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 129

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 129

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DANIEL H. SUMNER came to Wisconsin in August, 1868, located in Waukesha County at Oconomowoc; remained there two years ; since then he has been at Waukesha ; he was born at Malone, Franklin Co., N. Y., Sept. 15, 1837, and lived there six years; then came with his parents, John and Philena Sumner, who located in Richland, Kalmazoo Go., Mich., and was educated at Prairie Seminary in Richland, of which J. H. Burrows was then Principal. He was admitted to the bar June, 1868, at Hart, Oceana Co., Mich., and commenced practice at Waukesha in January, 1870. Being in feeble health, he was unable to practice when he first came to Wisconsin ; most of the time he was at Oconomowoc, he was one. of the proprietors of the La Belle Mirror, in that place. Mr. Sherman was married at Beloit, Wis., July 2, 1877, to Mrs. Terrie M. Nelson, a native of Genesee, Waukesha Co., Wis. Mr. Sherman, was District Attorney from 1875 to 1877, and member of the County Board three years; and is also a mem- ber of the Baptist Church and I. O. O. F. Lodge.

REV. FATHER DOMINIC F. THILL, Pastor of St. Joseph's Church. was born in Luxemburg, Europe, in 1844, the same year that the Catholic Church was built in Waukesha. He came to the United States in 1847, and located at Belgium, Ozaukee Co., Wis. Commenced his studies in

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1858, at St. Frances of Sales, near Milwaukee, and studied under the Right Rev. M. Heiss, now Coadjutor Bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Was ordained Priest by Archbishop John M. Henni, on the 29th of Jannary, 1868. He was, awhile, assistant Pastor at Madison, and was then, in May, 1868, appointed Pastor of St. Mathews, at Neosha, Dodge Co. He was their first resident Pastor, and remained three years and three months, and during the time he built a parochial school, and made an addition to the parsonage, and other improvements, at a total cost of $1,500. He also had charge of two missions, St. Mary's, at Woodland, and St. John's, in township of Herman. Finding these two churches were very close together, St. John's was abandoned, and a church built at Rubicon, costing $4,000, which was dedicated on the Feast of St. John, 27th of December, 1870. At Woodland, he laid the corner stone, and partly erected a new church, which was completed in 1871, by his successor. In August, 1871, he was assigned to St. Brun's, in Ottawa, Dodge Co., with which, also, he had a mission at Golden Lake. He collected $3,000 for erecting a new church, and laid the foundation thereof, at Golden Lake. In February, 1873, he was assigned to the pastorate of St. Joseph's Church, at Waukesha, where he has remained till. present date, 1880. His people are five-sixths English-speaking, and the remainder are German. All preaching is in English, except one sermon per month, which is in German. The church is thoroughly furnished, and finely adorned ; the grounds are spacious and beautifully ornamented with shrubbery. The bell, costing $300, was donated by Mrs. Christina Schwartz. The parochial school has an average attendance of one hundred. There is a library society, and, also, a benevolent society, both of which are doing good work. The relations of Pastor and people are harmonious, and the congregation is large and prosperous.

VERNON TICHENOR, attorney ; came to Prairieville last of August, 1839, being the first- lawyer to locate here ; remained here and engaged in practice ever since, except for a year or two when he first came, when, in consequence of ill health, he endeavored to recuperate his strength ; he was the first. lawyer in the county, and first Town Clerk when this town was organized ; held that position for a number of years, Justice of the Peace many years, is now, and has been for nearly twenty-five years Court Com- missioner for Waukesha County ; Member of Assembly one term ; Draft Commissioner in 1862, under appointment of War Department of United States Government, and held various other positions several years ; and is now President of the Board of Trustees of Carroll College, and three times President of Waukesha village, and has held the offices of Clerk, Treasurer, Trustee, member of the School Board and Clerk. Mr. Tichenor was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery Co. (now Fulton Co.), N. Y., Aug. 28, 1815 ; he grad- uated from Union College at Schenectady, N. Y., in 1835 ; after leaving college he studied law at Amster- dam, admitted to the bar at Albany, October, 1838; commenced practice in Wisconsin. He was married at New Scotland, Albany Co., N. Y., Aug. 19., 1838, to Charlotte Sears ; she was born at Balston Spa Saratoga Co., N. Y. They have two children, Willis V. a resident of Mason City, Iowa, and Mary C. Willis V. enlisted in Company G, 28th W. V. I., Aug. 21, 1862, and was mustered in as 2d Lieut. in September, 1862, promoted to captaincy of same company, March 30, 1864, and was mustered out ; Aug. 23, 1865 ; formally disbanded Sept. 23, 1865 ; battles and principal expeditions he participated in were Helena, Yazoo Pass Expedition, White River, Mount Elha, Arkansas, siege of Mobile and its capture.

TYLER & BUGBEE, photographic artists; have been in partnership ten years in this village; the senior partner began photography in 1865 in Waukesha; Tyler was born in Chenango Co., N. Y .; Bugbee was born in Washington Co., Vt .: Tyler came to Waukesha in 1863; Bugbee came to Wisconsin in 1865, and Waukesha in 1867. Tyler was married in 1873 to Miss Mary A. Bancroft, daughter of D. L. Bancroft of Waupun and have one child named Bernice; Bugbee married Jennie Spence in 1873, who is daughter of Thomas Spence, of Waukesha; they have two children-Tyler resides on Main St., and Bugbee on Maple avenue ; their studio is on Main St .; this is the earliest, largest and leading establishment of the kind in Waukesha, and among the first started in the county ; they have a liberal local and extended patronage.

W. ULRICH, physician and surgeon ; office in his block, on corner of Madison and River streets ; born in Stralsund, Prussia, in 1820; studied in Greifswald and graduated in 1845 ; came to the United States in 1850 and settled in Ozaukee Co. in 1851, and remained till 1870 in practice of his profession ; came then to Waukesha, where he has practiced medicine, and most of the time has had a drug store. Married in 1846 to Miss Charlotte Engel, who died in 1857; then he married his present wife, in 1858; her name was Frederika Schlenvogt, formerly of Germany; they have had five children -- Lonis, Hannah, married and living in Ozaukee Co .; Emma, Ida and Louisa ; the three youngest live with their parents. The family are Lutherans. Owns a business block and a residence in Waukesha, also a farm in New Berlin; it is his design to establish on the farm a hospital for treatment of chronic diseases ; his

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farm is favorably located for such a purpose; is on high ground with beautiful surroundings ; has two springs, one of which is a choice chalybeate ; this establishment, when fully fitted up, is expected to supply a felt want in this section of the country.

RICHARD WALKER, retired contractor and stone mason ; born 1809 in England ; mar- ried in England in 1829, to Miss Mary Morgan, of his native town. He learned his trade in the old coun- try ; came to America in August, 1844, and Waukesha has been his home continuously for thirty-six years. They buried one child in England ; have no living off spring. He was of the firm of Cook & Walker, the owners of both the Waukesha and Pewaukee quarries. He rebuilt the court house, which was the second stone building in Waukesha ; he also, about two years afterward, 1850, built the present stone depot, and in 1852, built Carroll College. He sold his interest in the quarries, and retired from active business in 1869. He has a pleasant residence on William street, and owns other real estate in the village and State. Is a Republican, but has always declined office. Mrs. Walker is a Congregationalist. When he arrived in Waukesha, he had suitable clothing, some household furniture, and three English shillings in cash. He immediately began laying stone during the day time, and worked by candle-light nights at brick-laying, for extra wages ; would sleep about four hours out of twenty-four. He soon " got a start," and made some judicious investments. From his quarries came the many miles of stone side walks which are not the delight of the many pilgrims and strangers who wend their weary way over the rough broken surfaces. Until date of his retirement, he was always a hard working man, but now his worthy helpmate and himself are quietly enjoying the fruits of their labors. Though they are not blessed with the affectionate companionship of their own children, yet they have many kind friends and valued relatives both in this county and elsewhere.

NATHANIEL WALTON, farmer, northwest quarter of Sec. 10; a veteran pioneer ; was born in Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y., Dec. 15, 1805 ; when a child, his parents removed to Genesee Co., where they resided till their death. He was married at Knowlesville, Orleans Co., N. Y., Aug. 25, 1830, to Miss Laura W. Jones, and then settled in Genesee Co., where they lived till spring of 1836 ; Mrs. Walton was born Jan. 12, 1811, in Florida, Montgomery Co., N. Y. Came West in 1836 with teams from York State, and settled that fall on land which he now owns. The Wisconsin Industral School is on his old farm, and the village cemetery is on the other corner. Their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are as follows: Children-Louisa Walton Todd, Laura Etta Walton Sherman, Mary Wal- ton Adams, James Walton, Maria M. Walton, Martha C. Walton, Nate E. Walton ; grandchildren-Mary Todd Hackley, Hattie B. Todd, Charlie Todd, Walton S. Sherman, Wm. H. Sherman, James A. Sherman, Martha Adams Marshall, Libbie Adams De Witt, Zaida Maud Adams, Walton Payne, Laura Payne, Jessie Walton, Nettie Walton and Laura Walton; great-grandchildren-Georgie Todd Hackley, Belle Todd Hackley, Horace Adams Marshall, Clyde Adams De Witt, Baby Sherman. The present residence, built in 1844, there have been in it five births, six marriages and no deaths. He is Deacon of the Baptist Church and all his children were baptized aod received into the church at Waukesha before leaving the parental homestead. Some of the pioneer reminiscences of this venerable couple are recorded elsewhere in this volumne, On the 25th of August, 1880, will occur the golden wedding of these veteran pilgrims ; they are in good health, and are cheerfully bearing life's burdens ; they do not want for this world's goods, and possess the love of hosts of friends, some of whom were their first pioneer acquaintances.

ELIAS WAMBOLD, dealer in agricultural implements; born in Montgomery Co., Penn., May 21, 1821 ; his father was a tanner, and Elias worked four years in the tannery, then was clerk in store several years. Was married in- 1847 to Miss Matilda Fertig, who died in 1857, leaving two sons and one daughter-David, Emily L., Theodore; all are now living in Wisconsin. He came west in April, 1847, and located in West Granville, Milwaukee Co., where he remained twenty-six years engaged in general merchandising. Married in 1861 to Miss Sarah A. Smith, daughter of Andrew S. Smith, one of the earliest settlers of that place ; has one daughter, Nettie. He came to Waukesha in the spring of 1875, and has continued in business as dealer in agricultural implements. He was Postmaster in Penn- sylvania and for twenty-five years was Postmaster at West Granville. His ofice and warehouse are on Main street. Speaks both German and English; has a good patronage. Has been a loyal Methodist "since long ago." Owns a brick residence on West avenue, near Bethesda Spring. Boards a few summer tourists each season.

DR. JAY T. WARDROBE was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, May 10, 1848 ; came to America with his parents, Charles and Anne Ellis Wardrobe, May, 1849; settled in Waukesha the same year, both living in Waukesha; their son, Jay T, received his early education in the Union

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School of this place. He graduated from the Philadelphia Dental College with the class of 1875-76 ; took hospital practice in medicine, connected with the Pennsylvania Medical University. Dr. Wardrobe practiced dentistry here for a few years ; then entered the Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago. and graduated from that institution in the class of 1877-78 ; afterward engaged in the practice of dentistry, but not of medicine to any extent. He is also a partner with his brother in the drug business in Wauke- sha, having one of the finest drug establishiments in the county.

REV. THOMAS G. WATSON, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, born in Geneva, Ontario Co., N. Y., August 11, 1836; was educated in his native town at "Hobart College," and grad- uated in 1857, and in 1861 graduated at New Brunswick, N. J., from the "Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in America." Settled at Cato, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1861, as a home missionary ; spent eight years in that work, having charge also of a church at Fair Haven two years, and of the church at Victory three years. He was married Dec. 18, 1861, to Miss Fannie C. Seelye, of Lan- singburg, N. Y; she died in August, 1869, leaving one daughter, Fannie S. In May, 1869, he took charge of the Reformed Church at New Brighton, Staten Island. His health failing, he came West in the fall of 1871, and intended to rest a season, but after a few months he accepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church at Waukesha, which he still serves. He was several years Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Carroll College, and was some time Professor of Elocution .in addition to the duties of an active pastorate. He married his present wife June 19, 1873; her maiden name was Elizabeth White, daughter of William White, of Waukesha, and was the widow of Walter L. Bean ; she had one son, Walter L. Bean, Jr., who is living in the Township of Waukesha. Mrs. Watson is a lady of artistic talent and general culture ; they have one son, Thomas S. Watson. For the last five years, Rev. Watson has been the " Stated Clerk and Treasurer of the Presbytery, of Milwaukee." His duties are clerical, correspond- ing, statistical and general, as the permanent officer of the Presbytery. His residence is a beautiful brick on McCall St. The church is a neat stone edifice on corner of South and Center Sts. The church membership has grown from ninety-five to one hundred and forty during his pastorate. He has a vital interest in all which affects the well-being of society. He is highly esteemed in all the relations of life, and is particularly beloved by his people.

STEPHEN WEBER, brewer; born May 11, 1822, in Bavaria; he learned brewing in Bavaria, and in 1848, came to America with John Beck, a brother-in-law ; he bought the present brewery of William Kellogg ; Mr. Weber sold out to Mr. Beek in 1862, and bought his present brewery of Peter Peffer and Christopher Nolh ; he has torn away the small stone and wooden building of that day, and, after making a larger cellar, he, in 1873, built the present 52x56 stone building, which, with the large three-story ice house, makes the largest brewery in Waukesha Co .; Mr. Weber manufactures about 2,200 barrels of beer per annum, paying revenue on 1,700 barrels, and bottling for the local trade about 500 barrels during the summer. He married Rosina Stroebel, a native of Germany, who died in 18 9, leaving four children-John (died in 1877), William A., Barbara A. and Louis; the youngest was born in Waukesha, and the others in Milwaukee; Mr. Weber is a good citizen, and a live business man, liberal in politics, and an unstinted giver to the local churches.

NICHOLAS WEITEN, manufacturer and dealer in willow ware ; born in 1841 in Germany, worked at his business ever since he was 10 years of age, his father in the old country being a leading manu - facturer of willow ware. He came to the United States in December, 1865 ; spent a year in Chicago, also a year in Milwaukee, and then was five years superintendent of a department in Wisconsin Industrial School, devoted to manufacture of willow ware. Last seven years has carried on business in his own shop near foot of Main street. Married June 1 1869, to Miss Margaret Diener, of New Berlin. The family are Catholics. Has one assistant, Fred A. Scheeley, who took his first lessons in the business at the Industrial School. The largest patronage comes from visitors who live in the South.

JOHN WHITING, Proprietor of Aldine Place; born in Guifford, Mass., in 1815 ; his parents settled in Western New York about 1830. He was married in 1838 to Miss Caroline M. Wing, of Vermont ; they have one daughter, Frances A., who is married and lives in Chicago. They came West in 1840, and settled in Walwarth Co. where they remained six years, and then lived twenty-five years in Sheboygan Co. whence he came to Waukesha in 1878, and purchased an attractive site on Maple avenue, and erccted the summer resort known as Aldine Place. This is located on the east side of Maple avenue, which is the finest residence street in this beautiful village; it is conveniently accessible from all the springs, is new, contains fourteen rooms elegantly furnished, and combines many of the advantages of the city, with all the attractions of the country, and is deservedly popular. Mr. Whiting has been a Republican since formation of the party. His worthy wife and himself are Congregationalists.

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EDWIN WOOD, retired farmer ; born in 1822 in Genesee County, N. Y. ; came west in 1839, and settled in township of Waterford, Racine Co., Wis. He lived on Caldwell's Prairie, on the old homestead, until 1874, when he sold the farm and moved to the village of Waukesha. He was married in 1844 to Miss Lorraine S. Winchell, daughter of Harvey H. Winchell, of Rutland, Vt. He spent the year 1860 in California, engaged in conducting a nursery ranche at San Jose ; his experience was satis- factory, but the profits were not immense. He was contented to carry on a large farm, pay war taxes and get war prices. Had two children; one died in infancy, and one died at age of 19. He is a temperance Republican, but never held office ; votes as he is a mind to, and lets others do the same. He was Superintendent of Sunday school at Caldwell's Prairie for twenty years ; is now Deacon of the Congregational Church at Waukesha. He is a genial gentleman, and enjoys a social game of croquet. He owns a pleasant home on Maple avenue. His house is one of the favorite resorts of summer tourists, who visit the " Springs " from all sections of the United States.

H. M. YOUMANS was born in Mukwonago, Waukesha Co., Wis., Jan. 6, 1851 ; son of Dr. Henry A. and Lucy S. Youmans ; both are now living on Sec. 26, Mukwonago; settled in Mukwonago in 1843; Henry M. engaged in clerking when he was 14 years of age, continued in that business until 1870 (except a few months spent at Commercial College in Milwaukee). In 1870, he came to Waukesha and commenced learning the printer's trade in the office of the Freeman, worked at the case for three years, then purchased an interest doing more or less of the mechanical work ; for the last five years sole proprietor. Town Clerk in 1876. He was married in the village of Mukwonago Sept. 14, 1870, to Frankie G. Kel- logg, daughter of Erastus H. Kellogg, an early settler of Vernon, a prominent miller of Mukwonago now; Mrs. Youmans died Dec. 7, 1876, at Mukwonago, leaving two children-Augustus H., born Sept. 8. 1871, and Solomon K., born Fcb. 8, 1873. Mr. Youmans is a member of I. O. O. F., K. of H., Royal Ar- canum. He is the present President of the village of Waukesha, elected May 4, 1880, over P. H. Carney by 209 to 352. This was the largest Republican majority (143) ever given for a President of Waukesha

TOWN OF WAUKESHA.

HENRY AUSTERMANN, farmer ; Sec. 32; P. O. Waukesha; was born in Lippe-Det- mold, Germany, Jan. 31, 1823. His father, Conrad A., was a soldier of Lippe-Detmold; the son was educated in the seminary there, and began teaching in his 20th year, teaching six years. Married, 1875, Amelia Meyer ; she was born in Westphalia Feb. 22, 1822. They came to America, in 1848, locating on their present farm. This he bought of his father-in-law, Adolph Meyer; about twenty acres were cleared, on which was a small house and barn. It was new work for this German teacher to swing the ax ; but that he did it and did it well is proven by his present surroundings, he owning 300 acres, with good buildings. In 1851, he removed to Waukesha, and during the next two years kept the Exchange Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. A. have six children-Alvin, Lanra, Hulda, Frank, Amanda and Max; the two eldest were born in Lippe-Detmold, and the others in Waukesha Co .; a daughter, Matilda, is deceased. Mr. Auster- mann is a Democrat, and is devoting his large farm to grain and stock-growing.

GEORGE M. BARNEY, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. O. Waukesha ; born in the town of Adams, Jef- ferson Co., N. Y., June 22, 1825 ; son of Sebina and Polly ( Manderville) Barncy. In 1836, his father, a Vermonter by birth, made an extended trip through the West, buying land in Ohio and at Mineral Point, Wis. During the spring of 1837, the family came by way of the lakes to Milwaukee, having a rough and tempestuons trip, the ice breaking the paddles from the wheels of the steamer. Landing at Milwaukee in June, they reached Prairieville on the 4th of July. The first summer was spent with Mr. Pettibone, on what was afterward called the Cushman place. Here, George took his first lessons at driving, break- ing team, earning $12 per month. Sebina Barney bought a claim on Sec. 14, at this time, and through his labor and care it was made one of the best farms in the county, and many a dollar was earned by him at the forge, as he was the pioneer blacksmith of the locality. After about twenty years, he sold here and located on the farm now owned by George Harding. At the organization of the Waukesha County Bank, Mr. B. was made Vice President, which office he held at his death, on May 29, 1880-a public- spirited, honorable and truly good man; our feeble pen cannot do his memory justice. His home, for a number of years, was in the village, where a street now bears his name. His son, our subject, sold the

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second location spoken of to Mr. Harding, and has resided on his present farm of 1862 acres since 1868. Built his large and tasteful farmhouse of Cream City brick in 1878, and has done good work as a farmer during his forty-three years' residence in Waukesha. He married, March 13, 1854, Miss Julia Washburn, of Industry, Me. ; they have nine children ; Sabina D., De Newton, George H., Carrie B., Milton W., Harlow F., Nellie M., Charles A. and Lottie E .; May, born May 1, 1867, died a few weeks after. The children are all natives of this county, and all residents of it, except George H., who is in Dakota. The Barney family are Democrats, and refusers of all office.

A. BLACKWELL, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Waukesha ; born in the town of Stillwater, Sara- toga Co., N. Y., Nov. 18, 1807 ; his parents, Joshua and Delia ( Bowles) Black well, were Massachusetts people, and removed, when our subject was a mere lad, to Otsego Co., N. Y. He married Miss Anna, daughter of John and Anna (Farnsworth) Wagner ; she was born in Preston, Chenango Co., N. Y, in May, 1845, when they settled on their present homestead in Waukesha ; Mr. B. had bought part of it the preceding fall, and had a small house built; the farm was crossed by an Indian trail and was a favorite resort for the redskins in trapping muskrats ; he was also on the route of the teamsters between the lead mines and Milwaukee, and the rifle-like crack of their long whips often warned him of the approach of. a score of these unwashed, unkempt, but good-hearted fellows ; " to fill out our quota of neighbors," says Mr. Blackwell. " we had the Hoosier hogs, built like a sunfish or pumpkin seed, capable of jumping a six-rail fence, or jumping through the cracks between the barn siding ; hail stones would split on their backs, and nothing but a stroke of lightning would kill them ;" yet they were good old times, and when we look at Mr. B.'s 160-acre farm with its substantial buildings, we can see that he prospered. Mr. and Mrs. Black- well belong to the Baptist Church, of which he was for many years a Deacon ; in politics, he is a Repub- lican, he having served a number of years as Supervisor and Assessor ; Mr. and Mrs. B. have three children living,-Jennie A., George E. and Charles A .; the eldest was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., and the sons on the Waukesha homestead.

ASA A. DAVIS, Sec. 30; P. O. Waukesha; was born April 16, 1819, in Westminster, Wind- ham Co., Vt. ; his father was Josiah Davis, and his mother an Averill; both well-known old New En- gland families. In 1839, Mr. Davis, then 20, settled in Waukesha Co., a carpenter and joiner by trade ; he worked in early times in repairing the Waukesha, and building the old Deisner Mills In 1840, he bought a part of his present farm of 420 acres, on which he settled ten years later, building part of his present house. This excellent stock-farm was formerly prairie and light openings, with a tract of valuable marsh. On this farm, Mr. Davis has 300 fine-wool sheep, and sixty head of cattle ; his sheep are from the flocks of Perkins and Paul. He married Miss Martha Williams (sister of J. W.), who was born in Chester, Vt. ; they have a daughter, Martha, now Mrs. Frank Shultis. Mr. Davis is a Republican, and a live and prosperous farmer.

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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 129

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