Monroe County, Wisconsin - Chapter 55, 1912 (part 1 of 10)

Chapter 55

Lars Oleson Aas, who lives on his farm of eiglity acres in section Iwciity-live Porthind township, is a native of Eidsvokl. Norwny, and was born November 16, 1852. II is parents were Ole and Mavy (Lee) Aas. The father was born in 1807 and spent his whole life in Norway, where he died in 1859. The mother, who was born in 1810. came to tli«- Tnited States with the family a short time after the death of lici- husbaiid and settled in Portland township when Lars was 16 years old, and here spent the remaining yeai-s of her life, her death occurring -lainiai-y 2. 18i)7. Of a family of three children. Lars is the only surviving son. The names of those deceased are John and Catherine. Coming to the United States in 1869, ]\lr. Aas found employment among the farmers and endured the hardships connuou to the pioneers of AVisconsin. By hard work, thrift and economy he accunnilated his earnings, and in 1885 purchased his present farm ffoiii Andrew Erickson and immediately set to work to improx'e the place and establish the home. lie built a log house, wdiich is still well perservcd and to whicli he has since made additions, together with liis ( ommodious barn and other outbuildings, he has a substantial and comfortal)le farm home.

On ]March 19, 1885, ^Iv. Aas was united in mai-riage to ]Miss Annette P. Brethingen. daughter of Peder and Karen Brethingen, l)rominent and enterprising citizens of Vernon county. AVisconsin. To this union has been born one daughter. Karla ]\Iabel, now .Mrs. IltMH-y P. Ilalvcrson, of Portland township.

Mr. Aas takes an active interest in the affairs of his town and county, and all matters pertaining to their welfare receives his hearty support. lie has been ti-casurer of his town and in 1900 and again in 1910 was census enumerator for Portland township. In n^ligious matters l\Ir. Aas and his family ai'c mendiers of the United Xoi-wegian Luthei-an church, of which he is secretary.

Indiana in an early day, where he married INIaria Stone ;in<i lixcd nntil 1833, when tliey removed to Eacine connty, Wisconsin, in 1835, where they spent their lives, honored and respected by the whole eonnnunity. Henry Adams, grandfather of our subject, was descended from an old New England family and was a soldier in the War of 1812. lie was a mend)er of and deacon in the Presbyterian church and one of the early supporters of and believers in the principles of democracy, and was a man of strict integrity and highly respected in his com in unity.

Edward M. is the fourth child in order ol l)irth in a family of six children. He attended the common schools in Kacine county until his sixteenth year. Being thrown on his own resources at the early age of fifteen years, he started out in life for himself. He was tirst employed in a sawmill and on a farm and at odd jobs. In 1867 he removed to Monroe county and purchased eighty acres of land in section nine, Ridgeville township, to which he added from time to time until he owned 320 acres. He engaged in general farming, which he has successfully followed to this time. Advancing in years, the care of so large a tract became so great that Mr. Adams has disposed of his land except eighty acres where he and his wife now live in the enjoyment of the fruits of years of toil. He is known as one of the successful and influential farmers of his town, and his place is well stocked with good horses, cattle and hogs, and from his herd of milch coavs he derives a handsome revenue. j\Ir. Adams has been a hard working man all his lifetime and prominent in his comnumity. He has always taken a keen interest in all public matters and has held numerous local offices. He has been chairman of the town board four terms and for three years a school director.

Mr. Adams was married on February 9, 1871, in Racine county, Wisconsin, to Miss Annetta M. Chambers, daughter of John and Rosanna Chambers, natives of New York state and among the pioneers of Racine county, having settled there in 1842. Mrs. Adams is the sixth child in a family of seven children, three of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers were among the best settlers of Racine county, and occupied a prominent and influential place in their county. They died leaving to their family the heritage of an honored name. The death of the father occurred in 1876, and that of the mother in 1868. To Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been born three children as follows: Morton E., a large circle of friends, -with -svhoin they often meet and talk over incidents connected with tlie- early days in AVisconsin, and are known to be kind and generous and liosjiitable in thcii- liappy lioiiic.

Rudolph Affeldt is a yoim^ and i)i-os|)('r()ns farmer of Ridgevillc township whose age dates back ti()ni April \'2, 1873, when he was l)<)iii ill Dodge county. Wisconsin. Ihc youngest of a family of three sons boni to Carl and Louisa (Zellmer) AflPeldt. both natives of Germany. The others are August, born January 10. 1868, and Julius l)orn February 12. 1870. The father came to America in IStJ.") Mud first located in AVatertown, Wis. With his ])arents. he lived at Watertown sixteen years, then moved to ]\lonroe county, AVisconsin, Avhere they jnirchased a tract of eighty acres which they improved, erected buildings and made their home for some twenty-three years. lie then moved to North Dakota where he stays with his son August, the mother's death occurring in 1898 ; both were devoted members of the Lutheran church : he was one of a family of seven boys and one girl, and Carl, our sub.ject's father was the second child. He Avas born on October 14, 1828, in Germany. He was married in 18G7 and came to Monroe county in 1883: bought an eighty acre tract of land in section fourteen, town of Ridgeville. He was a successful general farmer from the start, and took great pride in making his home superior to any others in the township. His buildings were kept in the best of order and his land in the highest state of cultivation. The residence containing eleven rooms, was built in 1891 and is commodious and modern, and the water supi)ly comes from drive wells by Miudniill force; the lawns surrounding the buildings are eijual to any city lawn and the shrubbery is of the very choicest. AVhile the father was considered one of the best farmers in the neighborhood, great credit must be given to his son Rudolph, who was the main stay of his father until he left for Dakota. Rudolph has never ceased in his eiforts to retain and improve the beauty of the homestead, and no other in the eoiinty suri>asses it. The mother passed away in 1898.

Rudolph has always lived on the home farm and limited his school days to his fourteenth year, devoting all his time and strength to the farm work, and in 1898 he came into possession of the farm and Avas married on June 6, 1899, in Ridgeville, to !\Iiss Emma Zellmer. daughter of Fred and Amelia Zellmer. who were among the flrst settlers of Ridgeville township. !Mr. and

Alexander Allen-'=, a native son of Wisconsin, was l)orn Jannary 1, 1874, on the family homestead in AVells township, ]Monroe connty, the son and yonngest child in a family of ten children, five of whom are now. 1912. living, born to Alexander and Elizabeth (Shepard) Allen. When fourteen years of age, in 1857, the father emigrated from Ireland to the United States and located in New York City, where he learned the tinsmith's trade. He later came west to Wisconsin, and located at Sparta, where for fifteen years lie worked as a laborer. He was thrifty and economical and by frugality accumulated sufficient means with which to purchase the "Barker Farm" of 150 acres in the town of AVells. He engaged in general farming and was generally successful, and there lived until his death in 1904. His wife, mother of our subject, survived until 1908 when she passed away mourned by her family and a large circle of friends. They were hind hearted christian people, and members of the Catholic church. He was a Democrat in ])olitics. and took an active interest in the affairs of his party.

Mr. Allen, subject of this sketch, received his edncation in the common schools of his home town, and remained on his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty years. He then entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, remaining in this position until the death of his father in 1904, when he returned to the homestead and assumed active management of the farm. He employs up-to-date methods and is successful in his operations of the farm, being known as one of the most prosperous farmers of his town. Like his father before him Mr. Allen is a Democrat in politics.

Edward Allendorf*, who resides on his farm of 226 acres of wellimproved land in section thirty Lafayette township, where he was born December 16, 1870, is a son and the second child in a family of four children born to Peter and Tena (Stark) Allendorf. both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the laiited States in the fifties and first located in New York City. They later came to Wisconsin and settled in Monroe county where the father found employment on the Canfield farm in Angelo township ; here he remained for a time, then purchased the farm in Lafayette township where Edward now resides and sturtt'tl ill lo improve the phice and estaljlisli the I'aiaily lioiin.'. but the Civil "War then beinji- in proirress he entered the service in eompan\' D. nineteenth refriniml. Wisconsin Vohinteers in Septembei- 1!». lS(i4. and a1 llie li;inlc of Fair Oaks. May IG. 1865, was taken prisonei' and sent to Libby Prison, but smui thereafter was transferreil to Salisbury Prison. Aftei' the close of the wai- he returned home and continued operations on his farm which he continued to improve: he cleared additional land, erected new buildiuiis. antl thei-e made liis home until his death in 18110. at the as>e of sixty years. His widow, mother of our subject, survived until liXl."). when she passed away at the ajje of sixty years. Besides Edward, the other inend)ei-s of the family are. Fred. Frank and Albert, of Little h'.ills township.

Our subject was reared on his father's farm, attended the common schools and assistetl in the fai-m work- until he reached the age of twenty-two. when he assumed full management of the affairs. Avhicli he continued until 1004. when he became owner of the farm. In IfJOO he erected a new residence ecpiipped with many modern improvements, such as hot and cold water, gas, etc.. he has also built a new silo and made other improvements. In politics he is a Republican, and takes an interest in the live issues of the day.

On Sei)tember 26. 1900. ]\Ir. Allendorf was married to ^liss Lulu ^lary Rhodes, daughter of Henry and Emogene (Braekett) Rhodes, pioneer settlers of Lafayette township. ]\Irs. Allendorf is one of a family of four children. The others are. Harry, mail carrier on rural route No. two. Eva. a teacher at ^linneapolis, ]\Iinnesota. and Arthur L.. who died February 5. 1911. at the age of forty-one years. To ]Mr. and ]Mrs. Allendorf have been born two children: Spencer B.. born August 5. 1904. and Arthur E., born December 29. 1906.

John Allingham was born January L"). 1815. in Lister county. New York, is a son of Hugh and ^Mary (Thompson) Allingham. His father Avas a native of Iicland and in an eai-l>- i\i\y moved to St. Johns, New Brunswick, and afterward moved to the United States, locating in Ulster county. New York. wher(> he resided until the fall of 1865. when he came t<^ "Wisconsin, and located in the town uf Tomah. Monroe county, where he had previously bought 820 acres of land in section twenty-one. He continued to reside here until his death which occurred in iSiil. 1 le was the father of six children, foui- of whom are now living. His wife, mother of our subject, died in 1858. ILigh Allingham was a successful general fai-mer during his lifetime. He began life without means and had accumulated an ample fortune by hard labor and industry; he first worked in the lumber woods of New Brunswick, previous to his moving to New York state, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until he came to Wisconsin. He built his residence in 1865, and his commodious barn later. Some several years before he died he became disabled with rheumatism. He aiid his wife were members of tlie Episeoi)al church and in politics he was a Democrat.

Our subject during his early boyhood was engaged in assisting his father with the work on the farm, hence the education he received was limited. In 1868 in the City of Tomah he was married to Miss Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of John and Jane AVilson. who came early from New York to Monroe coiuity. Mrs. Allingham is the eldest of a family of six children. John Wilson, father of ^Irs. Allingham, died in 1884. ]\Irs. Wilson passed away in 1909. In religious belief Mr. Wilson was a Presbyterian, but afterwards joined the Congregational church, of which he was a faithful and consistent member up to the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Allingham have six children, viz. : Margret, Hugh, John Plamilton, Jane Grace and Bertha. After Mr. and ]\Irs. Allingham married they lived on the old homestead, and after the death of his father, he acquired by inheritance eighty-two acres of land on which they have since lived. Our subject has made valuable and lasting improvements on the land he acquired, and has on his farm a good, comfortable residence and a commodious barn built in 1902. He is a successful general farmer, and from his dairy business receives a profitable income, and his farm is well stocked with a fine grade of cattle. i\Ir. Allingham has been treasurer of the town of Tomah for two terms, director of the school board for six years and he and his wife are members of the Congregational church, and in politics Independent.

Andrew Anderson is another good farmer of Ridgeville township, Monroe county, who came to America from Norway, where he was born August 6. 1860. His parents were Salve and Kristna (Nelson) Anderson, who emigrated to this countrv in 1870 with a family of four children, and located first in the village of Wilton in this county, where the father worked for about four years as a farm laborer and then purchased a tract of eighty acres in the town of Wellington, ]Monroe county. Wis. Here l\Ir. Anderson and his faithful wife are spending their last days in comfort and ease, as the result of their early labors. They are eighty-four and eighty years of age respectively. They hcid a

Andrew is what we may call a self-made man: liis cliances for education were limited wlien he was young, liaving attended only the district schools of ]\Ionroe counly. which prompted him to exercise his best efforts in ol)taining a j)ractical knowledge of affairs in general, to which he a implied himself diligently and is now considered amonu the leading cilizens of his township. He lived at home on the farm until he was thirty-six years old, and in 1896 was man-ied to ]Miss Ilenryetta AVillgrnb. and their children were llui-hcit II.. hoi-n -Inly (1. 1897. and Ivlwin II.. l)()rn June 28, 1898. Mrs. Anderson di.'d in 1899. -Just before their marriage, ]\Ir. Anderson inherited from his aunt a farm of eighty acres in section fourteen, town of Ridgevillc which has ever since been the family homestead, Avhere ]\Ir. Anderson lives with one son, since the death of his wife, lie is a public spirited man. full of ambition and takes an active interest in the affairs of his town. He is a Republican in politics and has served two terms as justice of the peace of Ridgeville. He is fair and square in all his dealings, and well liked by his neighbors.

Thomas E. Anderson is another native son of Monroe county. Wisconsin, and was born ]March 2, 1871. to Thomas X. and ^lary (Davis) Anderson. The former came from County Wexford, Ireland, to the United States in 1850, and found employment in Xew York state as a farm hand, where he remained for a time and then came to Wisconsin, where he met and married ]\liss ]Mary Davis, of F\)x Lake, this state : she was a native of County Wicklow, Ii'elantl. To this union was born five children - three of whom are living. While living at Fox Lake, be purchased a farm of 120 acres in Monroe county, Wisconsin, and in 1850 moved his family to the farm where he made his home up to the time of his death wliidi occurred in 1905. He was a thrifty, energetic man. and in later years achieved a fair measure of success as a farmer; was widely known in his connnunity and highly respected by all who kncAv him. He was a Denu)ci*at in politics and took an active interest in tlie affairs of his ]iai'ty. In religious faith he was a devoted member of the Catholic church.

Thomas E. was raised on his father's farm aiul his early life Avas about the same as tlu' ordinary farmei- boy: he attended the district schools in wintei- and lu'lped witii the larm woi'k in sum- 7ner. Hy hard W(U-k. economy and good .judgment, he early laid the I'onndation i'oi' a successful career, lie saved his earnings and soon purclnised in jiis own i-iulit a twenty aci'e tract to which he added from time to time until he is now rated as one of the largest land owners in Monroe county. He also deals extensively in live stock, and his extensive herds of thoroughbred cattle, has caused him to be branded "The Cattle Man of Monroe county." Mr Anderson is careful, conservative and methodical in his affairs, and in all his business dealings is known for his uprightness and fairness. He is a man of fine personal qualities, social and companionable, affable and congenial, loves good comradeship and good cheer, and is loyal to his friends. He is a Democrat in his political opinions, and active in the councils of his part}^ He is a member of the Catholic church and president of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Tomah.

Warren A. Aney*, a native of Monroe county, Wisconsin, is one of the progressive and prosperous farmers of Cole's Valley, Adrian township, where he is the owner of a 360-acre farm in section thirty-four. He was born April 3, 1870, and is the son of Samuel and Ruth (Gibbs) Aney, natives of central New York, who left the Empire state in the late fifties and came west to Wisconsin, first locating in Racine county, and a short time thereafter came to what is known as the Ridge' in Ridgeville township, returning again to Racine county, and after seven years came to Adrian township, Monroe country, where Mr. Aney bought 160 acres of land in section thirty-four, where with the exception of three years spent in Sparta, he has resided for forty-five years. The land at that time was only partially cleared, and the buildings inadequate. In 1870 a modern brick residence was built which has since been kept iu a fine state of preservation. A large barn w^as built the year previous, and as time demanded other out-buildings have been erected. Choice stock is always to be found on this farm, which has been enlarged by our subject by additions until he now has 360 acres of land. Mr. Aney makes a specialty of choice Jersey cattle, Sherock sheep and Durock Jersey hogs.

Samuel Aney, the father of our subject, was born in New York state, January 12, 1828, and still resides with his son on the homestead farm. His wife, mother of subject, died at Sparta, in 1895, at the age of sixty-five years. Samuel Aney is the son of Michael Aney, of German lineage, who came early from New York state, and settled in Ridgeville township and spent his last days in Adrian township, where he died at the age of eighty-two years. Samuel, the father of Warren, has been three times married, and is the father of four children, viz. : Warren T. Herman, who resides in Adrian township ; Mary, wife of A. H. Edminster, of SiJ.irtM. and Saj-ali deceased, who was the wife of 0. F. Sias. Samuel Aney had five brotliers and one sister who came to !Monroe eouiity and setth'd in Kidticxillc township in the late fifties; they were John, (ieorge. -laek. Daniel. Jesse J., and Xancv. wife of James Johnson.

January 18. 1892. ]\Ir. Aney was united in marriapre with ]Miss Anna BredloAv. dauyhter of Louis Bredlow. of Sheldon township, hnl now resident of Xorwalk.

William H. Ascott''-, a substantial farmer and laild owner in Anselo township. >\lonroe eounty. Wisconsin, was born in tliis county. July IS. 18()fl. His parents. William and Jane (McCreary) AscGtt. were natives of Knjiland and Ireland, respectively, and came to tlu' Fnited States in about 1850. and located first at Schenectady, Xew York, and later removed to Pennsylvania, where they renuiined until 1854. when they came to AViseonsin, Were amonu the pioneer settlers of ^Monroe county. He had eleven brothers and sisters, only one of Avhom ar(» now livinp-. namely, ^lordica. who resides at Wiiu)na, .Minn. In 1870. ^Ir. Ascott moved to the iai'in in Aniiclo township, which is now owned by our subject, Avhich then contained 120 acres, with only a small clearing. Fie made nuuiy improvements and brought the land to a good state of cultivation and there made his home until his death, which occurred August 30, 1904, at the age of sixtynine years. His wife, mother of our subject, passed away Februar\ 22. 3904. aged seventy-two years. They were kindhearted and generous, prosperous in their undertakings, and were held in lii'jli fsleciii by ;dl who knew them.

William II. Ascott is the onl>' surviving member of a family of three children, tlie others were ]\Iary. who married George Dunbar, and G'eorge. both of whom are deceased. ^Ir. Ascott Avas but nine years of auc when his parents moved to his present farm, and here AVilliam gi-ew to manhood. He attended the district school and assisted in the farm woi-k. until 1902. when he |)urchased the luune fai-m anil started on his own account. To Ihe original 120 acres he has ailded from time to time, until now he has acres. The first bai'u on the place was built of logs, which was re])laced by our subject in 1!)05. with a frame structure forty by eighty feet. .Many other inipi-ovements have been made, includini: a silo with a capacity of 175 tons, which was erected in li'lO. -Mr. Ascott is en.uaged in geiu-ral fai'uiing. and since 1910 has made a specialty of i-aising Holstein cattle, and he also is extensively engaged in raising snudl fruits. He is recognized as

On September 19, 1899, ]Mr. Aseott was united in marriage with ]\Iiss Xelli(> X. llutson, youngest daughter in a family of nine children born to -John antl ^lary (Mann) Ifutson, both of whom were born in Lincolnshire. England. They came early to Wisconsin, and were among the pioneers of Big Creek Valley, having located on the farm now oAvned l\v W. F. Parsons, and at the time of his... death, which occurred in ]March. 1907, he was considered one of tbie well-to-do farmers of Big Creek, popular in his community and beloved by all who IcncAr him. Ilis widow, mother of Mrs. Aseott. sni-vives. and makes her home in the City of Sparta.

Clifford R. Austin, a native of ^Monroe county, Wisconsin, was born in Leon township. October 20, 1853. His parents were William J. and ^laria E. (Sanford) Austin (notice of whom will be found els(Mvhere in this volunu^). He received a good education in the common school, and lived with his parents on the farm until 1880, when he went to South Dakota and purchased a farm of 453 acres. After spending three years there, he sold his land and returned to the old homestead in Leor. township and assumed the managenu^nt of the farm, which he continued to carry on until 1903. He then moved to the tract of land left to him at the death of his father, and remained there two years. In 1905 he purchased the Rol)ert Smith farm of 520 acres which he improved Avith a handsouK^ residence, substantial barns and outbuildings, and made other improvements which makes his farm one of the model, up-to-date country homes of ^fonroe county. He is engaged in general farming, dairying and stock raising- and is a successful breeder of light and heaA'y draft horses and short-horned cattle. He Avas one of the organizers of the Co-opieratiA'e Creamery Company and for tive years has been its president and treasurer; he is also one of the organizers and treasurer of the Sparta DriA'- ing and Agricultural Association, Avliich Avill have its annual exhibit of firje stock early in Sept(Mul:)er of the year 1912.

^Irs. Austin. Avhose maiden name Avas Jennie Matteson, was born August 10, 18(Jl, in the toAvn of Leon, ^lonroe county, where she obtained a good common school education, Avhich Avas supplemented by one year in the Sparta high school. She is a mem-

IxT of the W. r. T. I'., and president of her society, Avhieh has always been a ]il)eral contributor to the National Lodge at ]\Iilwankee. She is also a member of the Royal Neighbors. Her paternal grandfather. Nathaniel ]\Iatteson, was born in Vermont in 1796, and in 1805 went to Ncav York w'ith a family of five children and lived there until the winter of 1858, when they came to Wisconsin, then practical ly a wilderness sparsely inhabited, and settled in Leon, Monroe county. Alonzo IL Matteson, father of ]Mrs. Austin, who was born June 24, 1830, preceded his parents to Monroe county one year, and ])ui'chased 120 acres of land which, on the death of his father fell to him. and there he reared his family of four children, i\Irs. Austin being the second child. lie is still living, and for the past few years 1ms lived in retirement, a believer in the principles of the Rej)id)liean party and a strong advocate of temperance. The grandmother died in 1866, and the great-grandfather of ]\Irs. Austin, who was one of the minute men under Washington, and who also served in tlie War of 1812, died August 11. 1875.

On May 5, 1881. ]\Ir. Austin was united in marriage with ^liss Jennie Matteson. Seven children have been born to this union, six of whom are now living, viz : Loren E.. AVinfield W.. Clifford R. Jr.. Truman A.. Kenneth IL and Ruth T. Austin.

Eugene F. Austin, a successful farmer and representative citizen of Leon township, Avhere he was born July 16, 1852. is the son of the late William J. and ]Maria (Sanford) Austin, who were both natives of Ohio. Eugene F. is the second eldest in a family of five children ; he attended the common school and La Crosse Business College, graduating in the commercial course, and resided on the home farm until 1882, assuming the management of the farm. In 1883 he embarked in the mercantile business, opening at that time a general store in the village of Leon, which he successfully carried on until 1907, when the large land interests he had acquired denumded his time and attention, and he disposed of the business. He owns 800 acres in Billings and Bowman counties. North Dakota, and 360 acres of choice Leon valley land, besides several buildings in the village of Leon, including the store building adjoining his residence. For many years ]Mr. Austin was the manager of his father's lumber l)usiness at Black River Falls, and was also manager of the Leon mill. He is now engaged in general farming, stock raising and dairying, and his fai-m is well improved with a good class of outbuildings which, with his nu)dern eleven-room residence and the up-to-date equipment, makes an ideal country home. In politics Mr. Austin is a

Eugene F. Austin Biography 593

Republican, but is an independent thinker on all subjects, and believes in putting only the most capable men in office. While he has never sought nor cared for public office, he has served as town clerk.

On November 8, 1882, Mr. Austin was married to Miss Sallie Ann DeWitt, daughter of Richard DeWitt, one of the early settlers of Leon valley, and Sallie Ann (Thompson) DeWitt. Her ancestors on her father's side are traced to France, while on the mother's side they are traced to the Puritanic stock of Vermont. Mrs. Austin w^as born at Florence, Erie county, Ohio, March 31, 1846, and is one of a family of four daughters and two sons, all of w^hom are now living. Her parents settled in A¥ells township, Monroe county, in 1856, and were among the well-to-do and influential citizens of that town, and held the confidence and esteem of all who knew them. The father died November 17, 1901, and the mother passed away in 1908. To Mr. and Mrs. Austin has been born one daughter, Edith Estella, who, after graduating from high school, took a commercial course at a La Crosse business college, is now proficient in bookkeeping and stenography, and for some time was in the employ of a large department store at La Crosse. She is a talented musician, having had the advantage of some of the best nnisical instructors in the country, and she is now instructing a class in instrumental music at her home in Leon. In addition Miss Austin has received thorough instruction in the art of hair dressing and has opened a hair dressing parlor at her home, where she serves her many friends and patrons.

Fred R. Austin, progressive farmer, was born in Leon, Monroe county, Wisconsin, December 21, 1873, and is a son of Henry and Isabella (Reed) Austin. He received his education in the district schools of his county, which was supplemented by a four-year course in the Sparta high school. He then served an apprenticeship in a flouring mill at Leon, and for R. M. DeLong, who at that time was operating the mill under lease, from 1897 to 1902, and from 1903 to 1906 had full charge of the mill. He then purchased the old homestead of sixty-five acres from his father in section ten, Leon township, and has since made this his home. He carries on general farming and is specially engaged in the dairy business and supplies a large amount of milk and cream for the town and creamery. He is a busy man of atfairs, a director of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of the town of Leon ; has held the office of town clerk for eleven years and is now school treasurer. He is a director of the Leon Creamery, and from 1907 to 1909 was its secretary and manager. He is a member of the

On August 4, 1900, ^Mr. Austin was married to Miss Nora Anderson, of llillshoro, N. D. Of three children born to them. two, Earl, born ]\Iarch 7. 1!)()]. and p]rma, born September 1."), 1908, are living.

Henry Austin, father of our subject, was born July 27, 1834. in Medina county, Ohio. In 1848 he emigrated with his parents to Sheboygan county, AVisconsin, Avhere his father lived and died. In 18.13, ]Mr. Henry Austin left Sheboygan county on foot for Monroe county, where he explored the Leon valley and returned to Sheboygan county, but soon came back to the Leon valley, and for three years worked on the farm of his brother, \V. .1. Austin. He then purchased sixty-five acres of land which he afterwards sold to his son, the subject of this sketcli. lie was twice married, first to Miss Lauressa Reed, and 1)y this union there is one daughter, Eleanor, living. ]\Irs. Austin died in 1871, and he married for the second wife, Isabella Reed, sister of his first wife. She was born December 24, 1850, and by this union there are three living children, viz : Fred R.. our subject ; Roy and Allyn ; the latter two residing in Chicago, 111. Mr. Austin is a highly i-espected citizen of his community, and all his life has been a hard working man. By incessant hard toil, he l)ecame physically disabled, causing him to retire frou) active business. Although in feeble health, his mental faculties are unimpaired, and he relates many interesting incidents of his pioneer life in "Wisconsin.

William J. Austin, who for many wears was prominently identified with the agi'icultural and l)usiness interests of ]\Iouroe county, was born in Trumbull cimnty, Ohio, ]May 26, 1822, a .son of Freeman Austin, a native of Columbia county. New York; the paternal grandfather was a native of ^Massachusetts, and some of the earlier ancestors took part in the War of the Revolution. They were of English and Scotdi extraction. Freeman Au.stin lived in the county in which lie was born until he was sixteen years of age; he then went to Trundndl county, Ohio, where he was married to Elizabeth Johnson, who was born in that county, a daughter of ^Villianl Johnson, a native of New England. William J. was three years of age when his parents removeil to ^Medina county, Ohio, and at the age of twenty-one years he went to Portage county the same state; he was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his education in tb.e connnon schools and in the academy at Poland. After leaving school he began teaching, and followed this profession for some time; he took lip horticulture, and gave his attention to this business for three years. At the end of this period he went to Rock county, AVisconsin, and embarked in the nursery trade, an industry of great importance to a new country; three years later he went to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, where he purchased a small tract of land, and for three years carried on farming. Disposing of his interests at the end of that time, he removed to Monroe county, in the fall of 1851, and entered a quarter section of Government land in the then wilds of the Leon valley. He subsequently added to his origninal purchase until he had accumulated 1,040 acres, which he retained as the home farm and which, by his energy and perseverance, was converted from a wild state to one of high cultivation and productiveness. Soon after locating in the Leon valley, he became interested in the milling business; he took charge of and operated the Leon mill at Leon, which at that time was the largest mill using M^aterpower in the state outside of Alilwaukee. For several years he continued the successful operation of this business, as a custom and merchant mill, in connection with his farming interests. Settlers were few and far between in 1851, Avhen Mr. Austin located in the Leon valley; the three or four families who located at about the same time gradually moved away, leaving him the oldest settler in the valley. In his farming operations his attention was mainly given to the raising of grain and stock, and maintained a dairy from which he derived a handsome revenue. He Avas also engaged in the mercantile business for many years, carrying on a store in the village of Leon, under the firm name of Tuttle & Austin. For a number of years he engaged in the manufacture of lumber, and operated a lumber yard. The old paper mill in Sparta was built by him and a man by the name of Mather. He was a man of rare business judgment, and with the assistance of his wife, who w^as also possessed of good business ideas, and her diligence in home matters, was largely responsible for the success achieved. Mr. Austin was a man who always commanded the esteem and confidence of tlie community in which he lived. He was plain and unassuming in manner and very modest and reticent as to his own accomplishments. Although not a member of any church, he contributed liberally to their support as well as to all worthy enterprises. A Republican in politics he was active in the affairs of his party, was a member of the general assembly of 1880-1881, and in fraternal matters was a thirty-second degree Mason. During the latter years of his life he and his wife did much traveling;, spending their winters in Florida, on tlie Gulf and in California. His death, which occurred April '.]0, 1904, was mourned as a great loss to his community.

He was married April 4, 1850, in Sheboygan county, AVisconsin, to INIaria E. Sanford, who Avas born at Copley, Summit county, Ohio, a daughter of Benjamin Sanford. of Vermont. Her paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary AVar, and the mother's maiden name was IMargaret Kiefer, a relative of ex- Speaker Kiefer, of Ohio. She died when Mrs. Austin was a girl of ten years; the father died April 12, 1857; they reared a family of tliree sons and three daughters: William, Aaron, Ransom, Cordelia, Orphic and Marie E. Airs. Austin passed away April 10, 1901, beloved and esteemed by all who knew her. She was a woman of many domestic virtues and mental attainments, unassuming in manner, nu)dest, of good judgment and untiring energy, always ready to do her part. Her ancestors were of English, Frencli and German lineage.

Ernest Austin, who was l)orii in Alonroe county, AViseonsin, February 10, 1860, is one of a family of five cliildren, three of whom are now (1912) liAiiig. lioiii to AVilliain -I. and Alaria E. (Sanford) Austin, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Avhere their families were prominently identified with the early history of that state. Ernest received his early education in the public schools, which Avas supplemented by a thorough course of training in the commercial department of the A^'alparaiso Xonnal school, and sulisequently the law department from wliich he graduated in 1886, with the degree of Bachelor of LaAvs. The folloAving year he Avent to IMinneapolis, Avhere for ten years he Avas engaged in the laAV and real estate l)usiness. After a brief visit to his home in 1898, he Avent to Seattle, AVash., making that place his home for a time, prosj)ecting and speculating. He also A'isited Alaska and British Columbia, and later spending one year in California, Oregon, Nevada and other AVestern states. He returned to Alonroe county in 1902 and tt)ok charge of liis business interests, consisting principally of farming and milling in Leon toAvnship. He is knoAvn as a public-spirited citizen and Avide- BAvake and successful in his business undertakings, and in politics is a Republican.

William Alonzo Barber, merchant, manufaetui-cr. l)anker; born Saratoga county. Ncav York, January 11. 1848; son of Rev. Bradford K. and RoAvena A. (AVest) Barber; educated in common schools of Ncav A'^ork state and AViseonsin; married AVestfield, AVis., April 9, 1867. Alary LaAvton; chikiren: Fred R., born July

1869, Edith M., born 1875. AVas teacher in country schools during winter months and worked on farms during summer months from the age of fifteen until enlisted in army; engaged in lumber Inisiness 1874; became partner in lumber firm of George Warren & Co., 1875 ; Inisiness incorporated later and now having added interests, and he is president of the company. In 1891 commenced promotion of inventions of Howard D. Colman ; first success in 1896 with Barber-Colman Check Pump for creameries; then the Barber Knotter for spoolers, after that "Barber- Warp-Tying Machine," both now being largely used in cotton mills and popular in the United States, England and Continent of Europe; is not now connected with this company, having retired early in 1910. Partner with Ilulbert and Barber "Ilulbert Ranch," Meade county, Kansas, in course of development ; now president General Store Company, merchants. Warrens, and of George Warren Company, manufacturer and dealer in lumber, real estate, etc., Wisconsin ; vice-president George Warren Company, bank, Warren, Wis., and AYarren Land Company, real estate, telephone and farming, AVarren, AVis. Has served as town officer ; on county boards, and as school district officer many terms ; member of assembly, Wisconsin legislature, 1882; appointed postmaster of AYarren, AA^is., under President Grant, 1876, and has served continuously ever since; enlisted for three years in Civil Y^ar, IMarcli 24, 1864, in company B, thirty-seventh AVisconsin Infantry, and served with regiment at Cold Harbor, and near Petersburg, Va.; discharged July, 1865. Republican (Stalwart), Baptist. Director AVayland Academy, Beaver Dam, AA'is., and of AYisconsin Baptist State Convention, Incorporated.

Arthur W. Barney, banker, of Sparta, AVis., was born in Juneau county, July 28, 1871, and is the son of Charles AY. and INIary Hatton (Davis) Barney, natives of New York and AVisconsin, respectively. ]\Ir. Barney received his preliminary education in the public schools. He began his business career in 1890 as bookkeeper in a bank at Reedsburg, AA^is., with which institution he remained until the fall of 1894, when he accepted the position of cashier in the Alonroe County Bank of Sparta, and served in that capacity until the spring of 1901, when he became assistant cashier of Bank of Sparta. Shortly afterwards he became vicepresident of Bank of Sparta, which position he still retains. Fraternally, he is a member of the Alasonic order, and a Knight Templar.

Gustav Bartels, for numy years a prominent and useful citizen of Riilj^evillc township, ^lonroe county, is the son of John and Anna (Kicksoer) Bartels, both natives oi' Gci'inany. He was born ]\larch 18, 1860, in AVilton, this county. His parents came to America in 1855 with two children and first located in Wilton township, where the father worked at farming and his trade of stonemason, which lir learned in his native country, and with the proceeds of his labor and economy, he purchased a tract of fifty acres in the town of Wilton, which he improved, brought to a high state of cultivation and made the family homestead, and here lived until his death in 1907. His Avidow still survives, and her wide circle of friends and ac(iuaintances listen with nnich interest to her many thrilling stories of their pioneer life, for instance : of the days when Mr. Bartels carried fiour on his back all the way from Tunnel City to his home in Wilton, in this county, then a small village of only a few houses and one railroad; he also often made the trip up and back the same day with a team of oxen, which he used altogether in place of horses, and in those days their meat was wdld game and their neighbors were Indians. Mr. and ]\Irs. Bartels were both members of the Lutheran church at Ridgeville. Mr. Bartels was full of ambition and ready to assist in every enterprise that could be brought about in those days. He organized one of the first schools in Wilton township, in fact, he was a prime mover in bringing the township to the front as near as could be attained at that time. He was formerly a Democrat in politics, but the latter years of his life, he voted the Republican ticket. They raised a family of four children, all of whom are living in this county.

Gustav was the third child of the family ; he attended the district schools until he was eighteen years of age and lived at home. His first employment away from home was as a farm hand at a salary of $12 per month, and after working for a short tinu^ in this capacity, he took a position to work in the pine lumber camps in Warren INlills, Wis., but after a short time he changed again, and this time bought a farm in the town of Ridgeville in 1881. Three years later, on September 6, 1883, he was married in the town of Tomah, AVis., to ^Miss Lizzie [Martin, a. daughter of Christ and ]\Iary ]\Iartin, early settlers of ]\Ionroe county and natives of Germany.

on the old homestead about four and a half miles south of Tomah, at the age of seventy-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Bartels have had four children, only two of whom are living, viz : Albert C, born October 13, 1891, and Cora M., born December 27, 1905. Their home farm consists of 150 acres of fine land in sections three, four and ten, town of Ridgeville. Avhere they have lived since their marriage, and is one of the ideal country homes in the county. They have made many lasting and valuable improvements ; in 1883, they built their first home ; in 1893, built a basement barn, and in 1903 they built a new residence, containing sixteen rooms. A large and commodious granary was built in 1887, and their water supply comes from a drive well 205 feet in depth, besides having several natural springs on the place. Mr. and ]\Irs. Bartels are both devoted members of the Lutheran church at Ridgeville.

Mr. Bartels is considered one of the most successful farmers in the township, thoroughly up to date in his methods, and is always ready to aid in furthering the interests of his town and county. He is a Republican in politics and has served in various local offices; he Avas supervisor for some time and has been treasurer of the school board for some eighteen years.

Henry W. Battalia, general merchant of Tunnel City, Monroe county, is a native of the Badger state, having been born in Jefferson county, April 26, 1858, the son of Christian and Julia (Schultz) Battalia, natives of Switzerland and Germany, respectively. More than fifty years ago they came to Monroe county and settled in Clifton township, and were among the honored pioneers of that section, and there lived the allotted time; the father died in 1900, at the age of sixty-five years, and the death of his wife, mother of our subject, occurred more than thirty-five years ago. Their family consisted of six children, Henrj^ W. being the oldest. The others are John, of Oakdale, this county ; Anna married J. Bowser, of Marinette, Wis. ; Lizzie is the wife of C. W. Haase, of Clifton township ; Christian lives in New Lisbon, and Amelia married William Pascoe, of Ashland, Wis.

Henry W. was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools. At the age of twenty, he began the carpenter trade and followed that occupation continuously for eight years. He then purchased his father's farm of 200 acres in section four, Clifton township, and for seventeen years was actively engaged in farming operations. In 1903 he moved to Tunnel City and bought the store of C. E. Davenport and conducted a successful business for four years; in li)()7, in coinpanx' with .Vndres Brothers, lie purchased tlie general store of W. .1. Donakl. and for two years tile l)usiness Avas condueted under tlir fii-iii name of Andres lirothers & Battalia. Avhoi this iinii was dissolved, and AVilliam AVoodai'd purchased an interest with .Mi-. Battalia; at the end of one year Mr. Battalia purchased Ihc interest of his partner and became sole ownei- and lU'oprietor. which he has successfully carried on since 1!J1(), and has now one of the leading geni-ral stores of the county. AVhile interested in farming, our subject often worked at Ids ti'adc as carpenter and joiner, and built several of llic buildings in that section, anu)ng them being the St. Peter's cliurcli al ('lil'toii, which was constructed in 1897, and later he erected two residences at Tunnel City besides his i)resent residence, yiv. Battalia besides conducting a prosperous business, is the owner of consitUu-able other property, including his store building and others in the village. lie is interested in other enterprises, and while a resident of Clifton, was a director and for a time treasurer of the Farmers' ^Mutual Insurance Company. He has been treasurer of Greenfield township, and is a member of the I\Iodern Brotherhood of Anu^rica and the ^loderii AVoodnum of America.

He was married September ID, 1885, to Aliss Anna Grassman. daughter of Rudol]di and Rosa Grassnum, of Clifton township. They have had three children and the sad misfortune of losing one - Oscar K., Avho was drowned at IIonuM-. ]\linn.. in 1010. at the age of twenty-three years. The others. Elsie F and Freil A., live at home with their parents.

John Battalia''', who resides on his fai'ui in Oakdale township, was born in Jefferson county, AVisconsin, September 2(j, 1859, the son of Christian and Julia (Schultz) Battalia, natives of Switzerland and Germany, respectively. The father came to America sonu' time in the early fifties with his mother and two sisters, and located in Jefferson county, where he resided until he removed to Clifton townsliip in ]\Ionroe county, in 1862. He homesteaded eighty acres of land in Clifton, and there made his home until his death. Dui'ing the Civil AVai' the father enlisted and served with distinction until its close.

John lived at hom(^ until 188(5 when, in ]\Iay of that year, he was married to Aliss Anu'lia lleintz, of Oakdale. She Avas educated ill the district and high schools of ]\Ionroe county, and for five years previous to hei- marriage Avas a teacher. Four children liave been born to ^Ii". and Airs. Battalia, three of Avhom are living. Julia Al., boi-n ]\Iay 11, 1889; Inez, born November 3, 1890, Avas educated in tlie district and liij^h schools oi' ]Monroe county, and in the Iowa State Normal school at Des Moines. After completing her education she was engaged three years as a teacher. She now lives at home. The son, Alfred, was born April 14, 1892. After the marriage of ]\Ir. Battalia he purchased forty acres of land in the town of Oakdale, which he afterwards sold and repurchased 100 acres in section fifteen, and later added eighty acres in section nineteen of the same town, where he now" resides. He is a carpenter and for twenty-five years followed his trade, during which time he built many of the tine large barns in Clifton and Oakdale townships. For the past five years he has given his entire time and attention to his farm, and has been successful in its operations. Besides general farming he does an extensive dairy business and keeps his farm well stocked with a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs.

In politics he is a Republican and takes an active interest in the affairs of his party. He has been supervisor of his town two years, treasurer one term and for twelve years a member of the school board.

Walter Baxter, a veteran of the Civil AVar, was born in Scotlaud, November 8, 1842. His father, George Baxter, was born in Scotland, August 5, 1817, and his mother, whose maiden name was Jean Duncan, also born in Scotland, was married December 21, 1841, and emigrated to America in 1851, when AValter was but nine years of age, and settled in the state of Wisconsin, Waukesha county. In 1864 Air. Walter Baxter came and located in Monroe county, where he has since resided, engaged in farming in Clifton and Glendale townships. In 1865 he enlisted in company A, fiftieth regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers and served about one and one-half years, until receiving his honorable discharge June 12, 1866.

Mr. Baxter is one of the substantial' and influential citizens of Monroe county, and takes a commendable interest in the welfare of his town and county, and for sixteen years has been clerk of his town and village.

On October 6. 1867, Air. Baxter was united in marriage to Miss Alargaret AlcQueen, daughter of James and Nancy Mc- Queen, of Glendale, Wis. Of four children born to this union, but one, Luella, who is the wife of H. AV. Smith, of Kendall, is now living.

George G. Becker, farmer and substantial citizen of Tunnel City, Alonroe county, AVis., is a native of Illinois, and was born in Chicago, December 29. 1867. His parents were Ignatz and

?Jary (]\Iarhoefer) Becker, who emiirrated from Germany early ill life, got acquainted in Chicago and were united in marriage their, where they made their home until 1895. They then moved to ]\Ionroe county, Wisconsin, and settled in Greenfield town- .ship. where the\' lived until the father died at the age of seventyfour years. Ilis widow, mother of our subject survived four months when she passed awav at the aire of sixtv-four vears. They raised a family of nine children, our subject being the eldest. Of the others, Henry is deceased, Charles and Harry are engaged in the grocery business in Chicago, Fred is a member of the police force in that city, Clara is deceased, Ignatz is deceased, Elizabeth Becker (Hall) resides in Greenfield township, Edward also resides in Greenfield township.

George G. received his education in the public schools of Chicago, and early learned the brick mason's trade, which he followed until his removal to Greenfield township, in 1893. He first i)ur('liased eiszhty acres of land in section thirty-four, which he sold three years later and moved onto a rented farm in LaGrange township, Avhich he carried on for a period of three years. At the expiration of that time he purchased a 2-40-acre tract in section ten of Greenfield township, which he farmed and improved by a high state of cultivation and substantial buildings, and there resided until 1910, when he moved to Tunnel City, Avhere he has since lived. Beginnino; his operations in ]\Ionroe county with a cash capital of $100, he has won success and became known as one of the enterprising and well-to-do citizens of this section ; he takes a commendable interest in affairs of the county and any movement which he thinks is for the betterment of the community, receives his support; he is now serving his third term as chairman of the town board, and for two terms has held the office of treasurer of the town. He was married ]\Iarch 22, 1890. to ]\Iiss ]Minnie Krase, daughter of Gustave and Fredreka Krase, of AVisconsin.

Ernst Behrens, farmer. Tomah township, was born in (Jermany. Xoveiuber ;}, 18"):^. He is the son of Fred and Wehliminia Behrens. also natives of Germany. They came to America in 1867. with a family of five children, two brothers of the subject having preceded them the year before. They located in the town of AVilton. ^lonroe couiity. Wis,, where Mr. Behrens bought 120 acres of land, only eighteen acres being improved, in section four, town of Wiltdii. where he lived until lie died. He was successful in his early occupation of raising large and profitable grain crops. and thus he was able to etjuip the farm in first class shape. He was an earnest, sincere christian gentleman, and a well respected citizen of his community, and a member of the German Reformed church, to which he gave liberal support.,

Ernst is of a family of eleven children, two of whom are living. He received a good education in his native country, up to his sixteenth year, when he came to Monroe county, and attended school but a few months after reaching the new country. He remained on the homestead farm until the age of twenty-three, Avhen he acquired 100 acres of land in section four, Wilton townshi]). which he sold a few months later, and was employed at farm work by his father-in-law for six months, when he returned to the neighborhood of his first purchase and bought sixty acres of land to which he later added sixty more, and here made his home until 1894. when he bought eighty acres where he now resides in the town of Tomah. He built a comfortable house the first year, a barn in 1902, and silo in 1911. His farm has a fine spring which furnishes water for both his house and barn. His farm is Avell stocked with horses, cattle, hogs, etc. ; and he carries on a profitable dairy business, and Mr. Behrens ranks among' the successful farmers of Monroe county. He has been trustee of the Tomah Lutheran church for fifteen years, and one of the organizers of the Tomah Creamery, and in politics is a Republican.

October 1. 1876, in the town of Ridgeville, he was married to Miss May Merten, daughter of Chris and Maria Merten. Seven children have been born to this union, six of whom are living : Caroline L., now JNIrs. John Sherman ; Emma, now ]\Irs. Herman Mathewes: Ernst. Louis. Fred. Lidia and Elmer, deceased.

George Benson, section twenty-four, Sparta township, a native son of Monroe county, was born on the homestead farm where he now resides, January 16, 1877. He is a son of Charles and Ernstine (Linke) Benson, natives of Stoten, Germany. Charles Benson, the father of our subject, w^as the eldest of three children, the others, Minnie, the former wife of John Winters, is deceased, and Fred, of Eagle River, Wis. Charles was born in 1832, and came to the United States in 1850, at the age of eighteen years. Imbued w'ith the energy and vigor of his young manhood, he set forth to make his way in the then new country. His first stop after leaving the port of New" York was in Chicago, and from there continued his course w^estward into the then wilds of Wisconsin, of which Monroe county formed a part. Locating first on' a rented farm in Bowler's valley. It Avas two years later that he purchased 100 acres of wild land covered with heavy timber, to which he later added sixty acres more, which embraces the homestead farm. The tirst effort toward home biiildins was the erection of a lo^ shanty, nearly across the hisrhway from where the present house occupied by our subject now stands, which his father built over forty-two years asro, and where he died in 1S90. at the asre of fifty-eisht years. Ilis widow, mother of George, is a resident of Sparta. She is the eldest of a family of three children. The others are Fredricka Schmidt, of Eauclaire. and ^linnie Zimmerman, deceased, of Chicago. Oeorsre Benson is the youngest of his family, the others are. Charles W. and John F.. of Sparta, Emma, deceased, who was formerly the wife of Charles Jones, of Newlyme township, Minnie, wife of Arthur Jenkins, of Little Falls township. Edith, wife of David Jenkins, of Lafayette township. The paternal grandmother, born in 1S12. died in Sparta at the age of ninety-one years.

On December 9, 1903. ^Ir. Benson was united in marriage with Miss Maude Rowe. of Burns Valley. LaCrosse county. Wis. George attended the district schools of his native township, and has been in possession of the home farm since the age of twenty-one years. He is a member of the ^lodern AVoodmen of America, and is interested in th^ live issues of the day.

Edward Bergman, a popular young farmer and business man of Xorwalk, with property interests in various parts of ^lonroe county, was born October 11. 1S73. in the towii of Ridgeville. this county, to William and Bertha (Ilass"* Bergman, the father a native of Saxony. Germany, and the mother a native of Ohio. ^Ir. Bergman. Sr.. came to America in 1S52. and first located in the state of Ohio, where he was married, and shortly afterward moved to the town of Ridgeville and homesteaded an eighty acre tract of wild land in section twenty-eight, which at that time was unbroken and covered with timber and n^ameil by wild game and Indians. To this he eventually added another forty acres, makinsr in all a farm of 120 acres, and immediately set to work to clear and improve the land and establish the family home, battling, as it were, the trials and hardships of pioneer life. There were no roads of any kind in the county except the Indian trails and a stage road from La Crosse to Sheboygan, and white settlers were scarce; the only means of transportation being either on foot or by ox team. They raised a family of ten children, nine of whom are living. Edward is the seventh child. ^Ir. Bergman. Sr.. was a brilliant and well educated man. was a great reader and kept up with the current events of the day, he was a Democrat in politics and took an active interest in all

Edward lived at home until he was twenty-two years of age and acquired an education in the district schools. His first experience on his own resources was in the threshing and saw mill business; the threshing machine he operated during the summer season and the saw mill during the winter months; he was a faithful worker, economical and persevering, and made a success of his occupation. On October 11. 1897. he was married in the town of Ridgeville. to Miss Alvina Generikow. daughter of Miuherd and Amil Generikow: she was the fourth child of a family of six children, all of whom are living. Mr. and ]\Irs. Bergman have one child. Otho 0.. born October 20. 1909.

After their marriage they moved to Xorwalk. in ^lonroe county, where ]Mr. Bergman purchased a livery stable, which he operated for a while, then disposed of this and returned to the threshing and saw mill business, which he has since conducted along with other lines most successfully. In 1898 he took a contract to carry the mail on the rural delivery route, and is still holding this position with the Government. In 1899 he erected a modern residence in the village of Xorwalk. containing eleven rooms, which he occupies with his family. ]\Ir. Bergman is a Republican in politics.

A. W. Bernett*, a resident of the city of Tomah. was born in Switzerland in 1855. and after the death of his father, his mother left her native coimtry and came to America with her family of children in 1872. our subject being one of that number. After a residence of live years in Bangor. La Crosse county. AVis.. ]\Ir. Bernett was employed at farm Avork. and afterwards engaged m track laying for the Chicago. Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, and after a time he took charge of a section as foreman, which position he held for several years. In 1885. he came to Tomah and purchased eighty acres of land in the town of La- Grange, which he now owns and upon which he has made extensive improvements, having in the year 1900. erected a large and commodious barn. Mr. Bernett has since that time resided in Tomah. where he has been employed as a skilled mechanic in the shops of the Chicago. Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, where he is now engaged as a faithful and valued Avorkman. He owns a fine and substantial residence, and is a progressive citizen and is interested in the advancement of his home city and county. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Woodmen of the World.

;Mr Bernett was married at Lafayette, Wis., to ^liss Barl)ara Orplnvell, and to this union has been born one son, George, born in 1883. He received liis education in the graded and high school of Tomah. and lias been game warden of the district for one year.

Joseph Betthauser, who lives on his farm of 115 acres in sections tliirty-l\V(). Ihii'ty-one and ten, Oakdale township, is a prosperous farmer and one of the steady office holders of the town. He is a Democrat in politics and has served the town board for years in the capacity of supervisor, assessor, chairman of the board, town clerk and ti-easurer and for twenty-four years has been school treasurer and a hard worker in the school interests. He was born June 25, 1858. in Rockboro, Dane county, AVis.. the son of Val ;ind ^largaret (Snider) Betthauser. both natives of Germany. They came to America in 1856 and located in Dane coun-y. where they lived on a rented farm for about eight years and then moved to Oakdale township, in ]\Ionroe county, in 1861, and bought forty acres in section twenty-eight and homesteaded another forty acres which he converted into a highly productive farm and beautiful country home. They were among the early settlers of the county and ]Mi'. Betthauser now lives in ease and comfort as a result of his many years of hard work, at the age of eighty-eight years, and tells many interesting tales of pioneer life. His wife passed away in 1881. They were devoted members of the Catholic church and raised a family of nine children in that faith. ^Ir. Betthauser helped to l)uild the first Catholic church in Oakdale in 1870, and in 1910 assisted in the erection of the St. ]\Iichael Indian Creek church, at a cost of $6,250. Rev. Luuis Wurst, pastor; Joseph Betthauser, Seb. Richer aiul L. Shie. building committee.

Joseph is the oldest of the family, and lived at home on the farm nnlil he was twenty-two: he attended school nj) to his sixteenth year, and on November 26. 1884. he was married in ^lauston, Juneau ccninty. to ^liss Anna ]\Iary Haschke, daughter of Heronimad and ]\Iary TIaschke. and they have eight children, viz.: Frank. Joseph. John. Kddie. Otto. Anna, Mary and Louis. ^Ir. Betthauser bought his farm shortly after his marriage in 1886. and since tliat time has been conlinually improving it, so that it is now one of the Ix'st farms in Indian Creek. He keeps i1 well supplied with a good grade of stock, and uses tlic most modern methods in conducting it. In connection with his general farming, he carries on a tine dairy business, .uul is considered one of th.e vahijiblc cili/cns (tf the townshi]). lie mnkes n specinlty

William L. Blake, a well known farmer of section twelve, Greenfield toAvnship, was born in Gamden, Oneida county, N. Y., September 3. 1848. His parents, Frederick and Emily (Sanford) Blake, who w^ere natives of New England, came to Wisconsin when William was but nine months old, and located in Waukesha county, but soon thereafter moved to Walworth county, where they remained three years, then came back to Waukesha. From there they returned to New York, but again came back and settled in Waukesha county, w^here they spent the balance of their lives. William L. is the youngest and only surviving member of a family of three children ; of the others, Mary married Jonas Stahl, and is now deceased, and Aurelia, the wife of Dr. S. S. Smith, is deceased. The grandparents on the Sanford side were also from New York state. They had a family of twelve children, ten^sons and two daughters.

William L. Blake, the subject of this sketch, was raised on the farm and attended the district school. He remained at home until he was twenty-six years of age, when he started out for himself. He went to northern Wisconsin and found employment in the lumber woods. He went next to Iowa, from where he returned after a time to his boyhood state of Wisconsin, and located in 1876 on his present farm containing seventy-seven acres, only seven acres being cleared at the time of purchase. Since that time the soil has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and the place improved with a good class of buildings, making it a beautiful country home. He has always been interested in the affairs of his community, and for some time served on the side board, was assessor for seven years, and chairman of the tow^n board for one term. ]\Ir. Blake is a lover of antiquities, and has in his possession a rare collection of Indian relics. He is known as one of the well-to-do. public spirited, and influential citizens of jMonroe county.

On February 25, 1875, Mr. Blake was married to JMiss Lydia E. Fulmer, daughter of William and Lucretia L. (Martin) Fulmer, natives of New York state, w^ho came to Oconomowoc, AVis., Mrs. Blake's native place, in 1847. They reared a family of six children, Mrs. Blake being the fourth in order of birth. The others are Wallace AY., of Sioux Falls, S. D.. :\Iarian. the wife of W. Hatch, of ]\Iadison, S. D., William H. resides in Coleman, S. D., Albert Al.. who died in 1903, and Alfred B. Fulmer. of Dell Rapids, S. D. The children of Air. ami Airs. Blake are For-

Jesse Blake, grandfather of onr sul).jeet. Avas horn Decemher 14, 1775, in Coiniectieut, and ]\Iarrilla Loomis. his Avife. Avas horn May 20, 1775. They eanie from Litchfield, Conn., to the tOAvn of Camden, Oneida county. N. Y.. Avhere they spent their lives. Ephriam Sanford, tin- maternal grandfather, waf^ born August 12, 1789, and his Avife. Temperance Dunbar, AA'as born August 13, 1791.

Albert A. Bliss, a progressive and prosperous farmer and substantial citizen of LaOrange tOAvnship, is a native of GeorgetOAvn, ]\radison county, Ncav Y'ork, and Avas l)orn December 18, 1857, to Eliab and R]u)da (Davenport) Bliss, also natives of Ncav York state, and Avho Avere descended from Phiglisli and German ancestry. Eliab Bliss, was a millwright and spent most of his active life in ]\Iadison county, conducting the GeorgetoAvn mill. He died at the age of eighty-six and his Avife, mother of oiu' subject, died at the age of eighty-tAvo years. Of seven children born to them, five are noAV living, vi/. : Albert A, Charles of NeAV York state. Sarah Jane. AvidoAV of George Tripp, (^f Hamilton, N. Y., Harriet Bliss, and Celestine. Those deceased ai-e P^vert and Betsey Ann.

Albert A. received a limited education in the public schools and assisted his father in mill Avork and Avas employed on the farm ; when yet a young man he came Avest to St. Joseph, ]Mich., and later moved to LaGrange toAvnship, Monroe county. Wisconsin, Avhere he made his home Avith his uncle. Burden Davenport, and Avas variously employed at farm Avork for a time and then spent three years in railroading Avith the AVisconsin Valley Railroad. He then Avent Avith the Northern Pacific Railroad, and for several years Avas employed in the engineering and train department of that road. At the death of his uncle, Air. Davenport, in 1896, he fell heir to the present farm Avhere he noAV resides in section seventeen, LaGrange toAvnshiji. and to Avhich he has devoted much time and energy in improving.

Burden DaA'enport, uncle of our subject. Avas a native of Ncav York state; in 1855 in company Avith Amos Greenfield, he came to AVisconsin and located on Ihc faiiii in LaGrange toAvnship, Alonroe county, where he built a log house where he lived for some years, Avhen he erected a iu>av frame residence AA'hieh Avas

William H. Elyton, one of the veterans of the Civil War, and a prosperous and respected citizen of Sparta, was born on October 4, 1842, at Franklinville, N. Y. Ilis father, Thomas W. Blyton, was born in western New York in 1814. The maiden name of his mother was Elizabeth McClure, a native of Cattaraugus county, New York. The paternal grandfather was Thomas Blyton, a native of Ohio. The ancestors of the Bly tons' and McClures' were of Irish descent. As early as 1844, Thomas W. Blyton, father of our subject, went to Illinois, but after a short sojourn, returned to New York and resided in Cattaraugus count}^ until 1852, when, at the earnest solicitation of Mr. A. F. Bard, of Sparta, he came to this city, then but a small village, and followed his trade as carpenter in the employ of Mr. Bard. At the end of two years, he sent for his family, who arrived at their new western home in October. 1854. He lived here uninterruptedly engaged at his trade until 1864. On September 13. of that year, he enlisted for service in the Federal Army in Company C, Nineteenth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He continued in the service until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. Returning home with health much impaired from exposure and fatigue, incident to his service in the defense of his country which left him severely afflicted with asthma on account of which he decided to change his place of residence. He removed to Barron county, this state. He died at Sparta, Wis., July 28, 1898.

William H. was the oldest of a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters ; the next in order of birth was Charles W. Blyton. He also was a member of Company C, Nineteenth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, but on account of disability, was discharged at Suffolk, Va., on June 15, 1863. He returned to his home in Sparta, wdiere he died December of the same year. De Forest Blyton is a resident of Austin. Minn. DeWilton. lives in Barron county ; Manley died in childhood ; Olive, the oldest daughter, is the wife of A. J. Pierce, of Austin, ]\Iinn. ; Medora, is the wile of Samuel Finley, and resides at Devil's Lake, N. Dak.; Merissa, is the wife of William Pitts, and also lives at Towner, N. Dak. ]\Iary the youngest, died in childhood.

]Mr. Blyton was but twelve years of age when the family came to AVisconsin - in fact they arrived in Sparta on his twelfth birthday. In 1862, when little more than twenty years of age, he also enlisted in Company C, Nineteenth Regiment, Wisconsin

Volunteer Infantry, witli liis father and brother. He was made Coniniissary Scriieant of liis reiriment and was later promoted to Quartermast('r-S('r<reant. and two years later, on October 22, 1864. he was commissioned First Lieutenant by Secretary Stanton, in the Second Regiment United States Infantry, and was assigned to duty as Quartermaster of Ihnt regiment, and served in Virginia iinlil llie close of the war. when he. with his regiment, accompanied General SiUly's expedition to the western frontier. In October, 186."). he was appointed Post Quartermaster at Fort Randall, in what was then Dakota Territory, at the same time being transferred to the Fonrtli United States Infantry, serving at Fort Randall until June 2U, 1866. when he was nnistered out of the service at Fort Leavenworth. The Nineteenth Regiment was stationed at Norfolk, Va.. from ]\Iay 1. 1863. to October of the same year. AV'as the first under fire at Suffolk, Va. ; Avas on duty at various points on York river, after which it returned to Newj>crt News, where it remained until November. It then went to Newborn. N. C. and was in defense of that place mitil 1864. The regiment was then ordered back to Y^'orktown, and assigned to tlie Third Brigade. First J)ivision of the Eighteenth Army Corps, under the connnand of General B. F. Butler, and took part in the lY'tersburg and Richmond campaign. The nineteenth was the lirst infantry regiment to get into the city of Richmond after the liight of Jeff Davis, and its tiag was the first infantry flag that floated from tlu' state house. ]\Ir Blyton lias many nai-row escapes, bill I'tM't'ivcd no wounds in Ihe war of the Rebellion, but during a skirmish willi the Indians on December 7, 1865. he was severely wounded by being shot in the left arm which was permanently disabled, i-esultinsi- in liis discharge for disability. Upon leaving the army. ]Mr. Blyton returned to Sparta where he was engaged for two years in merchandising. In 1869 he entered the Insurance field, which business has ever since been his occupation. On January 16. 1864. whih' at home on a furlough. .Mr. Blyton was married to .Aliss Haiiiet E. Washburn, daughter of William and Harriet Washhuni. who settled in Sparta in 18.")."). wliei'e ?*Ii". AVasliburn died in 1S()2; liis wife, mother of ^Irs. Blyton. surviving until 1869. Besides ^Irs. Blyton. the members of the family are, Josephine, wife of S. C. ]\Iiles, of Prairie Farm. Barron county. AVis. ; Clara N.. who is the wife of B. L. Spring, and Andrew C, both of whom reside in ^Milwaukee.

To ]\Ir. and ]Mrs. Blyton one son was born. Edgar E., born ^larcli 12. 1869. j\Irs. Blyton died in 1881 and he again married, Sarah E. Burroughs. June 16, 1883.

j\Ir. Blyton has for many years been one of Sparta's most enterprising and progressive citizens. He has filled various official positions with credit and ability. lie has been city clerk constantly since 1870; was supervisor in 1884, representing the second ward of the city, he was elected to the legislature in 1883 to 1885 and again in 1889, holding the office for three terms. Politically he is a Republican. He is a charter member of the John W. Lynn Post No. 30, G. A. E., and has held all the positions of the Post.

James A. Bolton, (uie of the progressive and wide-awake native sons of INIonroe county, resides on his farm of 105 acres in section sixteen. La Grange township, was born in Wilton township, December 29. 1867, the son of Edwin L., and Roseline (Cady) Bolton, natives of Vermont. The original Bolton ancestors came from England; the grandfather of (Uir subject, John G. Bolton, a woolen manufacturer, settled in New York state when Edwin L. was fifteen years of age. They later came west to Wisconsin, and located in Dane county, near ]\Iadison, and in the late fifties,, moved to IMonroe county and settled in the town of Wilton. Edwin L.. father of our subject, was a school teacher, which oecupaticui he followed in Monroe county for tAventy-one years, and occupied a prominent place in educational circles as well as the general aii'airs of his town. In 1873 he located on a farm in section seventeen. La Grange township, where he died in 1886, at the age of forty-nine years. During the Civil War he enlisted in Company E, Seventeenth W^isconsin Regiment, and served nine months as clerk and adjutant. His widow, mother of our subject, resided at Tomah until September 23. 1912. wdien she died. They were the parents of ten children, eight of Avhoin are now living. (See sketch of W. E. Bolton.)

James A. Bolton spent his boyhood on the home farm, receiving his education in the district schools of his neighborhood; he had nearly reached his majoritj^ when he started out to make his own way in the world. He was employed at farm work for six years, and in 1894 leased the Henry Mallory farm which he conducted for ten years in connection with his own farm purchased the same year, which he has improved with a substantial residence, new ])arn, sheds and other outbuildings. Here he carries on general farming and dairying, using modern methods in his operations, and his equipment is of the latest and up to date. As a man, Mr. Bolton stands high in the confidence and esteem of the community and he is justly counted as one of its foremost citizens. He has devoted his time to home matters, and be- lieves in tlio welfare and progress of his eomminiity. ]\[r. Bolton and his cstimahle wife, who Avas ]\Iiss Lillian Stowell. of Big- Sj)rin,us, Adams county. AVis., and the daughter of Ceylon and I\lary Stowell. of New York, were married November 24, 1S98.

Westley E. Bolton resides in section seventeen La Grange township, and is one of the leading' cili/ens of the town. lie was born in Wilton township. ]\Ionroe county, Wisconsin, October 1, 1863. His parents, Edwin L.. and Roseline (Cady) Bolton, Avere natives of England and Vermont, respectively. The father came west to Wisconsin in the early fifties, locating in Dane county, where he remained four years, when with his father, John G. Bolton, he came to Wilton township, .Monroe county, and iu 1873, when our was ten years of age, moved to La Grange township and settled on the farm where our subject now resides, a small amount of which was cleared at that time. The father died in 1886, at the age of forty-nine years. His widow, mother of our subject, made her home in Tomali until her death, September 23, 1912. John G. Bolton, grandfather of our subject, who was born at Leeds, England, died in 1884, aged about seventy years. Harriet Lathem Bolton, his wife, died in 1889, at the age of seventy years. The maternal grandfather of Wesley E. was Reverend Cady, a Methodist clergyman. He died in Greenfield township, and was survived for some years 1)y his wife.

AVestley E.. the subject of this sketch, is one of a family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters ; of the others. Frederick E., is professor of psychology in the State T7niversity of Iowa, James A., of LaGrange township, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume: Herbert F,.. has chair in history of Berkeley, (^al. ; Laura, wife of Dr. A. R. Bell, of Tomah : Dr. Ernest LeRoy, of Chilton, Wis. ; Grace is a teacher in the Tomah high school; Edwinnie, wife of Roy Naphus, resides in lowaj Edmund and John W. and Hattie M. are deceased. Our subject was reared on the home farm and received his education in the district schools. He assisted his father with the farm work until he reached the age of seventeen, when he started out in life for himself. He was employed four years by S. H. Griswold in the lime business in the town of Wilton, and then rented a farm in AVilton tovrnshijx which he carried on initil 1897, then jiurchased the home farm of 14.3 acres to which he has since added the Henry IMallory farm of eighty acres, making in all 225 acres which is well iin])roved. His residence, barns and outbuildings are of modern construction and well kept up. aiul the beautiful country home of Mr. Bolton is indicative of the ambition of its owner, lie is .letive in the affairs of his township and for the past seven years has heen diaii-nian of tlie town board. lie has filled the office of treasurer for one year, was assessor for the years 1004 and 1905. and has also been a member of the side board. lie is at present and has been for the last five years, secretary of the Farmers ^Mutual Fire Insurance company of Tomah.

He was married at Wilton in 1884 to ]\Iiss Willella Hancock, daughter of William and Ellen (Gooder) Hancock, natives of Enii'land, and who settled in Wisconsin many years ago. jMr. and ]Mrs. Bolton are the parents of four children, viz. : Charlotte ]\I.. Edwin E.. Raymond L.. a student at Lawrence university, and Russell B. Bolton.

William H. Boomer, proprietor of the Spring Brook farm, consisting of 110 acres in section 22. Adrian township, is the son of Charles C. and Avilla (Holmes) Boomer, of Tomah, and was born on the old homestead August 11, 1869. The father came to Adrian township in 1865 and purchased the land, which at that time was little less than a wilderness; the parents were both natives of ^Michigan, and in 1866 they moved to the farm in Adrian and immediately set to work to improve the land and establish the family home; they erected a substantial residence and outbuildings, cleared the land and soon brought it to a high state of cultivation and productiveness.

Charles C. Boomer, father of our subject, for many years a prominent and intiuential citizen of Adrian township, is a native of Saline. !]Mich.. where he was born in 1834. His parents, Caleb and ]Mahalia (Barton) Boomer, who were natives of New York state, were among the early settlers of Michigan, where Charles Boomer was reared. When the Civil War broke out ]\Ir. Boomer enlisted on August 14, 1862. at the age of twenty-eight, for three years at ^Manchester, in Company B. Seventeenth Regiment. !Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into the service on August 26 of that year, and after faithfully serving his country until June 3, 1865. he was mustered out at the Delaney house in Washington. D. C. Among the many batttles in which he participated was the batttle of South ^Mountain, ^Maryland ; Antietam ; Fredericksburg; siege of Vicksburg: Jackson, ]\Iiss. : Wilderness; Spottsylvania ; Petersburg, Va.. and many others to the mimber of thirty in all. After the surrender of General Lee his regiment embai'ked at City Point for Alexandria, Va.. and participated in the grand reviev.' at Washington. IMr. Boomer is a well-preserved man for one of his years, and lives to enjoy the fruits of his long and busy life, honored and respected by all who know him.

William II. received his education in tlic coimnon schools, assisting in the farm work durinj; his boyliood. He remained on the home farm witli his parents until he reached the ajre of twenty-six. wlien he purchased his ])resent farm, which he has since conducted with ureat success. Tliis fai'm. as well as its proprietor, is famous for the production oi" the celeln alcd jii-ize-winniui: Brown Swiss cattle, which are said to hv amoiiu llie very hfst of milk producers in the country, yielding: as high as if^Kll pci- head in milk and cream ])er year.

^Ir. Roomer occupies a pi-omincnt place among llie progressive and inlluential farmers of the county, and takes a lively interest in all jiublic matters pertaining to the Avelfare of his comnnniity.

George Bradley, who has heen a resident of ]\Ionroe county since 1804. is a native of Lincolnshire. England, where he was born June 26. 184."}. At the age of nine years he became i)age for John Prankish and was four yeai's in that service; he received 12 cents per day. his duties being to carry mail to and from the postofifice. He was then employed at farming, at about $25 per year, until one year before leaving his native country, when he worked in the city of Lincolnshire, at the end of which time, when twenty-one years of age, he came to America, purchasing a passage ticket from Lincolnshire dii'ect to Fond i\n Lac. Wis., wliere he ari'ived with just $1.")() in his po(d<et. He immediately set out for employment and was engaged by a farmer to woi-k foi- $14 and boai'd for one mouth, at the end of which time he ai-ranged to continue in tiie same employment for one year for $200 and board, which sum he saved, thus obtaining his first start in the new country. Four years later he left Fond du Lac and went to Waupuii. thence to Portage and to Oakdale, ]\Ionroe comity, and came to Sjiarta township in 1882 and leased the John IMotfat farm, whei-e he i-esided for seven and a half years, and then went to the Johii Teasdale farm, where he remained for one and one-half real's, thence to the John Youngman farm, now the county farm, which he conducted for t'oiir yeai's. Ib^ then i'emo\ed to iieai- the line of the city of Sjiarta, whei'e he contiiuied to farm on a ten-acre tract, and also took care of till' West Ceinetery for a jteriod of eight years, since wlii<'h time he has resided in section 10. Sparta township.

He was first married to .Miss .lane Hatch, of Berkshire, Kngland. who died December 8. li)02. at the age of sixty-three years, he children of this marria-jc are Lizzie. ]\Iarv Jane, Louisa,

Georgia and John. His second marriage occurred January 16, 1004. to Mrs. R. II. Rogers. In religious matters he affiliates with the ^1. E. church. He is a man of genial temperament nnd one who enjoys his liome.

Darwin L. Brainard Ix'longs to that class of sturdy men who, coming to AVisconsin in an early day, have witnessed its development from a state of complete wilderness to a populous community of fertile farms and have taken a part in the wonderful transformation that has heen wrought. He is a native of Canada and was born November 17. 1813, to Francis and Harriet (Duclous) Rrainard. She was the daughter of Anthony and IMary Duclous, of Vermont, and after marriage removed to Canada, where they resided until 1816, when they returned to A^ermont. There they lived until 1853, when they removed to AVisconsin with their family and settled in ]\Ionroe county, then a wilderness inhabited by wild bea.sts and Indians, and endured all the hardships and privations incident to the development of a wilderness into thriving farms. Here they passed the remainder of their lives, the father living to the age of eighty years and the mother to the age of ninety years.

Darwin L. received his education in the common schools of his home town and has been a resident of Monroe county fifty-eight years. He is one of the solid, substantial men of his township, one of integrity and high standing in his community, both as a business man and good citizen. He was married January 12. 1867, to IMiss JMartha ]McQueen, daughter of James and Nancy AIcQueen, of Glendale. To them have been born three children, viz .- Ida J., who is now Airs AA^illiam C. Keller, resides at Alason City, Iowa ; Bernice E., now j\Irs. Otis E. Sherman, resides at Aspen, Col., and Jimmie L.. who lives at Fargo, N. D. In politics Air. Brainard adheres to the principles of the Republican party and takes a commendable interest in all matters pertaining to the good of his town and county.

D. L. Brainard enlisted August 14, 1862, at Sparta, under Alilton Alontgomery in Company D, Twenty-fifth Regiment, Volunteers of AVisconsin, and served to the end of the war and was identified with his regiment in all of its marches and battles, being nuistered out of the United States service at AVashington, June 7, 1865, by reason of the end of the war.

Fred A. Brandt, postmaster of Sparta, was born at Alelvina, in Alonroe county, on November 14, 1868, the son of Charles F. and Aurelia (AVilson) Brandt, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. His parents came to AViseonsin before their marriage

.Mr. l^i'andl .s])en1 his N'oiilli on lln- lidincslcad fai-iii. attending the district schools of .Melvina and l;ilcr the public schools of Sparta, and after ably fitting liiniseif for teaching he followed that vocation for sevei-al years, teaching in various localities in IMonroe county. In 1887 lie became a inemlici- of the Sparta postoffice force, first serving in the capacity of clerk, antl was later promoted to the office of assistant postmaster. These positions he lield for a period of twenty years, and immediately following the death of Toslmaster Dr. D. C. Beebe, ]Mr. Brandt was appointed by President Roosevelt to (ill the vacancy, on August 1, lf)()8. He Avas i-eai)poiii1ed for tlu' four-year term on December 14. 1908, without opposition, his substantial efficiency so befitting him for the duties of that position.

In 1910 the Sparta military branch ol'iice was established, willi i\Ir. Brandt as its superintendent, and on July 27, 1911, the Postal Savings Bank of Sparta was established under his direction, and during his administration, in Avhich he has so faithfully performed liis duties, the people of Sparta have enjoyed a most conservative and Avell-managed postal service. The United States postofifice inspector expressed himself to our subject "That the sales of saving cards and stamps is largei- than many larger offices in the state." Since the baiilv has been established individual deposits were made to the amount of .i;2,()00, and the deposits have been gradually increasing all the time and there has been no year but what the postal savings have increased over the preceding year.

Mr. Brandt is a man of excellent (|ualifications both in business matters and sociall.w lie has been a mend^er of the ]\lasonic order three years and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for the past eighteen years, and has t^vice represented the Grand Lodge at the encampment both at Suju-rior and at Janesville, AVis. He is also a mendier of the IModcrn Woodmen of America.

On December 25, 1895, ]Mr. Brandt Avas married to ^liss Jennie Angle, daughter of Oscai- Angle, of Spai'ta. Their children are F. Percey. Olenn F.. Leland ('. and AVendell AY. Brandt.

Barthol Brandon. Prominent among the farmers of AVells township is he A\hose name heads this sketch. Boi'n at llessan, Genii.iiiy. October 9, 1856, he emigrated to the United States in 1881, and after spending niiu' months in the city of Chicago he came to Monroe count v. AVisconsin. and for two xcai's worked at farming' in the Lyons valley. At the end of that time, in 1883, he married IMrs. ]\Iartha IMatilda Uavis, widow of Theron Davis, .who Avas a soldier in the Civil AVar. In 1862 he enlistetd in Company F, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry, and served until 1863, when he died at jMemphis, Tenn. Mrs. Brandon's father came to America when she was eight years of age and spent some time working in the coal mines in Pennsylvania. He afterward came West to Wisconsin and located in the town of Wells, where he homesteaded and purchased 280 acres of land. He was the father of ten children, three of whom - Martha Matilda, second in order of l)irth, Louise and Adam - are now (1912) living. The father was a thrifty and prosperous farmer, well thought of in the sections where he lived, and at the time of his death was the owner of 320 acres of land. He was a member of the Methodist church, while his Avife was a Presbyterian.

i\Ir. and ]Mrs.. Brandon have a large farm, highly cultivated and well improved, with a good class of buildings, and in his farming operations he uses up-to-date methods and is generally successful. In political opinion he is a Republican, and in religious faith he and ]Mrs. Brandon are members of the Lutheran church.

William J. Brennan, banker and prominent citizen of Tomah, is a native son of ^Monroe county and was born October 12, 1876. His parents, Edward and Mary (Gillispie) Brennan. were natives of Ireland. The father emigrated to America in 1819. and in 1860, at Beloit. Wis., lie married ]Mary (lillispie. Eleven children were born to them, ten of whom are now living, William being the seventh in order of birth. His father, a strict and devoted member of the Catholic church, died in Monroe county in 1909 ; the widow and mother of our subject still survives at the age of sixty-eight years. In his lifetime he followed farming and was an expert gardener and a lifelong Democrat.

]\Ir. Brennan was reared on his father's farm, receiving his education in the common schools of the county and at the Tomah high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899. After his graduation he followed educational work, teaching school in winter and helping on the home farm in summer. He remained on the farm until the death of his father. In 1905 he became manager of the Farmers' Cooperative Butter Association, and contmued the management of the association, which was organized in 1892, until 1911. when he resigned. In 1910 they produced 690.000 pounds of butter. After supplying the local trade the balance of the produce was shipped to Philadelphia, Pa. In 1911 ]\Ir. Brennan entered the Farmers' and ]Merchants' Bank at Tomah and