Dane County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1906 (part 6 of 29)

William Chelis Colby is now living retired in a beautiful home in South Madison after a career of more than ordinary usefulness, divided between the occupations of railroading and farming. He was born in the village of Salisbury, Merrimack county, N. H., on February 5, 1830, and is the only survivor of a family of three children born to William and Sophia (Mason) Colby, both of the parents being natives of Warner, N. H. Our subject attended the common schools of his native place and at the early age of sixteen years began life as a workman on railroads. He came to Wisconsin in 1854, and his first employment in the Badger state was in the construction work on the Milwaukee road from Prairie du Chien to Milwaukee, in which he continued for fifteen years, during the last seven years of which he had entire charge of the construction work. He was then employed as a conductor for about seven years, but because of failing health he quit the railroad business and purchased a farm in the town of Madison, the place known as the old VanBergen farm, and he resided thereon twenty-seven years, engaged in general farming and stock-growing. He then sold his farm and purchased other property from his wife's parents, also situated in the town of Madison, and he resided there until 1902, when he sold out to the company that erected the Battle Creek Sanitarium on Lake Monona. Mr. Colby then purchased fifteen acres of land in South Madison, where he built a beautiful home in which he now resides. In his political views the subject of this review gives an unswerving allegiance to the time-honored principles of the Democratic party, and his personal worth and ability has been recognized by his fellow citizens in a substantial way. He has held the office of supervisor, representing the town of Madison on the county board of which he is the present chairman, and has also filled the responsible position of assessor seven terms. Fraternally he holds membership in the Masonic lodge of the city of Madison. Mr. Colby was married on March 7, 1864, and the lady of his choice was Miss Hannah Lawrence, a native of London, England, where she was born, August 14, 1841. Her parents were Thomas Saffre and Charlotte (Scott) Lawrence, who migrated to America and were respected citizens of the town of Madison. They became the parents of twelve children, six of whom are living: John Thomas resides in the city of Madison; Hannah is the wife of the subject of this review; Thomas resides in Denver; Richard resides in New York; Charlotte married a Mr. Phillips and resides in San Francisco; and George resides in the city of Madison.

Charles MacLain Colladay, a retired resident of the city of Madison, is a descendant of a long line of Colladays of Pennsylvania. Charles Colladay, son of Jacob Colladay, was born in Philadelphia, June 17, 1764. On July 27, 1786. Charles Colladay and Ann Mac- Lain) were united in marriage. Ann MacLain was born June 4, 1767. The youngest child of Charles and Ann Colladay was born April 12, 1809, and was named William MacLain Colladay. In course of time William McLain Colladay married Mary Ann Kirk (born May 19. 1814.) and with his bride started for Canada immediately after the wedding, which occurred May 29, 1832. Not having sufficient money to pay two fares, the bride rode and the groom walked the entire distance. From Canada the young couple drifted to Illinois, where for several years Mr. Colladay was mail carrier, transporting the mail between Aurora and Chicago, and making the journey on foot. In the early forties the Colladays came to the town of Dunn. There was but one other family in the township at the time, - the Wetherbys, who later moved to California. Starvation seemed to stare them in the face on their arrival on the banks of Lake Kegonsa. Mrs. Colladay was so weak from hunger that she could proceed no farther. Her husband in search for food came upon a school of suckers crowded into a small bay of the lake. With a pitchfork he gathered enough of the fish to last for some time. Mrs. Colladay preserved them by putting them up in a brine of her own make. A few days later Mr. Colladay killed two deer with one shot, and the venison and the fish lasted through the winter. In the spring the husband obtained work in Stoughton as a carpenter, walking six miles night and morning in order to comply with the provisions of the homestead law. The first frame house erected in Stoughton was built by Mr. Colladay; the first bridge across the Rock river on the road between Madison and Janesville and the first saw and grist mills of the vicinity were his handiwork. After seven years he had fulfilled the requirements of the homestead law and he settled down to farming, which. occupation he followed until his death, which occurred November 26, 1893. He always took an active part in politics. He was a Repub- lican and he served two terms in the assembly and two in the senate. He held a great many local offices in the town of Dunn ; he served as justice of the peace in the early days and performed many marriage ceremonies. He had added to the farm until it contained some five hundred acres of excellent land. Mrs. Colladay passed away February 12, 1876. It was through Mr. Colladay that the Masonic lodge of Stoughton obtained its charter, he having walked to Milwaukee and advanced the money to obtain it. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Stoughton. To Mr. and Mrs. Colladay thirteen children were born - Amanda, born March 2, 1833, in Grenville, Ontario, where she died a year later; John B., born March 16, 1836, died September 30, 1865 ; Sarah Ann, born January 26. 1838, died March 4, 1841 ; Emma Jane, (now Mrs. T. P. Camp of Portage. Wis.,) born November 22, 1840 ; George W., born November 28, 1842, died July 6, 1862 while serving in the army ; Theodore A., born February 28, 1844, died November 17, 1881; Alva W., born January 28, 1846, lives in Northwood, la. ; Forest H., born April 21, 1848, lives in Madison; Alvira (Mrs. James Bean, of Aberdeen, Cal.), born April 23, 1850; Alice A.. (Mrs. William Keenan of the town of Dunn), born February 21, 1852 ; William E., born March 25, 1854, resides in Washington, D. C. ; Dora A., (Mrs. Charles Moore of Waterloo, la.), born October 15, 1856; and Charles M., born October 21, 1858. It is said that Alva W. Colladay was the first white child born in the town of Dunn.

Charles MacLain Colladay was seventeen years of age when he began life for himself. For several years he worked the father's farm on shares, and upon the father's death in 1893 he purchased of the other heirs a clear title to one hundred and thirty acres of the state. In 1899 he retired, and built the beautiful residence at 325 West Washington avenue where he now makes his home. The family spends the winters in Madison and returns to the farm in the summer, where Mr. Colladay conducts a highclass summer resort. He has about one and one-half miles lake front of Lake Kegonsa devoted to that purpose. It is one of the finest locations to be found in the country and during each season the place is patronized by a large assembly of prominent guests from various parts of the county. Politically Mr. Colladay is a Republican, but has never held office. Though not a member of any church his sympathies are with the Congregational faith. On December 28, 1887, he married Catherine Elizabeth, daughter of Edward and Harriet (Hub- bard) Whaling, of Deerfield. Airs. Colladay was born October 20, 1858, in the town of Dunn and received her education in the district schools and the Madison high school. She is the third of the four children in the Whaling family, the others being Byron, born September 29, 1852, lives in Osborn, Kansas; Perry I., born July 29, 1856, died February 14, 1900 ; and Alice, born March 5, 1864, lives in Dodgeville, Wis. To Charles and Catherine Colladay have been born two children, - Earl Whaling, May, 20, 1891, and Charles McLain, Jr., June 12, 1896. Mr. Colladay is a well educated man, having attended Albion Academy after having received all the instruction to be had from the district schools. He is a member of the Kegonsa Lodge, No. 73, Stoughton ; the Madison chapter, No. 4, and the Robert Macoy Commandry, No. 3, Madisqn.

Daniel B. Collins, M. one of the well-known and skillful physicians and surgeons of Dane county, was born in Madison, August 15, 1863, of good Irish stock. His father was Daniel H. Collins, born in the county of Limerick, Ireland, where he was a tanner for a time and later in the dairy business. In 1849 he came to the United States, his objective point being Madison. After his arrival here he married Mary McKeen, also a native of the Emerald Isle, and by her had six children, - M. C, a merchant of St. Paul, Minn., Frank and Daniel B., (M. D.), living at home; Nellie, head nurse of Racine college, Racine, Wis. ; Elizabeth, widow of James Hopkins, now living at home ; Genevieve, now Mrs. Henry Cummings of Milwaukee, where her husband is a practicing attorney. Mr. Collins was a good type of the old-school gentleman and a lifelong Democrat. He always took an active interest in the municipal and county politics and at one time served as a representative from the third ward in the common council. From the time of his arrival here until his death on July 17, 1903, in his seventy-eighth year, he never left the city. The following tribute was paid to the decedent: "In the passing of Daniel H. Collins the world loses another of the old school. He settled here when Madison was a small village a half century ago. Coming with Wisconsin's early pioneers, who were known for their rugged honesty, their indomitable will and their noble principles, he aided in building up the character of this great commonwealth as well as contributed to its material prosperity. He was an indulgent father and a faithful husband. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, his advice and counsel were often sought by his fellow-men on vexed questions. He was ever ready to give aid and comfort to those in distress, he added much to the sum of human happiness. The world is better for his having lived. While unostentatious in his bearing, he possessed the proud spirit of the knights of old. founded upon lofty principles, a noble character and high ideals. Though not demonstrative in religion he ever remained in close communion with his Creator. He was a true lover of nature, refined and artistic ; the birds of the air and the flowers of the fields were his friends."

Dr. D. B. Collins, the subject of this sketch, derives his descent remotely from Fiacha Fighinte, son of Daire Cearb, son of Olioll Flann Beag, who is number eighty-seven on the line of Heber, and more immediately from the famous Sept of O'Cuileann or Cuileann, anglicized O'Collins or Collins. They were the lords of Eighter Conghalach of Lower Connello in the County of Limerick, Ireland. The grants were given them by King Charles I of England. January 1, 1649, and one month before he was beheaded, January 30, 1649. The doctor received his education in the high school of Madison and in the University of Wisconsin,, reading medicine in the office of the late Dr. F. H. Bodenius while attending college. In 1887 he was graduated from the Rush Medical college of Chicago with the degree of M. D. and the following three years he spent in Muscoda, Wis., practicing medicine. In 1890' he returned to the city of his birth and has practiced here continuously since. When the course in pharmacy was established at the University of Wisconsin Dr. Collins was a member of the first class. For some years he was physician to the United States prisoners in this county and is at present the examining physician for several large insurance companies. Dr. Collins has never married. He is a member of the American and State Medical Association, the Central Wisconsin and Dane county Medical Societies, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He makes his home with his mother at 506 South Baldwin street.

Cooley L. Comstock, a retired farmer and merchant, residing in the village of Oregon, was born fifteen miles from Erie, in Erie county, Penn., August 16, 1844. His father. William Comstock, was born in Rhode Island, and his grandfather. Aaron Comstockr was a native of the same state, moving from there to Otsego, N. Y., and thence to Wisconsin, and spent his last years in Rock county. William Comstock was a natural mechanic, and followed the trade of stonemason and carpenter, in connection with farming, all of his life. He was maried in Otsego county, N. Y., to Miss Fanny Chapin, a native of that county, where she was born, in the town of Butternuts, July 5, 1810. Soon after their marriage, Mr and Mrs.

Comstock removed to Erie county, Perm., where he resided for a few years, and then, in 1844. emigrated to the territory of Wisconsin. He came by team to Lake Erie, and there took a boat for Milwaukee, landing in the latter city with but $1.50 in his pocket. He came by team from Milwaukee to Dane county, and having a good trade he secured employment and was soon living in comparative comfort. At that time this section of country was but sparsely settled, and the greater portion of the land belonged to the government domain. Mr. Comstock was a very useful adjunct to the region in which he settled, by reason of his mechanical skill, and a number of the log houses and barns which he erected are still standing as silent mementoes of his handiwork. Game was very plentiful in those days, and the family larder could easily be supplied with meat from the surrounding forests. Mr. Comstock selected forty acres of government land in section 31, in what is now Dunn township, and at once built a log house and commenced to make a farm. He bought a cow and a pair of oxen, and as there were no railroads he was compelled to haul his grain to Milwaukee, and with the oxen this meant a trip of six or seven days, when the weather was good. Wheat sold as low as twenty-five cents a bushel, but Mr. Comstock usually managed to get a load of merchandise, to haul back for Madison parties, Bean & RogaL and thus adaed to the profits of his trip. As his means accumulated he bought other land, until his farm contained two hundred acres, and at the time of his death, in February, 1873, he was one of the well-to-do farmers in that section of the county. His wife was the daughter of Luke Chapin, who was a native of Connecticut, but in early life he moved to New York and spent his remaining years, there. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. The maiden name of his wife was Thirza Shaw, and she also died in the town of Butternuts. N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. William Comstock were the parents of four children: Francis C, deceased; Melissa A., now Mrs.. Grout, of Monroe, Wis. ; Cooley L.. is the subject of this review,, and Edgar W. residing in the village of Oregon. They were all edcated in the schools of Dane county. Cooley L. Comstock, to whom this memoir is especially dedicated, was but an infant when he came to Wisconsin with his parents, hence he has no recollection of any other home. He attended the pioneer schools of Dunn township, his father being a warm friend of the common school system and donated the land on which to build a school house. The son commenced life as a farmer and remained with his father until he reached the age of twentv-rive vears. He then bought farm in sec- tion 32, of Dunn township, where he resided for three years, and then selling it he returned to the old homestead, where he resided until four years ago, and of which property he is still the owner. The farm contains two hundred acres of fine land, well improved. In 1902 Mr. Comstock removed to the village of Oregon and entered the mercantile business, which he followed for two years, and then retired from active participation in affairs and is living in quiet enjoyment of the fruits of an industrious career. He has recently erected a fine dwelling house in the village of Oregon, where it is hoped that many years of happiness will yet be the lot of himself and his estimable wife. Mr. Comstock was married, February 28, 1866, to Miss Demarius Johnson, who was born in the town of Dunn, daughter of Solomon and Polly (Baker) Johnson, prominent citizens of that locality, the father having migrated from the state of New York to Dane county in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock are the parents of two daughters, - Leila, who resides at home, and Fanny J. who is the wife of Russell Jones, an extensive farmer and blooded-stock breeder of Oak Hall, Wis. Each of the daughters received an excellent education in the schools of Dunn township and the village of Oregon. Mr. Comstock was formerly a Democrat, but in the more recent years has assumed an independent attitude in political matters. He served two terms as chairman of the town board of Dunn, and has also held school offices. The family is connected with the Methodist church in Oregon, and Mr. Comstock has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America.

Rev. M. A. Condon, who has been for the past seventeen years the pastor of the church of the Holy Mother of Consolation, at Oregon, in Dane county, is a native of Dodge county, Wis., having been born at Hustisford on December 1, 1885. He was born of Irish parents and his boyhood days were spent on the farm, and in the district schools he received his preliminary education. He was one of the first students to be enrolled at the Sacred Heart college, of Watertown, Wis., opened in September, 1872, and he remained as a student there for five years, completing the classical course in June, 1877. In September of the same year he entered the seminary at St. Francis, near Milwaukee, and there took a four years course in philosophy and theology. There he received his sub-deacon and deaconship on April 2 and 3, 1881, from the Most Reverend Archbishop Heiss. Father Condon was ordained to the priesthood in the seminary chapel by Bishop F. X. Krautbauer on June, 26, 1881. His first mission after ordination was at Maple- ton. in Waukesha county, where he was a pastor for eight years, and in 1889 he was transferred to Oregon, Dane county, where he has since been located as pastor of the church of the Holy Mother of Consolation. Under his pastorate the congregation has increased in numbers and a prosperous condition generally is evidenced on every hand.

Henry Clinton Cone is a successful farmer and stock-raiser of the town of York, where his family have lived for many years. He was adopted by G. A. Cone and his wife Aroxia (Porter) Cone, daughter of Garett Porter, whose biography appears in this work. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cone were natives of Cattaraugus county, N. Y., and Mr. Cone's parents, Massena and Elizabeth (Purple) Cone, were born in New York and came to Kenosha county, Wis., in 1838. They moved to the town of York in 1845. Of their six children, G. A. Cone, born April 8, 1829, is the only survivor. He attended school in Kenosha, and in Marshall county, Ind., and learned the blacksmith's trade. He and his wife are both prominent in the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Cone is a member of the Prohibition party. For some time he held the office of justice of the peace. His home is a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres in the town of York, which he worked for many years, but which is now managed by his son Henry. Mrs. G. A. Cone was born May, 31, 1830, -and died July 25, 1901. Henry Clinton Cone was born in Dodge county Wis., October 5, 1862, attended school in York, also at the Marshall Academy and the Waterloo high school. He owns a farm of forty acres and likewise manages his father's farm and makes a specialty of fine shorthorned cattle and Poland China hogs. Like his father, Mr. Cone is allied with the Prohibition party and is active in political affairs. He has twice been assessor of the town. In March, 1888, he married Miss Minnie Cone, daughter of Sterling and Mary (Woodbridge) Cone, of Oshkosh, Wis. Sterling Cone was a prominent member of the Jefferson county bar and a member of the state legislature from Dodge county. He died in 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Cone have had five children. The oldest, Roxie M., is a senior in the Medina high school; Evaline and an infant child are deceased; Hattie Bell is a freshman in the high school and Merrill S. is in the grade schools. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and are active in church work. Mr. Cone is a member of the Marshal branch of the Modern Woodmen.

born in Burlington, Chittenden county, Vt, June 12, 1831. The family left the somewhat restricted conditions of the east to find broader fields of industry in the west, and arrived in Madison, (then a village), in October, 1819. The subject of this brief sketch soon found work which, although hard at times, he followed with a will, obeying the scriptural injunction, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." But there soon appeared before him more prosperous fields. As early as 1854 the firm of Conklin & Gray (Neely Gray) was established, and in a short time became extensively known and very freely patronized. In fact it was the most prominent house in this section in handling wheat and other cereals. This being the time that the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Railway reached Madison and remained here for several years, it was the grand opportunity for Mr. Conklin to demonstrate his business abilities. His manly appearance, his good, calm nature, affable and honest manner soon attracted the attention of farmers who came in for many miles and from all points of the compass with their products. The business of the firm rapidly increased, and it became prominent as the headquarters for farming implements. Later the railroads branched out in all directions and cut off the market trade to a great extent. The firm changed to Conklin & Sons, and the rapid growth of Madison (then a city) required that wood, coal and the staple articles necessary in business houses and in homes, should be handled. Extensive yards, with the latest devices, were established ; and the yards at West Madison are today and for a long time have been on a par with any to be found in much larger cities. Another large yard is established in the sixth ward. At these headquarters all kinds of building material are found, such as brick, cement, lime, sewer pipe, etc. The firm is also engaged in the ice business, the largest in any city in the state outside of Milwaukee. This great plant is found at the foot of Hancock street, on the shore of Lake Mendota,and the main office is at 105 East Washington avenue. But James Conklin had a high and honorable standing in the social and political world. He ably represented the capital city district in the state senate in 1885 and 1887 when important matters were before it for consideration. He was elected for the occasion and his work was decidedly effective. He was mayor of the city in 1881, 1882, and 1883, and again in 1887. In 1882, when he was at the head of the city government our efficient water-works were established; and it wasgreatly owing to his constant work and influence that the handsome site was secured, - a whole block, now a splendid park, - for a trifle- over $-1,000, each lot being- now worth that sum. He represented the fifth ward, when it was first formed, in 1876, and again in 1877 'r and was a member of the board of water commissioners from 1884 to 1889 inclusive. As a member of the board of education he served in 1873, 1881-83, 1893,and 1891-98. In February, 1894, he was appointed postmaster of Madison, and a grand ovation followed. He served the full term, - four years. The large and handsome business block on the corner of State and Johnson streets was built by Air. Conklin. He was one of the organizors of the Bank of Wisconsin, Madison, and a director of it for many years. Mr. Conklin was married in Madison, January 29, 1853, to Miss Mary Egan, and for almost half a century their home was a happy one. The faithful husband died February 28, 1900, and his loving helpmate followed eighteen months later. There were born to them seven children - James E., Margaret E., Matthew H., Kate, Mary Jane, Lucy and John W. Four are living. The sons have conducted the business since the death of their father.

Edward J. Conlin is a native of the 'town of York and resides Upon the farm which was his birth-place, where he engages in general farming. His parents, Bartholemew and Catherine (Bolger) Conlin, were born in Ireland, educated there and came, at different times, to the United States. Bartholemew Conlin was born in 1820 and embarked for America in 1848. He obtained a large farm of unimproved land, improved it himself and established a comfortable home. He married Miss Catharine Bolger, who came to Dodge county with her parents in 1848. Nine children were born to them ; the oldest died in infancy ; the others are Bridget, Thomas,. Mary, James, Michael. Theresa, Edward and Banty. Mrs. Conlin died in 1871 and her husband in 1894. The family is prominent in the Roman Catholic church. Air. Conlin was a Democrat, as is his son, Edward J. The latter was born in the town of York, Feb. 22, 1867, attended the district school and the Columbus high school and pursued a course of study at the Northwestern Business College. He takes an active interest in politics and has served three years as town clerk and is now chairman of the town board. He has a pleasant home on the farm which his father labored to clear and has improved and acided to it many modern conveniences. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church.

Hiram Conry, of Sun Prairie, comes of good fighting stock. His maternal grandfather took part in the American Revolution ; and his father, although Irish by birth, and fifty-one years old at the breaking out of the Civil War, enlisted in the Eleventh Wisconsin

Infantry, 1861, and served during- the war. The subject of this sketch also enlisted as private in Company F, Sixteenth Wisconsin Regiment, December, 1863 and served until the close of the war, taking part in the Atlantic campaign, the famous march from Atlanta to the sea and also the march from Buford to Washington, D. C. His brother Benjamin also enlisted with the first threemonths men, in Company A, Thirty-third Illinois Volunteers Infantry, and reenlisting, served during the war. Thomas Conry, father of Hiram, married Miss Jane Moretts, a native of New York, born in 1800; they came to Dane in 1856. He was at that time a Democrat, but the stirring events of the years soon following changed his political attitude, and he cast in his fortunes with the newly organized Republican party; although for many years a resident of Dane, both Mr. Conry and his wife died in Chippewa county.

Hiram Conry was born in Franklin county, Vt., June 25, 1836, and received his education in the common schools of his native state ; lie came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1856 then a young man of twenty. With the exception of the years that he served in the war, a year and a half in Evansville and a year and a half in the town of Burk, his residence has been in the town and village of Sun Prairie ; he owns seventeen acres about his home, and eleven acres within the corporation of the village. In politics, Mr. Conry is a Prohibitionist and is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church. The family into which Mr. Conry married, - July 3. 1859, - is equally noted for the characteristics of courage and patriotism. Miss Eunice Churchill, born in Niagara county, N. Y., Oct. 23, 1839, daughter of Enos and Nancy (Searls) Churchill, had ancestors on her father's side who came over in the Mayflower, and she is also a direct descendant of Gov. Bradford of the Massachusetts colony. The paternal great grandfather of Mrs. Conry also served in the Revolution ; from him the genealogical line is, a son, Seth Churchill, who married Eunice Dergee ; his son, Enos Churchill, born in Vermont 1797, married Nancy Searls, born in Massachusetts 1797, and removed to New York; they came to Dane in 1814 settled on a farm in Sun Prairie, and here died, he in 1891 and his wife in 1885. He was a carpenter by trade, a Whig in early life and later a Republican ; he and his wife were spiritualists. To Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Conry have been born seven children, all living, Myron W. ; Mary; Mervin ; Elmer; Oscar; Ida; Lena.

is the son and only surviving child of John and Margaret (Ingles) Cook, an older sister, Margaret, having died when sixteen years of age. The parents were both natives of Scotland, the father having been born in the Highlands of that country and the mother in the city of Edinburgh. They were married in their native land and came to America in 1850. The father gave his attention to farming, followed that occupation in Scotland, and upon coming to Dane county took up eighty acres of government land in the town of Springdale, which has been the place of residence of the family during all the succeeding years. The father died on July 30, 1865, at the age of thirty-seven, the result of being kicked by a horse, and the mother passed away in 1892, aged eighty years. The subject of this review was reared in Springdale and received his education in the public schools of that town. After the death of his father, his mother rented the farm out for three years, and then the son, although but sixteen years old, purchased a team and took upon himself the responsibility of cultivating and managing the place. Success attended his efforts from the first, and he has never regretted the fate that cast his lines with the basic industry of agriculture. He now owns a finely-improved farm, comprising two hundred and eighty acres, and aside from the general farming of the same he gives a great deal of attention to stock-raising and dairying. In the latter industry he has his own separator and ships the cream. He is also engaged in the business of buying and shipping grain at Riley's Station, and in this as in all of his other ventures he has won pronounced success. Mr. Cook was married. August 18, 1871, to Miss Nancy Jane McCaughey, who was born on the place where she and her husband now reside. Her parents were James and Maria McCaughey, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They migrated to America and located in the town of Springdale, Dane county, at an early date, and there spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1852 and the mother in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of eight children, the names and more particular mention of whom follow : Sarah J. married Martin F. Krueger and resides in the city of Madison ; John remains at home with his parents ; Maggie married William Salmon of the town of Springdale, and is deceased ; James is in the grain-buying business with his father at Riley's Station ; and William, Agnes, Marie and Marjorie are at home. .Mr. Cook is a Republican in his political affiliations and has served as a member of the school board. Fraternally he has a membership in the lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America at Verona.

Col. Charles F. Cooley is a descendant of an old New England family. The family records go back four generations to Alexander Cooley, a native of Connecticut. He removed from Connecticut to New York in the early part of the nineteenth century, was a volunteer in the War of 1812 and was severely wounded in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. His son, Alexander Cooley, Jr., was also a native of Connecticut and took part with his father in the war. He was engaged in both farming and the lumber business, first in Lewis, then in Livingston and finally in Chautauqua county. He moved to Villenova in the last named county in 1822, and made his home there the remainder of his life. He was engaged in farming and in the lumber business with his brothers, Robert and Harry, during their residence in Lewis county, and the whole family was included in the subsequent removals. They built their own log houses, spun and wove the cloth for their garments and furnished their larder by their skill in the huntsman's craft. All of the experiences of pioneer life, which their descendants repeated in the forest wildernesses of Wisconsin, were theirs. Alexander, Jr.. married Miss Lydia Soloman, a native of Lewis county, who reared a family of five sons and three daughters. She spent her last years at the home of one of her sons in Chautauqua county. Warren Cooley, the son of Alexander, Jr., and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Livingston county, N. Y., May 16, 1822. His early education was of the primitive sort that was obtainable in the backwoods schools seventy-five years ago, but following the death of his father in 1837. he made his home with a family of Friends, and later went with them to live in Utica, where his educational opportunities were greatly improved. He began the carving out of his own fortunes two years before he became of age, entering first into the employ of a general merchant. Shortly afterward he went into the lumber business, subsequently going into mercantile business for himself in Utica, in 1855. Not long after he moved to Wisconsin, locating in Columbia county, first near Fort Winnebago, and afterward near Lodi, following agricultural pursuits, until 1885, when he moved to Madison and there the remainder of his life. He was married, November 5, 1844, to Miss Harriet Isabella Martin, the daughter of Andrew and May (Wilkins) Martin, all natives of England. From this union five -children were born ; Charles F., the subject of this sketch ; Antoinette, Edward, Oscar and Minerva H. Mrs. Cooley died in August, 1877. Charles F. Cooley began his school life in Utica N. Y.. and received his later instruction in the schools of Portage,

Columbia county. He worked on the farm in the intervening vacations of his boyhood, until the stirring events of 1860 and 1861 brought him to a premature manhood, and he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-third Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers. After one year's service he was obliged to return home on account of ill health and received his discharge, being at that time only sixteen years of age. After recuperating by a short rest he again entered the army in Company A, Thirty-seventh Infantry, and remained in active service until the close of the war. He belonged to the Army of the Potomac, and took part in the battle of Petersburg, June, 1864, and witnessed the mine explosion on July 30, of the same year. The hardships of army life, however, proved too great for a boy of his years and he left the army at the close of hostilities, somewhat shattered in health, and sought to repair it by a residence of some years in the bracing climate of what is now North Dakota. While there he was in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad. His residence as a citizen of Dane county began in 1872 when he established himself in the city of Madison as a dealer in fuel, and from a small beginning, gradually built up his, present flourishing business. Colonel Cooley is a Republican and a member of the G. A. R. but has never- occupied himself actively in political affairs. He was married May 12, 1872, to Miss Julia Frederickson, a native of Dane county, and a daughter of Peter and Julia Frederickson. They have six children, Harry, Alexander, Fanny, Ida, Sarah and Charley. Colonel Cooley received his military title and commission as a member of the staff of General Rusk.

Dayton Benjamin Coon carries on a successful general farming business on the old Coon farm in the town of Utica, Dane county, where he was born October 1. 1851, son of Captain Wm. Henry Harrison Coon and Harnia (Burdick) Coon. The Coon family were originally named Macoon and came to Rhode Island from Aberdeenshire, Scotland. John Macoon with seventy-five other men obtained a large tract of land in Rhode Island in 1661, and was made president of Westerly village. This was the first community of Seventh-day Baptists in the United States. The name became corrupted to Coon in the last century and Joshua Coon, a descendant of that family left Rhode Island for New York and settled in Brookfield, Madison county, where he became prominent and successful. Joshua Coon, generaly known as Squire Coon, married a Miss Brown, daughter of a Baptist minister and they were active in the work of the Baptist church, the first one in the vicinity of Brookfield. Their crrandson, W. H. H. Coon, was born in Brook- field in 1818, was educated there and was a captain in the state militia. In 1846, he and his wife came to Wisconsin and purchased four hundred acres of land in the town of Utica which was their home during the remainder of their lives. Captain Coon died in 1898 and his wife in 1900. Both captain and Mrs. Coon were enthusiastic members of the Baptist church and were instrumental in the organization of the church of Seventh-day Baptists in Utica in January, 1850. Captain Coon was a Republican, served as chairman of the town board and as postmaster at Utica and also at one time owned a store at Utica. Five children were born to Captain and Mrs. Coon. Fred W., the oldest son, a banker and tobacco dealer at Edgerton, married Miss Clara McDougal and they have five children ; Grace, Minerva, Winifred, Helen and Warren ; Dayton Benj. is the scond son; Ann the oldest daughter, is deceased; the next daughter married A. B. Stillman of Kansas and they have seven children; - Claude, Clara L.. Ruth A., Henry N., James I., Rose H. and Dayton Theodore ; James H., the secretary of the cooperative creamery association of Utica, is a merchant in Utica and married Rose Kelly of Salem, W. Va. Dayton B. Coon married in December, 1786, Miss Mary A. Potter, who was born in Albion in 1855, daughter of Stephen Potter. Three children blessed the marriage. - Elan Potter who married Mabel E. Wheeler (deceased), is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin and resides with his parents ; Phelps Lester attends Milton College and Rachael Ann attends the home schools.

John Coughin, one of the substantial citizens and representative farmers of Cottage Grove township, Dane county, was born in that township, February, 12, 1860, and is a son of John and Bridget (Roach) Couglin, both of whom were native of Ireland. The parents came to Dane county about the year 1852, having previously resided in Milwaukee, where the father was a drayman for a number of years. He removed to Dane county, as did also three of his brothers and one brother-in-law, all taking up their residence on adjoining farms in Cottage Grove township. There were no railroads in this section at the time, and the trip from Milwaukee was made with teams and wagons. Mr. Coughlin reclaimed his farm from the forest and became one of the representative citizens of his township, where both he and his wife continued to reside until their death. They became the parents of eight children, namely: Margaret, who is now the wife of John Galvin, of Cottage Grove township ; Mary, who is the wife of Mr. Ryan, of the city of Chicago; Bridget Ann, who is the wife of Michael Conlin, of Madison ; Eliza- beth, who is the wife of Charles H. McCloskey, of M adison ; John, who is the immediate subject of this sketch; Kate, who is the wife of John Lewis, of Rockford, Illinois; Ella, who is deceased; and Agnes, who is the wife of Francis Mullen, of Marshall, Wisconsin. John Coughlin, the immediate subject of this review, was reared on the home farm, early beginning to contribute to its development and cultivation and remaining with his parents until their death. His educational opportunities were those afforded in the district school, which he attended during the winter months, devoting his time to the work of the farm during the summer seasons. Upon leaving the home farm he purchased his present place, which he has developed into one of the valuable farms of the county, the land being under effective cultivation, while the buildings are of substantial and attractive order, making the place one of the model farms of this section. Mr. Coughlin has been indefatigable in his efforts and has won a worthy success, while his able and devoted coadjutor has been his faithful wife, who has aided most effectively in gaining the independence and prosperity which they now enjoy. Both are communicants of the Catholic church, and he is a stanch Democrat in his political adherency,, having never been a seeker of office but having served two years as clerk of his school district. On January 19, 1887, Mr. Coughlin was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Coffey, daughter of William and Susan Ann (Reynolds) Coffey, of Cottage Grove township, and they became the parents of five children, namely : John William, born November 2, 1887 ; Bridget Irene, born October 11, 1889; William Francis, born February 23, 1891 ; Walter Daniel, who was born August 7, 1891, and died July 11, 1898 and Stanley Walter, born February 28, 1906.

William Cox is now living retired in the city of Madison, which place was the scene of his active career, and where many buildings stand as monuments to his mechanical ability. He was born near the city of Bath, Somersetshire, England, on March 13 1830, and is one of six children born to Robert and Bethsheba (Fountain) Cox, who were also natives of the mother country. Of the six children mentioned but two are now living - the subject of this review, and his brother Robert, who is living retired in the city of Milwaukee. William Cox was educated in private schools in his native land and was fifteen years old when with his parents he migrated to America. The family settled in the state of New Yorkr on the St. Lawrence river, and resided there two years, after which a removal was made to Ohio, where the family took up a residence near Akron and remained two vears. Another removal was then made, this time to Cleveland, where the father operated as a contractor. Duing two years of the residence in Ohio the subject of this review worked as a carriage maker, and he also acted as overseer of his father's teams for a number of years. About 1859 the family removed to Wisconsin, and the father rented a hotel in the city of Madison and conducted the same until his death, which occurred during the Civil War period, and the mother passed away five years later. At one time twenty-one printers who were employed in the State Journal office boarded with Mr. Cox. The subject of this review started his independent career at the age of eighteen years, and his first venture was in buying timber which he cut into cord wood and sold the same in the city of Cleveland. After the removal of the family to Wisconsin he began carpentering in the city of Madison, and among the buildings upon which he worked are the First National bank, the Park Hotel, the postoffice, the Vilas House, and in fact all the principal buildings in the city erected prior to 1902, when he retired. During this time he bought a lot and erected a beautiful home on Hancock street. He then sold this residence and built a house on East Dayton street which he sold later and then went to Nebraska. But the west had no charms for him, and after a residence of five months in the Tree Planters' state he was glad to get back to Wisconsin. He then erected the home where, with his son-in-law, he now resides, and where he expects to reside the remainder of his days. Mr. Cox was married on September 11, 1864, and the lady of his choice was Miss Rachel Halverson, born in Norway, December 25, 1844. daughter of Halvor Halvorson. Two children were born to this union : Emmanuel Robert married Minnie Randolph and is deceased - his widow resides in Black River Falls, Wis. ; Bathsheba Matilda married Edward Goodman and is the mother of three children - Russell, Edward and an infant daughter. Mr. Goodman is in the employ Fuller & Johnson. The subject of this review is a Republican in his political affiliations and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church.

Bartholomew Coyne, deceased, was for nearly forty years one of the most highly respected citizens of Madison, and his unimpeachable character was attested by continued employment in responsible capacities with various financial and other institutions where honesty and trustworthiness were in demand. Mr. Coyne was a native of the Emerald Isle and was born in Sligo county, Ireland, on September 31, 1818, his parents being John and Winifred (Cain) Coyne, both of whom were also of Irish birth. The father and mother lived out their alloted years and died on their native soil. The subject of this sketch received his education in Ireland and as a young man removed to England, where he resided several years. He was married on November 16. 1848, to Miss Mary Anderson, a native of the city of London, where the marriage occurred, his wife being the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hunt) Anderson, both of whom were English-born. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Coyne sailed for America, and, landing in Xew York, they remained in that city for a short time and then removed to Pennsylvania, where they resided until 1856. In the year mentioned they journeyed westward and took up their residence in the city of Madison. Wis., the trip hither having been made by the way of Chicago. Mr. Coyne continued to reside in the capital city the remainder of his life, dying on August 8, 1891, and his good wife still resides at the family residence, No. 131 N. Bruen street. Mr. Coyne gave an unswerving allegiance to the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and in religious affairs he was loyal to the Catholic faith. Realizing the advantages of an education, it was the constant purpose of himself and wife to equip their children in this regard, and they obtained their reward in seeing their sons and daughters grow into useful and competent men and women. Eight of these children are living. The eldest daughter is Mrs. Cossiboin: Thomas P. served four terms as clerk of Dane county, and was at the time of his death, the weigh-master of the city of Madison. He was killed in an accident, in Madison, June 19, 1906. while attending the funeral of a friend. James resides in Seattle, W ash. ; Mary is a teacher in the public schools of Eau Claire, a position which she has held for more than fifteen years. Elizabeth resides in Superior, Wis., as does also her sister, Mrs. Wolfden ; Kate is the wife of Mr. Frauley ; Joseph resides with his mother, and William is a practicing attorney of Madison.

William Crapp is recognized as one of the progressive farmers of the town of Oregon, and his success has been achieved entirely by his own efforts and the counsel and economy of his. faithful wife. He was born in England, September 11. 1857, being one of the sixteen children of Thomas and Elizabeth (Keam) Crapp, both natives of England, where the mother still resides, the father being deceased. The parents of our subject were among the unfortunate many in the mother country who. being poor, have but a slim chance of bettering their condition, and the father earned the living for himself and family by working by the month or day. William Crapp received his education in the schools of his native land, and realizing' the few opportunities that present themselves in England, in 1884 he and his young wife set sail for America. First locating in Canada he remained in the dominion three years, and then came to Dane county, Wis., by the way of Chicago. He located in the town of Dunn, where he worked as a farm hand for a time, and then purchased forty acres of land in the town of Fitchburg. near Lakeview, upon which he resided until 1895. He then sold his farm and purchased another, comprising one hundred and twenty acres of land, a large part of which was improved, in the town of Fitchburg. where he has resided ever since. There he has given his entire attention to the tilling of the soil, combined of course with the kindred occupation of stock-raising. In the latter line hehas devoted his efforts mainly to the breeding of Shropshire sheep,, in which he has been very successful, and he also follows dairying" to a considerable extent. Since purchasing the farm on which he resides he has added extensively to its improvements, mainly in the matter of buildings, and in the erection of these he has spent about $4,000, building a fine residence, a barn, granary, etc. Mr. Crapp is independent in his political views, and gives his support tomen and measures as they appeal to his ideas of right and expediency, uninfluenced by the fetich of a party name. He was married on June 16, 1882, to Miss Jane Hooper, daughter of John and Ann Hooper, of Saint Neots, England, where the father follows the occupation of a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Crapp were members of the Church of England before coming to America, but they now are members of the Presbyterian denomination. They have no children.

Charles Cripps, a retired farmer of the town of York, came to Dane county with his parents when he was a young lad and has always resided in the locality. William and Hannah (Gregory) Cripps, his parents, were both natives of England, were married there and after some years came, in 1840, to the United States. They located in York and made it their permanent home. Thirteen children -were born to them, of whom six are living. Mr. Cripps died at the advanced age of eighty-four years after an active and useful life. He was one of the pioneers of the new community and helped to lay the foundations of its prosperity. Charles Cripps was born in England August 19, 1826, attended school in England and in Dane county and aided his father in the establishment of the new home. He has seen the development of the district from a sparsely-settled, wild country, abounding in game, to its present condition of prosperity, and shared in the labor incident to its improvement and also in the rewards. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-nine acres, which until recent years he managed himself. He has now given it into the care of his son, Charles H. Cripps. Mr. Cripps is a Republican but has occupied himself with the business of his farm rather than in taking an active part in politics. In March, 1856. he married Miss Abigail Irons, who was born in Otsego county, N. Y., December 19, 1825, daughter of Samuel and Betsy (Weaver) Irons, who came to Dane county about 1840 and lived there the remainder of their lives. One daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Cripps, Imogene, who died in 1885. Charles H. Cripps, their adopted son, married Miss Hannah Austin of Elba, Wis., February 22. 1894. They have one daughter, Imogene. born September 9, 1898.

George A. Cripps is a well-known and successful farmer of York township. With his brother, Frederick H.. he owns one hundred and sixty acres of farm property upon which they carry on a general farming and stock-raising business. Fine Hereford cattle are raised upon this farm as well as other varieties of stock. Their father, William W. Cripps, was born in England in December, 1828, was educated in England and came to the United States in 1855. He obtained a farm in the town of York and set about clearing and improving it. Mrs. Cripps, nee Emma Smith, was born in England April 22, 1838, and married in England to William Miles, with whom she came to America and lived in Columbia county, Wis. She was soon left a widow and Mr. Cripps became her second husband. Eight children were born to them, of whom six are living. Mrs. Cripps was a member of the church of England. For the remainder of his life Mr. Cripps operated the farm in York and died there in 1895. He was Republican and active in local affairs. George A. Cripps was born in Hamden, Columbia county, Wis., November 18, 18G4, attended school in the town of York and assisted his father on the farm. He still lives at the old home arfd by the energy of father and sons it has been transformed from wild land to a complete and well-equipped farm. Mr. Cripps is, like his father, a Republican in his political affiliations but is not active in political life or an office-holder. April 7, 1897, he married Miss Anna Moutz. daughter of John and Victoria (Moutz) Wolfer of Columbus, Wis., who was born in Germany, August 22, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Cripps have one son and one daughter; Reuben John, born June 1, 1904 and Emma Victoria, born April 17. 1900. Mrs. Cripps is a devoted member of the German Catholic church.

of the medical profession in Dane county, and he has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Sun Prairie for the long period of forty-five years, also being identified with the drug business during this time, so that he is entitled to consideration as one of the pioneer physicians and business men of this attractive and thriving village. Dr. Crosse was born in Cortland county, New York, April 26, 1828, and is a son of Daniel and Mercy (Fish) Crosse,, the former of whom was born in New Hampshire, of stanch old colonial stock in New England, while the latter was born in Broome county, New York, having been a distant relative of Hamilton Fish, who was secretary of war during the administration of General Grant. Joseph Crosse, grandfather of the doctor, served seven years as a soldier in the Continental line during the War of the Revolution. Daniel Crosse took up his residence in Chautauqua county, New York, in an early day. later removing to> Cortland county, whence he removed with his family to Ohio in the thirties, settling in Lake county. He remained a resident of the Buckeye state until 1846, when he removed to the new state of Wisconsin, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in Whitewater, Walworth county, in 1882, while his wifethere passed away in 1878. In early life he followed the blacksmith trade, but he later became a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church, laboring thereafter in the vineyard of the divine Master until he was summoned to the life eternal. He was a man of noble character and strong mentality and was numbered among the pioneer ministers of his church in Wisconsin. He was originally a Democrat in politics, but united with the Republican party at the time of its organization, ever afterward remaining a stanch advocate of its principles. Of his twelve children ten lived to attain maturity and of the number five are living at the time of the compilation of this sketch, in 1905. Dr. Charles G. Crosse secured his earlier educational training in the common schools of Ohio, after which he attended an academy at Mentor, Lake county, that state,' finally entering the Western Reserve College, where he completed his more purely literary education. In 1853 he was graduated from the Cincinnati Medical College, from which he received his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine, and he then located in Amherst. Lorain county, Ohio, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession until 1854, when he came to Wisconsin and located "in Newport, Sauk county, where he continued in practice until the 1st of January, 1860, when he took up his residence in Sun Prairie, where he has since maintained his home and where- he has long held high prestige and popularity in his profession, controlling a large and representative practice. In 1865 he became assistant surgeon in the Fiftieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving" about one year. Soon after locating in Sun Prairie Dr. Crosse established a drug store there, and with this line of enterprise he has ever since been identified, having now a well equipped and attractive establishment. Since 1880 his son, Dr. Theodore P., has been associated with him in the business, as well as in the practice of his profession, under the firm name of Crosse & Crosse. Dr. Crosse owns a valuable farm, lying contiguous to the village of Sun Prairie and is also the owner of a fine farm in Minnesota. He is unswerving in his allegiance to the Republican party, with which he has has been aligned from the time of its organization, having cast his first Republican vote for General John C. Fremont, first presidential candidate of the "grand old party." Dr. Crosse was president of the village of Sun Prairie for three years and a member of the municipal board of trustees a similar period, while for five years he was supervisor of Sun Prairie village, and in 1880 was a member of the assembly of the state legislature. The doctor was one of the charter members of Sun Prairie Lodge, No. 143, Free and Accepted Masons, and was its worshipful master for the first fifteen years ; he was also affiliated with the local organization of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows until its discontinuance. September 26, 1853, Dr. Crosse was united in marriage to Miss Rowena Smith, who was born in Lorain county, Ohio, July 17, 1830, being a daughter of David and Fannie (Barnes) Smith, both of whom died in Ohio, Mrs. Crosse being the only survivor of their nine children. Dr. and Mrs. Crosse became the parents of three children : Theodore P. is individually mentioned in this history ;: Charles Sumner Crosse is the publisher of a paper (Republican), in Stoughton, Wisconsin ; and Edith, who was graduated from the University of Wisconsin, as a member of the class of 1880, was united in marriage, in 1883, to Edward Gleason, and her death occurred in 1884.

Charles S. Crosse, editor and proprietor of the Stoughton Hub, was born near Kilbourn, Columbia county, Wis., March 22, 1858, a son of Charles G. and Rowena (Smith) Crosse. His paternal grandparents were David and Mercy Crosse of Cortland county. N. Y., and the maternal grandparents, David and Fanny Smith. were born in Amherst,' Lorain county, Ohio. Charles G. Crosse, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Cortland county. N. Y., April 26, 1828, and first came to Wisconsin in 1854.

locating at Hart Prairie, Walworth county. Wis. Subsequently he removed to Sauk county and in 1860 settled at Sun Prairie, which place has since been his home. He is a well known physician whose life is recorded at some length in the preceding sketch. Charles S. Crosse passed his boyhood days in Sun Prairie and received what educational advantages the school of that village offered. In 1877 he started the Sun Prairie Countryman, a weekly publication, and conducted it until 1889. That year he sold out his interest and went to Little Falls, Minn., where he was the chief influence in the inception of the Little Falls Herald. His residence in the village continued only nine months, however, his connection with the paper being severed in the fall of the same year. He then came to Stoughton, where he purchased a controlling interest in the Stoughton Hub, which weekly publication he has since been successfully conducting. On June 2o, 1884, Mr. Crosse was united in marriage to Clara Bell, daughter of Orin and Rosina Washburn of Sun Prairie and by this union is the father of two sons. - Charles W., a cadet in the U. S. naval academy at Annapolis, and Giles W. Politically Mr. Crosse is influently identified with the Stalwart wing of the Republican party. He is a member of Kegonsa lodge, No. 13, Free and Accepted Masons.

Theodore Parker Crosse, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of his profession in Sun Prairie, as a member of the firm of Crosse & Crosse, also conducting a successful drug business, is a son of that honored pioneer physician, Dr. Charles G. Crosse, with whom he is associated under the title just noted and of whom specific mention is made on other pages of this work, so that a recapitulation of the family history is not demanded in the present connection. The doctor was born in Newport, Sauk county, Wisconsin, on October 3, 1855, and January 1, I860, his parents moved to Sun Prairie, where he has ever since made his home. He duly availed himself of the advantages afforded in the local schools, and then passed two years as a student in the University of Wisconsin. In 1876 he was matriculated in that celebrated institution. Rush Medical College, in the city of Chicago, where he completed the prescribed course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1879, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He had previously had most effective professional preceptorage under the direction of his father. August 1, 1880, Dr. Crosse became associated with his father in the practice of his profession in Sun Prairie and also in the drug business, and he has well upheld the prestige of the honored name which he bears, both as a physician and surgeon and as a loyal and public-spirited citizen. He is one of the leaders in the local ranks of the Republican party, and has been supervisor of this village for many years, while has has also served as village president and been incumbent of other offices. He is a member of the state and county medical societies, and is affiliated with Sun Prairie lodge, No. 143, Free and Accepted Masons.. April 5, 1882, Dr. Crosse was united in marriage to Miss Ella Mary Rood, who was born in the state of Pennsylvania, being a daughter of Henry Rood, who was a resident of Sun Prairie at the time of his death. Dr. and Mrs. Crosse became the parents of three children : Edith is a member of the class of 1906 in the University of Wisconsin; Frank died in 1904; and Theodore Giles is attending the public schools of Sun Prairie.

John Culb, a prosperous farmer of the town of Oregon, was born in the province of Bavaria, Germany, on September 11, 1848, and is one of three children born to Henry and Elizabeth (Brown) Culb both of whom are also natives of the Fatherland, where the father served six years in the German army. John Culb was reared to manhood in Bavaria and his education was limited to three months during which he attended a public school there. He was the only one of the family who ever came to America, and in 1867, when but nineteen years old, he bade adieu to home and kinsfolk and sailed for the land of better opportunities. Coming directly to Dane county, Wis., he worked as a farm hand for the first eight years, and then began independent farming by renting land, which method he followed until 1890. During the latter year he moved to the village of Oregon and purchased a house and three lots near the Northwestern Railway station, where he resided four years and which property he still owns. In 1894 he purchased in the valley of Oregon, the homestead where he now resides, comprising eight acres, and in 1905 bought another house with four and three-fourths acres of land adjoining the place of his residence. His career has been a successful one, but it appears the more remarkable when it is known that he came to America unable to speak or comprehend a word of the English language, and with a decidedly limited education in his native tongue. But he applied himself assiduously, not only his work but to books and periodicals, and by a constant practice of this and he has not only succeeded in a material sense but he is as well posted on current topics as the average man in any community. In politics he maintains an independent attitude and gives his support to men and measures that meet the approval of his better judgment regardless of party label 14 - iii or partisan prejudice. He and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Culb was married on May 1, 1876, the lady of his choice being Miss Catherine Goerges, a native of Milwaukee, where she was born on July 7, 1853. She is one of twelve children born to Henry and Catherine Goerges, who now reside at Middleton, Wis. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Culb : Lucy Elizabeth married Matthew Parr and resides in Beloit, Wis. ; Anna is employed in the city of Madison ; Lena resides with an uncle in Minnesota ; Henry George is at home ; Mary married William Ward and resides in Brooklyn, Wis. ; and Frederick, John, Janette, Edward and Earnest Mark reside at home.

J. H. Cunningham, D. D. S., practicing his profession in Madison, was born in the same city on Jan. 3, 1865. He was one of twelve children of Patrick and Julia Cunningham, both born in Ireland, the former in 182-1 and the latter ten years later. The father served for a short time in the Union army during the Civil War. Two years after his marriage in New York in 1855, he brought his wife to Madison. The seven surviving members of the family are David W., Thomas J., Hanna V., J. H., the subject of this sketch, Mrs. Kelly of Chicago, Mrs. A. O. Bush of Madison and Alice J., now living in California. The father died in his sixtyfifth year and the mother in her seventieth. Dr. Cunningham rereceived his preparatory education in the Madison schools and then acquired his technical training in the Chicago college of dentistry, being graduated with the class of 1896. Since 1899 he has practiced in the city of his nativity, and now enjoys a large and lucrative business. Politically Dr. Cunningham is affiliated with the Democratic party but has never aspired to office. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. On June 29, 1905, Dr. Cunningham led to the altar Miss Agnes S. Dempsey, daughter of Dennis and Mary Dempsey of the town of Blooming Grove. There are no children in the family. In a fraternal way the doctor is identified with the Knights of Columbus.

George W. Currier, deceased, for thirty-four years prominently identified with the business, social, educational and religious circles Stoughton, was born at Topsham, Orange county, Vt., May 9, 1847. He was one of three sons of Edson and Lucinda (Graves) Currier, the other two being Charles, deceased, and Frank, now clerk of the municipal court of Dane county. In October, 1866, he came to Wisconsin, making his home with an uncle in Fulton, Rock county, Wis.3 for about a year. In the fall of 1867 he entered Albion academv and alternately taught school and attended classes until he was graduated from that institution in 1872. In September. 1873, he was elected principal of schools in Stoughton, then a village, and for four successive years was re-elected to the position. During the last session of the forty-fourth congress he was appointed to a position in the house of representatives and in 1878 was chosen principal of the Shawano, Wis., schools. The following fall Mr. Currier returned to Stoughton and engaged in the general insurance business and continued in it until he was again chosen, in 1880. as the head of the Stoughton school system. This position he held until 1885, when he re-embarked in the insurance field, and in that business he continued successfully until his death. His political associations were with the Republican party, and for twenty years, as the representative of that organization, he served as justice of the peace. In 1874 he was the Republican nominee for clerk of the court and at one time was editor of the Stoughton Courier, a Republican weekly. In March, 1876, Mr. Currier was united in marriage to Annette, daughter of Dr. Burrow and Caroline A. (Sheldon) Burdick of Edgerton, Wis., and to this union were born two children. - Louis Claire and Zoe L., the latter now the wife of Ray G. Anderson. Mr. Currier's death occurred suddenly on May 14, 1906, a hemorrhage of the brain being the cause. He possessed to a high degree the esteem of his fellow citizens and was ranked as one of the most influential and prominent men of Stoughton. Any movement having for its object the betterment of his home city found hearty co-operation in this most upright man. His sudden demise cast a pall of gloom over the city. In no place has his loss been more keenly felt than in the congregation of the First Methodist Episcopal church, in whose activities he had taken a leading part for many years, and among the members of the city library board, of which he was a member. The Stoughton Hub remarked editorially of Mr. Currier.

"Nature used her choicest model of a man when she molded George W. Currier. His life was gentle. He demeaned no living thing. He was tender, sympathetic, charitable and wondrous kind. If he had grievances, he smothered them. Resentment was not in him ; indeed, he would condone a grievous wrong unto himself rather than harbor it. A cheery smile, a genial 'Good morning,' a warm handclasp were his passports, and he used them every day in the year to one and all alike. He was never belligerent. He would not and could not antagonize aggressively. His battles were always for the right, but he waged them quietly, inoffensively and with malice toward none. In nothing was he fanatical, but was

Charles Albert Curtis, captain United States army, retired, now commandant of the University of Wisconsin corps of cadets, whose home is at 505 Frances street, Madison, was born at Hallowell, Kennebec county, Me., October 4, 1835, a son of Charles Stubbs and Amanda Fit'z Allen (Haram) Curtis, the former a native of Leeds and the latter of Bath, Me. Captain Curtis is a descendant of William Curtis, who arrived in New England on the ship Lyon in 1632. His paternal great-grandfather, William, was a first sergeant of a company raised in Hanover, Mass , for the Revolutionary War. His maternal great-grandfather, Abner Curtis, was a second lieutenant of another company from Hanover recruited for the same conflict, which company also contained Captain Calvin Curtis, later a distinguished officer of the Continental army, and fourteen others of the name of Curtis, all lineal descendants of William, the immigrant of 1632. The committee of correspondence and safety for 1775 and the years following contained as members Abner, Bezaleel and Lemuel Curtis, three brothers. There were few organizations, either military or naval, raised in the town of Hanover during that critical period of American history which did not contain some member or members of the Curtis family. Many of them had served with the English army in the French and Indian war. The blockhouse of Hanover, erected in the early days to guard against Indian attacks, was called the Curtis garrison, and what is now Main street was in the early times known as Curtis street. The famous Curtis forge of Hanover, - which has been in the possession of the family since 1790, - prior to 1852, when the government established its own works, made all the anchors for the United States navy. On his mother's side Captain Curtis is a direct descendant of Captain John Haram who commanded in the Revolutionary War a company raised in the district of Maine. The subject of this sketch received his preparatory education in the Vermont military college and his collegiate training in Bowdoin college, Maine. From July 17, 1861, to April 14, 1862, he served as private military instructor to the field officers of the First Maine Infantry, then in the Army of the Potomac, and was then commissioned second lieutenant in Company F, Fifth United States Infantry. The appointment was made by Pres. Abraham Lincoln for "extraordinary merit." After receiving his lieutenancy he continued service in the same army through the Peninsular campaign and up to the battle of Antietam. In 1864 he served with his regi- ment in New Mexico and became a participant in the Indian wars, fighting against the Navajos, Apaches, Sioux and Cheyennes from 1864 to 1869. His promotion to a first lieutenancy was made March 30, 1864, and to the captaincy September 27, 1865. In December, 1870, he was placed on the retired list of the army and since that time has been continuously engaged as commandant at some institution of learning. In 1899 he was appointed a colonel in the Wisconsin National Guard by Governor R. M. La Follette. In his political affiliations Captain Curtis is a Republican. His religious connections are with the Protestant Episcopal church, and he is identified with many other organizations, among them the Masonic fraternity, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Society of the Army of the Potomac, the Organization of the Sixth Army Corps, , the Sons of the American Revolution, Alpha Pi Sigma fraternity and the Society of the Scabbard and Blade. On May 17, 1866, Captain Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Harriette L. Hughes, daughter of Barnett and Martha Lane (Clark) Hughes of Ashland, N. H. To this union have been born five children, - Wardon A., Laurence A. George Hughes (died in infancy), Dorothea Hughes, and Barbara Hilton. Captain Curtis has done considerable writing for newspapers and periodicals and has had one book published by the Harpers.

E. R. Curtiss, Madison's veteran photographer was born in Southington, Conn., May 6, 1836. His preparatory education was such as the common schools furnished and his business training was received in Albany, N. Y. In 1859 he came to Madison and established himself in business. His first gallery was in the Badger block, which occupied the present 'site of the Bowman block, and then moved to the Keyes building. After his removal from the Keyes building he conducted his studio in the Klauber block for twenty-three years. The next five years the Curtiss galleries were in the Fairchild block and in 1888 they were removed to their present location in the Pioneer block. There is probably no photographer in the state who has had before his camera so many men of note as has Mr. Curtiss. Every member of the legislature from the session of 1866 to that of 1905 has been "snapped" by him, as have also all the governors and other state officers. The negatives are all in Mr. Curtiss' possession. On May 11, 1859 Mr Curtiss was united in marriage to Eva A., daughter of John A. and Martha Lingenfelter of Fonda, N. Y., and to this union were born three children, - Fred W., also engaged in photography in Madison ;

May E., wife of H. C. Geiger of Atlanta, Ga. ; and Helen Gertrude, wife of Paul M. Keely of Sanford, Fla. Mrs. Curtiss is a member of and a substantial worker in the First Methodist Episcopal church of Madison. Her husband is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Courteous, genial, kindly, Mr. Curtiss has won for himself an enviable position in the hearts of his fellow citizens ; while his integrity,, square dealing and enterprise have placed him in the front rank of Madison business men.

James William Custer, a prominent farmer of the town of Dunn, was born near Madison, Jefferson county, Ind., on March 29, 1834. His father, Jesse Custer, a descendant of Daniel Boone, was born near Lexington, Ky., in April, 1800 ; the mother, nee Nancy Spurgen, was born in the same locality in 1804. Of the seven children in the family four are still living, - Rual F., Isaac, and Daniel Boone, all living in the old home in Indiana, and James William, a resident of Dunn township, and the subject of this sketch. What opportunity James William had for an education came in the schools of Kentucky. When eighteen he started life for himself. His first employment was cutting saw logs, and it occupied his time until he was twenty. Another year was spent in a lumber mill and in 1855 he came to Wisconsin, working as a farm hand for a year. After five years spent in working land on shares he was enabled to buy a piece of land one hundred and sixty acres wholly unimproved ; today this is one of the best equipped and most successful farms in the vicinity. Politically he is a man of influence in the councils of the Republican party and for six terms served as town chairman and one term as supervisor. Mr. Custer for the past seventeen years has been custodian of the school funds. In religious matters he is a stanch believer in the principles of the Methodist Episcopal church. On December 11, 185G, he married Gertrude, daughter of Philip and Catherine (Dubois) Vanburen. of Kingston, N. Y. Mrs. Custer was born July 17, 1838, and was educated in the public schools of Kingston. Of thirteen children of the Vanburen family Mrs. Custer is the only one still living. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Custer has been blessed with eight children, - John Wesley, born January 3, 1858, married Mary J. Shoultz, and lives in the town of Dunn ; Frank, born January 19, I860, married Louisa Shadel, and now lives in South Madison ; Myrtilla Florence born November 29, 1861, married Myron Conry, and lives in Bruce, Wis. ; Boone Cary, born December 13, 1863, died February 9. 1883 ; Jesse, born September 6, 1866, married Jessie Morse and now lives in Olivia, Minn.; James William, Jr., born March 4, 1870, married Lena Palmer, now resides in Delton, Wis. ; Philip, born February 16, 1873, married Jennie Morse, and now lives on his father's farm ; and George Washington, born October 18, 1876, and lives in the town of Blooming Grove. Mr. Custer expects to spend the remainder of his days in the midst of the community in which he has attained so prominent a place.

Christian Anderson Dahle was prominent in Dane county for many years and spent the last years of his life from 1890 until his death, April 7, 1905, retired from active business in his pleasant home in Morrisonville. He was born in Norway, December 31, 1831, son of Andrew and Rhoda (Marcus) Dahle, both natives of Norway. Mrs. Andrew Dahle died in Norway and her husband came to the United States in 1852, locating on a farm in the town of Bristol. After a few years in Bristol he went to Minnesota, where he died. Christian A. Dahle was educated in Norway, came to Bristol township upon reaching Wisconsin and soon after went to the northern woods, where he was employed for three years. Returning to Dane county, he farmed for a while in the town of Vienna and finally purchased a farm in Bristol, upon which he resided and carried on a successful farming business for twenty-eight years. For about three years he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Sun Prairie and then moved to Morrisonville, where Mrs. Dahle now resides. Mrs. Dahle was, before her marriage, Miss Anna Johnson, and was born in Norway in 1839, daughter of John Sjurson and Christiana (Anderson) Sjurson, both of whom were born in Norway in the year 1798. In 1848. they came to Dane county and owned a farm in the town of Bristol. Here Mrs. Sjurson died in 1878 and her husband lived for some years longer. He died in Sun Prairie in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Dahle were blessed with twelve children, but have been saddened by the loss of nine of their sons and daughters. The oldest daughter, Randea Maria, and John, the oldest son, are deceased ; Christiana Carolina, Andrew and Marcus are the living sons and daughter. The other children were Ole Andreas, John, Benne Edwin, Ella Josephine, Edwin John, Benne John and an infant. The family is identified with the Lutheran church. Mr. Dahle was a Republican in political sympathy but not an active politician.

Herman Bjorn Dahle, an esteemed and prosperous citizen of Mt. Horeb and for two terms the representative of the second district of Wisconsin in the lower house of the United States congress, was born March 30, 1855, in the town of Perry, Dane county. He comes of excellent Norwegian stock. His father, Onon Bjornson

Dahle, first saw the light of day in Telemarken, Norway, October 4, 1823, not far from the birthplace of Aasmund Olafson Vinje, Norway's greatest lyric writer. His education was the best offered to people of Mr. Dahle's means. He attended school until he was nineteen years of age, first in the district schools and then for a time at Bronkeberg seminary. The first five years of his life after the completion of his studies were spent in teaching in his native parish. While the labor was congenial the salary was not such as to permit of an easy or even comfortable life, and Mr. Dahle, in the prime of his manhood, decided to seek his fortune in the new world. He arrived in New York on July 5, 1848, and started immediately for Wisconsin by way of the Hudson river, the Erie canal and the Great Lakes. Milwaukee was reached in August of the same year, but his stop there was not long, crossing the lake to Michigan to work in the woods. After a few weeks, however, he returned to Milwaukee and was ill there for some time. Upon recovering he sought the Norwegian settlement at Koshkonong and being physically unable to work at manual labor, taught parochial school for ten dollars a month, board and lodging coming from the parents of his pupils. Thus was the winter of 1848-1849 spent. In the spring a cousin, Knute Dahle, joined him and the two pioneers "hired out" for the summer and fall. It was evident to both Dahles that there was no more than a bare existence to be had from this kind of labor so they determined to cast their lot with the emigrants to the California goldfields, the excitement of which was then at its height. The start of the journey westward was on foot, through Madison, Blue Mounds and Platteville to Galena. 111., where a steamer was taken to St. Louis. The winter of 1859-60 saw the Dahles cutting wood near St. Louis in order to obtain money enough to continue their journey. The hardships and trials endured in the journey across the prairie and mounta'ns would fill a small volume; suffice it to say that after successfully combating the fatigues and overcoming the difficulties incident to the trip the Dahles arrived in Georgetown, Cal., on August 5, 1850 Here they met a countryman, a sailor, who had a claim near by and offered them the opportunity of working it for him. The claim proved to be worthless and the two young men, with seven dollars each, given them by their newly found friend, started for Sacramento. At Sacramento they went to work on the levee at $75 a month. Cholera was raging in the vicinity at the time and Knute was stricken. The attack was not severe, however, and as soon as he was able to move his cousin took him to San Francisco and from there, by steamer, to Oregon. During the winter they earned a livelihood by cutting and rafting trees to a saw mill near Salem and in the spring returned to the goldfields. At Yreka, where gold had been but lately discovered, the Dahles were fairly successful, but before end of the summer their water supply gave out and they removed to a claim on the Humbug river. They "struck it rich" on the Humbug and after prospecting for some time in the vicinity, they determined to return to Koshkonong. The trip was made via Sacramento, San Francisco, the Isthmus of Panama, New Orleans, St. Louis and Galena to Koshkonong, where they arrived on January 3, 1853. Later in the same year O. B. Dahle located in Perry, where he opened a small store. His business interests in this town continued until 1897, when he retired and removed to Mr. Horeb. In 1854 O. B. Dahle married Miss Betsy Nelson of Racine and the union has been blessed with several children, four of whom are still living, Hon. Herman B., the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. James A. Peterson of Minneapolis, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin ; Theodore Dahle, associated with the former congressman in the Mt. Horeb business concern; and Henry L. Dahle of Mt. Horeb. Hon H. B. Dahle received his education in the district schools of the town of Perry and for a while attended the University of Wisconsin. In 1877 he married Miss Anne Kittleson of Perry and the same year removed to Mt. Vernon, where he engaged in the general merchandise business. Ten years later he made Mt. Horeb his home, becoming" the senior partner in the firm of Dahle Brothers. He is also largely interested in and was one of the incorporators of the Mt. Horeb bank. \ His first election to congress was in 1898, and in 1900 he was re-elected, receiving some 22,000 votes. Politically he is a Republican and has for many years been a leader in his party.

Charles Dahlk is a prosperous farmer of Middleton and a veteran of the Union army. With his brother he came to America in 1857 and located in Middleton. The brothers were natives of Mecklenburg-Shwerin, where their parents, Christian and Sophia Dahlk always lived. Christian was a laborer and the father of four sons and two daughters, of whom Charles and John came to America and afterward Frederick Joachem. Charles was born August 29, 1830. received his education in the common schools in Germany and upon coming to Middleton, became a farmer. Taking up eighty acres of wild land in section 32, he proceeded to clear it and later added to it another eighty acres. Many improvements were made and substantial buildings erected. In 1878 this farm was sold and the present "homestead purchased. This was formerly owned by Samuel Billings and was already under cultivation. Mr. Dahlk built he barns in 1880 and rebuilt the house the same year. He is a member of the Republican party, has held a position on the school board and other local offices. In 1864 he enlisted in the Forty-second Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry as a private in Company I. Until the end of the war his regiment was stationed at Cairo and engaged in picket and guard duty there. The last year he served under Captain Michals. In November, 1865, Mr. Dahlk married Miss Esther Lillibridge of Middleton, a daughter of Clark and Eliza (Tift) Lillibridge, who came to New York from Washington, R. I., and in 1857 came to Wisconsin. Mr. Lillibridge was a farmer and lumberman. Mr. Dahlk has joined the Evangelical Association and is one of its earnest supporters.

Chas C. Dahn, of Waunakee, was born in Germany, December 31, 1867, and came with his parents to Dane in 1869. His father, William Dahn, born 1839, and his mother, Frederica (Schwenn) Dahn, born 1838, were also Germans ; they came first to the town of Dane but soon after moved to Vienna, where they owned a farm of two hundred acres. This Mr. Dahn improved and paid for by his own hard labor, and was their home for many years until they felt that their age and toil entitled them to the more restful conditions of village life, and they made their residence in the village of Dane. Charles, being scarcely more than a babe when his parents came to this country, has received an American education in the common schools of Vienna. He has followed his father both in the choice of his occupation and in the industry with which he improves his farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He is allied to the Republican party in his politics, and he and his wife, - as are also his parents, - are members of the Lutheran church. On January, 1895, he was married to Miss Louise W7ilke, who was born in Dodge county, October 20. 1871. She is the daughter of Carl and Caroline (Schwenn) Wilke, who are also mentioned in this work. Their children are Deloy Agnes, born December. 3, 1896, William Carl, born January 27, 1897. died January, 1897; Elmer Otto, born December 21, 1899; Roy Ernest, born April 21, 1905.

Bjorn T. Daley has been a prominent and successful farmer of the town of Perry for many years and is the son of a pioneer of Dane county. He was born in Nessedal, Norway, August 1-1, 1848, son of Torge and Anna (Johnson) Daley, both natives of Norway.

The family embarked for America in 1852, when Bjorn was a child four years old, and came to Dane county immed ately upon their arrival in the United States. Koshkonong was their first home but after one year Mr. Daley purchased a farm in the town of Perry which was his home until his death in 1861. His widow continued to reside upon the farm with her children and died there in 1890. There were four children in the family : Bjorn, John, who now lives in North Dakota ; Anna, Mrs. Hans Severson of Pierre, South Dakota'; Carrie, Mrs. Martin Kittleson of North Dakota. Bjorn attended school in Perry and after his father's death assisted his mother and brothers in the work of the farm, gradually assuming the entire control. He resided upon the old homestead of two hundred acres until 1906, when he left it to the care of his son and purchased a small home of sixty-five acres near Dahleville, which is his present home. Mr. Daley has seen the growth of the country from a wild, sparsely settled district to a fertile and productive land and has always stood ready to do his part in any work for the advancement of the community. He has served as treasurer of the school board for twenty-five years, took the United States census in that neighborhood in 1900 and has served several terms as supervisor, and is secretary and treasurer of the Perry Fire Insurance company, serving his second year. He is a member of the Republican party. In 1871, Mr. Daley married Miss Mary Iverson, a native of Norway, who died in 1880. Six were born to the marriage: Isaac married Alma Boden and lives in Perry ; Anna is Mrs. Oscar Olson of Minnesota ; Theodore resides with his parents ; Amanda married Carl Hoiby of New Glarus ; two children died in infancy. The second wife of Mr. Daley was Miss Hannah Peterson, also a native of Norway, daughter of Edward and Maren Peterson. Seven children blessed the marriage ; Oscar, who married Miss Emma Peterson and lives in Iowa county; Clara, Albert. Thea, Alvin and Ruth, who reside with their parents.