The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 118

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899

USA > Wisconsin > Rock County > The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc. > Part 118

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DR. T. TRACY, physician, State street; was born in Ireland in 1823, and came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1862, locating at Beloit, where he has been practicing medicine; Dr. Tracy graduated at the Montreal University, Canada. He married, in 1840, Anu Eliza Kilburn, of Canada, cousin to Chief Jus- tice Richards, of Canada.

JOSEPH S. TUCKER, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Beloit; born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Dec. 26, 1810; his parents moved to Ontario Co., N. Y., where they remained till 1821. He married in Hunts- burg, Ohio, in 1842, Clarissa A. Bontes; they had seven children, four now living-one daughter married to George W. Baird, of Woodstock, Ill., the others are living at home; in 1853, he moved to Jo Daviess Co., Ill .; remained there till 1869; in July of that year, came to Beloit and bought 120 acres land in Secs. 16, 17, with residence and all improvements. His wife died in Beloit, March 11, 1874, and is buried there.

W. N. VAN MATRE, dealer in sewing machines and sewing-machine parts, Allen's Block, School street; was born on June 29, 1851, in Oneco Township, Stephenson Co., Ill., where he engaged in farming; from Oneco he removed to Monroe, Ill., where he attended school and afterward traveled for the Remington Sewing Machine Co. for one year, then went to Iowa and Ottawa, Ill., in the interest of the Singer Sewing Machine; then returned to Monroe and engaged in the business of repairing sewing machines; from Monroe he removed to Beloit and engaged in same business until September, 1878, when he obtained the agency of the following companies : The New Home, Singer, Wheeler & Wilson No. 8. Wilson and Howe; this business he is now carrying on with success, selling on an average twenty machines

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per month. Mr. Van Matre married, Sept. 1, 1872, Minnie Sweeley, of Winslow, Stephenson Co., Ill. has one child-Maud.

L. G. WALKLY was born in Freehold, Warren Co., Penn., May 22, 1833, and came to Wisconsin May 19, 1855, locating in Beloit; Mr. Walkly learned his trade with James Gaeter, and com- menced business for himself under the firm name of Walkly & Matthews; from Freehold he went to Cincinnati and from there to Beloit; he worked at the carpenter and joiner trade for two years ; then was with Parker & Stone, first as journeyman, then for eight years as foreman ; Mr. Walkly has been with the above firm for the past twenty years; in the spring of 1873, he was Alderman for the Third Ward of Beloit, which office he still retains, having been re-elected in 1876 and in 1879. He married, June 30, 1857, Ellen Barnes, of Fredericksburg, Ohio.

RUFUS WASHBURN, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Beloit; born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., April 26, 1807; in 1837, he went to Maumee, Ohio; remained there one year, then went to Chicago and worked on the Illinois Canal ; in 1839, he came to Beloit to look at land, then returned to Ohio, and, in 1841, went back to Jefferson Co., N. Y., where he remained one year sick ; in 1842, he came to Rock Co., and bought 560 acres land in Kock Township, in partnership with his brothers William and Charles Walker ; he resided there till 1864, and then came to Beloit and bought eighty acres land in Section 3, Beloit Township, and also thirty acres in Plymouth; there was a stone house partly built on the eighty- acre lot which he finished and now occupies; he and his brother improved and broke all the land from the woods to his south line. He married, in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1851, Olive A. Newton, and they had three children-Elizabeth L., Mary E. F. and Amasa W .; Elizabeth married J. C. F. Waite, and lives with her father ; the others are single and remain at home.

E. M. WATSON, pattern-maker, job woodwork and scroll sawing and turning, Third street ; was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Sept. 2, 1840, and came to Wisconsin Jan. 20, 1872, locating in Janesville. Mr. Watson went to school at his native place, then worked at farming until he was 25 years of age, when he moved to St. Louis, and commenced the manufacture of steps and long ladders, after which, he worked as journeyman for S. J. Stevens, a celebrated builder of St. Louis. From St. Louis, he moved to Janesville, and manufactured ladders for the Doty Manufacturing Co. ; from there, to Beloit, where from June 1, 1874, to Oct. 10, 1875, he worked on pattern work for the Merrill & Houston iron works. He commenced business for himself at his present location, where he is doing a good and profitable business. Mr. Watson enlisted June 28, 1863, in Co. H, 1st Penn. Vol., Lieut. Col. McClure, which regiment was engaged in detail duty. He was discharged from this regiment Jan. 12, 1864, when he again enlisted Feb. 24, 1864, in Battery D, 1st Md. Light Artillery, which was stationed on Arlington Heights for the protection of the city of Washington. He received his discharge from Battery D June 28. 1865. Mr. Watson married, Oct. 8, 1874, Sarah L. Rockwell, of New York. He has four children- Alfred G., Rachel Eva, Irene and George Morris. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are members of the Baptist Church at Beloit.

BENJAMIN WILLFORD, deceased ; born in Wayne Co., Ohio, January 24, 1819 ; came to Beloit in 1849. and bought 109 acres in Section 17; he built a residence and barns, and improved it. He married in Wooster, Ohio, May 10, 1842, Christine Ruble. They had two children-Henry C. and Mary S. Mr. Willford died June 21, 1854. Mary S. died Dec. 3, 1860. Mrs. Willford and her son Henry C. now occupy the farm and residence, Sec. 17; P. O. Beloit. Henry purchased, since his father's death, 223 acres, which he is now working, beside the 109 acres now owned by his mother.

GEORGE W. WILLIAMS, foreman of West Side mill, Rock River Paper Co. ; was born in Williamstown, Berkshire Co., Mass., Oct. 24, 1830. He received his education at Williamstown, and also farmed with his father. From Williamstown, he went to Clarksburg, Berkshire Co., Mass., where he worked at farming in the summer and teaching school in the winter, and was appointed one of the Board of Examiners for teachers at that place. He then went to Le Roy, Boone Co., and farmed for himself, teaching school in the winter time. From there, he went to Rockton, and worked as overseer of William Rood & Sons' stock farms of 300 acres ; thence to Beloit, Wis., and has been in the employ of the Rock River Paper Co., and is foreman of the West Side mill. July 7, 1855, Mr. Williams married Harriet C. Chamberlain, of New York. He has four children-Elizabeth C., George A., Cora A., Farmer R.

CHARLES D. WINSLOW, merchant; born in Liverpool, N. Y .; came to Beloit with his parents, in 1843; his father, J. G. Winslow, took up 160 acres Government land, built residence, and made all improvements ; occupied it till 1854, and then sold it, and moved to Beloit ; he was appointed Cashier of the Bank of Beloit, which position he held five years; then purchased a dairy farm, and now owns and operates a cheese factory in Shirland. His son, Charles D., in 1861, entered the Bank of Beloit; remained until 1865; in 1866, formed a copartnership with George H. Rosenberg, in the hardware business, and

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opened a store on the corner of State and School streets. They carry a large and varied stock of hardware, stoves, tinware, agricultural tools, etc. Mr. Winslow married in Beloit, in 1873, Mary Manchester, of Beloit, They have no children. Members of the Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM YOUNG, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Beloit; born in Windham, Penn., in 1806. In the spring of 1838, he came to Wisconsin, and bought forty acres Government land in Section 1, Beloit Township, Rock Co .; he then returned East, and remained there till 1845, and, in the fall of that year, came here with his family, built residence, barns, etc., and made all improvements. Married in Susque- hanna Co., Penn., in 1829, Lucy G. Lawrence. They have had six children.

NEWARK TOWNSHIP.

HIRAM G. ATWOOD, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Beloit; born in Rutland Co., Vt., in 1831. He came to this county in May, 1857, located in Newark Township, and bought forty-five and one-half acres of land in Section 14, on which he built a handsome residence and barns, made all improvements, and now occupies it. He afterward bought more land at different times, and now owns 265 acres in Secs. 14 and 15, with all improvements. He married in Brandon, Vt., March 14, 1855, Fidelia Bentley, a resident of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. They had seven children, six still living-Emma, Ella, Herbert, Charles, Carrie. George-all living at home with parents.

MRS. MARGARET P. BELL, widow, Sec. 25; P. O. Beloit; daughter of Samuel and Mary Leslie ; born in Beaver Co., Penn., Jan. 14, 1822. Her parents moved to Trumbull Co., Ohio, when she was young; she was educated, reared and married there Sept. 25, 1842, to James Bell, who was born in the same county July 30, 1816. They had five children; one died, aged 3 years; four living- Maty F., Harriet L., Eliza L. and Laura J .- all married and living in different States. In 1847, they came to Rock Co. and bought the farm Mrs. B. now occupies, eighty acres in Sec. 25, in Newark Town- ship, and 80 acres in Sec. 30, Beloit Township; the town line divides their farm in two. Mr. Bell built a residence and barn in Newark, and made all improvements, and died on this place March 17, 1862. Mr. Leslie, Mrs. Bell's father, died in Winnebago Co., Ill., in 1876; her mother, aged 79 years, is now living with her on the farm in Newark Township.

DAVID BROWN, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Beloit ; born in Lloyd, N. Y., in 1818; his parents moved to Sullivan Co., N. Y., when he was 12 years old, where he remained till he and his brother formed a partnership ; went to Ulster Co., N. Y., and entered into the lumber business; continued there till 1865, then moved to Greene Co., N. Y., but only stayed two years. He married, in Ulster Co., in 1847, Sarah Vanluven ; they had five children, three now living; only one-a daughter-is living with him. In 1868, he came to Wisconsin and went to Evansville, where he remained six months ; then came to Newark and bought 400 acres of land in Secs. 24 and 25, Newark Township, eighty acres of which are in Sec. 30. Beloit Township, with residence and improvements on Sec. 25, Newark ; he made improvements, and now occupies it.

JOHN S. CAMPBELL, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Beloit; born in Johnstown, Fulton Co .. N. Y., in 1814. He remained there with his parents until he was 21 years of age; then traveled some, but returned home and married there, in April, 1840, Margaret McVane, and lived there till 1844, when he came to Rock Co., Wis., located in Newark, and took up 120 acres of Government land in Sec. 23. He built a residence, barns, etc., and made all improvements. They had three children-John, Stewart and Charles. John and Stewart both died in Newark ; Charles is now married and resides iu St. Louis, and is connected with a large business house ; Mrs. Campbell died in Newark, June 16, 1877, and Mr. Campbell is now all alone, but still lives on the farm.

HALVOR CLEOPHAS, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Beloit; born in Norway in 1842; he is the son of Cleophas Halverson ; his parents came to Newark in 1843; he was educated there, and has been on the farm with his father nearly all the time; when his father came to Newark, he took up forty acres Government land, built a log cabin and improved the land, and sold it in 1845 ; he bought more land and built another log cabin, which he soon after enlarged and sided it with boards; now has a very nice residence; have six children living. His family are members of the Lutheran Church. His son Halver married in Newark, in 1869, Sarah Gravdale, daughter of Gulack Gravdale, the first settlers in Newark ; they have four children-Charles, Gustav E., Clark H. and Lief Milton. He was Supervisor one year and was elected Chairman of the Board in 1879.

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IRA CLEOPHAS, farmer, Sec. 11; P. O. Beloit; the son of Cleophas Halverson ; born in Newark Feb. 4, 1852; he lived on the farm with his parents. He married Feb. 4, 1876, and bought a farm on Sec. 11, of 192 acres. They have one child-George C., born July 11, 1878. He built the residence he now lives in, a handsome frame building with barns and all other improvements, and is now engaged in building a large substantial stone and frame barn. He married Annie Stordock, daughter of Gunder Stordock, one of the very earliest settlers.

GEORGE CUDMAN, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Beloit ; born in Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1793; he came to Newark in 1852, and bought 160 acres of land, 40 of which was improved, and an old log house on the land ; he at once built a frame residence, with barns, etc .; made all improvements. He mar- ried in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1818, and had ten children, eight still living. His wife died in Newark in 1873, and he married again in January, 1874, Mrs. Harriet Reed, widow of Robert Bryce, who had four children when he married her. He now owns 120 acres of land in Sec. 18, with all improvements. He has been Supervisor one term, and also Justice of the Peace.

VERNON S. DAVIS, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. O. Beloit ; born in Thompson, Conn., in 1842. His father and mother, Albert and Lucelia Davis, moved to Wisconsin and located in Waukesha Co. in 1850, and, Dec. 24, 1850, moved to Newark. They were married in Thompson, Conn., in 1833; had three children when they came to Newark-Mary (born in'October, 1834, and died in Newark July 26, 1878), Jerome B. (born January, 1839, and died in the army May 21, 1862), Vernon S. (born February, 1842, and is now living). When his father first came to Newark, he bought eighty acres of land of Archibald Ross, and, afterward, eighty acres of school lands; he made all improvements, and owned 160 acres, with residence, barns, etc. His father died in Newark Sept. 12, 1859, of apoplexy; his mother is still living with him on the farm. Vernon married July 1, 1875, Nellie Curtice, and they have four children-Maud and Mabel (twins), Franklin and Alice. He is now serving as Town Clerk, and has held that office two years; was also Town Treasurer three terms, and has been Secretary and Treasurer of the Newark Farmer's Club since its organization.

EUGENE K. FELT, farmer, Sec. 24 ; P. O. Beloit; the son of Asa G. Felt, one of the earliest settlers of this township, who was born in New Hampshire in 1793, and married in Monroe Co., N. Y., in. 1816, Harriet Foster, a resident of Monroe Co .; they had ten children ; five are now living; Eugene K., the youngest. Mr. Asa Felt came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Newark in June, 1846 ; he bought a claim to Government land, which he entered and paid for, and then bought large tracts of land, all' unimproved, about four hundred acres in all ; he built a log cabin and lived in it until 1857, when he built the residence now occupied by his son Eugene; he sold all his land he then owned to this son, then a resident of Winnebago Co., Ill., and owning a farm there which he sold and came to Newark and took charge of this farm, his father and mother both living with him in the house; his father died in this house on January 12, 1871, and his mother died there also in February, 1876; both were in the 80th year of their age. Eugene K. was born in Webster, Monroe Co., N. Y., April 11, 1838; he received a common-school edu- cation in Newark and Beloit, being only 8 years old when his parents moved here; in 1871, he was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors; re-elected in 1872, 1873, and again in 1877 and 1878; he was also elected in 1872, to the Legislature from the Beloit or Fourth District; first, in opposition to John Hackett, receiving a vote of 556 against 154, and in 1872, in opposition to J. L. V. Thomas, receiving a vote of 1,019 against 285. He married in Jefferson, Green Co., Wis., May 16, 1861, Miss Libbie Mor- ris, formerly a resident of Monroe Co., N. Y .; they have eight children, all living at home with them. He now owns 280 acres of land in Sec. 24, with residence, barns and all improvements.

TOLLE GULACK GRAVDALE, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Beloit; born in Norway in 1833; his father, Gulack Olson Gravdale, came to Newark in October, 1839, the first settler in the town, with his wife and family ; he, and some friends who came with him, took up Government land and com- menced the settlement of the town of Newark ; his son Tolle was raised there and married in Newark in November, 1857, Bessie Skarlem, daughter of Paul Halverson Skarlem; she was born in Norway, but her parents also came to Newark in 1841 ; they have had five children, one of whom died and four are now living with their parents. His father died in the house now occupied by Mr. G., July 17, 1873; his mother is still living and resides with him.

OLE GULACK GRAVDALE, farmer; P. O. Beloit; born in Norway in 1830; his parents moved to Newark in 1839; he is also the son of Gulack Olson Gravdale, the first settler; he lived on the farm with his parents, and married, in 1855, in Janesville, Jure Gunale, daughter of the Widow Gunale: they had five children; all are living at home with their parents except one daughter, who is married and resides in Iowa. He lived in the town of Beloit after he was married for thirteen years; then

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bought eighty acres in Newark in 1868 and moved there; had a residence partly built, which he completed and now occupies; he owns 210 acres, part in Plymouth and the balance in Newark.

LARS GUNDERSON, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Beloit; born in Norway, November, 1811; he came to Newark in August, 1842, with his wife, to whom he was married in Norway, and has two children. He made a claim for eighty acres Government land, but did not enter the land, and sold the claim. They have ten children living; his son, Gunder Larsen, owns 104 acres in Section 11, with house and barns.

PETER HALVERSON, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Beloit ; born in Norway Dec. 22, 1878; he came to America in 1839, and located in Du Page Co., a short distance from Chicago, Ill. ; he lived ther . one year, then came to Clinton Township, and, in December, 1843, moved to Newark Township. In July, 1846, he took up forty acres Government land in Section 8, sold it to his son, who made all improvements, and built residence and barns, then bought it back again, and now occupies it. He married, while living in Clinton, in 1843, Sarah Oleson. They had eleven children, six now living; his son is now living with him and working for him ; he owns in all 200 acres of land in Sections 8 and 9, with all improvements; he has held the office of Side Supervisor and Town Treasurer, but has no desire for public life.

ISAAC HILL, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Beloit; born in Barnston, Canada East, October, 1819; 'remained there until 1844, then went to Beloit City, and worked at his trade of stone-mason till 1851 ; he owned three lots in the city, and built a residence on Fourth street, which he afterward sold; also owned 120 acres on Section 5, Beloit, which he also sold in 1851 ; he moved to Newark Township and bought forty acres of land in Section 36, built residence and barns, and made all improvements ; there was a log house on it when he bought it, which he now uses as a barn ; he afterward bought forty acres more in same section, which he now owns, making eighty acres in all. He married, in Baxford, Canada East, in 1836, Abbie P. Gillman. They had eleven children, six of whom are now living. He has been Justice of the Peace, also Constable for several years, and is still working at his trade of mason.

HALVOR H. HUSEMAN, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Beloit; born in Norway in 1833; his parents, Hans and Bargitt Halverson, came to Newark in 1845, bought land and improved it, and located on it in Section 12. He was reared in Newark, and was married in his father's house in 1862, to Carrie Tholen. They had five children, two now living-Bessie and Charles H. He was elected Supervisor in 1859, and held the office till 1863; was re-elected in 1868 and 1870, and held office till 1873 ; he owns a handsome farm and residence. His father, aged 73 years, and his mother, aged 70 years, are living with him.

LYMAN INMAN. farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Beloit; born in Luzerne Co., Penn., in 1821; thence, in 1842, he came to Rock Co., Wis., and located in the town of Plymouth, with his parents and family ; they took up 400 acres of land in that town together, and, after some time, divided the land between them ; while living in Plymouth, Lyman bought 80 acres of Government land, in Sec. 4 (New- ark), and in 1850, he married, in Plymouth, Miss Mary Smiley; immediately came to Newark and built a residence and barns and made all improvements ; they had nine children, five are now living. His father and mother both died in Plymouth. Lyman still owns 60 acres of land there, besides 80 acres in Newark that he lives on, in Sec. 4. He has been a member of the School Board over twenty years, at different times.

WILLIAM KELLEY, Sr., farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. O. Beloit; the father of William T. and Daniel Kelley; he was born on the Isle of Man in 1809. He married there, in 1838, Ann Wade ; they had eleven children ; six are now living. He came to America with his wife in 1865, and went to live with his son Daniel, who came to Newark before him and bought 160 acres of land in Sec. 25, built . residence and barns, and made all improvements. His other son, Thomas, also lives in Newark, and owns a house and farm.

WILLIAM T. KELLEY, farmer, Sec. 26; P. O. Beloit; born in the Isle of Man in 1838; came to Cleveland, Ohio, about 1853, and thence to Newark, about 1859 ; he bought 360 acres of land in Secs. 25 and 26, and built a residence in Sec. 26, with barns, etc., and made all improve- ments; he then sold 160 acres in Sec. 25, to his brother Daniel, who built a residence there and now lives on it. William T. afterward bought forty acres more in Sec. 34. adjoining How's mill ; being a miller by trade, he operated the mill for six months, until the dam gave way, and the mill is now idle ; he now owns 240 acres of land in Secs. 27 and 34, with residence, barns and all improvements, and now lives on Sec. 26.

ARNOLD KNUDSEN, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Beloit; born in Norway in 1823; came to Rock Co. in 1842, and first located in Beloit Township, where he lived about five years on a farm, theu came to Newark and located; he bought 125 acres in Sec. 12, and built a substantial stone residence and barns, and made all improvements ; he first lived in a log cabin that is now used by him as a barn.

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NEWARK TOWNSHIP.

THOMAS LANCASTER, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Beloit; born in Yorkshire, England, in 1821 ; he came to Beloit Township with his brother and to Newark Township, and bought 160 acres land in Sec. 33, from Government ; afterward bought 40 acres more in Sec. 28; his brother died here, and the whole land belonged to him; he built a residence, barns, and made all improvements. He married, in Shirland, Ill., in 1856, Sarah Hyde; has no family. They now reside on the farm.

SIMON LARSON, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Beloit; born in Norway in 1832; came to this country with his father, Lars Simonson, and located in Beloit Township in September, 1842; came to Newark Township in April, 1843; among the earliest settlers; his father bought forty acres of land with a house on it, and put up a blacksmith-shop-the second shop in the town. His son Simon married, on Dec. 29, 1853, in Newark, Tury Steenson, of Norway; they had five children ; he was living with his father and mother when they were both taken with the cholera and died; his father died July 9, and his mother July 11, 1854; Simon then took full charge of the property, being an only son, and he now owns 199 acres of land with residence, barns, and all improved. Three of his children are still living-Cor- nelia, Stone and Louisa.

OSCAR F. MACY, farmer, Sec. 26; P. O. Beloit; born in Maine in October, 1840; he came West about 1855, and learned his trade of blacksmithing in Beloit; he then went to Lowa and worked at his trade a short time ; returned to Vermont. He married in Barre, Vt., in May, 1860, Abbie Albee, daughter of Merrill and Maria Albee, born in Barre in 1840 ; they have seven children-Flora M., Lillie M., Alice M., Nellie A., George A. and Albert A., and an infant not yet named. They remained in Barre till 1864, and he then brought his family to Beloit and lived in the city, working at his trade till 1874; he then bought 120 acres land in Secs. 26 and 27, Newark ; he built residence, barns, and made all improvements, and now has a very comfortable home.

THOMAS MERLET, farmer, Sec. 30; P. O. Beloit; born in France in 1829; his par- ents came to Newark in 1854, and he bought 120 acres land, built residence and made all improvements. He married in France in 1848, Adeline Rambolt ; they had ten children, all now living. He afterward bought 80 acres more land, 200 acres in all that he now owns. His wife died in 1877, and May 17, 1879, he married again, Mrs. Josephine Garala, widow.

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The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 118

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 899

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899