The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc, Part 94

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Wisconsin > Dodge County > The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc > Part 94

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CLINTON M. BROOKS, merchant; born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., May 1, 1837 ; son of Sheldon Brooks, who was from Highgate, Vt. ; his father was Calvin Brooks, who was also a Vermont man ; Sheldon Brooks and family moved to New York State, and to Waupun about 1855; he is now liv- ing at the age of 75 and is blind; Mr. Clinton M. Brooks has been many years engaged in manufacturing organs ; he was eleven years in Milwaukee learning and working at this trade and is a thorough and com- petent workman ; he was with the Marshall Bros. Church Organ Co. many years, and put up some of the finest organs in the Western States; in 1875, he went into the organ business on his own account, and, in March, 1877, came to Waupun and became associated with Amos Nudd in the furniture and organ business, which they have been carrying on successfully since. Married, Oct. 12, 1863, Imogene Keyes, who was from New York State and originally from Vermont ; have one child-William E., born Sept. 25, 1866. The firm of Brooks & Nudd are justly known for the good management of their business and fair dealing.

JOHN BRYCE, hardware merchant; born in Edinburgh, Scotland; son of David Bryce, who died in 1856 at the age of 70; John traveled through different parts of England and was engaged in teaching school at different times ; he was a graduate of Bathgate Academy ; he came to New York City in May, 1849, and came to Waupun in the fall of the same year ; was employed as a clerk by Drummond & Smith for a time ; in the fall of 1852, went to Australia and Melbourne ; went into the mines for awhile and afterward engaged in business there, and made and saved money ; in 1858, he returned to Waupun and became interested in the hardware trade and has been thus employed ever since, having, through his honorable dealing and good business talent, built a successful and remunerative traffic; Mr. Bryce has never aspired to office, but has held several important town and city offices ; espoused the just cause of national sovereignty during the war, and gave liberally to its aid and support; a brother, Hugh Bryce, was a soldier in the 100th N. Y. V. I .; was wounded twice, at Cold Harbor and Petersburg, and afterward died from the effects of his wounds. Mr. Bryce and family are respected members of the Congregational Church, and he is Superintendent of the Sabbath school, and one of Waupun's most esteemed citizens.

LUTHER BUTTS, capitalist ; born in Delaware Co., N. Y., June 24, 1825; son of Jacob S. Butts ; his father was William Butts, who was a native of Connecticut, and was a soldier in the war of 1812; Mr. Butts' grandfather on his mother's side was Col. William Johnson, of Revolutionary fame ; Jacob died in 1859, at the age of 57. Mr. Luther Butts, in October, 1846, settled on a farm of 200 acres, which was bought at Government price, in Fond du Lac Co .; he carried on farming successfully twenty- seven years ; during this time, he speculated in land, buying and selling farms, and came to Waupun in fall of 1873; Mr. Butts is the owner of the opera-house, the finest building in the city of Waupun. He married, July 19, 1845, Hannah Mann, daughter of Reuben Mann, a well-to-do farmer in Connecticut; she died Nov. 26, 1876 ; he married his second wife July 19, 1877; her maiden name was McDaniel ; they have one boy-Luther J. Butts, born March 26, 1878. In 1878, Mr. Butts built a fine residence in the central part of the city of Waupun, where he now lives, enjoying the solid comforts of life. In the town of Alto, he was a member of the School Board for many years, and was largely and liberally connected with the interests of that town ; he has obtained a well-deserved competence through his shrewd business tact and good management, and is a man of liberal and hospitable spirit.

SAMUEL CHAMBERLIN, hardware merchant; was born in Armsburg, Canada, Sept. 15, 1820 ; son of Dr. Olmsted Chamberlin ; he was born in Chittenden Co., Vt., near Burlington, in 1787 ; his father was Joshua Chamberlin, and was a native of Massachusetts ; Dr. Chamberlin studied medicine in his native State, and, in 1820, moved West with his family; in.1821, he settled in Pontiac, Mich., where he practiced medicine till 1840; he was one of the earliest settlers in that county ; he had

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a large and successful practice, and was a much respected and honored citizen. He married Mary Beech, of Massachusetts; the children were Stewart, Mary, Samuel, Sarah, Elsie, Charles, Almira and Augustus B. Samuel Chamberlin, in 1840, went to Boston and bought a stock of goods, and started in general merchandise business in Pontiac ; was successfully engaged till 1855, when he was appointed, by Presi- dent Pierce, first mail-agent on the Detroit & Milwaukee R. R .; he resigned and went into the custom- house at Detroit; received this appointment from President Buchanan ; held that position till the election of Lincoln ; in 1861, he came to Fox Lake, Wis., and engaged in buying wheat and cattle ; in Febru- ary, 1863, he came to Waupun, where he became interested in the hardware business, and has been suc- cessfully engaged in that line ever since. He married Sarah Elliott, daughter of Charles Elliott, who was from Connecticut; his ancestors were among the oldest and most esteemed settlers in that State; Charles Elliott, the famous portrait painter, was one of this family. Mr. Chamberlin and wife are members of the Episcopal Church.

A. L. CLARK, merchant; born in Madison Co., N. Y., June 4, 1847 ; son of Stephen Clark, who was a native of New York State and a well-to-do farmer ; his father was Samuel Clark and was from good old New England stock ; he lived to be 88 years old ; the family came to Green Lake Co., Wis., in 1854, and engaged in farming. Stephen married a Miss Popple, who was a native of Rhode Island ; there were five children-Mary (married George Thompson and is living in Green Lake Co.), Helen (married Henry Smith and now living in Fond du Lac Co.), Mr. A. L. Clark is the next in order, then George Clark (who is living at home), Wallace (living at home). Mr. A. L. Clark enlisted in February, 1864, in the 1st W. V. C .; served his time faithfully till the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged ; he was second musician in the regimental band at the close of the war, when he returned home and remained till 1867, when he went on the road for a Boston house, selling boots and shoes ; was afterward connected with a Chicago concern in the same business ; in September, 1876, he became associated with Mr. H. H. Hoard under the firm name of Clark & Hoard; they have been carrying on a very successful business ever since ; they carry a large and well-assorted stock of groceries, boots and shoes, and crockery, and, through their good business habits and gentlemanly demeanor, have made a host of friends and built up a large and growing trade. Mr. Clark married, in November, 1872, Lizzie Stanton, daughter of George W. Stanton ; have had two children-Edith, born Sept. 25, 1856; George, July 27, 1878. Mr. Clark held different offices of trust in the town of Brooklyn and is a Mason of prominence.

M. K. DAHL, manufacturer of plows and agricultural implements ; was born in Norway, Europe, Feb. 3, 1824 ; his father died when he was 7 years old ; he left his home when 8 years old, and served as a shepherd boy on a farm until he was 16 years old; he then went to the city of Christiana to learn the blacksmith trade, mainly lock-making; he left his birthplace without a cent and without any more cloth- ing than what he had on his body ; he walked 140 miles, sleeping out of doors until he reached the city on the 23d day of June, 1840, and, after serving as apprentice five years, without any compensation, except his board-to earn his clothes he had to work nights and Sundays-he left the city of Christiana in 1847, and went to Eidfos Iron Works, forty-nine miles from the city; worked on forgings and finish- ings for heavy machinery and navy work ; he left the iron works on . the 5th of June, 1849, for the city of Drammen, for the purpose of emigrating to America, that being a seaport; he started in a sailing vessel from Drammen on the 9th of June, 1849, and arrived at New York on the 28th of September, being eighty days on his journey from Norway to New York ; during that time, he occupied a good share of it in studying and practicing writing, as he never went to school a day in his life; being unable to find employment in the city of New York, and, being without money, he lodged with a family which came across in the same vessel, and who was going West to Milwaukee, Wis. The family stayed in New York three days, and then started for Milwaukee, and he, getting help from them, with the promise of paying them with the first money he earned. They arrived at Milwaukee on the 26th of October, being twenty-six days on their journey ; they went from New York to Troy by steamer, then taking canal-boat to Buffalo, then by steamers across the lakes to Milwaukee; when he arrived in that city he sold his bed- clothes for $1 ; he stopped in Milwaukee four days, trying to find work, without succeeding ; he then took a bundle of clothing on his back and walked all the way to Rochester, Racine Co., where he met a Mr. Seymour Johnson, a friend from Norway, and who had been in this country three years, and working there for a Mr. Beldon, who carried on a small foundry, wagon-shop and general blacksmithing; by the assistance of his friend Johnson, he got a chance to work for Belden nine weeks for his board; then he hired out to Bly & Ely, who was starting a blacksmith-shop in Waupun ; he had not had a chance as yet to earn any money, so he borrowed $2 of his friend Johnson, and started for Waupun, walking eighty miles, arriving in that village on the 1st of December, 1849; commenced work for a term of six months at $13 a month ; the first money earned he paid the family that bore his expenses from New York to Milwaukee, and the

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next went to friend Johnson ; the leading work here at Bly & Ely's was making plows and fanning-mills, and, after their plow season was over in the spring, they took the blacksmith-shop in which to paint fanning- mills ; he then went to work for S. H. Hill in the village, at $20 per month, shoeing horses and doing general blacksmith work ; at the end of two months, he received a letter from Mr. Jones at Watertown, who carried on a machine-shop, offering $1 per day for turning and fitting out work for two flouring-mills ; he accepted the offer and worked for him two months ; he then returned to Waupun ; hired out to Bly & Ely for one year to take charge of their blacksmith-shop at $1 per day ; at the end of that year, he made a bargain with Bly & Ely to do all the iron work to a plow by the piece; and this he continued to do until 1855, having an increase in their work so that he employed five and six hands; in 1854, he also took the job of making all the locks to be used in the Wisconsin State Prison ; the 18th of June, 1856, he bought the shops of Gus W. Bly, Ely having dissolved partnership with Bly previous to this, taking in D. P. Norton as partner in September, 1856, and continuing the business of making plows and fannrnn- mills until 1864, when the partnership was dissolved, and M. K. Dahl continued the business ; outside of this business, he had a farm, and in which he succeeded in making money on ; also investing in land in Minnesota and Dakota. On Nov. 24, 1854, he was married to Hannah O. Hansen, of his own nationality, who was born in Norway Oct. 25, 1835; the first child was born, and died in infancy; the second was born Jan. 30, 1857, it being a girl, Henrietta C. Dahl; the third being a boy, Albert M. Dahl, born Jan. 7, 1859 ; the fourth a girl, Emma P. Dahl, born Feb. 14, 1861; the fifth a boy, Henry O. Dahl, born July 27, 1865, and died Sept. 25, 1865. His wife died Aug. 22, 1865. He then married a Miss Hannah Haldorsen Nov. 11, 1866; she was born in Norway Sept. 22, 1829. His oldest daughter, Henrietta, was married to Mr. Oscar N. Olberg, of Taopi, Minn., July 14, 1875. Albert M. Dahl is following his father's trade and has now one-half interest in the business. Emma P. Dahl, his youngest daughter, was married to C. A. Olberg, of La Crosse, Wis., Aug. 26, 1879. M. K. Dahl is a member of the Lutheran Church. He was honored with being President of the Village Board two years, and being an Alderman four or five years, and Treasurer of School District eleven years and Clerk of same four years. Mr. Dahl is building one of the finest residences in the county. He deserves especial credit for the remarkable manner in which he has worked his way to prosperity and success.

DAVID FERGUSON, retired farmer ; P. O. Waupun ; born in Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1816, and emigrated to America and to Waupun, Wis., June 4, 1850 ; first settled on 160 acres in the town of Chester ; engaged in agricultural pursuits and loaning money at low rates of interest ; when the Horicon Railroad was projected, he surveyed the road from Horicon to Waupun, but did not receive much remune- ration for this work ; at the time of the great struggle of the North for national sovereignty, he was Chair- man of the Board of Supervisors of the town of Chester, and gave his influence and aid to the great

cause. He is a man generally admired and respected for liberality and good, sterling qualities ; his rates of interest have never been exorbitant. He married Jennett Goodin, of an old Scotch family, who were from St. Andrew's, Scotland. Mr. David Ferguson is Secretary and Treasurer of Waupun Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co., which includes the towns of Waupun, Chester, Alto and Mackford. The children are Jes- sie, who married Benjamin R. Stouffer, son of Jacob Stouffer, a prominent citizen of Chambersburg, Penn .; Drysdale Ferguson, married, Jan. 1, 1872, a daughter of Mahlon Nivison ; they are the parents of three children-William H., born Feb. 12, 1873; one died in infancy ; Herbert Thomas, born Sept. 6, 1876. Drysdale Ferguson enlisted in Co. B, 41st W. V. I .; served his time faithfully, and was honorably dis- charged ; in 1869, engaged in the hardware business with Mr. John Bryce; they have been engaged in a very successful business ever since ; keep as large and full assorted stock as any concern engaged in their line of business in this part of the country ; Mr. Ferguson is an Alderman of the city of Waupun. Mr. David Ferguson's next child was Thomas Ferguson, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits. Christiana Ferguson married J. W. Hargrave, a Congregational minister, of Cleveland, Ohio. William Ferguson is engaged in the banking business in Nebraska ; two children died in infancy.

W. H. FERRIS, State Prison official ; Mr. Ferris was brought up in Connecticut till he was 8 years old ; his father, James H. Ferris, was a Connecticut man and was born in 1800, and was a drummer boy in the war of 1812; his father was Capt. John Ferris, who was a Captain in the same war ; he was of English descent and was a member of the Queen's Guard in the old country. Mr. W. H. Ferris, when 8 years old, moved to Saratoga Springs, N. Y .; was there fourteen years ; was in the mercantile business and attended school, and came West, to Fox Lake, in 1857 ; was clerk for H. Germain about a year ; was then with Leonard & Clark, and afterward engaged in the business under the firm name of Leonard & Ferris ; sold out and went to work for A. Rich. At the time of the war, enlisted in Co. H, 29th W. V. I .; served his time faithfully and was honorably discharged in April, 1863. While in Trenton, Mr. Ferris was elected Justice of the Peace; also served as Constable several times. Mr. Ferris was appointed to fill a

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position in Waupun Prison, in 1876, and has been an officer in that institution ever since. He married, in March, 1858, Caroline E. Hemingway, daughter of Ezra Hemingway, who was a well-to-do farmer in Washington Co., N. Y. ; children are Julia C., born Dec. 21, 1859; Cora E., Dec. 12, 1864 ; Neil Ches- ter, December, 1874. Mr. Ferris' brother, George D. Ferris, was in the 77th N. Y. V. I .; served five years, and was in thirty-two hard-fought battles ; was in Castle Thunder six months. James K. Ferris was in the 77th N. Y. V. I., and was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness and crippled for life. Walter M. Ferris was in the same regiment, and lost his leg in the battle of the Wilderness. A brother- in-law, Leroy Babcock, was starved to death at Andersonville. An uncle, Capt. Peck, was wounded at Lookout Mountain. There are not many families that have such a war record. Mr. W. H. Ferris has a fine little farm in the town of Trenton, and is in comfortable circumstances through his industry and fru- gality.

H. W. FROST, counselor at law and City Attorney ; born in Windsor, N. Y., March 27, 1842; son of Sheldon Frost, who was from Watertown, Litchfield Co., Conn .; his father was Solomon Frost and had a good record as a Revolutionary soldier ; Sheldon Frost died in February, 1872, at about the age of 77; Henry's early days were spent on a farm; he improved his spare time in study, afterward attending the seminary in Binghamton, N. Y., and, in 1867, went into the office of Mr. Barrett, a prominent lawyer in that part of the country ; in April, 1870, he went to Green, Chenango Co., N. Y., and studied law with his uncle, Lester Chase, who had practiced law successfully for forty years in that county ; came to Waupun, Wis., April 12, 1874, and engaged in law practice with J. W. Seely ; in 1878, they dissolved partnership and he is doing a good and constantly increasing business. Married, Sept. 22, 1874, Cornelia E. Peck, daughter of Philo Peck. who was a well-to-do farmer in Chenango Co., N. Y .; have two children -Nellie, born Sept. 19, 1875 ; Fannie, born May 12, 1877. Mr. Frost is attorney for the city of Wau- pun ; is a prominent member of the Society of Odd Fellows, and was the first member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is now Pastmaster; he is also a worthy member of the Temple of Honor.

J. S. GEE, monumental works; born in Cortland Co., N. Y., town of Virgil, Jan. 17, 1816; son of Samuel Gee, who was a farmer and a carpenter by trade; his father, John Gee, served seven years in the Revolutionary war and in most of the hard-fought battles; he received from the Government, for his services, 640 acres of land in Cortland Co., N. Y .; the family are of French descent; Samuel Gee died in 1875, at the age of 80. John S. Gee shifted for himself after he was 12 years old; learned the mason and stonecutter's trade in Ithaca, N. Y .; he started in business in Elmira, N. Y., and, in 1837, went to Frenchtown; in 1838, moved to Troy, Penn., and, in 1840, to Danville, N. Y., in 1841, to Fredonia; then to Penn Line, Penn .; and, 1846, came to Waupun, Wis .; in 1853, went to California, and went into the mines; in the fall of 1855, returned to Waupun, and has been here ever since, and is to-day the oldest mason and stonecutter in the State. Mr. Gee married, in 1835, Lucy A. Whiting, daughter of Caleb Whiting, a Presiding Elder in the Methodist Church, and a man of prominence. Children-Oscar F. enlisted in Co. D, 3d W. V. I .; was in Bunk retreat, and died from exposure; T. W. Gee enlisted in Daniell's Cav .; was in the West and Southwest; served his time faithfully four years; John W. enlisted in the 3d W. V. I., and received his death-wound at battle of Antietam; was shot through his left arm, thigh and lungs, and died in about six weeks; James E. enlisted in Co. D, 3d W. V. I, and served his time faithfully till the close of the war; he is now a physician, living at Brandon; has an extensive practice; he married a daughter of Gen. W. H. Taylor; Vestalina married a Robbins, who died; she is now the wife of F. E. Sykes; Ella married Rufus Oliver. Mr. Gee has held offices of trust many times. Mr. Gee had only $2.50 when he arrived in Waupun, and owes his success to his industry and good management.

R. L. GRAHAM, merchant tailor; born in Liverpool, Eng., Feb. 3, 1829; came to New York City in the fall of 1848; came over on the vessel Blackbird, Capt. Peabody, commander; went to Mil- waukee, and worked for his board, from November till April, 1848; May 3, 1848, came to Waupun ; while on the way out West, Mr. Graham tried to enlist in the U. S. Army, but he wouldn't pass ; he wasn't big enough. When he came to Waupun, went to work for Howard & Tanner, tailors; was with them till 1853, when he engaged in business on his own account, and has been very successful ever since. Mr. Graham and wife returned to England May 3, 1870, on a trip of recreation and pleasure, and returned in August of the same year. Jan. 27, 1853, Mr. Graham married Selina W. Vial, who was born in Somersetshire, Eng. The children were Mary Jane, died in infancy; Amelia, died when 2 years old; Henrietta, died when 14 months old; Martha, died in infancy; Harriet, died in infancy; Frankie Lee, lived to be 6 months old; Della M., lived to be 18 months old. Mr. Graham is eminently a self-made man, and is to be commended for his pluck and energy in pushing to the front; he gives eminent satisfaction in his business, his trade extending throughout the surrounding country. He and his wife

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attend Episcopal Church. Mr. Graham is liberal and public-spirited in all charitable objects; he has been the help and mainstay of his mother in the old country. Mr. Graham has one of the prettiest residences, inside and out, in the city of Waupun.

W. W. HARRIS, flouring-mill; born in Camden Co., N. Y., April 30. 1843; son of Stephen H. Harris, who was born and brought up in Camden Co .; he is now an old and respected citizen of Waupun. W. W. Harris learned the miller's trade in Waupun in 1861; in 1871, became associated with T. W. Markell; before this, it was Harris & Son for ten years. Mr. Harris has been in the milling business for many years, and is a master of the profession; the firm is now doing a large and prosperous business. Mr. Harris married, Nov. 26, 1868, Amorette Newton, daughter of N. J. Newton, a respected citizen, and one of the earliest settlers in this part of the country; the children by this marriage are, Fred L., born Oct. 6, 1869; William M., born Oct. 21, 1870; Herbert J:, born Feb. 29, 1872; Eda M., born July 25, 1874; Clyde, born Jan. 1, 1877. Mr. Harris is Director of School District No. 1; is Fire Marshal and Alderman of North Ward.

EMIL HAUEISEN, furniture business; born in Germany April 20, 1836; he landed in New York May 10, 1855; went to Milwaukee, and, Aug. 15, 1860, came to Waupun; was a porcelain painter in the old country, and, when he came to this country, engaged in carriage painting; Jan. 1, 1862, became associated with M. Meyer, in furniture business, and, Dec. 16, 1872, Mr. Haueisen took the entire business, and has been engaged very successfully in the same line ever since; through his industry and prudence, has accumulated a competency. He married, Dec. 16, 1862, Barbett Korder ; children are, Emely, born Feb. 18, 1864; Nora, born Oct. 8, 1866; Hattie, born Aug. 30, 1869; Edwin C., born in January, 1871. Mr. Haueisen is Clerk of School District No. 1. He has taken all the degrees in Odd Fellowship; he is also agent for the Hamburg American Packet Co. Himself and family attend Episcopal Church. Mr. Haueisen is to be much commended for the way in which he has come to the front; it was through his own exertions only.

EDWIN HILLYER, insurance ; born in Portage Co., Ohio ; son of Col. David Hillyer, one of the pioneers of that county, and a man of prominence ; he surveyed the counties of Portage and Stark, Ohio ; the family came to Ohio from Granby, Mass .; Edwin commenced his business career selling goods in Ohio ; in July, 1847, he came to Waupun, Wis., and engaged in business, and, in 1849, went to Cali- fornia ; ran the first express ever run on the Sacramento River; there was not a frame house in Sacra- mento at that time ; he finally sold out his steamboat and went into the mines, and dug gold at Syracuse Bar, in which claim he had an interest; returned to Waupun in 1852, and engaged in business with his brother in a general merchandise store; sold out his interest and built the railroad from Horicon to Wau- pun, and was afterward General Agent of the road ; then engaged in the insurance business ; established the Dodge County Insurance Company ; was elected to the Legislature in 1852; was Chairman of Com- mittee on Privileges of Election, and was also connected with several committees. In 1861, he raised part of a company for the 3d W. V. I., and the same year raised a company for the 10th W. V. I., and was appointed Captain ; served his time faithfully, and was honorably discharged on account of sickness, and returned to Waupun and engaged in the insurance business, which he has been very successful in ever since. Mr. Hillyer was Deputy Warden at the Waupun Prison at one time, and it was he that laid out the beautiful grounds in front of that structure ; he founded the library of the city of Waupun Feb. 18, 1858, and has been librarian ever since ; Mr. Hillyer has a fine farm of 1,100 acres in Grundy Co., Iowa, mostly under good cultivation, and he owns one of the finest residences in the city of Waupun. Mr. Hill- yer married in 1848; the children were Edna C., married C. H. Ford, General Agent of the North Ger- man Insurance Company, and is living in New York City ; the other children were Martha J., H. L. Palmer Hillyer, Homer W. and Frank ; Martha and Frank are deceased. Mrs. Hillyer is President of the State Temperance Alliance, and a prominent and efficient worker in the good cause.

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The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc, Part 94

Author: Western Historical Co Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 774