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 88

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 88

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CHARLES ALEXANDER, physician and surgeon, Eau Claire, was born in the town of Pittston, Kennebec Co., Me., April 28, 1824. When he was four years old. he was removed to Farmington, Franklin Co., Me. He was educated at Yarmouth and Farmington academies, and gradu- ated from the Medical Department of the University of the city of New York, March 8, 1850. having attended lectures at Harvard, and at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. He came to Eau Claire in September. 1866, and engaged in practice here. He has been for several years President of the School Board. Has held various positions in the Baptist Church ; was for four or five years superintendent of the Sabbath school. Ile was Surgeon-in-Chief in the 5th Army Corps. The doctor has one son, Joseph B. Alexander, who was born Nov. 21, 1870.

FRED A. ALLEN, proprietor saloon of Central Hotel, Eau Claire, came to Wisconsin in 1865, and located at Chippewa Falls. Kept saloon for three years. Came to Eau Claire in 1869 ; was a lath contractor for some years. Commenced present business March 19, ISSI. Was born in Switzerland, Sept. 1, 1848, and came to America in 1862, and farmed in Illinois for several years. Married in Eau Claire. Oct. 12, 1876, to Mary Buellesbach, who was born in this place. They have two children, Elizabeth and Joseph.

JAMES ALLEN, raft contractor, Empire Lumber Co., Eau Claire, came to Wisconsin in 1850, and located in Sheboygan County, and was engaged in lumbering for nine years. Came to Eau Claire in Fall of 1859 ; was contractor for booms, etc., for two years, and has been em- ployed in present capacity since 1861. Was born in Halifax, N. S., 1821, and came to United States in 1833. Was married at Calais, Me., 1842, to Emily G. Pond, who was born in Maine. They have five children- Edward M., who served in the war, and is now in sewing machine busi- ness in Eau Claire : Fred, served in the war, and is now in orange busi- ness in Florida; Cora, now Mrs. Frank Ellis; Chas. S., school teacher, and Willie.

DR. EDWARD LE ROY AMES, surgeon dentist, Eau Claire, was born in Boston, Mass., Aug. 28, 1855. llis parents, Rev. L. F. and A. B. Ames (now residing in Napoleon, Ohio), moved to Ohio in 1860, where he remained until 1876, when he went to Blissfield, Mich., and commenced practicing dentistry, having studied his profession the two previous years. After two years residence in Blissfield, he removed to Marinette, Wis., and Oct. I, ISSo, entered the senior class of the Dental Surgery Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. Jle came to Eau Claire April 25, 1881, and has since engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the Good Templars' Lodge.

W. Il. BAILEY, painter, born in Essex County, N. Y., in 1835 ; came to Wisconsin in 1857, and to Eau Claire in 1859; began his present business as sign painter, doing most of the city work and vicinity. Married some years ago, and has several children.

W. F. BAILEY, lawyer, was born at Carmel, Putnam Co., N. Y., in 1842. After receiving his education, he enlisted, in 1861, in the 38th N. Y. Vols., Co. I ; in 1862, was appointed captain of Co. K, 95th Regt ; was engaged in both battles of Bull Run, and other battles ; was wounded and discharged, on Surg. Gen. Barnes's certificate. Was admitted to the Bar in 1863, in Brooklyn ; practiced in Amenia, N. Y., till 1867, when he came to Eau Claire, and practiced with Mr. Latimer for a time. Mr. Bailey is a man of great energy and pertinacity of purpose ; has been one of the prominent men of Eau Claire from the first ; was President of the village, four years, District Attorney, two years, 1874 and 1875, Mayor in 1878, and is now president of the French Lumber Co. at Chippewa Falls, one of the two principal mills there. Was married to Mercy Cole, of Carmel, N. Y., in 1864. They have no children. Mr. Bailey's father practiced law in New York City twenty-five years. Was attorney for the Harlem Railroad Co. many years. His only brother, Elbert, is manager for the Harlem Railroad, at Mt. Kisco, N. Y.

S. M. BANGS, builder, Eau Claire, was born in Luzerne County, Penn., and came to Wisconsin in 1855, settling in Marquette Co. After being there two years, he came to Eau Claire in 1857, and has remained since. Engaged in building, with the exception of a short time lumber- ing. Married in Marquette County, March, 1867, to Clarissa Badgro. Have one son, T. M. Bangs, in business at Eau Claire.

JOHN C. BARLAND, farmer, Town 27, Sec. 27, Eau Claire Co., was born in Jacksonville, Ill., Nov. 2, 1841. He is the eldest son of Rev. Thomas Barland, a native of Perth, Scotland, who emigrated to America when twenty-five years of age. He had up to that time devoted his life to the various departments of study at the schools and Perth Academy, and graduated at St. Andrew's College, Edinburgh, after which he studied theology with Dr. Dick and Dr. Chalmers. His health becoming im- paired, he, with his wife, came to America, and settled in Jackson, where John was born. When about twelve years of age, John, with his father's family, came to Eau Claire County, and has since lived on land his father located, except the Winter of 1854 and 1856, when he took six months' schooling in Knox Academy, under the teaching of President Blanchard. He entered the military service in the 16th Wis. Vol. Inf., enlisting in the Fall of 1863. Early in the Spring of 1864, the regiment went to Vicksburgh, where it remained a short time, when it moved to Black River. While in Vicksburgh, Mr. Barland, whose health was rather delicate, was stricken down with a fever, but from which he made a fair recovery. The regiment was ordered up the river to Cairo, and embarked on transports, in May, from Vicksburgh, and shortly after, went up the river on a fleet of thirteen transports, with a convoy of gun- boats up the Ohio, and debarked at Clifton, Tenn. From this date until the close of the war, the campaign was one of great activity. Mr. Barland was much of the time on detached service, in subordinate com- mand of the train guard, a most ceaseless and arduous duty, much of the time getting very little rest day or night, and at one time during the campaign was laid up a few days from sheer exhaustion. However, he took an active part in several of the engagements, went through on the March to the Sea, and from Savannah to Washington. There was a great strife between the corps commanders of the 16th and 17th Corps, to see which should lead the other into Washington, and many fell out by the way, unable to keep up with their command. John kept up with his command most of the way on that terrible march, and finally stripped for the march by throwing away nearly everything except his gun, and was obliged to yield from sheer exhaustion, but luckily managed to reach the rear of the army, after a weary march, while it was crossing one of the great rivers on the line of march, making most of the march bare- footed. His rank was that of corporal. He was discharged with his regiment, in July, 1865, and returned home, and was immediately forced into the " front rank " on the farm, which sadly showed the neglect of the husbandman during his term in the war. By good management and industry, he has improved and enlarged his farm, and keeping a dairy of thirty-five cows, regularly supplies milk for a portion of the city of Eau Claire. He employs a good force on his farm, and is taking the world easier, living near town, and fortified by an ample newspaper list, and occasionally contributing to them, by poetry and sketches. P. O., Eau Claire.

REV. THOMAS BARLAND, Eau Claire, Was born in Perth, Scotland, in March, 1810, and educated in Perth Seminary, Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities, and was one year in the Glasgow Ander- sonian Medical College. In Latin, French and mathematics, he received high honors. He came to America when about twenty-three years of age, and located in Jacksonville, 111., and engaged in preaching and farming there for nine years ; then went to Kane County, and lived in St. Charles and vicinity for over a year, teaching, preaching and farm- ing, acting as missionary preacher. He taught school in Chicago about seven months ; then received a commission from the American Tract Society in Central Illinois, and was, for two years, engaged in distribut- ing their religious books. He then bought a farm in Logan Co., Ill., and engaged in farming for five years. In 1849, he came to Eau Claire, and has lived here and in this vicinity ever since, preaching more or less. Ile was the first preacher here. He was married in Glasgow, Scotland, in May, 1833, to_Margaret Wilson, who was a native of that city, and

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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY.

who died July 23, 1877. Mr. Barland has six children-Agnes, now Mrs. John Keith; John C., Birney R., Isabella, now Mrs. Fred. Town ; Margaret, now Mrs. Dr. Charles Hodgeboom, of Eau Claire, and George.

MILTON D. BARTLETT, Eau Claire. Was born in the town of Victory, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Nov. 3, 1833, and lived in Auburn, N. Y., after he was twelve years old until the Spring of 1852, when he came to Wisconsin, locating in East Troy, Walworth Co. In October, 1852, he returned East, and in the Spring of 1854, came to Delavan, re- maining there one year. Was then for a year in East Troy, and in the Spring of 1856, moved to Dunn County (now the town of Waterville, Pepin Co.), where he lived until the Spring of 1860, when he went to Durand, remaining there until the Winter of 1865 and 1866; he then went to Minneapolis, and in 1870, came from there to Eau Claire. HIe studied law in Auburn and Syracuse, N. Y., and practiced it in Delavan ; discontinuing it for a time while engaged in farming. In 1859, he re- sumed practice, which he has since continned. He was County Judge of Pepin County, and resigned that position to go to the State Senate in 1862 and '63, having been elected in the Fall of 1861. Ile was mar- ried in Ellisburgh, Jefferson Co., N. Y., in August, 1854, to Mary F. Brewster who was a native of that place. They have eight children- Jay Carl, Earl B., Mary Belle, Edward L., Maud E., John W., Gny Paul and Ethel Claire. Mr. Bartlett is a member of the A., F. & A. M., of the Temple of Honor, and is one of the oldest Good Templars in the State, having joined that order in Auburn before coming West.

COLONEL EDWARD M. BARTLETT, Ean Claire. Came to Dead Lake Prairie, then Dunn County, now town of Frankfort, Pepin Co., in 1855, and lived there two Winters, and in the southern part of the State one Winter. In 1858, he settled in Dunn County, residing in Dunnville and Menomonie until Oct. 21, 1862, when he was commis- sioned lieutenant-colonel of the 30th Wis. 1., serving until the close of the war. He was mustered ont as lieutenant-colonel in October, 1865. He was the builder of Ft. Rice and Ft. Sully. He was born in the town of Victor, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Aug. 3, 1839. In his sixteenth year he came to East Troy, Walworth Co., and lived there and at Delavan until he moved to Dunn County. While in East Troy he read law in the office of Henry Cousins (now Register of U. S. Land office in Arizona), who afterward practiced his profession with his former student. Col. Bartlett settled in Eau Claire in January, 1866, and has practiced his profession here ever since, with the exception of five years, when he served as Register of the U. S. Land Office. He was admitted to the Bar in 1856, being then not quite eighteen years old, and is now City Attorney. He resigned the position of County Judge of Dunn County when he entered the army ; he was at that time serving his fourth year as Judge. In December, 1870, he was married in Eau Claire to Miss Adella L. French, who was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y. They have three children-Frank Duane, E. Mabel and Arthur. Col. Bart- lett is a member of the 1. O. O. F., and of the A., F. & A. M.

WILLIAM PITT BARTLETT, Eau Claire. Came to Water- town, Wis., Oct. 1, 1855 ; taught school there six months, and studied law in Enos & Skinner's law office. He was admitted to the Bar in 1856, and in May, 1857, came to Eau Claire, and has engaged in active prac- tice since. lle was the first lawyer and the only one in the county until July, 1857, when Alexander Meggett came. Mr. Bartlett has been a member of the School Board since the fourth week after his arrival ; he was elected District Attorney in the Fall of 1857, and held that office until January, 1860. In the Fall of 1859, he was elected member of Assembly; appointed County Judge for two years in 1860 ; from 1863 to 1867 he was District Attorney ; in the Fall of 1872, was again elected member of Assembly ; in 1875, he was appointed Register of U. S. Land Office, and held that office over four years ; his name was sent in for re-appointment, but he had it withdrawn. He is Alderman of the Third Ward, having been elected in the Spring of 1881, and imme- diately chosen President of the Common Council. Ile was born in Minot, Cumberland Co., Me., Aug. 13, 1829, and was reared in Somerset County. He entered Waterville College in 1849, graduating in 1853. He taught in the Hallowell Academy, pursuing his law studies ; com- menced while he was in college ; he was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin in 1860, and to the U. S. Supreme Court in 1874. He was married in Baraboo, Sauk Co., Aug. 15, 1861, to Hettie Ilart, a daughter of Edward H. Hart, an early settler and still a resident of Sank County. She was born in Middlebury. Summit Co., Ohio. They have five children-Livilla P., Edward W., Sumner P., Frank Il. and Stanley.

VINCENT W. BAYLESS, banker, Eau Claire. Was born in Broome Co., N. Y., Oct. 15, 1845, and moved to Kansas in 1858, locat- ing at Highland, where he lived three years. In the Fall of 1861, he went to Dubuque, Iowa ; remaining there but a few months, he returned to New York, for a year or two and taught school. Ile was principal of the Commercial College at Freeport, Ill., for some years, and commenced his banking career in Binghamton, N. Y., where he remained until he came to Wisconsin, in 1873, locating in Chippewa Falls. In the Sum- mer of 1873, the First National Bank was organized, and Mr. Bayless

was made cashier, which position he retained until 1876, when he came to Eau Claire and re-organized the Chippewa Valley Bank. He has been U. S. Receiver of the public moneys since May, 1878. lle was married in Cortland, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1873, to Clara T. Pomeroy, who was born in Syracuse, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and is a daughter of Dr. T. C. Pomeroy, of that place. They have one child, Harry C.

Mr. Bayless's father, Gen. John Bayless, was one of the founders of Highland University, a Presbyterian institution, located in Highland, Kansas. Ile was president of the board, and one of the anti-slavery pioneers of Kansas Gen. Bayless returned to Binghamton in 1863, and died in that city in 1873.

JOSEPH BEAUREGARD, builder. Ean Claire, was born in Canada. Resided for a time in Vermont, then in Massachusetts, where he learned the trade of cabinet maker. Came west with his parents ; settled in Eau Claire about 1866. Married in Massachusetts, to Catherine Fry. They have six children, of whom survive Marie E. (married to C. Mc- Cann, 1879). John C., Frederick and Catherine. Belongs to Temple of Honor, of Eau Claire.

JOHN BELL, first engineer Eau Claire Lumber Co., Eau Claire, came to Wisconsin in 1861, and located at Oconto, and was engaged in lumber mill for four years. Came to Eau Claire in 1865, and has been employed in present capacity for sixteen years. Was born in Ireland, Dec. 25, 1836, and came to America in 1859. Was married in Oconto, Wis., July 22, 1863, to Ellinor J. Wright, who was born in Ohio. They have one child, Jennie B.

JOSEPH BLETCHER, lumber dealer, Eau Claire, came to Wis- consin in 1863, and located in Ean Claire. Was engaged for six years in stocking mills with logs, also in buying and shipping lumber. Ran a mill in Fairchilds for two years. Is now dealing in Jumber, etc. Was born in Canada, in 1832, and married there, but lost his wife. The children are Josephine Mary (now Mrs. Geo. B. Shaw) and Fred J. He again married, at Eau Claire, Aug. 27, 1868, Martha Jane Tarrant, who was born in Canada.

VALENTINE BLUM, saloon and billiards, Eau Claire, came to Wisconsin in IS61, and located at Waukesha. Was employed in stone quarry, and also farmed, for some two years. Came to Eau Claire in the Fall of 1864. He piloted for Daniel Shaw Lumber Co. and other- for about ten years, and, in 1868, had a saloon in Chandler House, which was burned ont May, 1868. Also owned a saloon at Frenchtown, Chip- pewa Co. He was on Eau Claire Police force for two years. After- ward in employ of N. W. R. R. Co., in Polk County, for two years, and while in that service received a severe injury. He commenced present business in March, ISSO. He was born in Germany, March 2, 1844, and came to America 1861. Married, in Eau Claire, May 27. 1868, to Car- oline Lang, a native of St. Louis, Mo. They have two children, George and Flora M.

REV. FATHER JOSEPH BOEHM, pastor German Catholic Church, Eau Claire, was born in Ellangen, kingdom of Wurtemburg. Germany, March 13, 1846. Came to America Oct. 4. 1868, and located at Pittsburgh, Pa. Was ordained at St. Michael's Seminary there, by Bishop Mullen, of Erie, Pa., after which had charge of St. Alphonso's Church, at Wexford, Pa., for about one and one-half years. Returned to Pittsburgh, Pa., and had charge of St. Martin's Church for two years. Was also two years at Rochester. Pa. Came to Wisconsin, Feb. 10, 1876. Located at Horne Creek, and labored in the Church. Came to Eau Claire May 20, 1877. Has had charge of German Catholic Church during his residence at this place. Commenced building the present church in June, 1880. and dedicated the same June 26, 1881. The building is a very handsome structure, 105 feet long by 47 feet wide ; has 88 pews, seating 400 people; has two uniform spires, 105 feet high.

J. BONELL, photographer, was born in Staffordshire, England, July 6, 1844. Ilis father came with his family to Milwaukee in 1850, and established the first wagon and carriage factory there. IIe made the first buggy ever built in Milwaukee, and the first bahy-carriage in Wisconsin. The family went to Delafield in 1853. In 1864. they came to Eau Claire, where the father now lives. Ile is a man of ability and genius. Was a draughtsman there many years. Mrs. Bonell was a woman of thorough education. Had the Chair of Latin and Greek in an institution in England for fifteen years. Mr. B. began for himself at twenty years of age, at Fond du Lac, learning his trade there. He has established galleries at Menomonie City and Chippewa Falls. His business, from the first, has been highly successful and remunerative. He built a number of business blocks in Menomonie, and houses. Came to Eau Claire in the Spring of 18SI. Is an Odd Fellow of high degree. Was married to Mary Donaldson in 1868. IIas one child. Fred, born IS70.

JAMES BONELL, carriage maker, Eau Claire, firm of Bonell Bros., was born in Stafford, Staffordshire, England. Sept. 19, 1832. Came to United States about 1850, and located in Milwaukee. After spending some time in Waukesha, Chicago and Kansas City, moved to Eau Claire in 1857, and engaged in wagon making. Ran two or three years, then went to farming some two years. Then returned to town, and com- menced present business. Married, April, 1858. Had six children, of

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

whom three survive-Charles William, Benjamin Walter and Roy Gar- field.

WILLIAM BONELL, carriage maker. firm Bonell Bros., came to Wisconsin about 1850. First settled in Milwaukee, where he learned his trade. Went to Chicago, and after a time moved to Portage City. Came to Eau Claire, November, 1866. Enlisted at Portage City in Ist Wis., as artificer of regiment. Served one year.

ARTHUR S. BOSTWICK. Eau Claire, is a son of Martin C. and and Lucy Hathaway Bostwick, who moved to what is now the town of Marshall, Dane County, in 1844. His mother died near Deansville, in that county, in 1846, and his father died there in 1874. Mr. Bostwick was born in what is now known as Underhill Flat. Chittenden Co., Vt., Dec. 5, 1825, and moved from there to Illinois in 1843, prior to the time his parents came west. In 1844, he was with them in Dane County ; in 1845. he went to the pineries and worked in Grand Rapids about four months; then returned and lived in Jefferson County. At the time of Mexican War he served in the 10th U. S. Regt .; enlisting in August, 1847, serving four months, and being discharged near Vera Cruz, on ac- count of disability. He returned and lived in Jefferson County, until 1849, when he went to California. He remained on the Pacific Coast until 1855 ; he arrived home in 1856; after spending the Summer in Vermont, he came to Eau Claire, November 19. and engaged in black- smithing here until he was elected Sheriff in the Fall of 1858. He summoned his first jury in June, 1857, being Under Sheriff, at that time organized the county. He served two years as Under Sheriff, and in 1859 and '60, was Sheriff, and Under Sheriff in 1861 and '62. He has also been Assessor, and is now Alderman of the Eighth Ward. He has been with the Eau Claire Lumber Company since March, 1866, as general superintendent of blacksmith and wagon shops. Mr. Bostwick was married in Eau Claire, May 8, 1858, to Bridget Gunn, who was born in Ireland. They have had eleven children. Their son, Hoyt Clark, died Dec. 26, 1880, aged three years and ten months. The living children are: Arthur J., Lucy A., Francis G., Minnie, Katie. John M., Nellie, Gertrude F., May and Stephen Brick. Mr. Bostwick has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1849, and also belongs to the Temple of Honor.

MICHAEL A. BOWE, foreman Crescent Flouring Mills. Eau Claire, was born in Dodge County, Dec. 23. 1852; learned his trade with his father. Jeremiah Bowe. Went to Fond du Lac in 1871, and was em- ployed in flour mill up to 1873 ; then traveled for a year. From 1874-8 was employed as miller in Milwaukee ; was then at Chippewa Falls and Minneapolis, Minn., for a short time, and came to Eau Claire, May 25, 1879, and engaged in mill ; has been foreman of same for six months. Was married in Milwaukee, Dec. 26, 1878, to Catherine Dunner, born in Milwaukee. Is a member of Knights of Pythias.

THOMAS O. BOWMAN came to Eau Claire in April, 1866, and, with the exception of ten months, in which he was employed by McIn- tyre & Co. in building the dam at the Dells, has been occupied in the machine shops of N. Shaw, being superintendent of the shops since Feb- ruary, 1881. He was born in Jackson, Mich., Nov. 12, 1846, and went, with his parents, to lowa, in 1852, moving from there to Hancock Co., Ifl., in 1862, where he enlisted, in March, 1864, in Co. E., 18th II]. V. 1., serving until January, 1866, when he was mustered out at Springfield, Ill. He was married in Eau Claire, Sept. 3. 1860. to Mattie I. Baker, who was born at Elizabethtown, Essex Co., N. Y. They have three children living-William S., Blanche B., and an infant son; two of their children died in infancy. Mr. Bowman is a member of the Baptist Church and of I. O. O. F.

JAMES M. BRACKETT, Eau Claire, came to Wisconsin in 1842 with his parents, Joseph W. and Lydia M. Brackett, and located on what is now the town of Brookfield. Waukesha Co. They lived there nine years, then moved to Bloomington, Grant Co .; in 1861, they went to Alma, Buffalo Co. James M. remained in Alma until Mav, 1865, when he located in Chippewa Falls, coming from there to Eau Claire, Jan. I. 1870. He has been in the newspaper business since 1861, with the ex- ception of the time he was in the army. In the Spring of 1862 he was commissioned by Gov. Solomon to raise men for the organization of Co. A., 20th Wis. V. I. With the assistance of two others, he raised the company, and at the time of its organization was commissioned.second lieutenant, and in the Fall of the same year as first lieutenant. On ac- count of disability, caused by sickness, he was mustered out at St. Louis, after five months' service. Ile started the Buffalo County Journal, at Alma, in the Spring of 1861. It was the first newspaper published there. Ile sold the paper in 1862; bought it again in 1863 ; sold it finally in 1865 ; went to Chippewa Falls and bought the Chippewa Valley Union. afterward called the Chippewa Union and Times ; conducted that until Jan. 1, 1870, when he sold it and bought the Eau Claire Free Press, in partnership with Rodman Palmer, who withdrew from the paper a few months before he died, in the Fall of 1872. Mr. Brackett is now Presi- dent of the Eau Claire Free Press Company. He was Deputy Provost- Marshal in Buffalo County for two years, after leaving the army. Was Deputy U. S. Assessor of Chippewa and Dunn counties for four years ; was Receiver in the U. S. Land Office, in Eau Claire, for four years, and

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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