Green County, Wisconsin - Biographical sketches (3 of 6 so headed), 1884

Hir.itn -M dbery, a prominent lawyer of Green county, was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y. Jan. 30, 1832. When he was quite young his parents moved to Fulton county in the same State, where they remained until he was sixteen years old. They then removed to Wisconsin and settled in Walworth county. He had received a common school education in his native State, and after coming to Wisconsin, attended the Waukegan Academy two terms. He then returned to Walwortii county and taught school one turn, and with the proceeds, went to Saratoga Springs, where he engaged in tile study of law in the office of Judge Bockes. He was admitted to the bar at Fonda, Montgomery

Co.,N. Y., Jan. 2, 1854, in the class with Mansfield Walworth and Joseph A. Shoudy. He immediately returned to Wisconsin and commenced practice at Troy. He was admitted to the circuit court of Walworth county. May 23, 1854. In 1855 he went to Prairie du Sac, Sauk county, where he remahied a few months, then went to California, and was employed as civil engineer, eigiiteen months. He then returned to Troy. In 1857 he came to Albany, Green county, and began practicing law. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the State June 11, 1859, and to the United States district and circuit courts, for the western district of Wisconsin, Sept. 15, 1871, to the United States district court for Wisconsin, Jan. 3, 18G0, to the Supreme Court of Illinois, Oct. 19, 1873, and to the Supreme Court of the United States, Jan. 13, 1880. He was elected district attorney in 1859. In 1861 he entered the United States civil service, receiving the appointment of revenue assessor, which office he held ten years. In 1864 he removed to Monroe and practiced law, also attended to the duties pertaining to his office. In 1877 he was appointed revenue agent and traveled extensively until 188], when he resigned and became postmaster at Monroe, which position he held two years. He then went to Cliicago and resided until October, J 883, when he returned to Albany, and remained a short time, then removed to Monroe, where he now resides. Mr. Medbery has been twice married ; first, in January, 1860, to Lucy Royce, a native of Ohio, Avho died April 15, 18«1, leaving two children - Jessie and Paul ; and again Jan. 28, 1882, to Myra Ilollinsliead, a native of Elkhorn, Walworth Co., Wis.

P. J. Clawson, attorney at law, was born in Green Co., Penn., Oct. 27, 1839. He is a son of Phineas and Hannah (Ross) Clawson, wlio emigrated to Waukesha county in 1851. Phineas Clawson was a man of superior ability. His first vote was cast for James Monroe, for President. He afterwards voted for Gen. Jackson, but again changed, and joined the whig party and became a member of the republican party at its organization in 1856, The subject of this sketch received the fouudation of his education in the graded schools at Waukesha, and afterwards attended Carroll College. In 1859 he entered the State University at Madison, and graduated in the class of 1863, the degree of Master of Arts was conferred in 1867. He enlisted in the 20th AVisconsin Volunteer Infantry, company D, in June, 1862. He was wounded at Prairie 'Grove, in the left thigh. Soon after he was commissioned as 2d lieutenant of com pany A, on account of meritorious service, and again as 1st lieutenant. He participated in all of the engagements of the regiment, and was al" ways at his post. He was on the staff of Gen. Bailey in the Mobile campaign. He left the service in impaired health, and was for two years under treatment from his physician. In 1872 he was elected clerk of the circuit court. In 1874 he received the nomination for district attorney, but was defeated. He was again nominated in 1876, and elected to that ofRce,- which he still holds, having been re-elected three times. He was married Jan. 1, 1867, to Kate L. Moore, a daughtcof Hon. H. T. Moore. They have three children - Sophia, May and Harvey P.

A. S. Douglas, attorney at law, was born in Hamilton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., June 19, 1841. His parents were Adam B. Douglas, a native of Scotland, who emigrated to America in 1835 or 1836, and Mary A. Starring. In 1844 he went to Chautauqua Co., N. Y., where he engaged in the mercantile business. He afterwards engaged in keeping hotel and became one of the noted horsemen. In the fall of 1852 he landed in Portage City, Wis. He was educated in the common and high schools at Portage City. In July, 1863, he graduated from the high school at Janesville. In 1864, he enlisted in the 40th Volunteer Wisconsin Infantry, serving the end of his time of enlistment, 100 days. After leaving the army he entered the office of H. A. Patterson, of Janesville. On Feb. 16, 1865, he was admitted to the bar, and soon after formed a partnership, known as Patterson & Douglas. In October, 1866, he located at Brodhead,^ and in the fall of 1868 was elected as State's attorney, receiving the whole vote of the county, with the exception of two votes. In April, 1869, he came to Monroe, and was re-elected in 1870, 1872 and 1874. Mr. Douglas was among the leading spirits in organizing the Young Men's Christian Association, and was chosen president of the same, which was instrumental in building up one of the finest libraries in southern Wisconsin. He was married in 1868 to Laura E. Welch, a daughter of Dr. John Welch, of Janesville. 'i'hree children have blessed their union - Arthur G., Malcom C. and Helen. Mr. Douglas is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge chapter and commandery, also the A. O. U. W., K. of P., and G. A. R.

Archibald N. Randall is not an old settler of Green county, but is among the prominent men who came to the county at a later date, and is well and favorably known throughout this section of country. He was born at Sardinia, Erie Co., N. Y., Aug. 22, 1830, and obtained his education in the district school, supplemented by a course of study atBrockport Collegiate Institute. His father, Archibald R., was born in 1796; served in the New York Active Militia in the War of 1812; was married in 1815 to Eunice Cheney, daughter of David and Irene (Munson) Cheney. His grandfather, Elisha Randall, was born in 1762, near Boston, Mass., and at the age of fourteen years, entered the marine service of the colonies, on board a privateer, and served until the close of the Revolutionary War. When twenty-two years old, he was married to Isabel McElroy, a Scotch lady, and removed to Erie Co., N. Y.

In September, 1847, the subject of this sketch removed to Avon, Rock Co., Wis. At the age of twenty-one years, he was elected superintendentof schools, and served three years. He represented his town five years upon the Rock county board. He entered the army Aug. 22, 1862, and was commissioned captain company "G," 13th Wisconsin Volunteers, Oct. 12, 1862. He served with his command in Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, until the spring of 1863, when he was detailed to command a battalion of mounted infantry, with headquarters at Fort Donelson, Tenn. He remained in command about eight months, and until the troops at Donelson rejoined the army at the front, and the mounted infantry rejoined their several commands. While in command of this mounted infantry, he engaged in many fights with the numerous bands of guerillas, with which West Tennessee was at that time infested, never failing to either whip or capture feuch parties, and often returning from a raid through the country with as many horses and mules as his men could manage. This command is reported to have kept the large area of country between the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers, from the Ohio river on the north, to Clarksville and Florence under complete subjection, until relieved.

In January, 1864, he was detailed upon the staff of Major Gen. Lovel H. Rosseau, as acting assistant inspector-general of the district of Tennessee with headquarters at Nashville, which position he held until the expiration of his term of service, Feb. 1, 1865. While thus engaged as a staff officer, he was in every battle fought by Gen. Rosseau, including seven with Wheeler, two with Forrest and the battles of Franklin and Nashville. He was also with that general in his noted raid around Atlanta. He was married March 27,1865, to Emma ('. Loofbourrows, daughter of the Hon. Judge Wade Loofbourr()ws, of Washington, C. H , Ohio. Two children have been born to them - Maggie M.,May 25, 1866 and Louis A., January 24, 1869. Maggie died at IJrodhead, Sept. 7, 1881, of typhoid fever. He moved to this county in 1868. He has served three terms upon the county board of Green county, and was chairman thereof at the session of 1883. He was elected to the State Senate in 1881, and was chairman of the Senate judiciary committee at the session of 1882-3. His term of oftice expires in November 1884. Mr. Randall is a lawyer by profession, having his oftice and residence at Brodhead. He was admitted to the bar March 3, 1873.

As a public man, Mr. Randall's superior ability is unquestioned. He possesses superior executive ability, as has been clearly demonstrated since his connection with the State Senate. He has always filled the various oflices to which he has been elected with credit to himself, and satisfaction to his constituency, and no man is more deservedly pupular among the people.

Cornelius N. Carpenter, president of the bank of Brodhead, was born in Moretown, Washington Co., Vt., in 1826. His parents removed to Montpelier when he was a child, and afterwards to Northfield, in the same State. Mr. Carpenter is a lawyer by profession. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1848, and was elected librarian of the State the same fall. It was at this time that excitement ran high in consequence of the discovery of gold in California, and Mr. Carpenter yielded to his inclination to try his fortune in the land of gold. He was absent three years, one of which was spent in going and returning. He went by way of Cape Horn and returned throvtgh Central America, with a party of about 100, traveling with ox teams, and shipped at Chagres, for New York, in the fall of 1852. He saw much of the world, and secured some gold. On his return he engaged in the practice of his profession at Northfield. In 1856, he came to Milwaukee and practiced law two years, then returned to Vermont and engaged in law practice with Judge Carpenter. In 1862, he raised a company of volunteers for nine months service, company C, of the 15th Vermont Volunteer Infantry, He commanded the company six months, then resigned, in consequence of sickness in his family, and soon after, returned to Milwaukee. He came to Brodhead in 1863 and engaged in the practice of his profession until 1881. He then engaged in banking. He is a lawyer of ability and possessed a large and lucrative practice. Mr. Carpenter was elected district attorney in 1864 and served two years. He is a cousin of A. V. H. Carpenter, of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, also of the late eminent senator and statesman, Matthew H. Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter has been twice married. His first wife was Hannah Burnham, who died in Milwaukee in 1857. His present wife was Lucy Burnham, a sister of his first wife. He has one daughter by his first wife - Lizzie, now the wife of H. P. Young, and by the latter union there is one son - C. W., who is cashier of the Bank of Brodhead.

Colin W. Wright, attorney at law, was born at Lancaster, Grant Co., Wis., Feb. 8, 1858. His parents were natives of England, and emigrated to the States in 1849, first settling in Lafayette Co., Wis., where his father was engaged in mining and real estate businesT'!, which lie followed for a number of years, and is now engaged in business at Mineral Point. The subject of this sketch was reared in Lafayette county, where the foundation of his education was laid in the common schools. He afterwards attended the high school at Platteville, and spent two years at the State Normal. In 1881, he read law in the oftice of Lanyon & Speasley, at Mineral Point. In 1881-82, he attended the law department of the Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor, graduating in the spring of 1883. Soon after, he came to Monroe and engaged in the practice of his profession. Mr. Wright is a young man of more than ordinary ability and is gradually building up a good practice.

Iie)tJ((min Sanders JCerr, attorney at law, was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1841. His father, Joseph Kerr, was born near Pittsburg, Penn., whose parents were born in the north of Ireland, but were of Scotch ancestry, the father of the long line of Scotish chieftains of that name of early times. His mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Sanders, is a native of Ohio, and is of English ancestry, her grandparents having been Quakers during the Revolutionary War, residing in the then colony of Virginia. His grandfather, Benjamin Sanders, was one of the early advocates of the doctrines of Alexander Campbell, and preached for many years in different parts of the State of Ohio, and was a man of great ability and influence in the early days of that Church. His grandfather, Joseph Kerr, was a farmer, and died at the age of 103 years. In 1845 Mr. Kerr's parents removed to Green Co., Wis., where he has since resided, and where, in 1854, his father died, leaving him the second of eight children, five boys and three girls. He was reared upon a farm, and attended the short winter country schools until his nineteenth year, at which time he gave up farming and devoted himself entirely to study, and was a student at the academy in Platteville, Wis., at the breaking out of tlie Rebellion in 1861. He remained in that institution till the spring of 1862, and then returned to Green Co., Wis., where he engaged in school teaching till the spring of 1863, at Which time he began the study of law in the office of Judge Dunwiddie, of Monroe, and which he continued till the spring of 1864. He then received a recruiting commission from Gov. Lewis, of Wisconsin, and raised a sufticient number of men to secure a 1st lieutenant's commission, and was mustered into the United States military service with that rank on the 15th of April, of that year, in company D, of the 38th regiment, of Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, at Camp Randall, Madison. On the 3d day of May following, he, with his company and regiment, left for the front, and arrived at Washington, D. C, a few days later, and were encamped on Arlington Heights, Va., for a short time. While the regiment lay there he saw and heard President Lincoln. It was levee day, and the Marine Band was discoiu-sing sweet nansic from the pa- villion in the park souili of the Wliite House Mansion. The President, Mrs. Lincoln and others sat on the south balcony, which elevated them above the crowd gathered around. Some one called to the President for a speech, others joined in the call, whereupon, President Lin; coin arose to his feet and said: "Fellow citizens: You call upon me for a speech. In lieu of it I propose three cheers for Gen. Grant and his array." Grant was then in the Wilderness in front of Petersburg, Va. It is needless to say the cheers were given with a will. Lincoln at the same time swinging his long right arm above his head and shouting with the people. This little incident and speech of Lincoln's, in that darkest of the years of the \^'ar of the Re bellion, gives us a view of the inner-man, that, although surrounded b)'^ friends and heavily weighted with the cares of the civil government, visions of the army were ever before him and his heart and mind with his generals and boys at the front. Mr. Kerr's company and regiment were moved to the front and arrived at Cold Harber at the close of tlie battle, where one of his men was killed. They became a part of Grant's army and moved with him from in front of Richmond to the attack on Petersbui-g, Va., Mr. Kerr remaining with the comj)any during that long and bloody siege, excepting a short time he was detailed on a court martial at City Point, Va. The siege lasted from the ICth of June, 18G4, at which time they first went under fire in front of the city, till the works were carried by storm, April 2, 18G5, he commanding his company at that time in an assault in which one-third of the column fell. On the 17th of June, 1864, he was with his company in an assault in which the losses in killed and wounded were equally great. About the 1st of July, 1864, the captain of Kerr's company was taken sick and resigned, leaving him in command, and in which position he continued till the musterout and final discharge of the company, Aug. 11, 1805. IIo, having in the meantime, been pTDraotcd to the rank of captain. At the close of his military service Mr. Kerr returned to Monroe, and at once resumed the study of law with Judge Dunwiddie, and which he pursued until March, 1866, at which time he was admitted to the bar. In the fall of 1866 he w^as elected district attorney of Green county, which office he held until 1869, and was complimented by Judge Lyon, then on the bench, for his ability and care in the discharge of the duties of the office. Nov. 12, 1866, the subject of our sketch was united in marriage wnth Angeline Eliza Fayette, daughter of Shanalia Fayette, lineally descended from the family of the Marqiiis de La Fayette. Mrs. Kerr is a relative of ex-Senator James R. Doolittle, of Wisconsin, through her mother, ^vhose maiden name was Doolittle. They have two children - Maud and Fayette, born, respectively, Jan. 29, 1868, and Feb. 12, 1870. Mr. Kerr is a man of more than ordinary ability, a good, reliable ofiice lawyer, and a forcible and earnest speaker. He is a man of medium height, fine personal apjiearance and gentlemanly deportment; is of most exemplary habits and highly esteemed in the community in which he lives.

Burr Sprague, attorney'' at law, Brodhead, is a native of Cattaraugus, N. Y., where he was born in 1836. In 18 i 6 he removed to Rock Co., Wis., with his parents, settling in the town of Spring Valley. At the age of eighteen years he engaged in merchandising, which he continued in Spring Valley and in the town of Oxford till 1868, wlien he came to Brodhead. In 1871 he opened the first book store in the village. He continued in the book trade till 1878. He served as postmaster here for a number of years, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. He served in the legislatuie from the first district. Rock county, in the session of 1 868, and from the second district, Green county, in 1878. He owned and conducted the Register of Brodhead from October, 1878, till June 1879. He was superintendent of the schools of Brodhead for five years. He has taught many years and altrays tdok a deep ititcrcst in educational matters. He married Vina Laraphear, an adopted daughter of Dr. S. W. Abbott. They have three cliiklren - Louis, proprietor of the "Brodhead Register,'''' Jessie and William.

John J. Putnam was one of the prominent and well remembered early settlers of this town, lie came to Green county in 1848 and purchased, in the town of Decatur, a tract of 500 acres of land. He located here with his family, in June of the next year. He was born in Hampshire Co., Va., in 1801. His advantages for education, in early life, were very limited. The death of his father, when he was seventeen years of age, placed upon him, to a great extent, the support of the family. He was married before leaving Virginia, to Mary M. Fleek, daughter of Adam Fleek. After marriage he removed to Hocking Co., Ohio, and thence to Licking county, engaging in agricultural pursuits. He remained there until he came to Green county. Mr. Putnatn was a man of strong mental powers and of sterling integi'ity, and although ho died comparatively early in the history of Green county, he left a record that is not forgotten. He was a ju-^tice of the peacr for a number of years, also held the oflice ol chairman of his town. He accumulated a valuable property, owning at his decease, about 1,400 acres of land. His death occurred June 5, 1866. His wife survived until February 1 874. They had ten children, seven of whom are now living, four sons and three daughters, all residents of this county, except the second son, John J., Jr., who resides in Texas. Two of his sons, Oliver S. and Henry C, are residents of Brodhead.

Oliver S. Putnam, Esq., was born in Newark, Ohio, May 15, 183B. He came with his father's family, to this county in 1849. In April 1861, he enlisted in the three months' service and reenlisted Aug. 6, 1862, on company F, 31st Wisconsin Infantry. He was made 1st sergeant at the organization of the regiment. In April 1864 he was promoted to a lieutenancy, commanded his company during the siege of Atlanta, Sherman's march to the sea, and in the final battles of Sherman's memorable campaign. He began the study of law, in the winter of 1865 but discontinued it to engage in coal mining in Illinois. He resumed the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1871, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Brodhead. He was police justice for a number of years. Mr. Putnam's army life seriously impaired his health and he has never recovered his former vigor. His wife was formerly Alice M. Copp, daughter of John E. Copp, who settled in Decatur in 1846. Mr. Copp was formerly from the State of New York, but came to Green county from Ohio. He went to California in 1850 and was absent thirty years. He then settled in Texas where he recently died. His widow still resides in Texas. Henry C. Putnam was a soldier in the Civil War, and was made a non-commissioned oiBcer by election of his company, and served with marked distinction and rare bravery in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, company B.

Dear tr^iRS : - I learn that you are compiling and |)ublishinga History of Green County, Wisconsin, and as the writer was a resident of that couTity from 1848 to 1870, it fell to my lot to be well acquainted with many of the early settlers and prominent men of that section. Among the latter class in the eastern portion of the county, I am pleased to name the late lamented John J. Putnam, Esq., who, with a large family connection of six or eight families, left Ohio and settled in the town of Decatur in that county, a little earlier than 1848, forming one of the most frugal, thrifty, granger settlements it has ever fallen to my lot to know, some of whom will regard it invidious if I place Mr. Putnam,during his life, in the front in point of intelligence and noble raanliood. Although a farmer, Mr. Putnam was a manof extensive reading, a keen observer of men and things, anjastute reasoner, thoroughly posted in regard to ;_all questions that then divided political parties and councils of ripe judgment and of unassailable integrity. Though firm and decided in his conviction he was not intolerant, but genial and kind to the last degree, A prominent figure in the old whig ranks and a sincere admirer of Henry Clay many a democrat felt the incision of his sharp cut political thrusts, in the early days, and with true patriotism in his bones, he could but pass into the republican ranks. Stricken with a fatal malady while endowed with manly vigor, he passed away, leaving a handsome competence for a sorrowing wife and an interesting family of several sons and daughters.