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 301
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One of the first things attended to by the Connors Brothers, on their arrival at this place, was to petition the Post-office department, at Washington, to establish an office at this point, which was finally done in June, 1873, and Mr. John Connor appointed first Postmaster. He was suc- ceeded, June, 1874, by his brother, Robert Connor, who has remained in office ever since.
On the completion of the Wisconsin Central Road through the village, they erected a station and established a telegraph and express office.
In 1873, the first school was established, with Miss Waters as first teacher, the school being held in a small house erected for the purpose. In 1876, this house was decided as being too small to accommodate the number of scholars living within the limits, and in 1877 another one was built, at a cost of $1,500.
The Presbyterian society was organized in 1875, and
services held in the school-house, and in the following year they erected a small church edifice. The first pastor in charge was the Rev. R. Fuller, who was succeeded by the present pastor, L. F. Brickles.
The Catholic society was established in the village of Auburndale in 1876, and was under the pastorate of the Rev. Father Schuttlehoffer, of Marshfield, who held services here every two weeks. In 1879, they erected a church building at a cost of $400, which was paid for by subscrip- tion.
There is a congregation of some seventy members of the German Lutheran Church, who hold their services in the new school-house, presided over by the Rev. John Schutte.
The first couple to be joined in the holy bonds of mat- rimony, were J. D. Vomb and Miss Mollie Johnson, on the twentieth day of March, 1875, at the official word of Justice Phelps. The first birth was Elizabeth, daughter of John Connor, in April, 1873. The first death was John Wilson, killed by the falling of a tree.
As the village grew in size and importance, the neces- sity for its incorporation became apparent, in order that such improvements might be made as would best advance its interests, improvements that the town would not con- sider. A preliminary meeting to take into consideration the subject of incorporation was held on the eleventh day of April, 1881. John Connor was made chairman of the meeting, and J. Lusk, secretary. At this meeting it was voted that a charter be applied for from the Circuit Court. A draft of application was made out, also a map of the village plat, to be em- braced in the application. The application of the citizens was favorably considered by the court, and on the twenty- fourth day of May the village was duly incorporated. The first election for village officers being held on the twenty- fourth day of June, 1881, resulting in the choice of J. Con- nor, President ; S. L. Smith, Joseph Austin, H. A. Bean, M. Cavenaugh, Louis Reynolds and Jos. St. Thomas, Trus- tees ; J. Lusk, Clerk; R. Connor, Treasurer ; John R. Armeah, Marshal ; L. Reynolds, Justice of the Peace, and J. Lusk, Police Justice.
The village of Auburndale is just ten years old, during which time it has grown very rapidly. Mr. Connor says: " When I came here, in 1871, I thought it the wildest look- ing place imaginable. There was nothing but marsh on that side of the railroad where the village now stands, and it was almost impossible to get through it. But, like every- thing else, it takes energy and time to build up a place, and while we do not boast of a handsome village with handsome residences, we do demand a little credit for our persever- ance in making the village of Auburndale what it is. We have fine timber, good facilities for shipping it and any produce we may have, either by railroad or by stage. Be- ing near the Wisconsin River, we can send our produce into the pineries, where we can demand and get the best prices. Thus we have our choice of several markets. In 1871, there was one house built in what is now the village of Au- burndale, and now we have about thirty dwellings, five gen-
1214
HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.
eral stores, blacksmith shop, saw-mills where we turn out mil- lions of feet of lumber per year, three organized churches and two church buildings, telegraph and express office, and a tavern."
Auburndale village is situated in town of same name, and is described as commencing at quarter post and run- ning west on quarter line on Section 21, thence south on quarter line one mile to center of Section 28, thence east on quarter line two miles to center of Section 26, thence north on quarter line one mile to center of Section 23; thence west on quarter line one-half mile to the quarter post of place of beginning, containing an area of two miles, and sub-divisions southwest Section 23, south one- half Section 22, southeast one-quarter Section 21, northeast one-quarter Section 28, north one-half Section 27 and northwest one-quarter Section 26.
MILADORE.
Is a pleasant little village on the Wisconsin Central Rail- road, located in Section 36, Town 25, Range 5 east, in Au- burndale Township.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN ARMEAH, proprietor of Connor House, Auburndale. Was born at Dansville, N. Y., March 9. ISIS. Left home in the Spring of 1865, and went to Pike's Peak ; remained in the mining regions some six years, then returned as far as Portage Co., Wis., and in 1874, settled at Auburndale. He was married, Oct. 9, 1878, to Miss Alice Shadduck, of Plainville, Adams Co., Wis. They have one child, Gracie Belle.
JOSEPH AUSTIN, foreman, Auburndale. Has been at Auburn- dale since December, 1877. IIe is foreman and manager for the Mena- sha Woodenware Company, at their stave mill, at Auburndale. He was born in Montreal, Canada, Oct. 3, IS48. Came, in 1870, to Chicago, remained there about eighteen months, then went to Menominee, Mich .; then in the Spring of 1874, went to Menasha, Wis, and worked at lum- bering there until 1877, when, after spending a few months at Wausau, he came to Auburndale, as manager for the company. He was married, April 1, 1877, to Miss Mary Crowley, of Waukesha. They have two children, Annie and Willie.
HENRY A. BALDWIN, merchant, Auburndale. Came to the vil- lage of Auburndale, in November, 1877, and worked in the mill until about a year ago, when he commenced his present business. He was born in Depere, Wis., Oct. 2, 1851. His father, Samuel E. Baldwin, was a farmer and surveyor. Henry A., after he left home, worked four years for the C. & N. W. R. R. ; then lived two years at Stevens Point. He was married, April 4, 1875, to Miss Althea Cleveland, of Medford, Wis. They have one child, Francis.
IIIRAM A. BEAN, foreman for R. Connor & Co., Marshfield, was born in Warner, N. H., 27th July, 1839. His father moved lo Wauke- sha Co., Wis., in 1851. Ile learned the trade of millwright, and has foll >wed that business, and that of running mills as overseer, ever since. He lived at Plainfield one year ; ran Neeves's mill at Grand Rapids ten years; then a mill at Seneca ; and has been in charge of this mill at Auburndale for the past three years. He was married, July 19, 1863, to Miss Ellen Lewis, of Grand Rapids. Have four children-Clarence, Herbert, Elsie and Alice.
JAMES CONNOR, lumberman and farmer, Auburndale, was born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland, April 15, 1849. Ile commenced farming in 1871, in Wellington Co., Canada. Continued there until 1873, when he came, in company with his brothers Robert and John, and settled on the farm where he now lives, on Sec. 23, 25, 4, east. His farm was heavily timbered, as was also the site of the village of Auburn- dale. He has cleared about sixty acres on his home farm, and erected good buildings. He was married, Feb. 11, 1870, to Miss Mary II. Thompson, daughter of Samuel Thompson, of Toronto, Canada. They have three children-Thomas J., Albert A. and Daisy II. He is a mem- ber of the Good Templars, and is President of the Board of Trustees of the village of Auburndale.
JOIIN CONNOR, lumberman and merchant, Auburndale, son of William and Margaret (nee Prentice) Connor, was born Feb. 29. 1844, at John stone, Renfrewshire, Scotland. His father moved to Stratford, Canada, in 1855. In 1873, John, in partnership with his brothers Rob- ert and James, came to Wood Co., Wis., founded Auburndale, and built
there mills, store, hotel and dwellings, and settled there with their fam- ilies. John Connor was married, Oct. 10, 1869, to Miss Maria Thomp- son, of Richmond Hill, Ontario. They have six children-James, Mary, Elizabeth, Robert, Charles and Franklin W. Mr. Connor is Supervisor, to represent the village of Auburndale in the County Board.
ROBERT CONNOR, lumberman and merchant, Auburndale, was born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland, Nov. 25, 1838. His father, William Connor, who was a farmer and canvasser, came in 1855, with his three sons, Robert, John and James, to Belle Isle, then to Stratford, Canada ; and the following year, the mother came to them, with the rest of the family, to Stratford, where they settled and followed farming. Here their father died, Nov. II, 1860. The three brothers, Robert, James and John, came to Wood Co., Wis., in 1873, and commenced making clearings in the dense woods, for a place to build mills and dwellings. They were the first settlers in that immediate vicinity, and having built a steam saw-mill, a planing mill, a shingle, lath, stave and heading mill, a store and dwellings, they named the place Auburndale. Here their mother came to live with her sons, and her eyesight failing, she learned to read with her fingers in her raised-letter Bible they ob- tained for her, such as is printed for the blind. She returned to Scot- land, in 1878, at the age of seventy-five years, where she still remains among the scenes of her childhood. Robert was married, Jan. 5, 1861, in Canada, to Miss Mary McLeish, of Perthshire, Scotland. They have eight children-Maggie, Jessie, Willie, Annie, Mary, Lizzie, Aggie, and Robert. He has been Postmaster ever since an office was opened in Auburndale. He is also express agent, Town Treasurer, and School District Treasurer. He is the general manager of the business of the firm of R. Connor & Co.
DELOSS R. COON, merchant, Auburndale, was born in Truxton, Madison Co., N. Y., Aug. 13, 1841. His father, Ambrose Coon, moved to Dane Co., Wis., and after living there one year, moved near Montello, where he still resides. In 1860, Deloss was employed by J. & B. Knowles to take charge of their grain warehouse at East Randolph, and continued in their employ two years ; then he bought a farm in Da- kota, Waushara Co. He enlisted, Nov. 16, 1862, in Co. G. 30th Wis. Vols., and received his discharge in the Fall of 1865. His regiment was at Ft. Wadsworth and then at Louisville, Ky., doing provost duty. Af- ter the war, he returned to his farm at Dakota ; afterward, engaged in selling fanning-mills for two seasons, then, in April, 1872, went within a few miles of where Auburndale now is and started to clear up a farm on Sec. 28, Town 25, Range 5 east, and cleared about forty to fifty acres before the Wisconsin Central Railroad had been built further west than Stevens Point. He remained on this farm about six years, took a trip to Colorado, then came to Auburndale and engaged in the mercantile business. He was married, March 5, 1860, to Miss Sarah Witter, of Dakota, Waushara Co. Have one child, Ralph. Mr. C. has been mem- ber of Town Board, Assessor and Census Enumerator.
CHARLES W. DEAN, apiarist, Auburndale. Was born in Roch- ester, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1855. His father, William C. Dean, a carpenter by trade, was born in Coburg, Canada, April 26, 1830; moved to Roch- ester. in 1851. Was married, in 1854, to Miss Mary E. Parker, of Lima, N. Y. Charles W. was married, Aug. 16, 1880, to Miss Martha Syms, daughter of Peter P. Syms, of Auburndale, Wis. He is engaged prin- cipally in bee culture in the season of it. He is also employed in lum- bering.
JOSEPH P. DEAN, foreman, Marshfield. Was born May 28, IS57, in Rochester, N. Y. His father, William C. Dean, moved soon after to Kenosha, Wis., then to Omro, in 1859, where he lived until 1876, when he moved to Auburndale. Joseph P. commenced business for himself in 1878, and is now foreman in R. Connor & Co.'s planing, shingle, stave and lath mill, at Auburndale.
EDWIN L. FLEMING, clerk, Marshfield, son of O. S. and Lydia Fleming, was born in Lowell, Orleans Co., Vt., Feb. 22, IS59. He left there in IS73 and went to Quebec, from there to Cuba, thence to Ans- tralia, where he remained nearly two years, thence to Brazil and worked about six months on an India-rubber plantation, then to Florida and home to Vermont. He then went to Mexico and spent a year, and af- terward spent a year in Iowa. He came to Auburndale, November, 18So, and is clerking for R. Connor & Co. He was married in Vermont, July 3, 1878, to Miss Josephine Freeman. His father is a merchant, still living in Lowell, Vt.
FOREST W. KINGSBURY, lumberman and merchant, Auburn- dale, was born in Dexter, Me., July 30, 1853. His father, J. R. Kings- bury, County Judge of Portage County, came to Stevens Point in 1860. Forest W. commenced business at Auburndale, in partnership with his brother, John J., May 7, 1874, in the manufacture of shingles, staves, and heading, which business they continued until December, ISSo, when their mill burned. Although they have not rebuilt, they are still engaged in lumbering, employing other mills for this purpose. Forest W. was married, Dec. 24, 1877, to Miss Sarah Heigl, of Neenah, Wis. They have one child, Grace.
JOHN J. KINGSBURY, Auburndale, a son of Judge J. R. Kings- bury, of Stevens Point, was born in Dexter, Me., March 26, 1852. He
1215
HISTORY OF WOOD COUNTY.
has been connected with his brother, Forest W., in business at Auburn- dale, Wis., since May, 1874. They are also dealers in a general stock of merchandise. Since their mill burned, they deal principally in lum- ber, hiring their logs sawed at other mills. John J. was married, May 15, 1873, to Miss Alice C. Page, of Stevens Point. They have three children living-May, Arthur and Carl. Their first-born, Bessie, died at the age of four months.
JACOB LUSK, farmer and Justice of Peace, Sec. 28, P. O. Auburn. dale, was born in Brattleboro, Vt., Oct. 13, 1840. His father, Peter Lusk, moved to Hastings Co., Canada, in 1842. At eighteen years of age, he left home and entered into the employ of A. S. Page & Co., of New York, cutting lumber in Winter, and exploring and surveying dur- ing the Summer, in the pine lands of Canada, continuing in their em- ploy some ten years. Then came to Bay City, Mich., and became a salesman in a dry goods store. From there, in the employ of Henry Hewitt, of Neenah, he went into the northern peninsula of Michigan and explored for pine. Then spent one year, from April, 1874, to April, IS75, on the Penoke Iron Range, exploring for iron mines for Hewitt ; afterward exploring and locating lands for others along the line of the Wisconsin Central Railroad. He was married, July 18, 1878, to Miss Margaret Colman, of Boston, Mass., and settled on a farm at Auburn- dale. He is Justice of the Peace, Notary Public and Town Clerk.
LEWIS REYNOLDS, firm of R. Connor & Co., Marshfield, son of Alfred H. and Ann Reynolds, was born in North East Hope, Perth Co., Canada West, Dec. 17, 1853. Lived there until 1865, when his father moved to Brandon, Iowa. In 1874. he graduated at Bayliss Commercial College, at Dubuque, Iowa. In 1875, came to Auburndale as agent at the depot, then connected with the firm of R. Connor & Co., principally engaged in the company's store. Has been Town Clerk of Auburndale, and is now Justice of the Peace.
PETER P. SYMS, farmer and logger, Auburndale, was born in Berthier, Lower Canada, July 15, 1839. Went to live at Belleville, Hastings Co., Canada, in June, 1856. Left there in the Winter of 1865, and came to Stevens Point, Wis. In 1874, went to California, Oregon, Puget Sound and British Columbia. Returned early in 1876. and set- tled, in the Summer of IS76, at Auburndale. He was married, Jan. 12, 1864, to Miss Britania Ellis, of Belleville, Canada. They have seven children-Margaret I. (now Mrs. Wolcott, of Marshfield), Martha Ann (now Mrs. C. W. Dean, of Auburndale), Charles, Minnie. Philemon, Henry L. and Frank. He is a Justice of the Peace and School Clerk, and has been Town Clerk.
JAMES M. TUTTLE, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Auburndale came to Auburndale in May, 1875. He was born at Erie, Pa., Oct. II, 1834. He left there in 1855, and came to Portage Co., Wis. Worked about five years at logging and on the river, then engaged in the manu- facture of lumber and shingles in Marathon County. In 1861, he went to farming in Portage County, which he followed two years; then was employed as foreman in lumbering camps until he came to Auburndale. He was married, in September, 1871, to Miss Emma Bowman, of Mara- thon City. They have four children-Maria Theresa, Josephine, Mary Maria and Anna Catherine. Mr. T. has been Assessor of Auburndale, and is Chairman of Town Board.
DEXTERVILLE.
In the Summer of 1849, George Hiles made a trip through the northern part of Wisconsin, in search of a suitable place upon which to locate, and where he could, in time, be sur- rounded by a thriving village. He found that a great deal of the best government land had been taken up, principally by speculators, but Section 14, Township 22, Range 3 east, in county of Wood, was yet subject to entry, and there being a fine water-power, he determined here to set his stakes. He therefore entered his claim and settled upon it, in the month of October, 1850. When Hiles made his final move, in Oc- tober, he brought with him, Mr. H. Searles; together they commenced building a log shanty to live in. A saw-mill was completed and in running order by the first of the next year. About the same time a dwelling house was completed and ready for occupancy, Searles' family moving in. In 1852, the village had some twelve inhabitants, and Mr. Hills intent upon developing the resources ct the peace, applied
to the Government for an established mail route through here. The petition was not complied with however, until five years later. In 1857, the post-office was established, and Hiles oppointed Postmaster. The first school was estab- lished in September, 1858, with Miss Nancy Plato, teacher. First marriage was Mr. William Dixon and Miss Nancy Plato, the ceremony being performed by Jacob Benson, Justice of the Peace, November, 1858. First birth was T. G. Sealles, son of H. Searles, in Spring of 1854. First death was that of James Sprague, in May, 1853. George Hiles started the first general store, which is still in operation. The lumber business has been the leading business of Dex- terville. George Hiles, the founder of the village, operates saw-mill, shingle and planing mill, and has in course of erection, a large tub and pail factory. There were but four dwelling places when the village was platted. The village is well situated, being on the line of the Green Bay & Min- nesota Railroad. The business directory of Dexterville is as follows :
W. H. Clarke, lawyer; George Hiles, general store and lumbering business; W. R. Jarvis, hotel; C. J. Krueger, A. S. Robinson, store ; Syme Hewitt, & Co., stave manufac- turers. The population of Dexterville is about 200.
SCRANTON.
Scranton is a village in town of Dexter, located in Section 29, Town 22, Range 2 east, on the east fork of the Black River, and a station on the Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad, near the line of Wood and Jackson counties. The first settler in the village was E. C. Bullis, who came to this region March 17, 1873. This same year Mr. Buliis erected a frame house, it being the first of any kind in the village. The first couple joined together by the holy bands of matrimony were Mr. P. Ryan and Miss Mary Bullis. They were pronounced man and wife by Frank Mosher, Justice of the Peace. The first children born were Frank and Laura Bullis, twins. They were born on the twenty- fourth day of February, 1874. The first death was Mrs. Susan Anthony, at the age of thirty-four years, February, 1876. The first school was established January, 1876, Miss Jennie Harlan, teacher. At time of commencing the school there were some fifteen pupils. On the fourth day of November, 1873, the post-office was established, E. C. Bullis receiving the appointment of Postmaster, having held the office since the establishment up to the present time. Mr. George Hiles, proprietor of saw and shingle mills does a business, when running, that keeps about fifteen men em- ployed. The principal business men in the village is James Hiles, general store ; Benjamin Seeley, carpenter ; William Tucker, tinsmith, and William Downing blacksmith. There is one hotel in the village, owned and managed by Mr. E. C. Bullis, Postmaster and founder of the village. The saw- mill and shingle mills have not been operated for some weeks, on account of some misunderstanding with the rail- road company. The principal shipments are lumber and shingles. Population about sixty-five.
1216
HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
GEORGE HILES, lumberman, Dexterville, was born in Oakland Co., Mich., in 1831. Came to Wisconsin in 1850, and settled in Bara- boo. His first work was with Wood & Moore, for $15 per month, near Baraboo. He then removed to Dexterville, Wood Co., where he has since resided, following the lumber business. He has been Chairman of the town of Dexter for twenty years; is the present Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. Was elected to the State Legislature in 1866. He has endured the hardships of an early pioneer life. By sobri- ety, honesty and fair dealing, he is now awarded with sufficient compe- tency to carry himself and family comfortably through life. Hastwo sons and one daughter-James K. P., of Dexterville; Frank P., at Taylor, Jackson Co., Wis., and Phoebe, a widow.
SAMUEL HILES, lumberman, came to Dexterville in 1850; started the first mill above Necedah-sash, saw, water-power mill-Hiles & Searles. Searles soon went out of the firm. He was born in Oakland Co., Mich., Oct. S, 1827. As early as 1847, in company with his brother, George, he Inmhered in Sank Co., Wis., on the Baraboo ; then, in 1849, on Lemonweir, and soon after, came to Dexterville. He was married, Feb. 6, 1852, to Miss Harriet Seeley, of Elkhorn, Wis., formerly of Con- necticut. Have three children living-George Franklin, Alla Adelia, Clara Antus. He has been Town Treasurer and Assessor of Dexter, also Deputy Sheriff of Wood County two years. He and his brother George together have about three sections of cranberry marsh.
LISTON A. HOUSTON, farmer and hotel-keeper, Sec. 10, 22, 3 east, came to this place, two and one-half miles north of Dexterville, in 1856, and built the Hurlburt saw-mill and rau it awhile as superintend- ent. He was born in Lewes, Sussex Co., Del., May 20, 1815. His father, Thomas Houston, moved the next ycar into Ohio, and settled near Zanes- ville ; afterward moved into Licking County, and, in 1828, into Delaware County. He learned the trade of carpenter in Delaware County, and worked in several places at his trade ; then went to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and worked as millwright and michinist. He was married. Oct. 28, IS49. to Miss Susan Kenmer, of Circleville, Ohio. They have four chil- dren living-Emma (Mrs. Dodge, of Medford, Taylor Co., Wis.) ; Anna (Mrs. W. T. Wheelock, of Medford, Taylor Co., Wis.); Charles, drug- gist, at Pittsville, Wis .; Thomas, at home. Mr. Houston has been mem- ber of Town Board, Justice of the Peace, also Postmaster thirteen years, from 1862 to 1875, when the post-office was moved to Pittsville.
WILLETT R. JARVIS, hotel-keeper and merchant, Dexterville, came to Dexterville, in the Spring of 1857, and was in the employ of George Hiles, as salesman and book-keeper, for six years. He then moved to Sank County, and engaged in raising hops for several years ; moved back to Wood County in 1869 and started a ranche some ten miles below Dexterville, raising stock and keeping a hotel there until 1874, when he moved back to Dexterville and built the Jarvis House and store, which he still occupies. He was born in Norwalk, Conn .. Nov. 4, 1813. His father, Samuel. moved in 1820, into Jefferson Co., N.Y. When about twenty years of age, he commenced teaching school, and taught seven years. Also engaged as clerk for a while, and at one time took a saw-mill at Watertown, Jefferson Co., N.Y., and engaged in lumbering ; then came to Newport, Sauk Co., Wis., in 1855. He was married, June 3, 1862, to Mrs. Leet, formerly Miss Anna Hiles. They have six children living-Nellie, Charles, Frank, Kittie, Daisie and Willett R., Jr. Mr. Jarvis has held nearly all the different offices in the town of Dexter.
RUDOLPH.
THOMAS E. WHITMAN, farmer, Sec. 17, P. O. Grand Rapids. Was born in Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y., March 24, 1824. He lived with his father in Goshen, in New Jersey, and then in Chemung Co., N. Y., until he was of age, when he went to Elmira to live, working at the car- penter's trade there for ten years ; then he moved to Rudolph, Wis., and took up a farm. He now owns 240 acres ou Secs. 16 and 17, Town 23, 6 east. When he came to Rudolph, there were but six families in the limits of the town. He was married, in Elmira, to Miss Jane VanEpes, of Homer, Cortland Co. They have five children - Edward L., Clara Isabel, Georgiana, Lewis E. and Frank A. He has served in several of the town offices, such as Town Superintendent, Town Clerk, member of Town Board, etc.
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