Green County, Wisconsin - Biographical sketches (1 of 6 so headed), 1884 (part 2 of 2)

The first employment of Cadwallader after leaving home was clerking, sometimes in a store, at other times in the postoffice, at Hallowell, at that date one of the most considerable trading towns in Maine. While here he enjoyed opportunities for study and observation until late in December, 1838, when he engaged to teach through the winter the principal school in the town of Wiscasset. And here it may be said that the youthful Cadwallader had not only received a good common school education in his native town of Livermore, but afterward attended a private school that had been established there, in which was taught the higher bi-anches of education. He also devoted some time to the study of" the classics under the instruction of his uncle, Ruel Washburn. Well grounded in substantial business and moral qualities, with excellent health, he, in accordance with a long-cherished intention, left his native State in the year 1839, to seek a new home in the west. He was now just arrived at the age of twenty-one.

Young Washburn made bis first stop at Davenport, then a small village in the then newly organized Territory of Iowa. For three months, he kept a private school, and then took a position on the geological survey of Iowa under David Dale Owen. This survey bad been ordered by Congress. Subsequently, be made his residence at Stevenson, near Rock Island, where he entered upon the study of the law, in the office of Joseph B. Wells. He was elected surveyor of the county of Rock Island in 1840. He brought his law studies to a close in 1842, in Stevenson (then become Rock Island), and settled in Mineral Point, Wis., when on the 29th of March of that year, he was admitted to the bar, at a session of the United States district court, at Lancaster, Grant county. He at once opened a law office at Mineral Point, and soon secured the confidence of the people by the promptitude and scrupulous fidelity with which he attended to whatever was entrusted to his care in a business way. He had a successful practice, largely in the line of collections. In August, 1844, he entered into partnership with Cyrus Woodman, and the firm had an extensive and lucrative business. It was here that the foundation was laid that resulted in the accumulation of a large fortune by Mr. Washburn.

The firm of Washburn & Woodman gradually abandoned the law, and engaged largely in the entry of public lands for settlers. The partners also purchased large quantities of pine lands, and mineral and agricultural lands, in their own right. After the State banking law of 1852 went into operation, they established the Mineral Point Bank, which stood the test of all financial reverses, and never suspended specie payment. When its affairs were wound up, every dollar of its liabilities were paid in specie. The partnership was dissolved March 1, 1855, Mr. Woodman retiring from it, and Mr. Washburn assuming the responsibility of its entire business. Leaving, at this point, for some time, further mention of his pi'ivate affaii's, it is here

The home of Mr. Washburn was in the 2d congressional district of Wisconsin, comprehending an extended territory. His name, in 1854, was suggested as a candidate of the anti- Nebraska party for Congress in his district; and, at the convention, he received the nomination without any effort on his part or even desire. The result was, hei was elected to the 34th Congress. His colleagues were Daniel Wells, Jr., from the first district, and Charles Billinghurst, from the third, there being at that time but three congressional districts in Wisconsin. He was re-elected as a republican in 1857, and again in 1859. After serving six years in Congress, he declined another election, and soon after the expiration of his third term he changed his residence from Mineral Point to La Crosse, Wis., his home at the time of his death.

In entering upon his first term in the National legislature, Mr. Washburn brought into its halls a thorough knowledge of the State he represented, and was instrumental in securing much legislation of value to its people. In the Congress he served as chairman of the committee on Private Land Claims, and as a member of the special committee of thirty-three on the State of the Union. In January, 1861, he introduced a resolution declaring "that the provisions of the constitution" were "aruple for the preservation of the Union, and the protection of all the material interests of the country"; that it needed to be obeyed rather than amended; and that the extrication of the conntry from the difficulties then impending was "to be looked for in efforts to pi'eserve and protect the public property and enforce the laws, rather than in new guarantees for particular interests, or compromises, or concessions to unreasonable demands." In support of this resolution, he closed his remarks by declaring that if the Union was to be dissolved, "whether by peaceable secession or through fire and blood and civii war," there would be left to those who survived it the consolation of knowing that they would be, what they never had been, "inhabitants of a free country." Mr. Washburn was ever true to the cause of liberty, and the slave found in him an able advocate and staunch friend.

In the Civil War which immediately followed his retirement from Congress, Mr. Washburn took an active part. He was commission colonel of the 2d Wisconsin Cavalry, Oct. 10, 1861 ; reported for duty the same day, and was mustered into the United States service Feb. 6, 1802. He left Wisconsin with his regiment March 24, following, and served in tbe army under Gen. Curtis, in Arkansas, to the next July, Col. Washburn was appointed brigadier-general of United States volunteers on the 16th of that month, and major-general, November 29, thereafter.

Gen. Washburn commanded a cavalry brigade in Arkansas, and also the post of Helena, that State, from July to October, 1862; and of cavalry forces there to November of the same year. His commands for the next twelve months were of a division in the Army of the Tennesse to February, 1863 ; of a cavalry division in the 13th Corps, to April 9 ; of cavalry in West Tennessee, to June 8 ; of two divisions of the 16th Corps, at Hyane's Bluff, Miss., to July 28 ; of the first division, 13th Army Coips to August 1 ; of the 13th Corps, to September 15; of the first division, same corps, to October 20; of the same corps to October 23 ; and of the first division of same corps to December, 1863. Gen. Washburn was in command of the troops at Matagorda Peninsula, Texas, from the last mentioned date to Jan. 13, 1864, and was then on leave of absence to March 29, following. He was under orders from that time to April 23, when he took charge of the district of West Tennessee, continuing there to November. He was then transferred to the command of the district of Vicksburg, where he remained till March 4, 1865. The general then assumed direction of affairs in the district of West Tennessee, continuing there until his resignation. May 25, 1865 Such is the chronological record of his various commands as colonel, brigadiergeneral and major-general. But before dismissing him as a military commander, it may not be amiss to recount some prrticulars concerning the capacity and bravery exhibited by him in the army.

At the breaking out of the war, Mr. Washburn raised the regiment of cavalry of which he was commissioned colonel. At the time Gen. Grant made a movement south for the capture of Vici^sburg, the colonel had been promoted to major-general, and with 2,000 cavalrymen, he dislodged a force prepared to obstruct the progress of the army at the crossing of the Tallahatchie. In February the general conducted an expedition which opened the Yazoo Pass. At the battle of Grand Coteau, La., he, with his command saved the fourth division, under Gen. Burbridge, from annihilation by an overwhelming force of the enemy. On Nov. 29, 1863, Gen. Washburn landed on the coast of Texas with 2,800 men, and compelled the evacvation of FortEsperanza. This movement gave the Union forces control of the entire coast of Texas, from Matagorda bay to the Rio Grande,

-'During the war, in the year 1862," says a Congressional associate of Mr. Washburn,* "I first met the general in Washington. He had been assigned to duty in the department of the gulf, under Gen. Grant, It was at a time when the cause of the Union seemed to be enveloped in a dark clould, 'i'he most courageous were despondent, and the minds of all were filled with grave doubts as to the future. At such an hour, I shall never forget how refreshing it was to meet such a strong, brave man, fresh from the field of conflict. He inspired all with whom he mingled with new hope and courage, and allowed no one for a moment to doubt the ultimate triumph of our cause. He impressed you, at first, as a man of indomitable will and energy, determined to show the sincerity of his convictions by his deeds, and ready to risk, if need be, everything he possessed, in order that victory might be ours. He remained in the army until he saw his predictions in regard to the ultimate triumph of the Union arms fullj'^ verified."

The next year after the return of Gen. Washburn to civil pursuits, he was elected a representative in Congress from the sixth district of Wisconsin, and was re-elected in 1868. In the 40th Congress he served on the committees of Foreign- Affairs, and on Expenditures of Public Buildings; and, in the next Congress on the committees of Appropriations, on Private Land Claims, on Causes of the Reduction of American Tonnage, and was chairman of the special committee on the Postal Telegraph. "He did not labor to make himself conspicuous by the frequent sound of his voice, but rather by wise counsel and faithful service to guard the interests of his constituents, and to promote the welfare of the State. He was rarely absent from his post of duty, and seldom, if ever, found recorded upoti the wrong side of any of the great questions of the day. He was affable and courteous, frank and generous in his intercourse with his fellow-members, and thereby gained a wide and powerful influence, to secure the success of any important measure in which he might become interested. He always guarded with jealous care the rights of the people, and was ever on the alert to secure the passage of such measures as, in his view, would specially promote their welfare."

In the year 1871, at the close of his last term in Congress, he was nominated by the republican convention of Wisconsin for the office of governor, and was elected. He was inaugurated as chief executive of the State on the first Monday in January, 1872. In the year 1S73 he was re-nominated for the same office, but was defeated. Gov. Washburn's official career in the gubernatorial chair of Wisconsin was one of marked success. His great executive ability.

his energy, his strong practical sense, and his long and successful business experience, gave him much power, and he exercised it in doing good work for the State. "As governor," says one who knew him well, and was a close observer of his official acts, "he assumed no doubtful executive powers, and he was content to do his full duty within the requirements of the Constitution. He treated all offices as public trusts to be administered solely for the public good, and not for his own aggrandizement and cheap glory. He was even greater than the office which he filled, and honored it more than it honored him. His strict impartiality to his friends and enemies, both personal and political, and his almost captious particularity in official business, in matters small as well as great, his rigid scrutiny into the subordinate public service, and his selection of the best only to fill the offices within his own appointment, made him unpopular with those who look only to the profits of political friendships, and expect dishonest rewards to be paid out of the public treasury for political services. From his subordinates he exacted no personal or political loyalty to himself, but only obedience to law and a strict discharge of duty."*

With the close of Gov. Washburn's single term in the executive chair of Wisconsin, ended his official life. Previous to this, a laudable ambition had awakened in him a desire to become a member of the United States Senate. His first candidacy for that office was in 1861, when, at the start, he was the strongest candidate before the State legislature. However, in the end, the choice fell upon Timolhy O Howe, the present postmaster general. Again, in 18Gf > he was, at the outset, the leading candidate for the same position, but was defeated finally, (he majority of the votes of the legislature being given to Matt. H. Carpenter, who became senator. In 1875 he was asc-'i'" brouijfht forward as a candidate; but, as he did not receive the cancas nomination, his friends refused to vote for the regular nomiTiee, and Angus Cameron was elected by their uniting for that ])urpose with the democratic members in the legislature.

After the expiration of Gov. Washburn's term of office, on the first Monday of January, 1874, he at once directed his entire attention to the management of his private business. In the manufacture of lumber and flour, he accumulated a largo portion of an ample fortune. The success of his early investments in pine lands demonstrated his far-seeing sagacity; so, also, those in the water-power at St. Anthony's falls, he becoming the principal owner of the west side power. Here, being interested in the manufacture of flour, he erected, in 1876, an immense mill - the "Big Mill," of Minneapolis, Minn. At 7 o'clock in the evening of May 2, 1878, an explosion occurred in this mill, attended with great loss of property and that of a number of lives. There were fourteen men ill the mill at the time, every one of whom perished. The building had first caught fire, and the flames had come in contact with the dust of the mill, which, it is said, mingled with the air, made it of an explosive character; hence the disaster. The destruction was not confined to the "Washburn uV - called, as we have seen, the "Big Mill," it being 100x138 feet on the ground, seven and a half stories high, filled with tlie most approved machinery, and having forty-one run of stone. Six mills, in all, were destroyed, and five more damaged; among the latter was the "Washburn 1>," which was badly shaken n\>. The number of lives lost, in and out of the mills, in Minneapolis, by reason of this fire and explosion, was eighteen; the total loss of property was estimated at nearly $1,000,000.

This terrible ami unusual calamity did not have the effect to discourage the indomitable Washburn. He proceeded at once to tiie work of rebuilding liis mills on a still larger scale, and with improved machinery. The massive

"A" mill has been described as the largest mill in America, and the most complete one of its size iu the world. It is twice the size of the old "A," and covers a ground s{)ace of 100x240 feet. Its height is eight stories above the canal. The full capacity of the mill is 3,000 barrels of flour a day. The "B" was built in 18(36, is 60x90 feet on the ground; three stories high in front, and five iu rear. Its daily ca[)acity is 500 barrels. The "C" ranks next to the "A," cover' ing ground of 95x145 feet; is five stories high; its capacity is 1,250 barrels a day.* Mr. 'Washburn was the first man in the United States who introduced what is known as the "patent process" in the manufacture of flour, and the "Hungarian roller system." He visited Europe for the purpose of investigating all the improved pi'ooesses for making flour, determined to secure the very best. His efforts, though attended with much expense and hard labor, were crowned with success. It may be said that Mr. Washburn was the champion miller of the United States. No man in this country was so thoroughly versed in milling, or possessed so complete a knowledge of every detail in the manufacture of flour, as he. Besides the interest already spoken of as engaging his attention, Mr. Washburn was one of the early projectors and builders of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad. He was interested also in a number of other enterprises, requiring skill and energy to manage. Indeed, it may be said that nearly all of his life was full of activity and hard work, indicating large will-power and a capacity for great physical and mental endurance.

The career (and a noble and successful one it was) of Mr. Washburn was nownearing its end. During the year 1880 he frequently complained of indisposition, and of a sense of weariness and lassitude; still, his attention to business and his activity were unabated; but a dreadful malady (Bright's disease) was seizing hold of his powerful frame. On the last day of Janu- ary, 1881, he left Washington for La Crosse passing the 2d of February at the home of his brother, E. B. Washburne, in Chicago. Here he complained of feeling quite ill; however, he continued his journey, reaching La Crosse next day. In a few hours after his return, he was stricken down with paralysis, the result of the progress of the malady before mentioned, which was tightening its grasp upon its unfortunate victim. He rallied, however, from this first pronounced attack of illness, and, as soon as he was able to travel, he went to the Hot Springs of Arkansas, receiving some apparent benefit while there. In May he went to Europe, hoping the journey would be an aid to his recovery; but he returned in November Avorse than when he left the United States.

Mr. Washburn now put himself under the care of an eminent physician of Philadelphia, but with no favorable results. He then went to Atlantic City, in hopes tlie climate there might prove beneficial to him; but, instead of improving he grew worse. He next tried the waters of the Eureka Sj^rings, in Arkansas. In about two weeks after his arrival there, he began to improve, and soon became hopeful, and even cheerful, under the apparent change for the better. As his health now seemed to be on the mend, he commenced taking up the threads of his business interests, with which, for some time, he had not occupied himself. Everything now came within the grasp of his powerful faculties. He called to him, from their distant homes, his partners, his chief engineer, as well as his business agent, for consultation. Nothing escaped him. But it was the last of gigantic efforts. On April 22, 1882, he did not feel well; and in three days thereafter he went to his meals for the last time. . His days were numbered. He gradually failed, and on May 14 he breathed his last.

The remains of the departed were embalmed, and then started, accompanied by sorrowing relatives and sympathizing friends, for their last resting place, in Oakwood Cemetery, La-

Crosse. They were met, upon their arrival in Chicago, by a committee from Wisconsin, composed of the governor and others of its distinguished citizens. A special train was placed at the disposal of the party by Alexander Mitchell, president of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and all taken to the last home of the deceased. Besides this, free transportation was tendered by the same liberal hearted railway oflEicial to friends from all points in Wisconsin, and from Minneapolis, in Minnesota, who desired to attend the funeral ceremonies. The procession which followe'd the body to its last rest on May 18, 1882, was a long one, and presented a remarkable scene of love and respect for the departed.

Champion of right! But from Eternity's far shore Thy spirit, will return to join the strife no more. RiiSt, statesman, rest! Thy troubled life is o'er.

Cadwallader C. Washburn was a philanthropist. Tlie gift to the University of Wisconsin of an astronomical observatory, fully supplied with the best apparatus obtainable; to the Dominican Sisters, of his charming suburban villa at Madison, Wis., as a school for girls; of a public library to the city of LaCrosse; and of an orphan asylum to the city of Minneapolis, Minn.; all attest the generosity of his nature. Private benefactioiTs, also, were by no means wanting, either in his lifetime or by his will. In view of the many important services rendered by him to education in Wisconsin, the legislature of the State by law made him a life regent of the university, an honor never befoi-e conferred upon any of its citizens. That institution in 1873, gave him the degree of doctor of laws, a distinguished mark of respect very worthily bestowed. In his religious views there was no bigotry. He accepted earnestly the fundamental truths of Christianity. He was liberal in his opinions and charitable toward all. His public spirit prompted him to make frequent and valuable contributions to the Historical Society of Wisconsin, of which institution he has been president since Jan. 3, 1878.

In early manhood Mr. Washburn married Jeanette Garr, a most inteligent and estimable young lady; but in a few years she became insane, and for more than thirty years have the family been deprived of her presence and cheering influence. In all this period she has been tenderly cared for. Nothing that money could procure has been omitted to alleviate her terrible malady. The husband in his will made the most ample provision for lier future support. Mr. Washburn leaves two daughters, both married; the eldest, to A. W. Kelsey; the youngest, to C/harles Payson, late United States minister to Denmark.

Ziuthtr Hanchett was bora in Portage Co., Ohio, Oct. 25, 1825. He received a good education at Fremont. He studied law and commenced the practice when twenty-one years of age. He moved to Wisconsin in 1849. For some time he was engaged in the lead and lumbering business. He was for four years district attorney for Portage county, in his adopted State. From 1856 to 1860 was a member of the Wisconsin Senate. In 1860 he was elected to the 37th Congress (1861-3). He died at Madison, Wis., Nov. 26, 1862.

^Yalter D. Mclndoe was born in Scotland March 30, 1819. He emigrated to New York city in his fifteenth year. He was clerk in a large mercantile house. "He followed the same pursuit in Charlesion, S. C, and in St. Louis, Mo. He subsequently settled in Wisconsin and engaged in the lumber business. He served in the Wisconsin legislature in 1850, 1854 and 1855. He was a Presidential elector in 1856 and 18^, and was elected to Congress, as before noted, in place of Luther Hancliett. deceased. He was re-elected to 38th Congress and also to the 39th - representing the sixth congressional district during these three terms.

moved to Wisconsin Territory in 1842. He spent five years in the lead-mining business and served in the Mexican war as a private soldier, - during which lime he occasionally read law, and at the end of the war he began to practice the legal profession. In 1850, he was elected district attorney in lowacounty, and served four years. In 1854, he was elected to the State Senate, aiid served one term, of two years. In 1855, he was appointed adjutant-general of the State, and again in 1857. He was elected to the State legislature in 1860, re-elected in 1861, and chosen speaker. In 1861 and 1862, Mi". Cobb served as a volunteer - being colonel of the 5th Wisconsin regiment. He was elected, as before stated in this chapter, to the 38th Congress (1863-65), from the third congressional district, of which district. Green was one of the counties, and was re-elected for three successive terms, - closing his career in Congress in 1871. During the recess of Congress, he was commissioned a second time, colonel. He raised the 43d Wisconsin regiment and commanded it un il July, 1865. He was brevetted for gallant services at Williamsburg, Golding's Farm and Antietam. He afterward moved to Nebrask.i, where he was elected to the Supreme bench. Joel All('i> Barber. Joel Allen Barber, was the son of Joel :uhl Aseneth (Melvin) Barber, and was born in Georgia, Franklin Co., Vt , Jan. 17, 1800. His father was from Etigiand, and his mother w:is of Welsh descent. Her father was a captain in the Revolutionary army, and served till the close of the war. J. Allen Barber worked on a farm till he was eighteen years of age, when he entered the Georgia Academy, and fitted for college, and entered the University of Vermont in 1829, where'he remained two and a half years. He then began the study of the law with Hon. George P. Marsh, of Burlington. He taught school two years in Maryland, and was admitted to the bar in 1834, in Prince George's county, in that State. He returned to Vermont, and commenced the practice of his profession at

Fairfield, where he remained till 1837, and in September of that year, he located at Lancaster, Wis., which village has ever since been his place of residence, and where he has constantly practiced his profession for nearly forty-two years, at times mingling land operations with his practice. He is deemed a sound and able lawyer, holding a high place as a criminal lawyer, and is an honor to the profession.

A large portion of the time, since he has been a resident of Wisconsin, Mr. Barber has held some official position. He has been many years a member of the county board of supervisors, and was five years its chairman; was four years county clerk, and district attorney three terms. In 1846, he was a representative from Grant county, in the constitutional convention, and served on the committee on the Organization and Functions of the Judiciary. He was an able, industrious member, and performed valuable service in the convention. He was a member of the assembly, in the years 1852, 1853, 1863 and 1864. In the assembly of 1863, he was speakeiof that body. He was a member of the State Senate, in the years 1856 and 1857. He was ever an able, watchful and faithful member of the legislature. He was two terms a member of Congress, commencing on the 4th of March, 1871. In the House, he served on the committees or War Claims and on the Revision of the Statutes. He was an industrious and influential member of Congress; not a frequent speaker, but pointed and clear when he did address the House.

Mr. Barber was a whig, until the organization of the republican party, when he united with it, and has been a member of that party ever since.

In 1842, he was married to Helen Van Vleck, of Jamestown, in Grant county. Mrs. Barber died in about one year after marriage; and in 1847, he was again married to Elizabeth Bantill, of Lancaster. They have four children living, two sons and two daughters.

Henry S. Magoon was born in the town of Monticello, Lafayette Co., Wis., Jan. 31, 1832. He entered the Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris, 111., in 1848, and there remained most of the time until June, 1851, devoted to classical and other studies. In 1851, he entered the Western Military College at Drennon, Ky., where he graduated in 1S53. He afterward attended the Montrose Law School at Frankfort, Ky., and in 1855, was appointed Professor of ancient languages in Nashville University, Tennessee. Here he remained till 1857, when, resigning, he returned to Wisconsin and began the practice of the law. He was elected a district attorney in Lafayette county, in 1858, and was a member of the State Senate in 1871 and 1872. He was the first native of Wisconsin elected to the State Senate or to Congress. He was elected, as already intimated, to the 44th Congress from the 3d congressional district, in November, 1874.

Geor(je G. Hazelton of Boscobel, was born in Chester, Rockingham Co., N. H., Jan. 3,1833; graduated at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., in 1858; studied law ; was admitted to the bar in the State of New York, and settled in Boscobel, Wis., in 1863, where he has since practiced his profession ; was elected district attorney of Grant county in 1864, and re-elected in 1866 ; in 1867 was elected State senator, and chosen president pro tern, of the Senate, and was re-elected to the Senate in 1869. He was elected to the 45th Congress as a republican. Re-elected to the 46th Congress, receiving 11,695 votes against 11,603 for Owen King, greenbacker. He was re-elected to the 47th Congress, receiving 16,- 236 votes against 12,941 votes for M. M. Cothren, democrat.

T>nrr IF. Jones, of Madison, was born in the town of Union, Rock Co., Wis., March 9, 1846; received a collegiate education, graduillng at the Wisconsin State University in 1870, and in the law department in \'?1^ ; is a lawyer by profession ; re- sided near Evansville until about eighteen years of age; after finishing his law course, he commenced practice at Portage in the winter of 1871, but returned to Madison in the spring of 1872; was elected district attorney of Dane county in 1872, and re-elected in 1874; was