USA > Wisconsin > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume > Part 54
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Mr. Freeman was married on the Ist of January, 1850, to Miss Ann S. Hollingshead, of Walworth county, Wisconsin, and by her has three children.
Such is a brief outline of his life-history. He is preeminently a self-made man. After the age of sixteen he was almost wholly dependent upon him- self for his means of gaining an education. Through all he has maintained a fair degree of health, good spirits and a worthy ambition, and by patient effort has attained his present high standing at the bar and as a citizen.
SAMUEL W. HUNT,
MENOMONEE.
N the seven years' struggle for American inde- I
pendence were three brothers by the name of Hunt. All served through the entire war, and all had families, and from them as far as known and their immediate ancestors have sprung all the Hunts in this country. Among their descendants are Washington Hunt, ex-governor of New York; Ward Hunt, of the supreme bench of the United States ; Dr. Sanford B. Hunt, a cousin of Washington Hunt, and an eminent medical and political writer, besides several other distinguished men. One of the three patriots above referred to was the grandfather of Samuel W. Hunt, the subject of this biographical sketch.
His parents were Harvey and Mary (Brown) Hunt, and he was born at Nichols, Tioga county, New York, November 6, 1835. His father, who was formerly a farmer and stock dealer, is still liv- ing, being in his seventy-sixth year. Samuel spent most of his time until twenty-two years of age in acquiring an education, his later school years being spent in an academy at Owego, New York, and the Lawrence University, at Appleton, Wisconsin, he
having removed to the West in 1858. In 1861 he returned to the State of New York; entering a law office at Owego, studied until September, 1864. He then entered upon a course of study at the Al- bany Law School, and graduated from the same. He returned to Wisconsin in the autumn of 1865, and during the next March settled at Menomonee, his present home. During the twelve years that he has practiced there, a part of the time in partner- ship with F. J. McLean, Esq., and later with C. E. Freeman, Esq., he has built up a prosperous and remunerative practice, and made for himself a good name and a spotless reputation for candor and hon- esty. The business of the firm of Hunt and Free- man extends not only throughout Dunn county, but also into adjoining counties; and wherever the firm name is known it is the synonym for business dispatch and integrity.
Aside from his professional duties, Mr. Hunt has been honored by his fellow-citizens with positions of honor and trust. In 1869 he was a member of the popular branch of the State legislature, and served on the committees on railroads, State lands
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and education. He was district attorney in 1867 and 1868, and in 1874 was a candidate on the republican ticket for State senator, but was de- feated by reason of the "reform movement," which that year carried the State.
He has always been identified with the republican party. In religion he is liberal.
He was married on the 25th of June, 1866, to Miss Gelina Campbell, of Owego, New York.
In person, Mr. Hunt is of medium height, of good proportions, with fair complexion and light blue eyes. He has a kindly look, polished manners, and the marks of a gentleman in his conversation and all his bearing.
CHARLES B. SOLBERG,
LA CROSSE.
I [N and near La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a very large number of Norwegians, and they are among the most industrious and thrifty class of people. This is true, whether they be farmers, mechanics, profes- sional men or merchants. Among the last named class of business men in the city of La Crosse the two most successful are Norwegians, and one of them is the subject of this sketch. A native of Lillehammer, he was born August 20, 1835. His parents were Ole N. and Mary (Andersen) Solberg. His father was a merchant in his younger years, but on immigrating to this country with his family, in 1853, purchased land near La Crosse and opened a farm, which he still cultivates. Both he and his wife are living, and are hale, industrious, well-to-do people.
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On reaching La Crosse the son accepted a clerk- ship in a store, which he held until 1861, when he rented a store, and with about two thousand dollars capital opened a grocery trade, a business which he has steadily followed for sixteen years with marked success. He early secured a large amount of the Scandinavian trade, and always doing business in a prompt and strictly honorable manner, he retained his old customers. Their indorsement of his character brought him new ones, and his business
has gradually increased until it has assumed very large proportions. In 1876 it amounted to three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and having just doubled the capacity of his mercantile building he expects to do at least four hundred thousand dollars the present year. He who sixteen years ago began business for himself in a two-story store, twenty by sixty feet, now has a store three stories above the basement, averaging fifty by one hundred and fifty feet, and usually containing from forty thousand to sixty thousand dollars' worth of merchandise. This growth in business is purely the result of close attention and care, and prudence and honesty in all its details. There is not a more thoroughgoing business man in La Crosse.
Mr. Solberg is an ardent republican. He dis- charges his duties faithfully as a citizen, but does not covet office. He has held some useful positions in the municipality of La Crosse, has been on the republican State central committee, and was a presi- dential elector in 1876. He, however, allows neither politics nor anything else to interfere with his legiti- mate business.
On the 21st of September, 1861, he was married to Miss Alice Johnson, of La Crosse. They have had six children, five of whom are still living.
GEN. JOHN A. KELLOGG
WAUSAU.
JOHN AZOR KELLOGG, son of Nathan and Sarah (Quidor) Kellogg, was born at Bethany, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1828. His paternal grandfather was a revolutionary soldier. His father, a hotel keeper, stage proprietor and con- tractor, removed to Wisconsin territory when John
was about twelve years old, and settled at Prairie du Sac, in Sauk county. There the son aided in clear- ing and working land for about six seasons, spending the first three winters at a private school, taught by Quinton Smith, a Scotchman. At the age of eigh- teen he commenced reading law, under instruction,
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by correspondence, with Hon. George W. Wood- ward, late Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, and fin- ished his legal studies with S. S. Wilkinson, of Prai- rie du Sac. In 1857 he began the practice of his profession at Mauston, in Juneau county. He was elected prosecuting attorney three years later, and resigned that office in April, 1861, and entered the military service. He was first lieutenant of the Lemonweir "minute men," afterward company K, 6th Regiment Wisconsin Infantry. He was mus- tered into the service on the 6th of July, and became captain of Company I, in December, 1861. He par- ticipated in the battles of Gainesville, Virginia, sec- ond Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fred- ericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He was taken prisoner during the great fight in the Wilderness, on May 5, 1864, and spent five months in Lynchburgh, Danville, Macon and Charleston, and escaped on the 5th of October, by jumping off the cars near Branch- ville, while being transported to Columbia. While a prisoner he had been promoted to major and lieu- tenant-colonel of the " Iron Brigade." He came into the federal lines at Calhoun, Georgia, and was soon after promoted to the position of colonel.
The famous " Iron Brigade " was composed of the 2d, 6th and 7th Wisconsin, 19th Indiana, and 24th Michigan. This brigade Colonel Kellogg led in the battles of Boydston Plank Road, Gravel Run, Five Forks, High Bridge, and Appomatox. He was bre- veted brigadier-general for highly meritorious ser-
vices during the campaign ending with the sur- render of Lee. He richly merited every honor, and commendatory word which he received. He was engaged in twenty-two battles and skirmishes, and was known as among the bravest and most daring officers who went from the Badger State. He was mustered out of the service, August 17, 1865, and being appointed pension agent at La Crosse, he set- tled there in the spring of 1866, and remained there until 1875. Resigning his office in April of that year, he, in the following July, removing to Wausau. Here he resumed the legal profession, and is build- ing up a good business.
General Kellogg aided in organizing the repub- lican party at Madison, Wisconsin, June 5, 1855, and has since been one of its earnest supporters. In earlier life his sentiments were strongly opposed to the institution of human slavery.
General Kellogg is a member of the Presbyterian church, and an elder of the same. On October 5, 1852, he was married to Miss Adelaide Worthington, Prairie du Sac, a native of Luzerne county, Pennsyl- vania. Of the five children which have been born. to them, three are now living.
General Kellogg has a fine literary taste, and can wield the pen as well as the sword. Two serials of his, "The Capture and Escape "- his personal ex- periences - and " Pioneer Reminiscences," are racy reading ; and the same may be said of several of his shorter articles.
CEPHAS A. BUTTLES,
MILWAUKEE.
C' EPHAS AUGUSTUS BUTTLES, Milwau- kee, was born at Northumberland, Northum- berland county, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1829; was the fifth child of Cephas and Nancy Buttles. The former born at East Granville, Massachusetts, April 11, 1791, and the latter at East Windsor, Connec- ticut, February 23, 1794, whose maiden name was Stoughton. His father removed to Pennsylvania from Massachusetts about the year 1817, and Miss Stoughton, to whom he was engaged, following with her family at a later date; were married at Milton, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1820, About the year 1831 they removed from Milton, Pennsylvania, to Clear Spring, Washington county, Maryland, with their family of five sons and one daughter.
The grandeur of the mountain scenery surround- ing Clear Spring made impressions upon the mind of young Cephas which time has failed to erase. Living on the great highway from the East to the West, he had frequent opportunities of seeing and listening to the conversation of such men as Gen- eral Jackson, General Harrison, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and others, which inspired him with the desire for distinction. General Gaines, placing his hand on his head, said to his father : "This boy :has a Webster head, give him a good education and he will make a statesman." He was then nine years of age. He progressed rapidly in his studies in the village school, and shortly after this time his father sent him to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to
Young July Car Ballo
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the university, intending to have him pass through a regular academic course of study. He was very ambitious to learn, and worked so steadily and per- sistently to be the first in his classes that he over- taxed his nervous system, and at the end of one year he was obliged to return home. After a few months' rest he commenced attending the high school in Clear Spring again, but his nervous system was so unstrung that he could not bear close appli- cation. Thus at the age of twelve years his dreams of scholastic education were abandoned.
In 1843 his father moved to Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin, and became landlord of the "Mansion House," then in the heart of the city. Cephas A. Buttles and his two younger brothers commenced clearing up a farm of eighty acres, eight miles above the city, and when prepared for the reception of the family they occupied it as their home. The family was subjected to many privations and hardships ; which, however, were blessings in disguise, as they qualified the boys for their successful struggles with the world in after life. On one occasion their mother said : "I am sorry, my boys, I have noth- ing for a Thanksgiving dinner." Cephas A. But- tles said : "Mother, I will bring you a Thanksgiving dinner in less than two hours." Accordingly he took down his gun, and with three loads of ammunition he shot five partridges, and the family enjoyed the Thanksgiving dinner; but for the game the woods afforded, the family would have suffered for the necessaries of life. Having spent four years on the farm, laboring for the support of the family, and finding them now supplied with the comforts of life, Cephas A. Buttles determined to enter upon a new theater, and upon his own responsibility. Ac- cordingly he proceeded to Milwaukee, barefooted, with twenty-five cents in his pocket. He soon suc- ceeded in binding himself as an apprentice to I .. Comstock and Co .; engaged in the manufacture of tin, copper and sheet-iron. At the expiration of his term of service he was employed as journeyman. As soon as he had accumulated enough money to build a frame cottage on the farm for the accom- modation of his parents, he expended it in that truly honorable manner.
In the spring of 1852 he made up his mind, if possible, to start in a small way for himself. Since building the house for his father, he had only been able to save one hundred and fifty dollars. He heard incidentally that Mr. John Nazro had spoken favorably of the young man in Mr. Hewett's employ
as being steady and industrious. He went to Mr. Nazro, introduced himself to him and laid his plans before him, and told him he had only one hundred and fifty dollars in money. He replied : "Young man, that will not half buy your tools." After talk- ing a while longer he requested him to come the next morning at nine o'clock, when he would have more leisure. He presented himself promptly the next morning, and had a long business conversation. He told him his father had given him permission to mortgage forty acres of his land to assist him if necessary, and that he had a chance to rent a small store in a good location, where he thought he could build up a nice little trade. After talking some time, Mr. Nazro said: "Mr. Buttles, I like your spirit of independence, and I know your habits of temperance and industry. I do not want your land, give me your one hundred and fifty dollars and go and pick out your tools and a small stock, and pay me as fast as you gain it over your necessary ex- penses." His tools amounted to two hundred and thirty-seven dollars, and they and the stock came to over nine hundred dollars. So to Mr. Nazro he owes his first start in life. In July, 1852, he opened his little store on West Water street, near Spring street, and commenced his career as a mer- chant. By economy and close application to busi- ness, he managed to clear enough money in 1853 to purchase the city lots where he now resides.
On the 3d of August, 1854, he married Miss Camilla Mggatt, daughter of Dr. E. G. Mggatt, of Richmond, Illinois. His wife is a direct descend- ant from Joseph Mggatt and his wife Ann Mggatt, who sailed from England in the ship Griffin, July 15, 1633, and arrived at Boston harbor September 4, 1633. On her mother's side she is related to the Spragues and Seymours, of New York; and was born at Hannibal, New York, April 17, 1839.
In the year 1855, by close economy, he managed to build a house on his property, into which he moved early in 1856, and where he now lives. The panic of 1857 compelled him to give up his goods to his creditors, and for a time closed his mercantile business. Through the aid of kind friends he suc- ceeded in 1862 in paying his debts, and commenced business anew. On the 26th day of July, 1862, he had the misfortune to lose by death his only child, Frank Augustus, a promising boy then in his seventh year. The death of his son had such a depressing effect upon his wife, that she desired some occupation to relieve her mind, and proposed
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to him to let her keep his books at the store. He at first opposed her wish, but she persisted in the request, and although she had been thoroughly ed- ucated at the Female College in this city, she pro- posed to take a course at the Commercial College to refresh her mathematics and get a more thorough knowledge of book-keeping; which she did, and May 1, 1863, she commenced taking charge of his books and finances; a position which she has occu- pied for twelve years, from choice and a love of making herself useful; and to her he attributes in a great measure his present success as a merchant. In the spring of 1868 he removed to 194 West Water street, and again entered into a regular retail hardware business. May 1, 1870, he removed to his present location, and extended his business into everything in the hardware house furnishing line.
He was brought up and has always been an Epis- copalian. He was prepared for confirmation by the Rev. I. P. T. Ingreham, and confirmed by the late venerable Bishop Kemper. He has been a vestry- man in St. James Church eight years, and was one of four delegates chosen from that parish to the convention in June, 1874, when Rev. Jas. DeKoven was defeated, and Rev. Dr. Welles elected bishop of the diocese of Wisconsin.
In politics he has always been a republican, and ready to vote for Grant for the third term and for specie payments also. He was one of six gentle- men who originated the idea of a military company in Milwaukee, called the Light Guards; electing as the first captain Dr. E. B. Wolcott, who declined, when they elected Gen. Rufus King, who accepted.
This company furnished many noble officers and men to the late war of the rebellion.
He has been quite an inventor, having patented several useful articles; prominent among which are a stove pipe thimble, tinner's stove, lawn sprinkler and fountain, cornice break and steam heater.
He is a direct descendant on his father's side from Thomas Buttolph and his wife Anna, who came to this country from England in 1635. The surname was changed, for some unexplained reason, from Buttolph to Buttles, about the year 1715. His grandfather, Abijah Buttles, was born in Granby, Connecticut, and served in the revolutionary war. He was at the battle of Trenton and crossed the Delaware on the memorable night of December 25, 1776, in Washington's command. He secured one of the Hessians personally and brought him to deliver him to his captain, when the Hessian drew a bottle of rum from his pocket and they took a social drink together. He lived to be ninety years old and received a pension from the government until his death. On his mother's side he is descended from Thomas Stoughton, who settled in Dorchester, Mas- sachusetts, in 1630. He was called Ensign Stough- ton, having made himself conspicuous in fighting the Pequod Indians. Mr. Buttles is remarkable for his large fund of practical common sense, for his accurate knowledge of men, for strict integrity in all of his business transactions, for his exemplary moral conduct, and for his kindness of heart in all of his social relations. His wife is a lady of cul- ture, of refinement and of gentleness, that loveliest of all female qualities.
JOHN M. LEVY,
LA CROSSE.
JOHN MEYER LEVY, one of the first settlers Mississippi river as far as Prairie du Chien, and in the autumn of that year settled permanently at what was then called Prairie la Crosse, having with him his wife, whom he had taken at St. Louis. Winnebago Indians were abundant, but white people were scarce. Nathan Myrick, H. J. B. Miller, Asa White, and two or three others, were all the white men with families living there at that time. in La Crosse, was born in London, England, about 1819, his parents, Meyer and Eve (Worms) Levy, being natives of Germany. His father was a reader in the synagogue, though not a regular rabbi. John spent his younger days largely at school, part of the time in Amsterdam, Holland. After living about six years with an elder sister in Paris, he in 1837 immigrated to America. After spending a At first Mr. Levy's business was trading with the Indians, buying furs, and paying for them in various articles of merchandise. He opened a hotel after a short time in traveling he settled in St. Louis, and there was engaged as a clerk in a mercantile house about four years. Early in 1844 he went up the : year or two, and thus became the pioneer innkeeper
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of La Crosse, though one other settler about the same time began to entertain strangers.
In 1849 Mr. Levy built a store, which he con- ducted for some years, buying all his merchandise in those days at Galena, Illinois, of Benjamin Camp- bell and Captain Orrin Smith, who were then the leading wholesale merchants in that place.
About 1853 he built a warehouse, and becoming agent for the steamboat companies, conducted a large forwarding business. This he continued until 1857, when he opened a bank, and in a few months, with thousands of other business men that year, failed, paying, however, every dollar which he owed depositors.
In 1858 he engaged in the grocery trade, but afterward sold his interest to Charles B. Solberg. Engaging in real-estate operations he continued the same until the autumn of 1876, when he again be- came a forwarding and commission merchant. At sundry times during these years Mr. Levy had many buildings erected, some for his own use and some to rent. He built the Augusta House in 1857, and was receiving the rent of it when, in March, 1862,
it was destroyed by fire, together with a dozen other buildings owned by himself and three times as many owned by other parties.
Although he has met with frequent reverses he has never become disheartened. No man in La Crosse is more plucky or full of business. He saw the last wigwam disappear long since, and where thirty-three years ago he found half a dozen families he now sees a city of twelve thousand inhabitants, who seem to reverence him as one of the fathers of La Crosse. He has been elected mayor three times ; has been an alderman about eight years, and has always looked well to the interests of the city.
In politics he has always acted with the demo- cratic party.
Mr. Levy is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity ; was grand treasurer of the Grand Chap- ter of the Royal Arch Masons eleven years; is now treasurer of both the lodge and chapter of La Crosse, and the oldest member in point of time of joining them. He is also one of the trustees of the Independent Order of Benai Brith, a Jewish secret society.
PROF. NATHAN C. TWINING,
MONROE.
N ATHAN CROOK TWINING, A.M., was born in Boston, Erie county, New York, September 27, 1834, and is the son of John and Sarah (Hamp- ton) Twining, natives of New Jersey, the former born December 2, 1784, and the latter August 2, 1807. They were Quakers of the Elias Hicks school, and like the majority of that sect were quiet, industrious and simple-hearted, and free from guile, their code of morals being embraced in the Golden Rule. The ancestors on both sides came to America with William Penn, the father being of Welsh and the mother of Scotch-Irish origin. His father, not- withstanding his Quaker scruples on the subject of bearing " carnal weapons," was a gallant soldier of the war of 1812, and his great-uncle, Nathan Crook - whose name he bears- was a midshipman on board the Lawrence, Commodore Perry's flag-ship, and was killed at the battle of Lake Erie, about ten minutes before the Commodore abandoned his ves- sel. His mother was a niece of General Wade Hampton, not less famous in the struggle of 1812.
Our subject was reared on a farm, and was early
taught all the mysteries of husbandry, and in child- hood became an ardent lover of books and music. He never, however. developed a taste for fictitious literature - historic, scientific and linguistic works being his chosen companions even in childhood, while the exact sciences were his favorite studies.
He moved with his parents to the West in the year 1844, and settled in Waterloo, Jefferson county, Wisconsin. He was educated at Milton College, Milton, Wisconsin, taking the full course of study. comprising mathematics, ancient classics, metaphys- ics and the natural sciences, and became one of the best Greek and Latin scholars, as well as the most accomplished mathematician, of the day, and was honored by his Alma Mater with the honorary degree of A.M.
After graduating he was appointed to the chair of mathematics in the same institution, a position which he retained for eight years, discharging the duties with eminent credit to himself and the ut- most satisfaction to all concerned.
He resigned his professorship in 1868, and from
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motives of the highest consideration resolved to devote the remainder of his life to public-school teaching, a profession which he has followed to the present date with the utmost success. He has taught in the higher branches of the public schools of Chi- cago and Batavia, Illinois, Boscobel and Waterloo, Wisconsin, and for four years past has been princi- pal of the high school of Monroe. The success which has attended his labors in this field, and the esteem in which he is held by all who know him, attest his ability as a teacher and his eminent fitness for the responsible position which he occupies. It is not too much to say that as an educator he has few, if any, superiors in the State or in the West. The schools of Monroe rank with the foremost in Wisconsin. He is a leading member of the State Teachers' Association, and at the last annual meet- ing of that organization was appointed by his asso- ciates to prepare a curriculum of studies for the public schools, to be submitted to the legislature with a view to being embodied in the school laws of the State. He is, moreover, a gentleman of the highest moral character, an incessant student and an untiring worker. His literary and scientific at- tainments are of the highest order, while he excels in mathematics and astronomy.
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