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 60
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into it. Mr. Smith and his father carried on a blacksmith and wagon shop until 1861, when they exchanged their property for real estate-the place on which they now live. Mr. Smith is a member of the Pioneer Grange, 222, Eagle Point. Lives in town of Eagle Point on Sec. 5, Town 29. Has 380 acres of excellent land.
FREDERICK G. STANLEY, P.O. Chippewa City, was born in Can- andaigua, N. Y., March 1, 1824, and when twenty-one years of age went to Baraboo, Sauk Co., in this State. He was one of the very early pioneers of that place and lived there until May, 1870, when he moved to Chippewa Falls, his family following him in the Fall of that year. He there purchased the Chippewa City Lumber Mill and has been continu- ously engaged in manufacturing lumber. The mill is located on O'Neil Creek and is one of the finest and most secure water powers to be found, and has a capacity of manufacturing 4,000,000 feet in the season, beside a large amount of shingle and lath. A large farm and store is run in connection with the mill, which employs from thirty to thirty-five hands. Mr. Stanley is also Postmaster at that place. His son, Charles, ably seconds him in the management of his business. The parents of Mr. Stanley, Whitney D. and Mariah Stanley, soon followed their son west, and in 1848 purchased in Vienna, Dane Co., 700 acres of land, where they opened up a fine farm and lived until 1877, when the father died at an advanced age, the mother preceding him about two years. Mr. Stantey was married in Baraboo, Sept. 30, 1846, to Miss Julia Netha- way, who came from Canandaigua by canal to Buffalo and around the lakes to Milwaukee and thence by stage to Baraboo. They have four chil- dren-Charles Augustus, Isabel M., Clara M. and Ida May, all born in Baraboo. Mr. Stanley is a member of the F. A. M. Lodge 34, Baraboo.
CHARLES V. SWEENEY, Chippewa City, is a native of that place, born there Oct. 16, 1854. His father, Simeon C. Sweeney, came to Chippewa City in the Spring of 1850, from Black River Falls, Jack- son Co., where he had lived for several years previous. His mother, Elizabeth A., following in 1853. Mr. S. was married July 4, 1876, to Miss Adeline M. McCann, of Jim's Falls, Chippewa Co. The parents of Mrs. Sweeney, Daniel and Margaret McCann, were among the earliest settlers in Chippewa City, or the Falls, coming there from Dubuque, lowa, in 1839. It was Daniel McCann who purchased for a sack of corn an eagle of an Indian at Lake Flambeau on the Chippewa River, brought the bird to Eau Claire and sold him to Mills Jeffreys, who in turn pre- sented him to Capt. Perkins of the 8th Wis. It was "Old Abe" who fol- lowed the fortunes of the "Eighth" through the entire war and who died in Madison in 1881. Mr. Sweeney left school at the age of fourteen years, and from that period has constantly been engaged in the various depart- ments of lumbering. Is a lumber scaler.
JAMES H. WOODRUFF, farmer, Town 29, Sec. 8, Range 8, Eagle Point, was born in Triangle, Broome Co., N. Y., March 28, 1822 ; came to Wisconsin in the Fall of 1843, stopping in Waukesha County, and the following Spring commenced farming, teaching school in the Winter. In the Spring of 1846, he went to Winnebago County, and pre-empted 160 acres of land in the town of Utica, subsequently entering at the United States land office in Green Bay. In the Spring of 1856, he came to Chippewa County and settled on Eagle Prairie, now Eagle Point, purchasing 200 acres of land partially improved ; subsequently adding three large farms. Mr. Woodruff entered somewhat extensively into farming and lumbering with varying success. In 1868, in company with I. B. Taft, he erected a saw-mill on Drywood Creek, a tributary to Yel- low River, and manufactured lumber until 1871, when his mill was de- stroyed by fire. He then retired from lumhering, selling all his real es- tate except forty acres of his homestead to his two sons, Charles and A. N. Woodruff, embracing 320 acres of the home farm, 360 acres of mea- dow land in town of Anso on the Drywood and 320 acres of timber and other lands in the town. He was married in Omro, Wis., March 17, 1851, to Miss Alzina Joslin. She was born in Waitsfield, Vt., Nov. 7, 1831, They have four children - Charles E., Adelbert N., Ella D. and Flora M., the latter born in Eagle Point, the three former in Winnebago County.
AUBURN.
The settlement in the town of Auburn was made in Cook's Valley. In May, 1858, Zerah C. Willis and Jacob Cook each entered or pre-empted 160 acres on Section 28, in Town 30, Range 10 west. The following Spring, Mr. Willis broke the first ground on his land, which he now oc- cupies. William Saves came into the valley in July, and erected a cabin, and two weeks later John Emerick took land and commenced breaking, turning over sixty-five acres of sod. Mr. Willis plowed forty-five and Mr. Saves twenty- five acres. William C. Miller was the first Postmaster, his commission bearing date July 23, 1870. Mr. Miller resign ing, Z. C. Willis was appointed his successor, June 8, 1871, and held the office until December, 1877, when he resigned,
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HISTORY OF CHIPPEWA COUNTY.
and Charles E. Smith was appointed. These changes were not on account of wrangling by aspirants to get the office, but to get rid of it. The town, which is twelve miles long by six in width, has another post-office, named Vale, estab- lished in 1878, Mr. James Warren taking the office May 8. The early settlers were somewhat troubled by unseasonable visits from Indians. At one time a large deputation visited Mr. Willis's house during his absence in the field. He was a single man then, and, like a prudent man, when he went to the field to work, locked up his house. The Indians robbed him of about $30 worth of clothing and provisions. Among other things, they bagged up a lot of corn and car- ried it away. Mr. W. and others of his neighbors gave pursuit, but, although getting on their trail, never recovered his property, though he got some blankets and berries which the Indians in their flight had left on a bluff.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ADELBERT P. McWETHY, farmer, Sec. 16, P. O. Cook's Valley, was born in Machias, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Feb. 11, 1847; came to Wisconsin in his infancy, his father moving to Dane County. For sev- eral years up to 1870, Mr. McWethy lived in Leon, Monroe Co., when he moved to Auburn, Chippewa Co., where he has since resided, pur- chasing 160 acres of unimproved land, which is now all in good state of cultivation. good buildings, etc. He was married April 6, 1871, to Miss Henrietta Prill, of Leon. She was a native of Lonnenburg, Germany, coming to America with her parents when six years of age; born Aug. 23, 1846. They have one child, Dora Blanche, born in Auburn, Aug. 19, 1876. Mr. McWethy has held the offices of Town Treasurer and Town Clerk.
WILLIAM C. MILLER, farmer, Town 30, Sec. 28, P. O. Cook's Valley, was born in Cincinnati, Dec. 25, 1829 ; left Ohio when twenty- two years of age, and lived in Indiana four years, then moved to Minne- sota, where he engaged in farming for eleven years. He enlisted in Wazioga, in September, 1863, entering the 2d Minn. Cavalry, Co. K. This command went to Ft. Snelling, and from that date was engaged in frontier duty. On the fourth day of January, 1864, he was commissioned quartermaster sergeant for Co. K. They were stationed for a while at Ft. Wadsworth, and there, in addition to his routine duties, was en- gaged as clerk in the Indian Agency ; was discharged from service in the Spring of 1866. He came to Auburn, Chippewa Co., in the Fall of 1869, and commenced farming. He now has a farm of 160 acres, highly improved and excellent buildings. He was the first Postmaster in Cook's Valley, his appointment dating July 23, 1870. He was married in Mid- dletown, Ohio, in 1856, to Miss Charlotte Webb, of that place, where she was born May 9, 1832. They have four children living-William E., Effenger, Fernando McMurray and Linda May; lost three children in 1876, all within a space of two weeks, by diphtheria. One son, William E., was married to Miss Ann Mix, Aug. 17, 1873.
CHARLES E. SMITH, farmer, P. O. Cook's Valley, was born in Owego, Tioga Co., N. Y., March 8, 1843. He came with his parents, J. M. and Experience Smith, to Sparta in 1855, where the family lived until the death of his father, Dec. 25, 1863, he dying on his birth-day. Charles left home at the age of seventeen, to seek his fortune, going to Minnesota, and for most of the time up to August, 1861, was engaged as salesman in Austin, Minn. He enlisted in the 4th Minn. V. I .; was immediately commissioned hospital steward, dating from his enlistment. He had studied medicine for two years, and was acting assistant surgeon for a year up to July 9, 1863, when he was commissioned second lieu- tenant of the 56th U. S. Inf. of the regular army. In November follow- ing, was promoted to first lieutenant, and in April, 1864, was promoted to captain, acting much of the time as ordnance sergeant and post- quartermaster. While acting in the latter capacity, he built one and a half miles of railroad, near Duvall's Bluff, for government survice. Up to the close of the war he was actively engaged in campaign service in the Southwest department. May 16, 1864. in Helena, Ark., Mr. Smith was married to Miss Bettie E. Williams, of Huntsville, Ala. She was a native of Alabama, born June 19, 1848. They have four children- Willie H., Minnie Jane, Annie and Frank. The twoeldest were born in Sparta, the two youngest in Auburn. He purchased the homestead in Sparta in the Spring of 1864, leaving his widowed mother on the place for three years. In the Spring of 1871. he came to Auburn and pur- chased 200 acres of wild land in Town 30, Sec. 16. This he has well improved ; also 120 acres of unimproved farming land, and forty acres of pine land. He was appointed Postmaster at Cook's Valley in Decem- ber, 1877. IIe is now holding the office of Town Clerk for the town of Auburn for the fifth successive term.
LEONARD VON ESCIIEN, farmer, Sec. 11, P. O. Bloomer, was born in Telsburg, Switzerland, on the banks of the Upper Rhine, Sept. 28, 1828. When eighteen years of age, came with his father to Amer-
ica, going directly to Sauk County. In 1848, he went to Jenny Ball Falls, on the Wisconsin River, there being only two houses there at that time, and those of the most primitive sort. Ile lived there until 1856, a portion of the time employed in the various capacities as a lumber work- man, but latterly manufacturer of lumber. He came to Auburn in 1873, since which time he has been engaged in farming. He purchased 16712 acres of land, which is now well improved. He was married in Jenny, Wis., June 18, 1854, to Miss Sally O. Putnam, of that place. She was born in Hyde Park, Vt., May 29. 1838. They have four children- George M., Esther U., John P. and Emma L. All the children except George were born in Chippewa County ; he was born in Newport. When Mr. Von Eschen came to America he could not speak a word of English, nor did he ever attend school in this country. He has served four years as Chairman of the Board ; three successive terms Town Treasurer, and Town Clerk two terms. In 18So, he was appointed one of the Commissioners to investigate and correct all the county records of Chippewa County. IIe was also one of the Commissioners to settle between Chippewa and Clark counties when Taylor County was formed from them. He is a member of the Auburn Grange, No. 270, also of Bloomer Temple of Honor, No. 201.
CADOTT.
This is a rapidly growing village on the south bank of the Yellow River, and on the Wisconsin Central Railroad, about fifteen miles above Chippewa Falls. The census of 1880 returns the number of inhabitants as fifty. At this writing, August 1, 1881, there are 500.
Mr. Robert Marriner is the oldest permanent settler there, and is the Postmaster. He built a flour mill there fifteen years ago, now run by Marriner & Lockwood. It supplies the local trade. The capacity of the mill is-sur- facer, 50,000 feet per day ; matcher, 10,000. Cummings is also a contractor and builder.
Melester & Clark, spoke and hub factory, employ eighty men, using oak and birch woods. A flouring mill built seven years ago is now owned by E. B. Luce. It has two run of stones.
Steam Saw Mill, Howeison & Wetherlee. There is also a tannery across the river.
There are in the place three general merchandise stores, one flour and feed store, one drug store, one hardware store, one gunsmith, one boot and shoe store, two black- smiths, two hotels, one physician, and other concomitants of a thriving village.
In the vicinity is an enormous amount of hard wood.
Manufacturing .- Planing, sash, door and blind mill, Mathew J. Cummings, employs from twelve to fifteen hands. Is run by water ten hours a day.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SOLOMON R. KAISER, merchant, Postmaster, Cadott, was born in Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 3, 1845. Came to Irving, Jackson Co., in 1860. He joined the 4th Wis. Cav., Co. I, in Gen. Grierson's Div., enlisting in LaCrosse, Wis., in August, 1863. Participated in Grierson's raid through Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia, in the Sum- mer of 1864. From early in 1863, their regiment did not have a single continnous week of rest up to close of the War. Mr. Kaiser was with his command all through, after he enlisted, and was discharged in Vicks- burgh, June 17, 1865, after which he returned to LaCrosse. He soon after went to Jackson County, and engaged in lumbering, which he fol- lowed four years. He was married in Irving, Jackson Co., Aug. 18, 1867, to Miss Mary E. Oaks of that place. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1845, and died in Cadott, July 12, 1877. leaving three children -Clayton P., Lois Ann and Maggie May. Mr. Kaiser remarried, in Edson, March 16, 1879, to Miss Ninetta Yourell, of Edson. He was one of the early settlers of the village, locating there in 1872. There were, in all, only seven buildings in the place at that time. Aug. 23, 1873, a Post Office was established there, and Robert Marriner was appointed Postmaster, and Mr. Kaiser was appointed Deputy, and has had the entire management of the office since. He was elected Town Clerk in 1874, and was elected four successive terms, and one year Chairman of the Town Board. Soon after his advent to Cadott, he entered into mercantile business in a limited way. Ile has since erected a large store building, and opened up with full stock of general mer- chandise. He owns forty acres of land near the village, four business lots.
E. B. LUCE, manufacturer, Cadott, was born in Cincinnatus, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1839 ; came to Chippewa Falls in the Fall of 1870, and im-
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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.
mediately entered into the employ of the Union Lumber Co., as sales- man in their store, having charge of the boot and shoe and jewelry departments. He continued in their employ and their successors', A. E. Pound & Co., for eight years. In 1879 he purchased of H. L. Smith & Co. their stave factory in Cadott, and has since prosecuted that business, employing a portion of the season from fifteen to twenty men. He en- listed in the Fall of 1861, in the 20 N. Y. Light Artillery, which was soon changed to Heavy Artillery, doing fort dutv at Ft. Worth and Ft. Bennet most of the time until the Spring of 1864. when they entered into field service, doing infantry duty. He took an active part in the Battle of Spottsylvania. Talapotomy, North Ann, Cold Harbor, Peters- burgh, Deep Bottom and Ream's Station, where he was taken prisoner and confined in the Old Libby for about two weeks. He was transferred to Pemberton, thence to Bell Island Prison, remaining prisoner in all about three months, finishing his three years term of service in prison. He was then paroled on account of sickness, and afterwards exchanged and discharged, Dec. 9, 1864. He was promoted to corporal in 1862, and to sergeant in 1864. He was married in Chippewa Falls, in June, 1881, to Miss Kate Richardson of that place.
ROBERT MARRINER, Cadott, was born in Milton, Northum- berland Co., Penn., June 11, 1830, and came from Alleghany City, Penn., to Eau Claire in the Spring of 1853, He was employed in the saw-mill of Hope, Stone & Randall for about two months, and then came to Chippewa Falls, and run a boot and shoe manufactory for H. S. Allen for about a year. He was then engaged in rafting for one Summer, and in the Fall of 1855 he took a contract to haul in and raft logs down the river to Wabasha. In the Summer of 1856 he was employed in keel- boating lumber to Wabasha and bringing supplies back until July, 1856, when a steamboat was put on the river, taking the place of a keel-boat in carrying freights. Mr. Marriner engaged in logging and Iumbering most of the time (except 1862, when he was in the boot and shoe busi- ness), until 1866, when he went to Cadott Falls and built a saw-mill. In the Summer of 1874 he built a grist-mill there, and, in 1875, he laid out the town of Cadott, the village originally containing twenty-five acres. Mr. Marriner has since laid ont two additions. He was Sheriff in 1859-60 ; Provost-marshal of Chippewa County, and at large for two years ; Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors of the town of Sigel for ten years, and Chairman of the County Board for three successive years. He was married in Chippewa Falls in November 1860, to Elanor Norway, who was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. They have one child living-Charles -- and have lost three children, who died in infancy, and one son, William, who died in January, 1881, aged sixteen years.
CHAUNCEY K. MILLIOUS, lumherman, Cadott, was born in El- bridge, N. Y., Onondaga Co., Oct. 13, 1842. Came to Cadott, Wis., in December, 1874, and has since been engaged in lumbering. He enlisted in the 10th Mich. Cav. in December, 1864, in Gen. Loneman's brigade, operating in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, chiefly, in action on several occasions, and was discharged with his regiment, in Jackson, Mich., in September, 1865. He had been a resident of Michigan several years, going there at the age of twenty-three years. Was married in Elbridge, N. Y., July 4, 1860, to Miss Mary J. Otmun, of Marcellus, N. Y., where she was born in 1840. She died Aug. 20, 1870, leaving four children-Emma G., Cora E., Nora O., Phillip C. Mr. Millious was again married, in Saugatuck, Oct. 5, 1871, to Mrs. Lucy (Babbitt) Gatus. Has by this marriage two children - Albert C. and Charles E., both born in Cadott.
JOHN P. WALL, attorney, Cadott, was born in Hampden, Mass., Aug. 7, 1850. His father, Edward Wall, is an extensive woolen mann- facturer of that place. When fifteen years of age he entered Munson Academy, and, after three years preparatory study, entered the Holy Cross College, at Worcester, Mass., where he remained nearly four years, when he entered the law office of Ashmun, Leonard & Wells, in Spring- field, Mass., and there prosecuted his studies until March, 1872, when he was admitted to the Bar in the Circuit and Supreme Court of the States, and entered into active practice. 11e was reared in the old school of democracy and has always been a Democrat. In 1873 he was a Demo- cratic candidate for the State Legislature for the Springfield district, but was beaten by five votes only, though in a district largely Republican. Mr. Wall followed his profession in Springfield, Mass., until May, 1880, when he came to Chippewa Falls, and there lived until June, 1881, when he located in ('adott, where he is building up a good practice. He was married in New Haven, Conn., Jan. 9, 1868, to Miss Sally Herrity, of New Haven, where she was born, Aug. 25. 1852. She was a graduate of St. Mary's Convent, Montreal. They have three children.
CARTWRIGHT'S MILL.
The first settlement in this place in the Town of Auburn was made by David W. and David J. Cartwright, father and son, in June, 1875. They began to erect a steam saw-mill, which was completed in December, of that year, and put in operation. D. J. Cartwright, on the 12th of that month, moved his family into a small shanty, most hastily erected.
This was the first family here. The machinery for the mill was purchased in Chicago, of the Rochester Manufacturing Company, shipped by rail to Eau Claire, and from there hauled by teams a distance of forty miles. For several miles the men were obliged to cut their road through. The place has a weekly mail service, established in May, 1879, Perry Sweet, Postmaster. The mill has a capacity of 14,000 of lumber and 20,000 shingles, per twelve hours. There is also a spoke factory, with machinery for cutting felloes at- tached. Two years ago the elder Cartwright disposed of his undivided half interest in the mill to C. M. Tarr. The style of the present firm is Cartwright & Co. A school dis- trict has just been established. There is one store here, operated by the company. The Seventh Day Baptist So- ciety has erected a church. The town is located in a heavily timbered country. The Northern Wisconsin Railroad is being built through the place.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
DAVID J. CARTWRIGHT, lumberman, Cartwright, was born in Amity, Allegany Co., N. Y., Aug. 12, 1836. When about six years of age he came, with his father's family, to Jefferson Co., Wis. In August, 1864, he enlisted as a recruit in the Ist Wis. Heavy Artillery, Co. L, the command doing service at Ft. Lyon, near Alexandria, and other forts in that vicinity ; was discharged July 13, 1865, atMilwaukee. Was married in Bloomer. April 9, 1859, to Miss Martha J. Putman. She was a native of Johnstown, Rock Co. They have six children-H. May, S. Belle, Panl H., Frank O., Ettie, St. Clair. Mr. Cartwright is joint owner of Cartwright & Co.'s saw-mill and 1,040 acres of pine and hardwood lands in Chippewa and Barron counties.
CHARLES M. TARR, lumberman, Cartwright, was born in Low- ell, Mass., Jan. 2. 1848. When six years old came with his father to Barton, Washington Co. In 1857, his father moved into Tarr Valley, Monroe Co., he being the first settler in that valley. In 1878 Charles M. purchased of David W. Cartwright a half interest in Cartwright's mill, and entered into the lumbering business. He was married in Tunnel City, Jan. 19, 1872, to Miss Albima A. Winship, of that place. She was born in Little, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., April 28, 1850, and in 1854, with her parents, came to Wisconsin. They have five children- Nathan W., William J., Jessie A., Delia E. and Charles A. All, except Charles, were born in Monroe County. Mr. Tarr is a joint owner of upwards of 1,000 acres of timber land in Chippewa and Barron counties; also owns 400 acres of cranberry land in Monroe County, near Valley Junction.
BADGER MILLS.
This place, on the Chippewa, about six miles down the river from the Falls, was formerly called the Blue Mills. The first mill built here was by Arthur McCann and J. C. Thomas, in 1843.
McCann had married Rosalie De Marie, and kept a public house at Dunnville, down the river. He was shot by a fellow by the name of Sawyer, who had been employed by McCann and Thomas in building the mill. Steve S. McCann took his brother's interest in the mill. Mr. T. E. Randal subsequently owned the mill, or an interest in it, and his logs were all swept away in the freshet of 1847. The mill is now owned by the Badger State Lumber Co. The mill has one gang, one rotary, and a shingle-mill. The capacity is about 10,000,000 feet a year. There is a gen- eral merchandise store in the place, carried on by the com- pany ; a school house is also also used for stated Methodist preaching. There are about thirty families, and seventy- five men are employed by the company, making a total pop- ulation of 175. There is a station on the railroad between Eau Claire and the Falls, near the village.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Z. C. WILLIS, farmer, P.O. Cook's Valley, was born in Bennington, N.V., Dec. 12, 1831, and came with his father to Wisconsin in 1844, set- tling in Delevan, where he lived five years, when they removed to Mar- quette County. Mr. Willis, with Mr. Jacob Cook, came into what was subsequently called Cook's Valley, in Chippewa County, in 1858, and the next year moved into the Valley, entering 160 acres of land where he has since resided-himself and Mr. Cook being the first settlers there. He was married in Bloomer, Oct. 26, 1862, to Miss Sarah S. Storrs, of
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
that place. Mrs. Willis is a native of Trenton, N.Y., born Oct. 29, 1834, and came to Wisconsin in 1847. Her parents, Calvin and Mary G. (Wells) Storrs, soon following. Mrs. Willis, on the maternal side, is a relative of Hon. Gideon Wells, as seen by the "History of the Wells Family." Mr. Willis' parents, Robert V. and Eliza Willis, at an ad- vanced age, live on a small farm near their son. Mr. Willis has two children-Engene Wells and Frederick Storrs, both born in Cook's Val- ley. Mr. Willis has 280 acres of land in his home farm, mostly under a good state of cultivation, and excellent buildings ; also a farm near by, containing 200 acres, all fenced, and half of it improved; and another farm of 160 acres, well improved, besides sixty acres of timber. Mr. and Mrs. Willis are charter members of Auburn Grange, No. 270, and the entire family are charter members of Cook's Valley Good Templar Lodge, No. 339.
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