USA > Wisconsin > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume > Part 5
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REV. DEXTER CLARY,
BELOIT.
D EXTER CLARY, a native of Conway, Massa- chusetts, was born on the Ist of February, 1798. His father, a careful, conscientious man, removed to Jefferson county, New York, when the son was about five years old, and with his family became a pioneer of the then western wilderness. He was a good man, a deacon of tried excellence, and active in all matters of reform, and whatever tended to the welfare of his fellow-men. Dexter inherited many of the characteristics of his father, and in his boyhood learned by the force of circumstances to endure hardship and to look upon life as a struggle with difficulties, and yet as presenting ends worth struggling for. He acquired a good common-school education, and under home training developed a sound moral character and a knowledge of religious truth. When of suitable age he became a clerk in a store in Watertown, and by fidelity and ability soon rose to a position of responsibility and trust.
He was converted to a religious life when about twenty-three years of age, his mind having first been awakened under the preaching of Dr. Thomas Mc-
Auley, the eloquent Irish preacher. Soon afterward he was placed in charge of a store in Sackett's Har- bor, but having soon to leave the position by reason of impaired health, his thoughts were much turned upon the ministry. When satisfied that the path of duty lay in this direction, he entered at once upon a course of study ; but in consideration of his preca- rious health, his mature age, and especially of his ability in dealing with men on the subject of reli- gion already developed, he was advised to take a short course. Accordingly after spending a year or two in an academy he placed himself under the care of the presbytery, studied and worked with pastors as he had opportunity, and in February, 1828, at the age of thirty years, was licensed to preach by the St. Law- rence Presbytery. His first sermon after receiving his license was on the text, " What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"
From the beginning, his great object was to save men, and to this end he studied to impress upon his hearers what were to him eternal verities. During
Delury
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the first year he labored as an evangelist with great success, under a commission from the Western Do- mestic Missionary Society, and in February, 1829, was ordained. In 1832 he received an invitation to go to the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, and with his brother Abel started thither. Arriving at Wilkes- barre, Pennsylvania, his purposes were changed by the death of his brother, and he returned to his home. In 1834, in order to prepare himself more thoroughly for his work, he spent several months under the instructions of Dr. Taylor, in New Haven, Connecticut, and on returning home resumed his work as an evangelist.
On the 24th of March, 1835, he was married to Mrs. Sarah M. Beardsley, née Williams, in whom he found a loving companion and faithful helper, and one who cheerfully shared with him in all the joys and trials of his long and varied life. Soon after his marriage he was called to the city of Montreal, where he labored till the political revolution two years later. In 1838 he visited the West, and in 1840 removed his family to Beloit, Wisconsin, and for a year divided his labors between the church at that place and that at Rockton. At the expiration of this time he gave his attention wholly to the Beloit church, and in February, 1844, after the com- pletion of the first church edifice, was duly installed pastor. The success which attended his work during the next seven years is best attested by results. The church grew till it became almost the strongest in the State, and the whole community became distin- guished for its intelligence and moral and religious character, a fact which, more than anything else, determined the location of Beloit College. In Sep- tember, 1850, resigning his pastorate, he entered the service of the American Home Missionary Society, as agent or secretary for Wisconsin, a position for whose duties his former experience most eminently fitted him. For twenty-two years he carefully looked after the interests of the needy churches of his de- nomination in the State, never shrinking from duty, never reckless, but in faith, running risks as neces- sity required, trusting always in divine guidance and help, and so blending the wisdom, authority, dignity and kindness of a father, that spontaneously the title "Father Clary" was everywhere bestowed upon him. The spirit with which he began and prosecuted and closed his labors in this depart- ment is happily expressed in his own words, as in the presence of the gathered churches in Octo- ber, 1872, he laid down his commission. He says :
I cheerfully left a beloved parish for the agency under a clear conviction that I was doing the Master's will. . .. It was plain to my mind that there was a shady as well as sunny side. ... I have labored, going in and out among the brethren, their churches and people for these twenty- two years. I have purchased no land, built no house, en- gaged in no speculation, and devoted little time, perhaps too little, to study. My official duties have been my one idea, kept so steadily before my mind that I have been able, through grace, to say habitually, 'This one thing I do.' I have traveled about one hundred thousand miles, to a con- siderable extent by private conveyance. The number of sermons preached fully equals the number of Sabbaths that have passed. Donations received and distributed have been more than one thousand dollars a year, and work done in other departments is in about the same proportion.
During the first year of Mr Clary's pastorate the consultations were begun which resulted in the founding of Beloit College. . Into this enterprise he entered most heartily. At the outset he was elected a trustee, and at the first meeting in 1845 was ap- pointed secretary of the board, and member and sec- retary of the executive committee, positions which he faithfully filled till the day of his death. Prompt in attendance, patient in deliberation, sound in judg- ment, clear and positive, he was yet courteous and kind in expressing his convictions, precise in the transaction of business and accurate in keeping the records. He was especially interested in the faculty and students; and it was a peculiar joy of his latter years to bring in, as pastors of the churches under his care, not a few of those who had begun their education for the ministry under his eyes, and to help them in their work by his sympathy and coun- sel. Thus for nearly thirty years his life was identi- fied with the entire life of the institution, and out along all the lines of influence which radiate from this seat of learning his faithful labors and fervent prayers will go on yielding precious fruits, more and more to the end of time.
Mr. Clary's religion was his life. It was within him an all-pervading presence and purpose, and shone out in all his actions, beaming from his face in smiles of contentment, flashing from his eyes in looks of love, dropping from the lips in words of sympathy, moving the hands to deeds of charity, and, by its silent workings within, pushing him up- ward and outward into the full stature of a true manhood. A marked feature of Mr. Clary's char- acter was his generous liberality. It was his delight to give, and up to his last hour he was ready to con- tribute cheerfully for the support of any worthy cause.
His social qualities were of a very high order. As a husband, he was tender and thoughtful; as a father, fond and faithful; as a friend, true; and all
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who knew him as a neighbor or fellow-citizen re- member him as a man of singularly courteous and gentlemanly bearing, of strictest integrity, ready sympathy and large public-spiritedness.
While we mourn for our loss, we are cheered with the thought that his work and influence live after him. He died at two o'clock in the afternoon on the 18th of June, 1874, in his seventy-seventh year.
JOHN DEICHMAN, M.D., WHITEWATER.
T HE subject of this sketch, a native of Moore township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, was born on the 12th of December, 1806, the son of Abraham Deichman and Sarah née Deshler. The family has been somewhat noted for longevity, many of its members having attained the ages of seventy and eighty years. The grandfather of our subject, John Deichman, was a native of Grebenstein on the Rhine, in Germany, and immigrated to America about the year 1765; and married Elizabeth Simon, a lady of English descent, born in Germantown, near Philadelphia. His maternal grandfather, Adam Deshler, was a prominent man, and his name is associated with many important events connected with the early history of our country, as we learn from the "History of Lehigh Valley," by Mathew Henry. He was of German descent, and settled in Whitehall township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1730. During the revolutionary war he acted as commissary of supplies for the army, and in 1770, when the United States treasury, as well as that of the State of Pennsylvania, had no funds, advanced and paid money out of his own private resources, an act which in itself must endear his memory to every true American. In the peti- tion of the 17th of October, 1763, the time of the threatened Indian massacre, his name appears as one of the defenders of his town. He was the wealthiest inhabitant of the place, and possessed the only gun fit for service. We learn from the report of Colonel Bird to Governor Hamilton, that there were but three guns in the town, and two of them were unfit for use. His house was a large, two-storied stone structure, the only one of the kind in the place ; and at the time of the Indian depreda- tions in 1763, became the refuge and headquarters of all the inhabitants, and was called the Fort.
John received a good common-school education in his native place, and later, in March, 1827, graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, with
the degree of M.D. His early desire was to enter the ministry, and he began his studies with this purpose in view. He was, however, prevailed upon by his parents, especially his mother, to abandon his purpose, and finally turned his attention to the study of medicine. Immediately after graduating he began the practice of his profession at Lower Mount Bethel, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and continued it in that State with good success during a period of twenty-two years; performing, in that time, some most difficult surgical operations. Removing to the West in 1849, he established him- self in the drug business at Whitewater, Wisconsin, and occasionally engaged in his profession. Among the many difficult operations performed by him was the removal of a polypus .from both nostrils of William Babcock, of Delavan, Wisconsin, in 1851. Dr. Deichman, now seventy years of age, is in vigorous health, and having relinquished both his mercantile and professional duties, now finds most agreeable employment in his interesting museum. His collection is the work of forty-five years, and contains relics of Julius Cæsar's time, robes from Burmah, and a collection of Indian curiosities, rarely equaled in this country. He has a library of over two thousand volumes, comprising works of history, theology, politics, medicine and science ; also classi- cal works in various languages ; the "Congressional Globe," eight quarto volumes; the census of 1850, 1860 and 1870, complete in six volumes quarto. His life-career has been one of varied and interesting experiences, and presents a record of which he may justly be proud. While residing in Pennsylvania he was, for six years, surgeon in the 140th Regiment of the State militia.
Politically, he was formerly a whig, but since the organization of the republican party has been one of its hearty supporters.
He was educated and baptized in the German Reformed church, but is now unsectarian in his religious views ; though firmly believing in a Su-
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preme Being and a future existence, that rests en- tirely with God.
Dr. Deichman was married on the 4th of June, 1830, to Miss Catherine Stocker, of Lower Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania, and by her has had four children : of whom one son and two daughters, Elizabeth, Emma D. and Abraham S., are now living. Mary, the second daughter, died in 1849, at
the age of thirteen years. The son is a graduate of Eastman's Business College of Poughkeepsie, New York, aud is now in business at Easton, Pennsyl- vania. Miss Virginia Deichman, a granddaughter, now twenty-five years of age, has been a member of the State Normal School, located at Whitewater, since its organization in 1869, and is now teacher of instrumental music.
LIEUT .- GOV. MILTON H. PETTIT,
KENOSHA.
M ILTON HOWARD PETTIT, a native of ' ing. His business prospered from the first, and he Fabius, Onondago county, New York, was soon became an extensive grain dealer and owner of one of the largest malt establishments in his State. His entire career was marked by honorable and fair dealing, and he became widely known as a thoroughly qualified business man, and succeeded in accumulating an ample fortune. born on the 22d of October, 1825, and was the son of George and Jane Upfold Pettit. His ancestors : in his father's line were from the French Huguenots, who were obliged to flee from their native country on the revocation of the "Edict of Nantes," in the reign of Louis XIV, embarked for America in the fall of 1685, and arrived in New York after a peril- ous voyage of two months' duration. Settling on a beautiful tract of land a few miles above the city, on the banks of the East river, they named the place New Rochelle, in honor of their old home in France. Here John Pettit, great-great-grandfather of our sub- ject, died about the year 1765, leaving two children, John and Jonathan. Of these, Jonathan removed to Sharon, Connecticut, and there married Miss Agnes Riddell, daughter of a Scotch-Irish gentleman. He soon afterward removed to Stillwater, New York, and during the revolutionary war left his young wife in Albany and entered the continental service. His son, George Pettit, the father of Milton H., was born in Albany, and was a young man when his fathers' family of six sons and one daughter-James, George, Jonathan, David, Melancthon, John and Agnes - removed to Sherburn, Chenango county, and thence to Fabius, New York, where he died, a few years since, a most highly esteemed citizen, hav- ing been judge of the county court for a number of years, and twice a member of the State legislature. Milton passed his boyhood and youth in his native place, on his father's farm, and received his educa- tion in the public schools and Pompey Academy.
In 1846 he removed to Wisconsin, and settled on a farm about three miles from Kenosha. Leaving his farm in 1854, he removed to Kenosha and en- gaged in grain buying, and soon afterward in malt-
Mr. Pettit was a man of decided political views, and was identified with the republican party, being a true lover of freedom and equality. In the years 1854 and 1859 he was a member of the city council, and was elected mayor in 1861, 1865, 1867 and 1870, and discharged the duties of his office with ability and fidelity. In 1869 he was elected to the State senate for a term of two years, and as a legis- lator manifested his belief in just actions, rather than much speaking. During his term of office he was chosen as.one to visit the charitable and benevolent institutions of the State, and as chairman discharged his duties with efficiency, to the advantage of the institutions and the satisfaction of the governor and people. During the last session of his senatorial term he served as chairman of the committee on finance, State's prison, and the joint committee on charitable and benevolent institutions, and was a member of the committee on engrossed bills. As a senator he commanded the respect of all, and was often called upon to preside over the deliberations of the senate, and by his aptness, ability and impar- tiality as a presiding officer showed his fitness for the office of lieutenant-governor, to which he was elected in the State election of 1871. As president of the senate he maintained the esteem and confi- dence of all, and as acting governor, in the absence of Governor Washburn, discharged the duties of that office with marked ability and credit.
During the latter part of his service as lieutenant-
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governor, his health became much impaired, but not knowing his danger, he continued his labors till the close of the legislature, occupying the chair up to within three days of his death. He was in his place on Monday in both forenoon and evening sessions, and at the afternoon session of the following day the senate passed the following resolution :
Resolved, That the most sincere thanks of the senate are due, and are hereby tendered, llon. M. H. Pettit, lieutenant- governor, for the eminent ability, impartiality and courtesy with which he has presided over the deliberations of this body during the present session.
To which Mr. Pettit responded in the following words :
SENATORS : I desire to say, in response to the resolution so kindly offered and unanimously adopted by you, I sin- cerely thank you!
My aim has been, as my promise was at the commence- ment of the session, to deal fairly with you all, and if at any time I have seemed to do otherwise, it has been the result of inattention to my duties owing to the state of my health. To me the session has been very pleasant. Acquaintances have been made which to me have been desirable, and have grown into an affection and esteem which I shall fondly cherish through subsequent lite.
At the close of the legislature he returned to his home, expecting to regain his health. His days, however, were numbered. On Sunday evening, March 23, 1873, he died, aged forty-seven years, five months and one day. The suddenness of his
death was a surprise to all. The State showed its sorrow by placing the flag at half-mast and draping the capitol, and the State offices were closed on the day of the funeral; obituaries, speaking of him in the highest terms as a legislator and presiding officer, were published throughout the State, while the com- mon council of his own home paid their respect to his ability, virtue and social worth in the most highly complimentary resolutions. In his death the State lost an honest and faithful officer, the business pub- lic a loyal citizen, the social community a genial and courteous member, and his own family an affection- ate husband and fond father. His family alone could duly appreciate his loss; but in the midst of their sorrow they were cheered by the thought, " he still lives," and bowing 'neath the rod could say, "He doeth all things well."
Mr. Pettit was reared under Baptist influences, though he himself was exceedingly liberal in his religious sentiments.
He was married in 1847 to Miss Caroline D. Marsh, a farmer's daughter, of Kenosha county. Their married life was one of constant happiness, and their union was blest with seven children, of whom one son and two daughters still survive.
ROWLEY MORRIS, M.D.,
BRODHEAD.
"THE subject of this sketch, a native of Warsaw, New York, was born on the 30th of December, 18II, and is the son of Solomon Morris and Olive née Knapp, the latter being the widow of Mr. Dwight Noble. The early ancestors of the family were among the Puritans of New England, and the family itself is among the oldest in the United States. The father of our subject, a farmer by occupation, had also been engaged as a surveyor in western New York when it was a wilderness.
Both parents took great care in the training of their son to habits of industry, integrity and moral- ity, and the influence of their teaching has marked his entire life. He received his early education in the common schools, and early in life developed a love for study, and became an extensive reader, but was, however, undecided as to what business he would devote his life. At the age of twenty, paying his father one hundred dollars for his time, he be- came a partner in a store in Warsaw.
After following merchandising about two years, he closed his business and went to Cincinnati, Ohio, whence he returned during the same season, and spent two years in study. He next engaged in west- ern land speculation, but soon abandoned it on account of the financial depression of 1836. In the fall of 1837 he went to New York, and pursued a course of commercial study, intending to go to New Orleans; but, failing to receive money from his lands, as he had expected, he was obliged to relin- quish his purpose, and opened a school in New York and spent a few months in teaching. Thence re- turning home, he staid a short time and then went to Detroit, Michigan, where he passed the winter, spending much of his time in study. In the winter of 1838 he taught school near Akron, Ohio, and in the following spring made an extended tour through the West. During his exposures he contracted the ague, and on his way home in an open conveyance he had chills and fever seven days in succession.
LIEUTENANT .VEEN + F WIi N_ I.I
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Upon arriving at Chicago his funds became ex- hausted, and, borrowing twenty-five dollars of a friend, he took passage on a boat for Buffalo, and reached that city with enough money to pay his stage fare to Warsaw, and twenty-five cents- over. With this he tried to get his dinner at the hotel, but the price being thirty cents, and the landlord being unrelenting, he left without his dinner.
Having decided to enter the medical profession, he in 1840 began his studies with Dr. Peter Caner, of Warsaw. At the end of one year he entered the office of Messrs. Baldwin and Patter, and remained with them until his graduation from Albany Medical College in 1844. After practicing his profession for one year in his native place, he removed to Wiscon- sin ; but not meeting with success, he became some- what discouraged, and soon returned to his home, and there resumed his practice, continuing it with varied success, in company with Dr. Baldwin, his former preceptor, till 1848, when he again came to Wisconsin, and settled at his present home. By close application to his work he soon established a worthy reputation; and now, though retired from
actual practice, and engaged to some extent in agricultural pursuits, enjoys a wide reputation as a skillful and successful physician. His success may be attributed to the fact that he turned his powers into that channel of life for which they were best adapted, and in which he could take delight, and having once found his work, he has applied himself to it with unremitting vigor and zeal.
In his political sentiments, Dr. Morris was for- merly a democrat, but is now identified with the republican party, and has been honored by his fellow-citizens with many positions of public trust. His religious views are rationalistic, though he is not connected with any church organization.
Naturally of a generous and genial disposition, he makes friends wherever he goes; and with the large fund of practical knowledge gained from his varied experiences, observation and study, combined with his excellent social and conversational powers, is a most agreeable companion. He was married in 1844, to Miss Harriet J. Foster, who died in 1857. In 1863 he was married a second time, to Mrs. Ann Mitchell, and by her has two children.
WILLIAM H. DEMOTTE, A.M.,
DELAVAN.
W ILLIAM H. DEMOTTE, a native of Ken- tucky, was born near Danville on the 17th of July, 1830, the son of Rev. Daniel and Mary, née Brewer, DeMotte. His parents removed to Indiana soon after his birth, and there he passed his boyhood under such influences as are usually thrown around the family of an itinerant preacher in a new country.
Completing the regular course of study, he grad- uated with honor from the literary and scientific department of Asbury University, at Green Castle, Indiana, in 1849. He soon afterward became a teacher in the Indiana Institute for the Deaf and Dumb at Indianapolis, and in that capacity continued during a period of fourteen years. His natural fit- ness, earnest devotion and zealous industry enabled him to acquire exceptional expertness in that most difficult branch of instruction, and a number of prominent, successful teachers of mutes received their first lessons from him.
During the war of the rebellion he served with satisfaction, under a commission from Gov. Morton, as State military and sanitary agent at Washington,
District of Columbia, affording relief to returning prisoners and to sick, disabled and destitute soldiers in hospitals.
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