USA > Wisconsin > Rock County > Rock County, Wisconsin; a new history of its cities, villages, towns, citizens and varied interests, from the earliest times, up to date, Vol. II > Part 40
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which, it is hoped, may soon be blending together, and even- tually become a prosperous, happy and harmonious one.
Illin Bryce, one of Avon township's enterprising and success- ful farmers, was born in Avon May 20, 1857, son of John and Jane (Huff) Bryce. His parents were both natives of New York state and first moved to the state of Ohio, where they lived for some time, when they again took up their journey toward the west, which was accomplished by horses and wagon. They ar- rived in Wisconsin in 1852 and purchased a farm in Avon town- ship, Rock county, where they made their home until the death of Mrs. Bryce, mother of our subject, which occurred in 1901.
Mr. Bryce enlisted in 1861 in Company K, First Regiment Wisconsin Heavy Artillery Volunteers, and served with his regi- ment until 1864, when he was honorably discharged. Upon his return home, he resumed his business of farming until the death of Mrs. Bryce, when he moved to Brodhead, where he lived a retired life until his death in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Bryce were the parents of nine children, four of whom are now living. Mr. Bryce was a man of progressive ideas, prominent in his com- munity, and did much to help improve and build up the county. He was a good soldier and citizen and his memory will be cher- ished for many years to come.
Illin was raised on his father's farm and received the usual amount of schooling that was the lot of a farmer boy of his day, but being naturally of a quick turn of mind, he has added to his education by experience and observation. He has been success- ful in business, to which his well tilled and well stocked farm will attest. His improvements are modern and up-to-date, and his thoroughbred horses, mostly of the trotting class, are the pride of the farm. His cattle are the Short Horn breed, of which he has a fine herd. He is successful in raising a varied line of grains, and his farm of 115 acres is one of the model farms of Avon township.
In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and has held some minor local offices.
On December 25, 1883, Mr. Bryce was married to Miss Eliza, daughter of John Cox, of Avon. Mr. and Mrs. Bryce have one child, Elsie A., who is a graduate in common English studies, and at present studying music.
Ole Benson, of Avon township, Rock county, Wisconsin, is a
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practical demonstration of what a poor and friendless boy can accomplish by perseverance, hard work and economy. He was born in 1844, in Norway, where he lived until twenty-seven years of age, when he came to the United States, arriving in 1871. He located first in Grant county, Minnesota, where he preempted government land and commenced making improvements and building a home. He remained there eight years, when he de- cided he could better his condition and moved to Houston, Minn., where he engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1891. He then moved to Avon township, where he owns 237 acres of fine farm land, 160 acres being under cultivation. By hard work and close application, he has prospered, and the fine improvements found on his estate are such as any person might justly be proud of.
When Mr. Benson was only one year of age his father died. He lived with his mother till he was fourteen years old and then was compelled to make his own way in the world independently. Mr. Benson believes in having the best of everything as nearly as possible, and besides general farming, he is engaged in rais- ing fine stock, such as Norman horses, Poland-China hogs, etc. He has been successful in his business affairs and is a model farmer and good citizen.
In politics he holds to the Republican faith, and has held several local offices, and is an active member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Benson was married in 1881 to Miss Jennie Johnson, daughter of Erton Johnson, of Avon township, and they have an interesting family of eleven children, viz .: Alice, Edolph, John, Bert, Herman, Josie, Boletta, Thomas, Oscar, Earnest and Ruth, all of whom are still living.
John Hyland, a public spirited citizen and successful farmer of Avon township, Rock county, Wisconsin, is a native of Massa- chusetts, and was born February 9, 1842. He is one of a family of eight children, born to Morris and Mary (Blaney) Hyland, who emigrated from Ireland, their native land, in 1837, and set- tled in Massachusetts; thence, in 1847 they moved to Stephen- son county, Illinois, and settled on a farm, where they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1905 at the age of ninety- three years, and the mother dying in 1885. Of their eight chil- dren, four are now living.
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John was edueated in the common schools of Stephenson county, and at the Mt. Morris seminary in Ogle county, Illinois, where he studied two years.
In 1873 Mr. Hyland moved to Rock county and settled on his present farm of 240 acres in Avon township. Here he has been engaged in general farming and dairying, having 150 aeres under cultivation and making a specialty of raising high grade eattle and hogs.
Mr. Hyland has been active in local public affairs, having served as a school officer thirty-two years, supervisor of the township two terms and one term as chairman of the town board. In polities he is independent in his views. He is a man of public spirit and to his untiring efforts during some ten years is largely due the publie work known as the "Avon canal." This water- way, from six to seven miles in length, will drain some 32,000 acres of wet land, and will cost from $16,000 to $20,000. Mr. Hyland, together with Mr. Canute Stordoek and Mr. Leroy Stokes, are now serving as the canal commissioners. The utility of this important publie improvement is now recognized by all, but like all publie works of its kind, was made possible by the indefatigable, persistent pushing of Mr. Hyland and others, who never rested until their object had been achieved.
Mr. Hyland belongs to Avon Camp No. 1209, Modern Wood- men of America, and for twelve years served as an officer in the lodge. In religious faith he is a Catholic. In 1868 Mr. Hyland married Miss Mary Ryan, a daughter of Francis and Ann (Gar- vey) Ryan, who immigrated from Ireland, their native land, about 1837, and settled in Avon township, where Mrs. Hyland was born some sixty-two years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Hyland have a family of seven children; of these Morris, the eldest, is a farmer in Avon township; Frank is employed in the postoffice at Rockford, Ill .; James lives at home; Annie is a teacher; Agnes is a stenog- rapher at Rockford, Ill., and Julia and Ella live at home.
John B. Henry, one of the prominent, successful and progres- sive farmers of Avon township, Rock county, Wisconsin, was born in Massachusetts on August 15, 1840, and is the second of a family of three children born to A. G. and Julia (Leonard) Henry, both natives of that state. Their other children were named Mary and William, the latter being a farmer in Avon township. The father was a hotel keeper in early life; he eame
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to Rock county in 1858, settling first at Beloit, but in 1862 moved to Avon township, where he was engaged in farming the re- mainder of his life, his death occurring in 1889.
John B. supplemented his common school education with a course of study at Racine, leaving there shortly before he would have been graduated and returned home to engage in farm work. Mr. Henry has devoted his life to farming, making a specialty of breeding and raising high grade cattle and Poland-China hogs. His farm comprises 110 acres of land under a high state of cul- tivation and well improved, with fine buildings and other neces- sary and modern farm equipments and appliances.
Mr. Henry has always taken a commendable interest in public and civic affairs, being active in local school matters and serving as township supervisor, and for ten years as chairman of the town board. He is a regular attendant of the Methodist Episco- pal church at Avon and belongs to Avon Camp No. 1209, Modern Woodmen of America.
In 1870 Mr. Henry married Miss Lydia Fletcher, daughter of Mr. William D. and Mary C. (Collins) Fletcher, who settled at Beloit in 1850. They afterwards moved to Avon township, where the father was engaged in farming the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1888. The mother died in 1884. Of three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry, Albert G., the eldest, married Miss Blanche Nelson; he was formerly a teacher, and is now (1907) a clerk in the employ of Messrs. Fairbanks, Morse & Co. at Beloit. Wilbur V. married Miss Ella Van Slyke and re- sides in Bradford township, and Frank S., the youngest, lives at home.
Mr. Henry has had an active life, and by devoting himself faithfully to the work of his chosen occupation has achieved well-merited success, and with his family lives in the enjoyment of social and domestic comforts and the fruits of his upright and honored career.
Frank J. Sammon, one of the progressive and public spirited citizens of Avon township, was born in Winnebago county, Illi- nois, on July 10, 1855, to Timothy and Catherine (Dunn) Sam- mon. They were sturdy Irish people whose yearning for a home in a free country brought them to the United States in an early day, believing that a good opportunity for accumulating a for- tune lay before them. They set sail for America, and on their
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arrival, first located at Philadelphia, Pa., but remained there only a short time, when they decided to move west. They next set- tled in Cook county, Illinois, where they made their home for several years. Their hearts being set upon a farm home, how- ever, they found their ideal place in Avon township, Rock county, Wisconsin, and very soon located there and established a home for themselves and family. They first came to Avon in 1856, where they lived the remainder of their lives; Father Sammon died in 1878, Mother Sammon surviving him until 1895, when she, too, passed away, leaving her children to mourn her loss.
Frank J. received a common school education in the district schools of the township, and has always lived on the old home- stead, which is now owned by himself, his sister Julia and brother William, they, too, having always lived there since birth. Be- sides general farming, Mr. Sammon takes great pride in raising and breeding fine stock. He has a large herd of Red Poled cattle and his hogs are the Poland-China breed. He is a Democrat in politics and has held a number of local offices of trust, among then being that of overseer of highways, which he held for some four years, and was clerk of the school board for twenty-two years. Mr. Sammon is also a member of Avon Camp No. 1209, Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of liberal views on all matters, and is ever ready to aid in any pursuit tending to the betterment of the community.
William Sammon, brother of Frank, was born in the state of Pennsylvania, June 25, 1835. He came west with his parents when they settled in Wisconsin, and has always resided on the homestead. He is the joint owner of 100 acres of land, fifty acres of it being under cultivation, the balance being in pasture. He is the eldest of a family of eight children, seven of whom are still living.
1871 Mr. Sammon and Miss Bridget Cummins were united in marriage; Mrs. Sammon died in 1875, leaving one child, Sara, who is now the wife of William Clark.
Gunder K. Restigen was born in Norway May 31, 1844, and is a son of the late Knute Restigen, who came to America in 1861 and settled first in Spring Valley township, where he remained one year, then moved to Avon township, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1870, at the age of sixty years. He
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had a family of seven boys, who all came to the United States and became good citizens.
Gunder received his education in the common schools of Nor- way, and since coming to the United States, has lived in Avon township, where he now owns 320 acres of land, and carries on general farming and tobacco raising, and is quite an extensive breeder and dealer in cattle and Poland-China hogs.
Mr. Restigen was married in 1880 to Miss Caroline Pierson, who is also a native of Norway and who came to this country with her parents in an early day and settled in Avon township, where they still live.
Mr. and Mrs. Restigen are the parents of six children, viz. : Knute, Perry, Giles, Clara, Mabel and Nora.
In politics Mr. Restigen is a Republican and has taken some- what of an active part in the affairs of his party and has been town treasurer, supervisor and a member of the school board. In religion he affiliates with the Lutheran church.
Frank O. Mitchell, a prominent and prosperous farmer of Avon township, Rock county, Wisconsin, was born in Green county, Wisconsin, on February 14, 1856. He is a son of Jesse and Racina (Oviatt) Mitchell; his father was a native of Penn- sylvania, and his mother of Ohio. They came to Wisconsin in 1837 and began the life of a pioneer, settling on a farm in the beautiful southern Wisconsin land of promise, which our subject has since done his full share to develop, and has watched the rolling stretches of prairie interspersed with oak groves and here and there clumps of wild plum trees, transformed into one of the richest farming districts in the United States-a country of peace and plenty.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, parents of our subject, had a family of thirteen children, nine of whom are now living, all raised on the old homestead. Mr. Mitchell died on January 3, 1895. Mrs. Mitchell is still living at this date, 1907, with her daughter at Davis, Ill.
Frank O. received a good common school education in the public schools of his neighborhood, and carried on the business of farming until 1892 in Green county, when he removed to Rock county and purchased a fine farm of 160 acres in section 31, Avon township, which is in a high state of cultivation, having been improved from time to time with new and substantial farm
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buildings by Mr. Mitchell. He has also purchased an additional tract of ten acres of fine timber land in Spring Grove township, Green county, and in addition to general farming, Mr. Mitchell takes pride in raising and breeding blooded stock of a high grade. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 71, Brodhead.
In religious faith he is a member of the Baptist church.
On January 3, 1888, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Miss Ada Johnston, daughter of W. F. and Catherine Johnston, natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, respectively. They were old settlers of Green county, Wisconsin, and were the parents of five children, all of whom are living. Mr. Johnston is still liv- ing at an advanced age now (1907). Mrs. Johnston died on May 19, 1890. They were both devoted members of the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have a charming family of four daughters, Flossa, Blanche, Aline and Mildred, all living at home.
Elick Johnson is another of the prosperous farmers of Avon township, Rock county, Wisconsin, where he was born April 20, 1859. His parents, Easton and Gusta Johnson, were both natives of Norway, but hearing of the advantages to be gained in the United States, they left their native land and sailed for America, arriving in Rock county in 1840, and settled in Avon township on the farm now owned by our subject. They had a family of five children, three of whom are living, viz .: Lizzie, Jennie and our subject. When they arrived at Avon, they set bravely to work to build a home in the then new country. The hardships were many and it required all the courage possessed by the hardy pioneer of the north to overcome the many obstacles which were presented to them. By hard work and perseverance, they suc- ceeded, however, and lived to see the wilderness changed to one of happy homes and highly cultivated fields with fine schools and houses of worship. They carried on general farming for many years, and after gaining a competency, retired and moved to Brodhead, where they spent the last few years of their lives in comfort and ease. The father died in 1895 and the mother in 1871.
Mr. Elick Johnson was educated in the common schools of his native township, and has been successful in farming his 260 aeres of highly cultivated land and besides he was engaged in the dairy business and the raising of fine stock. Among the
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varieties of stock which are to be found on his farm may be men- tioned Poland-China hogs, Plymouth Rock chickens, Short Horn cattle and Norman horses.
Mr. Johnson is an active member of the Lutheran church, is a member of Camp 1209, Modern Woodmen of America, and has taken somewhat of an active part in politics, having been a mem- ber of the town board for seven years and treasurer of the school district for nine years.
In 1880 he was married to Hanna Olson, daughter of Hans and Olena Benson, who were natives of Norway, where he died, the mother later coming to America.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have a family of nine children: Elmer, who now (1907) resides at Durand, Ill., and is engaged in the livery business; Gusta, who attended commercial college at Mil- waukee and is now a stenographer at Lake Mills; Easton, who is a school teacher; Harry, who is at home and a graduate of the commercial department of Beloit college; Jolinnie, who is attending the Normal school at Whitewater, and Henry, Mabel, Oscar and Marvin, all of whom are living at home.
John Gilbertson was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, on December 7, 1860. He was the son of Jacob Gilbertson, who came to this country from Norway some time during the fifties and settled in Illinois, where he followed the business of farm- ing for a number of years. Mrs. Gilbertson was Miss Martha Martinson, also a native of Norway. They had a family of twelve children, six of whom are living, our subject being the fifth child. Mr. Gilbertson died in 1895, leaving his widow, who now resides in Janesville, where she has lived for the past twelve years.
Mr. John Gilbertson, our subject, came to Rock county in 1887 and settled on a farm in Avon township, following the busi- ness for more than twenty-five years. He is a large land owner ; his present farm consists of 160 acres, besides fifteen acres in Illinois and eighty acres in North Dakota, all of which is first class farm land. Mr. Gilbertson has lived on his present home- stead for the past ten years.
In 1881 he was married to Miss Carrie Swenson, whose par- ents were natives of Norway. They have two children, Lulu and Edward J., both living at home.
Mr. Gilbertson votes the Republican ticket, and has held sev-
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eral local positions of trust. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and in religion he is affiliated with the Methodist church. He is a man of liberal views on all subjects, and his success in farming may be attributed to his shrewd man- agement and ambition.
They have two children, Edward J. and Mrs. Lula Folmer, the son living at home and the daughter living in Minnesota. His wife died on March 7, 1903.
He was married in 1907 to Mrs. Maggie Thompson, of Avon. Alfred Gardiner, one of the popular and successful farmers of Avon township, Rock county, Wisconsin, is the son of Ste- phen and Susan (Bean) Gardiner, who were natives of England and who in 1853 came to the United States and settled in New York state, where they remained seven years, and then came West, locating at first in Beloit, where they rented a farm and followed that business until, shortly after the war, he removed to Avon township and again engaged in general farming, which he con- tinued until his death in 1892 at the age of seventy-five years, eight months and twenty-three days. His widow survives and lives at
Alfred was born in England in 1845 and came to America with his parents and is one of a family of eight children. He received his education in the common schools and has been a farmer during all his life. He now owns 180 acres of land and carries on general farming and stock raising, being a breeder of Chester White and Poland-China hogs, Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep. He has made extensive improvements on his home place, where he has lived for the past twenty-two years.
In 1871 Mr. Gardiner was married to Miss Ida Watson at Brodhead, daughter of William and Lucretia Watson. To this union have been born three children-William, who is a farmer in Avon township; Alfie and Aden, who are now (1907) at home.
John S. Lynch, another of Avon's prosperous and respected citizens, was born in Ireland June 24, 1843, to Jeremiah and Mar- sella (Summers) Lynch, both natives of Ireland, and who in 1847 came to the United States and for two years made their home in Boston, Mass., where Mr. Lynch worked at his trade, that of a machinist. Removing from Boston to New York city, he followed the same employment, and after remaining there two years the family came West to Wisconsin and located at Beloit.
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In 1850 the father purchased a farm in Avon township, which is now owned by our subject. Here he made his home for thirty- three years, and died March 24, 1883, his widow surviving until December 11, 1890.
Mr. and Mrs. Lynch were the parents of eight children, three of whom are now living.
Mr. John S. Lynch was married on August 13, 1865, to Miss Amanda C. Hannegan, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Glass) Han- negan, of Dearborn county, Indiana.
Mr. Lynch had a varied experience as a soldier during the Civil War, being unfortunate enough to be forced into the Con- federate army, Fifth Regiment Louisiana Infantry, but escaped after two years' service and enlisted in the Forty-second Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry in 1864, where he served faithfully until the end of the war.
His political faith is with the Republican party, and being of good judgment, he has been many times called upon to hold posi- tions of trust. In local affairs he is a man of prominence; he has been assessor of Avon township for four years, and is a mem- ber of the school board. He is president of the Newark Improve- ment Association, has served as deputy sheriff of Rock county for two terms and has also been chairman of the township board for six years. He was on the police force of Madison, Wis., for two years, being an appointee of Governor Upham. He is a member of several different societies, of which may be mentioned the Ma- sonic lodge, the Modern Woodmen of America, Avon Camp No. 1209, and Woodmen of the World, of Beloit.
Mr. Lynch has traveled extensively both in this country and in Europe. having twice crossed the ocean on trips of pleasure and observation, and at this time (1908) he is enjoying his coun- try home in Avon township.
Andrew Shirley, who is the fifth child of a family of nine chil- dren, is a native of Norway, where he was born on January 10, 1849. His parents were Henry and Isabelle (Johnson) Shirley, who emigrated with their family to the United States in 1853. They came direct to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in Avon township, where they carried on farming with unvarying success for many years. Numbered among the thrifty citizens of Avon township, they enjoyed the confidence and respect of all who knew them. The father died in 1869 and his widow in 1888. Of
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a family of nine children Andrew is the only surviving son. The other living members are Annie, Martha, Mary and Helen. The names of those deceased are Ilenry, Ole, Nelson and Christ.
Raised on his father's farm, Andrew grew to manhood, and since the death of his father has carried on the home farm, add- ing from time to time many substantial improvements. He now has 382 acres of land in a high state of cultivation, and besides general farming he is an extensive breeder and raiser of Durham and Holstein cattle, Poland-China hogs and Norman horses.
In 1876 he was married to Helen Brennum, daughter of John and Isabelle Brennum, who were also natives of Norway, but came to America in an early day, settling in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where they followed the life of farmers until their decease.
Mr. and Mrs. Shirley have three children-Jay, Harry and Elmer. One of his sons, - --- , is now a student of Yale Uni- versity.
In political sentiment Mr. Shirley is a Republican, and he has held several local offices. For eighteen years he has been assessor and has also filled the office of town treasurer, and was justice of the peace for six years and school officer for eight. He is a mem- ber of Brodhead Camp No. 4, Modern Woodmen of America.
Canute H. Stordock, one of Rock county's successful and en- terprising farmers, resides on his farm in Avon township, where he was born April 24, 1850. His parents, Holver and Isabelle (Knutson) Stordock, were both natives of Norway, where they lived till 1839, when they, like many others from their native land, emigrated to the United States and first settled in Cook county, Illinois. From Cook county he went to the lead mines at Min- eral Point and then back to Winnebago county, Illinois, but later moved to Avon township in 1848, where they settled on a farm and remained the rest of their lives. During his long and pros- perous career Holver Stordock followed the business of farming except for three years which he spent in the lead mines. They had a family of seven children, three of whom died in infancy ; those now living are Holver, Canute, Inga and Isabelle. The father died in 1893. His widow survived until 1901.
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