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 59

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 59

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FREDERICK BECKER, P. O. Bloomer, was born in Mecklenburg. Germany, June 8, 1848, and emigrated with his parents to America in the Fall of 1856, coming to Milwaukee where he lived with his parents about four years when he left home, working for different farmers in Waukesha County for ten years. Soon after came to Bloomer and com- menced work at the tin trade. After two years he went into business for himself, opening up a stock of general hardware, which he has since fol- lowed, enlarging his stock and building up a good trade. Was married in Bloomer, Sept. 27, 1871, to Miss Sarah N. Dix of the same place. They have four children - Claude C., David D., Griffith Hugh and Fred I. Mrs. Becker was born in Plainfield, Ind., Sept. 4, 1852. Mr. Becker made three ineffectual attempts to join the army by running away from home, but his vigilant father caught him each time, the last time with $900 in his pocket which he had been paid as a substitute. He was compelled to disgorge and pay it back and then return home. He is Town Treasurer and a member of the I. O. O. F.

JOHN H. BROWN, P. O. Bloomer, came with his father, Stephen Brown, to Lafayette, Chippewa Co., July 16, 1865, John being then a little less than twenty-one years of age. Together, they entered 120 acres of land and subsequently purchased 360 acres and commenced farming. John was elected Sheriff of Chippewa County the same year that he came there, and was the third Sheriff elected in the county. The duties of Sheriff at that date involved a good deal of rough, hard work. He served his term of two years and then was appointed Deputy Sheriff. In the Fall of 1863, he enlisted in Company A, 7th Wis. I., which regiment formed a part of the famous "Iron Brigade." He was engaged in the battle of the Wilderness, and during the engagement was severely wounded in the shoulder, a rifle ball carrying away a portion of the right shoulder blade. Was discharged with his regiment at Madison, in August, 1865. He resumed farming and followed it for two years and

then went to locating pine lands for other parties, seven times traversing the vast, uninhabited wilderness to Lake Superior, and undergoing great hardship. He retired from that business in the Fall of 1874, and settled in Bloomer. Was elected Constable in 1875, and the year following was elected Justice of the Peace and has held it since, also Town Clerk ex- cept one year. He was married in 1853, to Miss Mila C. Eaton, of Cattaraugus, Pa. She went home on a visit to her parents to Leona, N. Y., in 1856, and after an illness of six months died there Feb. 5, 1857. leaving one son, Edward H., who died in Bloomer in 1876, aged a little over fourteen years. Mr. Brown married Miss Ada C. Langdon, of Kil- bourn City. Have two children, Edward and Alfretta.

CHARLES DETLOFF, hotel, Bloomer, was born near Berlin, Prussia, Nov. 8, 1837, With his father came to America, arriving in New York, July 4, 1850, went to Buffalo, N. Y., and there lived four years, and then came to Madison. He came to Chippewa County in October, 1856, passing up to the headquarters of Duncan Creek, where parties were engaged in logging. There was not a house within many miles of Bloomer then. Shortly after he went to Vicksburgh, Miss., taking a raft of lumber to St. Louis. Stopping in Vicksburgh two years he came back to St. Louis, and enlisted in an expedition to Salt Lake, sent out to quell the Mormon riot. Returning with his command in the Summer of 1866, he came to Bloomer and built a small house on the present site of the Detloff IIouse, erected the present house in 1877. Oct. 4, 1864, his son, Harman was born, his eldest child died, and he was drafted and taken

away from his family, all transpiring in one day. He got off and re- turned home in time to see his child buried. Mr. Detloff was married in Dane County, March 8, to Miss Lena Albrecht. She was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, April 15, 1847. They have three children- Harman, Otto and Eddie.

ANDREW DIETLEIN, is a native of Bavaria, Germany ; born there Dec. 3, 1833, and emigated to America when about nineteen years of age, landing in New York in July, 1852. He immediately went to Rochester, and there learned the trade of cooper ; came to Milwaukee in the Fall of 1854, and there followed his trade until 1860. In Decem- ber, 1863, he enlisted in the 35th Wisconsin V. I., Co. C., which regi- ment was assigned to the 19th Corps, but subsequently put into the 13th Corps, which operated in Louisiana, Alabama and Texas. He, with his command, was engaged in several skirmishes, and took part in the fight at Spanish Fort and Ft. Blakely, on the Mobile Bay. After the surren- der of these forts, accompanied his command up the Alabama and Tom- bigbee, and built a fort at McIntosh Bluff, after which they returned to Mobile, and went into campabout three weeks, and then went to Browns ville, Tex , where his regiment remained until April, 1866. His health failing, he got home on a furlough, and, not getting better, was sent to hospital, at Madison, and discharged on general order, Jan. 16, 1866. Ile came to Bloomer in 1867, and owns 160 acres of farming land in the town of Bloomer. Was married in Milwaukee in September, 1856, to Miss Katrina Houde. She was born in Prussia, September 17, 1833, and came to America in 1855. They have five children-Mary, Magdelena G., Katrina, Andrew and Emma F.

PETER D. McMARTIN, merchant, Bloomer, was born in Cana- da, March 7, 1844; lived there until about the age of eighteen ; then went to Lewis Co., N. Y., and afterwards came to Chippewa Falls, where he worked in the hardware store of the Union Lumber Co., four years. He came to Bloomer in the Fall of 1878. In December Mr. McMartin formed a business partnership with C. D. Tillinghast, and opened up a full stock of general hardware, afterwards adding a furni- ture department, the style of the firm being McMartin & Co., Mr. Mc- Martin assuming management of the business. He was married in Martintown, Glengary Co., C. W., August 13, 1868, to Miss Christy Ann McKay, of that place. They have four children-William J., John M., Hector and Peter D, the eldest born in Martintown, C. W .; the second in Martinsburg, C. W .; the two latter in Chippewa Falls. Mr. McMar- tin is a member of F. A. A. M., Cornwell Lodge, C. W., 125.

LUDOLPHUS SMITH, P. O. Bloomer, came to Chippewa Falls, May 5, 1867, from Lexington, Mich., where he was born March 12, 1843. His father, Edmund, and his mother, Almira, Smith, moved to Michigan from Vermont, and were both born near Burlington, in that State. Mr. Smith was married in Eau Claire, Dec. 2, 1868, to Miss Alice Knopp, whose parents, Abijah and Jane Knopp, migrated from Pennsylvania to Illinois, and from there came to Chippewa Falls in 1861. Mr. Smith has one child, Eugene, born in Chippewa Falls, July 25, 1869. Mr. Smith has been successfully engaged in the manufacture of lumber for the past ten years, and is a joint owner in Smith's mill at Bloomer. He is also engaged in farming.

FREDERICK W. STEES, merchant, Bloomer, was born in Reeds- burg, Sauk Co, March 21, 1859. In 1867 his father was made penni- less by the "hop crash," and came to Chippewa Falls. Fred found employment in the Union Lumber Co.'s store, as a check boy, and sub- sequently gained a clerkship in the store, remaining there until 1874. The interval to 1877 he spent in Minnesota and in other places. He then came to Bloomer and opened a restaurant and confectionery store on a small scale. In 1880 he entered into business with W. T. Dalton, a wealthy merchant in Chippewa Falls, opening a store in Bloomer, under the style of F. W. Stees & Co., and is doing a flourishing busi- ness in general merchandise. His mother resides with him, while his father is engaged at mining in Arizona. He was married in Bloomer, Dec. 25. 1880, to Miss Kate Rich, of North Freedom, Sauk Co. She was born in Friendship, Adams Co., July 29. 1860. Her parents, Elijah and Mary Rich, reside in North Freedom.

SYLVESTER VAN LOON, P. O. Bloomer, was the first settler in the present site of Bloomer, and at one time owned all the land on which it is situated, locating it in July, 1847. He was born in Sullivan, N. Y., April 27, 1814, and came to Lake Co., Ill., in 1843, living there and in Milwaukee, and returned East and engaged in mercantile busi- ness in Erie, Pa., for about three years, and then came to Sauk County, where he lived until he came to Chippewa County. Was married in Baraboo, November 30th, to Miss Rhoda Ann Eddy, of that place. She died in Bloomer, Aug. 25, 1876. She was born March 25, 1833, in Gen- esee County, N. Y. Mr. Van Loon has five children living-Eva R., Minnie R., Archibald A., Kate I. and Honiers S .; has buried six chil- dren. lle was again married to Mr -. Katie A. Parker, of Bloomer, April 8, 1878. She was born near Wurms, Germany, May 1, 1840. Mr. Van Loon lives in Sec. 9, Town 30 ; is engaged in farming ; owns 440 acres of farming land, and 120 acres of timber land.

JAMES H. WILLIAMS, P. O. Bloomer, has been a resident of Bloomer since the Fall of 1872, having moved from St. Paul. He open-

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HISTORY OF CHIPPEWA COUNTY.

ed up a stock of general hardware, and was appointed Postmaster in 1875, which office he still holds. He was born in Lake Mills, Dec. 18, 1846. His parents, George W. and Melinda Williams, migrated from Leroy, Genessee Co., N. Y., in 1844, and for more than twenty years have lived in Eau Claire. James was married in Chippewa Falls, May 30, 1868, to Miss Allie Parrott, of Eau Claire. She was born in Orange Co., N. Y., in June, 1852. They have three children-Jay, Samuel and James. Mr. Williams went out with the 48th Wis. V. I., Feb. 14, 1865, and, up to the discharge of the regiment, was engaged in frontier ser- vice. Went out as second sergeant, and discharged Dec. 13, 1865, with rank of first sergeant. Was promoted to second lieutenant, but by some accident his commission did not reach him until about two hours after he got his discharge.

CHIPPEWA CITY.

This city, with so many possibilities, which is so much larger on the map than it appears when you get there, has a postoffice, with F. G. Stanley as Postmaster, and there is a semi-weekly mail. There is a saw and shingle mill owned by Stanley Bros. & Co .; a blacksmith shop and a store.

FRENCHTOWN.

This is a little village of residences a short distance down the river on the opposite side.

THE SOUTH SIDE.

The depot is on the south side, and there is a grocery store, a butcher shop, and quite a number of residences. With the accession of business which the new railway will bring, this will be a thriving place after a time.

Saint's Rest, Kismet Lodge, Crescent Cottage, Lucky Lodge, etc. - Summer resorts with the above names, owned by Col. Ginty, Gen. Richardson, L. M. Newman, Dan Seymour, and others, of like appellations, belonging to various par- ties at the Falls, are located about twenty-five miles from town, on the lakes elsewhere alluded to.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM B. BARTLETT, Section 6, P. O. Chippewa Falls, was born in Dorset, Vt., Oct. 8, 1830; was married in that town, Feb. 22, 1853, to Miss Henrietta E. Dunton. Have four children living-Tru- man D., Nettie P., Nora J. and lIenry V. Mrs. Bartlett was born in Dorset, Nov. 17, 1831. Her parents, Henry L. and Clara Dunton, live with them, the former eighty-three years old last May, and the latter eighty-five years old last May. She can still read and sew without the aid of spectacles. Mr. Bartlett's father, Buckley M., and mother, Henrietta Bartlett, the former aged eighty years and the latter seventy-five years, are both remarkably well preserved, and live in Connecticut. Mr. B. started life in the West in a humble way, living then in a small log house, which being the last house on the pinery road, was a convenient stopping-place and their little house often accommodated from twelve to twenty travel- ers over night. Mr. Bartlett commenced farming here with limited means, but his skill and energy has been crowned with success. His farm consists of 320 acres of excellent land, highly improved, and with good buildings. He also has forty acres of timber. Since its organiza- tion, Mr. B. has been president of the Town Fire Insurance Co. in the town of Eagle Point, and has repeatedly held other offices of trust in the town. His eldest son, Truman, resides at home and assists in the management of the farm

JOHN BATES, P. O. Chippewa Falls, has been a resident of Chip- pewa County twenty years. He came here from Waitsfield, Vt., in the Fall of 1861, where he was born June 10, 1830. Was married in Dor- set. Vt., March 27, 1865, to Miss Chloe Ann Bartlett, of the same town, and who was born there Sept. 2, 1833. Mr. Bates's father, Ira, died at the age of eighty-one in February. 1881. They have six children-Sa- lome M., William Jonas, Merton Bartlett, John Putnam, Harriet C. and Earle Ira. Mr. Bates has been one of the directors and secretary of the Town Fire Insurance Co., town of Eagle Point, since its organization, and is secretary of the Pioneer Grange, 222, also deputy master. He owns 192 acres of farming land on Town 29, Section 6, also forty acres of tim- ber land.

EDWARD F. BENNETT, P. O. Chippewa Falls, came from Min- nesota to Chippewa County. Was born in County Meath, Ireland, March 26, 1836. When two years of age, he came with his father to America, locating in Ohio. In 1840, the family moved to Illinois, and when he was nineteen years of age, moved to Minnesota. In 1863 he enlisted in the 2d Minn. V. I., and served to the close of the war, par- ticipated in the battles around Atlanta, and took a hand in the celebrated "chase after Hood," after his attack on Sherman on the 22d of July, 1864. He assisted in burying the brave Gen. McPherson, who fell in

that memorable battle. Mr. Bennett was discharged from the United States General Hospital, Madison, Ind., in May, 1865. Mr. B. was mar- ried in Chippewa Falls, Sept. 26, 1871, by Rev. Father Goldsmith, to Mrs. Julia Doyle, who has three children by former marriage-Hester, Elizabeth and William. Mr. Bennett has four children-John M., Charles Francis, Martha Jane and Mary Catherine. Mr. Bennett for many years engaged in lumbering, but now devotes his entire attention to farming. He and his wife are both members of St. Mary's Church. Lives in Eagle Point, Town 29, Section 20.

LEONARD DIBBLE, P. O. Chippewa Falls, came to this place from Mason City, Iowa, Dec. 6, 1868, where he had resided since the year 1856. When he went to Mason City it was very new, and that Winter was one of the coldest ever experienced. Many froze to death in that section and many narrowly escaped starvation from the want of nearly inaccessible supplies. Mr. Dibble owned a famous span of sorrel horses which he had purchased of Mr. Kuy Earl, of Eldridge, N. Y., and driven through to Iowa, and it was the only team to be found that would face any of the storms and haul supplies over the trackless prairie from Dubuque. Their house was of the most primitive kind and offered but a feeble protection against the rigors of that terrible Winter. They were not able to keep a fire much of the time on account of the snow that melted through the "shake " roof. Most of the time since coming to Wisconsin, Mr. Dibble has been extensively engaged in lumbering, while he and his wife, Elizabeth A. Dibble, own a large amount of farm- ing lands. He spent a part of the season in the Black Hills in 1870, hoping to benefit his shattered health, but with indifferent success. Has one child living, William Leonard, born Jan. 1, 1870. They buried seven children in Mason City, Iowa.

MILO C. DUNTON, P.O. Chippewa Falls, came from Clayton, Jefferson Co., N. Y., to Eagle Point in April, 1873. He was born in Dorset, Vt., April 11, 1829, and married in Clayton, July I, 1852, to Miss Sarah Putnam, of that place, who was born July 30, 1830. They have four children-Athelia A., Alvaro F., Bion P. and Bertie M., all born in Clayton. Mr. Dunton served in the late war as private in the Ist N. Y. Light Artillery, going out in 1863; was on provost duty in Jefferson until January, 1864, when, with his command, he went to the front, and was engaged in the battle of the Wilderness, where he received a severe wound, resulting in the loss of the third finger of the left hand. He was soon after assigned to duty in the Invalid Corps stationed at Washing- ton, until December, when he joined his command, near Petersburgh, and remained in active service up to Lee's surrender, near Appomattox, and was promoted to rank of corporal. In the engagement at the Wil- derness his artillery horses were all shot and all of his drivers wounded, and they were obliged to abandon their guns. After the surrender, in April, 1865, they were ordered to report at Washington, and on the march accidentally cut his foot severely, and narrowly escaped the loss of his foot by gangrene getting into the wound. Was discharged from Campbell, U. S. A. Hospital, at Washington, July 7. 1865. He is a mar- ble cutter by trade, but since coming to Wisconsin has been engaged in farming ; has eighty acres of good land in Eagle Point, on Sec. 32, Town 30. He is a member of the Chippewa County Veteran Soldiers' and Sailors' Association.

PERRY HOPKINS. P. O. Eagleton, came from Williamstown, Orange Co., Vt., to Chippewa County in January, 1866; was born in Williamstown, Feb. 23, 1830, and was married in that place to Miss Elvira M. Simon, March 15, 1855. The parents of Mr. Hopkins, James and Philura Hopkins, were long residents of that town. James Hop- kins was born in Francistown, N. H., April 2, 1791 ; was of Scotch- Irish descent, a large colony from the North of Ireland settling in Fran- cistown, Hopkinton and Londonderry. He died at the age of eighty- three, she living to the age of eighty. Mr. Hopkins has one child, John P., born in Williamstown, May 3, 1857. Mrs. Hopkins's father, John P. Si- mons, died Sept. 12, 1870, at the age of seventy. Her mother, Elizabeth, still lives, and in the Summer of 1880, at the age of seventy-six years, made a round trip from Vermont to Wisconsin alone. Perry Hopkins enlisted in the 10th Vt. V. I. in December, 1863, and went into active service on the Potomac, in January, 1864 ; was engaged in a three days' fight at the battle of the Wilderness, and on the eighth day marched to Spottsylvania, and was engaged in fighting and skirmishing up to the thirteenth ; was severely wounded in the right hip, and the ball afterwards extracted from the left hip. After five months in the Summit Hospital, Philadel- phia, and the hospital at Montpelier, Vt., he joined his command in front of Petersburgh ; fought at Hatche's Run and at Petersburgh. His company went into the fight with twenty-six men, and thirteen were killed and wounded in the engagement. He was discharged from serv- ice July 16, 1865 ; is a member of the Chippewa County Veteran Soldiers' and Sailors' Association, and holds an honorable service commendation, signed by the Governor of Vermont. Hle has a homestead of 160 acres, mostly under cultivation, and other lands near by to the amount of 400 acres. He is proprietor of the blacksmith and wagon shop at Eagleton, employing a number of men ; also of the Nine-Mile House. He lives on Sec. 30, Town 30.

HORACE A. HUTCHINSON, P. O. Chippewa Falls, was born in Dodge County, Jan. 4, 1847. When he was nine years of age his father

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

moved to Juneau County and pre-empted the land upon which the vil- lage of Elroy now stands. Here Mr. H. learned the trade of milier. His health being poor, he quit his trade for four years and engaged in farming. In 1872, with his father, James Hutchinson, he purchased the Eagle Prairie Flouring Mills. Mr. H. was married March 31, 1876, to Miss Mary Jordan, of Elroy, who was born in Milwaukee, Sept. 27, 1851. They have four children-Guy Edward, Alta Allison, Orrin E. and James E. Hutchinson & Son is the style of the firm. The junior member has the management of the mill. The mill has four run of stones.

ANGUS V. McGILVRAY, P. O. Chippewa Falls, left his native place, Glengary Co., Canada West, where he was born Dec. 10, 1830, and came to Wausau in the Winter of 1856, where he lived seven years, most of the time employed in lumbering. In 1859, he went back to Glen- gary, and Oct. IS, 1859, was married to Miss Mary McDonald, daughter of Roderick and Ann McDonald. They were married by Rev. Father McDonald, of Parish St. Raephel's, Glengary, who died in March, 1879, at the advanced age of 103 years. They have six children-John I., Isabel Ann, Roderick P., Blena May, Catherine and Charles F. W. They have lost by death three children-Isabel Ann. died Oct. 13, 1861; Donald E., June 27, 1879, and Augus Duncan, July 4, 1879, both of the two latter dying of scarlet fever. Mr. and Mrs. McGilvray are both members of St. Mary's Church, Chippewa Falls, Rev. Father Goldsmith, pastor. Mr. McGilvray has worked in the lumber woods every Winter, with one exception, since sixteen years of age, both in Canada and Wis- consin. He has worked on the river in the Spring, driving logs, and is one of the most experienced drivers on the Chippewa River.

NELSON SELLERS, P. O. Chippewa Falls, was born in Nova Scotia, July 7, 1839. He moved from his birth-place to Jowa in 1860. Remaining there one year, he came to Chippewa County, where he has since remained. He was married in Eau Claire, Oct. 1, 1867, to Miss Christia Ann Stewart, of Chippewa Falls, whose native place was Dale- husa, Canada East. They have six children living-Seth P., Forest N., Lillie A., Elmer E., Perley M. and Nina, all born in the town of Eagle Point, Chippewa Co. Mr. Sellers has been extensively engaged in lum- bering and farming for many years, and at this time is in the same busi- ness. He owns one of the finest of the many fine farms on Eagle Prairie.

GEORGE R. SHAW, farmer, Town 29, Sec. 29, Eagle Point Town- ship, was born in Fairlee, Orange Co., Vt., Jan. 12, 1832. He came to Wisconsin in the Spring of 1855, and in May of that year came to Eau Claire County and located near the village, and engaged in farming, working in the Iumbering woods in the Winter for several years. He was married April 29, 1860, to Mrs. Margaret E. A. Farrar, of Eau Claire, a native of Maine. They have three children-Albion W., born in Lafayette, Chippewa Co., Feb. 4, 1861 ; Perley W., born in the same town May 27. 1863, and Henry O., born in Rock Falls, Dunn Co., Aug. 13, 186 ;. For several years Mr. Shaw has successfully devoted his atten- tion to farming. and is living on a well-improved farm of eighty acres, two miles north of Chippewa Falls. He also owns forty acres of tim- ber in the town of Eagle Point. Postoffice address, Chippewa Falls.

EDWIN B. SMITH, P. O. Eagleton, was born in Richburgh, Al- legany Co., N. Y., Jan. 6, 1843, where he resided until the Spring of 1864, when he went to Kansas, Lyon Co., and where his parents now live. He came back to Wisconsin after a stay in Kansas, during which time the grasshoppers disputed his claims. Ile settled in Eagle Point and commenced farming. Was married in Richburgh, N. Y., August 15. 1861, to Miss Garphelia A. Maxon, of that place. She was born in that place July 26, 1843. They have six children - Mary E., Alice, Cassius M., Arthur S, Austin H. and Jessie I. Occupation farm ; lives on Town 30, Sec. 30. Mr. Smith enlisted in the 85th N. Y., V. I. in 1860, Com- pany C in the 6th Corps. The regiment entered into active service in the Spring of 1861. Mr. S. was engaged in the battle of Fair Oaks, Va., and took in the attack of Norfolk, was afterward transferred to the band of 85th, and when that was disbanded he was discharged from the serv- ice. Is a member of I. O. O. F., Lodge 81, Hartford, Kan.

J. HENRY SMITHI, P. O. Chippewa Falls, moved to this place from Summit, Waukesha Co., in the Fall of 1858, where he had lived from IS42. He was born in Connought, Ohio, Nov. 17, 1839. His parents, Moses Reed and Laura Smith, reside with him. His father was a native of Vermont, born Jan. 4, 1797. His (stepmother) was born Sept. 4, 1810. They both are remarkably well preserved, mentally and physically. His maternal grandmother is also a member of his household at the age of nearly ninety four years, mentally strong and until within a year could see plainly to read and sew without the use of spectacles; at the age of eighty years she journeyed from Boston to Chippewa Falls without com- plaining of fatigue ; she had two uncles who served in the Revolution. Moses Smith, one of the very early settler of Merton, Waukesha Co., com- ing through from Ohio and moved into a small log house, one room be- low and one above, with a Mr. Cheney and family consisting of eleven members, and Mr. Smith's further increasing it to eighteen members. This was in December, 1843, and there was considerable snow on the ground. In a week Mr. Smith got up a house of his own and moved

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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