The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 120

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 120

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GEORGE COVERT, M. D., Clinton ; he was not one of Fortune's petted ones, "born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but, being the eldest of a large family in moderate circumstances, has known what it is to fight life's battles single-handed, only inspired by native ambition and a desire for usefulness and position among men ; he is a descendant of the long-lived Covert family which settled in New Jersey in the seventeenth century ; son of John A. and Catharine B. Covert, born in Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., and grandson of the late centenarian, Abram A. Covert, one of the pioneers of Western New York ; the Doctor spent the early part of his life upon the farm, there developing his muscle and gaining no little notoriety by feats of physical prowess and endurance; he finally injured a muscle in his back by over- exertion, and was forced to look to a professional career-taste, inclination and opportunity leading him to the profession of medicine; while a youth, he attended, respectively, the district, village, high and select schools during the winter months, and at 18, entered the Washington Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y., where he also became tutor ; subsequently, he taught in Pineville, N. Y., and Orion, Mich., reading medi- cine in the mean time; in 1852, he entered the office of Drs. Van Epps & Thrawl, Columbus, Ohio, study- ing medicine and attending lectures, becoming thoroughly conversant with the systems of homoeopathy, allopathy and electropathy ; in close sympathy with the progressive spirit of the age, he felt unwilling to accept the fetters of a name, of an exclusive system, or of an illiberal code of ethics, and, being fully con- vinced that the choosing (or eclectic) mode of practice is the common-sense method, and truth and science the only satisfactory guides for the true physician, he betook himself to the institution most in accord with his ideas-the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, receiving a diploma from it, also; a season of work, study and practice in Michigan, a year spent in Elgin, Ill., and in December, 1856, he hung out his shingle in Clinton, Wis., before the (so-called) Racine & Mississippi and Chicago & St. Paul Railroads were built to the crossing; Clinton was then in its infancy, and the young practitioner had a chance to grow up with the place and overcome the virulent opposition of older and ungenerous rivals. For two years, he was School Superintendent for the town, bringing him into acquaintance with the people and enlarging his practice, which is now widespread and yearly increasing. Feb. 5, 1858, he married M. J. Muzzy, daughter of Cyrus G. and Eliza Barker, who was a worthy helpmeet for seventeen years ; she died June 29, 1875, leaving to him three daughters. In temporal matters, he has been prospered; in 1868, he built a large and commodious residence upon his grounds, corner of Church and Milwaukee streets; he also erected a drug store to meet the wants of his extensive practice, having associated with him as partner, at this time, Hon. D. G. Cheever. . He is a strong champion of right and progress everywhere, being an enthusiast in his particular line of thought and work; as indicating his close attention to business, it is noteworthy that, during the twenty-three years of residence in Clinton, six weeks covers his entire absence, exclusive of time devoted to attendance upon medical societies, he being a fellow of the State and National Eclectic Medical Associations. It may be stated, as a personal peculiarity. that, in the matter of fees, he has always chosen to be governed by his individual conscience rather than by the rulings of any society or clique of men ; he has taken the Golden Rule for his criterion, and has, consequently. never been accused of exorbitant charges; notwithstanding the claims of his large practice upon his time and attention, he is interested in literary and linguistic studies, and needs no interpreter among most of our foreign population and immigrants. In a quiet way, he furnishes much to the press, giving such experience and discoveries as may benefit the profession at large.

JOHN A. COVERT, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Clinton ; born in Seneca Co., N. Y., Aug. 30. 1807 ; son of Abraham A. Covert, a respected farmer, who died at the age of 99 years ; originally of old Dutch stock, they came to Seneca Co. from New Jersey, and were nine weeks on the road ; Mr. John A. Covert came to Oakland Co., Mich., in the spring of 1853, and settled on 170 acres, and, in 1863,

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removed to Clinton and located on the farm known as the Richardson farm, of 107 acres. He married, Nov. 23, 1826, Catharine B. Huff, daughter of Isaac C. and Maria Huff; Mra. Huff is now living with her daughter, at the advanced age of 99 years. The children living are Catherine (who married Mr. A. Rundel, and is living in Michigan), Dr. George Covert (is a physician, living in Clinton, and has a very successful practice), Augustus (another son), Isaac N. Covert (is living in Michigan), Rynear (is in Nebraska), Anna E. (married Mr. Winslow). Mr. Covert was brought up in the Dutch Reformed Church; afterward joined the Presbyterian Church ; was made a life Elder ; on coming to Clinton, joined the Congregational Church, and has been Deacon and an active member.

DR. J. B. CRANDALL, born in Rhode Island May 3, 1818; son of Christopher Cran- dall, who was of old English stock ; Mr. J. B. Crandall studied medicine in Connecticut, and built up an extensive practice ; then went to Madison, Wis., in 1855, and engaged in buying stock and grain; in 1862, went to Green Bay ; was there until 1872; Mr. Crandall is a graduate of Hahnemann College, Chicago, and has an extensive practice in Clinton and surrounding country; attends 350 families as family physician. Married Maria Herrick, a native of Connecticut, March 18, 1839; have had three children-Helen N. (married Judge Ezra T. Sprague, who enlisted in the First Wisconsin Regiment at the first call to arms; was afterward promoted to Adjutant of the Eighth Regiment, and afterward was Assistant Adjutant General under Gen. Asboth, in regular service; was stationed at Pensacola, Fla .; served his time, and was appointed Colonel of the Forty-second Wisconsin Regiment, and was also Post Com- mander at Cairo, and was afterward brevetted Brigadier General; at close of war, was appointed Judge of Circuit Court in Wisconsin; went to Utah for his health, and is now U. S. Commissioner for Utah) ; Casper L. (is practicing medicine in Burlington, Wis .; is a graduate of Hahnemann College; has a large practice; married Nellie Cobb, of Clinton); Clarence (is living in Nebraska, in Adams Co .; married Letty Kee, of Scotch descent; she died Jan. 9, 1879). Mr. Crandall and family are members of the Congregational Church.

E. B. CUMMINGS, flouring-mill; P. O. Clinton ; born in Ohio July 9, 1840 ; graduated at Allegheny College, Meadville, Penn., in 1862; entered the traveling ministry of the M. E. Church the same year ; preached in New York till 1870; transferred to Wisconsin Conference in fall of 1870, and settled in Clinton, Wis, two years; then was at Watertown two years, in same capacity ; his health fail- ing, ou account of nervous prostration, he gave up the ministry : came back to Clinton and engaged in grain and forwarding business; then, in fall of 1875, built the finest and most complete flouring-mill in Wisconsin ; get their wheat exclusively from the valley of the Red River, Minnesota; make 100 barrels of flour per day, making the highest per cent of patent flour of any mill; have a direct market for all they make; ship a great deal to the Eastern market, where their brands are becoming deservedly popular.

PERRY D. DICKERMAN, firm of Dickerman & Edwards, merchants, Clinton ; born in Holland, Erie Co., N. Y., May 24, 1832; son of Isaac Dickerman, who was a prominent farmer, and was originally from Vermont ; Mr. Perry Dickerman commenced his commercial career at the age of 21, when he went into his brother's store, in Holland; after three years' time, bought him out, and continued busi- ness till April, 1873, when, after having been successful, sold out; Mr. Dickerman was Postmaster there eleven years, and was Supervisor ; joined the Livingston Lodge of Masons, of Erie Co., in 1872; is now a member of the Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 135. Married, Jan. 1, 1862, Flora E. Moray, daughter of Nathan Morey, who was a citizen of prominence in Erie Co. Mr. Dickerman is of the firm of Dickerman & Edward», of Clinton ; they carry as large and well assorted a stock of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, crockery and general stock as is to be found in Southern Wisconsin ; they are liberal spirited men.

SETH P. DURKEE, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Clinton; born in Ft. Edward, Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 21, 1812; son of James L. Durkee, who was originally from Litchfield, Conn. ; his ancestors were in the Revolutionary war; one of them was poisoned from drinking milk prepared by the enemy ; Mr. James Durkee died at the age of 53, about 1842; after becoming of age, Seth worked for Daniel W. Wing in the lumber business; was also with P. H. Biteley; took timber from near the Sus- quehanna River to New York ; in 1841, went into business on his own account ; went to Ft. Edwards ; farmned and also took timber through Lake Champlain to the Hudson and to New York ; was successful in this business; in 1869, went to Oshkosh, Wis .; fall of same year, came to Clinton and settled on 102 acres of land, which he now has under fine cultivation. Married Lydia A. Sprague in June, 1842; have had six children-Ann E. (died in infancy), Mary E. (married George Turncaure), Nancy A. (died in infancy), Frank A. (is living), Fanny (is at home), another died in infancy. Mr. Durkee and family are members of the Baptist Church ; has been Deacon many years and holds that position in the Clinton Church.

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WILLIAM EDWARDS, firm of Dickerman & Edwards, merchants, Clinton; born in Aurora, Erie Co., N. Y., Sept. 14, 1848; son of William Edwards, a respected citizen of that county. who died, in 1878, at the age of 65; he was of old English stock ; his son, William Edwards, attended school till 13 years of age; when at the age of 14, he commenced business life by entering the store of S. B. Thompson as a clerk ; was there eight years ; he then went into the. business as a partner, the firm being H. B. Miller & Co .; carried on a successful business there about three years, then sold out bis interest and went to Milwaukee, Wis .; was there one year ; then came to Clinton and commenced business under the firm name of Dickerman & Edwards ; have been here five years, and, through his industry and business tact, have built up a fine trade, being among the leading concerns in their line in Southern Wis- consin ; carry a large and fine assortment of goods in the general merchandise line. Married, May 15, 1872, Clara L. Morey, daughter of Nathan Morey, of Holland, Erie Co., N. Y., a merchant and prominent citizen iu that county ; have one child-Helen B., born June 17, 1876. Mr. Edwards is one of the liberal citizens of the town.

JOSEPH GATES. capitalist; P. O. Clinton Junction. Mr. Gates was born Jan. 24, 1817, in Yorkshire, England ; son of Joseph Gates, who was a descendant of Gen. Horatio Gates, one of the British officers in command of His Majesty's troops during the revolution. Joseph Gates' ancestors were of Scotch descent. He came to Geneva Lake, Walworth Co, September, 1841; was a tailor by trade ; at that time people used to bring him, in return for his work, venison, or anything useful or eatable; once a man brought him a hatful of honey. He was one of the founders of the Methodist Church ; the quarterly meetings were held in his house ; it was called the " Methodist tavern." The country was very thinly settled then ; in one direction there were only three houses in fifteen miles. There were Indian trails in place of roads ; fences were few and far between. Mr. Gates was elected Sheriff of Walworth County, in 1854; was U. S. Assessor at Geneva ; Justice of Peace, Town Treasurer, in fact was identified with principal interests of Geneva from the time of its settlement till 1864, when he came to Clinton. He has been Justice of the Peace here eight years. Through his industry and business tact, has accum- ulated a competency ; is now engaged in the real-estate business, owning a good deal of the business property of the town. Mr. Gates married, in 1839, Amanda O. Daniels, daughter of a prominent farmer by that name, of White Pigeon, Mich. Have had seven children-Elizabeth, married J. W. Jones, now in business in Clinton ; Anna M. was a school teacher in Chicago about seven years, and is now the wife of E. A. Pelton, of that place ; Frank E. is now in the furniture business in Beloit; William is in the drug business at Milton Junction. Mr. Gates and family are members of the Methodist Church. He has been a member for forty-four years.

ROBERT HANNINGSON, manufacturer ; P. O. Clinton Junction; born in Denmark. March 4, 1854, son of J. H. Hanningson, a merchant tailor in the old country, who is now living in Wis- consin. Mr. Robert Hanningson came to Wisconsin in 1873; after traveling considerably, settled in Rock County in 1876, at Clinton. Commenced at first in coopering business, working for Searl & Co. ; bought their business in that line in January, 1876, and went into business on his own account, and through business tact and industry built up a good trade, employing from twelve to fifteen hands. Unfortunately, in November his factory was destroyed by fire, but in spite of loss he is working back to his former place again. As a sample of the business he has done, in one year he made 112,000 cheese boxes ; carried on the largest factory of the kind in the country. Married, Dec. 31, 1877, Juga Enger, a native of Norway. Have one little girl, six months old, Olga H.

DAVID H. HILTON, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Clinton; born in Oswego, Wayne Co., N. Y., Aug. 24, 1845 ; son of Adam A. Hilton, whose father was a brave soldier in the Revolutionary war. Adam served in the war of 1812; he died in March, 1853. in Belvidere, Ill. The family started West in 1853; went to Chicago and purchased teams, from there to Beloit, and finally settled on 100 acres in Beloit Township. Then moved to another farm of 160 acres ; after two years, moved five miles west of Beloit, und settled on farm of 160 acres, and afterward moved to town of Turtle. In 1861, enlisted with his brother John, in the 16th Wis. Regt. ; they served their time faithfully ; went with Sherman to the sea ; was honorably discharged. Another brother, William, was in the 42d Wis. Regt. After David was discharged from the service, he came back to Beloit and went on to the Mack farm, then to Iowa, and afterward to Clinton ; and, Jan. 1, 1869, married Miss D. M. Horne. Have had two children-Frank, born Oct. 9, 1871, now attending school ; Albert, born Oct. 10, 1877. Mr. Hilton is successfully work- ing the Kimball farm.

TORRO HOLGESON, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Clinton ; born in Norway Sept. 12, 1812 ; the family came to Clinton, September, 1839 ; there were no fences nor roads then. In 1841, settled on 60 acres, and now, through industry and creditable frugality, have 360 acres, mostly under good cultivation.

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Married, in 1837, Anna Knudt. Have had one child-Christe, born January 1849 ; she married Gunder Larson. They have had four children-Anna L., Theodore L., Mary Ann and Christiana; are all living with Mr. Holgeson. Mr. Larson enlisted in the 42d Ill. Regt., and was transferred to the Miss. Marine Brigade ; served his time faithfully, and was honorably discharged. Was at the battle of Vicks- burg, and in other engagements on the Mississippi. Mr. T. Holgeson has been Supervisor several terms, and Clerk of the School Board. Self and family members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Holgeson's ather died in Clinton, in 1871, at the age of 80 years.

HENRY JACOBSON, farmer, Section 34; P. O. Clinton; born in Norway May 9, 1830 ; came to Quebec, Can., in August, 1854; then went to Beloit, and was there one year, and after that, three years in Freeport, Ill .; is a carpenter by trade; in 1858, came to Clinton, Wis., and settled on 160 acres ; through prudence and economy has now a fine farm. Married, in September, 1858, Ann P. Seavers, daughter of Ole Seavers, one of the earliest and most respected settlers in the county ; he died in 1875 in his 70th year ; has had nine children-Jacob E., born in 1859 (is in Beloit College) ; Albert, .Jan. 25, 1861; Ella A., Dec. 28, 1862; Henry C., July 30, 1865; William A. and Clara I. (twins), Aug. 21, 1867; John T., April 20, 1870; Lewis M. and Ellen L. (twins), Aug. 9, 1872. Self and wife respected members of the Lutheran Church.

E. B. JOICE, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Clinton; born in Oneida Co., town of Trenton, N. Y., Aug. 6, 1819; son of Thomas Joice, who was a brave soldier in the Revolutionary war; was Captain of a New York company ; was in the battle of Morristown and other engagements ; his brother was a physician of prominence in New York. Mr. E. B. Joice came to Michigan in 1840; to Clinton same year, and set- tled on 100 acres ; his brother came next year and bought eighty acres; they now have 400 acres under fine cultivation ; have good general stock and improvements; have as good a farm as is in Rock Co.

GULICK KNUDSON, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Clinton; born in Norway in June, 1810; came to Clinton Dec. 25, 1846; worked a farm on shares, and settled on eighty acres in 1847; through his untiring industry and integrity has now a fine farm of 320 acres, and a farm in Illinois of 120 acres ; pays particular attention to stock raising. Married Christine Engrebert; have had six children-Cornelia (married Edward Tulleson, a farmer, in Rock Co.), Christine (living in Boone Co., Ill.), Mary (living in Chicago; married Andrew Carlson), Knudt (living at home), Albert (living at home). Ruby is in Chi- cago. Self and wife members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Kundson has showed liberality toward his Church ; donated two acres of land to the burying-ground, which is on a hill near his house, and was one of the founders of the fine Lutheran Church on the State Line road.

STEWART LAKE, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Clinton ; born in Plainfield, Otsego Co., Oct. 8, 1817; son of Henry Lake, Jr., who died in 1825; his mother died in 1821 ; her father was Capt. Vose Palmer, an officer in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Stewart Lake married in April, 1840, Miranda Willis, danghter of George Willis, of Herkimer Co., N. Y .; have had six children-Henry (is traveling for Bell Conrad & Co., of Chicago), Sarah (married Henry Dennis, and is living in Plymouth Co., Iowa), George P. (married A. Carpenter, and is in Dakota), Agnes (is living at home) ; Stewart Lake, Jr., is at home, as is also Lester M. Mr. Lake settled in Clinton in September, 1844, on 160 acres ; has now 200 acres under cultivation, and a fine residence; has been extensively engaged in the dairy business for the past twenty years; in 1866, made over ten thousand pounds of cheese, which sold for 16 cents per pound. Mr. Lake was Town Clerk nine years, Chairman of the Board four terms, and Assessor four terms. Self and family members of the Congregational Church.

GEORGE A. LANPHIER, lumber-yard, Clinton ; born in Lomira, Dodge Co., Oct. 20, 1847 ; son of H. P. Lanphier, who is now living in Clinton. George A. married May 17, 1871, Josie Elithorp, who was born Sept. 15, 1850 ; she was the daughter of Lewis Elithorp, who is now living in Clinton. Have had two children-Phebe, born Nov. 10, 1872 ; Maud, born Sept. 29, 1878, and died March 10, 1879. Mr. Lanphier is now extensively engaged in the lumber business.

N. LARSON, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Clinton ; born in Norway Oct. 16, 1821 ; learned the wagon-making trade in the old country ; came to Chicago in 1851; worked at his trade there some years. In 1865, came to Clinton, and settled on 120 acres ; now has a fine residence and well-kept farm. Married Martha Anderson, in Chicago, in 1851. Have had four children-Louis married Caroline Natista, is with Dickerman & Edwards, in Clinton; Melinda is in Illinois; Olinda married E. Calbron- son; Betsy is at home. Self and family are members of the Lutheran Church.

REV. C. C. MARSTON, Pastor Baptist Church, Clinton Junction ; born in West Medway, Mass., Jan. 5, 1849 ; son of Caleb Marston, a native of Maine; his father was a brave soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. C. C. Marston's grandfather on his mother's side was a prominent Baptist minister in Oxford Co., Me. Mr. Marston is a relative of the Marston who occupied a prominent position in the

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

House of Representatives, at Washington. Mr. Marston commenced his studies in Monmouth College, Illinois, and was afterward settled in Lanark, Ill., awhile, then resumed his studies at the University of Chicago ; then came to Clinton, and assumed the pastorate of the First Baptist Church, May 1, 1878. This Church is in a prosperous condition ; has 153 members; morning congregations average 200. Mr. Marston has preached 1,584 sermons; has baptized about two hundred, and married about thirty couples. Married Sept. 10, 1868, Anna Reeder, of Decatur, Ill. Have had three children-Charles C., born Aug. 29, 1870 ; Florence A., Aug. 4, 1875 : Lois Penelope, Nov. 20, 1878.

GEORGE M. MURRAY, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Clinton ; born in Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 4, 1826; son of Herman Murray, who came from Columbia Co., N. Y., originally of Scotch descent. Herman died March, 1848, at the age of 70, in Clinton. The family came to Rock Co. in 1841 ; a brother, William, came in 1837. Deer and game were numerous; where Clinton Junction now is used to be their hunting-ground for wolves. George was 15 years old about this time (1841), John. 19, and William, 27. Settled on 240 acres in Clinton, and 120 acres in Turtle, where they have a good farm. Mr. Herman was a soldier in the war of 1812. Their children are-George M .; Thomas H. (died in the city of New York, in 1831, aged 25 years), Sarah (died in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1846), Caroline (mar- ried S. O. Slosson, who died in 1878; she now lives with her brother George), Edward D. (is in Chicago), William (died Nov. 24, 1877 ; he was among the pioneers of the county), Charlotte (married A. H. Jervine, who died in 1878), H. H. (was in South America and California a number of years, in mining and mercantile business in those countries), Louisa (died at home, in 1844), John S. (went to California, in 1849, and has been at home, in Clinton, since 1866).

OLE K. NATESTA, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Clinton ; born in Norway Dec. 24, 1807; came to America in 1837, first to Rhode Island, and then to New York ; went to Beaver Creek, Ill., same year, and about July 1, 1838, came to Clinton, Wis .; made a claim of eighty acres ; through his industry and honest labor he has now a fine farm and residence; had at one time 318 acres; now has 198 acres. When he first came here, he worked for Stephen Downers for his board. He lived here fifteen months before he saw one of his own countrymen. It was partially through his influence that the Norwegians made a settle- ment here. He married, September, 1840, Lena Hiser. Have had seven children-Charles N. is in Sioux Falls, Dakota. is Registrar of Deeds there; James is also in Dakota keeping store, and has a farm of 320 acres; Ann is married, and living in Clinton ; Julia married Martin Scofftedt, and is living in Law- rence, Kan .; Caroline married Louis Larson, and is living in Clinton; Henry and Eliza are at home. Self and family are members of the Lutheran Church.

T. T. NELSON, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Clinton; born in Clinton June 21, 1844; son of T. Nelson, who came to Wisconsin in 1839, and settled on 120 acres ; he was one of the earliest settlers. He married Rachel Gilbertson in 1839 ; have had five children-Ole is in California ; Gilbert enlisted in the 15th W. V. I., and died at Island No. 10; Christie is living in Clinton; Rachel is in Lacon, Ill. His son, Mr. T. T. Nelson, married Mary Tongen, from Manchester, Boone Co., Ill., March 23, 1872; their chil- dren are Anna R., born Nov. 17, 1875 ; Gertine A., July 9, 1878. Mr. T. T. Nelson was elected Super- visor in April, 1879, and now holde that position. Himself and family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. They have 206 acres of land under good cultivation, and a fine residence.

CHRISTOPHER C. NEWHOUSE, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Clinton ; born in Norway July 13, 1812; came to New York Sept. 27, 1839, and was in Chicago when it was in its infancy ; settled in Clinton same year on forty acres; had but $50 when he came here ; through hard work and patient labor, has now a fine home and farm of 160 acres. Married, in fall of 1843, Miss Halverson, daughter of Halver Halverson ; have had five children-Christopher (died in infancy), Oliver (living at home), Christopher 2d (at home), Torrena ( married Gustav Nelson, and living in Clinton), Christiana (at home). Himself and family are honored members of the Lutheran Church.

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The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 120

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