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 298

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 298


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207 | Part 208 | Part 209 | Part 210 | Part 211 | Part 212 | Part 213 | Part 214 | Part 215 | Part 216 | Part 217 | Part 218 | Part 219 | Part 220 | Part 221 | Part 222 | Part 223 | Part 224 | Part 225 | Part 226 | Part 227 | Part 228 | Part 229 | Part 230 | Part 231 | Part 232 | Part 233 | Part 234 | Part 235 | Part 236 | Part 237 | Part 238 | Part 239 | Part 240 | Part 241 | Part 242 | Part 243 | Part 244 | Part 245 | Part 246 | Part 247 | Part 248 | Part 249 | Part 250 | Part 251 | Part 252 | Part 253 | Part 254 | Part 255 | Part 256 | Part 257 | Part 258 | Part 259 | Part 260 | Part 261 | Part 262 | Part 263 | Part 264 | Part 265 | Part 266 | Part 267 | Part 268 | Part 269 | Part 270 | Part 271 | Part 272 | Part 273 | Part 274 | Part 275 | Part 276 | Part 277 | Part 278 | Part 279 | Part 280 | Part 281 | Part 282 | Part 283 | Part 284 | Part 285 | Part 286 | Part 287 | Part 288 | Part 289 | Part 290 | Part 291 | Part 292 | Part 293 | Part 294 | Part 295 | Part 296 | Part 297 | Part 298 | Part 299 | Part 300 | Part 301 | Part 302


when he went to California. Stayed in California two years, then re- turned and bought in with his uncle in the lumbering business again. Remained with him about a year, then sold out and bought the Grignon Mill, at that time called the Merrill Mill. Great freshets washed out the dam and the logs for two years in succession, so he had to give up the mill. Then went up the river, near Lake Flambeau, on the " Toma- hawk," exploring and locating pine lands for himself and others. Enlist- ed as private, Nov. 5, 1861, in Co. G, 18th Wis. V. 1. Veteranized and stayed to the close ol the war, and was discharged July 20, 1865, as captain Co. G, 18th Wis. V. I., his captain's commission dating No- vember, 1864. He was at the battle of Shiloh and in fifteen pitched battles and in all the engagements of his regiment. Since his discharge, he has been employed in sealing logs, and Lumber Inspector under ap- pointment from the several Governors. This office he resigned in 1880. Capt. Cotey was born in St. Francis, Lower Canada, March 19, 1831, and came from there to Grand Rapids in 1846. Was married, Sept. 5, 1853, to Miss Mary A. Byrne, of Grand Rapids. They have had three children, one of whom is now living, Appleton B. Cotey, now merchant at Pittsville, Wis.


PETER T. DESSAINT, proprietor of Grand Rapids House, Came to Grand Rapids in 1862 Is a painter by trade, and worked at it un- til 1880, when he rented the Grand Rapids House. He was born in St. Roche, in Lower Canada, Feb. 12, 1831. Left there in 1849. and came to Milwaukee ; stayed there until 1860, then came to New Lisbon, where he enlisted, July, 1861, in Co. H, 10 h Wis. V. At the battle of Chattanooga was ruptured and sent to the hospital at Louisville, and was discharged in April, 1862; was married, Oct. 18, 1850, to Miss Mary Tebo, of Milwaukee, a niece of Solomon Juneau. Have had ten chil- dren-Mary, now Mrs. Boldue ; Magdalen, now Mrs. Berard ; Louis, Andrew and John, all killed by lightning ; Albert, Emery, J. B., Rosalie, and George William.


WM. H. H. EDWARDS, born in Hazel Green, Grant Co. Wis., Dec. 4. 1840. Received a common school education, and at twenty-one years of age went to Port Edwards, and into the lumber business with his father and brothers, In 1870, he was married to Miss Janette Kirk- wood, who has since died, leaving one daughter. Was engaged for two years in a lumber yard, and afterward in Dunlieth, part of the time on his own account ; finally came back to Port Edwards in the lumber interest. Since 1876 has been in Grand Rapids. He is now en- gaged in merchandising. While at Port Edwards he was for two terms town Treasurer. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.


ROBERT FARRISH, merchant, Grand Rapids, was born in New Brunswick, in June, 1832. His father, William Farrish was of Scotch descent. He followed lumbering in New Brunswick until 1857, when he removed with his family to Grand Rapids, Wis., where he died June 21, 1868, at the age of seventy-four, leaving seven children-Elizabeth, Mrs. Richards, who has since died at Grand Rapids ; Jane, now Mrs. McKay, of Stevens Point ; Mary, now Mrs. Swicher, of Wausau ; Catharine, now Mrs. Canning, of Grand Rapids; William, who is now en- gaged in lumbering in Anatone, Columbia Co., Washington Ter- ritory. John and Robert, of the firm of Farrish & Bro., Grand Rapids. Robert came to Grand Rapids, December, 1856, and engaged in logging and lumbering, also was clerk in a store some time, and in 1876 formed a partnership with his brothers, William and John, as dealers in hardware, dry goods and groceries. In 1878, William with- drew from the firm. Robert was married, December, 1863, to Miss Mary Ann Seeley, of Barrabo. They have had four children, two of whom are living. Robert was made a Mason in New Brunswick, in 1856, and now belongs to the Chapter at Stevens Point. John was mar- ried to Miss Ellen Mckay, of New Brunswick, Oct. 22, 1874.


GEORGE A. FERGUSON. Mr. Ferguson was born March 10, 1847, in New York State. Received an academic education, and a commercial one as well, besides learning the tinsmith trade. In July, 1865, with his brother, A. H., came to this State, and engaged in the hardware business, in Lima Center. At the end of five years went to Berlin and into business, and while there invested in cranberry marshes near Grand Rapids, working at his trade Winters, at Winona and other places. In 1876 he removed to Grand Rapids. On the 11th of Febru- ary, 1878, he was united in marriage with an estimable lady, Miss Jen- nie M. Gunn. They have one daughter, Blanche. In April, 1879, he went into the hardware business with I. N. Brundage. During the flood of June, ISSo, on the 13th, while engaged in removing tools and goods from a part of the shop threatened to be submerged, some float- ing timbers struck the foundation, and that part went down, carrying him with it. His body was never recovered. He was thirty-three years of age at the time of his death, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Congregational Church. No man in town was more highly esteemed as an honorable and upright citizen, and his loss was deeply felt.


PAUL AND ALBERT FONTAINE, editors and proprietors of the Wood County Reporter, published at Grand Rapids, Wis., are sons of H. L. Fontaine, who was born in Lucerne, Switzerland, October, 1825, of French parents. In the Spring of 1850, he married Miss Ernestine Milber, of Gmund, Wurtemburg, Germany, and immediately started for


the United States, landing in New York, May 24, 1850. They proceeded thence to St. Louis, remained there a few days, then settled in Highland, Ill., where they remained about two years, then came to Grand Rapids, Wis., in the Summer of 1852, where the family still reside. Six children were born to them-Ernest, Paul, Marie, Albert L. and Angelle. Full of patriotism for his adopted country, Mr. Fontaine enlisted in Co. G, of 12th Wis. V. I., and started for headquarters in February, 1864, where he continued in active service at the front, until the close of the war, but he was not permitted to return to his home, for he was taken sick in April, 1865. and on the 30th of the same month, died in hospital, at Newburn, North Carolina.


JOHN HAMM. merchant, Grand Rapids, was born in Hiddesheim, Prussia, May 1, 1837. His parents were also horn here, the father in 1796, and the mother in 1798. The family emigrated to the United States in the Summer of 1865, settling at Waukesha, Wis .. in August of that year, and engaged in farming. Here the father died in 1876 and the mother in 1878. John spent the years, from five to fifteen years of age, in the schools of his native place, and from fifteen 'to twenty-three, was employed in one of the government offices. After his arrival at Waukesha, he spent the Winter of 1860 in school, learning our language, and in the Winter of 1862. attended one term at a commercial college in Milwaukee. He soon after commenced clerking for 11. Pfeiffer, of Richfield, Wis. and remained with him nine years. lle was married to Miss Barbara Thiel- mann, of Richfield, in 1871. They have four children-Maggie, Frank, Mary and Clara. Mr. Hamm commenced in the mercantile business for himself, at Grand Rapids, in 1874, where he is engaged in the same busi- ness still.


LOUIS C. JAHREN, tailor, Grand Rapids, son of Christian Michaelson, was born at Ringsaker. Hedemarken, Norway, Sept. 25, 1849. He learned the tailor's trade in Norway, and came to La Crosse, May 9. 187t, and worked at his trade, at Ru hford, near La Crosse, and then at La Crosse, and afterward at Winona, about six years; then came to Grand Rapids, September, 1879, and started a shop of his own. He was married, Dec. 4 1874, to Miss Elizabeth Johnson, of Winona. Their children are Gina E. and Carl O.


JACOB LUTZ Grand Rapids was born in Kork, Baden, Germany. Jan. 6, 1840. came to United States in April, 1860, came directly to Wisconsin, and lived with a brother on a larm, in Almond, Portage Co., Wis .. for about a year, then went to Stevens Point, and worked in the brewery for Frank Wahle, for about three years, then in company with his brother Andrew; bought him out and has since run the brewery at Stevens Point, and in October, 1880, bought the brewery at Grand Rapids, which they have re - paired. Andrew takes charge of the Stevens Point brewery and Jacob, that at Grand Rapids.


PETER MCCAMLEY, Grand Rapids. Son of John and Catharine Turley McCamley. Was born at Kenosha, Wis., April 15 1850. When about seven years of age, his father moved to Grand Rapids Wis., and engaged in farming. In 1860. his father went to Idaho, leaving his family to carry on the farm. Here Peter remained until he was fourteen years of age, when he left the farm and worked at logging and lumbering, which he followed about ten years, then learned the wagonmaker's trade, at which he worked some three years. Ile was at this time, 1877, ap- pointed Under Sheriff for two years, and in the Fall of 1878, was elected Sheriff of Wood County. He was married, Oct. 29 1879, to Miss Maggie Hannifin, of Centralia. He formed a co-partnership, Jan. 1, 188t, with E. S. King. under the firm name of McCamley & King. and are dealing in shelf and heavy hardware, building material and farm implements.


JOHN MCELREA, retired, Grand Rapids. Son of Andrew and Vin W. McElrea. Was born in County Tyrone, Omach, Ireland, Feb. 8, 1820. Came to Galena, Ill., in 1837, and mined for lead at Galena, Platteville and Dodgeville some six years, then built the Four Mile House, near Galena, III., in 1844. He moved to Mill Creek in 1845, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber for about six years, then came to Grand Rapids and built the house he still lives in. He has followed teaming most of the time since he came here, until recently. He was married, Nov. 17, 1844, to Miss Ann Lipsey, of Galena, Ill.


DAVID P. MORRILL, proprietor of tannery, Grand Rapids. Was horn in Canaan, Essex Co., Vt., March 22, 1818. Hisfather, Moses Mor- rill, was a farmer, and for eighteen years represented his constituents in the Vermont Assembly. Ife also held the office of County Judge several years. His mother, Mary Morrison Morrill, is still living at Sauk Prairie at the advanced age of ninety-eight. David l'. Morrill learned the trade. of tanner and currier in Woburn, Ma-s., and in 1844 came to Wisconsin, and engaged in the mercantile business at Sauk Prairie, which business he continued for about five years, then bought a larm, which he carried on until 186t, when he moved to Grand Rapids, and bought an interest in the tannery of J. McGrath ; remained in company with him about two years, then bought him out, and has since run the tannery himself. Mr. Morrill was married to Miss Emeline C. Tabor, just before he moved West, She died about three months after, in July, 1844. Ile was after- ward married to Miss Sarah Pound, of Sauk Prairie, in 1846. She died in August, 1854, leaving two children, one of whom is still living. Mr.


1206


HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.


M. married Miss Lydia Harlow, of Concord, Me., Feb. 4, 1856. Five children bless this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Morrill are members of the Congregational Church.


ISAAC L. MOSHER, Grand Rapids. Son of Jabez and Elizabeth Mosher. Was born at White Creek, Washington Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, IS19, and resided there until he was about sixteen years of age, when his father removed to Livingston Co., N. Y. Here he resided until the Fall of 1844, following farming, when he came to Sauk Co., Wis. Here he followed lumbering for four years, coming to Grand Rapids in the Fall of 1848, and entering into the employ of the mercantile fim of Miner & Werner, as clerk for three years. At this time, they obtained their supplies and groceries at Galena and Freeport, a trip for a load of goods requiring some fourteen or fifteen days. The next three years he clerked for Rablin & Clinton, of St. Louis, who, in addition to their stock of gro ceries and provisions, brought in large stock of ready-made clothing. the first ever brought here. In the Winter of 1855-6, Mr. M. went into the mercantile business for himself, to which he added lumbering, in which business he remained until 1876. Merchants from this section first began getting goods at Milwaukee about the year 1856 or 1857. Mr. M. has filled various offices, among which are those of Justice of the Peace and County Judge. In 1876, he was elected Treasurer of Wood County. to wh ch office he has been continuously re-elected since that time. Mr. M. was married, in 1853, to Miss Olive Maria Moore, of Grand Rapids. They have five children living - Antonette, Eva, Morton, Carson and Milton.


R. J. S. NORRIS. Mr. Norris is an able Congregational clergy- man, born in the English Channel, on the Isle of Wight. Dec. 4, 1844. He received an academic education, and came to Canada, locating in Ontario. Having a decided taste for music, he early became a teacher of this art. He began a course of theological study, and not being very robust, he engaged as a traveling agent for a mercantile house. Having qualified himself, he preached several years in Canada, and then took a charge in Rochester, N. Y., where his health failing, he came West at the end of a year, on a vacation, and the Wisconsin air seeming to brace him up, he located in Milton, Rock Co., in 1873 and since then has done considerable evangelical work, having organ- ized several churches. In 1879 he was stationed as pastor of the Con- gregational Church in Grand Rapids, which charge he resigned in Sep- tember. 1881, on account of failing health. Mr. Norris has been a suc- cessful author, contributing to the current literature of the church, fur- nishing hymns and music. He was married, Oct. 10, 1870, to Miss Elizabeth A. Hurd. They have three sons and three daughters.


JOHN PATERICK, farmer and milk dealer, was born in Oneida Co., N.Y., Nov. 16, 1825. In 1845, he came to Walworth Co., Wis., where he resided some hve years. then took charge of the Marsh House. between Portage and Grand Rapids. At this time there were but three hotels between Portage and Grand Rapids-the Walworth House, the Marsh House and the McCartney House. In 1857. he went to Mar- quette County, and then to Stevens Point, and, in 1874. came to Grand Rapids, where he still resides. He was married, Oct. 1, 1859, to Miss Sarah Fryer, of Otsego Co., N.Y. They have two children living, Lena M. and Elmer R.


LEVI P. POWERS, Grand Rapids, was born in Marshfield, Vt., May 9, 1828. His father removed soon after to Cabot, where he lived with his father until he was twenty-one years of age. He attended the common school of his town, and then the Caledonia Grammar School of Peacham, Vt., and afterward the Peoples' Academy at Morrisville, Vt. Mr. Powers came to Grand Rapids, Wis., in 1853, and engaged in log- ging for about a year. Had read law as he had opportunity, and had practiced some before in Justices' courts, and was admitted to the Bar in Portage County, in 1855. Has practiced here ever since. Mr. Powers was married to Miss Elizabeth Dickinson, of Janesville, Wis., in 1870. He has held various town offices ; has been County Clerk nine years, County Judge eight years, member of the Assembly for the term 1862-3, and United States Marshal in 1860. When Mr. Powers came here, all of Wood County belonged to Portage County, and constituted the town- ship of Grand Rapids. It contained about 1,000 inhabitants, over one- half of whom were young men who shaved shingles from Government timber, which was considered free to all at that time. The Government surveyed a strip of land three miles wide on each side of the Wisconsin River, beginning about three miles below here and extending as far up as Wausau, which came into market in 1840, and was mostly sold to those who wished to build mills and engage in lumbering. The rest of the land did not come into market until 1851, and not much was sold until 1856, and afterward. When Mr. Powers came here, there were three saw-mills near here-two with one upright saw each, and one (Rablins') with two upright saws. Mr. D. Whitney, of Green Bay, built the first saw-mill on the Wisconsin River, in 1836, about nine miles below here, who got a permit before the Indian titles had been extinguished. He brought all his supplies from Green Bay, boating up the Fox to Portage, and up the Wisconsin. There was no church in Grand Rapids. Mr. Powers started a Sunday-school, and was its superintendent one Sum- mer-the first one ever held here.


HON. THOMAS B. SCOTT, born in Scotland in 1829; came to America with his father and mother in 1839, and settled in New York ; has had but a common school education. Removed to Columbia Co., Wis., in 1848, where he engaged in mercantile and lumber business un- til 1851 ; then removed to Grand Rapids, where since resided ; first en- gaged in manufacturing lumber there in 1855, since which time he has almost exclusively engaged himself in that business. For ten years pre- vious to 1877, did an immense business, having yards in Dubuque, Iowa, and St. Louis, Mo. In 1870, became interested in the saw-mill, run by water-power, at Merrill, and is now owner entire ; manufactures 10.000,- 000 per year. Is head of the firm of T. B. Scott & Son, merchants, and member of the firm of Ross, McCord & Co., bankers at Merrill. Mr. Scott married in Grand Rapids, in December, 1853, Miss Ann Eliza Neeves, daughter of George and Mary Neeves; children-Cassia M., aged twenty-four, Walter A., aged twenty-two, and Thomas B., Jr., aged eighteen, all living. Mr. S. held the position of County Treasurer of Wood County two terms, and County Clerk of same county one term. Is now, and has been since Jan. I, 1874, State Senator ; term expires Jan. 1, 1883. Has always been leader in Republican party since organ- ization.


VROOM TALMADGE, contractor and builder, was born in Morris Co., N. J., in 1829; learned the trade of wheelwright at seventeen years of age, and was for some years in wheelwrighting business in company with his father, Elias C. Talmadge. He came to Grand Rapids, Wis., in 1855, and for past twenty years has been engaged building mills, elevators, etc., in different States ; has been for the past four years in the employ of the Chase Elevator Co., of Chicago, Ill., as superintendent of the building of elevators, etc .; has, since May, 1881, been engaged superin- tending the building of the Omaha Union Elevator, "B," at Omaha. Neb. Mr. Talmadge was married in Morris Co., N. J., in 1852, to Eliz- abeth Davenport, native of that place. They have two children, Fran- cis, foreman for his father, and Ellis, superintendent of planing mill at Grand Rapids.


ELLIS C. TALMADGE, engineer and millwright, son of Vroom Talmadge, was born in Grand Rapids, March 1, 1858. His father is engaged principally in building grain elevators in cities. Ellis C. is an engineer and millwright by profession. He was married July 9, 1879, to Miss Laura Bottsford, of Dubuque, Iowa.


FRANK L. TIBBITS, superintendent of lumber yard at Wharton's Mills, Grand Rapids. Was born in the province of New Brunswick, Sept. 18, 1846. His father was one of the first settlers on the St. Johns River some fifty years ago ; was a farmer and also carried on a tannery, was for many years a Custom House officer for goods brought up the St. Johns River. He died at the age of seventy-two, leaving seven children living, only two of whom are in Wisconsin. Mary, now Mrs. J. W. Cameron, and Frank L., who came here in October, 1877, and engaged in his present business. He was married, Dec. 18, 1867, to Miss Char- lotte Street. They have four children-Frederick, Page, Heber and Edith Maude.


M. C. WARREN & SON, furniture dealers, Grand Rapids. Marcus C. Warren, the senior partner, came to Grand Rapids in the Spring of 1856, and in the Fall of the same year moved his family here and en- gaged in his present business as furniture dealer. He was born in Sar- atoga Co., N. V., in 1813, and in 1827 his father moved to Steuben Co., N. Y. He was married in 1841 to Nancy Logan. They have two chil- dren, Elizabeth (now Mrs. Baker, of Rudolph), and Clarence Shepherd, who, for several years, has been junior member of the firm. He was born Dec. 17. 1843, at Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., and came to Grand Rapids in 1856. He enlisted, Sept. 18, 1861, in Co. G, 12th Wis. V., veteranized, and was mustered out Aug. 10, 1865. He was neither wounded nor sick while in the service, but always on duty. He was mar- ried, Dec. 25, 1866, to Miss Mary I. Searl, of Grand Rapids. She was born in Blackhawk, Iowa, in 1843, and came with her parents to Grand Rapids in 1846, being among the earliest settlers of the place. They have five children living-Walton, Marcus C., George L., Robert Em- met, and Clarence L. Mr. W. has been Assessor seven years, Deputy Clerk of the County of Wood eight years, and Clerk of the County two years.


EDWARD WHEELAN. Grand Rapids, was born in Ireland, Coun- ty Wicklow, Feb. 20, 1839. He is a son of Edward and Catharine Wheelan. His mother's maiden name was Cody. His father removed to the United States in 1848. and came directly to Milwaukee, Wis. There he died the next year of cholera. His mother removed, scon after, to the town of Friendship, on Winnebago Lake, remained there some two years, then removed to Fond du Lac two years, then in Oakfield, thence to Oasis, in Waushara County, where he lived until 1859, when he came to Grand Rapids and engaged in logging and lumbering on the head- quarters of the Wisconsin River and its branches ever since, until he was elected Sheriff of Wood County, in the Fall of 1880, which office he now holds. M1. W. was married, Jan. 6, 1870. to Miss Mary Wright, of Centralia. They have five children-Wm. Edward, Har- rison Valentine, Nettie, Edmond Wright and Francis Richard.


1207


HISTORY OF WOOD COUNTY.


GEORGE L. WILLIAMS, Grand Rapids, son of Orrin and Ann Williams, was born at Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., May 24, 1848. His father was from Connecticut and his mother from England. His father moved to Whitewater, Wis., in 1855, where he died the same year. George continued to make bis home with his mother until 1868, meanwhile he attended Milton Academy in the Spring and Fall of 1865, and tanght his first school in the Fall of 1867. He entered Appleton University in 1868, and was graduated in the scientific course in 1873. He was mail route agent between Appleton and Manitowoc on the M., L. S. & W. R. R. for three and one-half years, and studied law with H. G. & W. F. Turner, of Manitowoc, and ad- mitted to the Bar in 1875. He came to Grand Rapids in May, 1877, and was elected County Superintendent of Schools for Wood County, in November, 1877, and served one term ; then resumed his practice of law, and was elected District Attorney for Wood County in the Fall of 1880. He was married, October, 1873, to Miss Edith J. West, daughter of Edward West, of Appleton, who is said to have taught the first public school in the State of Wisconsin, at Milwaukee. Mr. W. is also City Superintendent of Schools at the present time. Mr. W. had brain fever when he was four years old, at which time the muscles of his lower limbs became paralyzed, from which he has never but par- tially recovered, necessitating a life-long struggle with this physical infirmity.


DR. G. F. WITTER was born June 6. 1831, in Brookfield, Madison Co., N. V. Attended the common school and Alfred Academy, teach- ing school after sixteen years of age, during the Winter, and, securing suffi- cient means, entered the medical department of the Michigan University, where he graduated in 1856, having studied in the office of Janes & Bab- cock. Began practice in Wantoma, Wis., remaining there three years. In 1859, established himself in Grand Rapids, at once taking a high rank in his profession. In 1877, was appointed on the State Board of Health-a position he still holds. Is a member of the American Public Health Association, of the American Medical Association, president of the Northwestern Medical Society and Examining Surgeon for Pensions. Was married, in 1860, to Miss Frances L. Phelps. They have three children. The doctor was for eight years County Superintendent of Schools, and has always been foremost in educational matters, early ar- ranging school matters so as to produce the best results. He was ap- pointed Postmaster by Grant, re-appointed by Hayes and again by Arthur. The doctor is a very useful citizen.


PORT EDWARDS.


The city is handsomely laid out, well up above high water mark, and, with its manufacturing establishments and business places, is attracting a thrifty population. It has quite a number of French Canadians, who are an industri- ous class of citizens. The city has an advantageous loca- tion in many respects, with remarkable booming and mill privileges, which, however, will require concentrated capi- tal to develop and secure the best results.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


HAMILTON CORNING, superintendent of booms and river works, at Port Edward mills. Was born in Canada, near Montreal, May 19, 1820. He worked at lumbering in Canada, and after he came here in August, 1851, worked on the river, and at logging for Clinton and others awhile, and afterward built dams, piers and booms in the Wiscon- sin River. For many years past he has been superintendent of river works for J. Edwards & Co. He was married, Feb. 4, 1849, to Miss Charlotte Arnold ; she died in 1855, leaving four children - Charles J., Margaret A. (now Mrs. Tibbets), William G. and Mary E. (now Mrs. Allds). Feb. 6, 1861, he married Miss Margaret A. Arnold, a sister of his first wife. They have two children, John J. and Hamilton. Charles J. was born Dec. 24, 1854. He has attended the Riverside Institute, at Lyons, Iowa, one year, and two years at the lowa Agricultural College, also the State Normal School, at Cedar Falls, Iowa, and has taught school several terms.




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.