USA > Wisconsin > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume > Part 99
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
Edward T. Mix was born May 13, 1831, and spent his early years on a farm in Andover, Henry county, Illinois, where his father had purchased a large estate, and to which he removed with his family in 1836, and remained till 1845, when he returned to the East and left his family in New York city, while he resumed his old profession of the sea. A tall country boy in those days was as much an object of curiosity to the gamins of New York as at any time since, and Edward's school life was not altogether free from annoyances of which his rustic appearance was made the occasion. Naturally of an amiable disposition, he was slow to take offense, but when these pleasantries were carried to extremes, he was wont to resent them in a way more striking than sarcastic. After a few months' training with his more experienced city cousins, his robust country muscles were less taxed to keep up the credit of the family, and all went smoothly.
654
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
After the change to city life had lost its newness, he began to think of a life business. His studies had been mainly addressed to history, geography and mathematics, but a relative named Henry Howe, a publisher in Cincinnati, Ohio, seeing, as he thought, a taste for art in the youth, gave him a set of drawing cards, which soon fired his genius, and he became quite an adept in sketching. Hitherto, however, he had thought more of the sea and of travel than of any professional life on land.
After quitting school he accepted a clerkship in a Wall-street shipping house, where he had oppor- tunities to mingle with ships and sailors to his heart's content. Not relishing the business, how- ever, he soon transferred his services to a large Broadway dry-goods store, where he remained but a short time; and during the two succeeding years he was a grocer's clerk, canvasser for a city paper, draftsman in a patent attorney's office, and clerk in a real-estate office, without developing a taste or fondness for any of the avocations.
While on a visit to an uncle in New Haven, Con- necticut, during the summer of 1848, he happened to walk into the architectural rooms of Major Stone, at that time one of the leading architects of New England. Architects in those days were few in number, professional services being required only in erecting very important public works,-less impor- tant structures were planned, if at all, by the builders who erected them, and consequently less scope ex- isted for the display of architectural taste. His curiosity was stimulated by the drawings, and he was at once favorably impressed with the good look- ing and affable major. The interest being mutual, and the latter needing an assistant, young Mix de- cided that he had found his vocation, and settled down to the duties of the profession at once. Seven years of his life were spent in this office, as student and assistant. At the end of this period his em- ployer offered him a partnership, which his friends urged him to accept, but he felt an uncontrollable desire to revisit his early home and see the growing West again. Accordingly, in the autumn of 1855, he removed to Chicago, which was then just begin- ning to come into notice, where, after a careful con- sideration of the ground, he resolved to stop, for a time at least. The winter of 1855-6 was spent as foreman in the office of Wm. W. Boyington, with whom, in the ensuing spring, he formed a partner- ship, and in the summer of the same year removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to superintend some im-
portant works of their designing, then in course of construction in that city. Accordingly the firm of " Boyington and Mix " hung out their sign in Lud- ington's block, then almost the only well-built block in the city.
Milwaukee, like Chicago, was then but in its in- fancy. Its immense grain trade and railroad and steamboat communication were only foreseen by such men as Alex. Mitchell, S. S. Merrill and a few others, while its architectural development, for which it is now so distinguished, was all in the womb of the future. The sites now occupied by elegant and costly warchouses, on Wisconsin street, Broadway, Grand avenue and elsewhere, were then cumbered with unsightly and wretchedly-constructed two-and- a-half story frame buildings, standing endwise on the street. In these a miscellaneous business was transacted, though the only apparent activity in trade seemed to be in the auction stores, where all sorts of merchandise was being " knocked down " to the highest bidder, for the benefit of creditors,- the hard times of 1857 having cast their shadow before them. Real estate, which had been greatly inflated, began to tumble, and the prudent trimmed their sails to meet the coming storm.
In the spring of 1857 the partnership with Mr. Boyington ceased, by mutual consent, and Mr. Mix commenced his business career alone, and has since then so continued.
During the first ten years of his residence in Mil- waukee his progress was slow but steady, increasing year by year as his skill and taste in architecture became known. One of the inflexible rules of his profession was to identify himself thoroughly with the interest of his patrons, and to this feature of his character is due not a little of the success with which his career has been crowned.
In 1864 he was appointed by Governor Fairchild, without solicitation on his part, to the responsible position of State architect, and had charge of the capitol and other State works then in course of con- struction, till 1867, when he resigned in favor of Colonel Shipman, who had returned from the army minus a leg, which he had left on the battle-field.
During the rebellion he was an active supporter of the government in every way in his power, and did much toward providing for the comfort of the soldiers who returned suffering from wounds and sickness. He furnished the designs and superin- tended personally, without charge, the "great fair building " erected by the ladies of Milwaukee, from
655
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
which, after a three weeks fair, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars was netted, which sum secured to Milwaukee the location of the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers,- the build- ings for which Mr. Mix was, without his knowledge, appointed by the national board of managers to de- sign and superintend the erection of.
Since that time he has been extensively employed in connection with the erection of public and private buildings, both at home and in adjoining States. Among the most important local edifices erected under his professional management are the North- western Mutual Life Insurance block, the Immanuel Presbyterian Church (the finest ecclesiastical struc- ture west of New York city), the Plankinton Hotel, the Grand Avenue Methodist Church, besides not less than three-fourths of the most costly and ornate private residences erected in Milwaukee during the last ten years. He is now (1877) superintending,. from designs (furnished by himself in competition), the great banking and insurance (fireproof) building of Alex. Mitchell, probably the most perfectly con- structed edifice in the Northwest, and without doubt one of the most substantial in the whole country.
In religious opinion he is a Congregationalist, and has been identified with the Plymouth congregation of that denomination since his residence in Mil- waukee. He is a man of spotless integrity, governed by a high sense of honor, and is held in esteem and respect by all who know him.
He is a gentleman of general intelligence, a lover of the fine arts, and an admirer of everything good and beautiful in nature. He is a member of the State Historical Society, and fellow of the American Institute of Architects, an association of the leading men of the profession in all parts of the country. Socially he is genial, kind-hearted, generous and liberal; of quiet and unassuming manners, but free, open and off-hand.
On the 7th of May, 1854, he married Miss Mary B. Hayes, a scion of a substantial and well-known New Haven family - now creditably represented by the worthy occupant of the White House, Presi- dent Hayes, to whom Mrs. Mix is second cousin. She is, moreover, a very amiable and highly-intel- lectual lady, easy in manners, pleasing in conversa- tion, and a favorite in her circle. They have no children.
ALFRED P. CORYELL, M.D.,
JANESVILLE.
ALFRED PATTERSON CORYELL, a native A of Nichols, Tioga county, New York, was born April 15, 1815, the son of Charles and Sarah Coryell. His father, a physician by profession, was a prominent man in his community, and widely known as a successful and skillful practitioner. His mother was a daughter of Judge Patterson, of Broome county, New York.
His great-grandfather, a native of Scotland, was captured by the Algerians and taken to Algiers, and there held as a slave for three years. After being liberated he immigrated to the United States and settled in Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and drew a pension for many years. After the close of the war he was chosen one of the supreme judges of the State of New Jersey, and wherever known was a leading man. His own immediate family attained to a very prominent position in the State of New York. Alfred received a good educa- tion, attending school at Binghamton, New York ;
and after completing a thorough course of medical studies, graduated from the Jefferson Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia. To enter the medical pro- fession had been his desire from early life, and after graduating he went to Meadville, Pennsylvania, and established himself in the practice of his profession, remaining there five years. At the end of that time, July, 1846, he removed to Wisconsin and settled at Janesville, where he has since made his home. Opening an office upon his arrival, he has steadily continued his practice, which has gradually in- creased, and attained a high degree of success, both professionally and financially.
Dr. Coryell acted as examining surgeon of the Pennsylvania militia in 1843, and in 1847 was ap- pointed surgeon of the Wisconsin State militia by his excellency Governor Dodge. He is generous, kind-hearted and benevolent, and held in high es- teem by all who know him. He is especially kind to the poor, being always ready to go at their call, and never charges them for his services when in need.
656
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
Dr. Coryell's religious training was under Meth- odist influences. He is liberal in his religious opin- ions, and is not identified with any religious body.
In politics, he was formerly a whig, but upon the organization of the republican party he became identified with that body, and has since continued a firm supporter of its principles. He has never, how- ever, taken any active interest in politics, more than
to perform his duties as a citizen, having found in his profession work better suited to his tastes, and enongh of it to employ all his powers.
Dr. Coryell was married in 1842 to Miss Nancy A. Bennett, whose father was for many years a mail contractor. They have had three children. Their daughter is the wife of Walter Bennett, a prominent hardware dealer in Janesville.
HENRY O. MONTAGUE,
WHITEWATER.
H ENRY OREB MONTAGUE was born in Fabius, Onondaga county, New York, Au- gust 1, 1835, the son of Oreb and Cornelia Mon- tague. He studied in Aurora, Dundee and Ovid, receiving an academical education, and in 1855 re- moved to the West and settled at Whitewater, Wis- consin, where he engaged in the mercantile trade and in teaching until 1858. At that time he began the study of law with Mr. N. S. Murphy, and in 1860 was admitted to the bar.
At the opening of the civil war in 1861 Mr. Mon- tague enlisted as a private in Company B, Ist Regi- ment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Serving with distinction during the continuance of the war, he made for himself a most honorable record, and was promoted from time to time to the respective ranks of first sergeant, first lieutenant and captain, and also acted as assistant adjutant-general, ranking as captain, on General Mower's staff of the first brigade, first division of the fourteenth army corps, partici- pating in all the battles of the army of the Cum- berland, and was wounded at the battle of Chicka- mauga. A most honorable mention of his services is made in Love's "History of Wisconsin," pages 681, 682, 701, 707 and 721. At the battle of Chickamauga, when the color-guard were all killed or wounded, he himself raised the flag of the regiment and rallied
the men around him. The following tribute from one of his comrades is worthy of note, coming, as it does, from one who served with him through the war :
Captain Montague was honored and respected by all the regiment, and his reputation as a soldier was one of the brightest. Even to this day none of his comrades, when passing near to where he is, would fail to call upon him, deeming it an honor to sit and rehearse with him the trials of their campaigns.
In political sentiment Mr. Montague was formerly a republican. Identifying himself with that organ- ization upon attaining his majority, he continued an active and firm supporter of its principles until 1871, when he joined the liberal party. In the following year he supported Horace Greeley for the Presi- dency.
His religious training was under Baptist influ- ences, though he himself is not identified with any religious organization.
From 1865 to 1868 Mr. Montague was assistant United States assessor. At the end of that time he was appointed postmaster at Whitewater, and held that office until February, 1872. He has also been justice of the peace at Whitewater for five years.
He was married on the 14th of May, 1861, to Miss Mary S. Rockwell, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, a daughter of Anson Rockwell, formerly of Otsego, New York.
ERASTUS J. BUCK, M.D., PLATTEVILLE.
D R. BUCK is a native of Heath, Franklin county, Massachusetts, and was born Sep- tember 5, 1828. He is a son of Erastus and Rox- anna (Baldwin) Buck. He received an academic
education at Nunda, Livingston county, New York ; read medicine with Dr. John Turner, of the same place, and attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in March,
657
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
1854. He commenced practice at Towlesville, Steu- ben county, New York ; immigrated to Wisconsin in the autumn of 1856, and located at Westfield, Mar- quette county, where he practiced until the rebel- lion commenced.
Dr. Buck enlisted as a private in the summer of 1861; was immediately commissioned as first lieu- tenant of the Marquette sharp-shooters, a company which went into the 7th Regiment of Infantry, but the Doctor did not leave the State as a soldier. In January, 1862, he was appointed first assistant sur- geon of the 18th Wisconsin; became surgeon . the next September, and was with the regiment through the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, and the capture of Vicksburg, thence to the close of the war. Though among the younger class of surgeons, Dr. Buck occupied an honorable position among those of his profession. He' was placed on the medical board of operators, a body which determined what operations should be performed, and (as the writer happens to know) performed himself several capital operations, such as the resection of the shoulder and elbow, operations requiring much skill, and in which he was uniformly successful. He was con- sidered one of the best surgeons in the division, and it is not likely his skill was overestimated.
On returning from the South in 1865 Dr. Buck located at Platteville, where he has found his army experience of great service to him. During the last twelve years, while doing a general practice, and
making a specialty of nothing, he has had many surgical cases, such as strangulated hernia, fistula and chronic ulcers, and a few of them quite diffi- cult, treating them with marked success. He is United States examining surgeon, and has been for several years.
In politics Dr. Buck is a republican, bnt makes everything secondary to his profession. In 1861, just before going into the army, he yielded to the urgent request of his political friends so far as to serve them a single term in the legislature, he repre- senting Marquette and part of Green Lake counties, and acting on the committee on medical science and medical colleges.
Dr. Buck is a firm believer in the general doc- trines of Christianity, with a leaning toward the Presbyterian creed.
Miss Sarah E. Trask, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, became his wife September 5, 1866, and they have four children.
Dr. Buck had a hard struggle in early life. In procuring his literary education he sawed wood, took care of a school building and acted as sexton of a church, to aid in defraying his expenses, and while reading medicine took daguerrean pictures to accumulate the means for finishing his studies. His education is thorough, and he learned the value of time andt he worth of money in procuring it. A failure to early learn that lesson has been the cause of many a shipwreck in life.
TERRELL THOMAS,
BARABOO.
T ERRELL THOMAS, a native of Clairsville, Ohio, was born January 10, 1826, and is the son of Benjamin and Johannah Thomas, both of whom were members of the Society of Friends. They were both known for the purity of their lives, and spared no pains in training their children to habits of honesty and integrity. Terrell being the eldest son, his services were brought into early re- quisition. His educational advantages were limited, and at the age of twenty-two he went to Baltimore to learn the dry-goods business. He remained there three years, giving entire satisfaction to his employer, and gaining a fine knowledge of the mercantile trade, and also of collection and banking.
In 1854 he removed with his family to the State
of Wisconsin, where his father settled on a farm .. Soon afterward he went to Madison, and there ac- cepted of Mr. Samuel Maxwell, president of the State Bank, the position of cashier in that institu- tion. At once turning his attention to the study of the science of banking in all of its departments, he became highly competent and remained in the State Bank three years.
At the end of that time, in company with Simeon Mills, he organized the Sauk County Bank at Bara- boo, holding the position of cashier. After five years he was elected president, and held that office until he sold the institution to the organizers of the First National Bank. In all the financial panics which occurred during the seventeen years of this
658
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.
bank's existence it maintained a high standing, and was considered an institution of first-class responsi- bility and credit. Upon settling in Baraboo Mr. Thomas resolved to make it his future home, and took an active interest in all enterprises pertaining to the development of the place, and early identified himself with its water-power and manufacturing interests. He was one of the projectors of the Bar- aboo Air Line railroad, whose charter extended from Madison to the Mississippi river, and devoted his entire time to the subject of its construction. After the stock was all sold, by a unanimous vote of the stockholders, he was elected president, and re- mained in that capacity until the road was consoli- dated with the Chicago and Northwestern railroad. In the success of this enterprise Mr. Thomas may justly pride himself as being the father of the great work which unites the State capital with the "father of waters." In enterprise, public-spiritedness and all that helps to make up the true and useful citizen, he is entitled to a first rank. As a man he is noted for his generosity and fair dealing. Especially has he dealt kindly with the poor. In loaning money he never oppressed a debtor; the legal rate of inter-
est was asked, and no more, and in collecting no resort has ever been had to sharp practice.
In politics Mr. Thomas has made no record. In principle he is a republican, but having no political aspirations he has taken no active part more than to perform his duties as a citizen, finding in his busi- ness more agreeable work, and enough for the em- ployment of all his powers. During the war he was a firm supporter of the Union cause, and gave liber- ally to the aid of soldiers and soldiers' families.
Mr. Thomas's travels have been confined for the most part to the western States, but being a close observer he has, by his varied intercourse with men, gained a most valuable fund of practical knowledge, and is an admirable social companion.
He was married in 1857 to Miss Sarah A. Will- iams, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father, Micajah T. Williams, was one of the public-spirited men of his day, and was connected with many of the great en- terprises of his State.
Throughout his business career Mr. Thomas has shown an indefatigable spirit, and lives now in the enjoyment of that reward which comes of persistent, honest effort.
WALTER L. RANKIN, A.M.,
WAUKESHA.
.
T HE subject of this brief sketch, the son of a missionary, is a native of northern India, and was born at Allahabad, May 7, 1841. His father, John C. Rankin, D.D., was sent out to Hindoostan in 1840, and his health failing, he returned to this country when Walter was about six years old, and now resides at Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The maiden name of Mrs. Rankin was Sarah T. Com- fort, she being a daughter of Rev. David Comfort, for nearly fifty years a pastor at Kingston, New Jersey. Walter was educated at Pearl Cottage Seminary, Elizabeth, New Jersey, then under charge of David N. Pearson. He entered the sophomore class of Princeton College in 1857, and graduated in course, standing third in a class of about ninety, and having the English salutatory. Going to Bask- ing Ridge, New Jersey, he there taught a select school, and among other pleasant tasks fitted two younger brothers to enter Princeton College.
At the end of three years Mr. Rankin went to Elizabeth, New Jersey, and read law one year with
Chancellor Benjamin Williamson. He then resumed teaching, and for two years was at the head of a graded school in Elizabethport, New Jersey. At this time he received a pressing invitation to go to Waukesha and take charge of Carroll College, and in February, 1866, he was at the head of that insti- tution. Originally it was called Prairieville Acad- emy, and was chartered by the Territorial legis- lature in February, 1841. In 1846 it received a new charter and took the name of Carroll College, and in 1852 was removed from a building on Wis- consin street, now known as the Seminary building, to a new stone structure standing on a rise of ground half a mile south of the village. It is thirty-six by seventy-four feet, three stories high, with central projections in front and rear, and an observatory in the center of the roof. It stands on a lot of fourteen acres, overlooking the village, a very healthy situa- tion, and in every respect pleasant and inviting. In 1850 the Rev. John A. Savage, D.D., of Ogdensburgh, New York, became president, and held that position
659
THE UNITED STATES BIOGRAPHICAL, DICTIONARY.
thirteen years, traveling thousands of miles and rais- ing thousands of dollars for its benefit. The first class in the college proper was graduated in 1857, and there were graduates for four successive years, when the rebellion and other causes thinned the ranks, and there were no graduates after 1860.
Dr. Savage resigned in 1863, the school having been suspended a short time before. Soon after- ward the Rev. William Alexander, pastor of the Presbyterian church, undertook to perform double labor, acting as preacher and conducting the school. His health, however, soon failed, and the school was again suspended. Such was the state of things when Mr. Rankin took hold of the institution and infused new life into it. His excellent abilities as an edu- cator were soon discovered, and the friends of the institution rallied around it, and it has been gradually coming up, having become a first-class preparatory academy and normal institute. Every year it is
sending out its students to Madison and Beloit col- leges in Wisconsin; Monmouth, Illinois; Wabash College, Indiana; Princeton, and other colleges. To no higher than preparatory work does it aspire, and that work it does well. Some of the best scholars in the colleges just mentioned have been sent from this institution. Since Professor Rankin came to Waukesha, a debt of three thousand dollars has been paid, and something has been done toward an endowment. He is an active Christian, and exerts a very healthful moral influence over his pupils. He is an elder in the Presbyterian church, and in many respects a very useful man. By his pleasant manner as a teacher, and his great activity as a citizen, he gains the esteem not only of his pupils, but also of all the better class of citizens.
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.