USA > Wisconsin > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume > Part 75
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Mr. Wheeler was married on the 17th of May, 1855, to Miss Helen C. Van Buren, daughter of Henry B. Van Buren, of Dunkirk, New York, who belonged to a branch of the Kinderhook family. Their union has been blessed with one son and two daughters.
GEORGE H. CALKINS, M.D.,
WAUPACA.
T' HE subject of this biography is the son of Varanes and Elizabeth (Utter) Calkins, and was born at Castile, New York, April 21, 1830. His father was a farmer by occupation; his grand- father was a soldier in the war of the revolution. George attended a common school and assisted on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, when he went to Ellicottsville, Cattaraugus county, and began the study of medicine with Dr. J. B. Staun- ton. He attended lectures at the Buffalo Medical College, and practiced two years in the State of Maryland before he graduated. He afterward re- turned to Buffalo, and attended another course of lectures, and received his diploma in February, 1856. Settling the next year at Waupaca, Wiscon- sin, he at once established himself in his profession, and has been in the steady practice of the same for twenty years, growing all the while in knowledge as well as experience. He is a general practitioner, and stands high among the medical fraternity as well as in the community. For about ten years past he has been president of the Waupaca County Medical Society.
In the latter part of 1863 Dr. Calkins was com-
missioned assistant surgeon of the 37th Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, and was immediately detailed to take charge of the branch Harvey Hospital at Camp Randall, Madison, and served in that capac- ity until the close of the rebellion, being discharged in June, 1865. On his leaving the hospital the pa- tients presented him with an elegant gold watch as a token of their appreciation of his services.
Dr. Calkins has always been a decided republi- ·can, but has not allowed his politics to interfere in the least degree with his medical studies and prac- tice, except in a single instance. In 1874 he yielded to the wishes of his fellow-citizens and became a candidate for the general assembly, and was elected by a handsome majority, and served in the session of 1875, being on the committee on medical socie- ties and one or two other committees.
Dr. Calkins is a Royal Arch Mason, and also an Odd-Fellow, and has taken all the degrees in the Temple of Honor. He has been a member of the Presbyterian church for more than twenty years.
On the 18th of March, 1852, he was married to Miss Caroline L. Jenkins, of Ellicottsville, New York. Of their ten children, seven are now living.
MORRIS C. SMITH, JANESVILLE.
A MONG the pioneer merchants of Janesville none is more distinguished and none has been more successful in business than the subject of this sketch. Settling in the West at an early day, and commencing business on a small scale, as most busi-
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ness men have done, he adopted the principle of " square dealing," and this, with his business tact and energy, and sound judgment in the selection of his stock, has raised him to the position of one of the solid business-men of southern Wisconsin.
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Morris Clarke Smith was born at Riga, Monroe county, New York, December 4, 1820, and is the son of Lyman and Eunice (Clarke) Smith, both natives of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and of early New England stock, descended of Puritan ances- tors. They belonged to the well-to-do farming class, and were industrious, frugal and upright, wielding an influence for good in the neighborhood where they resided. In early life they settled in New York State, where our subject was born, and reared upon the farm till the age of sixteen, attend- ing first the district schools and completing a thor- ongh English and mathematical education at Church- ville Academy, New York. Beginning life for himself at the age of sixteen, he entered the counting-house of a maternal uncle named E. M. Clarke, in Royal- ton, Niagara county, New York, where he remained for two years, giving promise of becoming the thorough and accomplished business man into which he has since so fully developed. Thence he removed to Batavia, New York, where in a like capacity he remained seven years. But becoming enamored of the larger facilities offered by the great West for enterprise and success, he turned his face toward the setting sun, and in the autumn of 1847 settled in Janesville, Wisconsin, carrying with him a small capital, which was augmented by indorsements from his uncle, E. M. Clarke, who became a partner in his business. In the spring of 1848 he opened a small store on South Main street, his stock being of the old pioneer " country store " description, not very extensive in size, and consisting of a "little of every- thing." It was the day of "small things " with Janesville. There were but few business houses in the place, and all of them small. What became of his early contemporaries in trade we know not, but Mr. Smith is the only one of the merchants of 1848 who still remain in Janesville. In 1849, business having increased by the utilization of the water- power of Rock river, he built a new store and en- larged his stock of goods, using the old store exclu- sively for ready-made clothing, and the new one for a miscellaneous stock of dry goods, hardware, etc. The year following he added to his establishment a merchant tailoring department, being the first to engage in that enterprise. He continued in this line with uninterrupted success till 1861, when he remodeled his business, moved into new and still more commodious quarters, taking into partnership with himself J. M. Bostwick, who has since been an active member of the firm, and discontinued the
grocery and hardware business, confining his trade to clothing and dry goods. Prosperity was con- tinued under the new name, and Smith and Bost- wick are now household words throughout south- ern Wisconsin. Meantime, Janesville having been spreading in all directions, manufacturing establish- ments and many pretentious public buildings being erected, in 1871-2 he built the beautiful and sub- stantial brick block on the northeast corner of North Main and East Milwaukee streets, which is an orna- ment to the city and a fitting monument to his in- dustry and public spirit. The corner store of this block is used as a salesroom for ready-made clothing and gentlemen's wear generally. The stock of goods in this establishment is immense, and not excelled by any house in the West, outside of Chicago. In addition to his Janesville concerns he is also a part- ner in the firm of Cheney, Bostwick and Co., of Monroe, Wisconsin.
The success of Mr. Smith in his several branches of business, which he has so ably managed for the past thirty years, is in the main attributable to his strict adherence to the highest morals of trade. He began when the city was in its infancy, and has grown with its growth and strengthened with its strength, until his annual sales amount to nearly half a million dollars.
In stature Mr. Smith is five feet ten inches high, and weighs about one hundred and fifty pounds. He has a fine presence, and moves with a vigorous and elastic step. He gives little attention to the mere formalities of salutation on the street, his " good morning" bearing about it the inevitable commercial air which has become a part of the man. He is a gentleman of ardent temperament, and any cause which he espouses is sure to feel the full force of his character. He possesses too much independence of thought and action to wish to con- ceal his opinions, and hence when asked for they are expressed without much regard to consequences, or whether they will harmonize with the popular ideas or not. As a business man he is everywhere recognized as of unswerving integrity, never stoop- ing to questionable acts for the purposes of tempo- rary gain, and his reputation for uprightness and nobility of character will be the richest legacy he can leave to his family.
In politics he is identified with the democratic party, but is not a politician. He has held some city offices. In religion he leans toward the Protestant Episcopal church, though not in communion. He
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is a member of the vestry of Christ Church, Janes- ville, and one of the most liberal contributors to the support of the parish and the charitable and benev- olent institutions of the city. He is also a member of the Masonic and Odd-Fellows fraternities.
He was married in September, 1843, to Miss Bianca J. Allen, daughter of Orange Allen, Esq., of Batavia, New York, and niece of Judge Dibble, of that city, a very distinguished member of the judiciary, and an "old-time gentleman " of wealth and influence. Mrs. Smith was raised in the fam- ily of the judge, receiving the highest education and culture which wealth and social position could bestow. She is a lady of purely domestic habits, who keeps herself "unspotted from the world," of sweet and tender disposition; always ready to apologize for rather than condemn the faults of others. They have had five children, four of whom
survive. The eldest son, Edgar M., a finely culti- vated and promising youth and a general favorite, died in 1871, at the age of twenty-two. The re- maining children are Frank L., who has been for some time a member of his father's firm; Frederick A., George W. and Anna B. The sons have all been educated to business, and give promise of fol- lowing in the footsteps of their father, while the daughter is very like her mother. The domestic life of this family is proverbially happy. Their in- clinations are nicely-tuned unison, and all their conversation, harmony. A loud or angry word has never been heard in their dwelling. Love and high moral suasion are the governing forces in this house- hold. The same is also true to a large extent in regard to Mr. Smith's employés and domestic ser- vants. They are so kindly and honorably dealt with that misunderstandings are impossible.
DAN NEWCOMB, M.D.,
KENOSHA.
T HE subject of this biography, a native of Fays- ton, Vermont, was born August 25, 1829, the son of Hosea Newcomb and Harriet née Bixby, both of whom are still living. He is a direct descendant of Captain Francis Newcomb, who immigrated from England to America in 1635. His parents, steady, industrious and decided in all their habits, are prac- tical exponents of blameless Christian lives, whose influence and example have left an impress that marks the life of the son. His mind was early turned toward the medical profession, and after com- pleting his elementary studies at Montpelier Acad- emy and Newberry Seminary, Vermont, he took his first course of medical studies at the Vermont Med- ·ical College, of Woodstock. He afterward attended the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, and also attended the clinique of the celebrated Bellvue Hospital, and finally completed his course and received his diploma from the old Berkshire Medical College of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. In 1870 he was honored with the ad eundem degree of M.D. by the Northwestern University. Remov- ing to Bangor, New York, in 1852, Dr. Newcomb there began his practice. Three years later he estab- lished himself in Cabor, Vermont, and after two years removed to the West and settled at Atchison, Kansas. Here his popularity secured his election
as register of deeds, an honorable and responsible office; and afterward, against his own wishes, he was nominated for county judge, and lacked but fifteen votes of securing an election. While the Pike's Peak country was yet a part of the Territory of Kansas, he, with A. D. Richardson, of the New York "Tribune," and a Mr. King, were by the legis- lature appointed commissioners to locate the coun- ties and county seats. In the face of a strong opposition on the part of the citizens of Denver they proceeded to enter upon their duties, but were relieved from their task by the congress of the United States declaring the formation of the Terri- tory of Colorado. In 1860 he established himself in his profession at Palatine, Cook county, Illinois, whence he afterward removed to Park Ridge, a sub- urban village of Chicago. Here he became largely interested in the University Publishing Company, and was one of the founders of that short-lived period- ical known as the "Lakeside Monthly Magazine." That a magazine of such a character should prove a failure surprised many, and can be accounted for only with the probable reason that the West was then too new for such a literary undertaking. Although not prominent in the enterprise, Dr. Newcomb suf- fered a considerable loss. He has but recently re- moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, which he has decided
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upon as his future home, but during his brief resi- dence has made many warm friends, and begun a practice already prosperous and lucrative. He makes a specialty of the diseases of children, and has met with remarkable success in this branch of his pro- fession. A thorough scholar, clear thinker and ready writer, he has made valuable contributions to medi- cal literature. In a popular book on "Hygiene for Children," he takes a high position as a Christian scientist and philosopher. In "When and How," he teaches that nature has laws, and that if we would work in harmony with those laws, we must interpret the teachings that come to us instinctively, and then follow all the lessons of the Infinite Creator, as far above the teachings of the finite creature. The work was a practical attempt to "look thro' nature up to nature's God," and as such was accepted by Christian circles in this country, and won for its author a wide and worthy reputation.
Politically Dr. Newcomb is identified with the republican party. Not a partisan, however, he care- fully weighs the honest motives of men and politics, and gives his support to the right as he understands it. Personally he is tall, well proportioned and robust in appearance, and has an expression of thoughtfulness and intelligence. Wherever he has lived there are many who attest his worth as a phy- sician and surgeon, and all who know him recognize him as a gentleman, kind and courteous in manners, prompt in business, thoroughly reliable, and strictly temperate in his habits.
In 1851 he was married to Miss C. Helen Smith, a lady of attractive appearance and fine intellectual endowments. Similar in their tastes, both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, their home has been one of happiness, and if not affluent, at least prosperous. They have had but one child, a son, who died in 1865.
TIMOTHY F. STRONG,
FOND DU LAC.
T HE subject of this sketch, a native of Brown- ington, Vermont, was born on the 6th of April, 1805, and is the son of Asahel Strong and Susan Follett. His father, a prominent merchant, although unfortunate, was much respected by all who knew him. Timothy resided in Bennington, whither his parents removed in 1806, till twelve years old, at- tending the common school; and at that time ac- cepted a clerkship in a general store at Glens Falls, New York, and at odd times while there gained a knowledge of the tinner's trade. At the expiration of five years he went to Burlington, Vermont, and there spent two years as a journeyman in a tin shop. He next formed a partnership with a friend, and going to Keeseville, New York, established himself in the tin and stove business, and conducted a suc- cessful trade for nearly two years. After closing out his interests here he went to Danville, Vermont, and there resumed the same line of business, continuing it during a period of six years ; and at the expiration of that time associated himself with his brother, William L. Strong, at Burlington, in a general hard- ware, iron and grocery trade, where he remained till 1848. During the year previous to this he had con- tracted, with others, to build the Burlington and Rutland railroad, and a portion of the road on to
Bellows Falls. He was at the same time largely in- terested in building the railroad from Ogdensburg to Rouse's Point, New York. In July, 1851, he re- moved to the West, and settled at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and at once began building what is now known as the Chicago and Northwestern railroad, whose owners form one of the largest railroad cor- porations in the world. In this enterprise Mr. Strong worked under most adverse circumstances, many of his associates giving up all hopes of suc- cess. With that determination, however, which has ever characterized him, he held on persistently to the end, and in one instance built some miles of the road at his own expense and risk. Previous to his‘ coming west he had gained the reputation of being a successful railroad man, having carried to a suc- cessful completion large railroad enterprises in the East; and it was largely due to his untiring energy and influence that the Wisconsin division, being the northern portions of the Northwestern railroads, were constructed.
Mr. Strong retired from active business in 1868, and since that time, except as stated below, has been living in the enjoyment of the rewards of his active life. He was assistant superintendent of the North- western railroad for several years. In 1870 he was
F. A strong
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elected president and superintendent of the Fond du Lac and Sheboygan railroad, resigning in 1872.
In his political sentiments he is independent, sup- porting for office the man whom he considers best fitted for the place, regardless of party prejudices or distinctions. In his religious belief he is identified with the Episcopal church.
He was married on the 3d of May, 1827, to Miss Olivia Clark, daughter of Dr. Nathan S. Clark, of Chesterfield, New York, and by her has now living
one son and two daughters. He married his present wife, Susanna Jones, on the 27th of March, 1873.
Mr. Strong has traveled extensively over the United States and Europe, and is well informed on all questions of the day. Beginning life for himself at the age of twelve years, with his worldly posses- sions tied up in a handkerchief, he has risen step by step until he has accumulated an ample fortune, and in all his business career never contracted a debt that he did not pay.
ALFRED A. JACKSON, A.M., JANESVILLE.
A LFRED AUGUSTUS JACKSON was born in Verona, Oneida county, New York, August 8, 1831, and is the second son of Truman and Polly (Lawton) Jackson. His father was a substantial farmer, a gentleman of intelligence, and an honest, industrious, upright citizen, independent and self- reliant, who was descended from early New Eng- land ancestry. His grandfather, Samuel Jackson, was a soldier in the revolutionary war; his maternal grandfather, Joseph Lawton, a native of Rhode Isl- and, was of English ancestry, and participated in the war of 1812. His mother, a pious and conscientious woman, of remarkably even temper and amiable dis- position, still lives, in the seventieth year of her age, enjoying the well-merited esteem and love of a large circle of friends and kindred.
Alfred spent his boyhood on his father's farm, and received his elementary education in the common schools of his neighborhood. He entered the Acad- emy at Rome, New York, in 1848, and after remain- ing two years was obliged to discontinue his studies by reason of ill health. After teaching one season he removed to Oneida, New York, where he resided until the spring of 1855, when he removed to Janes- ville, Wisconsin, and entered the office of Hon. I. C. Sloan and L. F. Patton, Esq., as a law-student. Remaining there until the autumn of 1855, he then entered the office of Messrs. Sleeper and Norton, where he completed his professional studies. He was admitted to the bar of Rock county on the 7th of November, 1856; to the supreme court of the State of Wisconsin on the 29th of January, 1857, and to the supreme court of the United States on the 17th of January, 1868. From the commence- ment of his career he took a leading rank in his
profession, while his sterling moral qualities soon gave him an influential position as a citizen. On the Ist of June, 1858, he formed a law partnership with Hon. James H. Knowlton and Hon. Moses S. Pritchard, which continued until June 1, 1862, when Mr. Pritchard retired. The business was then con- ducted under the firm name of Knowlton and Jack- son until the autumn of 1862, when Mr. Knowlton removed to Chicago. Mr. Jackson has since been without a partner, except during a short time when Hon. Pliny Norcross was associated with him. His practice is confined mostly to civil business. He is the local attorney for the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Company, and from 1864 to 1872 was one of the local attorneys for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company. He served as alderman of his city from April, 1864, to April, 1866; was mayor in 1868 and 1869, and a mem- ber of the board of supervisors of the county for one term. He has been a member and president of the board of trustees of the Wisconsin Insti- tution for the Education of the Blind since 1871, and is vice-president of the Merchants and Me- chanics' Saving Bank of Janesville. He is a mem- ber of the Temple of Honor, an advanced temper- ance society in Janesville.
In his religious communion he is identified with the Congregational church, and is a deacon in the same; and was for several years president of the board of trustees of the society. He was the first president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Janesville.
In politics he has always been a radical republi- can, and for a number of years was secretary of the republican club of his city. In 1872 the faculty of
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Beloit College conferred upon him the honorary de- gree of A.M.
Mr. Jackson is a gentleman of excellent social qualities, and enjoys the intimacy and confidence of a large circle of friends. He is devotedly attached to his family, emphatically seeking his comforts and enjoyments around his own fireside. He is a man of sound judgment, and is governed in his actions
by his own convictions of right. He is much given to miscellaneous reading, and has collected a large and valuable library. As a lawyer he ranks with the best of his competitors, while as a citizen he enjoys the esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is a public benefactor to the extent of his means, while as a public officer he devotes to the business of others the same labor and care that he does to his own.
JOHN S. BLISS,
JANESVILLE.
JOHN SPOOR BLISS was born at Rochester, New York, January 3, 1832, and is the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Spoor) Bliss. He is de- scended in a direct line from the second son of Thomas Bliss, who died in Hartford, Connecticut, the intermediate links in the genealogical chain being as follows: Nathaniel Bliss, the father of our subject, born January 13, 1781 ; who was the son of Thomas Bliss, born November 25, 1747; who was the son of Nathaniel Bliss, born October 26, 1704; who was the son of Nathaniel Bliss, born Septem- ber 8, 1679; who was the son of Samnel Bliss, born November 7, 1647; who was the son of Nathaniel Bliss, born about 1620; who was the son of the original Thomas Bliss, who died in 1640.
Nathaniel, the father of John S., was born at Wil- braham, Massachusetts, January 13, 1781, and led quite an active life. After his majority he went to sea, and braved the dangers of the deep with Cap- tain Phillip Cook, a nephew of the famous Captain James Cook, who was murdered by the Sandwich Islanders in 1779. Subsequently, he and a brother became contractors, and erected many of the most costly private residences in Boston. Still later he turned his attention to machinery, and built and put in operation the first spinning-machine west of the Hudson river. He married Miss Elizabeth Spoor, by whom he had three sons and five daughters; all of the sons and two daughters are still living (1877).
Soon after the birth of our subject the family moved to Orleans county, New York, where, when old enough, he attended the district school. He was said by his teachers to be an attentive and apt stu- dent, never behind the class in the studies adapted to his years. He was a favorite with his playmates, and was considered an adventurous youth. In 1844 he was asked by one of the leading politicians of his
village to climb to the top of the hickory pole and release the "Polk and Dallas" flag, about ninety feet above the ground, that had become entangled and torn by a recent gale of wind. He made the ascent in sight of an immense crowd, but when within a few feet of the top he heard his mother's voice calling him to come down, and having been taught obedience from early childhood, he instantly descended and alighted on the sidewalk. In this act of self-denial he showed greater moral courage than he would had he accomplished his purpose and received the thanks and plaudits of the multi- tude. On another occasion he climbed the lightning- rod of the Presbyterian Church, intending to enter the belfry from the outside (with others, "just for fun "), but the rod ran under the projecting eaves so far, that it was impossible to climb around the. ends of the shingles, and this expedition had to be abandoned also, but he came down all right. In sports of agility and gymnastics he was with- out a rival among the boys of his own age. Much of his time, however, was occupied in reading sub- stantial works of history, steam, machinery and in- ventions, while books of travel were favorites with him. As an indication of his studiousness it may be stated that the winter he was nine years old he misspelled only one word in his class during a term of four months' school.
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