The history of Dodge county, Wisconsin, containing its early settlement, growth an extensive and minute sketch of its cities war record, biographical sketches, Part 95

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 776

USA > Wisconsin > Dodge County > The history of Dodge county, Wisconsin, containing its early settlement, growth an extensive and minute sketch of its cities war record, biographical sketches > Part 95

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CHARLES JONES, merchant ; born on Long Island, N. Y., April 30, 1831 ; son of Gen. David W. Jones, who was a soldier in the war of 1812; Mr. Jones, together with his brother, E. W. Jones, under the firm name of C. & E. W. Jones, are extensively engaged in business in Waupun; they carry the largest stoek of dry goods, fancy goods and notions in that part of the country ; also deal largely in groceries, hats and eaps, in fact, carry a very full and complete line of all goods that are to be found in a first-class establishment of that kind; the firm is favorably known for its fair dealing and earnest endeavors to please its enstomers, and the fact that they have met with such abundant success is strictly owing to their untiring industry, good management and diseretion in purchasing such salable goods as always find a ready market and quick sale.

WILLIAM M. JONES, foundryman ; born in Cortland, Westchester Co., N. Y., June 12, 1822 ; son of Samuel Jones, who was a brave soldier in the war of 1812; his father was Smith Jones, a New York State man, and his father was from Wales; Samuel Jones was a farmer and mechanie; he died in 1843, at the age of 64; William, when 15 years old, commeneed to learn the iron-molder's trade in Peekskill; worked at that trade three and a half years; then went to Lawrenceville, Penn. Married, in 1842, Angelina Herriek, daughter of Job Herriek, who was a native of Vermont ; children are Mary E., now Mrs. Walker, early developed a fine voiee for musie and is now considered one of the fine singers of the country ; she is now in Chicago; William A., died in 1878; Franees, married A. Freeman and is living in Minnesota ; Emma A., married J. H. Robbins and is living in Michigan ; William M., died in infancy ; Evia D, is living at home ; Edgar H., married Emma Baldwin ; he is a molder by trade ; Delia, living at home; Jeff, married a Gamble. Mr. William Jones, after marriage, went to Peekskill and to Port Chester, and then to Troy, N. Y., and to Painted Post, where he engaged in the stove and tinware business; then went to Knoxville, Penn., and to Waukesha, Wis., in 1854, and, in 1856, to Horieon, and, in August, 1873, came to Waupun and has been engaged in the foundry business ever since. Mr. Jones was elected Constable when in Knoxville, and, in Horieon, was Supervisor and on the Village Board. Mr. Jones is a Royal Arch Mason; has been connected with Masonry thirty-five years. Mr. Jones is a man of earnest convictions : if he believes he is right, he " stieks to it;" he has a competence through his hard work and attention to business.

E. W. JONES, merchant ; born in Long Island, in January, 1834; son of Gen. David Jones, who was engaged in the war of 1812. Mr. E. W. Jones commeneed business for himself when 16 years old, being engaged in a general store at Huntington, L. I .; then went to New York City, and was there about three years, and came to Waupun, Wis., in August, 1858, and became interested in trade with his brothers under the firm name of C. & E. W. Jones ; they have built up a large and successful business through their honorable dealing and good management, and now carry one of the largest and best assorted stocks of dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, notions, etc., to be found in this part of the country. Mr. Jones married. in 1864, Margaret Forrest, of New York City ; their children are David W. Jones and Frederick E. Jones. Mr. Jones is a thorough business man, and owes his success to his own personal efforts, guided by shrewd and careful industry.

F. S. KEECHI, druggist; was born in the town of Waupun, four miles north of the village, May 28, 1845, and has always lived in the county ; was engaged in the livery business in Waupun, from Aug. 1, 1871, to Aug. 18, 1872; he then went into the drug business, and has followed it ever since in the city of Waupun, where he now resides. Was married, Dee. 24, 1873, to Helen Markle, who was born Dec. 1, 1852, daughter of Thad W. and Naney Markle, natives of Indiana. Mrs. Keech is a member of the Congregational Church ; has one child-Bessie, born July 27, 1878. Mr. Keech is a son of Isaac and Celinda Keeeh. Isaae Keeeh was a native of Susquehanna Co., Peun., and his wife of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.

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JAMES McELROY, retired farmer; born in County Armagh, North of Ireland, Oct. 17, 1809; son of William MeElroy ; his father was John MeElroy, and the family originally came from Scotland. William MeElroy and family came to Canada in the fall of 1821, and engaged in farming; William died Oct. 8, 1871, at the good old age of 93. James was brought up to work, and, at an early age, earned his own living; he used to chop wood, cleared land for from $2.50 to $6 per acre ; by dint of industry, he accumulated enough money to buy fifty acres of wild land in Canada, which he cleared and sold ; he then bought 100 acres of Church reserve land, worked that till 1836, when he sold out and went to Michigan to settle on ninety-three acres-paid $10 per acre, and afterward sold for $30 per acre, and came to Wis- consin in 1848 (he had been here in 1845 prospecting), and settled on 160 aeres in the town of Alto, Wanpun and Trenton, then added eighty acres more, and afterward forty more. He now owns one of the finest farms in this part of the country. In May, 1872, he moved in to the city of Waupun; through his industry and untiring energy, now has a competence. Mr. MeElroy, in the town of Alto, was Supervisor two years, and County Commissioner two years, and was ten years Chairman of Board of Supervisors. In 1863, was elected to the Assembly, and served on several committees. Married, Jan. 16, 1834, Harriet E. Taylor, daughter of Capt. John Taylor, who was a soldier in the war of 1812; their children are Eliza (married A. Roney), John W. (is farming in the town of Trenton), R. B. MeElroy (is in Milwaukee in the commission business, he married a Miss Burnham), Allen T. (married a Miss Ackerman), two children died in infancy. Mr. MeElroy and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have been for about forty years ; he has been Class-Leader, Trustee and Steward, most of this time. He has been President of the Old Settlers' Club ever since its organization ; has been President of the Waupun Mutual Insurance Co., ever since it started. He has been an Odd Fellow many years, and has taken all the degrees, and attended the General Lodge, and Mrs. McElroy is a member of the Rebecca Lodge, and she has held all the offices. Mr. MeElroy has also been a Mason many years, also belongs to the Temple of Honor and Good Templars. Mr. MeElroy owes his success in life to his unceasing hard work, indomitable perseverance and untiring industry.

D. S. MORSE, Justice of the Peace, was born in Windsor Co., Vt. June 30, 1816; son . of Samuel Morse, who was a native of Connecticut and was a soldier in the war of 1812; his father was Sherman Morse, a Connecticut man ; the family were from England originally ; Samuel Morse died in 1866, at the age of 73; the family came to Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 27, 1843 (Dennis and his brother, O. A. Morse, had been through the West before this date, selling Connecticut elocks), and came to Ches- ter, Dodge Co., September, 1844; they were among the earliest settlers in this section of the country ; they settled on about two hundred aeres and lived in a log house with one room, and went through all the hard- ships that surrounded the early settlers ; Mr. D. S. Morse sold out his farm about 1851, and came to Waupun, where he has been ever since, engaged in buying and selling wheat, loaning money, ete., and now has a competence through his industry and frugality. Mr. Morse married, in 1838, Miss L. J. Parks, daughter of John Parks, who was a native of Vermont; the children are O. A. Morse, Jr., who is engaged in manufacturing carriages ; Samuel, living in Fond du Lac ; Harvey, died in 1872, about the age of 27 (he was an express agent at Beaver Dam and a much respected man); Hattie A., married W. S. Lawrence and is living in Waupun ; Susie married D. A. Lowber, and is living in Waupon ; Sherman J. Morse is practicing law in Waupun. Mr. Morse has been a member of the School Board and Town Board many times, and is now serving as Justice of the Peace, as he has twice before; he is a member of the Odd Fellows and has taken all the degrees, and is an honored and respected citizen.

PHELPS MOORE, livery stable; born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Dee. 11, 1827; son of S. F. Moore, who was from Vermont, and was a soldier in the war of 1812; he enlisted when at the age of 18, and was engaged in several battles ; he emigrated to Erie Co., N. Y., and died when about 56 years old. Phelps Moore came to Waupun in the fall of 1849; he went to La Crosse and entered 180 aeres of land ; he lived in Minnesota three years; in 1851, engaged in the grocery business in Waupun and afterward went into the livery business, which he has been successfully engaged in since; he has the best livery stock in this part of the country. Mr. Moore married Anna M. Hewitt, daughter of George A. Hewitt ; the children were Edith M., died when 2 years old; Ellis T., is attending college ; Bay, is attending school in Waupun. Mr. Moore is a man of liberal spirit, and a prominent member of the society of Odd Fellows.

D. W. MOORE, M. D .; born in Essex Co., N. Y., Sept. 4, 1825; son of Silas Moore, who was from New Jersey ; he was a brave soldier in the war of 1812, and served in all the prin- eipal engagements on the frontier except Plattsburg; he had charge of the hospital at Sackett's Harbor at one time ; he died in November, 1837, at the age of 43; his father, Stephen, and a brother, Silas, were victims during the Revolutionary war, at Valley Forge, dying from exposure. Mr. Moore's grandfather, on his

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mother's side, was Zenas Warren, of Middleboro, Mass., a descendant of the celebrated Gen. Warren ; Zenas served in the Revolutionary war, and, while on his way to the West Indies, was captured by a British cruiser. Dr. Moore attended Bakersfield Academy, Vt., and Castleton College of Physicians and Surgeons, and engaged in practice in Lewis, N. Y., and came to Waupun, Wis., in 1855, and has been carrying on an extensive and successful practice ever since. Married Miss S. L. Jenkins, in New York, in 1855 ; had three children-Marion L., Frank W. and 1). W. Moore, Jr .; his wife died in September, 1862 ; married in October, 1864, Miss E. R. Turner, daughter of W. S. Turner ; one child by this union, Charles T. Moore.

AMOS NUDD, merchant ; born in Rockingham Co., N. H., Sept. 6, 1820; son of John Nudd, who was born and brought up in the same county, and his father, Weare Nudd, was also " raised " in New Hampshire, and was enrolled as a minute-man in the Revolution; these ancestors came from England ; it is not positively known if they " came over in the Mayflower," "or that three brothers came to this country," ete., etc., but the family has a good record, and belonged to that good old Puritan stock whose blood has coursed the veins of the noblest men and women America has produced. Mr. John Nudd was a well-to-do farmer ; when the war of 1812 came he joined the ranks and helped whip the British again ; he lived, and died on the old homestead Jan. 8, 1867, at the age of 78. Ile was a member of the Legislature at one time, and was every way a citizen honored and respected. His wife was Mary Worthington, who died years ago. Amos lived at home till 1-51, then went to Exeter, N. H., and engaged in business there five years ; then emigrated to Richland, Wis., taught school at times, and in August, 1862, eame to Waupun and became engaged with Henry Althouse in the manufacture of pumps ; Mr. Nudd was the inventor of lateral waste valve, which was applied to these pumps; he ac- cepted a position in the counting-room of the concern, and was there till 1874, and was also with Alt- house, Wheeler & Co .; May, 1877, formed copartnership with C. M. Brooks, and engaged in the furni- ture business, under the firm name of Brooks & Nudd ; they have been carrying on a very successful business. Mr. Nudd married, Dec. 22, 1840, Lucy A. James, daughter of E. M. James, who was a good old Yankee from Deerfield, Rockingham Co., N. H. The old homestead is in possession of Fred P. James, who is one of the Directors of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad ; the children were George, who died when 5 years old ; Georgina L., married C. D. Nichols, and living in Columbus, Cherokee Co. Kan .; Mary L., married George Foster, and is living in Oshkosh, Wis .; Nellie F., married Albert Ray- mond, and is living in Chester ; one child died in 1858, and another in 1854. Mr. Nudd's brother, William Nudd, was a brave soldier in the 15th N. H. V. I., was in many battles, and died from exposure, in August, 1864. Mr. Nudd has held offices of trust, and is a member of the society of Odd Fellows; he is also a strong advocate of temperance and a member of the Temple of Honor; it doesn't require the aid of stimulants or narcotics to make Mr. N. a jovial companion, a wit, or a poet-these acquirements are inherent.

J. N. O'BRIEN, M. D., physician and surgeon; born in West Chester, Penn., Sept. 15, 1838; Dr. O'Brien entered Notre Dame College in 1856 and graduated in 1859; commenced the study of medicine at the Rush Medical College in 1861; eminent among the profession there at that time Prof. Brainard, James Adams Allen, Prof. J. W. Freer, Prof. Ray ; Dr. O'Brien, after a thorough course of study, commeneed the practice of medicine in Plymouth, Sheboygan Co., Wis., and, in 1878, came to Waupun ; he is a member of the State Medical Society and a prominent member of the American Medical Association ; also a member of the County Medical Society; he has a large and constantly increasing practice. Dr. O'Brien married, in May, 1866, Anna J. Smith, daughter of Col. H. N. Smith, late Warden of the Wisconsin State Prison and who for many years was a prominent. Democratie politician of the State ; the children are Daisy, born July 4, 1869; Sarah, born Oct. 24, 1872; Harold N., born in April, 1877. The Doctor is a man of genial temperament, and, although his valuable time is mostly oceu- pied with his studies and practice, he occasionally finds an opportunity to follow the sports of the field, and game from mud-hens to deer have to suffer.

R. L. OLIVER, attorney ; born in Scotland, May 4, 1834; son of Theo. Oliver, a hardware merchant ; he came to the town of Alto, Wis., in 1848; came to Waupun and engaged in the manufaet- ure of plows; was successfully engaged till 1858, when he went into the hardware business and carried it on till the time of his death, Dec. 29. 1868. Robert enlisted in Co. D, 3d W. V. I .; was in all the battles that that regiment engaged in; was appointed Sergeant Major after the battle of Antietam on account of bravery ; returned to Waupun in 1864; commenced the study of law in 1865 and now has a successful practice. Married Grace Sampey, daughter of Theo. Sampey; have had three children-Ada Belle, Gertie and Grace.

E. A. PADGHAM, merchant; born in Madison Co., N. Y .. Sept. 6, 1840; son of John Padgham, who was born in Sussex, Eng., Feb. 21, 1799; he was a miller by trade, and was also a local

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Methodist preacher of celebrity; he married, Oct. 11, 1824, Miss Charlotte Hobbs, of St. Peter's Isle, Thanite, Eng .; she was born May 6, 1798; the family came to America in 1830, and Mr. John Padg- ham engaged in farming, which he carried on successfully till the time of his death; his wife is now living in Randolph, Wis., at the good old age of SI; she has in her possession some of a celebrated brand of flour that her husband made, the week they were married, in the old Northwood Windmill at St. Lawrence, Eng. Edward A. Padgham came to Waupun in 1861 to take charge of Ewen's Prison City Item office; he shortly after enteredCo. K, 10th W. V. I .; was in all the engagements with his regiment ; served his time faithfully, and was mustered out Nov. 3, 1864, after having served three years and three months; returned to Waupun, and married, Jan. 3. 1865, Miss Addie Moore, daughter of Mills Moore; have had one child-Jessie A., born Dec. 29, 1872. In 1865, Mr. Padgham was engaged with Phelps Moore, and then with Sykes & Nichols; then accepted a position with Mr. Van Valkensburg, and, shortly after, went to work for I. V. Preston, druggist; in 1867, Mr. Padgham loaded all his worldly po-sessions on wagons, and, with ox-teams, took his march with his family for the great West; they traveled many hundred miles, and suffered some hardships; after getting into Iowa, and not finding the prospect pleasing, they retraced their way to Waupun; Mr. Padgham is now successfully engaged in business in Waupun; has one of the neatest and handsomest stores in the city, and carries a very com- plete and well-assorted stock of groceries, erockery, etc. Himself and wife are members of the Congre- gational Church.

CHARLES RANIE, retired merchant ; born June 14, 1824, in Ruegem, Germany, an island in the Baltic Sea and a place of summer resort; he was the son of Carl Louis Rank. Charles was a soldier in the old country in the 28th Regiment Prussian Infantry ; was honorably discharged at Aix La Chapelle June 22, 1848 ; this was one of the regiments sent to Rastad-Baden to quell a rebellion in which Carl Schurz, Gen. Sigel and others, since citizens of fame in this country, were prominent leaders. Carl Louis Rank and family came to Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 6, 1848; Carl shortly after to Washington Co., and died there in 1854 ; he was born Jan. 9, 1793. Charles was a journeyman tailor in Milwaukee several years ; was employed with H. Frind & Bro. five years; in the fall of 1854, engaged in business for him- self near the Kirby House; in May, 1855, came to Waupun and started a general store in company with John Manz, under the firm name of Rank & Manz; in 1863, he bought Manz out and carried on the business very successfully till 1876; he has now a competence through his good business management and square dealing, owning one of the finest business blocks of the city, which he erected in 1868. Married, Dec. 25, 1854, Christiana Luick, born in Nittingen, Wurtemberg; have had five children-Louisa, born Sept. 15, 1855, died May 7, 1858; Eila G., born Sept. 25, 1858, living at home; Lucy E., born Feb. 9, 1862; Charles A., born Sept. 5, 1864, living at home; William Edward, born Aug. 26, 1866, at home. Ella is teaching school at Oak Center, Fond du Lac Co. Mr. Rank was liberal during the war, giving his aid and support freely to the great cause of national sovereignty.

JOHN J. ROBERTS, merchant ; boro Feb. 5, 1843, in Wales ; son of O. R. Roberts. The family came to Columbia Co., Wis., in the spring of 1847. Mr. O. R. Boberts was a prominent and respected citizen in the old country and held positions of trust ; he was a man of more than ordinary culture ; he died about 1867 at the age of 75. John, when 17 years old, went to work for Gov. Smith, and, in August, 1862, enlisted in Co. E, 29th W. V. I .; served about ten months, and returned and raised a company for the 48th W. V. I., and entered the service again as First Lieutenant of Co. B, and was afterward promoted to captaincy ; served his time faithfully and was honorably discharged. On his return, worked for William E. Smith for awhile, then went in partnership with R. P. Smith in general merchandise store; came to Waupun in the fall of 1870, and engaged in trade with Lewis Smith, and, about ten months after, took the entire business himself, which he has been carrying on very successfully ever since; he is agent for the American Express Co .; he keeps one of the largest and best-assorted stocks of groceries, boots and shoes, crockery, etc., in the city, and deserves a big " credit mark " for his industry and good business management ; Mr. Roberts does not let a chance for shrewd speculation pass without getting his hand in He married, in September, 1868, Miss Jennie Smith, daughter of Alexander Smith and sister of Gov. Smith; the children by this marriage are Malevlin J., born in August, 1869, and died when 6 months old ; Jessie May, born in November, 1871; Almira Chamberlain, in March, 1874; Ira Smith, born Aug. 23, 1878. Mr. Roberts is a Mason and member of the Commandery.

ALMANZO ROBINSON (retired), born in Shoreham, Addison Co., Vt., May 5, 1822 ; son of Samuel Robinson, who was a farmer and drover, and used to drive his cattle to Boston for sale. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of New England ; he was born in 1795, and died Nov. 13, 1833, in St. Lawrence Co .; Almanzo worked on the farm at home till he was 15 years old ; July, 1837, he fell from a load of hay, receiving injuries necessitating the loss

J. M. Peny JUNEAU.

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of his arm ; attended school in Potsdam, N. Y., and also at Ogdensburg, and entered Middlebury Co !- lege, but, his health failing, he had to give up his studies ; shortly after, he purchased a hotel and store in Bombay, Franklin Co., N. Y., sold out and engaged in business in Norfolk, St. Lawrence Co., then went to Brush Mills, and was in same business, and came to town of Chester, Dodge Co., Wis., in spring of 1860, and settled on ninety-one aeres, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits five years ; he then sold out and removed to Oshkosh, where he was successfully engaged in building-supply business (lime, brick, etc. ) ; afterward came to Waupun, and kept general store ; he built and now owns the fine store occupied by John J. Roberts ; in 1870), retired from business, having obtained a competence through his industry and good management. Mr. Robinson married, 1845, Louisa E. Day ; children by this union were Alfonzo S., born Dec. 1. 1846 ( he enlisted in the 32d W. V. I., and died of disease Aug. 30, 1864) ; Alonzo D., born Oct. 14, 1848 (he is in Nevada in the cattle business); Allen P., March 23, 1851 (is in Nevada in cattle business); Mr. Robinson's wife died Jan. 21, 1863. He married the second time, September, 1863. Lodena Saunders, daughter of E. T. Saunders, who was a soldier in war of 1812, and his father, John Saunders, was a Revolutionary soldier ; this family were originally from Vermont, and moved to New York State at an early day. Mr. Robinson, while in New York State, held positions of trust-was Town Clerk, Justice of Peace, and Postmaster ; has been Justice of Peace in Waupun, and has been on the Town Board many times. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have an adopted child, Jessie, born Nov. 20, 1875.

J. W. SEELY, capitalist and attorney at law ; born in Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N. Y., Dec. 10, 1819; son of Henry Seely, who was from Bedford, Westchester Co .. N. Y .; the family came from England as early as 1690 and settled near Stamford, Conn .; a grandfather, Eli Seely, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his brother Thaddeus was taken prisoner and wounded and was never after heard of; Henry Seely died in Bainbridge in 1848, at the age of 61; Josiah W. Seely taught school in New York State when 16 years old, and, in 1835, commenced reading law and finished his course at Ithaea, N. Y .; was admitted to practice at the Supreme Court in Albany, N. Y., and has practiced law successfully to the present time ; in 1858, he came to Marquette Co., Wis .; was there five years, and then came to Waupun, Dodge Co. Married Miss M. S. Humphrey, daughter of Col. Austin N. Humphrey, of Connecticut, who was a descendant of Lea Humphrey, of Revolutionary fame ; the children are Henry A., who has attended school at Ripon College and Madison University ; Clara M., who has attended Ripon College, and Minnie H. Mr. Seely owns 140 acres of land, mostly within the city limits; also owns a fine brick block on Main street, and one of the finest residences in the city; also owns a farm of 240 acres in the town of Alto; he is a man of wealth, which he has accumulated through his shrewd management and good business tact ; he is quite extensively engaged in handling cattle, sheep and hogs, and is an active, sterling business man. Himself and family are members of the Episcopal Church.

PETER SEIFERT, brewer ; born in Germany, 1834; came to Milwaukee June 1, 1850, and engaged in the brewery business, was there a year ; he then went to Iowa, and was there three years, when he returned to Milwaukee and engaged in the same business, and came to Waupun in July, 1870, and bought a brewery, made many important improvements, and now earries on a large and constantly growing business ; he supplies nearly all the trade in the surrounding country, his beer is generally noted for its good qualities. Mr. Seifert married, Nov. 21, 1857, Catherine Brutzie ; children-Mary (died in infancy), Peter (lived to be 21 years 6 months and 9 days old, and died in September, 1879, he was a youth of much promise), Otto (died when 6 years old ), Barteen (died when young), Anna E. is living at home, as is also Eddie Seifert. Mr. Seifert is a respected member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and himself and family members of the Catholic Church.

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The history of Dodge county, Wisconsin, containing its early settlement, growth an extensive and minute sketch of its cities war record, biographical sketches, Part 95

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 776

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 776