The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume, Part 16

Author: American Biographical Publishing Company
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Chicago : American Biographical Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1108

USA > Wisconsin > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume > Part 16

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In a letter of Dr. John H. Runcle, medical di- rector, referring to Dr. Thompson, he says : " After the attack on Port Hudson, of the 27th of May, he rendered valuable service in hospital at Baton Rouge, although at the time he had a leave of absence, dis-

THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.

playing great devotion and much self-sacrifice, and greatly aggravating the disease he was suffering from."

We have also before us a letter from Brigadier- General Shepley, military governor of Louisiana, which, speaking of Dr. Thompson's services, says : " I cannot speak too highly of his judgment and skill in his profession, and his constant and unre- mitting devotion to every duty. It is not too much to say that he always had the best regimental hos- pital to be found in the command to which his regiment was attached."

In November, 1863, Dr. Thompson's health still not permitting him to return to the South to his regiment, and being desirous of remaining in the army during the war, on the invitation of the sur- geon-general he appeared before the medical exam- ining board at Washington, and passed a very rigid examination of six days' duration with honor, and received. on the roth of November, 1863, his appointment as assistant surgeon of the United States Volunteers, and was appointed full surgeon of volunteers on the 5th of December, 1863. His appointment was confirmed by the senate, and he was duly commissioned by President Lincoln. Dr. Thompson reported immediately to Point Lookout, Maryland, and was placed as medical officer in charge of prisoners of war in camp and hospital.

In 1864 he was made surgeon-in-chief of district St. Mary's, on the staff of General James Barnes, and served at Point Lookout during the remainder of the war. At the close of the war Dr. Thompson received many flattering testimonials of his services from heads of departments in which he had served, -our limits only admit of extracts. General Barnes in a letter to Dr. Thompson says :

As the advent of peace leads to the breaking up of all the military associations of this command, it gives me a great deal of gratification to be able to say to you in parting that your kind, careful and soldier-like treatment of the prisoners of war who have been here in such large numbers has ever met my approbation, and is highly honorable to your character as a man, while your skillful management of the sick in your charge, and the low average of mortality, as shown by the official records, bear an equally honorable testimony to your professional ability and skill.

General Hoffman also pays a high compliment, as follows :

At the time you were assigned to duty at the depot, the sanitary condition of the camp and hospital was very un- favorable, but your energy and good judgment, governed by proper humane feelings, soon inaugurated measures which brought about most commendable reforms, and while the camp and hospital were placed in a perfect state of police, and the sick were supplied with everything necessary to their comfort and speedy recovery, the hospi- tal fund was so judiciously managed as to leave a surplus of over twenty-five thousand dollars to be returned to the subsistence department.

In August, 1865, Dr. Thompson was breveted lieutenant-colonel United States Volunteers, for faithful and meritorious services, by President Johnson, and was mustered out at his own request on the 15th of September, 1865.

In 1867 Dr. Thompson was appointed surgeon to the National Soldiers' Home near Milwaukee, where he remained until 1870, when he removed to the city of Milwaukee and entered at once upon a large and lucrative private practice. On his leaving, E. B. Wolcott, resident manager of the Soldiers' Home, closes a very complimentary letter in these words :

I, therefore, having a full appreciation of his services to this institution, deeply regret his separation from it. I trust, nevertheless, our loss may be his gain, and of this I feel assured, knowing his business capacity to be first rate, and integrity beyond question.

With such indorsements eulogy from us would be superfluous, but such a record deserves a place among the eminent and self-made men.

JOHN A. DUTCHER,

MILWAUKEE.

T `HE subject of this sketch, a native of Salisbury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, was born No- vember 1, 1829, and is the son of John A. Dutcher and Mary née Chapin. His father dying when he was a few months old, he was left to the care of his mother, who afterward married again and removed to Kent, Connecticut. At the age of fourteen years, he accepted a clerkship in a store, and in that capa- city served during a period of five years, laying the

foundation of his subsequent mercantile career. At the end of this time, in 1849, he removed to Osh- kosh, Wisconsin, where he spent one year, and then entered the wholesale grocery house of P. W. Badg- ley, Milwaukee, as book-keeper. At the end of two years he was admitted as a partner to the business, the firm being known as P. W. Badgley and Co. Upon the death of Mr. Badgley in 1853, Mr. Dutcher con- tinued the business with Kellogg Sexton, and later

THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.

admitted to the firm Mr. J. R. Goodrich. In 1862 Mr. Sexton retired, and E. H. Ball was admitted to the partnership, the firm name becoming Dutcher, Ball and Goodrich. From the time when Mr. Dutcher became connected with the house its growth was marked, each year adding largely to the extent and influence of its trade, and, upon his re- tirement in 1870, it stood among the foremost houses in its line in the Northwest, and was known for its able management and sound financial standing, hav- ing passed safely through the financial crises of the last twenty-five years. In 1870, Mr. Dutcher, asso- ciating himself with Messrs. Vose and Adams, en- gaged in the manufacture of stoves, under the firm name of Dutcher, Vose and Adams. In this, as in his former business, he has been remarkably success- ful, the house having competed successfully with eastern manufacturers, in quality, style and price of its wares. In 1871, owing to the demands of trade, and increased transportation facilities, he established a wholesale tea house, under the firm name of J. A. Dutcher and Co. His wide experience in mercantile affairs at once gave to the enterprise a leading place, and it has built up an extensive and flourishing trade. Though still at the head of the two last named busi- ness houses, Mr. Dutcher finds time, in the midst of

his various duties, to devote to self-culture and the interests of those about him.

During the last twenty years he has been a most active and zealous Christian worker, taking a promi- nent part in all religious enterprises of his city. He united with the Plymouth Church in 1856. Later, he assisted in organizing the Olivet Church, and be- came one of its most active and devoted members. At the present time (1876) he is a member of Im- manuel Presbyterian Church. While aiding in all enterprises tending to the furtherance of religious interests, Mr. Dutcher has devoted special atten- tion to Sunday school work, and done much to sus- tain and build up the Sunday school cause through- out his State. He has also, for many years, been deeply interested in the welfare of sailors, and has been a liberal supporter of the Wisconsin Seamen's Friend Society, being president of the society from its establishment in 1868, and aided largely in found- ing the Bethel Home for Sailors, of Milwaukee. He has besides shown a worthy public-spiritedness, and been honored with positions of responsibility and trust, and has always been in sympathy with all movements tending to the welfare of his city.

Mr. Dutcher was married, October 11, 1852, to Miss Annette Edwards, of Kent, Connecticut.

JOHN BLACK,

MILWAUKEE.

JOHN BLACK, son of Peter and Magdalena Black, was born near the city of Bitche, France, August 16, 1830. His father was by occupation a farmer. John received a common-school education and a partial collegiate course. Is by occupation a liquor dealer. He came to Lockport, New York, in 1846, and remained there several years, and after- ward visited the principal cities in the United States and Canada. He settled in Milwaukee in 1857, where he has since resided. While accumulating his ample fortune he has always avoided outside speculations, confining himself strictly to a legiti- mate mercantile business, yet was ever ready to con- tribute to such industrial enterprises as were calcu- lated to promote the public good.

In 1870 a number of the leading business men and capitalists of Milwaukee organized the Bank of Commerce ; in this enterprise he was foremost, and one of the principal stockholders. He was elected

vice-president of the bank, a position which he still holds. In addition to the successful management of his large and extensive mercantile business he has occasionally taken a prominent part in public affairs. He was for several years railroad commissioner of the city of Milwaukee. In 1869 he received the democratic nomination for the office of state treas- urer, but the entire ticket was defeated at the elec- tion. In 1870 he was elected a member of the common council. The people of Milwaukee had long and seriously felt the want of a system of water works, the delay in business being caused by a pro- vision in the law relating to the bonded indebted- ness of the city. During his term in the council he succeeded in removing, with other assistance, this difficulty, and getting the necessary legislation which resulted in the building of our present complete sys- tem of water works. In 1871 he was elected a member of the assembly. Among the important

THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.

measures introduced and passed by him was one for the punishment of persons found carrying concealed weapons. In the presidential election of 1872 he was one of the electors at large on the democratic electoral ticket for the State of Wisconsin. In 1873 he was elected a member of the State senate. Dur- ing his term as senator he introduced and succeeded in passing two very important measures, one for the punishment of bribery at elections, which was re- ceived with unbounded satisfaction by the people of the entire State, and the other to secure liberty of conscience to inmates of State institutions. This latter bill, though meeting a determined opposition inside and outside the legislature, he carried through the senate, but it failed to pass the assembly. Of his public life it can be truly said that "the office has always sought the man, and never the man the office."

Mr. Black's public and private character command equally the admiration and the respect of the com- munity in which he lives. As a public man he is patriotic and enterprising, heartily cooperating in every public work calculated to promote the public good, giving his thoughts, time and means to the promotion of their success. As a private man he is social, generous and hospitable, of exemplary morals, and believes in a religion the cardinal maxim of which is " to do as he would be done by."

Believing that the people are the safest depository of power and the proper authority to exercise it, he is in political sentiment a democrat, and in times of trial and difficulty one of the " unterrified."

His purest affections are manifested in the sacred- ness of his home, in the stations of husband, father, neighbor and friend.

TIMOTHY A. CHAPMAN,

MILWAUKEE.

T IMOTHY A. CHAPMAN, a merchant of the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the third son and eighth child of Mary Greenwood and Geo. W. Chapman, was born on the 23d of May, 1824, in Gilead, Oxford county, in the State of Maine. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and a farmer; was at one time a member of the legislature, and for thirteen years town clerk and selectman; such was the confidence of the people with whom he lived that in giving his testimony in court he was not required to take the usual oath. He has just passed away at the age of ninety-five, with every faculty unimpaired except that of sight. He has left to the world the record of a well-spent life. Timothy A. Chapman during his boyhood assisted his father upon the labors of the farm, and was educated at the district school of his native town, and at the academies of Bethel and Yarmouth, Maine; subse- quently engaged in teaching. At the age of twenty, desiring a wider theater of action, he went to Boston with less than ten dollars in his pocket, where he met with a dry-goods merchant who gave him em- ployment as clerk in his store. He served in that capacity six years, when through the solicitation and encouragement of James M. Beebe, he became one of the firm of T. A. and H. G. Chapman, Hanover street, Boston, and remained there seven years with but little success, except to establish a reputation

for capacity and integrity. Observing the power and influence of capital invested in the dry-goods business in the East, he determined to make his future experiments in the West. In the year 1857 he removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and through the assistance of C. F. Hovey and Co. resumed business on East Water street under the firm of Hassett and Chapman. Mr. Hassett retiring at the end of five years, Mr. Charles Endicott became a partner and remained three years; since that time, a period of twelve years, Mr. Chapman has conducted the business alone. Having goods of the best quality, united with system and good order in his establish- ment, together with the rule of "one price," his patronage very soon exceeded his expectations. The city grew, and rival houses arose, but he main- tained his supremacy. In 1872 he built one of the largest dry-goods houses in the Northwest, situated on the corner of Wisconsin and Milwaukee streets, which he now occupies. The dimensions of the building are forty-six by two hundred and forty feet, and four stories high. The interior is airy, cheerful and perfect in detail, affording every convenience to employé and patron. Although there are over one hundred clerks in this establishment, the character of its head is felt in every member, and order and system reign supreme.

In 1850 Mr. Chapman married Miss Laura Bow-

Г. а. Свариан

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ker, of Boston, a woman of education and culture, of social qualities and of exemplary character as wife and mother. In accumulating his present fortune he has not been unmindful of the comfort and happiness of employés and members of his own family who have been less successful in business ; nor has he been wanting in public spirit. He' con-

tributes liberally to whatever measures are calcu- lated to promote the general welfare, physical, moral, or intellectual, recognizing no distinction of creed or opinion, being broad and liberal, a lover of nature and scientific pursuits. His life illustrates the success an ambitious man may achieve by self- reliance, sound judgment, and persevering industry.

HON. LEVI HUBBELL,

MILWAUKEE.

EVI HUBBELL was born in Ballston, New 4 York, April 15, 1808, and was the youngest son of his parents, who were natives of Fairfield, Connecticut. His father, Abijah Hubbell, entered the service as a soldier in May, 1776, and served during the war. He was wounded at the battle of Brandywine and bore the scar during his life. His mother was the daughter of Dr. Fitch, of Reading. Levi commenced his classical studies at an academy in Ballston, and completed his preparation for col- lege at Canandaigua, New York. He graduated at Union College, Schenectady in 1827, where two of his brothers had preceded him. He read law at Schenectady and at Canandaigua. Soon after his admission to the bar, he formed a partnership with his brother, Walter, of Canandaigua, in whose office the subsequently distinguished orator and statesman Stephen A. Douglas was then a student.

At this time he was a member of a debating club of which Stephen A. Douglas, George W. Clinton, Henry Morris and others who rose to distinction were members. He regards his connection with that club as one of the most fortunate events of his life. He engaged early in politics and was one of the editors of the "Ontario Messenger," the organ of the democratic party in that county. Through his influence young Douglas was led into the demo- cratic fold, and became an ardent friend of General Jackson. In January, 1833, he was called by Gov- ernor Marcy to take the office of adjutant-general of New York, succeeding General John A. Dix, which he held until November, 1836, when he re- signed and removed to Ithaca, New York.

In 1840 he was elected a member of the State as- sembly from Tompkins county as a conservative dem- ocrat. He took an active part in support of the policy of enlarging the Erie canal, and of opening channels of communication with the growing West.

In June, 1844, he removed to Milwaukee, where he has since resided. He formed a partnership with Asahel Finch and William Pitt Lynde, and practiced law under the firm name of Hubbell, Finch and Lynde. In May, 1848, he was a delegate to the national democratic convention at Baltimore, giving his support to General Cass. As a member of the committee on resolutions he acted with Governor McDowell of Virginia, Slidell of Louisiana, and Francis I. Blair of Washington, in opposing the pro- slavery resolutions of William L. Yancey of Georgia. In July, 1848, he was elected one of the judges of the supreme and circuit courts of the State.

His circuit embraced the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson and Dane, the duties of which, together with those of the supreme bench, were very laborious. The terms of the judges were determined by lot, and he drew the three years term. In 185 1 he was reelected for six years. A separate supreme court being established in 1853, he continued to act as circuit judge until June, 1856, when he resigned in consequence of the inadequacy of the salary- fifteen hundred dollars per annum-and resumed the practice of law in the city of Milwaukee.

Of his ability, learning and general character as a judge there is but one intelligent opinion, and that places him among the most distinguished of the profession. When the war of the rebellion com- menced he exerted all of his influence on the side of the government, and was denominated a war demo- crat, or republican. In 1863 he was elected a mem- ber of the State legislature from the county of Milwaukee, a body in which his genius, learning and classic taste admirably qualified him for efficien- cy and usefulness. Accordingly his tongue and his pen were devoted to the cause of his country, the one in eloquent appeals to the patriotism of his countrymen and the other in expounding the prin-

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ciples of the government which were being assailed with a view to their demolition.

In 1870 he was appointed by President Grant dis- trict attorney for the United States for the eastern district of Wisconsin, and retained this office until June, 1875, discharging its duties with ability and fidelity.

It is proper to state not only in reference to Judge Hubbell, but as a part of the history of the times, that an attempt was made in 1853 to impeach him for misconduct as a judge of the circuit and supreme courts of the state. The trial, which has long since

been regarded as a political drama instigated by a few envious and malignant parties, ended after a full and searching investigation in his prompt acquittal by the court. The result was received by the State at large with gratification, and by the citizens of Milwaukee (his home) with manifestations of joy, with bands of music, the firing of cannon, guns, etc.

Judge Hubbell was twice married to beautiful accomplished women : first, in 1836, to Susan Linn, daughter of Hon. Simeon De Witt of Albany, New York, and after her death, in 1852 to Mary Morris, daughter of the late Samuel W. Beall of Wisconsin.

ANSON W. BUTTLES,

MILWAUKEE.

A NSON W. BUTTLES, civil engineer and sur- veyor, was born at Milton, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of June, 1821, be- ing the eldest son of Cephas and Nancy Buttles ; the former was born at East Granville, Massachu- setts, on the 11th of April, 1791 (and now in general good health) and the latter was born at East Wind- sor, Connecticut, on the 23d of February, 1794 (whose maiden name was Stoughton).

Mr. . Buttles' father removed to Pennsylvania from Massachusetts about the year 1817, his intended wife following at a later date. They were married at Milton, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of May, 1820, and about the year 1831 they removed from Pennsylvania to Clear Spring, Wash- ington county, Maryland, with their family of five sons and one daughter, where they remained until the year 1843, and removed from thence to Colum- bus, Ohio, and resided there for a few months, and finally proceeded to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they permanently located, in the year 1843, on the 5th of October. Their five sons and one daughter (who were all born in Pennsylvania) removed with them to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Abijah Buttles and Augustus Stoughton, the grand- fathers of A. W. Buttles, were soldiers in the revo- lutionary war; the former crossed the Delaware river on the night of December 25, 1776, with Gen- eral Washington's wing of the army, and assisted in the capture of the Hessians, one of whom he made prisoner and led him up to his captain, when the Hes- sian drew from his pocket a bottle of New England rum and the three took a sociable drink together.

The subject of this memoir began his studies at Northumberland College, Pennsylvania, at a very early age, and received the balance of his education in Washington county, Maryland, partly under select tuition, and prepared himself for the profession of civil engineering and surveying, the practice of which he commenced (very young) on the Chesa- peake and Ohio canal in Maryland, and later, when the Baltimore and Ohio railroad was commenced, he went into camp on the location of that road, under B. H. Latrobe as chief engineer. He commenced at the lowest step of the ladder, and elevated as fast as an opportunity would permit, which were few and far between, being at too young an age (although capable) to repose much responsibility upon in such very important and gigantic work as railroading was considered in those days. However, he remained on the location and construction of said road until the same was completed as far as Cumberland, Maryland, and from that time quit the profession until the Milwaukee and Mississippi railroad in Wis- consin began its career, and upon which road was on the location as far as Madison and upon the con- struction as far as Milton.

The chief engineer was the late Hon. Byron Kil- bourn, a very ambitious, competent and accurate officer, and under whose authority Mr. Buttles had charge of the construction of the first division from Milwaukee to Waukesha, twenty and one-half miles, and which distance he has walked both ways in a day many times, with his instrument upon his shoul- der, giving grades, directions, etc., whenever they were needed.

THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.

And the first rails ever laid in the State of Wiscon- sin were put down to grades staked by him.

After his services were no longer needed there he was removed to the next division from Waukesha west, and remained on said division until the com- pletion of the road to Milton and the branch to Janesville, at which time he left the road and fol- lowed the fortunes of Mr. Kilbourn, who had transferred his services from the Milwaukee and Mississippi road to the Milwaukee and La Crosse as chief engineer, and Mr. Buttles was on the loca- tion and construction of that road as far as Hartford, having charge of all the most difficult work, and re- mained on it until graded thus far.

Then quit the profession of civil engineer, for the reason that he had contracted a heavy cold while camping out on the Mississippi road, which became seated for such a length of time that finally it partly deprived him of his hearing. Since which time he has been county surveyor of Milwaukee county three terms, and held the office of county superintendent of schools second district of Milwaukee county for six years, besides holding the offices of town clerk and justice of the peace for a number of years, the latter two are now in his possession.

In the year 1870 he had charge of the first division of the Milwaukee and Manitowoc railroad as the resident engineer, and continued as such until the company became bankrupt, since which time he has turned his attention to farming, where he now re- sides, in the town of Milwaukee, occasionally doing some surveying.

In regard to his politics, has always voted with ' the democracy, yet never was a strict partisan, rather

considered the man to be elected. At present his political views are, "Hard money for the people, a tariff for revenue only, honest payment of the pub- lic debt, free speech and free press, and opposition to a third term."

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The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume, Part 16

Author: American Biographical Publishing Company Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Chicago : American Biographical Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1108

Author: American Biographical Publishing Company
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Chicago : American Biographical Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1108