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 67

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 67

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The earliest settlers about Greenwood included, Elijah Eaton, S. C. Honeywell, Samuel Lambert, C. W. Carpenter, George Huntzicker, Jacob Huntzicker, Jones Tompkins, George Christie, and others, who ventured into this section at various periods from 1847 to 1863, where they engaged in farming, lumbering and other pursuits. Stephen C. Honeywell came in about 1862, and opening a farm on the present site of the village, engaged extensively in agricul- ture and logging, which he conducted successfully and profitably. About 1867, the question of laying out a vil- lage contiguous to lumbering operations began to be first mooted, but no decisive action looking to that object was then inaugurated. This ran along for several years without efforts being made, until supplies, which had been pre- viously purchased at Neillsville and Black River Falls, were accessible in the vicinity of Greenwood, when the long de- bated subject was decided favorably to enterprise, and the preparations made to begin the founding of the village.

On the 6th of June, 1871, William Welsch surveyed and platted Greenwood, and with the disposition of these pre- liminaries, lots were purchased and improvements. The number of domiciles then visible was limited to the log houses and frame structures of settlers who had located before a village was even remotely considered, and it was some time before offers made by owners of lots were availed of by purchasers. In 1872, very few located here, and among these, possible, doubtless, Mrs. B. F. Brown, who opened the first store. The following year, A. S. Eaton removed to Greenwood from Black River Falls and opened a hardware store, at the same time officiating as Postmaster, The same year, Frank Pfeiffer emi-

grated to Wisconsin from Germany, and settled in Green- wood. A. W. Bailey, who had carried on a business of manufacturing sash, doors, blinds, etc., at Black River Falls, established himself at Greenwood, as did Louis Rossman, a mechanic from Sheboygan, and some others. In about 1874, Dr. G. H. Thomas opened a drug store. Warners, Hunts, Bowermans and a large proportion of the inhabitants who have since remained in the village made their first advent here. August 6th of the following year, North Greenwood, composing thirty-two lots, was surveyed and added to the original survey, but as yet is but indiffer- ently built up. Six years before, a religious society had been organized among the residents of the surrounding country, and in 1877, the Methodist Church edifice, one of the largest and most conveniently arranged in the county was built and dedicated. During this period services had been held in the school-house, which is an inference be- yond dispute, that the cause of education had not been neglected, and other interests had been conserved and pro- tected with equal care and diligence, the happy effect of which is apparent to the casual visitor of to-day.

Though young, Greenwood is claimed to be most desira- bly located. In the center of a rich farming country, cov- ered with the fruit of man's labors in arable fields under fence, with more than ordinarily good buildings and in some instances elegant dwellings, erected in view of the passer, the support thus obtained will be invaluable. The same can be said of the logging and lumber interests.

The first birth to occur after the village was laid off, is claimed as that of Maude Brown; the first marriage, John Honeywell and Rachel Hodges, in the Fall of 1871; and the first death, Elijah Eaton, December 4, 1872.

The first school in the vicinity was taught by David Hoseley, in a log cabin, the site of which is now occupied by Warner's store. This was during the war and the roster of pupils was limited to children of the Eaton and Honey- well families, with those of John Dwyer's family, all told, not exceeding a baker's dozen. From this place it was re- moved to Robert Schofield's log house, still standing, and when the village was surveyed, the building now occupied, adjoining George Slater's residence, was adopted. During the Summer of 1881, a new building of frame, designed for a graded school, was commenced and completed that same Fall, costing, furnished, a total of $7,000.

For the scholastic year ending in June, 1881, the expense incident to the support of the school during the year had been $650. One teacher was employed, and the Board was made up of Elias Peterson, director; W. F. Armstrong, secretary ; and S. M. Andrews, treasurer.

Hercules Lodge, No. 181, I. O. O. F., was organized in August, 1870, at Staffordville, where it worked until 1876, when its removal to Greenwood was accomplished. At that time the officers were: W. H. Mead, N. G .; Robert Schofield, V. G .; Henry Peck, secretary; and John Hoyt, treasurer. In 1879, the lodge erected a building nearly opposite the Methodist Church, where meetings, which are convened regularly every Saturday evening, are held. The present officers are : Elias Peterson, N. G .; George McCon- nell, V. G .; W. J. Armstrong, secretary ; John Stewart, treas- urer. The present roster has sixty members, and lodge property is represented at $800.

Frontier Lodge, No. 372, I. O. G. T., was organized in the Winter of 1879 with thirteen members and the follow- ing officers : W. J. Armstrong, W. C. T .; Miss Elizabeth Andrews, W. V. T .; H. W. Hunt, W. R. S .; Charles Barber, chaplain ; Mrs. M. A. Hunt, W. T .; Joseph Hodges, mar- shal; and L. M. Stevens, P. W. C. T. Within the next two years, the order grew in numbers and strength, and in the Summer of 1881, enjoyed the support of seventy-three mem-

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

bers, who renewed their resolutions to avoid liquor drinking, on Friday evenings, and owned property valued at $100. At that period, the officers were : L. R. Warner, W. C. T .; Thomas Miller, Jr., A. F. McMahon and Mrs. J. F. Bailey, secretaries ; Mrs. Hannah Bowman, chaplain ; Miss Hattie Miller, treasurer; and John Miller, marshal.

Greenwood Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the Winter of 1869, with a small membership, under the auspices of the Rev. Mr. Bushnell, and held services at long intervals in the school-house until 1877. In that year, the present church edifice was completed and dedicated. The cost of the structure was $3,600. The congregation at present numbers seventy-five members, under the pastorate of the Rev. C. C. Swartz.

Neillsville Cemetery was laid out, in about 1867 or '68, on two acres of half a mile west of the village and near Black River. It is used as a burial place for the dead of Eaton and Warren townships, and is under the control of the town officers.

Post-office was first opened in 1873, with B. F. Brown as Postmaster, who remained in charge until 1880, when he was relieved by A. S. Eaton. The latter is still in the ser- vice.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

W. J. ARMSTRONG, contractor and johber, Greenwood. Born in Erie Co., Penn., Feb, 23, 1835. At an early age, moved to Milwaukee, where he went to school ; the next move was to Green Bay, Brown County, where he remained till 1849; then to Appleton ; there, was employed in laying plank road, and in 1852, arrived in LaCrosse, but found that the Indians had small-pox, started to lumbering on the Black River, and been in the woods since; his father died in California in 1856, and he was the support of the family from that time. He located on the farm where he now lives, in 1875, just out of Greenwood, on Sec. 35. He married, in 1856, Miss Julia M. Smith of LaCrosse County They have four children- Addie, now Mrs. J. Broiden, Allen, Charles. and Edith. Mr. A. has served as Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace ; belongs to the Good Templars, and the Temple of Honor. In 1864, enlisted in 53rd Wis. V., and was mustered out in September, 1865.

G. B. BEGLEV, son of W. H. Begley, P. O. Greenwood. Was born in Western Canada in 1854 ; came to Greenwood with his family in 1869. His father was a lumberman, and in 1870, built the first part of his hotel, and put on the last addition in 1871. In 1879, he went to the Black Hills, where he remains, leaving G. B. to look after the property. Since coming here, to Greenwood, he has been engaged about the hotel, except when he clerked for B. F. Brown. On this occasion his health failed, and he took a trip to the mountains. Coming home with restored health, he clerked for Warner, and is now engaged in refitting the hotel. George B. has one brother : Thomas R., and a sister : Eliza, now Mrs. E. H. Carpenter. Mr. B. is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

BROWN & HUNT, general merchandise, Greenwood. These gentlemen have been associated in business since 1876, The business, as a grocery, was formerly owned by Mr. J. Brown. He was born near Nurdorls Glasswork, Norway, July 10, 1824 ; came to America, and to Greenwood in 1874; sold a half of the business to Mr. Hunt. H. W. Hunt was born in Grant Co., Wis., Nov. 5, 1852. During his majority, he has been engaged at different callings; having learned the milling business, he tried that. He then went into the drug-store line ; after- ward taught school in Monroe Co., Wis. This was in the Winter of 1874-75. He then came here in 1876, and bought in with Mr. John Brown. In 1873, he married Miss Mary Joscelin, of Columbia Co., Wis. They have two children, Clarence N., and the infant, not yet named. Mr. H. is now Notary Public. He belongs to the M. E. Church, and is a member of the Temple of Honor, and the Good Templars.

A. S. EATON, merchant, Greenwood. Born in Merrimac Co. N. If., Aug. 13, 1840. When the war broke out, enlisted in Co. H., 2nd N. A. Vol. He was transferred to the Ioth N. H .. and was mustered from the service as captain, in 1865. He then went to Black River Ealls, opening a tin and hardware shop, where he remained until 1871, when his stock was burned. He lost $24,000. He then moved to Greenwood, where he now has a large hardware store, carrying a stock of $7,000, and doing a business of $20,000. In 1868, he married Miss Emeline A. Bran, of Black River Falls. They have a family of two children, Viola A. and Freddie. Mr. E. has served as Town Clerk and Town Treasurer ; is now Notary Public and Postmaster. He belongs to the Masonic lodge.

GEORGE HUNTZICKER, farmer, Sec. 22, P.O. Greenwood, born in Alsace, Germany, Aug. 29, 1831, learned the weaver's trade before coming to America ; landed in 1850, and went to Litchfield Co., Conn.,

and worked in a woolen mill there for three years; then he paid New York a visit, went back to Connecticut and worked in a woolen mill till 1856, when he came to Washington Co., Wis., then to Clark County and bought Government land for himself and brother. He is now well established, being engaged in farming, and, in 1878, having put up a cheese factory, which he now operates. In 1861, he married Miss Mar- garet Myres, of Germany. They have four children - Mary, Frank, George and Elsie. Mr. Huntzicker has served as Supervisor, and also in other town offices.

HENRY HUNTZICKER, farmer, Sec. 15, P.O. Greenwood, born in Prussia, Germany, Nov. 8, 1833, learned the trade of weaver in his native land. When he came to America, he went into a woolen mill in Litchfield, Conn. This was in the same mill with his brothers. He staid one year and then went into a foundry at Ferryville, and then into the woolen business at Plymouth ; came to Wisconsin with his brother, George, and settled on the farm in Clark County, and cleared sixty of the eighty acres which was then all timber, and, in 1878, built the fine house he now lives in. He married Miss Mary A. Wathenphul, of Prussia. They have five children-John, Jacob, Albion, Clara, and an infant. Mr. Huntzicker has been Town Treasurer and Supervisor ; he is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church.

FRANK PFEIFER, dealer in groceries, provisions and meat, Green- wood, born in Bohemia, Dec. 31, 1849, and landed in Baltimore, Md., in 1865, arrived in Wisconsin in 1867, where he worked for James Lock ; came to Greenwood in 1868 ; he then went to work in the woods until 1877, when he opened this store, being one of the firm of Pfeifer & Hantzicker. In 1877, he married Miss Frances O. Carpenter. They have two children, Sadie Armeda and Ludmilla. Mr. Pfeifer belongs to the I. O. O. F. and to the Temple of Honor.

PHILIP ROSSMAN, mill-owner and lumberman, Sec. 28, P.O. Greenwood, born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, March 4, 1836, came to Sheboygan Co., Wis., in 1851, and worked at the carpenter's trade and in the woods till he went to Missouri in 1857, but, the war commencing, was forced to come north for a while; he was engaged by the Govern- ment in 1864, then returned to Sheboygan County, and, in 1871, came to his present location ; that Fall, built his saw-mill ; in 1872, his dwelling. He had Henry Wescott as partner for awhile, but now does the business alone. He married, in 1860, Miss Angeline Dohegen, of France. They have eight children-John, Adolph, Mary, Edward, Lucy, Lionel, Ira and Almar. Mr. Rossman has served in different town offices, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.

ROBERT SCHOFIELD, lumberman, Greenwood, born in the town of Dryden, Tompkins Co., N.Y., Feb. 2, 1836. The family moved to Potter Co., Penn., in 1840, where his mother now lives, aged seventy- one ; his father died in 1877, at the advanced age of seventy-one. Robert left home and traveled to Michigan, where he worked in a saw-mill, and for the ensuing years rambled from one place to another ; in 1856, arrived on the Black River, and has worked in the woods since, with the excep- tion of the years 1859-60, when he went Sonth, stopping at every place of note on the river ; on returning to the North, went to work driving on the river, and made his home at Greenwood, in 1879, having lived at Weston's Rapids in 1863, where he owns 400 acres, under the charge of P. J. Schofield, his brother. In 1861, he married Miss Sarah Sias, who died in 1863. He married again in 1870. There is one child dead, and they have three living - Gracie, Hugh, and an infant -Allie M. Mr. Schofield belongs to the 1. O. O. F. and to the Masonic lodge.

PATRICK SHEEHAN, lumberman, Greenwood, born in Western Canada, April 11, 1840. As early as 1855, worked in the pineries. He has followed this life more or less ever since ; came to Wisconsin and worked on the Black River for Randall & McDonald, in about 1877. He was in partnership with Thomas Kern ; is now alone. Ile has a nice farm in the town of Hixon, Sec. 22, beside tracts of timber land. In 1874, he married Miss Caroline A. Mead, of Watertown, Wis. They have two children. F. Ritha and Mary Edna.

H. J. THOMAS, physician and surgeon, Greenwood, was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., July 26, 1849. At ten years of age, the family moved to Milwaukee, and he attended school. His father was engaged in practicing law at this time, but his health failed, and he finally died in Ripon, Fond Du Lac County. H. J. began studying medicince in 1866, with Dr. E. B. Wolcott, and was on the " Dictator," in the Navy. as physician. He commenced practice in Milwaukee, on the South Side, and in 1869 attended Rush Medical College, at Chicago ; returned to practice in 1870, and in 1871 he went to Havana, Cuba, and went into the Ballots Hospital. Finally, in 1873, located in Greenwood, where he erected a building and carries on a drug store, which, with a good practice, gives a handsome income. Mr. T. belongs to the Epis- copal Church, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.

JONES THOMPKINS, farmer, Sec. 34, P. O. Neillsville, was born in Saratoga Co., N. V., June 2, 1825. He has been engaged in lumher- ing and farming all his lifetime. Came West in 1859, but not to stay. He went back to Saratoga County, and, in IS60, started on a tramp, going to Illinois and Iowa. In 1862, came to Clark County and worked for S. Weston. In 1865, took a claim where his farm is now, consisting

248

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

of 1661/2 acres, 100 cleared. He has lumbered with C. Blakeslee, James Hewett and F. D. Lindsay ; built the house he now lives in in 1873. In 1848, he married Miss Martha E. Lindsay, of New York. They have a family of four, one deceased, J. E. The children living are : Elias, Fred and an infant. Mr. T. has been County and Town Supervisor ; is a member of the Temple of lIonor.

M. B. WARNER, merchant and farmer, Greenwood, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., Aug. 6, 1819. His parents went to Wadena Co., Ohio, where they farmed. After this, for a period of years, was engaged at different vocations. In 1855, came to Black River Falls ; went to lumbering, and followed the business for twenty years, part of the time in company with B. J. Spaulding; they then owned about 8,000 acres. In 1871, he located on Sec. 15, Town of Warner, where he has a fine residence, living there and farming till he opened a store in Greenwood. in ISSo ; now living in the village and tending to his mercantile inter- ests. Mr. Warner married Miss L. Richardson, of Black River Falls, in 1856. They have five children-Lewy, David, George, Henry and Ger- trude. William deceased. He has been chairman of County Board of Supervisors, and others ; belongs to the I. O. O. F. of which lodge he is vice-grand.

HORACE M. WESTON, hotel, Greenwood, was born in Somersett Co., Maine. June 1, 1853. The earlier part of his life was spent on a farm owned by William B. Gillman, his uncle. When he was living in Ohio, in the city of Zania, he attended Antioch College ; then tried farming in Illinois, only to stop at that work and try another ; went to LaCrosse ; entered on the river, taking a clerkship on tow-boats, which he followed some time, and then went to work for Robert Schofield, keeping books. In 1875, he came to Greenwood and opened a general merchandise store. This business he disposed of, taking a livery business in exchange. He quit that and went to LaCrosse again ; staid but a short time ; came to this place and opened the hotel, in IS80. In 1876. he married Miss Fannie Smith, of Neillsville. They have two children, Edna Estelle and Harry H. Mr. Weston belongs to the I. O. O. F. and has held the of- fice of Town Treasurer.

TOWN OF LOYAL.

J. C. GWIN, Postmaster and dealer in general merchandise, Loyal, born in Erie, N.Y., April 25, 1839, and when old enough attended Springville Seminary, coming west in 1862, to Black River Falls ; while there, clerked for J. V. Wells, in the hardware business ; then, going into partnership with A. Le Clair. in the hardware business, and is now running a branch store for the firm, opening in Loyal in 1873. A sad accident occurred in 1880. His store building and stock were destroyed by fire. He then opened in the building that he now occupies. He married, in 1869, Miss Etta Barber, of Black River Falls. They have two children, Esther E., aged nine years, and Katie M., aged six. Mr. Gwin has served as Town Treasurer, and has been Postmaster since he came to Loyal.

M. P. HARTFORD, of the firm of Hartford & Allen, dealers in general merchandise, Loyal. M. P. Hartford was born in Monroe, Co., N.Y., July 4, 1844. He remained in his native county until IS48, when the family moved to Dodge Co., Wis., and went to farming. He attended Wayland University, in Beaver Dam, and enlisted in 1864, in Ist Wis. C. ; was mustered out June 5, 1865 : returned home and went to school-teaching. lle has taught in Illinois and Iowa. Coming to Layal in 1875, working in a saw-mill at first and then clerking for his brother, F. C. Hartford, till 1879, when he opened this establishment, and, in 1880, sold one-half the store to Mr. Allen. Mr. Hartford mar- ried, in 1873. Miss Sara J. Butler, of Cedar Falls. They have two chil- dren living, Freddie and Sophia ; one, deceased, Sophia, died Aug. 16, 1879. He has served as Town Clerk, and is a Free Mason.

HARRY PHILPOTT, blacksmith, Loyal, born in Hampshire, En- gland. Jan. 4, 1837, came with his parents to America, and to Dodge Co., Wis. His father being a blacksmith, he picked the trade up; learned horse-shoeing in Dodge County, of D. S. Brann. He continued work- ing in different places in Dodge County and vicinity till IS74, when he came to Loyal, Clark Co., and opened the place he now has-at first with his brother, T. B. Since 1877, has run it alone. Ile owns a farm of eighty acres, besides the residence in town. In 1860, April 14. he mar- ried Miss Catherine Merrill, of Dodge County. They have two children, William M. and Tom B. Mr. Philpott has served as Justice of the Peace, and in other offices. lle is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee ; belongs to the Good Templars.

HEMLOCK.

Is located twenty miles north of Neillsville, in Warner Township, and is the location of the dam of the Black River Logging Company's dam, also of a grist and saw-mill, the latter owned by N. H. Withee. The damn was completed in 1879, at a cost of $21,000, and is one of the most con- plete works of improvement in the county. Of the other improvements, the grist-miil was finished in 1879, and is

supplied with three run of stone. It is of frame, four stories high, and does a large local business. The saw-mill is also of frame, two stories high, and is furnished with a rotary and upright saw. The total investment is between $10,000 and $15.000. The settlement is connected with Neillsville by telephone, erected in 1879, at a cost of $800.

Longwood Post-office is located eight miles north of Greenwood, and consists of a store and Post-office, kept by Edward A. Eaton.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

E. A. EATON, Postmaster and dealer in general merchandise, Long- wood. Born in Merrimac Co., N. H., April 16, 1846. After attending school there, he went to the New London Academy, and graduated in 1865, and in the Winter of 1866, taught school in Black River Falls. He continued teaching until 1868, when he went to clerking. finally learning a trade in his brother's tin shop; moved to Greenwood in IS71, he staid with him for two years, then opened store at Longwood for him- self, also has a branch at Withee, four miles north. In 1873, married Miss Maggie McCarty. of Pennsylvania. They have one child, Willie. Mr. E. has served as Town Clerk and Notary Public. He is a member of the Masonic lodge of Black River Falls.

C. W. CARPENTER, farmer, Sec. 34. P. O. Greenwood, was born in Carroll Co., Ind., April 26, 1830. He was raised on a farm, and re- mained at home till 1850, when he went to Jefferson Co., Iowa, where he farmed and taught school till 1857. when he came to Greenwood, where he pre-empted 120 acres. He and his wife walked from Weston's Rapids to his wife's sister, Mrs. Eaton's, at the mill, carrying a child in each of her arms. He left, in 1859, and went to Weston's Rapids and taught school ; then to Neillsville to teach, and in 1850 was elected Reg- ister of Deeds, which position he resigned during his third term. Hav- ing learned the printer's trade of Mr. Thompkins, he published the Clark County Advocate from 1863-65; he then sold out and went to Iowa, returning and settling on Sec. 27. in this town, which farm he sold and moved to Barron County, and published the Chromotype, in 1873 or "74, and. after living in Cedar Rapids, finally settled on this farm, in 1877. In 1850, he married Miss Sarah E. Pinkston, of Indiana. They have four living, children and have lost George N., Alma L., deceased. Olive F., now Mrs. F. Pfeifer. Cora C. and Albert, deceased ; Mary E., Merta J., Ida May, Allie M. V., John P. and an infant, deceased. Mr. Carpenter is a member of the Masonic lodge.

G. G. REUL, foreman in C. C. Washburn's shingle mill, P.O. Hixon, was born in Ft. Atkinson, Jefferson Co., Wis .. Jan. 10, 1852. ITis father was a lumberman and had a sash and door factory. Moving to Dane County, working in the factory most of the time up to 1869. he then struck out for Idaho, where he was engaged in freighting. In 1871, he went to Baraboo, and. in 1873, opened sash and door factory, run by Reul Brothers. In 1874, he was working in a mill in Rockford, Ill. ; in 1875. went to La Crosse, and worked with George Pierce, and finally for C. C. Washburn : Fall of 18So, came here-built the shingle mill, which has a capacity of So.ooo per day. In 1874. he married Miss F. C. Royce, of Litchfield, Minn. They have one child, George. Mr. Reul is a member of Baraboo Masonic lodge.

COLBY.

[As part of this town is in Marathon County, some bio- graphies are placed there.]

This thriving town is on the Wisconsin Central Railroad, which is here located on the line between Marathon County on the east and Clark County on the west. On the one side it is Hull, Marathon Co .; on the other, Colby, Clark Co. And on account of this political bi-section of the village, there is a want of harmony and unity of purpose which conspires to prevent concord of action. A village organ- ization in the near future will correct this incongruity, and Colby will spring into a neat and well-appointed village, with a modern character.

Colby is a development of the Wisconsin Central Rail- road, whose first business is to work up the pine and hard wood timber on every hand. It is near the Big Eau Plaine, which is a prominent tributary of the Wisconsin.

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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