The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, Part 149

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 149

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DAVID LASKEY, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Columbus ; was born in the town of Greene, Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1841, and came with his parents, Richard and Dorothy Laskey, to Wisconsin in 1844 ; stopped one year in Walworth County ; in 1845, came to the town of Hampden, Columbia County, where he made his home till 1865 ; then he bought a farm on Sec. 30, town of Columbus ; disposing of that in 1868, he bought one of 120 acres, 87 of which lies on Secs. 33 and 34, town of Columbus, and 40 acres on Secs. 3 and 4, town of York, Dane Co. He was married Nov. 1, 1870, to Miss Susan, a daughter of Henry and Mary McNamara, a native of New York City, born in 1850; her parents were natives of Ireland, but emigrated with her to Dane Co., Wis., when she was quite young. Their children are Albert J., William H. and Uri D. Mrs. Laskey is a member of the Catholic Church.

RICHARD LASKEY, deceased, was born in Leicestershire, England, in 1784, and lived there on a farm till about 21 years of age; he then joined the British army as a soldier in the War of 1812, and served most of the time in Canada; at the close of the war, he deserted the army, crossed the Niagara River on the ice into York State, and located in the town of Greene, Chenango Co., where he made bis bome till 1844. He was married there, Feb. 9, 1826, to Miss Dorothy Johnson, a native of New Hamp- shire, where she was born Feb. 13, 1800, but emigrated to New York with her parents when 12 years old. In 1844, Mr. and Mrs. Laskey, with their family of twelve children, emigrated to Wisconsin, and located on a farm in the town of Lina, Walworth County ; a year later (1845), they removed to Columbia Co., and located in the town of Hampden, where they were among the first families, and made that their home for about twenty-two years. In 1867, they removed to the town of Columbus, and settled on a farm, on Sec. 24, where he died in 1870, and his wife in 1875; they were members of the M. E. Church, Their children are Rhoda, born Nov. 12, 1826, the late wife of Thomas Smith, now deceased ; John, born Dec. 13, 1827, who owns a farm of 60 acres in the town of York, Dane Co .; Albert, born Nov. 30, 1828, who, with his brother John, owns a farm of 390 acres in the town of Columbus; Lois, born Jan. 27, 1830, now the wife of Perry J. Kidder, and lives in the town of Columbus ; Thomas, born Sept. 30, 1831, enlisted in Co. K, 18th W. V. I, and killed at the battle of Shiloh ; Stephen, born April 13, 1833, and died in the town of Hampden ; Asenath, born Dec. 13, 1835, now Mrs. Thomas Smith, of Columbus; Chloe, born March 7, 1837, now Mrs. L. B. Huntington, of the town of Fountain Prairie; Uri, born Feb. 14, 1839, enlisted in Co. A, 7th W. V. I., was wounded at the battle of Gainesville, Va., died at Alexandria ; David, born Oct. 23, 1841, and he now lives in this town (Columbus).

PERRY LEE, deceased, was the son of Jesse and Jane Lec ; born in the town of Eaton, Wy- oming Co., Penn., in 1816; he was educated in the common schools of his native county, and devoted his time to farming there till his marriage, in 1840, to Miss Esther, daughter of Thomas and Polly Mitchell, of that town and county. After marriage, he, with a brother, turned his attention to milling (having purchased a grist-mill a short time before his marriage), and were its proprietors till 1844; emigrating then to Wisconsin, they located at Milwaukee for fourteen months, and in December, 1845, settled on a farm in the town of Hampden, Columbia Co., which was their home till 1850; removing then to Portage, he was proprietor of the Wisconsin House for two years, and then purchased the Lee House, of which he was proprietor till December, 1859, when it burned down. He was elected Sheriff of Columbia County in 1852, and served in that office during the years 1853 and 1854. He went to Denver, Colo., in 1860, and there, with a company of men, started South on a trip, but he was taken sick and died at Abiquiu, New Mexico, in November, 1860, leaving a wife and five children to survive him. The children are as follows : Wm. D., who now lives in Texas; Mary M., now the wife of Thomas Sanderson, and lives in the town of Hampden, Columbia Co., Wis .; Sarah, now Mrs. J. J. Sutton, of this city ; Esther M., now Mrs. A. H. Whitney, of this city, and Lillian E., at home with her mother. Those who knew Mr. Lee knew well his many manly qualities, being a man who took interest in public affairs, and whatever secmed to be for the general good of the county or community he was ever ready to support. His acquaintance through- out the county was very extended, and all who met him honored him for his courtesy, his kindness, his manhood.

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TOWN OF COLUMBUS.

JOHN W. LEFFINGWELL, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Columbus; was born in the town of Riga, Gencsee Co., N. Y., Oct. 16, 1832; his father, Lemuel Leffingwell, was born in Connecticut, in 1798, and was a grandson of William Leffingwell, who emigrated from France to America in an early day, and was instrumental in rescuing some whites from the hands of the Indians ; as a reward for which the U. S. Government granted him the land where the city of Norwich, Conn., is now located ; his father, Lemuel, removed with parents to the town of Camden, Oneida Co., N. Y., when a mere boy. There, in February, 1820, he was married to Miss Ruth Preston, a native of that county, born April 13, 1803. Four years after marriage, they removed to Genesee Co., and made that their home until 1835, whence they emigrated to Monroe Co., Mich .; in 1837, they returned to Oneida Co., N. Y., and settled in the town of Vernon, whence, in 1847, they came to Wisconsin and located on a farm in the town of York, Dane Co .; he having come in the fall of 1846, and made preparation for the family, which arrived in the spring of 1847 ; he afterward purchased land near the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., to which he removed and made his home until his death, which occurred Sept. 6, 1877. He left a wife and four children to survive him ; the latter are as follows : Mary A., now the wife of Francis Smith, and lives in the town of Vernon, Oneida Co., N. Y .; George, who lives with his mother on the farm ; John W. and Orrissa, now the wife of Daniel Peck, and lives in the town of York, Dane Co., Wis. John W., the third and subject of this sketch, was married Nov. 12, 1855, to Miss Amanda, daughter of Orlando and Thankful ( Parker) Wiseman, a native of the town of Gainesville, Wyoming Co., N. Y .; her grandfather, Thomas Wiseman, was a native of England, and came to America as a British soldier in the Revolutionary war, served his term under the King and then joined the American cause; he was one of the men who watched for Maj. Andre at the time of his capture ; he afterward located in the town of Gainesville, Wyoming Co., N. Y., where he followed the weaver's trade, and made that his home until death ; he raised a large family, of whom Mrs. Leffingwell's father was the youngest but one, and come as a pioneer to Dane Co., Wis., and located in the town of York, where he died in the fall of 1876, and his wife two years later. Mr. Leffing- well has been Assessor of the town of Columbus for two terms, was elected Chairman of the Town Board, in 1878, re-elected in 1879 and 1880. He now has a farm of 230 acres, Sec. 33, town of Columbus. Himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Their children are as follows: Luella, now the wife of Calvin J. Fairbanks, and lives in the town of Hampden; Ada E., now the wife of Franklin Feelyater, and lives in the town of Columbus ; Arthus L. and Milton F., at home.

HON. JAMES T. LEWIS. Searching the streets of Athens with a lantern, Diogenes illumined a truth of his own discovering, namely, that honest men are a nation's rarest as well as most precious jewels, and we have discovered that of those who shine in the crown of the republic, none have a higher worth than the faithful administrators of the law. Prominent on the roll of true and good men, we find the name of James T. Lewis, a native of Clarendon, N. Y. He was born on the 30th of October, 1819, and is the son of Shubael Lewis and Eleanor Robertson. His grandfather, Samuel Lewis, lived in Brimfield, Mass. His father, a native of New England, was born on the 27th of Febru- ary, 1783, and grew up from a poor boy, with a spirit of self-reliance and strong hope, and by his sterling qualities commanded universal respect. He was a man of sturdy enterprise, and acquired large estates both in New York and Wisconsin. He was thrice married-first, on the 29th of January, 1815, and the second time on the 15th of April, 1835, to Parna Nichols, who was born on the 10th of April, 1798. She was a lady of the truest womanly qualities, a devoted wife and all that a mother could be to the chil- dren placed under her care. Her pure life was devoted to the welfare of her family, and to the influence of her teachings and example the subject of this sketch to-day feels himself largely indebted for the success of his life. His third marriage was to Mary Bugbee. He died at the advanced age of 78 years. The mother of our subject, a lady of Scotch descent, died on the 8th of October, 1834. Of Mr. Lewis' brothers and sisters, William L. was born Oct. 19, 1815, and was married Oct. 7, 1842, to Miss Eliza Ann Martin, of Clarendon, N. Y .; Shubael R. was born Nov. 3, 1817 ; was a distinguished soldier in the Mexican War-the first to scale the walls of Chapultepec, and for his gallant conduct on the field was presented with a sword ; married, Aug. 18, 1839, to Mrs. Sarah Ann (Nichols) Brown, widow of Harvy Brown, M. D .; died in August, 1856. Hiram W. was born January 13, 1823 ; married Sept. 2, 1847, to Miss Melissa P. Tousley. Mary Jane was born Sept. 6, 1825 ; married Oscar A. Harris. Andrew J. was born May 23, 1828 ; died January 20, 1840. Lydia A. was born Sept. 22, 1831 ; died Oct. 12, 1834.

James T., the third son, after receiving a common-school education, completed a course of English classical study in Clarkson Academy and Clinton Seminary, in New York, and, in 1842, began the study of law with Gov. Selden, of Clarkson. He afterward removed to Wisconsin, and, in 1845, was admitted to the bar of the United States District Court, and subsequently to the Supreme Court of the State.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Declining the gift of an eligible law office offered him by influential friends, if he would settle in Clinton, N. Y., he decided more wisely, and established himself in Columbus, his present home. At the age of 26, he was married to Miss Orlina M. Sturges, daughter of a prominent and successful merchant of Clar- endon, N. Y., and by her had four children-Henry T., deceased at the age of 16 months ; Selden J., named after Gov. Sclden, of Clarkson, N. Y .; Charles R., named after Hon. Charles D. Robinson, of Green Bay, Wis., and Anna L. Mr. Lewis, a man of superior executive ability, rapidly rose to the success- ive positions of District Attorney, County Judge, member of the Constitutional Convention which formed the organic law of the State, member of the General Assembly, State Senator, member of the Court of Impeachment, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and Governor. As Secretary of State, it was truly said of him, " He has been prompt, methodical and systematic in all the departments of his office ; a true man in every sense of the word, kind and gentlemanly in his deportment and possessing great executive ability." When elected to this office, he received every vote cast in the city of his resi- denee, and, when elected Governor, in 1863, received a majority of 25,000, by far the largest ever accorded to any candidate for that office. The nation at this time being engaged in civil war, Gov. Lewis felt that for the time political divisions should cease; that all loyal men, forgetting party strifes, should rally around our country's flag, aud save it from dishonor ; that rebellion should be crushed by hearty co-operation and earnest sacrifice, and that peace should be restored. Sincerely impressed with this belief, he severed party ties and proclaimed : " He who is not a faithful friend to the Government of his country in this trying hour is no friend of mine," and spared neither time, talent nor money in sending troops to save the national capital.

Especially was his attention engaged in caring for the needs of the sick. He repeatedly visited eamps and hospitals, making long and careful tours, and finally secured a special order from the Surgeon General of the United States for the transfer of all the sick and wounded soldiers from Wisconsin to hospitals within their own State, a privilege never before granted. Under his administration, hospitals were estab- lished, a soldiers' orphans' home was founded, and families of soldiers provided for. Through his influence, multitudes of suffering " boys in blue" were nursed back into life, in hospitals blessed with comforts, blessed by the prayers of mothers and wives at home; the dying hours of brave men were soothed, and men who had risked their lives for a great principle, and bereaved families, were provided with homes. The marked but not forgotten graves of our slain heroes dot the hillsides of the South ; but, had it not been for the noble work of Gov. Lewis, hundreds who are among the living to-day would live only in the desolate, sorrowing hearts of those who loved them. By personal efforts, he obtained credit from the Government for soldiers furnished, and reduced the quota of Wisconsin at one time from 19,032 to 15,311, and was especially successful in securing the elaims of his State against the Government, amounting in all to more than half a million of dollars. In 1864, by his wise adjustment of affairs, the State tax was reduced several hundred thousands of dollars ; and, during his entire administration, he did not use one dollar of the Military Contingent Fund. At his request, the Legislature declined to vote the usual appropriation of $5,000 as a general contingent fund for the use of the Executive. He worked for the good of his State, and was economical, systematic and prompt in all his departments of duty. His large-heartedness and sympathy went out to all ;. yet, in the administration of justice, he was inexorable. As a man and publio officer, Gov. Lewis possessed the unlimited confidence of the people, and through his varied career bas maintained a name and character above suspicion or reproach. Figuring little in proclamations, orders and telegraphic communications, he performed his duties quietly and without ostentation ; unselfish and self-denying in all his actions, he labored for the welfare of his State and nation. Standing upon noble principles, he felt that he needed no other platform; the ends which he aimed at were his country's, God's and truth's. A marked feature in the character of Gov. Lewis, and one worthy of imitation, is his generous benevolence. Possessed of a liberal competence, he devotes a large portion of his annual income to the building and support of universities, colleges, academics and educational interests, thus exerting a silent but lasting influence for good by developing the minds and morals of his country's youth. He has been a liberal contributor to churches and benevolent enterprises of various kinds, and in all that pertains to the welfare of his city, or the good of his fellowmen, he is ready to lend a cheerful support. In 1864, Lawrence University conferred the degree of LL. D., an honor which was justly bestowed and has been worthily worn. He recently received a dispatch from Washington tendering him the office of Commissioner of Internal Revenue; he, however, declined the lionor, owing to other dutics which require his constant attention. Mr. Lewis has been several times offered similar offices, but has uniformly declined.

WILLIAM L. LEWIS, Columbus ; was born at Clarendon, Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1815 ; he is the son of Shubael Lewis and Eleanor Robertson, who are mentioned in the sketch giveu of his

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brother, Hon. James T. Lewis. Mr. Lewis received the greater part of his education in the common schools of his native State. In 1842, he began merchandising at Bergen, Genesee Co., and after continning there two years he removed his business to Clarendon, Orleans Co., and there continued the same and also milling, for several years ; disposing of his interest at Clarendon, in 1853, be removed to Hawley, Orleans Co., and was proprietor of the Hawley Mills for three years ; he, with his family, emigrated to Wisconsin, in the spring of 1857, locating at Columbus ; he has since been engaged in farming, lumbering and the grain trade. He was employed as clerk in the Secretary of State's office, in 1863, with his brother, during his term of office, and by Mr. Fairchild, in 1864. Returning to Columbus, in 1865, he has devoted his time to superintending his farm of 312 acres, in the town of Columbus. He was married in 1841, to Miss Eliza Ann Martin, of Clarendon, Orleans Co., N. Y .; their children are Martin J., who now lives in Dakota; Adella, now the wife of D. M. Inmann, and lives in Dakota; Anna E. now Mrs. M. D. Thompson, of Vermillion, Dakota; Jennie, deceased; Lillie, now at home with parents. Mr. Lewis' family is connected with the Baptist Church.

MATTHEW LOWTH, farmer; Secs. 10 and 15; P. O. Columbus ; was born in Connty Meath, Ireland, May 6, 1819 ; when 7 years old, he, with his parents, Edward and Alice, nee MeCabe, emigrated to America ; they settled in Aug. 1826, in the town of Tinmouth, Rutland Co., Vt., where his mother died in the following December ; his father followed mining there for a number of years ; after the death of his mother, he and his brother were put out to live with American families of Vermont, and with them he made his home until 21 years of age ; at the age of 18 years, he entered upon a three years' apprenticeship to the molder's trade, in the Granger Stove Works, at Pittsford, Rutland Co .; he next came to Albany, N. Y., where he worked at his trade awhile, and later to Troy, N. Y., where he followed the same for a time ; he emigrated to Wisconsin in 1844, and stopped a year with his consin, John Lowth, at Troy, Walworth Co .; Nov. 9, 1845, he removed to his log house, in the town of Lowell, Dodge Co., Wis., where he made his home until the fall of 1849; disposing of his interest in Dodge Co. at that time, he entered a farm of 120 aeres, in the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., and returned to Troy, N. Y., and continued his trade at Mechanicsville for two years ; coming again to Columbus, Wis., in 1851, he settled on his farm, which has since been his home ; he devoted the winter seasons of the first eleven years after his permanent settlement in Columbia Co., to teaching, and the summers in farming. Mr. Lowth was elected Assessor of the town or village of Columbus, in 1856; he has served three terms as Chairman of the Town Board, and in 1879 was elected a member of the Wisconsin Assembly, from the Second Assembly District of Columbia Co. He was married, in 1843, to Miss Mary Glavin, a native of Cork, but an emigrant to America with parents, when about 2 years old, and settled at Troy, N. Y., where she was afterward married ; their children are Edward, Alice Francis, Catharine, Thomas H .; Josephine, now the wife of Charles Hall, and lives at Spencer, Marathon Co., Wis., and Emma, at home.

OLIVER RODNEY LUEY, farmer; Sec. 20; P. O. Columbus ; was born in Windsor Co., Vt., in 1824; he had the advantage of the common school in his boyhood, where he received his education ; he devoted his attention to farming in Vermont, until 1844, whence he emigrated to Wisconsin ; he found employment at farm work at Mr. James' in the town of Richmond, Rock Co., for two summers ; in November, 1845, he came to the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., bought a claim of 160 acres in the southeast quarter, Sec. 20 ; and in February, 1846, he obtained a deed to 40 acres of it and pre-empted the remainder ; he at once built his pioneer log house, at first only 16x16, but was afterward enlarged, which was his home for fifteen years ; his farm now numbers 250 aeres, and instead of his log house, a commodious residence decorates his premises. Mr. Luey has been a member of the Town Board for two or three years. He was married, May, 1848, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Robert and Polly (Berry) Miller, a native of Windham Co., Vt .; her mother died there in 1870; her father came to Wisconsin in 1876, and now makes his home at Mr. Luey's. Mr. and Mrs. Luey have five children, as follows : Charlotte, now the wife of Frank Hopkins, lives at Gary, Dakota; Edwin, now at Rochester, Minn .; Cheney O., Walter R. and Cornelia, at home.

ADAM McCONNELL, Deputy Sheriff, Columbus ; was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1824; he is the son of James McConnell, who came as an emigrant to America, in 1845, and located at Columbus, Wis., where he afterward died. Mr. McConnell, the subject of this sketch, spent four years in a constabulary in Connty Kildare, Ireland, and was on duty at the Clontarf when the notice was given by Daniel O'Connell to hold one of the monster meetings at that place, in 1843, and was present when he was arrested. Remaining there in that line of duty until 1847, he then resigned. May 3, 1847, he was married in the town of Kilcock, County Kildare, to Miss Anna Walsh, immediately after which, they sailed for America, and landed in New York City about the 1st of July following ; they came thence to the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis., and located on a farm, which was their home until 1865; then

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removed to the city of Columbus, where they have since resided. Mr. McConnell was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Columbia Co. for two years, by P. P. Pool; was re-appointed by Mr. H. A. Russell, during his term of office, and again appointed by Mr. Jonas Conklin, which position he now holds ; he was a member of the Town Board of Supervisors for two years; was Village and City Marshal for Columbus, six or eight years. Their children are Anna M., now the wife of R. M. C. Turner, and lives in Philadelphia ; Thomas H., now a clerk in R. W. Chadbourn's Bank, at Rochester, Minn .; Charles H., a clerk in the First National Bank, at Leadville; Morris J., now in a store at Birds' Island, Minn .; Jennie, at home. Mrs. McConnell is a member of the Congregational Church.

JAMES McTIERNAN (deceased), was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, about 1806 ; he was brought up as a farmer's son, in his native county ; when about 30 years old, he emigrated to America, and lived in Vermont and Massachusetts for several years; in 1847, he with his family removed to Columbia Co., Wis., and located on a farm of 60 acres on Sec. 25, which he bought of William Drake, and afterward purchased 42 acres, making his farm 102 acres on that seetion ; here he made his home till his death, Nov. 2, 1865. He was married in 1850 to Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Kelly; a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, born in 1828, an I came to America in 1849. Their children are Maria, now the wife of Edward Lay, and living in Kansas; John, at home; Margaret, at home ; Bridget, in Chicago ; Thomas, at home; Annie (deceased) ; Katie and Ellen, at home. The family is connected with St. Jerome's Catholic Church.

JOSEPH S. MANNING, proprietor of flouring-mill ; was born in Plainfield, N. J., in 1819; his father dying shortly after his birth, his mother soon removed with him to Middletown, Monmouth Co., N. J., where he spent much of his time at school till 14 years of age ; he then went to New York City, and began with an uncle as clerk in a dry-goods store; remaining there till 1844, he came to Wisconsin, and located at Kenosha (then Southport), where he clerked in a dry-goods store for three years ; he removed thence to the town of Courtland, Columbia Co., where he followed farming for two years, and then came to Columbus, purchased the Ludington mill, and has since been its proprietor. Mr. Manning was a member of the City Council for three years; he has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity for twenty-five years. In 1847, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of James and Julia Campbell, of Southport (now Kenosha), Wis. ; they have one daughter, Julia M., now the widow of the late H. K. Dodge, dec'd. Mrs. Manning is a member of the Congregational Church ; Mrs. Dodge is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mrs. Manning's brother, Benjamin Campbell, enlisted in the 6th W. V. I., at Milwaukee, in 1861, and was with his regiment till it reached Baltimore, Md., where he died from physi- cal exhaustion caused by the measles.

ISAAC MERRIAM, dealer in lime, coal, brick, plaster, etc., etc., Columbus; was born in Franklin Co., N. Y., in 1811 ; he is the youngest of a family of seven children, whose parents, Benjamin and Sally (Kendall) Merriam, were natives of Connecticut, but removed to Franklin Co., N. Y., about 1810 ; his father dying when he was quite young, he was soon compelled to earn his own living as best he could; and being thus early in life deprived of his home, he sought employment at farm work from friends and neighbors; coming to Wisconsin in 1847, he located at Watertown, where he followed the carpenter and joiner's trade, to which he became apprenticed in his native county at the age of 21 years ; seven years later (1854), he removed to the town of Lowell, Dodge Co., where he followed agriculture for nearly ten years ; in the spring of 1863, he came with his family to the city (tben village) of Columbus, where, in 1866, he began dealing in lime, coal, etc., and has since continued the same. At Cornwall, Addison Co., Vt., in 1847, he was married to Miss Lucinda S. Goodrich, a native of that county ; their children are: Mary H., a graduate of Wayland University, of Beaver Dam, Wis., and now a teacher in the public schools of Milwaukee; Lucy M .; Sarah I., a teacher in the public schools of this city ; Jesse 1., now a printer at Alexandria, Dak. Mr. Merriam and family are members of the Baptist Church.

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The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, Part 149

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1104