USA > Wisconsin > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume > Part 56
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 1871 Dr. Everhart removed to his present home in Kenosha, whither he had been called to establish a young ladies' college, known as Kemper Hall. Inaugurating the school under the auspices of the Protestant Episcopal church, his energetic
administration of its affairs has insured its success, and rendered it second to no young ladies' college in the country. Its location and surroundings are most beautiful and picturesque. Fronting on Lake Michigan, its elegant grounds, its lawns, and shrub- bery, render it a most attractive school-home for young ladies. The building of the beautiful chapel, music house and cloister, and the rebuilding of the residence for pupils and teachers, and also a break- water protecting the lake front, and costing three thousand five hundred dollars, have been under the personal direction and supervision of Dr. Everhart.
He was married in 1853, to Miss Bunner, of an old southern family in North Carolina. Of their six living children, the eldest son, who is a graduate of Racine College, and also the eldest daughter of Kemper Hall, are in Europe completing their edu- cation.
Of a commanding but withal courtly presence, with a decided but suave manner, Dr. Everhart is eminently fitted for the position which he fills. Al- though past the prime of life, he still possesses a vigorous and healthy physique that betokens a pro- longed career of usefulness.
HART B. PHILLIO,
GRAND RAPIDS.
Chief Justice Doggett for teaching colored persons to read.
H ART BENTON PHILLIO, son of Buona- parte and Eliza (Benchley) Phillio, was born at Cedarville, Herkimer county, New York, May 16, The subject of this sketch received a common- school education, mainly at Newport, Herkimer county, where his father practiced his profession for some time. After leaving school he removed with the family to Utica, where his father added the drug business to his professional practice, and where the son remained until October, 1856, when he settled in Grand Rapids. There he was engaged in the mercantile and lumber trade until the financial crash of 1857, when, with thousands of other busi- ness men, he was compelled to close his business. 1834. His father, a physician by profession, became identified with the anti-slavery party at an early day, when to belong to that organization was to be " despised and rejected of men." He was a co- worker with Gerrit Smith, Samuel J. May, Arthur Tappan and other prominent men of that period, and was once a candidate for congress on the aboli- tion ticket. The mother of Hart was a woman of marked character, described by one who knew her as "wholly excellent and supremely good." His grandfather, Enoch Phillio, a descendant of the In boyhood Mr. Phillio had a great fondness for study, but poor health prevented his taking a regular college course. His fondness for study, however, never left him. He often felt a desire to engage in editorial life, and in the spring of 1858 became local editor of the "Wood County Reporter," continuing the drug trade at the same time in partnership with Huguenots, was in the continental army at Valley Forge and participated in several engagements. He was a true patriot and a man of strong intellect. Calvin Phillio, an uncle of Hart's, and a Baptist clergyman, married for his second wife Miss Pri- dence Crandall. the originator of free-negro schools in Rhode Island, and who was prosecuted before . J. F. Ingraham, who, in 1873, became a partner
35I
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
with him in conducting his paper. One year later their store and stock of goods were burned, involv- ing them in heavy losses. For the last four years Mr. Phillio has been the political editor of the " Reporter," and for a year or more has been acting as deputy collector of internal revenue in the sixth district.
He was appointed postmaster by Mr. Lincoln in 1861, and held that office for nearly eight years. During the latter part of that time he was clerk of the court for Wood county. His best work, how- ever, has been done in connection with journalism. He has rendered hearty and powerful support to every enterprise tending to promote the welfare of both the city and county. He has been president of the school board for several years and was one of the visitors to the State University in 1875.
Mr. Phillio became a member of the Congrega- tional church in 1871, and takes a deep interest in the general welfare of religion, as well as to that of the body with which he is connected.
In politics, he was formally, an abolitionist, but upon the organization of the republican party be- came identified with that body, to which he still adheres, believing that it embodies the only political ethics which can result in the highest good of the nation.
On the Ist of September, 1858, he was married to Miss Isabella Ingraham, a niece of the author of the " House of David," " Pillar of Fire," etc. They have seven children living and lost one in infancy. Mrs. Phillio is an amiable christian lady, possessing most excellent judgment and all the womanly virtues.
Mr. Phillio is five feet nine inches in height, and weighs one hundred and sixty-five pounds. He is a man of social disposition, frank and open-hearted. In dealing with his fellow-men he places confidence in all, regarding all as honest and well-meaning as himself. He is kind to everybody and loves his home and family with an intensity not often wit- nessed. It will be a long time before the world will have a surplus of such men as Hart B. Phillio.
LEVI E. OBER, M.D.,
LA CROSSE.
D R. OBER, a native of Vermont, was born at Rockingham, Windham county, July 31, 1819, and is the son of William and Fanny (Fairbanks) Ober. In 1830 the family removed to Ohio and settled on a farm at Claridon, Geauga county, Levi remaining constantly at home until eighteen years of age, assisting in tilling the soil and attending school, a part of the time at an academy near by. Having an ingenious turn of mind, he was naturally led into mechanical pursuits; for some years he worked more or less at different trades in order to procure means for prosecuting his studies, and con- tinued his literary studies, interspersed with manual labor, until about 1843. Mr. Ober began to study medicine with Dr. Storm Rosa, of Painesville, about 1845. He continued the same with Dr. Richmond, of Chardon, and attended lectures in the medical department of Western Reserve College, Cleveland, and at the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati ; and in March, 1850, he took the first diploma issued by the last-named institution. Subsequently he re- ceived a homœopathic diploma from the same col- lege. Afterward he attended a course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.
During the year 1850 Dr. Ober began the practice of homœopathy at Moline, Illinois, and continued there for seven years. He removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1857, and has there been constantly engaged in practice until the present time (1877), except when attending medical lectures or traveling to recruit his health, impaired by overwork. Twice he has been obliged to retire for a season to recu- perate. In 1872 he went to Europe, traveling through England, Belgium, parts of Germany, Swit- zerland and spending the winter of 1872-73 in Italy. While abroad he visited hospitals, and in various ways largely extended his researches in medical science. Dr. Ober has spared no pains in cultivat- ing himself and in increasing his skill in the healing art, and spent some time in attending clinical lectures and in the Eye and Ear Infirmary of New York.
He was one of the original organizers of the Illi- nois Homœopathic Medical Association, and aided in forming the present Homeopathic Medical So- ciety of Wisconsin, and has been president of both organizations, and also presided over the National Medical Society. He has an honorary degree from the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago.
41
352
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
Dr. Ober is a very active member of the Baptist church, a deacon of the same, and one of its most liberal supporters. In all religious and benevolent matters he takes a deep interest, and is in every respect a kind, sympathizing and true man.
In politics he is a republican of whig antecedents, but takes little interest in political matters more than to perform his duties as a citizen.
Dr. Ober has had two wives: the first was Abi- gail Carr, of Jefferson, Ohio, to whom he was married in November, 1843, and who died in August, 1875, leaving two children; the second was Mrs. Helen M. Burbank Whitney, of St. Paul, Minnesota ; they were married in September, 1876.
Dr. Ober is a good surgeon, a skillful aurist, and an eminent and successful general practitioner.
HON. SIMEON MILLS,
MADISON.
IMEON MILLS was born in Norfolk, Litch- S field county, Connecticut, February 14, 1810. His father, Martin Mills, was the son of Constantine Mills, a revolutionary soldier. His mother was the daughter of Clement Tuttle, also a soldier of the revolution. In 181 1 his father was one of the pio- neer settlers in the dense forests of northern Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was brought up to the active labor of farming in a new country, receiv- ing at the same time a good common-school educa- tion. At the age of twenty he engaged for a short time in teaching a district school, but soon procur- ing a situation in a store, abandoned teaching, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits for several years thereafter.
In May, 1834, he was married to Maria Louisa Smith, daughter of Church Smith, a native of Berk- shire county, Massachusetts. In the spring of 1835 he made his first journey west, going around the upper lakes on the steamer Thomas Jefferson, on her first trip to Chicago. In 1836 he visited Wis- consin, and upon the location of the seat of govern- ment at the Four Lakes, determined to make that his future home. In pursuance of such determina- tion, on the roth of June, 1837, he located at Mad- ison, erected a small building of hewed logs, sixteen by eighteen feet ; purchased a small stock of goods at Galena, and opened the first store at the capital city of Wisconsin.
At this time there was no mail route or mail between Madison and Milwaukee, but in the fall of that year he made a contract with the United States for carrying the mail between those points until the ist of July, 1842. The difficulties of getting the mail through twice a week, with no houses between Madison and Aztalan, and at rare intervals the re- mainder of the route, with streams and marshes un-
bridged and roads unbuilt, cannot be easily under- stood or appreciated by the present generation, as they fly over the country with the speed of the wind, and talk with the antipodes as to next-door neigh- bors. The task was accomplished, however, with- out the loss of a single trip during the life of the contract - a feat rarely performed at the present time, though the distance is spanned with iron and traversed by powerful locomotives.
On the 12th of August, 1837, he was appointed the first justice of the peace in Dane county, and probably the only one at that time between Dodge- ville and Milwaukee. In 1839 Dane county was organized, and he was elected one of the county commissioners, and appointed clerk of the court, which latter office he held about nine years. He held the office of territorial treasurer when the State government was organized, and was elected the first senator from Dane county, afterward re-nominated and declined. In 1848 he was appointed one of the régents of the University of Wisconsin, and took an active part in the organization and commencement of the institution, purchasing its site and superin- tending the erection of its first buildings. In 1860 he was appointed one of the trustees of the State Hospital for the Insane, and has been an active member of that board for fifteen years, taking a deep interest in the erection of buildings and the general management of affairs in and about the in- stitution. He has been identified with public im- provements, and contributed largely to the early prosperity of the city. He invested all his gains in lands and the erection of buildings, making their care the business of his life.
Mr. Mills is remarkable for quick perception, sound judgment, thorough self-reliance, great ener- gy, and unwavering perseverance. His knowledge
Simone Milley
355
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
is practical, and his habits industrious and econom- ical. He has aided in building schools, colleges and churches, and in developing the resources of a new country has encouraged his fellow-man, by pre- cept and example, to attain a higher civilization.
In religion he always claimed to be orthodox, having been early taught to believe "that God fore- ordained whatsoever comes to pass." He believes that the Creator and ruler of all things would pro- vide and care for the future as for the past, and
having an abiding faith in the wisdom and benevo- lence of God, was satisfied to trust the hereafter entirely in his hands. He did not believe that Providence ever helped those that failed to help themselves, or that the intercessions of the creature with the Creator ever lifted the weight of a feather from the burdens we bear, or added a single grain to the product of the land. He often expressed the desire that he might leave the world no worse than he found it.
ISAAC LACY MOSHER,
GRAND RAPIDS.
F 'EW men in Wood county, Wisconsin, are better known or more highly respected than the sub- ject of this sketch. He has repeatedly held positions of honor and trust, and has never betrayed the con- fidence placed in him. A native of New York, he was born in the town of White Creek, Washington county, January 24, 1819, his parents being Jabez and Elizabeth (Doane) Mosher. His early home was among agriculturists, and to that class he be- longed until about twenty-six years of age, receiving only three months' schooling after he was fourteen. In the autumn of 1844 he removed to the West, settling at first at Prairie du Sac, Sauk county, Wis- consin. There he entered land, designing to improve it, but by reason of a protracted illness he removed, in December, 1848, to Grand Rapids, then only the nucleus of a village. The whites consisted of about a dozen men, real settlers, and four or five women. Menomonee and Chippewa Indians were abundant. On reaching Grand Rapids he became a clerk in a store, and held that position six years. At the expi- ration of that time he engaged in the mercantile
trade on his own account, and continuing it until the spring of 1876, when by reason of business re- verses, he was compelled to retire. In looking around for a faitliful man with whom to intrust its funds, the county selected Mr. Mosher and elected him in November, 1876. He had been tried before and found to be true and trustworthy, and was, in fact, the first treasurer the county ever had, serving in the years 1857 and 1858. At an earlier day he was justice of the peace one or two terms, and subse- quently was county commissioner for two years, and county judge three, resigning the latter office in 1876 to take that of treasurer.
In politics he was formerly a whig, but since the organization of the republican party became identi- fied with that party.
In November, 1852, he was married to Miss Olive Moore, of Grand Rapids, and by her has five chil- dren.
As a business man Mr. Mosher is careful and con- scientious, perfectly reliable, and always at his post. It is doubtful if he has an enemy in Wood county.
SHERBURN BRYANT,
MILWAUKEE.
T `HE subject of this sketch was born in Thetford, Vermont, June 20, 1826, the eldest child of Lester and Anna Bryant. His earlier life was passed on a farm, where he assisted his father during the summer months, and in the winters attended the district schools. Possessing an enterprising and en- ergetic spirit, the narrow routine of farm life was ill
suited to satisfy his ambition; and at the age of eighteen, leaving his home, he went to Boston, and entered the employ of a Mr. Snow, a builder and contractor, with whom he remained one year. At the expiration of this time he went to Portland, and later was engaged in his chosen occupation in many of the eastern cities, giving close attention to his
356
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
business and making it a success. After leaving home he returned two winters and attended the Thetford Academy, and during the four succeeding seasons engaged in teaching in adjoining towns, meeting with eminent success. In the spring of 1851 Mr. Bryant removed to Milwaukee, and with- out capital, save his business abilities and firm deter- mination to succeed, laid the foundation of his future success. By careful industry and economy he grad- ually accumulated property ; and although subjected to many hardships, endured cheerfully all the vicis- situdes of his lot. Each year added to the amount of his hard-earned savings, and by judicious invest- ments, he became possessor of many valuable lots, and now owns some of the finest residences and building places in the city. In 1869, turning aside from his regular business, Mr. Bryant invested in a milling enterprise. The movement, however, was far from being successful ; and after a year of mis- fortunes he withdrew from the firm, and with a new vigor resumed his legitimate occupation. He has recently turned his attention toward the lumber trade, and has built up a flourishing business in con- nection with his building. Mr. Bryant's habits from early life have been exceedingly simple. Modest and retiring in his disposition, he abhors all pretense and display, and by the genuineness of his frank, open manhood, has endeared himself to all who know him. Politically, he is a firm supporter of the republican party, although he takes no active part in political matters, more than to perform his duties as a true and upright citizen. A member of no re- ligious organization, he adheres to no creed, the constant rule of his life having been, "to do by others as he would have them do by him," and in
all his business and social relations, he has never willfully forgotten his duties to others, in seeking his own selfish pleasure. An ardent lover of every principle of right, he has a moral record free from stain, and a name unsullied. Mr. Bryant was married January 9, 1851, to Miss Clara Henry, of Troy, Ver- mont, a lady of rare prudence and womanly judg- ment. Although for many years a great sufferer from ill health, she never neglected her home duties. With a true devotion she cheerfully and patiently endured all the ills and hardships of their early life in the West; and to her is due much of the pros- perity of her husband.
They have had eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Hattie E., the eldest, now living, was born September 2, 1853, and is a young lady of rare culture and accomplishments. She is a gradu- ate of the Milwaukee Female College, and a fine musician, and by her various accomplishments is rendered a favorite of her many friends. Flora Belle, the second daughter, possessed of equal abili- ties, has been unable to enjoy her advantages, by reason of physical ailments. Her cheerfulness has made her the light of the household, and the patience with which she has borne her sufferings has doubly endeared her to the hearts of all. These, with two younger daughters and one son, comprise the family, who with their parents live in the enjoyment of a most happy and delightful home.
While his business talents place Mr. Bryant among the foremost men of his city, he is no less worthy in his domestic relations. His delight in home com- forts, his sympathy with the pleasures of the young, with his other qualities, complete a character at once earnest, genial, generous and true.
GENERAL ALBERT G. ELLIS,
STEVENS POINT.
ALBERT GALLATIN ELLIS was born at Ve- A rona, Oneida county, New York, August 24, 1800. William H. Ellis, his grandfather, came from Scotland, and his father, Eleazer Ellis, was born at Dedham, Massachusetts, April 25, 1766. When the subject of this sketch was born, his father (a teacher in earlier life) was opening a farm, on which Albert spent the first fifteen years of his life, with very lim- ited opportunities for mental culture. At the age mentioned his father died, and his mother, with her
two children, disposed of her small property and moved to Litchfield, Herkimer county. Thus, thrown upon his own resources, with neither money nor acquaintance with the ways of the world, but with a resolute will, Albert, in the spring of 1816, went to the village of Herkimer, and entered the office of the "Herkimer American," as an appren- tice (the office where William L. Stone and Thur- low Weed had recently learned the printing business). There he remained for several years, and learned
357
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
the art of printing; and by having his time to him- self on Saturday afternoons, he managed, by taking in job work, to accumulate small sums, most of which he sent in weekly remittances to his mother and younger sister. He thus learned to be frugal and generous, as well as self-reliant and industrious. He also sought good associates, and followed their counsels. He attended church and laid the founda- tion of a solid Christian character. There, also, by associating with young men better educated than himself -notably Francis E. Spinner, his junior in years, but his superior in knowledge,- he had his ambition for higher mental attainments kindled, and he was led to make the best use of any spare moments which he could possibly command.
At the close of his apprenticeship he returned to his native village, and spent six months in a gram- mar school, taught by Thomas T. Loomis. At the solicitation of Rev. Eleazer Williams-the imagi- nary "Dauphin " once supposed to be among us - he became a teacher of the Oneida Indians at Oneida Castle, commencing in November, 1819, and contin- uing nearly three years, and becoming so familiar with the Mohawk language as to be able to read the church prayers and homilies to the Indians on Sun- days when Mr. Williams was absent.
In May, 1822, Mr. Ellis was appointed by the Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal church, catechist and lay-reader to the Indians at Green Bay, and that position he held nearly five years, Mr. Williams being at the head of the Mis- sion the first year or two.
In 1827, by appointment of Lewis Cass, then gov- ernor of Michigan Territory, he was made inspector of provisions for the district of Green Bay ; the next year he was appointed deputy surveyor of govern- ment lands by Surveyor-general Edward Tiffin, and executed several surveys under his direction. In the autumn of 1830 he was designated to construct a map for a delegation of Menomonee Indians, visit- ing Washington under charge of the Indian agent, Colonel S. C. Stambaugh, and spent the following winter at the national capital as secretary of the delegation. In August, 1832, he was commissioned to survey and establish a boundary line between the Menomonee and New York Indians, and the next year was directed to survey a large district of pub- lic lands near Green Bay, which, by renewed ap- pointments the next two years, was extended to adjoining districts. In 1836 he was elected to the legislature to represent Brown county, then compris-
ing nearly one-half of Wisconsin, and in 1837 was appointed surveyor-general of Wisconsin and Iowa, a position which he held during Mr. Van Buren's administration, and resigned in 1841. He has since been known as General Ellis, he disowning any mil- itary record. "General " George W. Jones, since United States senator from Iowa, succeeded him as surveyor-general.
In 1842 and 1843 we again find Mr. Ellis in the territorial legislature, and soon afterward he became sub-Indian agent of the district of Green Bay, serv- ing in that capacity till he resigned in 1848.
In 1853 he was appointed receiver of the land office at Stevens Point, having left his old home at Green Bay in 1852, after thirty long years' residence there, and where he had started the "Green Bay Intelligencer " just twenty years before becoming receiver. There he held the office of receiver until 1862, when, the republicans being in power, another was appointed in his place, he having always been, and still being, a democrat.
In December, 1852, he established "The Pinery," a political paper now conducted by Caleb Swayze.
General Ellis has been a liberal contributor to the volumes of the Wisconsin Historical Society, and his writings are among its rich treasures. His " Fifty- four Years' Recollections of Men and Events in Wis- consin " are full of interest and of great value.
He joined the Protestant Episcopal church in his native town in 1820, and has always been a consist- ent member of the same. In 1853, at Stevens Point, one of his first steps was to see that a church of his order was erected, and he is now senior warden of this religious body.
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.