USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 119
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Chloride of sodium.
0.3748 grains.
Sulphate of soda ..
0.1843 4 6
Bicarbonate of lime. 10.7520
Bicarbonate of magnesia. 7.8643
Bicarbonate of iron
0.6787
Alumina
0.2457
Silica
1.5360
Organic matter
0.1536 4 €
Mr. Bode reported, also, the water contained almost all the salts as bicarbonates, and was in this respect, as well as the small sulphates contained therein, similar to the Waukesha waters. In comparing the analysis of these waters with that of Bethesda Springs, of Waukesha, it is found they contain sixteen times as much bicarbonate of iron, and nearly two grains less organic matter. Other chemists have analysed the water with like results. John H. Tesh & Co., of Milwaukee, writing to Mr. Andrews, said : "I think you can safely recommend your spring water for any and all things that the Waukesha waters are recommended for, for the analysis proves them identical."
792
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
Since the above was put in type the spring has been opened to its fountain head, and the following analysis made :
Potassium sulphate.
0.0234
Sodium chloride ..
0.1983
Sodium sulphate.
0.6007
Sodium bicarbonate
0.5338
Sodium phosphate
trace.
Calcium bicarbonate.
15.0757
Magnesium bicarbonate.
8.4447
Iron bicarbonate.
0.6059
Aluminum oxide ..
0.0699
Silica (silicon dioxide ).
0.3091
Total grains of solids in a gallon (231 cubic inches) 25.8615
Perils of the Ice .- Under date of December 2, 1876, the Columbus Democrat relates the following : " At noon on Friday of last week, the children at the district school, three miles north of the village of Lodi, while at play, went npon the newly formed ice upon the pond near the school premises. The ice gave way, and five of them fell into water seven feet deep, beneath which was a bottom of mud. The cry of alarm was raised, and fell upon the ears of Mr. John McCarton, the teacher, who proved to be a noble young man, as our correspondent declares him. He sprang to the rescue, pulled off his coat and leaped in. He was the fortunate instrument of saving two lives, one of the recovered being a little daughter of James Wilson, and the other a child of James Collins. The other three children clung so close to him in their wild afright that he was drawn under the water himself. Indeed, his own chance of escape was now very small, for he had become so nearly lifeless that he could not cling with his hands to the rope. which had, by this time, been cast to him, they had become so chilled ; but by seizing the rope with his teeth, his grasp was at length so tenacious that he was finally pulled out by that means. He was at once taken to the house of James Wilson, where he received every care, and has since recovered. Three children were drowned. One of them was a daughter of Mr. Dennis Maloney, and her age was thirteen. The other two were children of Mr. C. Flint, a a boy, aged eleven, and a daughter, aged fourteen. It is related that the brother got out once, and would have made good his escape but for his endeavors to rescue his sister. In so doing, he was pulled in again, and thus lost his own life in an unsuccessful attempt to save hers. The bodies of the drowned were dragged from the water on Friday evening, and taken to their
homes for the last time. The funeral of Mr. Flint's son and daughter occurred at the Baptist Church, in Lodi, the Sunday following, and was very largely attended. The remains of Mr. Maloney's daughter were borne to the Catholic Church, at Rocky Run, on the same day, and were also followed by a large procession."
VILLAGE OF OKEE. BY ARETAS BAILEY.
The first settler at Okee was Samuel Ring, who came and built the saw-mill in 1847. The mill passed through the hands of 4. Kipp, Blachley & Mathers, Blachley & Bailey, Bailey & Wells and T. S. Wells. In 1858, T. S. Wells erected the present saw-mill on the east side of the creek and put in a planing-mill and circular saws in addition, devoting the old mill to a mill for grinding feed. In 1869, Wells sold the mill power to John Brownrigg, the present owner, who erected the present commodious grist-mill in 1875. Seth Bailey settled in Okee in 1854, be- coming joint owner in the saw-mill with Dr. Miller Blachley, and platted the village of Okee in 1858. Mrs. T. S. Wells built the first house after the village was platted. James R. Wells and Rebecca Harmon were the first wedded conple ; and a little child of this couple was the first to die. The first school taught was in the year 1849, by Miss Eunice Kirk, in a room of Reuben Ring's house, who received for the three months' service the sum of $6.
The first Postmaster appointed was Gideon Clark, April, 1858, E. W. Horton acting as Deputy ; Gideon Clark not residing in the village. The following year, Isaac P. Cole started
Fbleuit's ROCKY RUN,
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 795
the first store and acted as Deputy Postmaster for nearly three years, when he sold his place and removed. John Durant, then keeping a few groceries and notions, was appointed Deputy Postmaster under Clark until January, 1862, when he received the appointment of Postmaster. The following year, he removed from the village, Aretas Bailey then took the office as Deputy Postmaster under John Durant until March, 1866, when he received the appointment as Post- master, and is still the incumbent.
The first and only schoolhouse was built in 1853. School was taught in that house the winter of 1853-54, by Miss Kate Bell, who received $12 for three months' service.
There were eight dwelling-houses when the village plat was made.
I. P. Cole started the first store, continued in business about three years. John Durant followed for two years with rather a limited stock. Samuel Woodley erected quite a large store- room adapted to general merchandise, but occupied it only as a grocery store for a period of five or six years.
Miss C. M. Bailey commenced as a grocer in October, 1874, added dry goods in 1877, and is still in business. W. S. Stahl commenced business as a grocer in 1878, and is still in business.
The lumber business has been the leading business of Okee. As late as 1856, the saw- mill had orders for long lumber from places as distant as Sun Prairie. The place has never had any saloons. In 1859, J. N. Fellows (in the height of the lumber trade) established a hotel, connecting a whisky bar, under a license from the Town Board of Lodi. A two years' trial compelled him to seek something different for a livelihood. A young man by the name of Ober shortly after came to the place with a keg of beer and opened to sell lunch and beer to those coming for lumber. Himself and wife drank the beer, and had not money enough to buy a second keg, so the business failed.
The fire record of the place is rather remarkable ; one dwelling, that of J. J. Ross, and an outhouse of Mrs. C. Scott, are the only losses sustained since the first settlement of the place.
The war record of Okee is remarkable. The village and a circuit of two miles fur- nished nineteen men for the army ; of these, two were killed in battle, two died from disease con- tracted in the service, and one, a starved prisoner, died of disease contracted before he reached his home after the close of the war. The remaining number all returned without serious mis- haps, although most bear some marks of their devotion to their country.
The first child born in the village was H. H. Rogers', son of D. W. Rogers.
.
BB
796
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
CHAPTER XIV.
TOWN OF LOWVILLE-TOWN OF MARCELLON-TOWN OF NEWPORT-VILLAGE OF NEWPORT-VIL- LAGE OF KILBOURN CITY.
TOWN OF LOWVILLE.
On the organization of the county, in 1846, the north half of Township 11, Range 10, together with Townships 13 and 12, same range, was made an election precinct and named Wyocena, while the south half of Township 11, Range 10, together with Township 10, Range 10, and east half of Township 10, Range 9, was formed into another precinct under the name of Lowville, after Jacob Low. The name was afterward given to the town. At a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, held in January, 1849, Townships 10 and 11, Range. 10, and the east half of Township 10, Range 9, was formed into a town and the name of Lowville given to it. The house of Jacob Low was designated as the place for holding the first election. At a meeting of the County Board of Supervisors, held January 8, 1850, the town of Lowville was made to comprise only all of Township 11, Range 10,
The first settlement made in this town was in 1843. During that and the following year, Jacob Stone, Jacob Low, Edward Clark and Jonathan Gilbert selected and built upon their claims. In 1845, Silas W. Herring, Henry Herring, John Barmore, Orin Rogers, S. J. Scott and Jefferson Waters came in. S. P. Webb, Claudius Evarts, Justice Worden and Joseph Snell came in 1846.
Thomas McDonough Richards and Julia A. Webb were united in marriage on the 15th day of July, 1847, being the first couple married in the town.
Emma, daughter of Claudius and Betsy Evarts, was born in May, 1847-the first white child born in the town.
The first death was that of Joseph Snell, who died July 30, 1848.
In the summer of 1848, Julia Stevens taught a three-months term of school in a frame shanty, near the house of Jacob Low, on Section 32. At the same time, B. M. Webb taught a term on Section 5. These were the first schools in the town. In the fall of 1879, there were eight good schoolhouses, four of which were owned by the town and the remainder were held by joint districts with other towns.
Elder William Cornell, in 1848, began the proclamation of the Word, his first discourse being at the house of Theodore Northrup, on Section 8. In September, 1849, he organized a Baptist Church, near where he first preached, with sixteen members. The first meetings were held in private houses, and, on completion of a schoolhouse on Section 5, the services were there held. For more than twenty years, the society met in this schoolhouse, when the place of meet- ing was changed to Edmister's Schoolhouse, on Section 17. Elder Cornell was the first Pastor of the church, followed by Elder Evan Meredith, who for twenty years broke the bread of life to the congregation. Mr. Meredith was succeeded by Elder Enoch Pickering. About 1855, the Presbyterians began services in the town, meeting in different schoolhouses until 1862, when they erected a small but neat church edifice on Section 32. The society has been ministered to from time to time by Revs. Lewis Strong, Lawrie, Gates, Gordon, Hutchinson, Bushnell, Barnes and Wall.
In 1846, a post office was established on Section 32, with Jacob Low as first Postmaster. Mr. Low was succeeded, in order named, by Stephen Brayton, De Witt C. Strong, James Hall and William Ridgeway. The first mail route by which this office was supplied was from Madi- son to Portage. Prior to the completion of the Northern Division of the Chicago, Milwaukce & St. Paul Railroad, this route was extensively patronized by traveling men. Jacob Low con- verted his house into a hotel in 1846, continuing the same until 1853. Stephen Brayton, who
797
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
lived but a short distance from Mr. Low and who succeeded him as Postmaster, then entertained man and beast until 1856, when the stage line was discontinued and travel thus cut off. In 1852, a store was started at the corners, near the post office, by Dr. C. Strong, and it was thought a village would here eventually grow up. But the bright anticipations of the Doctor and land-holders thereabouts had not been realized, up to March, 1880.
The early settlers were occasionally troubled with claim jumpers, and the Claim Club was brought into requisition more than once. At a very early day, one Devendorf made a claim to a certain quarter, remained on it for a time, and then left, no one knew where. Being gone a considerable length of time it was considered he had abandoned his claim, and it was taken by another party. In the course of time Mr. Devendorf returned, erected a shanty on the claim and proceeded to make himself at home. He was ordered off by the Club, but refused to go ; therefore one night he received a visit from a dozen men, and was taken ont to the marsh in a state almost similar to that in which he came into the world, and as the night was quite cool he soon agreed to do the bidding of the Club.
There are two post offices in the town-Lowville and Rocky Run. This last office was established in 1851, with J. F. Hand as Postmaster. He was succeeded by Ella C. Curtiss, who is the present incumbent.
The following comprise the town officers from 1849 to 1880 inclusive :
1849-Stephen Brayton, Chairman ; S. P. Webb, James Hinman, Supervisors ; Lemuel Page, Clerk; Clark M. Young, Treasurer ; Jonathan Hibbard, Assessor ; William T. Bradley, School Superintendent.
1850-Oliver C. Howe, Chairman ; John A. Bannon, John J. Lewis, Supervisors ; J. F. Hand, Clerk ; Silas W. Herring, Treasurer ; Jacob Townsend, Assessor; Walter A. North- rup, School Superintendent.
1851-F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; J. A. Bannon, Henry Lane, Supervisors ; J. C. Jay, Clerk ; Samuel Dunn, Treasurer ; O. C. Howe, Assessor; C. M. Curtis, School Superintendent.
1852-F. C. Curtis, Chairman; J. Brady, S. P. Webb, Supervisors; P. L. Carman, Clerk ; J. Gilbert, Treasurer ; J. Townsend, Assessor ; William C. Bonstel, School Superin- tendent.
1853-J. F. Hand, Chairman ; Giles Easton, L. G. Folsom, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; L. G. Folsom, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor ; William C. Bonstel, School Super- intendent.
1854-F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; Orin Rogers, Birdsell Wheeler, Supervisors; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; Samuel Wheeler, Treasurer ; William C. Bonstel, Assessor; William C. Bonstel, School Superintendent.
1855-F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; Birdsell Wheeler, O. F. Rogers, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; William C. Bonstel, Assessor and School Superintendent.
1856-F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; Michael Gallagher, Delos Bundy, Supervisors ; William C. Bonstel, Clerk ; N. W. Bennett, Treasurer; J. W. Curtis, Assessor ; J. F. Hand, School Superintendent.
1857-Samuel Dunn, Chairman ; H. M. Delaney, R. Johnson, Supervisors; F. S. Henry, Clerk ; N. W. Bennett, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor : J. F. Hand, School Superintendent. 1858-Samnel Dunn, Chairman ; Delos Bundy, H. M. Delaney, Supervisors ; F. S. Henry, Clerk : S. R. Lane, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor ; J. F. Hand, School Superintendent.
1859-J. F. Hand, Chairman ; Ole Wilson, Birdsell Wheeler, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; H. Lane, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor; F. L. Henry, School Superintendent.
1860-Delos Bundy, Chairman ; William H. Young, Nelson Wilson, Supervisors ; D. C. Strong, Clerk ; W. W. Curtis, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor ; F. L. Henry, School Super- intendent.
1861-Delos Bundy, Chairman ; H. Lane, O. C. Scovell, Supervisors ; D. C. Strong, Clerk; W. W. Curtis, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor; M. T. Alverson, School Superin- tendent.
798
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
1862-Samuel Dunn, Chairman ; S. W. Herring, Henry Lane, Supervisors ; M. T. Alverson, Clerk ; W. W. Curtis, Treasurer ; S. P. Webb, Assessor.
1863-William H. Young. Chairman ; Adam Hall, Matthew Trout, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; W. W. Curtis, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor.
1864-William H. Young, Chairman ; Warren Gilbert, John Halpin, Supervisors; Sam- uel Dunn, Clerk; W. W. Curtis, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor.
1865-William H. Young, Chairman ; Adam Hale, John Halpin, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; W. W. Curtis, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Arsessor.
1866-I. N. Brown, Chairman ; John Budd, Lewis Edmister, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; John Halpin. Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor.
1867-J. W. Henry, Chairman; Elbridge Curtis, John Halpin, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; W. W. Curtis, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor.
1868-S. W. Herring, Chairman ; Elbridge Curtis, Matthew Trout, Supervisors; Sam- uel Dunn, Clerk ; William W. Curtis, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor.
1869-F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; Matthias Trout, James Price, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; Thomas Smith. Treasurer; W. W. Curtis, Assessor.
1870-William F. Young, Chairman ; Matthew Trout, Charles Woodford, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer; F. C. Curtis, Assessor.
1871-Samuel Dunn, Chairman ; F. M. Delaney, Eli Rosabaugh, Supervisors ; James Price, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor.
1872-Samuel Dunn, Chairman; William McNerney, Eli Rosabaugh, Supervisors ; James Price, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer; F. C. Curtis, Assessor.
1873-Samuel Dunn, Chairman ; Eli Rosabaugh, Daniel Scofield, Supervisors ; James Price, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor.
1874-Samuel Dunn, Chairman ; John Kearney, Daniel Scofield, Supervisors ; James Price, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer; S. W. Herring, Assessor.
1875-Samuel Dunn, Chairman ; M. Trout, Isaac Rosabaugh, Supervisors ; James Price, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer; S. W. Herring, Assessor.
1876-F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; M. Trout, L. C. Brown, Supervisors ; Joseph Townsend, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer ; E. Curtis, Assessor.
1877-F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; M. Trout, Nels. Wilson, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; Joseph Edmister, Treasurer ; William Young, Assessor.
1878-F. C. Curtis, Chairman; M. Trout, John Kearney, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer ; William H. Young, Assessor.
1879-John Palmer, Chairman ; I. L. Curtis, Thomas Austin, Supervisors ; Joseph Townsend, Clerk ; Joseph Edmister, Treasurer ; William Evart, Assessor.
1880-James Price, Chairman ; Matthias Trout, Nils Wilson, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer.
TOWN OF MARCELLON.
On the 9th day of January, 1849, all of Township 13, Ranges 10 and 11, was organized into a town, and the name of Marcellon given to it, and McDonald's Hotel designated as the place for holding the first election. At the annual meeting of the Board of Supervisors in December following, Township 13, Range 11, was taken from the town leaving, as the territory of Marcellon, all of Township 13, Range 10.
The first settler in the town was Francis B. Langdon, who located on Section 24, in Novem- ber, 1845. Case and Powell came soon after. P. Peekham came in March, in 1846, and E. Herod, William J. Ensign, Gilman H. Hoyt, came that same year, while, previous to 1849, quite a large number made here their homes, among whom were Samuel Seavy, John Seavy, Thomas D. Wallace, William H. Cahoon, George Brinkerhoff, William Bonny, Lawrence Van Duesan and Hiram Albee.
The first marriage in the town was that of P. Peckham and Miss Austin, in October, 1847.
799
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
Death claimed the first victim in the person of IIarriet Ensign. She was the daughter of William J. Ensign. Her remains were deposited on the farm and afterward removed to the cemetery at Marcellon, being the first burial therein.
The first school in the town was taught by Leona Ensign in the summer of 1847, on Section 36. In 1879, there were four whole and eight joint districts, with seven school buildings, valued at $1,835, with accommodations for 367 pupils. The number in attendance during that year was 362, and the total amount paid in the districts, where there are school buildings, for the same period, was $1,148.
The first religious services in the town were held on Section 1, at the house of Mr. Powell in June, 1846. Elder Wedge, a Baptist minister, was the pioneer preacher of the Gospel, and addressed the audience on this occasion.
The first church organized was the Protestant Methodist at Marcellon Post Office, in 1849. Rev. Mr. Cassell was the organizer, and meetings were held in the schoolhouse. No church edi- fice was ever erected. The congregation disbanded in a short time, the greater portion of the members afterward uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pardeeville.
In 1879, there were two churches in the town, the Methodist Episcopal brethren having one on Section 7, and the Baptists one on Section 5.
The first winter Francis B. Langdon was here he lived in a small log house in which there was no window, and but one door. To obtain flour and meal for the use of the family, he had to go either to Beaver Dam, Columbus or Waupun, it requiring several days to make the journey, and, when arriving at his destination, there was no certainty of obtaining a supply.
On the 20th day of November, 1850, was organized the Marcellon Cemetery Association, with Nathan Beach, George Babcock, James D. Carr, Gilman H. Hoyt, A. L. Crippin and William J. Ensign, Trustees. The association purchased of Thomas D. Wallace two acres off the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 36, for cemetery purposes. In 1872, another acre was added to the original plat. The daughter of William J. Ensign, whose death has been previously mentioned, was the first here buried.
Marcellon Post Office was located on Section 36, on the main thoroughfare between Mil- waukee and Portage, and around the office grew up, between the years 1849 and 1857, quite a little village, the greater part of which was located on the lands of William J. Ensign and Andrew Lipe. During this time there were here three general stores, with other kinds of busi- ness sufficiently represented to meet the wants of the community. On the completion of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which was run three miles south, the place ceased to exist. The first house built in the village was by Gilman Hoyt, the second by William J. Ensign, the third by S. G. McDowell. A. P. Lipe built the first hotel, and provided " entertain- ment for man and beast," for a number of years. The post office was established in 1849, with William Wallace as the first Postmaster. Mr. Wallace was succeeded successively by William Greens, George Janes, A. P. Lipe, T. Wade, J. W. Campbell, G. Hoyt, P. C. Heath, William Herreman and Mrs. M. I. Lockwood; the latter of whom was in possession of the office in February, 1880, at which time mail was received twice a week from Pardeeville.
Marcellon is bounded on the east by Scott, on the west by Fort Winnebago, on the south by Wvocena, and on the north by Marquette County.
The town has a rolling surface, is in some parts very heavily drift-covered, is almost with- out marsh or prairie, and, lying almost wholly within the area of the Potsdam sandstone, presents a generally low and sandy soil. The Fox River crosses the southeast corner of the town, and two small head-streams of French Creek, a tributary of the Fox, traverse the western section.
Bellefountain Post Office was established in 1850, some two miles north of its present loca- tion, on Section 14, with James H. Bonney as Postmaster. Between 1850 and 1859, the office was moved three times, with Horace Carpenter and Mr. Kelly as Postmasters. In 1859, James Aldrich was appointed, and the office was removed within a half-mile of its present location. In 1863, Henry Neef succeeded Mr. Aldrich, and, in turn, was succeeded by E. C. West in 1869.
800
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
On the 18th day of February, 1859, Rev. D. C. Miller organized the Scott and Marcellon Free-Will Baptist Church. Services have been held alternately in the Barden Schoolhouse, in the town of Scott, and Comstock Schoolhouse, in this town. In the spring of 1880, a church house was erected on the line dividing the two towns, but in the town of Scott.
Midland Post Office is located upon Section 3, and was established in 1847, with Robert McKay as Postmaster. William Meacher was appointed in 1867, and is the present Post- master.
The first entry of land was by L. Foote and Charles McDougal October 11, 1836: patent issued November 7, 1837, for the southwest quarter of Section 31, containing 144 acres.
In 1864, a Methodist Episcopal class was formed at the stone schoolhouse, on Section 5, but the first preaching by a minister of that denomination was by Rev. Joseph Bolton, at a schoolhouse on Section 18. Mr. Bolton organized the class mentioned, and ministered unto them during his stay on the circuit. He was succeeded, in the order named, by Revs. T. M. Ross, M. Peck, Edward Bronson, Jabez B. Cole, O. B. Clark, William Jones, William Cook, John Varty and W. F. Stright. The Methodist Episcopal Church on Section 7, known as the Goodman Church, was built in 1869. The building committee were Farnsworth, Morrison, Dunbar, Goodman and D. S. Woodworth. The Baptists have a church on the southwest quarter of Section 5, which was built in 1869. Mitchell, Rounds, Cocker, Loomer, Dates and Wood- worth were active in its construction.
Hiram Albee, of whom mention has been made as an early settler, died on the 8th day of May, 1878. The Portage Register thus speaks of him : " The late Hiram Albee was one of Marcellon's oldest and most valued citizens. He was born at Wardsboro, Windham Co. Vt., February 13, 1812; although he was one of ten children and his parents were very poor, he man- aged by means of his natural abilities and industry to acquire considerable education, as is shown by his teaching during his life twenty terms of district school ; a large number of men and women can testify to his faithfulness and efficacy as a teacher. In 1828, he emigrated to New York and then married May J. Barrett, of Broad Albion, in that State.
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