The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc, Part 96

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 96

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D. S. MORSE, Justice of the Peace, was born in Windsor Co., Vt. June 30, 1816; son of Samuel Morse, who was a native of Connecticut and was a soldier in the war of 1812 ; his father was Sherman Morse, a Connecticut man ; the family were from England originally ; Samuel Morse died in 1866, at the age of 73; the family came to Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 27, 1843 (Dennis and his brother, O. A. Morse, had been through the West before this date, selling Connecticut clocks), and came to Ches- ter, Dodge Co., September, 1844; they were among the earliest settlers in this section of the country ; they settled on about two hundred acres and lived in a log house with one room, and went through all the hard- ships that surrounded the early settlers ; Mr. D. S. Morse sold out his farm about 1851, and came to Waupun, where he has been ever since, engaged in buying and selling wheat, loaning money, etc., and now has a competence through his industry and frugality. Mr. Morse married, in 1838, Miss L. J. Parks, daughter of John Parks, who was a native of Vermont; the children are O. A. Morse, Jr., who is engaged in manufacturing carriages ; Samuel, living in Fond du Lac ; Harvey, died in 1872, about the age of 27 (he was an express agent at Beaver Dam and a much respected man); Hattie A., married W. S. Lawrence and is living in Waupun ; Susie married D. A. Lowber, and is living in Waupun ; Sherman J. Morse is practicing law in Waupun. Mr. Morse has been a member of the School Board and Town Board many times, and is now serving as Justice of the Peace, as he has twice before ; he is a member of the Odd Fellows and has taken all the degrees, and is an honored and respected citizen.

PHELPS MOORE, livery stable; born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Dec. 11, 1827; son of S. F. Moore, who was from Vermont, and was a'soldier in the war of 1812; he enlisted when at the age of 18, and was engaged in several battles ; he emigrated to Erie Co., N. Y., and died when about 56 years old. Phelps Moore came to Waupun in the fall of 1849; he went to La Crosse and entered 180 acres of land; he lived in Minnesota three years ; in 1851, engaged in the grocery business in Waupun and afterward went into the livery business, which he has been successfully engaged in since; he has the best livery stock in this part of the country. Mr. Moore married Anna M. Hewitt, daughter of George A. Hewitt ; the children were Edith M., died when 2 years old; Ellis T., is attending college ; Bay, is attending school in Waupun. Mr. Moore is a man of liberal spirit, and a prominent member of the society of Odd Fellows.

D. W. MOORE, M. D .; born in Essex Co., N. Y., Sept. 4, 1825 ; son of Silas Moore, who was from New Jersey ; he was a brave soldier in the war of 1812, and served in all the prin- cipal engagements on the frontier except Plattsburg ; he had charge of the hospital at Sackett's Harbor at one time ; he died in November, 1837, at the age of 43; his father, Stephen, and a brother, Silas, were victims during the Revolutionary war, at Valley Forge, dying from exposure. Mr. Moore's grandfather, on his

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mother's side, was Zenas Warren, of Middleboro, Mass., a descendant of the celebrated Gen. Warren ; Zenas served in the Revolutionary war, and, while on his way to the West Indies, was captured by a British cruiser. Dr. Moore attended Bakersfield Academy, Vt., and Castleton College of Physicians and Surgeons, and engaged in practice in Lewis, N. Y., and came to Waupun, Wis., in 1855, and has been carrying on an extensive and successful practice ever since. Married Miss S. L. Jenkins, in New York, in 1855; had three children-Marion L., Frank W. and D. W. Moore, Jr .; his wife dicd in September, 1862 ; married in October, 1864, Miss E. R. Turner, daughter of W. S. Turner ; one child by this union, Charles T. Moore.

AMOS NUDD, merchant ; born in Rockingham Co., N. H., Sept. 6, 1820; son of John Nudd, who was born and brought up in the same county, and his father, Weare Nudd, was also " raised " in New Hampshire, and was enrolled as a minute-man in the Revolution; these ancestors came from England ; it is not positively known if they " came over in the Mayflower," "or that three brothers came to this country," etc., etc., but the family has a good record, and belonged to that good old Puritan stock whose blood has coursed the veins of the noblest men and women America has produced. Mr. John Nudd was a well-to-do farmer ; when the war of 1812 came he joined the ranks and helped whip the British again ; he lived, and died on the old homestead Jan. 8, 1867, at the age of 78. He was a member of the Legislature at one time, and was every way a citizen honored and respected. His wife was Mary Worthington, who died years ago. Amos lived at home till 1851, then went to Exeter, N. H., and engaged in business there five years ; then emigrated to Richland, Wis., taught school at times, and in August, 1862, came to Waupun and became engaged with Henry Althouse in the manufacture of pumps ; Mr. Nudd was the inventor of lateral waste valve, which was applied to these pumps; he ac- cepted a position in the counting-room of the concern, and was there till 1874, and was also with Alt- house, Wheeler & Co .; May, 1877, formed copartnership with C. M. Brooks, and engaged in the furni- ture business, under the firm name of Brooks & Nudd ; they have been carrying on a very successful business. Mr. Nudd married, Dec. 22, 1840, Lucy A. James, daughter of E. M. James, who was a good old Yankee from Deerfield, Rockingham Co., N. H. The old homestead is in possession of Fred P. James, who is one of the Directors of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad ; the children were George, who died when 5 years old ; Georgina L., married C. D. Nichols, and living in Columbus, Cherokee Co. Kan .; Mary L., married George Foster, and is living in Oshkosh, Wis .; Nellie F., married Albert Ray-

mond, and is living in Chester ; one child died in 1858, and another in 1854.

Mr. Nudd's brother,

William Nudd, was a brave soldier in the 15th N. H. V. I., was in many battles, and died from exposure, in August, 1864. Mr. Nudd has held offices of trust, and is a member of the society of Odd Fellows ; he is also a strong advocate of temperance and a member of the Temple of Honor ; it doesn't require the aid of stimulants or narcotics to make Mr. N. a jovial companion, a wit, or a poet-these acquirements are inherent.

J. N. O'BRIEN, M. D., physician and surgeon; born in West Chester, Penn., Sept. 15, 1838; Dr. O'Brien entered Notre Dame College in 1856 and graduated in 1859; commenced the study of medicine at the Rush Medical College in 1861; eminent among the profession there at that time Prof. Brainard, James Adams Allen, Prof. J. W. Freer, Prof. Ray ; Dr. O'Brien, after a thorough course of study, commenced the practice of medicine in Plymouth, Sheboygan Co., Wis., and, in 1878, came to Waupun ; he is a member of the State Medical Society and a prominent member of the American Medical Association ; also a member of the County Medical Society ; he has a large and constantly increasing practice. Dr. O'Brien married, in May, 1866, Anna J. Smith, daughter of Col. H. N. Smith, late Warden of the Wisconsin State Prison and who for many years was a prominent Democratic politician of the State; the children are Daisy, born July 4, 1869 ; Sarah, born Oct. 24, 1872; Harold N., born in April, 1877. The Doctor is a man of genial temperament, and, although his valuable time is mostly occu- pied with his studies and practice, he occasionally finds an opportunity to follow the sports of the field, and game from mud-hens to deer have to suffer.

R. L. OLIVER, attorney ; born in Scotland, May 4, 1834 ; son of Theo. Oliver, a hardware merchant ; he came to the town of Alto, Wis., in 1848; came to Waupun and engaged in the manufact- ure of plows; was successfully engaged till 1858, when he went into the hardware business and carried it on till the time of his death, Dec. 29. 1868. Robert enlisted in Co. D, 3d W. V. I .; was in all the battles that that regiment engaged in; was appointed Sergeant Major after the battle of Antietam on account of bravery ; returned to Waupun in 1864; commenced the study of law in 1865 and now has a successful practice. Married Grace Sampey, daughter of Theo. Sampey; have had three children-Ada Belle, Gertie and Grace.

E. A. PADGHAM, merchant; born in Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 6, 1840; son of John Padgham, who was born in Sussex, Eng., Feb. 21, 1799; he was a miller by trade, and was also a local

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Methodist preacher of celebrity; he married, Oct. 11, 1824, Miss Charlotte Hobbs, of St. Peter's Isle, Thanite, Eng .; she was born May 6, 1798; the family came to America in 1830, and Mr. John Padg- ham engaged in farming, which he carried on successfully till the time of his death; his wife is now living in Randolph, Wis., at the good old age of 81; she has in her possession some of a celebrated brand of flour that her husband made, the week they were married, in the old Northwood Windmill at St. Lawrence, Eng. Edward A. Padgham came to Waupun in 1861 to take charge of Ewen's Prison City Item office; he shortly after enteredCo. K, 10th W. V. I .; was in all the engagements with his regiment; served his time faithfully, and was mustered out Nov. 3, 1864, after having served three years and three months; returned to Waupun, and married, Jan. 3, 1865, Miss Addie Moore, daughter of Mills Moore; have had one child-Jessie A., born Dec. 29, 1872. In 1865, Mr. Padgham was engaged with Phelps Moore, and then with Sykes & Nichols; then accepted a position with Mr. Van Valkensburg, and, shortly after, went to work for I. V. Preston, druggist; in 1867, Mr. Padgham loaded all his worldly possessions on wagons, and, with ox-teams, took his march with his family for the great West; they traveled many hundred miles, and suffered some hardships; after getting into Iowa, and not finding the prospect pleasing, they retraced their way to Waupun; Mr. Padgham is now successfully engaged in business in Waupun; has one of the neatest and handsomest stores in the city, and carries a very com- plete and well-assorted stock of groceries, crockery, etc. Himself and wife are members of the Congre- gational Church.

CHARLES RANK, retired merchant ; born June 14, 1824, in Ruegem, Germany, an island in the Baltic Sea and a place of summer resort; he was the son of Carl Louis Rank. Charles was a soldier in the old country in the 28th Regiment Prussian Infantry ; was honorably discharged at Aix La Chapelle June 22, 1848 ; this was one of the regiments sent to Rastad-Baden to quell a rebellion in which Carl Schurz, Gen. Sigel and others, since citizens of fame in this country, were prominent leaders. Carl Louis Rank and family came to Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 6, 1848; Carl shortly after to Washington Co., and died there in 1854 ; he was born Jan. 9, 1793. Charles was a journeyman tailor in Milwaukee several years ; was employed with H. Frind & Bro. five years ; in the fall of 1854, engaged in business for him- self near the Kirby House; in May, 1855, came to Waupun and started a general store in company with John Manz, under the firm name of Rank & Manz; in 1863, he bought Manz out and carried on the business very successfully till 1876 ; he has now a competence through his good business management and square dealing, owning one of the finest business blocks of the city, which he erected in 1868. Married, Dec. 25, 1854, Christiana Luick, born in Nittingen, Wurtemberg; have had five children-Louisa, born Sept. 15, 1855, died May 7, 1858; Ella G., born Sept. 25, 1858, living at home; Lucy E., born Feb. 9, 1862 ; Charles A., born Sept. 5, 1864, living at home; William Edward, born Aug. 26, 1866, at home. Ella is teaching school at Oak Center, Fond du Lac Co. Mr. Rank was liberal during the war, giving his aid and support freely to the great cause of national sovereignty.

JOHN J. ROBERTS, merchant ; born Feb. 5, 1843, in Wales ; son of O. R. Roberts. The family came to Columbia Co., Wis., in the spring of 1847. Mr. O. R. Boberts was a prominent and respected citizen in the old country and held positions of trust ; he was a man of more than ordinary culture ; he died about 1867 at the age of 75. John, when 17 years old, went to work for Gov. Smith, and, in August, 1862, enlisted in Co. E, 29th W. V. I .; served about ten months, and returned and raised a company for the 48th W. V. I., and entered the service again as First Lieutenant of Co. B, and was afterward promoted to captaincy ; served his time faithfully and was honorably discharged. On his return, worked for William E. Smith for awhile, then went in partnership with R. P. Smith in general merchandise store ; came to Waupun in the fall of 1870, and engaged in trade with Lewis Smith, and, about ten months after, took the entire business himself, which he has been carrying on very successfully ever since; he is agent for the American Express Co .; he keeps one of the largest and best-assorted stocks of groceries, boots and shoes, crockery, etc., in the city, and deserves a big " credit mark " for his industry and good business management ; Mr. Roberts does not let a chance for shrewd speculation pass without getting his hand in. He married, in September, 1868, Miss Jennie Smith, daughter of Alexander Smith and sister of Gov. Smith ; the children by this marriage are Malevlin J., born in August, 1869, and died when 6 months old ; Jessie May, born in November, 1871; Almira Chamberlain, in March, 1874 ; Ira Smith, born Aug. 23, 1878. Mr. Roberts is a Mason and member of the Commandery.

ALMANZO ROBINSON (retired), born in Shoreham, Addison Co., Vt., May 5, 1822 ; son of Samuel Robinson, who was a farmer and drover, and used to drive his cattle to Boston for sale. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of New England ; he was born in 1795, and died Nov. 13, 1858, in St. Lawrence Co .; Almanzo worked on the farm at home till he was 15 years old ; July, 1837, he fell from a load of hay, receiving injuries necessitating the loss

y. M. Perry JUNEAU.

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of his arm ; attended school in Potsdam, N. Y., and also at Ogdensburg, and entered Middlebury Col- lege, but, his health failing, he had to give up his studies ; shortly after, he purchased a hotel and store in Bombay, Franklin Co., N. Y., sold out and engaged in business in Norfolk, St. Lawrence Co., then went to Brush Mills, and was in same business, and came to town of Chester, Dodge Co., Wis., in spring of 1860, and settled on ninety-one acres, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits five years ; he then sold out and removed to Oshkosh, where he was successfully engaged in building-supply business (lime, brick, etc.) ; afterward came to Waupun, and kept general store; he built and now owns the fine store occupied by John J. Roberts ; in 1870, retired from business, having obtained a competence through his industry and good management. Mr. Robinson married, 1845, Louisa. F. Day ; children by this union were Alfonzo S., born Dec. 1. 1846 (he enlisted in the 32d W. V. I., and died of disease Aug. 30, 1864) ; Alonzo D., born Oct. 14, 1848 (he is in Nevada in the cattle business); Allen P., March 23, 1851 (is in Nevada in cattle business) ; Mr. Robinson's wife died Jan. 21, 1863. He married the second time, September, 1863, Lodena Saunders, daughter of E. T. Saunders, who was a soldier in war of 1812, and his father, John Saunders, was a Revolutionary soldier ; this family were originally from Vermont, and moved to New York State at an early day. Mr. Robinson, while in New York State, held positions of trust-was Town Clerk, Justice of Peace, and Postmaster ; has been Justice of Peace in Waupun, and has been on the Town Board many times. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have an adopted child, Jessie, born Nov. 20, 1875.

J. W. SEELY, capitalist and attorney at law; born in Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N. Y., Dec. 10, 1819; son of Henry Seely, who was from Bedford, Westchester Co., N. Y .; the family came from England as early as 1690 and settled near Stamford, Conn .; a grandfather, Eli Seely, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his brother Thaddeus was taken prisoner and wounded and was never after heard of; Henry Seely died in Bainbridge in 1848, at the age of 61; Josiah W. Seely taught school in New York State when 16 years old, and, in 1835, commenced reading law and finished his course at Ithaca, N. Y .; was admitted to practice at the Supreme Court in Albany, N. Y., and has practiced law successfully to the present time ; in 1858, he came to Marquette Co., Wis .; was there five years, and then came to Waupun, Dodge Co. Married Miss M. S. Humphrey, daughter of Col. Austin N. Humphrey, of Connecticut, who was a descendant of Lea Humphrey, of Revolutionary fame ; the children are Henry A., who has attended school at Ripon College and Madison University ; Clara M., who has attended Ripon College, and Minnie H. Mr. Seely owns 140 acres of land, mostly within the city limits ; also owns a fine brick block on Main street, and one of the finest residences in the city ; also owns a farm of 240 acres in the town of Alto; he is a man of wealth, which he has accumulated through his shrewd management and good business tact ; he is quite extensively engaged in handling cattle, sheep and hogs, and is an active, sterling business man. Himself and family are members of the Episcopal Church.

PETER SEIFERT, brewer ; born in Germany, 1834; came to Milwaukee June 1, 1850, and engaged in the brewery business, was there a year ; he then went to Iowa, and was there three years, when he returned to Milwaukee and engaged in the same business, and came to Waupun in July, 1870, and bought a brewery, made many important improvements, and now carries on a large and constantly growing business ; he supplies nearly all the trade in the surrounding country, his beer is generally noted for its good qualities. Mr. Seifert married, Nov. 21, 1857, Catherine Brutzie ; children-Mary (died in infancy), Peter (lived to be 21 years 6 months and 9 days old, and died in September, 1879, he was a youth of much promise), Otto (died when 6 years old), Barteen (died when young), Anna E. is living at home, as is also Eddie Seifert. Mr. Seifert is a respected member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and himself and family members of the Catholic Church.

F. E. SIKES, merchant ; born in Granby, Mass., May 1, 1842 ; son of Edward Sikes, who was born in Lowell, Mass. The family came to Oakfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in spring of 1844, and Edward engaged in agricultural pursuits ; was a successful farmer for twenty-one years, and moved to Waupun in 1865, and Jan. 19, 1866, Mr. F. E. Sikes engaged in the general merchandise business, which he has carried on in a business-like and successful way ever since; his father, Mr. Edward Sikes, is living in Waupun at the age of 72. While living in Oakfield, he held many offices of trust. Francis E. married in March, 1877, the Widow Robins, daughter of J. S. Gee ; there is one child by this union- Frank Trewman. Mr. Sikes enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in the 21st W. V. I .; was in many engage- ments, among which were Perryville, Champion Hills and Stone River ; at Perryville, had four balls shot through his clothing; he was honorably discharged after serving his time faithfully. Mr. Sikes carries a large and well-assorted stock of groceries, boots and shoes and notions, and, through his strict attention to business and good management, is building up a prosperous trade.

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COL. H. N. SMITH, Warden of the State Penitentiary; born in Windsor Co., Vt., March 20, 1820 ; son of Safford Smith, a hotel-keeper in old stage times ; Col. H. N. Smith came to Sheboygan, Wis., in July, 1847, when the country around was a wilderness; was elected President of the village in the spring of 1848 ; in the fall of 1849, was elected to the Legislature from the Sheboygan District ; was on the Committee of Incorporation, the second committee in order of standing in the House ; also on the Committee on Elections ; at that session, Walter McIndoe's seat was contested by J. Delany ; McIndoe obtained his seat; Mr. Smith was the youngest man on an important committee; in the fall of 1850, he moved to Plymouth ; in the fall of 1852, was elected to the Senate from District of Sheboygan, Mani- towoc and Calumet; was elected on the Democratic ticket by the largest majority ever received by any one up to that time, viz., 1,352 ; he was on the Committee on Claims and others; before this, July 4, 1851, Mr. Smith was commissioned, by Gov. Nelson Dewey, Colonel of the 17th Regt., Wis. Militia; this was at the time of the first effort to organize a militia in the State; in 1861, Mr. Smith was largely engaged in the wool and produce business ; in 1868, he identified himself with the parties that succeeded in get- ting through the railroad from Milwaukee, by the way of Plymouth, to Green Bay, and it was mainly through his efforts in getting local aid and settling the right of way that it was completed ; one unusual fact is that no man lost a dollar by any contract of his at that time; in the spring of 1874, Col. Smith was appointed, without solicitation on his part, Warden of the Wisconsin State Prison, and was afterward re-appointed for a second term ; good and frugal management is clearly shown in the fact that the prison has been run for the past two or three years without a call upon the State for funds ; it used to call for $4,000 per year ; a visit to this institution only is necessary to satisfy one that it is one of the best kept and most economically managed penitentiaries in the United States. Mr. Smith married, in December, 1844, Laura A. Chase, grand-daughter of Bishop Chase, of Illinois and Ohio.

REV. JOSEPH SMITH, Pastor of St. Joseph's Church. The Rev. Joseph's Smith was educated in Carlow College, County Carlow, Ireland, and came to Milwaukee Oct. 1, 1850; then to Franklin, Milwaukee Co., where he became Pastor of St. Martin's Church; after that, took charge of the St. Bernard's Church at Watertown, the largest congregation outside of Milwaukee; then went to Fox Lake, and became Pastor of Immaculate Conception; then to Madison, as Pastor of St. Raphael's Church; and, in October, 1871, to Waupun, Wis., and became Pastor of St. Joseph's Church, where he has been ever since. The Church has increased and grown under his kind care and guidance; he kindly contributed a fine bell to the church, and he has helped to sustain and bring to a solid foundation a society that was, eight years since, when he came here, in a rather crippled condition.

GEORGE W. STANTON, elevator and grain business; born in Stratford Co., N. H., Jan. 2, 1821; son of John Stanton, who was in the war of 1812, and was a well-to-do farmer in that country ; his father was John Stanton, who was in the war of the Revolution; John Stanton, Jr., died in 1864, at the age of 74. Mr. George Stanton worked in the lumber business, in the neighborhood of Moosehead Lake, Me., and at the head-waters of the St. John's and Kennebec Rivers fifteen winters ; the family came West in 1856, to the town of Trenton, Dodge Co., and settled on 320 acres; also owned 800 acres of fine land in the northern part of the State; rented his farm, in 1865, and moved to Waupun, and engaged in buying grain; has been thus employed ever since. Mr. Stanton married, in 1842, Hannah C. Lord, daughter of Joseph L. Lord, who was extensively engaged in the lumber business in the State of Maine; the children by this union were Charles M., who died when 22 years old; Joseph, died when 5 years old; another, died in infancy; Joseph E., married a Shipman, and is living in Waupun; Elizabeth E., married A. L. Clark; George W., Jr., is in the grain business with his father. Mr. Stanton has held different offices of trust., and, through his industry' and good judgment, has built up the largest grain business in this part of the country.

THOMAS STODDART, manufacturer of organs ; born in Fifeshire, Scotland, Feb. 19, 1816 ; son of Daniel Stoddart ; his father was Thomas Stoddart; they were from the best of the old Scotch stock, and were associated with some of the good old aristocracy of that memorable country ; Thomas Stoddart was engaged in the music, book and stationery business; hearing of the glories of the great West, and particularly of the beautiful country along the Rock River, he concluded to come to the land of promise ; he, together with his family and thirty-six other Scots, embarked in the good ship Mala- bar, and landed in New York May 30, 1849, and he, with his family, arrived in Waupun in June the same year, settled on eighty acres in town of Chester, and went to farming; it didn't agree with him; he couldn't get along with the steers and other wild animals ; plowing didn't suit him, neither did pitching hay ; he was about to give up and go to Chicago and follow his old profession, when he met Mr. Hobkirk, and accepted a position as clerk in the store of Hobkirk & Clapperton ; worked for them four or five years, part of the time for $10 per month. At the time of Buchanan's election was a strong Democrat,

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The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc, Part 96

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