The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc, Part 122

Author: Western Historical Co., pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1050

USA > Wisconsin > Waukesha County > The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc > Part 122

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MRS. SOPHRONIA ST. CLAIR AYER, daughter of Nathaniel St. Clair, of Ver- mont, was born Mareh 17, 1805 ; was married to Mr. Ayer, on Feb. 7, 1836. He was born Feb. 18, 1801, in St. Johnsbury, Vt. ; he was a stone-eutter ; worked on State Capitol, at Montpelier; came West, June, 1839, and settled in township of Waukesha, where they lived twenty-nine years. Mr. Ayer died May 13, 1867, at home, on the farm. She soon after sold the farm, and moved into the village of Waukesha, which is now her home ; her residenee is on Maple avenue ; she often tells of her first ride in this country, which was on a board across the crotch of a big tree, drawn by two yoke of oxen. Wolves were frequent visitors in the country, and " panthers " (eatamounts) ealled oeeasionally. People then had enough to eat, but their dress did not conform to full fashion style ; gingham sun-bonnets and checkered aprons were prominent "Sunday fixens." They had five children-Sarah Ann, Elizabeth, William W., Stephen St. Clair, Hannah Mellissa ; these all died at ages ranging from 10 years to 22 years. Mr. Ayer was a tem- perance man. She is a member of the Baptist Church. " Auntie Ayer " is well known for her social qualities and quaint good-nature.

DR. JOSHUA EDGAR BACON was born in Waukesha Aug. 2, 1848; was educated at the seminary, Carroll College. He graduated from the Medieal Department of Harvard College, Boston, June, 1873 ; engaged in hospital practice in Boston about one year, then attended lectures at Rush Med- ical College and Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, and eommeneed practicing in Waukesha in 1875. Dr. Bacon is physician to the Industrial School, and is also " Health " physician. He was married in Waukesha, June 3, 1875, to Miss Ida Savage. She was born in Rochester, N. Y.

WINCHEL D. BACON was born Aug. 21, 1816, at Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N. Y .; son of Samnel and Lydia Barber ( Dailey ) Bacon ; he clerked two years in Troy, N. Y., and in 1837 went to the town of Butternuts, Otsego Co., N. Y., with his parents. He was married July 4, 1838, to Miss Delia Blackwell. She was born Feb. 25, 1817, in the town of Butternuts. Mr. Bacon continued on his farm for four years, teaching sehool winters. On the 2d of September, 1841, he gathered together his small aceumulations, and, with his wife, started for the West ; they came from Utica to Buffalo by eanal, hence by steamer to Milwaukee, and by team from there to Prairieville (now Waukesha), where he has lived ever sinee, engaged in farming on See. 8; he was there one year, then removed to the village, still continuing farming. Mr. Baeon has been engaged in banking, and has been principal owner of mercantile houses ; he

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taught school in Waukesha Co. the winters of 1841, 1842 and 1843, and one summer ; in 1843, he carried on the business of wagon-making with his brother-in-law, Charles Blackwell. He continued to teach until the spring of 1844, when, at the request of Edmund Clinton, he formed a partnership with him to carry on blacksmithing, continuing wagon-making. In the fall of 1844, he dissolved partnership with Mr. Clinton, and purchased the lot where the Exchange Hotel now stands, and built a shop there, continuing wagon- making and blacksmithing with Mr. Blackwell. He was six years in this business, then he traded his shop for a steam saw-mill at Brookfield. In 1863, he was appointed Paymaster in the army by President Lincoln, stationed at St. Louis. In 1865, he organized the Farmers' National Bank, and conducted it about four years. Mr. Bacon was for several years general agent for the N. W. National Fire & Marine Insurance Co., of Milwaukee, and retired from that business in 1875 ; was Member of the Assembly in 1853. Through his influence, the Reform School was located at Waukesha ; he was made Acting Commis- sioner to locate the school, and had charge of accounts and disbursed the money until its completion. He was for several years a Trustee of the State Insane Hospital; also Trustee of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum; he was President of the Waukesha Agricultural Society several years, and member of the Board of Trustees of the Chicago University for several years. Mr. Bacon has been connected with Carroll College as a Trustee many years ; not at present, however. He is Clerk at the present time of his school district, and is prominently identified with the temperance organizations ; also of A., F. & A. M. Mr. Bacon has three children-Joshua Edgar, now a physician of Waukesha; Lydia Delia, now Mrs. George F. H. Bar- ber, of Waukesha ; and Ida Julia, at home. Lost two children-Samuel Dailey, who died July 14, 1849; he was born Nov. 20, 1844, in Waukesha ; Winchel D., was born May 11, 1854, and died Sept. 9, 1859. Mrs. Bacon died Feb. 12, 1880, in Waukesha. Throughout Mr. Bacon's varied experience, he has never discontinued farming.

SAMUEL W. BAKER, carpenter, at Wisconsin Industrial School; native of Pennsylvania ; came to Wisconsin in 1858. Enlisted in 1862, and served until 1866; the last year was in the Regular Army; has been with the Industrial School since 1875; works in all departments as repairer, and is head carpenter in erection of new buildings ; is in charge of a "family," as the home subdivisions of the school are styled; is reported as a good mechanic and a reliable man.

GEORGE F. H. BARBER was born in the town of Delafield, Waukesha County, Sept. 1, 1850; son of Silas and Amelia Barber; educated in Waukesha Union School, Carroll College, and graduated from Princeton College, N. J., Class of 1873. He returned to Waukesha, and has been associ- ated with his father in business until the present time. He is also owner of a farm in Waukesha County. Mr. Barber was married in Waukesha, Oct. 21, 1875, to Lydia D. Bacon ; she was born in this village; they have one child, Winchell F., born July 30, 1877. Member of Royal Arcanum, and of the Presby- terian Church.

SILAS BARBER was born in the town of Berkshire, Franklin Co., Vt., June 30, 1824; came from Vermont to Wisconsin in 1841; remained a week in town of New Berlin; went from there to Pewaukee, where he worked six years ; lived three years in Delafield, then came to Waukesha, and engaged in the hotel and livery business, until 1864. He was proprietor of the American House, which he sold in 1864; since then he has engaged in the livery business and farming. Mr. Barber was married, April, 1847, to Amelia Hasbrook ; she was born in New York State; they have two children-George Fay Hunt Barber, who is with his father in Exchange Block Stable; and Rhoda Maria, now Mrs. Josiah Mc- Lain. Mr. McLain has been Town Treasurer several terms; member of Assembly in 1867, and has held various village offices. They have lost one son, who died at the age of 14 months.

MRS. NANCY S. BARNARD, nee Hokins, widow of William S. Barnard. He was born in Deerfield, Mass., October 15, 1805. She was born in Bennington Co. Vt., Dec. 18, 1809; was married in Vermont in 1829, came to Waukesha in 1839, and settled where they now live, on Madison St., in a house which they erected forty years ago. Mr. Barnard was a blacksmith-made many edge tools and farming implements-was a natural mechanic; he ran a grist-mill for twenty years. They had seven children, six of whom died in infancy ; the only surviving son, is William H., born in Salem, Washington Co., N.Y., in 1834 ; he married Sophia A. Carpenter on the 25th of September, 1861, and lives at the old home- stead; he made two trips and spent six years in the mines of Colorado. Mr. Barnard was an active Anti- slavery man, and a temperance Republican; he delighted in the growth of Waukesha and triumph of Re- publicanism ; near the old homestead he first erected a slab building-one-half for residence and half for blacksmith-shop; they never suffered for necessaries of life. Family are Congregationalists. Mr. Barnard died Feb., 15, 1879.

SAMUEL HALL BARSTOW was born at Plainfield, Conn., Jan. 3, 1807; attended district school until 16 years of age; then entered Deacon Douglass' store as clerk-quite an event for a

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farmer boy in those days. At 20 years of age, Mr. Barstow began the mercantile business at Norwich, Conn., where he built one of the finest business blocks in that city. The building is still standing, and in use as a place of business. In 1833, he moved to Cleveland, and immediately began the mercantile business at Brighton, Ohio; in May, 1839, he came to Prairieville, to take charge of the first flouring-mill, then partly finished, and he has since resided in Waukesha. Mr. Barstow was a member of the Territorial Legislature, in 1846, and helped erect Waukesha County ; was Register of Deeds, from 1848 to 1852, and again in 1861 and 1862; was elected Clerk of the Court, and was Coroner several terms. He was married April 27, 1830, to Susan R. Babcock, born in Norwich, Conn., daughter of Nathan Babcock ; they have had eight children, and only three of whom are living-Helen A., now Mrs. W. F. Whitney; Susan B., now Mrs. George C. Waller, whose husband died in San Francisco; and Sarah R., now Mrs. George Harding. Their son, William A., enlisted in the 28th W. V. I., as musician ; was the Captain's clerk for a time; Hospital Steward for some time; learned surgery, becoming an expert in that business, and died in California, aged 29 years, leaving a wife and one child. The other four children died in infancy. On the 23d of April, 1880, Mr. and Mrs. Barstow celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, by a golden wedding party, which was largely attended, and at which the presents were numerous. It is the lot of but few couples to enjoy such a rare occasion and such a gathering as characterized this golden-wedding party. Mr. and Mrs. B. are both in good physical and mental health, enjoying a beautifully located home on the hill overlooking Waukesha Village.

JACOB BEEBE, retired farmer ; he was born in 1811, at Gelderland, Albany Co., N. Y. ; learned trade of carpenter and joiner, and worked at the business several years; he was married in 1832, to Miss Anna Ham, of York State; came West in spring of 1854, and stopped two years in township of Yorkville, Racine Co .; in 1856, he bought a farm in township of Vernon, Waukesha Co., which he carried on until he sold it in 1874. They visited for a year after quitting the farm, mainly in the East, with a view of spending their last years in their old Eastern home, but the conditions were changed-the place and people seemed to be different from their remembrance-and, therefore, they returned, and chose a home in the village of Waukesha; they have a pleasant home on East avenue; they had but one child-a daughter, Almira, who married Dwight Rector, and lives in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; they have had two children, one of whom, Anna M., lives with her grandparents. Mr. Beebe is the Treasurer and one of the elders of the Presbyterian Church ; he never in his life had a law-suit, and " was never dunned for a dollar ; " he was successful as a farmer-raised good crops during the period of high prices ; he is still in comfortable health, but Mrs. Beebe has been in delicate health for many years. They do not want for this world's goods ; are blessed with many friends, and are cheerfully passing on to the Sunset Land.

C. G. BERGELER was born in Prussia Dec. 29, 1832; came to America in 1857 ; settled at Milwaukee in the spring of that year. In October, he came to Waukesha, where he was engaged in the business of shoemaking fifteen years, when he became the proprietor of the Bethesda Livery Stables, which are first-class in every respect. He was married in Waukesha Sept. 8th, 1858, to Amelia Goattel ; she was born in Prussia; they have six children-Louisa, Carl, Emma, Clara, Lillie and Laura. They have lost one son, who died in infancy.

WM. BLAIR came to Waukesha in December, 1845, where he has made his home ever since. He established a thrashing manufactory, and was in partnership with Archibald McLachlen for five years; they carried on the business in a building which they rented from Wm. S. Barnard, now known as Barnard's shop ; Mr. McLachlen was a partner with Mr. Blair for ten years; Mr. MeLachlen sold his interest to Amos Smith eighteen or twenty years ago. Mr. Blair purchased Mr. Smith's interest. Mr. Blair has been President of the Waukesha County Manufacturing Company since its organization; President of the Wau- kesha County National Bank since 1865, he has also been a stockholder and director of the State Bank and Waukesha County National Bank, since their organization. Mr. Blair discontinued the manufacture of thrashing machines about eight years ago ; general repair and jobbing business is the principal work done now. Mr. Blair carries on a farm in the town of Waukesha, on Sections 4 and 5. Mr. Blair was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for some years, and President of the Village Board many years; has also been State Senator for six years. Mr. Blair was a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, born July 31, 1820, and came to America, with a brother, in 1836, located in Wheatland, village of Mumford, Monroe Co., N. Y., and learned the machinist's trade, with his brother James, and remained here until 1845. He was married in LeRoy, Genesee Co., N. Y., in June, 1847, to Nancy M. Emmons; she died May 20, 1859, leaving three children, having lost two; Frank C. resides in Waukesha, George B. lives on a farm, and Willie G. is a druggist's clerk at Council Bluffs. Mr. Blair was married the second time in Waukesha, Wis., June

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23, 1860, to Henrietta A. Emmons, a native of Otsego Co. N. Y; they have lost one daughter, who died in 1863, and have two children living-Henry E. and Arthur J.

NOTE .- Since the above was placed in type, the following extract from a newspaper has been sent us : About three months ago our community was shocked to learn that Hon. William Blair was afflicted with a mortal disease. He had been sick for months before, but only those who knew him most intimately had been aware of the extent of his sufferings, and none had any knowledge of the nature of his malady. So fixed were his business habits, that he kept on his accustomed way, and so reticent was he in merely personal matters, that what concerning himself he must have suspected, he never divulged to others, not even his best friends. But the time came when he must succumb ; and then it was that the community first learned from his physician that the strong man was rapidly sinking with a cancer in his stomach. *

* * Mr. Blair died at his residence in this village, at 6 o'clock on Tuesday evening, July 13, aged 60 years. was buried by the Masons, on Thursday afternoon, at 3 o'clock.

RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT .- At a special meeting of the Village Board, held at the Council rooms, on Wednesday evening, July 14, 1880, the following resolutions, on the death of the Hon. William Blair, were adopted :

Resolved, That the Board has learned with regret of the death of Hon. William Blair, for many years a member and President thereof, a member of the Board of Public Charities, and a member of the State Senate.

Resolved, That the loss sustained by the community in the demise of so useful and public-spirited a citizen as Mr. Blair, is one to be lamented by every one, and that, in order to pay fitting respect to his memory, it is recom- mended that all usual business in the village be suspended during the funeral of the deceased, from 3 to 5 o'clock P. M. of Thursday, July 15.

Resolved, That the Village Clerk be instructed to procure the publication of these resolutions in the public news- papers of Waukesha, and deliver a copy to the family of the deceased.

Resolved, That the Board attend the funeral of ex-President Blair in a body.

Resolved, That as a further mark of respect, this Board do now adjourn.

H. M. YOUMANS, President.

F M. SLAWSON, Clerk.

BENJAMIN BOORMAN was born in the county of Kent, town of Headcorn, England April 12, 1829. Came to America 20th of April, 1848. (Visited Wisconsin in May of the same year.) Came to Wisconsin in May, 1849, and settled at Waterloo and carried on the milling business with his brother, William Boorman, for four years. He then sold out to William and removed to Pewaukee, in January, 1854, and carried on milling at that point until May, 1878; since then, the mill there has been rented to Benjamin F. Boorman and Adam Boorman. Mr. Boorman purchased the Saratoga Mills in Waukesha, in February, 1876 (then the Forest City Mills) ; was a member of the Board of Village Trustecs while at Pewaukee, and one of the first members of the Board there ; he is a member of the Waukesha Village Board at present time. He was engaged about seven years, at Pewaukee, in the mer- cantile business, and conducted and owned the cracker bakery at that place for five years. Mr. Boorman was married at Darien, in Walworth Co., Wis., Dec. 6, 1852, to Fannie Boorman; she was born in Framfield, County Sussex, England, May 10, 1829. They have two children living-Benjamin Franklin and Edna Bailey. They have lost four children. One died at the age of 4 years, another at 15 months, the other two in infancy.

DR. J. R. BOYD was born in Portland, Me., Aug. 13, 1846 ; reared in Mississippi until he was 14 years of age. In 1860, he went to Europe ; returned to Mississippi in September, 1861. The fol- lowing month, he again left for Europe ; he entered school at " The Gymnasium," at Aberdeen, Scotland; in September, 1864, he left for India as assistant manager of a coffee-plantation ; from October, 1864, to May, of 1870, Mr. Boyd remained in India, being manager at the time he left there, bringing with him flattering testimonials from his employers. He came to Wisconsin in April, 1871, located in Water- town, where he remained but a month, and then went to Bloomington, Ill .; was there until November of. the same year, when he returned to Watertown and studied dentistry with Dr. Albert Solliday ; was with him until the last of February, 1875, then went to the N. Y. College of Dentistry, and continued there two full years, and graduated Feb. 27, 1877, receiving the faculty prize of $100, that being the only prize given for best examinations in all the departments. May 15, 1877, he formed a partnership with Horace Enos, of Milwaukee; was with him eighteen months, then went South for a short time, and July 1, 1879, commenced business here. Dr. Boyd is the son of Rev. Fred W. Boyd, D. D., and Mary E. ( Bailey) Boyd-both living, and at present residents of Waukesha. There are four children in the family living-James R., Walter S., Lloyd T. and Charles Mayo.

MOSES BRYANT, the veteran pioneer ; born in Cornish, N. H., May 21, 1786. He lived in New Hampshire till 1844, when he came to Wisconsin, and lived five years in Oak Grove, Dodge Co. In 1849, he settled in the village of Waukesha, where he continues to reside. Most of his life he has

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been a farmer, and wholly so since coming to Wisconsin. Was some years in mercantile business in New Hampshire; also used to speculate in cattle, horses and produce. He was married Jan. 31, 1816, to Miss Tirzah Kingston, of Plainfield, N. H .; she died in his present home on 13th of October, 1854, leaving five children, three of whom are now living: two sons in Chicago, and one in Boston. He has lived in his present house since 1849. In 1812, he was sutler at Burlington, Vt. He served eight years as Justice of the Peace, including the term in the East and in Wisconsin ; contestants seldom appealed from his decision. He has always sought to do right, without fear or favor. He is a Republican, and hoped to vote for James G. Blaine, but James A. Garfield is acceptable to him, and, Providence permitting, will receive the vote of this man-the oldest in Waukesha County. He has unwonted vigor, both in word and act. He tills a large garden, and would assist his youthful neighbors, if they needed. He enjoys relating the memories of Old Lang Syne. He tells, with gusto, of the days when he did "a-courting go," and he is an agreeable companion for young or aged. He has been a Christian for more than half a century; was a Congregationalist in New Hampshire, but is a Baptist in Wisconsin. His residence is on East avenue. For ninety-four years, he has borne life's burdens, and is now cheerfully waiting to enter into his rest.

JOHN P. BUCKNER, farmer ; P. O., Waukesha ; born in Bavaria, Germany, on 3d of Jan- uary, 1833. Parents came to United States when he was 5 years of age, remained two years in Buffalo, N. Y., then in 1840 located on Government land, Sec. 18, in township of New Berlin, where his parents remained till their death. He remembers the " close times " when he was a youngster ; lived one entire winter on meal and water-a crude johnny-cake. Remembers vividly, when 7 years of age, walking barc- foot from Milwaukee and bringing a live cat, those animals being then scarce in the settlement, and one neighbor, who was overrun with the animals to which cats are mortal enemies, gave $2.50 for a young cat. He went to California, and arrived in San Francisco in February, 1853, with only 20 shillings in his pocket ; secured a loan of $20 from a fellow passenger, and immediately went to Sacramento, where he found acquaintances, one of whom was making his tortune by raising pigs in his cabin where he was " baching." The little ones were fed from a spoon, and when six weeks old were worth $50. The prac- tical work of mining was successful on the Center Fork of the Sacramento, twenty-five miles north of the city, and he worked there till May, 1857, when he returned to Waukesha, having been absent five and a half years. He then bought his father's farm of 165 acres, in New Berlin, and he still owns the old homestead. He was married in November, 1857, to Miss Delia Snyder, a native of Wisconsin ; she died in March, 1867, leaving three children-Alice A., born 1858; George A., born 1862, and Fred W., born 1867. . He is a reliable Republican, but was several terms Supervisor in New Berlin, a Democratic town. On 20th of November, 1867, he was married to Miss Isabelle Hoagg, of Waukesha, by whom he has one child, May Isabella, born in 1876. In fall of 1877, he moved to village of Waukesha, where he has con- siderable real estate. In 1879, he built a large brick house on Broadway, adjoining village limits. This residence is on a commanding eminence and is one of the finest homes in the village. During the season for watering-place tourists, some insist on making his house their home.

DEXTER BULLARD, retired farmer ; he was born in May, 1828, in Tolland Co., Conn. Was married June 18, 1854, to Miss Mary L. Bullard, daughter of Dr. C. Bullard, of Pulaski, Va .; she died April 9, 1855. His present wife is a native of Virginia, and most of his relatives also are residents of Virginia. Was married in May, 1858, to Miss Mary Stone, daughter of Capt. William A. Stone, of Lunenburg Co., Va. ; came West in 1860, and settled in Genesee Township, on a large farm, which they still own. In 1873, they moved into the village of Waukesha, and purchased the fine resi- dence known as " Maple Grove," situated on the corner of Maple avenue and Hurlburt street. They have two children-both now at home-Earnest L., a junior in Wisconsin State University, and Eva May. Their home is one of the pleasantest, on one of the pleasantest streets in. this pleasant village. It is annually the summer home of many tourists, most of whom are from the " Sunny South."

GEORGE N. BURROUGHS, born in Fishkill, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Sept. 26, 1834; came to Wisconsin in May, 1847, and has lived to the present date. He was with his father in the hard- ware business from his youth, to 1878. He was married in the fall of 1855, to Miss Sarah E. Howell, from York State. They have had five children-one died while young. The names of living are Minnie, who is married, and living in La Crosse; Nelson H., living in Kansas City, Kan. (uot Missouri) ; Anna and Willie are at home. Mrs. Burroughs is a Baptist ; he is a Royal Arch Mason ; he owns a large resi- dence on the corner of Main and Bridge Sts. They annually accommodate tourists who spend the season at this favorite summer resort.

NELSON BURROUGHS (retired), born on the 4th of July, 1808, in Saratoga Co , N. Y., is the son of Dr. George Burroughs, who was a native of Dutchess Co., N. Y. Mr. B.'s early life was spent in the township of Fishkill, Dutchess Co. He is a tinner, and carried on that business in connec-

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tion with a hardware store in that town for twenty years. In November, 1828, he was married to Miss Amanda Marsh, of Orange Co., who was born in 1810, and died ou Jan. 3, 1861 ; she had five children, three of whom survived her-George, now married and living in Waukesha; Oscar, since deceased, was First Cashier, Waukesha County Bank ; Mary, deceased ; Theadmore, married, and since deceased; Wal- ter, deceased, student. Mr. Burroughs came West and settled in Waukesha in June, 1847, when " Prairieville " was the name of the place; he established himself as a hardware-merchant, and continued in the same business thirty years, and most of the time in one building, which he still owns; in 1878, he sold out to Gaspar & LeClare. He was married to his present wife in 1865-her maiden was Bennett- her first husband was a prominent banker in New York City, named Filley. Mrs. B. and her daughters are Episcopalians. He owns 27 acres of land east of the Silurian Spring, and a large stone residence on Main St. He was one of the eight founders of the Waukesha County Bank, and was at one time Cashier of the same ; he was the first President of the village of Waukesha, and has held various village and town- ship offices, and in 1862 was elected from this district as Representative to the State Legislature. From boyhood he has " paddled his own canoe," but is now " resting on his oars."

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The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc, Part 122

Author: Western Historical Co., pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 1050

Author: Western Historical Co., pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1050