USA > Wisconsin > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
In the fall of 1847, having relieved himself from his embarrassment by hard and incessant toil at the bench, the darkness and gloom which had at first overshadowed his pathway, in the then far west, had been lifted, and the beauties of the prairie-west pre- sented themselves to him in a new light, which in- duced him to abandon his first intent of returning to the East, and he resolved to engage in school teach- ing as the best adapted to enable him to pursue his studies. He first taught, nine months, at Spring Prairie Corners, Walworth county, commencing in the fall of that year. In September, 1848, he opened an academical school at Burlington, Racine county, in what was then known as the old "Burlington Academy " building, where he continued to teach until the summer of 1850-in the meantime pursu-
ing the study of law, and spending the summer va- cations of 1849 and 1850 in the law office of Messrs. Blair and Lord, at Port Washington, in (now) Ozaukee county, where he was admitted to the bar in the fall of the latter year. As a teacher, he was eminently successful, and built up a school at Burlington which was largely patronized, and held in high esteem by the people of that place.
About the first of October, 1850, he removed to West Bend - where he has ever since resided - in contemplation of its becoming the county seat of the old county of Washington, for which it was then striving. For over two years the county-seat contest raged and the little village of West Bend remained stationary, and but little business found its way into his office. He, however, pursued his studies vigor- ously, teaching the village school during the winters of 1850-1 and 1851-2, and attending to his little law business evenings and Saturdays. Upon the divi- sion of the county in the winter of 1853, and the establishment of the county seat of the new county of Washington at West Bend, a new era dawned upon the young disciple of Blackstone, and from that time his course was onward and upward. In the fall of 1853 he was elected the first district attor- ney of the new county of Washington ; in 1854 was one of the secretaries of the first republican State convention held in this State, at Madison ; in 1856 was appointed county judge of Washington county, by Governor Bashford ; in 1860 was a delegate to the national republican convention, held at Chicago, which nominated Abraham Lincoln, and was one of its acting secretaries ; in the fall of 1860 was elected to the State legislature in an intensely democratic district, and was a member of that body at the breaking out of the late civil war, and was chairman of the judiciary committee at its special session in June, 1861 ; in 1868 was the republican nominee for congress in the fourth district, against Charles A. Eldridge, and, though defeated, he polled an unusu- ally large vote ; the same year was one of the repub- lican presidential electors; in 1872 was a delegate to the republican national convention, at Philadel- phia, which renominated General Grant; the same year was chosen ·president of the Wisconsin State convention of Universalists, and was reëlected to the same position in 1873; in 1873 he received the republican nomination upon the State ticket for the office of attorney-general, and though he went down in the general disaster which that year overwhelmed the republican party, he made perhaps the most
IO
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
remarkable run in the political annals of this State. His home county, Washington, which gave Taylor, the democratic candidate for governor, little less than two thousand majority, and the balance of that ticket, except the candidate for attorney-general, about the same, gave Mr. Frisby something over six hundred majority, which placed him largely ahead of his ticket in the State.
In politics, Mr. Frisby has been an ardent, active and steadfast republican ever since the organization of that party. Previous to that time he was a free- soiler, and cast his first vote for President, in 1848, for Martin VanBuren, the candidate of that party. From the day when he first began to take an interest in national affairs, he was an earnest and uncom- promising opponent of human slavery. It has been, however, as a lawyer, that Mr. Frisby has made himself prominent in the history of Wisconsin.
In 1854 he formed a law partnership with John E. Mann, the present county judge of Milwaukee county, which continued till Mr. Mann was elected judge of the third judicial circuit in 1859. He soon thereafter formed a copartnership with Hon. Paul A. Weil, and S. S. Barney, Esq., was taken into the firm May 1, 1874, so that he is now the senior mem- ber of the present law firm of Frisby, Weil and Barney. He has now been in the active practice of his pro- fession for a quarter of a century, and for the last twenty years has enjoyed an extensive and lucrative practice. Industry, energy and hard study, coupled with unimpeachable integrity toward his clients, has ranked him among the lawyers of Wisconsin.
He was married to Mrs. Francis E. Rooker, of Burlington, Wisconsin, in 1854. They are comfort- ably situated in a pleasant home in West Bend, sur- rounded by a large and interesting family of children, and the fruits of an industrious and well spent life.
Mr. Frisby is just in the prime of manhood, and is remarkably well preserved for his years, owing undoubtedly to his constant temperate habits - tall and commanding in figure, and pleasing and sociable in his manners and address. Many years of useful- ness are evidently before him, full of promise of honor and profit to himself, and the large circle of friends and acquaintances with whom he is sur- sounded.
The Madison "State Journal." August 29, 1873, says :
L. F. Frisby, of Washington, nominated for attorney general, we have known for a great many years as a lead- ing lawyer and solid citizen of Washington county. He has fought the good fight of republicanism in that strong- hold of democracy, year after year, with unshaken courage. He helped to organize the republican party, and no man has more zealously upheld its banner and advocated its principles. He has had the hearty good wishes of the party for years, but none of its honors. It was not surprising, therefore, that the convention regarded his claims to recog- nition for past services as very strong; and when to this was added his high character as a man, his great ability as a lawyer, and his popularity with the people, the case was irresistible. We most heartily indorse this nomination, as one eminently fit to be made. The judge is a polished gentleman, and a clear-headed, competent, honest man. He will add great strength to the ticket in that section of the State, where we want more votes, and he will bring to the discharge of the duties of his office a cultivated and vigor- ous mind. We are sure that the republicans of Wisconsin will vote for L. F. Frisby for attorney-general with a feeling of genuine satisfaction that this most deserving republican is to be honored at last.
JAMES CODY, M.D.,
WATERTOWN.
J
AMES CODY, a gentleman who is practicing the profession of medicine in Watertown, Wis- consin, is the subject of our present brief biograph- ical history. He was born on the 22d day of August, 1820, at St. John's, the capital of Newfoundland, and was the son of Patrick and Susan Cody. The maiden name of Mrs. Cody was McDonnell. Patrick Cody was engaged as a merchant in the fisheries of New- foundland.
When James had reached an age which rendered it practicable and judicious, he was sent from his home to Montreal, in Canada, for the purpose of
commencing and laying the foundation of his ed- ucation. Here he stayed for some time at the Jesuit College, giving his attention faithfully to his stud- ies. He then removed to Harvard University, and, by the exercise of diligence, and the fact of his pos- sessing a strong liking to the profession he had cho- sen, graduated in the medical department of the same on the 4th of March, 1844. In 1846 he came to Watertown and commenced the practice of medi- cine, which he has continued with great success until the present time.
Mr. Cody is a believer in the Roman Catholic
II
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
faith, of which church he is an acknowledged and faithful member. Politically, he has always been a supporter of the democratic party. Although Mr. Cody's time and attention has been almost entirely occupied and absorbed by the practice and study of the profession for which he has such a strong regard, he allowed himself to be nominated for the office of school superintendent in the city of Watertown, and the voters displayed their appreciation of his many good qualities and his adaptability for the position,
by electing him to it. He is also the health officer of the city, and discharges his duties in a conscien- tious and efficient manner.
On the 12th of November, 1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Adeline Rogan, by whom he has had four children. James Marion, born July 22, 1850, and died at the age of fifteen; Edward Dwayne, born June 2, 1853, and died June 13, 1869 ; Adaline, born July 28, 1855, and William Gordon, born July 20, 1861. Both the latter are living.
EDWARD AND MICHAEL FORRESTER McKEY,
JANESVILLE.
E DWARD AND MICHAEL F. McKEY, of Janesville, Wisconsin, were twin brothers, and were born in Crossmolina, county of Mayo, Ireland, on the 18th of September, 1821; their parents being Thomas McKey and Maria (Forrester) McKey.
The brothers received their education mainly at home, and at a private school in the neighborhood, where they obtained a good English education. At school they showed great precocity, and, while ex- celling in their studies generally, evinced a marked aptitude and partiality for history and literature. They left school at the early age of fifteen, and were apprenticed to the dry-goods business, and entered the establishment of the leading merchant in that line of their native town. Although mere boys, they displayed unmistakable business qualifica- tions, and after four years of their apprenticeship had expired, they prevailed upon their employer to release them from their indentures, still, however, remaining in his employment.
In 1840 Edward visited the United States, and remained there about six months. At the age of twenty-two they commenced business on their own account, and soon developed a flourishing and ex- tensive trade, which they carried on successfully until 1846, when they were overtaken by the great famine of that year, which involved nearly the whole business community of the island in ruin, and from which they, in common with every one else, suffered very heavy losses. The young broth- ers, however, were full of energy and well directed ambition, and they determined at once to retrieve their fortunes in another land. In the early part of 1847 they carried out this intention, and immi- grated to America, and located themselves at Little
Falls, in New York State; and in the autumn of the same year they bought out the business of Mr. N. H. Wood, who removed to Chicago, and who now resides at Portage, Wisconsin. While at Little Falls, the rumors of the wonderful resources and capacities of the great West reached their ears, and, like many others, these marvelous reports at- tracted their serious attention. They resolved to make another change, and accordingly, in 1849, they removed to Wisconsin, opening a mercantile house, first at Racine, and shortly afterward another at Janesville. They continued to conduct both these establishments simultaneously for about three years, when they finally closed the one at Racine, and gave their whole attention to the Janesville house, making it their headquarters. They subsequently established branch houses at several other places, such as Madison, Oshkosh, Beloit and Mineral Point. They were invariably successful in all their undertakings, as a natural consequence of their innate shrewdness and business sagacity, their un- wearied industry and strict integrity; and for a quarter of a century there has been no firm in the State of Wisconsin more widely known to its people than that of the McKey Brothers.
In September, 1868, Mr. Michael F. McKey died, and the estate, which had been accumulated by their industry, remained wisely undivided under the direction and control of the surviving brother, Mr. Edward McKey, until his death, which oc- curred somewhat suddenly from paralysis of the vital organs on the 14th of August, 1875. He had about a year previously retired from active partici- pation in the mercantile business, giving his atten- tion solely to his real-estate affairs.
12
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
Both the brothers were men of unusual capacity and foresight. For many years the surplus profits of the home business had been invested, with rare sagacity, in real estate, when property was low, in nearly every important town from Chicago to Lake Superior; and thus were laid the foundations of a fortune, which, with the development of the country, grew to extremely large proportions.
In religious affairs they were attached to the com- munion of the Episcopal church, and in youth took great interest in Sunday-school affairs in connection with that denomination.
Politically, they were supporters of the demo- cratic party, but voted for the reëlection of Abra- ham Lincoln. Both were often solicited to accept political positions, but neither would ever consent to become a candidate for any office. Mr. Edward McKey was commissioned, in February, 1856, by Governor Barstow, as aid to the commander-in-chief, with the rank of colonel.
In addition to his other multifarious interests Edward McKey, in connection with his son-in- law, Major F. F. Stevens, organized the Wisconsin Savings Bank of the city of Janesville, which was opened for business June 4, 1873, Major Stevens being appointed cashier. This bank was wound up at Mr. Edward McKey's death, by the administra- tion, every depositor being paid in full on demand, "without defalcation or discount."
Mr. Edward McKey was twice married : First, in 1843, to Miss Mary Ann Tole, of Crossmolina. She died on the Ist of December, 1851, and he was subsequently united to Miss Harriett Folds, then of Beloit and formerly of Dublin. He left a family of eight children.
Mr. M. F. McKey was married on the 12th of July, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Folds, whose sister was afterward married to his brother. This lady died October 30, 1863, leaving a family of four children.
HON. ANDREW G. MILLER,
MILWAUKEE.
A NDREW GALBRAITH MILLER, a native of Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, was born on the 18th of September, 1801, and is the son of John Matthew Miller and Jane Miller née Galbraith. His maternal grandfather, whose name he bears, was a major in the Revolutionary war. Andrew, in early life, enjoyed good educational advantages, and later pursued a course of study in Washington College, Pennsylvania, graduating on the 19th of September, 1819. On the 7th of the ensuing October he began the study of law in the office of Mr. Andrew Carruthers, of Carlisle, and three years later (in November, 1822) was admitted to the bar. At once entering upon his profession, he continued to practice in the courts of his native and adjoining counties, and in the supreme court of the State, until the 8th of November, 1838, when he was appointed by President Van Buren associate justice of the su- preme court of Wisconsin, in place of Hon. William C. Frazer, then lately deceased, an office which he continued to fill during the existence of the terri- torial government.
Upon the admission of Wisconsin into the Union he was appointed, on the 12th of June, 1848, judge of the district court of the United States for the
district of Wisconsin, and continued to perform the duties of that office until the western district of Wisconsin was created in 1870, whereupon he exer- cised the duties of judge of the eastern district until January 1, 1874, when he resigned, having attained the age of seventy-three years, and having been on the bench for thirty-five years. Few men have been longer on the bench, or had a more extensive and varied experience in judicial affairs, than Judge Miller. During a period of ten years he partici- pated in all the cases heard and decided in the supreme court, besides performing a vast amount of labor in the trial of cases in the first district, of which there were a great number in territorial times.
But the most important part of his judicial life was during his services as judge of the federal court of Wisconsin. Since the organization of this court it has been burdened with litigations of a diverse and complicated character, involving immense inter- ests, and presenting for solution new and difficult questions, requiring a high order of talent and legal learning, and the most extensive research and care- ful discrimination. In 1854, when the country had become thoroughly excited on the subject of slavery, occurred the noted "Rescue case," in which Booth
13
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
was indicted in the federal court under the fugitive slave law of 1850, for forcibly rescuing one Glover, a fugitive slave, from the custody of the United States marshal, to whom he had been delivered for return to his master. It was contended that the act of 1852 was unconstitutional and void; so that the case attracted remarkable popular attention, and involved principles which entered largely into the politics of the State. Upon Judge Miller's decision that the act was valid, Booth was convicted and sentenced, but subsequently discharged from custody when the supreme court of the State held that the act was unconstitutional. A direct conflict thus arising between the state and federal courts, the course of Judge Miller was bitterly and unjustly denounced; but subsequently, the correctness of his decision in the different phases of the case was emphatically and fully sustained and vindicated by the decisions of both the state and federal courts. The result, however, excited, and for a long time kept alive, a violent and unjust state of ill feeling and prejudice toward the judge, and that, too, simply because, in all fidelity and obedience to his oath and duty as judge, he declared the validity and enforced the provisions of an odious and unhappy law. The act was but characteristic of the man. He knew full well the storm of popular indignation that his de- cision would bring upon him; but a sense of duty impelled him, and in doing as he did he only evi- denced a loyalty to principle and right. In other cases, involving railroad litigations, and those in-
volving the validity of town and county bonds issued in aid of railroad and other enterprises, his decisions became the subject of many complaints, but were in nearly every instance fully affirmed when appealed to the supreme court of the United States.
As a judge, he was studious and conscientious, thoroughly conversant with legal principles, prompt in the discharge of duty, quick to detect fraud, and possessed of courage and firmness to expose and rebuke it. Of him it is said: "He is methodical in his habits of study, as in every duty in life. He excelled in the admiralty and equity branches of the law; in the former he acquired great distinction in the region of the great lakes, for his thorough knowledge of that branch of the law, and the equi- table principles upon which he applied it to the difficult cases arising from collisions, and growing out of maritime contracts."
In great equity cases he was faithful in master- ing the mass of detail, and quick to grasp the strong points of the case. He would tolerate no fraud to escape the payment of honest debt, and was not slow to discover and expose the specious mask so often assumed to cloak dishonest design.
Politically, Judge Miller was identified with the democratic party. In his religious views he was an Episcopalian, of low-church tendencies. He was married, February, 7, 1827, to Miss Caroline Eliza- beth Kurtz, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, by whom he had four children.
He died at Milwaukee, September 30, 1874.
GEORGE R. COOKE,
GREEN BAY.
P ROMINENT among the influential and self- made men of Green Bay stands he whose name heads this sketch. Though in the study of his life history, we find many phases in common with the lives of ordinary men, there is at the same time an undercurrent of enterprise and an individualism peculiarly its own. A native of Drummondsville, Lower Canada, he was born on the roth of July, 1834, and is the son of John and Mary Cooke. His parents, well-to-do farmers, were upright and enter- prising, and enjoyed the high regard of many true friends. George received a common English edu- cation, and during his early life divided his time between study and farm work. In 1854, at the age
of twenty years, he took a contract for cutting cord- wood in Vermont, and during the summer of the following year worked on a farm in Lancaster, New Hampshire. With something of a fondness for ad- venture, and a desire to better his condition, he re- moved to the West during the latter part of this same year, and settled at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Remaining here till 1856, he removed to Green Bay, and during the next nine years was employed, on a salary, in a saw-mill. During this time, by indus- trious and frugal habits, he succeeded in accumu- lating a handsome capital, and in 1865 erecting a saw- mill, began the manufacture of lumber. Since that time he has been actively engaged in the lumber
3
14
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
trade, doing an extensive and influential business, having been fortunate in possessing the happy fac- ulty of seizing opportunities and turning them to the interests of his enterprise. He has not, however, confined himself exclusively to this line of business, but has employed parts of his capital in a manner that has displayed a most worthy public-spirited- ness. In 1873 he erected one of the finest build- ings in his city, known as "Cook's Hotel," which has contributed not only to his own private interests, but also has been a valuable acquisition to the city.
His political sentiments are republican, and al- though his county has a democratic majority, he was, in 1874, elected county treasurer, and is also one of the school board of Green Bay. His aspirations,
however, have not been for political honors ; his legitimate business furnishing for him more congen- ial and satisfactory employment. He is in the truest sense a business man ; coming to Green Bay as he did, with but twenty-five dollars in his pocket, he has gradually risen by his own efforts, to his present business and social standing. Naturally of a gen- erous disposition, he has contributed liberally to the support of benevolent and charitable objects, and by his manly deportment, suave manners and open, fair-dealing, has drawn around himself a host of true and substantial friends.
Mr. Cooke was married on the 29th of September, 1857, to Miss Juliette Stearns, and by her has one daughter and one son.
SAMUEL J. MARTIN, M.D.,
RACINE.
T' HE subject of this biographical sketch, a native of Weston, Windham county, Vermont, was born on the 6th of September, 1830, and is the son of Jefferson and Rhoda Martin ; the former was born at Dublin, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, on the 28th of February, 1805, and the latter, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, born in 1804. His maternal grandfather was a prominent merchant and shipowner; and previous to the embargo of 1807, conducted a large importing business. This act of congress, however, so crippled him, that he retired to private life. When three years of age, Samuel's parents removed to Mount Holly, Rutland county, Vermont, where he received his early edu- cation, dividing his time between study and farm work. Previous to his seventeenth year his help was much needed at home, and he consequently had limited advantages for study; at this time, however, he entered Black River Academy, at Lud- low, Vermont, and spent two terms each year during two years, and for the next four years studied at the same place, during one term of each. His studies during this time were confined to the English branches; but he afterward spent two terms at the Chester Academy, and there pur- sued the study of Latin, with other higher branches, earning money to defray his expenses by teaching penmanship and day school. After leaving school he engaged in teaching, and continued, with the exception of one year, when he was in poor health,
until his twenty-eighth year. He early developed a taste for the medical profession, but in his desire to enter it was opposed by his father, who preferred that he should become a farmer. Accordingly, at the age of twenty-eight, he yielded to his father's wishes and purchased a farm, with money, a part of which he had earned by teaching. At the end of one year, becoming dissatisfied with farming, he began the study of medicine at home under the direction of A. E. Horton, M.D., of Mount Holly. One year later he sold his farm, and gave his entire attention to his studies, and after taking two full courses of lectures, graduated from the Elective Medical College of Philadelphia, now the University of Philadelphia. He began his practice in 1863, at Marlboro, New Hampshire, and remained there till 1866, doing a successful business, and at this time removed to Walpole, New Hampshire, and there, in addition to his practice, opened a drug store with another gentleman, who managed the latter business while he devoted himself chiefly to his profession. At the end of eighteen months, his partner having lost everything, he closed out his interest in the drug store and gave himself unremittingly to his studies and practice. The force of circumstances induced him to examine the subject of homœopathy, and at the end of one year's observation and careful thought, he embraced the principles of that school. Not hav- ing recovered from his failure in the drug business,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.