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 36

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 36

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H. K. COWLES, lumberman, Scott Township, is a native of Liv- ingston Co., N. V., where he was reared and educated. In 1843, at the age of twenty-nine, he came west to Grand Traverse, Mich., where for twelve years he engaged in trading with the Indians; after which time he has been engaged in the lumbering, mercantile and farming business. Mr. Cowles has represented his township in its councils for ten years, being Chairman of the Board of Supervisors most of the time.

DENIS F. DALY, proprietor of New Franken flouring-mills, Scott Tp., Brown County. The mills were established here by Smith & Ebeling about 1866, who carried them on till June, 1875, when Mr. Daly took charge of the interests of Mr. Smith till November, 1876, when the mill was burned. In the same year, Mr. Daly in company with Mr. Smith, rebuilt the present new mill upon the foundation of the old one, and has continued it since. It has fourrun of stone, one set of rollers, and a capacity of 2,000,000 bushels per annum ; he has a custom trade of about 40,000 bushels per annum ; Mr. Dalv was born reared and educated to his present business in Northumberland Co., Canada. Ile came west at the age of twenty, and followed lumbering until 1875. when he took charge of the mill. He was married to Miss Hannah Hennesy of Wellington Co., Canada. They have one son and two daughters.

DAVID GIBSON, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Washing- ton Co., N. Y., and came here to Brown County, 1851, at an early age, where he was reared and educated. His parents, John and Elizabeth Gibson, were natives of Berwickshire, Scotland, where they were mar- ried in April, 1831. They came to this country the same year, to Can- ada, where after a stay of about a year they removed to Vork State, where they lived about eighteen years, and where the mother is buried. She was formerly Miss Elizabeth Miller. Mr. David Gibson buried his father on the homestead, October, 1878, in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, his three brothers are buried with the father.

ROBERT GIBSON, farmer, Scott Township, is a native of Ber- wickshire, Scotland, where he was reared and educated. In 1837, at the age of twenty, he came to this country and after a year or so he started a regular pioneer course of life which finally developed into the beautiful farms which he now owns. In 1840, he was married to Miss Ellen Mahone who was born in Northumberland Co., England, and who came here with her people in 1836. They have seven sons and three daughters - David Alexander, John, Annie Elizabeth, Robert Edwin, Anderson Porter, James Hook, William Henry, Ellen Isabell, Thomas Jefferson, Esther Agnes and Alisia Grant.

PETER MORRISON, was born in Ulster Co., N. V. He came here in 1853, and has followed the pursuit of farming since, working at his trade in the meanwhile. He has been in the official harness for the last sixteen years, having held the position of Township Clerk and Jus- tice of the Peace uninterruptedly during that time. He was married to Miss Mary Appazillia a native of Belgium, 1861. They have four sons and six daughte s- Robert, Charles, Mary, Olive, Bella, Janie, Ida, Edith, Peter and George. Frankie and Janie are buried in the Bay Settlement cemetery.

DENIS J. PARENT, was born at Windsor, Canada, 1809, where he was reared and educated. At the age of twenty-two he came to Green Bay and engaged in the mercantile business of the firm of De- Quintin & Ebarts, after which he carried on carpentering and wagon making successfully for several years; but finally resigned it for the more pleasurable pursuit of farming. Ile has been Supervisor, Asses- sor and other positions which has marked him as a representative man in his vicinity. In 1836, he was married to Miss Margaret Jordan a native of Wisconsin, her people being Canadians. They have one son

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

and seven daughters-Madorius, Susan, Frances, Matilda, Mary, Agnes, Margaret and Ellen. Julian Parent, father of Denis J., was born in 1757, married in 17SI at the age of twenty-four ; died in 1824 at the age of sixty-seven.

WILLIAM ROWBOTHAM, farmer, is a native of Lincolnshire, England, where he was reared and educated. In November, 1844, he came to New York, remained there till the Summer of 1845, when he came to Milwaukee and did business in that city till September, 1855, when he came to Green Bay. Mr. Rowbotham carried on his trade of merchant tailoring the most of the time up to 1866, when he was engaged as over- seer of the County Poor Asylum, with which he was engaged until 1875, after which he took up farming which he has followed since. Mr. Row- botham was married in England to Miss Mary Aisthorpe in 1840, who was born in his native shire in 1816. They have two daughters living. Amos is buried in Milwaukee, and Lucy Jane and Mary Sophia buried in Woodlawn cemetery, Green Bay.

CASPAR SCHAUER, New Franken, Brown County, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, and came to this country, 1846, at the age of eleven years ; his parents and four brothers came with him. His parents and two brothers are buried in St. Killian's Cemetery here. For the first twenty-one years he engaged in the lumbering business, after which he began farming which he has followed successfully since. He mar- ried, in 1867. Ellena Sellentein who was born in Lunenburg, Germany. They have five sons-John, Nicholas, Lawrence, Henry and Lewis.

MELCHIOR SCHAUER, New Franken, Brown County, is a na- tive of Bavaria, Germany, and came to this country, 1845, at the age of seventeen, with his parents and one brother. His parents are buried in St. Killian's Cemetery, here. When Mr. Schauer came to this place it was entirely new, but after many years of hard work, he can see the re- sults of his lahor crowned with a successful farming country around it, and a nice little industrious village located on the ground where once he used the ax and plow. In 1850, Mr. Schauer married Miss Clara Lars- cheit a native of Rhine Province, Prussia, who came with her parents and settled here, 1842, at the age of twelve, They have five sons and five daughters. Two daughters are buried with his parents. Mr. Schauer has, in connection with his farming industry, kept a store of general merchandise for the last nine years ; has been Postmaster here len years.

NICHOLAS SCHILLING, farmer, Scott Township, is a native of Germany, and came to this country, 1851. He stopped in Indiana two years after his arrival. In Chicago, Ill., one year, and then he came to Brown County, where he carried on the mason business for several years, during which time he bought his present farm where he has car- ried on farming and mason contracting extensively since; has been en- gaged upon the farm for the last four years. He was married to Miss Rotha in Germany, by whom he had one daughter. She is buried in Green Bay. He married for the second time Miss Nitsgar, 1860, by whom he has three children living.

JOIIN VANLAANEN, Scott Township, is a native of Holland. At the age of fifteen he came here with his parents, IS51. For the first ten years of his life here he followed farming through different parts of the State, where he acquired a knowledge of the people and language, which has helped him so well in his after life. In 1861, he married Miss Domitil Layianas, who was born here. Ile has IS4 acres of nice land. Mr. and Mrs. Vanlaanen have six sons and two daughters. His father lives with him ; his mother is buried in Wequiock Cemetery.

TOWN OF MORRISON.

NICHOLAS ALTMAYER, farmer and dairyman, town of Morrison; was born in 1835, in Prussia. At the age of eight years he came to America with his parents, and settled in Washington County, where he was educated. At the age of twenty-six he came to Brown County and located on his present place, following farming and gaining the good will of his neighbors, which they manifested by electing him to various town offices, and also as their representative on the County Board. Besides, he has also been connected with every enterprise tending to the growth and prosperity of his town, notably the cheese- making industry and the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, the latter being a local institution, and on good footing. In March 1865, he enlisted in Co. F, 50th, Wis. V. I., and served till the close of the war. In 1860, he married Miss Susannah Gross. They have eight chil- dren, five sons and three daughters.

JOHN C. BRILL, general merchant, and Postmaster of Morrison post-office ; was born in IS40, in Ilesse Cassel, Prussia, where he was reared and educated. At the age of sixteen he emigrated to America with his parents, settling in Washington County, where he remained abont thirteen years, following carpentering and store-keeping. Ile then came to his present location, and established himself in business in 1868, He was appointed l'ostmaster under Lincoln, and has ever since held that position. Ile is a stockholder in the Excelsior cheese factory, and general manager and treasurer of the same. On Jan. 1, 1867, he married Miss Christina Schmitt. They have a family of five children, four sons and one daughter.

MAURICE B. BRENNAN, farmer and dairyman, Morrison Tp. and P. O .; was born in 1842, in Kerry Co., Ireland. At the age of seven he came to America with his parents, and settled in the town of Glen- more, where he received his education. He followed farming with his father for twenty-four years, during which time he held several town offices. In 1874, he moved upon his present fine farm of 160 acres. He possesses all the improved machinery used in his business. He has held several local offices, and was elected to the State Legislature. He was identified with the first movement for the manufacture of cheese in the town, which industry has grown to be of importance to the farming country. In 1865, he married Miss Catherine Sullivan, and has five children, three sons and two daughters.

JAMES CLARK, farmer and dairyman, town of Morrison ; was born in 1827, in Prescott, Canada, and was there brought up and edu- cated. At the age of twenty he came to this country, having his head- quarters at Chicago and following the calling of a sailor for two years. In 1849, he came to Northern Wisconsin, and finally settled in this town in 1850, developing a faim of 160 acres on which he remained about seven years, and then removed to his present farm of 280 acres, which he has beautified with a fine brick residence and substantial outbuildings. He has held at different times town and county offices. In the year 1858, he married Miss Mary Ann Cleary. They have nine children, six sons and three daughters.

JOHN CLARK, farmer and dairyman, Morrison Tp .; was born in 1825 at Prescott, Canada, where he was reared and educated. At the age of twenty-three he came to this country, first following the vocation of a sailor, with Chicago as headquarters, then coming to Northern Wis- consin in 1849. Finally. in 1852, he settled on his present place of 160 acres. He has held office at different times in his town. In IS52, he married Miss Eleanor Hartnett. They have seven children, three sons and four daughters, The eldest son was the first white male born in the town of Morrison.

PHILIP FALCK, farmer and saloon-keeper, town of Morrison. Was born in Germany in 1818. At the age of eighteen he came to America with his father, settling at Albany, N. V., where he remained five years, and then came through the States of New York, Ohio, Michi- gan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. He settled in Washington County, remaining twelve years, and then came to his present place in 1855, thus being one of the first settlers. He took up 280 acres of land and partly cleared it. In 1856, he began the business now conducted by his sons, Philip and brother, continuing it to 1876, when he sold to his sons. He lives to see what was an almost impassable wilderness when he came, now a fine farming and dairying country. He is a genial old man, and one with whom it is a pleasure to converse, he having many a joke and reminiscence of early times. In 1846, he was married to Catharine Hangen ; and they raised a family of nine sons and one daughter, all of whom are living.

PHILIP FALCK & BRO., general dealers, town of Morrison. In 1876, the firm bought their present store and business from Philip Falck, Sr., and ever since have done a thriving trade in general merchandise. Their trade extends into parts of Hollandtown, Maple Grove, Glenmore and East Wrightstown. They are stockholders in the cheese factory near their place, and are useful citizens, in all things tending to the growth and prosperity of the town.

JOHN G. GROSS, farmer, dairyman and lumberman, Morrison Township. Was born in 1829, in Bavaria, Germany, where he was reared and received his education. At the age of twenty-one. he emi- grated to America, and after remaining three years in New York, he came to Germantown, Washington Co., and then came to his present location where he owns about 320 acres of land, a part of which he in- dividually cleared and developed. In 1867, he commenced lumbering, and prospered so that in 1875, he purchased the mill which he now man- ages. Ile is also a stockholder in the first cheese factory established in the town, which industry has become of so much profit to the people. For a period of twenty-five years he has held various town and county offices. lle has represented his town on the County Board for eight years. lle has taken an active part in all educational matters. In 1853, he married Margaret Moshel. They have nine children, four sons and five daughters.

REV. J. IIOLZKNECHT, Pastor of St. John's Church, Morrison. Was born in 1855, in Green Bay, where he was reared and received his preliminary education. At the age of thirteen he began study for the pristhood at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, remaining there for ten years, during which period he acquired knowledge of the classics, mathe- matics, philosophy and theology, He was ordained in July, 1879, and in the Fall entered upon the duties of his pastorate, which includes the church named and the mission church known as St. Mary's Church, of East Wrightstown, the jurisdiction of the latter extending to Greenleaf Station. Ile is much beloved by his congregations.

REV. CHIARLES ROECK, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, town of Morrison. Was born in 1836, in Baden, Germany, where he was brought up and received his elementary education. At the age of twenty-two he went to Basle, Switzerland, where he spent six

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HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.

years in study and preparation for the ministry. At the conclusion of his studies in 1864, he went as a missionary to Malabar, India, where he performed the duties of his calling for twelve years, when owing to the continual sickness of his wife, he came to America, spending a year in New York, thence coming to Wisconsin. After sojourning a short time near Prairie du Chien, he assumed his present pastorate which embraces two congregations-one in Morrison, the other in Brillion, Calumet Co. In 1867, he married Miss Anna Hahn. They have had a family of seven children, five of whom-one son and four daughters-are living, the others being buried in East India.

TOWN OF PITTSFIELD. :

A. T. BUCKMAN, Clerk of Pittsfield Township, farmer and stock raiser, Brown County, was born, reared and educated in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. At the age of twenty-two he came to his present place with his wife and one child, and he began to cut, clear and bring into cultiva- tion his present beautiful farm which was then a dense forest. In early times the first township election was held in his house where he was installed as Clerk which with the Chairmanship of the Board and Treas- urer he has been kept in the official harness for the last twenty-five years. In 1854, he was married to Miss Olive Wilson a native of his county and State, where they were married. They have two sons and one daughter.

THOMAS DELANEY, Pittsfield Township, Brown County, is a native of Queens Co., Ireland. At the age of nineteen, and in 1849, he came to this country and stopped in New Hampshire and Canada, until 1854, when he came to Green Bay and engaged in lumbering. In 1865, he removed to his present farm. In 1858, he was married to Cath- arine Early a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and who came to this country in 1859. They have one son and two daughters.

JAMES H. POTTER, farmer and stock raiser, Pittsfield Township, Brown County, was born, reared and educated in New York State. In 1852, at the age of twenty-five, he came west and began a regular pio- neer life. He put under cultivation a tract of land which was finally developed into a beautiful farm. He also followed lumbering for fifteen years, but closed his interests in that industry some four years since. In 1850, he was married to Miss Caroline B. Knapp, in Washingto Co., N. Y. They have four sons and one daughter all grown up to man's and woman's estate. He has been Chairman of the Board, Township Treas- urer and Justice of the Peace for several years.

F. W. STRECKENBACH, farmer and stock raiser, Pittsfield Town- ship, Brown County, was born in Germany. In 1845, and at the age of twenty-five, he came to New York State where he stayed seven years. In 1851, he came to Green Bay and on Jan, 2, 1852, he came here and cleared and brought into cultivation the present fine farm. In 1860, he was married to Miss Mary Munro, who was born in Canada. They have one son, Willie.

LUTHER WILSON, farmer and stock raiser, Chairman of the Board, Pittsfield Township, Brown County, was born, reared and edu- cated in Worcester Co., Mass. At the age of twenty-five he came west And after traveling through Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, he came here and entered a piece of land May 3, 1851. In 1853, he returned with his wife and commenced pioneer life, undergoing in the meantime all the privations incident to the life of an early settler. In 1853, March 5, he was married to Miss Wealthy A. Reynolds, of Erie Co., Penn., who

was born in New York and is buried in Mill Center Cemetery, Pittsfield. He was married a second time to Miss Caroline James a native of New York. 1Ie has been Chairman of the Board for several years.

TOWN OF HOLLAND.

PATRICK BOYLAN, farmer and stock raiser, Holland Township, is a native of the County Tipperary, Ireland, where he was reared and educated. In 1847, at the age of eighteen, he came to this country and stopped for two years in Oneida, N. Y., after which he came here and settled on the present place which was then complete woods. He cut and cleared a tract of land which he developed into the desirable farm upon which he now lives. He has held various town offices. In 1858, he was married to Miss Sarah Meara a native of County Tipperary. They have five sons and one daughter living, one son is buried in the parish cemetery, Morristown.

PATRICK HOBBINS, farmer and stock raiser, Holland Town- ship, was born and reared in the County Tipperary, Ireland. In 1847, at the age of fourteen, he came to New York, where after a stay of three years he came here. In 1851, he returned to New York, but came here in 1854, and in 1856, came to this place and began farming which be has carried on since. In 1873. the people of the Third Assembly District of Brown County, made him their choice, and he was elected State Assemblyman for two terms, 1874 and 1875. In 1854, he married Miss Bridget Brown, a native of County Mayo, Ireland. They have two sons and three daughters living, and three sons buried in the parish cemetery of Morristown.

TOWN OF SUAMICO.

DAVID DAVIDSON, farmer, Suamico Township, Brown County, is a native of Scotland, and came to Canada in 1828 with his people who settled there. After having traveled in Vermont, Michigan and Illinois, he came here in 1853, and began a regular pioneer life. He cut, cleared and brought into cultivation a tract of land which has finally developed into a beautiful farm. In the meantime, took ad- vantage of the lumbering developments and erected a mill which he carried on for several years. In 1858, he married Melinda Wilson a native of New York. They have six sons and two daughters living, and one son buried in Fox Hill Cemetery, Brown County.

M. E. TREMBLE, dealer and manufacturer in lumber, lath, shingles and pickets, Big Suamico, Brown County. Mr. Tremble established the business here in 1864. It gives employment to about seventy men. In connection with his manufacturing business he carries on an exten- sive store in general merchandise etc., etc. He also carries on farming on a large scale, owning a farm of 350 acres, 250 of which are under direct cultivation and stocked with about sixty head of horned stock and fifty head of Cotswold sheep.

TOWN OF GLENMORE.

B B. BRENNAN, retired farmer, Glenmore Township, was born in 1806, in Kerry Co., Ireland. At the age of forty-five he emigrated to America, first stopping in Massachusetts a short time, thence coming to Glenmore, where he has resided for over thirty years, following the bus- iness of farming. He cleared up the farm on which he now resides. In 1831, he married Miss Julia Dunn, and raised a family of five children, one son and two daughters now living, the others being dead.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

BUFFALO COUNTY.

LOCATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

This is one of the western counties of the State. The northern boundary of the county is the line between Towns 24 and 25; its eastern boundary is the line be- tween Ranges 9 and 10 west, till that line intersects the Trempealeau River at the second correction line, thence along the main channel of that river till it enters the Mississippi River in Range 10, Township 18. Its western and southern boundaries are the Chippewa and Mississippi rivers. The former flows nearly south- erly from the northwest corner of Range 13, Town 24, bearing slightly to the west, till it enters the Mississippi in Range 14, Town 22. From this point the Missis- sippi flows almost due southeast to the point at which it receives the Trempealeau. The county in general is trapezium-shaped, the obliquity of the southern part being caused by the southeasterly direction of the Mis- sissippi River. It presents a diversity and picturesqueness of scenery not excelled by any county in Wisconsin. Here can be found beautiful valleys of unsurpassed fer- tility, environed by bold bluffs, which rise in many places to an altitude of hundreds of feet, and which in Sum- mer, when covered with foliage, present to the eye of the observer a beauty of scenery rarely equaled in this Western country. Through nearly all the valleys flow streams of pure, spring water, whose liquid depths are inhabited by that gamiest of fish-the speckled trout. But the valleys do not constitute the only tillable land ; the bluffs in many places, at their summits, spread out into broad table-lands, with a gently undulating sur- face, and upon which there are many fine farms. The county comprises an area of about 363,278 acres, which is divided into sixteen civil townships, two villages and one city. The General Government and railroad companies own about 200,000 acres, much of which owing to its bluffy character, can not be cultivated, but is well adapted to grazing. The remainder is owned by actual settlers, about 100,000 acres of which is now in an active state of cultivation.

With the exception of the two small prairies, the county is a succession of hills and valleys, the former varying in height from mere mounds to bluffs 700 feet high. The natural advantages of the country are great, being surrounded by the three rivers-the Trem- pealeau, Chippewa and Mississippi, the two latter be- ing navigable, and in consequence extensive highways for rafting logs and lumber.

Diagonally from the northeast corner to the Missis- sippi River in Range 13, Town 22, ilows, with many a crook and turn, Buffalo or Beef River. The bottoms adjoining are mostly marshy, containing here and there small lakes, nearly all of which open into the river. On either side and at distances varying from zero to half a mile are bluffs, except where there is an opening for the passage of one of the numerous small creeks

that find their way to the river. In the southeastern part of Range 12, Town 24, rises Little Bear Creek, which flows westerly a distance of six or seven miles and empties into Beef Slough. Into this flow a num- ber of smaller streams. The extreme northern portion of Ranges 12 and 13, Town 24, are drained by streams which soon cross the line into Pepin County and find their way to the Chippewa River through Big Bear Creek. A large portion of Range 13, Town 24, is com- posed of a sand prairie. Years ago non-professional land-seekers, attracted by the absence of grubs and the ease of cultivating the soil, settled on this prairie. A few by the force of their agricultural skill, have made for themselves comfortable homes. Others spent their follies and have left their farms to the fate of Sheriffs' and tax sales. Parallel with the Chippewa River, flows slowly a stream of more than passing importance, which will be somewhat extendedly spoken of in an- other connection. This is Beef Slough. Its large number of branches, expansions, diversions, with all of the resulting islands and lakes form a complete net- work of the territory between itself and the river. Beef Slough proper empties into Beef River just above its mouth. The region between Beef Slough and Beef River covers an area of about 200 square miles, and, with the exception of the prairie referred to, is a suc- cession of bluffs and narrow valleys. East and south of Beef River the country is for the most part rough, there being at intervals small patches of prairie. From Range 10, Town 23, through Range 11 to Beef River flows Elk Creek. In Range 10, Town 22, rises Big Waumandee Creek, flows southwesterly for a distance of twelve or fourteen miles, when it joins the Missis- sippi in Range 11, Town 19. Directly north from the southern section of this stream extends a somewhat narrow valley known as the Little Waumandee Valley. Between these two valleys on the one side and Beef and Mississippi Rivers on the other, is a range of high bluffs. At their base and on the Mississippi about two miles below the mouth of Beef River, is situated the vil- lage of Alma. This range of bluffs extends southward to within about six miles of the mouth of the Big Waumandee Creek, where they terminate, and from there to the bottoms adjoining the Mississippi is a sand prairie for the most part uncultivated. An arm of the prairie extends northwesterly, between the river and the bluffs for a distance of ten miles, on the western side of which is Buffalo City. The soil of the arm of the prairie is much better than the prairie itself, it con- taining a few good farms and some timber. Range 10, Towns 20 and 21, is drained by streams which flow into Trempealeau River ; a part of the latter town is an extensive marsh. The other part is bluffy, except the long and narrow Eagle Valley, which opens into Big Waumandee. These bluffs extend southward with many bends and branches to make place for a few fer-

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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