence purposes, and the conclusion seems irresisti- ble, that the capacity of each was taxed in a way the reverse of delicate. But everybody kept boarders, remarked the authority for these facts, and comfort, protection, rather than convenience, was the object sought to be obtained. In the fall and through the winter, the building was continued to the end, that by spring of the ensuing year, accommoda- tions for the "crowd," it was thought, would reach out, Octopus like, to gather within its embrace, the few desira- ble sites still on the market.

In 1877, two additions were made to the village out of lands set apart for that purpose by Samuel Coy, and a total of twenty acres were surveyed and platted into lots front- ing on Warren, Greene, Putnam and Wayne streets. Early in February Dr. W. R. Allison, the first physician to offer his services to diseased frames located in Independence, was welcomed to the village, and W. R. Turnbull purchased the Tremont House.

The most important improvement commenced this year was the Independence Flouring-mill by S. M. Newton. It was designed to supply the absence of a mill in so perfect a manner that nothing should be wanting, and fully equaled expectations. It was completed in the fall at a cost of $22,000. In addition to this structure, Ira Smith erected the Merchants' Hotel and two buildings adjoining ; Albert Bouch a storehouse on Adams street ; Cargill & Van a grain warehouse; John Sprecher, a building for the storage of agricultural implements ; Meuli & Danuser a hardware store, and A. Emery, the handsome private resi- dence opposite the depot. The accessions to the popula- tion are represented as having been equal to those of any previous year, though from this date there has been an apparent falling-off in that particular. In 1878, the Inter- national Hotel was built, also a two-story brick dwelling opposite the depot, since when, until 1881, when John Sprecher erected a grain warehouse near the depot, noth- ing worthy of mention has been completed.

The same causes which elsewhere throughout the county have retarded the growth of its villages, obtained with depressing effects. The successive failure of crops for the period extending from 1878 to, and including 1881, has been attended with results that could not be otherwise than disastrous to Independence, as it proved to be to Whitehall and other points. but those most affected, by no means dis- heartened, continued their labors, confident of the future, and the prosperity of the village and town.

The population of Independence is quoted at about 400, and its value, as a shipping point, is annually appre- ciating.

Independence is included within School District No. 6, which was duly organized according to law in July, 1876.

During that summer no school was opened, but in the fall pupils were received in Taylor's Hall, where a compara- tively limited number assembled for the space of two years, and were taught the English branches from primary to a more advanced grade. Upon removing from the hall, a storehouse on Adams street was procured, in which the number of pupils increased, until it became necessary to obtain more commodious quarters, when the present school- house was built, being completed in 1880, and costing, with the lot whereon it stands, a total of 82,000.

A graded school is now taught, employing a force of teachers at an annual expense of $1,600, and enjoying an average daily attendance of one hundred pupils.

The religious element is well established in Independence, no less than four church societies having been established there since the village was laid out.

The Congregational Association was organized in June, 1879, at Taylor's Hall, under the direction of the Rev. J. H. Pollock with twelve members. At first, services were regularly conducted, and efforts were suggested to procure the erection of a church edifice. But a multiplicity of rea- sons prevailed to prevent the consummation of this under- taking, and the members of the congregation still worship in the hall wherein its organization was perfected.

The society is now without a pastor.

The Methodist society, organized about 1877, also ineet in 'Taylor's Hall, at intervals, for prayer and worship. It numbers thirty members.

The Norwegian religious association convene in Taylor's Hall monthly, when it is addressed by transient ministers, no stated supply having been thus far obtained.

The Evangelical association was organized in 1878 with eighteen members. Its members meet every Sunday for worship in Shork's building, and have preaching semi- monthly by the Rev. M. C. Werner, of Arcadia.

Sts. Peter's and Paul Catholic Church, organized in 1869 by the Poles of this portion of the county, at the resi- dence of Peter Sura, half a mile from the village, is the largest congregation in the vicinity. Here services were conducted until 1873, when the present frame church edifice was commenced. It was completed during the spring of 1874, at a cost of 82,800, and has since been occupied. The following year a neat parsonage was erected opposite the church, the same costing $1,500. A ten-acre lot, at- tached to the lot upon which the church edifice stands, is used for cemetery purposes.

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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