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 269

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 269

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Pitcher, Mrs. D. C. Barnum and himself are all the surviving members of this family in Waupaca Co. Mr. Pitcher married in Belfast, N. Y., Melvina Miner; she died in 1856 at Kingston, Wis., leaving two children-Wallace and Elnora ; the present Mrs. Pitcher was Amelia Gowan, of Crawford Co., Pa., but a native of Centerville, N. Y .; they have four children -- Ralph N .. Frank B., Eva M. and Putnam L .; the eldest son now is a student at Valparaiso, Ind. ; and is, like bis father, a Freemason.

G. W. ROSS, farmer, Sec. 7 and 8; born March 5, 1810, in Rodman, Jefferson Co., N. Y .; has been a life-long farmer ; iu 1851, he came to Waupaca, Wis., and began working for E. C. Sessions at logging, etc. ; returning East, he, though penniless, met a friend, who, knowing his desire to locate in Wisconsin, kindly loaned him $50 ; thus, in the fall of 1852, we find Mr. Ross again on Session's Prairie, where he bought eighty acres of Government land ; by working as a carpenter, and at any honora- ble labor, he could turn his hand to, Mr. Ross paid for this, and added another eighty acres; the house which sheltered him in the early days is now in use as a barn ; he has a pleasant and roomy home in which to spend his later years; a fine 40x56 barn was burned by a lightning stroke in August, 1870; his wife was

1105

HISTORY OF WAUPACA COUNTY.

formerly Miss Fanny M. Dewey, of Rutland, Vt .; they have three children-John J., George D. and Amasa W., all born in the Empire State.

EZRA TOWNSEND, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Waupaca ; was born Feb. 24, 1843, in the town of Fowler, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. ; his father owned a farm and saw-mill there till Ezra was thirteen years old ; he also owned one in Gouverneur, N. Y .; in 1856, they came to Wisconsin and settled at Fremont; his father worked for E. Townsend, now of Waupaca, who then owned property at Fremont; our subject during this time was attending school ; they lived at Little River for some time; from there they moved to their present place ; the senior Townsend bought nine forties of land, only twenty-seven acres of which were improved. Oct. 15, 1867, Ezra T. married Katie Roberts, of Lind ; she was born on the island of Guernsey ; the senior Townsend divided the farm with his son, giving him 120 acres ; in 1876, Ezra built a fine farm house. He has held several local offices; they have bad six children, two of whom are dead.

THOMAS WAITE, farmer; P. O. Waupaca ; born Jan. 5, 1833, in Wiltshire, Eng .; in 1842, his parents, Edward and Anne (Barnes) Waite, came to America with seven children, and located at Toronto, Ont .; the children were John, Sarab, Marga- ret, Thomas, Jane, Anne and Honor; in 1850, Thomas Waite came to Winnebago Co., Wis., and two years later to Farmington, where he bought a farm, on Sec. 30, of the Government ; on the 3d of May, 1855, he married Samantha Sansburn, of Canada ; they have three children-David D., John E. and Catherine, all born in Farmington; during the past two summers the entire family has resided in Wilkin Co., Minn., where they own a sec- tion of land; it is the intention of Mr. Waite to make the Red River Valley his permanent home, though he will retain the Waupaca Co. farm. Both D. D. and J. E. Waite are members of Waupaca Lodge, I. O. O. F .; the Minnesota post office address is Campbell.

SCANDINAVIA.

This town lies west of St. Lawrence and south of Iola. H. J. Eliassen first settled here in the spring of 1851, the town being organized in 1853. Rev. H. C. Prause preached the first sermon in 1853, the Evangelical Luther- ans building the first church in 1856. Adolph Sorrensen was its first Postmaster, being appointed in that year.

The village of Scandinavia is six miles west of Ogdens- burg, in the midst of an industrious class of Norwegians, whose settlements extend up the valley twenty miles. Its population is 100.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HON. NELS ANDERSON, miller, Scandinavia, was born in Krageroe, Norway, March 17, 1828. When fifteen years old, he shipped as cabin boy on the first emigrant ship that left for America from his native place ; he followed the sea two years, crossing the Atlantic seven times; at the end of that time he shipped as an emigrant himself. He secured a farm in Jefferson County, Wis .; lived on it ten years, and improved it ; sold it, and came to his present place in 1855. In 1856, his mill was built, and he has ever since remained there and thriven. In 1859, he married Miss Betsy Knudson ; she died in February, 1879 ; they had nine children, five of whom are living and at home. He was First Lieutenant of Co. D, 47th W. V. I., and served till the close of the war. In 1879, he was elected to the Assembly by the Re- publicans for the term of 1881, by 962 votes against 419 for M. Gorman, Democrat, and 345 for John Scanlin, Greenbacker.

JOHAN HARTVIG, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O., Scandinavia ; was born in Norway, in 1826. At the age of fourteen he went on the ocean as a sailor, and remained there six years. On coming to America, he settled in Jefferson Co., and remained there seven years, after which he sailed two years on the lakes. Dec. 23,

1850, he married Miss Maramda Hansen, of Jefferson Co. In 1853, he came to Waupaca Co., and settled on his present place. He now has 100 acres of fine land, 80 acres of which are im- proved. His father also made a claim on land joining his farm ; he lived with his son, and died at the advanced age of ninety-six years. He had a brother in the 8th W. V. I., who died in the army. He has had five children.

HANS A. HOWEN, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Iola ; was born in Kingsburg, Norway, Dec. 29, 1819. His parents died when he was quite young, and he made his home with an uncle. When fifteen years old, he commenced the tailor's trade, and followed it till he came to America in 1847 ; he bought a farm of 40 acres in Hartford, Washington Co., Wis .; lived upon it seven years and improved it. He disposed of it, and came to his present place in 1857, and bought six forties of land. He now owns in one body about 320 acres of fine land, 150 acres of which are improved, and have good buildings upon them; he has done it all himself, with the help of his family. He was married, in 1846, to Sophia Anderson ; she was born in Norway, in 1824. They have had twelve children, eight of whom are living, and four of which are at home. He has been Chairman of his town nine years in suc- cession ; has been Superintendent of Schools, and held sundry other offices.

L. NELSON & SON, merchants, Scandinavia ; came to Wau- paca Co. in 1855, and settled on a farm in Sec. 21. They sold that, and bought 120 acres in Sec. 17. In 1870, they sold out, and commenced the mercantile business at their present stand. The senior Nelson was born in Norway in 1822. His father was an ocean pilot. At the age of fourteen, our subject went on to the ocean, and followed it till be came to America. His intention was to follow the ocean ; but, not being able to talk the English language, he came to America to learn to talk it. He came to Chicago, and sailed on the lakes a number of years. In 1845, he married Miss Christine Jurgenson. He then abandoned the water, and secured a farm as above stated. He has one son, who is associate with him in business, and is Postmaster at Scandinavia. His son clerked some time for Stetson in Waupaca. He is a graduate of the Spencerian Business College of Milwaukee. They have a large stock of general merchandise, and are the leading merchants of Scandinavia.

OLE K. NELSON, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Scandinavia ; was born in Norway in 1827. He worked two years at harness-mak- ing in Norway. He lived for some time in Whitewater, in this State. He lived two years in Waushara Co., and there owned 240 acres of land. He sold it, and came to his present place in 1869. He now owns 240 acres, and has 70 acres improved. He has made all the improvements on his place, and is a thorough going man. In 1861, he made a visit to Norway; came back, and was drafted. He paid his $300. In 1866, he married Miss Cornelial Austin. They have four children at home. He has held local offices.

JOHN P. PETERSON, farmer; P. O. Scandinavia; was born in Sweden in 1827. In 1850, he came to Dane Co. ; thence to Waupaca Co. in 1852, and made a claim to 160 acres in Sec. 36, Scandinavia. In 1854, he bought 80 acres of second hand land, and 120 acres from Government. He now has 320 acres of land, 110 of which are improved. His principal business is farm- ing, although he works at blacksmithing and carpentering. He built a saw, grist and pearl-barley mill on his farm in 1859. Iu 1855, he married Miss Hellen M. Hayord ; she was born in Nor- way in 1835. They have had ten children, one of whom is dead. He has held local offices, and is now Chairman of his town. Ilis parents, a very aged couple, are living with him.

GUNSTIN TELLFSON, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Scandi- navia; was born in Norway in 1826. He worked on a farm for his father till he was twenty. In 1850, he, with four others, settled in Scandinavia, being among the very first who settled in the town. He bought 120 acres from the Government. Ife now owns 272 acres, 160 of which are improved. In 1850, he married

1106

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Sarah Gunstinson, of Norway. They have seven children; one of them is attending the State University at Madison. Mr. Tellfson has run a steam thrasher six years in Minnesota.

ANDREW THOMSON, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Scandi- navia ; was born in Norway in 1826. He worked ou his father's farm till he was seventeen. In 1844, he came to America, and settled in Waukesha Co. with his father. He worked at painting three or four years in Waukesha Co., and then went to Chicago, and formed a partnership with a man, and followed his trade there from 1848 to 1854. In 1852, he married Mary Oleson. In 1854, he moved to Portage Co., and lived there five years. In 1859, he moved on to his present place of 240 acres. He has 120 acres improved, with fine buildings upon them. He also owns a half-interest in 130 acres in New Hope and Albion, which they design making a cranberry marsh of. He has eight children.

CASPER ZWICKY, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Scandinavia ; was born in Switzerland Dec. 21, 1825. His father was a doctor, and gave his son an opportunity for going to school till he was twenty. He was employed in making draftings for engineers and surveyors till he came to Oshkosh in 1849. He remained two years, working at anything he could find to do. In 1851, he came to his present place, being the third or fourth man to settle in the town. He claimed 200 acres, and built a small house. When the country was surveyed in 1853, he found that his house stood on four sections-3, 4, 9 and 10. He has 100 acres improved, and has built a large frame house on the site of the old one. July 9, 1850, he married Anna Ingbuerson, who died in 1864, leaving five children. In 1865, he married Miss Gunhelda Christinson, who died April 29, 1881, leaving four children. He has 220 acres, with fine improvements.

ST. LAWRENCE.

This town is situated south of Helvetia and west of Lit- tle Wolf, the first settlement being made by Erick Hermann, G. Hermann and M. A. Oleson, in 1852. First town offi- cers : O. E. Duetzer, Chairman ; C. S. Ogden, Clerk ; S. M. Wait, Treasurer. In 1855, the first schoolhouse was built, and Mrs. Sarah Merry taught during the same year. In 1854, Judge Ogden built the first store and the first saw- mill. At his house, also in 1854, the pioneer sermon fell from the lips of Rev. Mr. Green, of Washington County. Churches were erected by the Methodists and the Baptists in 1866. A post office was established in 1856, with N. Livermore as Postmaster. It is said that St. Lawrence has more native born citizens in proportion to its voting strength -180-than any other town in the county.

The village of Ogdensburg was platted by Judge Og- den, in 1854, and contains 150 people, two hotels, one saw and planing mill, a stave factory, and stores and shops in proportion. The country around Ogdensburg is, in places, somewhat hilly, but the town, as a whole, may be set down as a good farming section. It was during 1862 that this section of the county was nearly depopulated by rebel agents, who were rumored to be concoeting a terrific Indian uprising. The story, which spread and grew into the great Indian scare of 1862, originated in the fertile brain of a great wag-everybody knew him-Tom Tanner. IIis glib tongue and serious countenance so up-bolstered the awful tale of an invasion, by 300,000 howling red-skins, that the whole country was thrown into a panic. They were camped -Tom Tanner, the rollicking saw-mill man, rumored it- in an island in a large cedar swamp near Ogdensburg. Tom had discovered a poor, simple-minded gentleman, a stranger to the immediate locality, hiding in the swamp from the invading parties. The scouts, who were scouring

the country in all directions. were induced to the belief that this innocent gentleman was a Brevet Major General under Jeff. Davis, and that he was Commander in Chief of the 300,000. The excitement was at fever heat. The citizens turned out en masse with muskets and rifles; the women and children were placed together in an old red mill which was barricaded and otherwise fortified. The trembling old gentleman, afterward dubbed by Judge Ogden "General Slasher," at length ventured from his hiding place, and was promptly and energetically surrounded and taken possession of. The luckless General was then marched into town, and the brave guards received the congratulations of their fam- ilies and friends. Their prisoner was closely confined in the chamber of the Hoeffler House, but escaped through the negligence of his guard or the collusion of Judge Ogden (who had discovered the true state of affairs), and took the road for Waupaca. The villagers loudly threatened the peace and dignity of Judge Ogden, when they found how their bird had flown. The alarm spread. Those who were able left the county, many going to Fond du Lac and Osh- kosh. Armed men were drawn around the village to keep the Indians out. A scouting party went after the flown and fleeing General, and found an Indian family, consisting of an old man and woman and three children, all badly fright- ened at the force which the county was sending against them. They were positive that no other Indians were in the region, and though scouting parties beat the region for miles around, they failed to discover any advance legion of the 300,000! "Gen. Slasher " remained a short time in Waupaca, and finally settled in Portage County.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

H. II. SUHS, P. O. Ogdensburg, is a son of Jacob and Cath- erine ( Frei) Suhs, and was born Aug. 7, 1854, in Milwaukee, Wis. In 1856, his parents settled in Ogdensburg, Waupaca Co., both being now residents of the town of St. Lawrence. Jacob Suhs is a practical gardener and horticulturist. His son, our sub- jeet, attended the common schools, and by teaching was able to complete his education in the Waupaca High School ; he alter- nately taught and attended the high school until 1877, since which time he has given all his time to his chosen profession ; during ths past year he has taught the Ogdensburg Village School ; Mr. Suhs is a member of the Iola Lodge, No. 282, I. O. O. F.

THOMAS F. VEYSEY, farmer, Sec. 36, P. O. Waupaca, is a native of Niles, Mich. He secured a common-school education, and came to Wisconsin, iu 1841, with his father ; they settled at Waupaca in 1855 ; his father bought a saw-mill and ran it for several years, during which time his son worked with him; his father sold his mill and built the first large hotel in Waupaca; it stood on the present site of the Vosburg House : after his father sold his mill, Thomas worked several years in a sash and door factory ; in October, 1858, he married Miss Harriet Betsinger ; he now owns twenty-four forties of land, fifteen of which form the homestead and lie in one body ; he has 200 acres improved, and has good buildings ; he commenced without a cent, but with per- severance and frugality has reared an enviable monument ; he is serving his third successive term as Chairman of his town. and has liquidated the bonded indebtedness of $19,000 against his town for $9,046 ; he has five children-Charles F., just graduated from the Valparaiso Normal School, Mariou E., Wallace G., Leon M. and Hattie J.

10LA.

The town is in the extreme northwest of the county. Its first settlers were K. Erickson and J. Gunderson, who came in 1852. The town was organized in 1856, and C. K. Blandin became its first Postmaster. That gentleman

1107

HISTORY OF WAUPACA COUNTY.

operated the first store the year before, and Mary Taggart taught the first school. In 1854, S. S. and J. W. Chand- ler and S. Miller built the first saw-mill, the grist-mill eom- ing along in 1861.

The village of Fola, which was platted in 1855, contains 194 people, and is situated in the southern part of the town. It has a number of stores, one hotel, one saw-mill, one steam shingle-mill, one flour-mill, a graded school, union church, public hall, and a lodge of Odd Fellows. The town and village is in the midst of a beautiful wheat-growing country.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

A. H. DUFUR, of Iola, was born Dee. 12, 1819, in Orange Co., Vt; is of French descent ; married, July 11, 1841, Clarissa IIowe- She was born in November, 1822, in Orange Co., Vt. They came West in 1844, Mr. Dufur working as a carpenter on the old City Hall, the residence of George Le Gare, and other then noted build- ings in the then frontier village of Chicago. For three and a half years he worked at bridge and depot building on the Illinois Central Railroad. His brother, A. J. Dufur, having joined him, they proceeded in company to Iola, Waupaca Co., Wis., in Novem- ber, 1855. In company with others, they built the steam saw-mill which burned soon after. In 1859, the brothers went to Cali- fornia. A. J. Dufur, who had the honor of being Waupaca Co.'s first member of Assembly, went from California to Oregon, and is now a resident of Wasco Co., in that State. He was one of the Centennial Commissioners from Oregon in 1876, and was for years State Commissioner of Emigration. A. H. Dufur returned, after about six months, to Iola, which place has since been his home, he having earned a competence at his trade of carpenter and millwright. He was for many years a Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk of Iola, and is now serving his third term as Chair- man of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Dufur have had four children- Alpha K., Martha H. (died, aged twenty-three), John F., and George W. The eldest is now ranching in Wasco Co., Oregon. John F. is a promising young lawyer, and the present District Attorney of Waupaca Co., and the youngest is in Montana.

JAMES J. HATCHI, farmer, Sec. 25, P. O. Iola, was born Jan. 4, 1816, in Williamston, Orange Co., Vt. His father was a farmer and boss mechanic, and James' early life was on the farm, until he was sixteen, when his father took him along to learn the carpenter's trade. At eight years of age he was taken from sum- mer school. He had only three months winter schooling for a few years, till he resolved to attend the Newbury Seminary for several terms, paying his own way by his own hard exertions. He never had a dollar in his pocket till he was twenty-one years old. He is a carpenter, mason, painter (does his own graining), glazier, carriage-maker, undertaker, and preacher. His life has been one of incessant activity. He followed carriage-making seven years, and always as a boss workman. While in Vermont he taught several terms of school. In 1839, he married Miss Jane Adams, who was born in 1815, and who is a graduate of Newbury Seminary. In 1843, he went to Waukegan, III. In 1856, he came to Wau- paca Co., and settled on his present beautiful place of 140 acres. He and his two sons have made all the improvements and did all the work on the place, except about ten days' work. While in Illinois, he was Trustee of the schools there several years, and County Superintendent of Schools of Lake Co., Ill. Six weeks after coming to this county, he was appointed Town Superintend- ent of Schools, which office he held for eight years in succession, rested one year, then resumed the office till the County Superin- tendeney was inaugurated ; has been Chairman of his town nine years in succession ; has been Justice of the Peace nearly all the time sinee coming to Wisconsin. He has acted as local preacher in the Methodist Church since coming here. Many are the coffins he has made, and preached the funeral sermons for his neighbors -the last sad duties. He has two sons. H. P. Hatch was a

member of the 44th Wis. Vol. He is now farming in the north- ern part of Iola.

J. (). HOLE, merchant, Iola, was born in Norway, Feb. 14, 1819. llis early life was on a farm. In 1848, he came to America and settled in Jefferson Co., Wis., and secured 40 acres of land, which he improved. In 1855, he disposed of it, and moved to New Hope, then in Waupaca Co., but now of Portage Co. He disposed of that place, and moved to Iola, secured a farm, and improved it all himself. Finally, in 1867, he moved to "the village of Tola and established himself in the mercantile business. In 1843, he was married to Miss Ann Elfson. They have had one boy, but lost him. He has held town offices in New Hope.

J. & C. WIPF, of the firm of Wipf Bros., Iola, are natives of Switzerland. J. was born in 1834, and C. in 1836. From six to thirteen years of age, they were obliged to attend school. At thirteen, J. was put into a silk factory and learned the dyer's trade, and followed it till he was twenty; C. was placed in a silk factory and learned the stamping trade, and followed it till he came to America. In 1854, the parents of our subjects came to America, and settled on See. 36, town of Iola. They secured 160 acres from the Government, and commenced to develop it. C. learned the gunsmith's trade at Oshkosh, the second year after coming here, and spent one year in the South at his trade; but, not liking it, he gave it up and returned to Iola. The brothers rented the saw-mill at Iola, for two years, of Mr. S. S. Chandler. In 1860, the Wipfs traded their farm for a two-third interest in the saw-mill, and finally secured sole proprietorship. In 1861, they built a grist- mill, with three run of stones; in 1862, rebuilt the saw-mill. In 1864, J. and C. enlisted in the 44th Wis. I., and served till the close of the war. In 1874, their father disposed of his interest in the mills to his sons. In 1875, he died. They now have in active operation at Iola a grist, shingle, and saw mill. They com- menced with nothing, but with persistent efforts they have estab- lished a thriving business. J. has been Chairman several terms, and held other offices in his town. In 1868, he married Amelia Luthold. They have one child. Mr. Wipf is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. C. has held several town offices. He was married, in 1861, to Eliza Brand, of Iola, a native of New York. They have eight children, all at home. The oldest daughter is teaching the village school at Iola. Mr. Wipf is an Odd Fellow, and, in 1881, was a representative from his Lodge to the Grand Lodge at Milwaukee.

DAYTON.

This was the first town in the county, separately organ- ized as a town, it being detached from Lind and organized in 1853. The first town meeting was held at the house of Lyman Dayton, April 15, 1853. The first settler was a Mr. Hitchcock, who built a shanty in April, 1850. In July of the same year, Lyman Dayton, from whom the town derives its name, arrived. He was the first Post- master, the office being established in 1851. The first schoolhouse was built in 1854. Miss Eunice Randall teach- ing the first school two years previous. Revs. S. Miller and Cutting Marsh strive for the honor of having preached the first sermon, the Presbyterians erecting the first church in Rural. N. P. Judson became the first store-keeper in 1852, J. A. Lathrop building the first saw-mill the next year. First town officers: W. C. Carr, Chairman ; Sam- uel Show, Jas. A. Lathrop, Supervisors ; J. Martin, Jr., Town Clerk ; Thomas F. Thompson, Treasurer. Lyman Dayton was the first Postmaster, commencing in 1851. The town is located south of Farmington and west of Lind. It contains three small villages-Rural, Palfreyville and Crystal River.

1108

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.

GEORGE ALLEN, retired farmer, Waupaca; was born Feb. 25, 1820, in Sturbridge, Mass .; when he was six years of age, his parents moved to Madison Co., N. Y .; here he grew to manhood. In 1846, he made a visit to the then Territory of Wis- consin ; returned East and married Miss Julia Richmond, of Madison, Madison Co., N. Y. She is a granddaughter of Atzar Richmond, a soldier of the Revolution. After the marriage they settled in Vinland, Winnebago Co., Wis .; resided here until the spring of 1856, then settled on Sec. 6, town of Dayton, which farm has sinee been theirs. Mr. Allen also owns land in Belmont and Farmington, though the 268-acre farm is in one body. On this farm since 1865, great attention has been bestowed upon the culture of hops. Messrs. Allen & Son have the largest hop-house in the county, it being 30x56, and well cquipped. In September, 1861, Mr. Allen enlisted in Co. A, 8th W. V. I .; served a year with his regiment, about two years ou hospital duty, and was hon- orably discharged on account of disability. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are now residents of Waupaca.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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