Vernon County, Wisconsin - Chapter 20: County Representation, 1884

Chapter 20: County Representation

In this chapter the various county officers are treated of. It is the design to trace the history of each county office, from the organization of the county, in 1S5] to 1884, giving in connection slietches of the gentlemen who have filled the various offices.

The records of the elections held in Vernon county, prior to the war, are very meagre and deficient, and of some of the elections there is no record at all. Therefore, if the name of any one who has held a couuty office is omitted, it is because the omission occurs in the record.

It will be noticed that the election of 1882 is the last one referred to. The reason of this is that the laws of the State have been changed so that the election of cou;ity officers will hereafter be held "in even years." There was no election in November, 1883. The officers elected in 1881 hold three years.

Upon the organization of the county, in April, 1851, James A. Cooke was elected first county treasurer. Mr. Cooke came from Illinois in 1848 or 1849, and settled with liis family upon land about two miles east of the village, in the town of Viroqua. He remained there until the time of his death in 1881, and his widow, who survives him, still lives upon the old homestead. Mr. Cooke was a prominent man here. He was a man of integrity and much intelligence; he was a local Methodist preacher, and after working hard all day upon his farm, whenever occasion demanded, would fill appointments in the evening.

In Noveraber,lS61, John Langley was elected county treasurer; but it seems there was some change in the county affairs at this time; for shortly after, it appears from the records, that

Edmund Strang resigned the office of county treasurer, and John Longley was appointed to fill the place. Edmund Strang was a native of the State of New York. He came west in 1848, and settled at Springville, in the town of Jefferson, where he opened a farm. When elected or appointed treasurer, he did not move to the county seat, and it is thought never performed a single official act. He was a genial, pleasant man socially;. was well educated for those days, and this made him very popular; in fact, it is said, that the time was when he could have been elected to any office in the county by merely expressing the desire for it. He lived in the town of Jefferson until about 1875, when he moved to Osceola, Neb., where he still lives.

John Longley was really the first to perform the duties of the office of county treasurer. Longley came to Bad Ax county at an early day, and located at Viroqua, where he followed the business of a carpenter and joiner. He was a lively, jovial fellovv, and made friends. He left about 1854, and it is thought returned to Illinois. While he was treasurer, there was but little to do. It is said that atone time he carried all the records of his office, including the tax lists, in his pocket, upon sheets of foolscap.

In November, 1853, John Gardner was elected treasurer. He was re-elected in September, 1855, and again in November, 185'7, serving in all six years. John Gardner came from Ohio in 1852 and settled in the village of Viroqua with his family. He wjis a house carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade; and an excellent workman. He followed this business until elected to office. After serving his term of office as treasurer he moved to a piece of land two miles southeast of the village and opened a farm.

Several years later he sold his place and removed to Missouri, where he still lives. He was a steady, sober, industrious man, and held the respect of all with whom he came in contact.

In November, 1859, James Lowrie was elected treasurer of Bad Ax county. In 1861, 18G3 and 1865 he was re-elected, serving until May, 1866, when he resigned and Col. C. M. Butt was appointed to fill the office. James Lowrie was a brother of the Lowries who held the office of sheriff of the county at different times. He came to the county with the rest of the family in 1855, and located in Springville in the town of Jefferson, where he rented and run the grist mill imtil elected county treasurer, when he removed to Viroqua. His popularity as an official is evident by the many times he was reelected. As stated, he resigned in May, 1866, and removed to Monroe county, dying in Sparta several years ago. His widow still survives him. Mr. Lowrie made many friends by his genial, pleasant disposition; he was a prominent man here and his worth was also recognized in Monroe county, where he held some county office.

In May, 1866, C. M. Butts, of Viroqua, was appointed treasurer to till the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Lowrie. In November, 1866, he was elected to the position, and was re-elected in 1867, serving until Jan. 1, 1870.

J. W. Allen succeeded Col. Butt as county treasurer, being elected in November, 1869, and re-elected in 1871. Mr. Allen was a native of New York; but came to Vernon county from Lake Mills, Jefferson Co., Wis., at an early day and settled at Hillsborough. Here he erected a saw mill and followed the milling business until elected county treasurer, when he removed to Viroqua. While at the county seat he erected what is known as the Proctor & Tollefson block. Subsequently he returned to Hillsborough and engaged at farming, which he continued, with the exception of a short time spent at Odd Fellows work, until the time of his death, which occurred a few years ago. His widow still survives him, living upon the old homestead.

In November, 1873, J. W. Greenman was elected county treasurer and served one term. Mr. Greenman came to what is now Vernon county, from Illinois, and located upon a farm in the town of Genoa. Upon his election to the office he moved to Viroqua. About the time that his term of office expired he received the appointment of deputy United States marshal for Utah, when he moved to Salt Lake City, where he still lives. He still holds that office. Greenman was a prominent man. He had made a good officer in the 8th regiment during the war; was genial, pleasant, capable and intelligent. He was not much of a politician, but he iiad so many friends, it was easy for him to get into office. He served one term in the Legislature, representing the western district of Vernon county, while Senator Cameron was Speaker of the House, and that gentleman took a strong liking to Greenman, aiding afterward in securing for hiiu the appointment which he now holds.

Ole Johnson, who is serving his fourth term as treasurer of Vernon county, resides in the town of Hamburg, where he owns a fine farm of 250 acres. Mr. Johnson was born in Norway, in 1820, and came to tlie United States when twenty-nine years of age. He resided about a year in Iowa Co., Wis., and in the fall of 1850, went to La Crosse. In 1855 he settled permanently in the town of Hamburg. He located on section 22, where he has a pleasant home. Mr. Johnson is one of the prominent citizens of Hamburg town, and in the autumn of 1861, was elected to represent this district in the General Assembly of the State, serving one term. His wife is also a native of Norway, and three chil-

Eegister Of Deeds

The first to fill this oftice for the county of Bad Ax - now Vernon - was Jacob Higgins. He was elected upon the organization of the county in April, 1851, and re-elected in November, 1851. Jacob Higgins was among the early settlers in the region of Liberty Pole in the town of Franklin, locating upon a farm where he lived until the time of his death.

In November, 1853, S. C.Lincoln was elected and served one term. He came from New York in 1851, and settled at Viroqua. He had no regular business until elected to office. He made a good register. For a number of years he ran a hotel, and was postmaster at Viroqua, remaining until 1879, when he received the apjioinlmentof railroad mail agent on the Northwestern Railroad, which position he still occupies.

Daniel P. Allison was elected register in November, 1857, and was re-elected in 1859. Allison came from Illinois and settled at Viroqua, becoming deputy postmaster and retaining that position until elected register. He was only able to do such work as this, on ac count of having one cork leg, which crippled him badly. He remained until the war broke out, when he left, turning up later at Johnsonsburg, Mo. He was a steady, sober fellow, and an excellent scribe.

In November, 1861, W. S. White was elected and being I'e-elected in 186-3 and 1865, served six years. W. S. White came from the State of New York, at an early day, and settled on West Prairie in the town of Sterling. When elected to office, he removed to Viroqua and remained until 1876, when he moved to Hutchinson, Kan., where he still lives. When last heard from, his wife, who was an excellent milliner, was running a store in Hutchinson, while he was doing some kiud of railroad work.

G. W. Griffin succeeded Mr. White. He was elected in the fall of 1867, and served one term. G. W. Griffin came to Vernon county with his parents about 1852. When the war broke out he enlisted, and after its close came back "all shot to pieces." He was elected register of deeds, and after serving his term, was renominated, but withdrew and went to Madison. Later, he went to Kansas, where it is believed, he was killed by the Indians. His widow is now Mrs. Daniel Wise, of Viroqua.

In November, 1869, H. N. Preus was elected register, and served one term. He was a Norwegian; came here from Madison, and settled upon Coon Prairie. In 1867 he was elected clerk of circuit court, and moved to town, and two years later, was elected register. He is n()w railway mail agent on the railroad between Viroqua and Sparta, and lives at the latter place.

Edwai-d Lind was elected register in November, 1873, and re-elected in 1875. He was a young Norwegian who had settled in the town of Harmony. When elected to office, he removed to Viroqua, and remained several years when he went to Nebraska where he still lives.

John W. Curry, register of deeds of Vernon county, was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1840. He was reared and educated among the hills of southeastern Ohio, and in 1862, the second year of the civil war, he enlisted in the 86th regiment, Ohio Volunteers, serving three months. In the summer of 1863 he took part in the capture of Morgan's famous brigade, and in the fall of the same year came to Vernon county, and located in the town of Webster. In March, 1865, he enlisted in the 53d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and served till the close of the war. He then retui-ned to Vernon county, and from that period, until 1879, was engaged in farming during the spring and summer seasonB, and in teaching during the winter months. In 1879 he was elected to his present position. Mr. Curry married Harriet Adams, also a native of Morgan Co., Ohio. They have one son - Arthur B.

County Cleek And Clerk Of Circuit Court

For several years after the organizaiion of the county the offices of county clerk and clerk of the circuit court were merged together and the duties of botli offices were performed by one official. Orrin Wisel was the first to fill the offices for Bad Ax county. He was elected in April, 1851. W. F. Terhune was the deputy and did all the business. Orrin Wisel came to Bad Ax county from the eastern part of the State in 1849 and settled at Liberty Pole, in the town of Franklin. In 1850 he moved to Viroqua, and here opened a blacksmith shop. Shortly after his term of office expired he went to near Readstown, on the Kickapoo, and there remained - losing his wife meantime - until the war broke out, when lie enlisted in a cavalry regiment and went into the service. Upon his return from the army he married his brother's widow, the brother having died in the service. Later he had trouble with his second wife, accusing her of attempting to poison himself and children by his first wife, and he refused to live with her. They parted and he removed to Montana, where, it is reported, he has since died. Like all pioneers Wisel was a hale, jovial, rollicking fellow; but he was rude, uncultured and ignorant. He was an ardent democrat and this fact was the ground upon which he was elected clerk.

In November, 1851, William C. McMichael was elected to succeed Wisel in the two offices. In November, 1853, he was re-elected. Mr. McMichael was born in Richhill, Muskingum Co., Ohio. He removed from Ohio March 4, 1840, and subsequently settled in Mercer Co., 111., where on the 10th of February, 1842, he was married to Eleinor Graham, daughter of John Graham, afterward of Springville, Vernon county. In the month of October, 1846, he removed to Bad Ax Co., Wis. At the time of his removal, however, all the country north of the Wisconsin river was embraced in Crawford county. About 1851 Mr. McMichael moved to Viroqua and lived there until his death, which occurred Feb. 18, 1861. He was about fortytwo years of age at the time of his death. In speaking of Mr. McMichael, the N'orthtoestern Times, in its issue of Feb. 20, 1861, said:

"In lo.sing William C. McMichael Bad Ax county has lost one of her oldest and most respected citizens. Having held numerous offices in the county, he in all acquitted himself in such a manner as to build up a reputation for stern integrity. In all his business transactions we have never known him to be accused of dishonesty, and few men have lived more universally respected. His early education was limited, but he had improved his mind and enlarged his understanding by reading, and he took a deep interest in all the questions of the day. Naturally possessed of strong percejJtive faculties,he could, perhaps, to a greater extent than most persons, foresee the order of events, and be prepared to meet them. His heart was a benevolent one, and his mantle of charity was broad; and suffering humanity never appealed to him in vain for aid. He was strong in his att.achments to his personal friends, but all who approached him were received with kindness of manner, which eminently charactized him. He was always ready to take an active part in whatever concerned the village of Viroqua, or of Bad Ax county, and even the whole Stale of Wisconsin was embraced in his warm heart. Asa professor of religion, as a member of the Church, as a citizen in our community, he occupied a conspicuous position, and all h.ave been accustomed to look to him for advice, counsel and encouragement. To-day the tomb receives him out of our sight. As the clods of the valley fall upon his coffin, we shall feel indeed that we are burying a friend, one in whom we all had an interest. But though a man die, he shall live again, and we will not forget that oux friend expressed confidence that he should sleep in Jesus, who is the Resurrection and the Life. The wife that is left to mourn, and the five little children that are left fatherless, shall have our sympathy, our aid, and our prayers."

Upon the expiration of William C. Mc- Michael's second term the two offices were divided, and an officer elected to attend to the duties of each separately.

Cleek Of The Circuit Court

In November, 1S59, W. S. Purdy was elected clerk of the circuit court. In 1861, 1863 and 186.; he was re-elected, serving eight years in all.

P. J. Layne is the efficient clerk of the circuit court, of Vernon county. He is a son of James H. Layne, who came to Viroqua in the spring of 1 854. A personal sketch of this worthy pioneer will be found in this work. P. J. Layne was born in Floyd county in the grand old commonwealth of Kentucky, noted for its fine horses, beautiful women and large quantity and excellent quality of its whiskey. He was but eight years of age when his parents removed to Wisconsin, and he was mostly reared and educated in his adopted county. When a young man, he was elected town clerk, and served as such a number of terms. In the fall of 1869, he was elected clerk of courts of Vernon county, and his long continuance in this position is satisfactory evidence of his ability and faithfulness as a county officer. la 1872 Mr Layne married Alice Gor.

don, born in Grant Co., Wis., and daughter of John H. Gordon, who was one of the pioneers of Grant county, but now deceased. Mrs. Layne bore her husband two children, and departed this life in 1868. His present wife was Alvira Meade, a native of Waukesha, Wis., and daughter of Henry Meade. She is the mother of one child. Mr. Layne is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for years has been an active temperance worker.

Upon the division of the offices of county clerk and clerk of the circuit court in September, 1855, A. K. Burrell was elected to the office of county clerk. Mr. Burrell came from New York in 1852 and settled upon a piece of school land in the town of Viroqua, south of the village. He tried to farm but soon gave it up and moved to the village. After serving his term of office he was deputy sheriff for some time; then went into the office of Graham & Terhune to read law, and was elected and served one term as justice of the peace. In 1875 he went to Kansas where he again tried farming but soon gave it up and is now in the grocery trade at Hutchinson.

Samuel McKitrick was elected county clerk in November, 1857, and served two years. Samuel McKitrick came from Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1856 and settled with his family in the village of Viroqua. He was a carpenter and builder. He lost his first wife, and married his second wife in Viroqua, remaining until about 1861 when he went to La Crosse and there followed his trade. Subsequently he returned to Vernon county and settled at Readstown, where he started a little steam saw mill. He has since moved west.

John M. Bennett was elected county clerk in November, 1859, and being re elected several times served until Jan. 1, 1867. John M. Bennett, now of Viroqua, settled in the town of Hillsborough in 1856. He was born at Stockbridge, Windsor Co., Vt., where he lived until he settled in Vernon county. Mr. Bennelt waa brought up on a farm also teaching school while a young man. He was a member of the Vernon Legislature in 1858-9. He has lived in Vernon county since 1856, except two seasons spent in Minnesota and two years spent in Juneau Co., Wis. His wife's maiden name was Lucia Thomas, she was born in Franklin Co., Vt. They have four children: Harriet, wife of William Mutch; Mrs Cornelia Williams; William T., of Hastings, Minn., and J. M. Jr., of Dakota territory.

In November, 1866, John R. Casson was elected county clerk. He has been re-elected seven times - in 1869, 1871, 1873, 1875, 1877, 1879 and 1881, and is the present incumbent, having served the county a greater number of years than any other man who has ever held office here.

John R. Casson was first elected county clerk in November, 1866, and has served continuously in that capacity since Jan. 1, 1867. Mr. Casson was born in Albany, N. Y., March 2, 1833. His parents, Henry and Mary Casson, removed with their family to Brownsville, Penn., in the summer of 1833, and in 1848 again sought a new home, this time in the "far west." 'Jhey located at Hennepin, Putnam Co., 111., where the father, brother and sister still live ; the mother died in 1872. When thirteen years of age Mr. Casson obtained employment as a clerk, and was engaged alternately in clerking and attending school for some years. He finally went to Freeport, 111., and a short time after, in December, 1854, came to Viroqua. He was employed as a clerk until August, 1862, when he enlisted in companj- A, 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Upon the organization of the company, Mr. Casson was made 2d sergeant ; was promoted to a 2d lieutenantcy Sept. J 3, 1862 ; elected as 1st lieutenant, Jan. 20, 1864, and chosen as captain of his company April 11, 1865. He participated in all the skirmishes and battles of '"the 25th," "and with Sherman marched down to the sea." He formed one in that glorious review of western troops at Washington, at the close of the rebellion, and was mustered out of service June 7, 1865. He returned to Vernon county, and was in the employ of J. H. Tate, as a clerk, from September, 1865, till December, 1866. In the fall of the latter year he was elected to his present position, and his character and actions as a citizen, a soldier, and a public official, have won for him the confidence and esteem of the community and the county at large. Mr. Casson married Lydia A., daughter of Dr. E. W. Tinker, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. They are the parents of four children - Harry I., a clerk in the pension department of the United States, at Washington, D. C. ; Lulu E., wife of A W. Campbell, of the law firm of Harris & Campbell, Aberdeen, Dak. ; William E. and John E. - all natives of Viroqua.

Sheriff

Rufus Gillett was the first sheriff of the county, being elected in April, 1851. Riifus Gillett came from Illinois, in 1847, and settled upon a farm in township 13, range 4, now the town of Viroqua. He remained upon the place until the time of his death, a few years ago, and his widow still survives him. Mr. Gillett was a man of sterling worth and integrity. He held the respect of all who knew him.

James M. Bailey was elected sheriff in November, 1851, and re-elected in November, 1853. Bailey was a Kentuckian by birth, but came to Bad Ax county, from Grant Co., Wis., where he had been engaged at mining. He settled upon land on West Prairie, which is now included in the town of Sterling. About 1873 he removed to near Victory, in the town of Wheatland, where he still lives.

William P. Clark succeeded J. M. Rusk as sheriff, being elected in November, 1857. Clark was a relative of, and came from the same place as did J. M. Bailey. He, also, settled upon West Prairie, and remained until about the time the war broke out, when he removed to Victory. In 1882 he went to Tomah, Wis., where he still lives.

By the November election, 1859, William Goode succeeded Mr. Clark. Goode was a native of Kentucky. He came to Bad Ax county from Illinois, in 1852, and located upon land in township 13, range 5 west. He was a single man at the time, but married within a few years. Several years later he bought the old Decker place, which was the original site of the village, and moved to Viroqua. He remained in Viroqua until a short time before the war broke out, when he removed to Melvina, Monroe county, where he still lives. Goode was a prominent man in early days, and held various offices of trust.

Lewis Sterling was elected sheriff in November, 1861, and served two years. Mr. Steiling was also a Kentuckian, and one of the earliest pioneers of western Wisconsin. He located upon a piece of land on West Prairie, now included in the town of Sterling, which town was named after the family of that name. Lewis Sterling remained upon Ihe land which he first selected until after tlie close of the war, when he sold out and removed to Cass Co., Mo., where he still lives. He was a man of a great deal more than ordinary ability and intelligence. In fact, in pioneer days, he was among the most prominent men in the county. C. E. Rogers was elected sheriff in November, 1863. Mr. Rogers was born in Wayne Co., Penn., in 1834. In 1840 he came west to Wisconsin and settled at Ontario, now in Vernon county, where he was subsequently engaged in milling. When the war broke out he enlisted in company I, 6th Wisconsin regiment, and became lieutenant, serving as aid to Gen. Wadsworth' In the summer of 1863, he resigned, came home and was elected sheriff. He soon abandoned the office, raised a company for the 50th regiment, and went into the service as capUin. In J see he was mustered out and settled at Monomonee, Wis. He now lives at Chij^pewa Falls, where he is foreman for the Mississippi Valley Lumber Company. C. E. Rogers was married in 1856 to Emily Tuttle. They have seven children.

In November, 1865, Capt. R. S. McMichael was elected sheriff and served for two years. He is the present postmaster at Viroqua, and is noticed elsewhere at length.

T. B. Brown succeeded Capt. McMichael as sheriff, being elected in November, 1867. Mr. Brown came from Ohio in 1854 and settled upon a farm in what is now the town of Greenwood, Vernon county. Subsequently he moved to Viroqua, where he lived until the time of his death, which occurred in 1881. Mr. Brown was among the most respected of old settlers. He was a prominent man ; ran the postoffice during the war, and served as sheriff of the county more years than any other man who has ever filled the office.

In. November, 1869, W. W. Lowrie was elected sheriff. YT. W. Lowrie came from the State of New York, and in 1855 located upon a piece of land in the town of Jefferson, Vernon county. He was a single man at the time, but later married Mrs. Shaw. When he was elected to office he moved to town, where his home remained until the time of liis death, which occurred while he was at LaCrosse, Sept. 19, ISIO. His disease was contracted while he was in the array. He had a gallant soldier's record. He was in the Chicago board of trade battery. At Shiloh he was the only man who stayed uninjured with the guns, and with the repulse of the enemy, he arose, and without any help loaded a cannon and sent a shot flying after the rebels.

Upon the death of Mr. Lowrie, deputy sheriff Nathan Coe, of Viroqua, became sheriff exofficio until the November election, 1870, when he was elected for 'he balance of the term.

law at this time being changed so that sheriffs were thereafter to be elected in " even years." Alexander Lowrie succeeded Mr. Brown, being elected in November, 1874. He was a brother of the former sheriff, W. W. Lowrie ; came here with the old folks and settled in the town of Jefferson, where Alexander made his home until the time of his death, which occurred a few years ago. He was an excellent citizen and made a faithful and satisfactory official.

Ill November, 1876, Calvin E. Morley was elected sheriff and served one term. Calvin E. Morley was born in Irving, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Nov. 12, 1843. His parents came west in 1858, settling in the town of Franklin, Vernon, then Bad Ax county. In February, 1862, he enlisted in company C, 19th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served three years and four months. On the 27th of September, 1871, he was married to Louisa J. Bliss, daughter of Hon. Albert Bliss. In 1879 Mr. Morley engaged in the mercantile business, but owing to failing health, in 1880 he sold out and accepted a position as traveling salesman for Ricker, Crombie & Co., of Milwaukee. On the 16th of April, 1883, he was appointed aid-decamp, with the rank of colonel, on the staff of Gov. J. M. Rusk.

James H. Hewey, of Viroqua, was elected Sheriff in November, 1878, and served for one term. He is now proprietor of a livery at Viroqua, and also a member of the firm of Russell & Hewey, dealers in agricultural implements. He was born in Kennebec Co., Maine, in 1830, and in 1855, located at Janesville, Wis. The year following he came to Bergen town, in this county, where he purchased land. For a number of years he was engaged in lumbering on tlic Black river, and subsequently owned a wagon shop at Chaseburg for five years. During the war he served one year as a member of company L, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. In 1877, he became a resident of Viroqua, and in the fall of 1879 was elected sheriff of Vernon county, serving in that capacity one term. Mr. Hewey enjoys a very fair trade, both in the livery and implement business. He married Phebe Davis, a daughter of Jesse Davis, who lost his life by drowning, in 1855. Mrs. Davis and family came to Vernon county after the death of her husband, and settled in Bergen township. She now resides in La Crosse, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Hewey are the parents of three children, two living - Hannah and Effie. Ida died April 26, 1865.

Frank A. Wallar, succeeded Mr. Hewey as sheriff being elected in November, 1880. He came here with his parents in 1854, from Ohio and settled in the town of Sterling. Later they moved to the town of Genoa. When he was elected sheriff, he moved to Viroqua, where he lived until the spring of 1883 when he moved to Spink Co., D. T., where he still lives. Mr. Wallar was in the service as lieutenant of company I, 6th Wisconsin. The following mention of his army record was made by Maj. Earl M. Rogers : " Lieutenant F. A. Wallar, the only soldier who never missed a 'battle or a meal,' mustered out with the company after four years of active service, as brave a soldier as ever fought in the ranks. In the charge at Gettysburg July 1, 1863, on the rebel General Archer's brigade, in the railroad cut where the fight was hand to hand, Wallar sprang into rebel ranks seized the colors of the 2d Mississippi regiment, wrenched them from the hands of the color bearer, and jumped back to the ranks of his own company with his trophy of war. For that act of conspicuous gallantry, example of undaunted bravery, courage and coolness, Congress, by a joint resolution voted him a medal of honor, which was presented to him in presence of the brigade, in February, 1865."

In November, 1882, S. R. Pollard was elected sheriff of Vernon county, and is the present incumbent. He was born in 1841, at Newark township, Tioga Co., N. Y. He enlisted Feb. 22, 1862, at Binghampton, Broome Co., N. Y., in the 16th New York Battery, an independent regiment, serving three years in tlie armj. He participated in both attacks on Fort Fisher, was at the battle of Fredericksburg and was in front of Petersburg during Grant's siege of that city. Mr. Pollard was married in 1S65 to Amanda Bullard, born in New York State. He came to Vernon Co., Wis., in 1866, locating in Franklin township, and engaging in farming until elected sheriff. During the re-union of the G. A. R., of which organization Mr. Pollard is a member, Sept. 4, 18B2, at Viroqua, he lost liis arm by an accident. Mr. and Mrs. Pollard have two children - Dora B., born May 30, 1866, and Mancil E., born in March, 1870.

Cou.Nty Superintendent Of Schools

When the county of Bad Ax was organized, the oducalional system of Wisconsin differed much from that of the present day. Then each civil town had a superintendent of schools. In the winter of 1860-1 the Legislature abolished the old system, and created the office of the county superintendent of schools.

While the county was organized as the civil town of Bad Ax, the first town superintendent was Michael Ilinkst. He « as sncccedcd by ^^^ F. Terhune.

Tlie first county superintendent of schools wa-; Uev. L. L. Radcliff, who was elected in Ncivcmber, 1861. He came to Viroqua as a Congregational preacher ; he was a thoroughly educated, industiious, methodical man and made a good superintendent. Upon him, as the first snpcrintendent, devolved the hard task of inaugurating and setting in motion the wheels of the new system.

In November, 186-3, Hartwell Allen, of the town of Harmony, was elected county superintendent. He was re-elected in 1865, serving until Jan. 1, 1868.

located in the town of Webster. He was a school teacher by profession and taught school in various parts of the county. A few years ago he removed to one of the northern Wisconsin counties.

In November, 1873, O. B. Wyman was elected county superintendent. In 1875 and 1877 he was re-elected, serving in all six years. He is now district attorney for Vernon county.

William Haughton succeeded Mr. Wyman, being elected in November, 1879, and re-elected in 1881. William Haughton moved with his family to Wisconsin in the year 1865 from western Canada, whei-e his parents had settled with a large family while he was still a boy. Brought up on a farm with an only brother two years younger than himself, his thoughts turned rather to books than to the plow. By wood and lake and breezy hills he became imbued with the spirit of poetry and at the age of fifteen was a com ributor to a local paper published at Barrie on the shores of the beautiful lake Simcoe, north of the city of Toronto. Soon after he wrote for the Morning Chronicle^ of Quebec, and for the Times ol Owen Sound, on the borders of Huron, in Grey county, occa^ionally finding a welcome and a corner in Graham's and other American magazines, always writing under the nmn de i^hnne of Sylvicola, or the Woodsman. As his parents were members of the Church of England, whose gorgeous liturgy captivated his young heart, he prepared himself both by home study under the direction and assistance of the pastor of his Church, and by the aid of public schools for the ministry of the establishinent. While yet young he became a fair classical and mathematical scholar and soon began the study of theology. Circumstances, however, prevented his entering the ministry of the Church of England.

hood, and ere he was yet twenty-one or she seventeen years old they took upon themselves the cares and burdens of housekeeping, settling in western Canada, where he taught school and gave private instructions for a living. He has never had cause to regret his early marriage. His companion has been a faithful and loving wife through all these years; at this writing the mother of twelve 'children, four boys and eight girls. Three of the tmmber sleep, and nine are living. One girl is married to Henry Carson, Jr., of the Viroqua Censor; another to Theodore Brown, of Canada, but who now resides near Viroqua; and one has been for some years a teacher in the graded schools of Viroqua.

As before stated, Mr. Haughton settled in Wisconsin the year of Lincoln's martyrdom in 1865. He loved America long before he came to it. He wrote of her liberties and noble institutions, and at last received a welcome and a home in the land he loved. Soon after coming he published the lines that have since appeared in book form under the caption of Ad Meam Musam, which perhaps we will be pardoned in reproducing here:

Come my old harp, in other days We trilled some wild and stirring lays, Though rude our songs, yet full and free We poured untaught our minstrelsy; And there were hearts that heard and felt Our music oft could soothe and melt; Could fall entranced on beauty's ear. And wake the sigh and win the tear. Through Kippel's shades - by Huron's strand - I swept thee with inspiring hand; By Elva's lonely stream I gave Thy music to the trembling wave.

Here still the morn thy songs invite. The parting eve - The starry night - The fragraut vale - The leafy hill. The lake, the mountain and the rill. Here where Itasca's gorgeous lake With glory burns - awake - awake! Where Mississippi's waters roll Are scenes to warm and nerve the soul. We love the land whose kindly breast A welcome gave and bade us rest.

Her patriot songs, her birds and flowers, Her mountains and her lakes and ours. No stranger wanders to her heart Then longs to leave it aiid depart. Her generous grasp is round him thrown She wins and wears him as her own. O, heaven blessed land! from sea to sea, From isle to isle they throng to thee - They come thy noblest boons to share - Enough for all, and yet to spare.

In boyhoods years we loved to tell Of how her heroes fought and fell; How met the dark oppressors pride - Beat back his hosts and conquering died. We loved to trace her history o'er, And longed to tread her sacred shore; To feel the liberty she gave And find near her great heart a grave. For me, when I her name forget^ The welcome on these shores I met - May I an ingrate, wandering roam, An outcast from the joys of home.

Mr. Haughton moved from La Crosse county to Newton, in Vernon county, in I8'i'2, where he took charge of the Harmony Baptist Church, and where he accepted ordination to the ministry. In the fall of the following year, he took charge of the Viroqua Graded School, and afterward, of the High School, of which schools he continued in charge for four years. For some eight years he served the Congregational Church at Viroqua, as acting pastor, giving up that charge in 1881. He has by continued and close attention to his duties, won the good will and confidence of the public, laboring amongst the schools during the week days and preaching at some point on Sundays, when Churches and people are in need of, and willing to hear the gospel. For several years, he was a contributor to the Viroqua Censor, and from which office a small collection of some of his poems were given the public in book form. He continued for many years to write for the Canadian papers and is State contributor to the Milwaukee Wisco7isin, where he is retained upon the staff of correspondents to that widely circulated and very popular publication. Mr. HaughtoQs heart and soul are eolisted in the cause of education and this fact eiiables him to be a faithful servant of the public, which has seen fit to continue him so far in his present work and for which his early training and predelictions fit him.

County Suevetok

Samuel McMichael was the first surveyor of Bad Ax county, being elected at the organization of the county in April, 1851. In November, 1851, and again in 1853, he was re-elected. Samuel McMichael was born in Crawford Co., Penn., in 1815, and moved with his parents to Muskingum Co., Ohio. In 1850 he came west with his family to Vernon Co., Wis., and settled at Springville, in the town of Jeflferson. There he lived until 1854, when he moved to Viroqua, which place remained his home until the time of his death. When the war broke out he enlisted in company C, 18th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and was taken prisoner at Shiloh, April 6, 1862, with Prentiss' division. He was placed in the rebel prison at Macon, Ga., and died on the 27th of June, 1862 Samuel McMichael was a much respected man among the pioneers, and his sad death was widely mourned in Vernon county.

In September, 1855, W. F. Beavers was elected surveyor, but only served a short time when he died and Samuel McMichael was appointed to fill the vacancy thus occasioned. Beavers came from Indiana in 1S53, and settled at Springville, in the town of Jefferson. He was a professional surveyor, following that business for a living. He was well thought of by all who knew him, and gave excellent satisfaction as a surveyor.

In November, 1857, Green Spurrier was elected surveyor and served one term. Mr. Spurrier came from Ohio in 1854, and settled with his family at Viroqua. He was a professional surveyor. He remained at Viroqua until during the war, when he moved to near Sparta,

Lemuel Joseph was elected surveyor in November, 1859, and was re-elected in 1861 and 1863, serving six years. He came here with his family from Ohio, in 1855, and settled upon a farm in the town of Webster. He lived there until he died, about 1873.

H. C. Joseph became a surveyor by virtue of the election in November, 1867. He was a son of the former surveyor, Samuel Joseph. He remained upon his father's farm until about 1876, when he removed to Sioux City, Iowa, and is now engaged in farming near that place. He was an excellent citizen, conscientious and honorable in all of his dealings with men.

In November, 1869, I. F. Thorp, of the town of Jeflferson, was elected surveyor and served one term.. I. F. Thorp became a resident of Vernon county in the fall of 1856, and has since resided in Jefferson township. He was born May 1, 1832, in Muskingum Co., Ohio, his p rents being Morgan and Mary A. Thorp. When eight years old he was left motherless, and resided until fifteen years of age with Daniel Murphy, a farmer, at which time he began life for himself. He subsequently worked for different parties, at various employments, attending school at intervals, and thus obtaining a good education. In 1854 he was married to Mary E. Joseph, and two yeais later came to Wisconsin, making the trip with a team. His wife died in the fall of 1866, leaving one daughter - Sarah, who died July 4, 1879. In the spring of 1857 Mr. Thorp and Archibald Morrison succeeded John M. Goldrich in the manufacture of fanning mills. They continued in partnership one season, since which time Mr. Thorp has given his attention to farming. He is a republican, and has held the office of township clerk, was county surveyor two terms, and has

Egbert Wyman, of Hillsborough, was elected .surveyor in November, 1875, and served two years. He is now reading law in the office of Rusk & Wyman at Viroqua.

W. H. Knower, of Genoa, was elected in November, 1877, and being re-elected in 1879 and 1881, is the present surveyor. Mr. Knower has been a resident of the county since 1855. He was born in Roxbury, Mass., in 1830, and lived there until he was ten years of age, when he went to the city of New York with his parents. He received a good education and was engaged in teaching many years, both before and since he came west. He first came to Wisconsin in 1850, but returned to Brooklyn and engaged in business. In 1855 he came west to stay. He was married in Rock Co., Wis., to Mary Elliott. They have three sons and one daughter.

County Judge

Thomas J. De Frees was the first county judge of Bad Ax county. He was elected upon the organization of the county in April, 1851, and served four years.

Through the election of county judge, in April, 1873, there arose one of the most important lawsuits that has ever been decided by the supreme court of Wiiconsin. The candidates for county judge were William S. Purdy, the incumbent, and James E. Newell. Mr. Purdy received 1,217 votes and Mr. Newell 1,240, a majority for the latter of twenty-three votes. The salary of the county judge had been fixed at $1,000 per annum, by the board of supervisors. During the campaign J. E. Newell published a card addressed to the voters, stating that he would attend to the duties of the office for the sum of 1600 per annum. After the result of the election was declared, Mr. Purdy refused to give up the office. Both parties claimed to be elected, and both filed the official oath and bond required by law. Whereupon an action in the nature of qiio warranto was brought in the supreme court by the attorney general at the relation of J. E. Newell, to determine which of the parties had been elected to the office. The grounds upon which the plaintiff, or relator, stood, was that he had received a majority of twenty-three votes over his opponent, and was therefore entitled to the office. The defendant, W. S. Purdy, based his defens* upon the ground that the offer of J. E. Newell to perform the work of the office for $600, and thus donate $400 to the county, was a species of bribery and tended to a corruption of the ballot box. He further named 100 voters and tax payers who it was claimed "intended to vote for the defendant, but were unlawfully and wrongfully induced by said corrupt offers of the relator, J. E. Newell, to change their purpose and vote for said relator." The points, made in the argument, supporting the grounds taken by the defense were : "I. It is bribery to pay money to a voter or to promise him money or any other pecuniary consideration whereby he is induced to vote, or to forbear voting, or whereby he is induced to vote for a particular candidate. 2. Though the offer here was to pay the county, and not the voters directly, yet it was an offer of pecuniary benefit to the voter and tax payer by diminished taxation if he would vote for the relator and secure his election. 3. All votes obtained by the pecuniary inducement offered by the relator are illegal and must be disregarded by the court in this action." After a lengthy argument the supreme court decided in favor the defendant, and held that W. S. Purdy was entitled to the office of county judge of Vernon county for another four years.

Disteict Attorney

As all of the gentlemen who have held this office are treated at length in the chapter devoted to the bar, in this connection it will only be necessary to give their names and the years in which they were elected :

Coroner

This office was not filled at the organization of the county. From the records it would appear that the office was vacant a good many years.

Franklin. He remained there a number of years, then moved to Viroqua. From the latter place he went to Sparta, where his wife died. He has since moved to Iowa.

Elisha W. Pickerael succeeded Mr. Pitcher as coroner, being elected in 1863. Mr. Pickerael came from Ohio in 1856 and settled in Viroqua, where he was married a few days later to Rachel White. He was a school teacher by profession. He remained in the village for several years; then purchased a farm east of town where he moved and lived until his death in 1872. He was a good citizen; esteemed by all who knew him.

In November, 1865, H. A. Robinson was elected coroner. In 1867 he was re-elected. Robinson was a blacksmith who settled at Liberty Pole, town of Franklin, at an early day. About 1856 he moved to Viroqua, and opened a shop there, remaining until the time of his death.