Vernon County, Wisconsin - Biographical sketches (6 of 6 so headed), 1884 (part 1 of 3)

Biographical sketches

This town was among the first settled in the county, consequently there are clustered in and near the town some of the early settlers of the county and their descendants. To these are here given personal mention in the order, as near as possible, in which they located:

Casper Adler, from a "little German home across the sea," came in 1854. He was born in the vil lage of Baldern, county of Narasheim, kingdom of Wurtemburg, Gei'inany, in 1834, and when nineteen years of age came to the United States. He was first employed in a brick yard at Milwaukee, Wis., and afterward on the Illinois Central Railroad and spent the year following at work in a brick yard at Galena, 111. In 1854 he came to Whitestown and entered forty acres of land on section 34, which he has since increased to sixty acres. He was married in 1863 to Catharine E. Miller, and six children were born to this union - Rudolph, Joseph, Andrew, Charles, Mary and Caroline. Mrs. Adler departed this life in 1879 and Mr. Adler was again married in 1883 to Mrs. Edith M. Seaman.

William Sandon was born in the city of Northampton, England, in February, 1836. In 1845, when nine years of age, he emigrated with his parents to America, and located in the town of Burke, Dane Co., Wis., where he grew to manhood, receivlDg a fair education. In 1855 he came to Vernon county, then known as Bad Ax, and soon after was engaged in hauling supplies to the lumbermen on the Kickapoo river. Two years later he commenced working in the rake factory of M. W. Stedman, where he continued until 1801. He then enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry as a private in company G. In March, 1802, he was appointed 2d sergeant. In Novembe , 1802, he was promoted to orderly sergeant and in September, 1803, be was commissioned 1st lieutenant. In the spring of 1864 he commanded company E of his regiment. He was woiincled in the battle of Dandridge, Tenn. In May, 1864, the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry took a prominent part in the battle of Rocky-face Ridge, in which Lieut. Sandon was wounded and taken prisoner. He was held prisoner until March, 1865, when he was exchanged and in May was discharged. William Sandon is now, and has been for eight y.ears past, proprietor of the Vernon House at Ontario. In 1859 he was married to Martha Stedman. They have four sons - Charles M., George T., Murt W. and Lou E. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors, supervisor and town clerk.

Mrs. William H. Tedrick and family removed here from Ohio in the autumn of 1855. William H. Tederick was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, in 1824, and died there in 1852. His wife was born in 1823, and they were man- ed in 1844. Mrs. Tedrick was married in 1857, to Washington McFee, of Whitestown, but died at the residence of her son, Truman, on section 10, in 1^82. Truman Tederick was born in Guernsey Co , Ohio, in 1850, and accompanied his mother to this new country. He was married in 1882 to Didama, daughter of Madison Lower, of the village of Ontario.

Giles White, the pioneer settler of Whitestown, was a native of the good old Empire State. He was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1820. His educational facilities were as good as the schools of those days afforded, and in 1837, when but seventeen years old, he made a long western journey to Medina Co., Ohio, in the northern part of the Buckeye State. He 'there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1853, when his health failed. At this time he was a married man with a family, and fur two years he traveled constantly over several States, seeking tliat which is more precious to mortal beings than gold or precious stones - the enjoyment of good health. Finally, in 1^55, he selected a home among the timbered lands in the northeastern part of Vernon Co., Wis. lie was the first white settler in what is now tlie town of Whitestown, and located 200 acres of land on section 2. In the following year he erected a saw-mill for the combined benefit of himself and the incoming settlers, and in 185Y laid out and platted the village of Ontario. He was the first chairman of the town board of supervisors, and during his residence here has been actively engaged in lumbering, milling, merchandising and farming. The earnest and energetic eflForts given to one and all of these occupations have not been unfiaiitful of good results, both for Mr. White and the entire community. He has prospered slowly but surely, and of late years has been enjoying the benefits derived from his long labors of toil. In 1843, while a resident of Medina Co., Ohio, Mr. White was married to Caroline, daughter of Ezra and Martha Kelley. Mrs. White was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., in 1824. She is the mother of three children, two living - Angle, wife of Elbert W Sandon, and Cassius F. Mary E. died in 1865.

Elvarus Culver, now a resident of Doniphan, Mo., was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1829. The year following his parents removed to Trumbull Co., Ohio, where our subject was educated and learned the cabinet and millwright trades. In 1856 he removed to the town of Whitestown and purchased a stock of goods from George Prentice. He w^as engaged in mercantile pursuits, in the village of Ontario, for twelve years. He now owns eighty acres of land in the town, but resides in Doniphan, Mo. In 1852 he married Ruby Oliver, and six children have been given them^Hettie, wife of William Lower; William, who married Amanda Webster; Charles, Bert, Nellie and Sibyl. Charles, the third child and second son, is a native of Whitestown. He has been a resident here all his life with the exception of eighteen months spent at St. Louis, Mo. He married Emma C. Webster, and they have one son - Eddie C. Mr. Culver is the owner of a residence and two lots in the village of Ontario.

George Prentice, one of theleading citizens and prominent business men of Ontario village, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1816. When twelve years of age his parents removed to Medina Co., Ohio, where George received the benefit of a good common school education. He learned the cabinet maker's trade, and in the spring of 1856 came to Whitestown, Wig. He opened the first store in the village of Ontario, which he conducted for eighteen months. He then sold the stock to O. H. Millard, and in 1859, erected the first grist-mill in the village. This he traded to Giles White for a stock of goods, and he was again engaged in the mercantile trade for three years. He then disposed of his stock to Elvarus Culver. He then erected a steam saw-mill, but sold it three years after to a Mr. De Hart. Mr. Prentice then leased the grist-mill from Mr. White and operated it for eight years. He subsequently bought another general stock of goods, which he is now selling. Mr. Prentice was one of the pioneers of the town, and has been largely instrumental in improving the village of Ontario. When the town was organized in 1857, he was elected clerk, also in 1859, and has served as treasurer of the town since its organization, twenty-one years.

O. H. Millard, one of the prominent citizens of the town of Whitestown, Vernon county was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1825. He lived in his native place until seventeen years of age, when he went to .Ogdensburgh, N. Y., and found employment in a forwarding house. In the spring of 1844 he came west, by way of the lakes in a schooner to Cliioago, then a city of about 9,000 inhabitants. In the spring of 1845 he went to live in Prescott, Canada, where he remained until 1848, when be went to Syracuse, N. Y., and was clerk in the dry goods house of Arnold Woodward. When the news of the discovery of gold in California reached the east, he was seized with the "California fever" and started with two others, ( the first to leave that city for California ) on the 8th day of January, 1849, reaching San Francisco on the 8th day of August, after a tedious voyage around Cape Horn, of 185 days from New York. He worked in the mines in parts of the mountiiins and returned home to New York in the summer of 1851. The same year he started for St. Paul, Minn., intending to make that now famous city his home but only wentasfaras Freeport, 111. He there engaged in the book trade, but sold his stock in January, 1852, and started again for California. This second trip was more successful than the preceding one, for he managed to secure about $2,000 in six months. He traversed the entire mining region, but mined principally on the middle fork of the American river, and at Agua Frio, in Mariposa county. In 1857 Mr. Millard came to Whitestown, and entered eighty acres on section 3. He now owns 680 acres in the town and five blocks in the village of Ontario. This latter place was named in honor of Mr. Millards birth place, Ontario Co., N. Y. Mr. Millard was the first postmaster in the village. Was chairman of the town board one year, town treasurer two years. He carries on a large business in a general stock of goods, and has lately platted in town lots eighty acres of land in Monroe county, which is known as Millard's addition to the village of Ontario. Mr. Millard was married, in 1854, to Mary S., daughter of Jason and Johanna Canfield, of West Bloomfield, N. Y. They have two children - Henry C. who married Retta J. Carpenter, and Mittie J.

England - "on whose dominion the sun never sets" - in 1835, and when nine years of age came over to this country. lie was one of the first to settle in Dane Co., Wis., and in 1857 came to Whitestown. He purchased fifty acre.s of land on section 3, which he still owns. He has been very attentive to his landed interests, and now possesses 1,750 acres of land in Vernon county, making him probably the second largest landholder in the county. He also owns two houses and three lots in the village of Ontario, a store l)uilding and other village property, and a large stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, clothing, crockery and hardware. He enjoys a fine trade, and his many years of residence have given him the confidence of all his acquaintances. Mr. Sandon taught the first school in the village of Ontario, and in 1858 was elected clerk of the town, holding the position for sixteen years. He was also justice of the peace for ten or twelve years. Mr. Sandon was united in marriage, in 1857, soon after he came into Whitestown, to Ellen L., daughter of M. W. and Maria Steadman. They have two daughters - - Nettie M. and Haltie E. Mrs. Sandon was born in 1837.

Johann Breidung came in 1861. He was' born in Germany in 1825, and took passage in a sailing vessel for America in 1854. He first settled at Manistee, Mich., and there eit^aged in the lumber business for eight yeais. He then removed to Milwaukee and lived there two years. Leaving Milwaukee, he went to Waukesha county and farmed it for one year. In 1861 he came to Whitestown and purchased 160 acres of land on section 24. He now owns 150 acres and resides on section 34. Mr. Breidung was married in 1860 to Mrs. Martha Breidenstein. They have three children - Albert, Augusta and Matilda.

Samuel Walker, who located in 1862, was born in Indiana Co., Penn., April 20, 1805. In 1812 his parents removed to Washington couijty in his native State, and in 1814 to Jefferson

Co., Ohio. Mr. Walker subsequently resided in both Athens and Meigs counties, in Ohio, .ind in 1856 .settled in Wellington town, Monroe C'o., Wis. He there sowed tlie tirst wheat ever sowed in the town, and remained until l.SOl. In the latter year he enlisted as fii'er in company I, in the 6tli regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, but was discharged in 1802 on account of disability. That same year he removed to Whitestown and entered 160 acres of land on section 1. He now owns 120 acres on the sam.e section, all well improved. Mr. Walker was married, March 28, 1834, to Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Eleanor Sloan. Eight children were born to this union, six of whom are living - L. H., who married Miss C. Buckner. Whitestown ; T. R., who married a Miss Curtis; Ellen, wife of Ezra Tuttle ; Anna, wife of Thomas Sloan ; Leslie and Lindley, deceased ; Perry, who married Katie Dains ; Josepli Adam, married Mary Adeline Le.ster ; .she having died, he afterward married De Ette L. Palmeter. Mr. Samuel Walker served an apprenticeship of six years as a blacksmith, following the business thirty-five years. He has always been a hard working man, and is at tlie advanced age of seventy-seven past, an able bodied man and the grand-fatiier of twenty-one children.

Perry Walki-r, son of Samuel and Sarah (Sloan) Walker, was born in Meigs Co., Ohio, in lv^"41. He there lived until 1854, when he accompanied his parents to Hamilton, Ind., aTid one year later removed to the town of Wellington, Monroe Co., Wis., the family having the honor of being the first white settleis in the town. In 1862 they removed to the town of I Whitestown and Mr. Walker bought forty acres of land on section 1, which he still owns. In 1865 lie enlisted in the 50th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged in 1866. Mr. Walker was married in 1872 to Catharine, daughter of Hartley and Elizabeth Danes. They have two children - Marlow and Maggie.

Hiram Timerman, who is one of the most ]>rominent business men of Ontario village, was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1825. He was there reared and educated. In 1841, when quite young, he learned the wagon and carriage maker's trade and was engaged in manufacturing those vehicles nntil 1864. In this latter year he returned to Ont.ario village and opened the tirst wagon shop in the town of Whitestown. He carried on a successful business until 1882, when he disposed of his stock and custom to his two sons, who now operate the business. Mr. Timerman subsequently engaged in the furnituge business, owns a good stock and is enjoying a fine trade. He also owns a residence and two village lots and forty acres of land on section 2. He was married, in 1850, to Harriet Luther. They have three children - Mertin, Herman, who married Lucy Hart, and Dell, who married Jennie McFee. Mrs. Timermanwas born in 1820.

Hon. Van S.Bennett is the leading business man of the village of Rockton and one of the prominent citizens of Vernon county. He was born in Medina Co., Ohio, in 1836. His grandfather was a native of the Old Dominion and a prominent planter and slave-holder and departed thi.s life in 1820. One son, J. V., the father of our subject, was born in Jefferson Co., Va., in 1801 and at the death of his fatiier, came into possession of one-ninth of the estate. This interest was paid him in slaves. From the death of his father until 1828, a period of eight years, he was also overseer of the plantation and was paid in slaves for his services. In the latter year, when twenty-seven years of age, he left the old plantation for New York, t.aking with him all the property he then possessed - a large number of slaves. Upon arriving at his destination he gave freedom to all his dusky chattels and by so doing became in one hour a penniless man. He commenced life again by liiring to work on a farm at ten dollars per month. He came to Rockton in 1868 and died at the residence of his son in 1870. His wife, Eliza Beiiuelt, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 181-2, and became the wife of Mr. Bennett in 1834. Tliey were the parents of five children - Van S., William H., who was captain of company B , 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and died in 1864; Isaac, who died in 1847; Virginia, who departed this life in Whitestown, in 1867, and I. J., a practicing phy.sician of Lansing, Iowa. Van S. Bennett, the eldest child, remained in his native county until ten years of age and then accompanied his parents to Dane Co., Wis. Six years later tliey removed to Jefiferson county and in 1854 to Kickapoo Center, Vernon Cv>unty. At this latter place Mr. Bennett assisted in erecting the first saw mill in the town of Kickapoo. In 1855 he went to Richland county and for six years worked in the lumbering camps. In 1861 he enlisted in the 1 2th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned a 1st lieutenant and in 1862 was promoted as captain and discharged in 1864. He returned to Ricliland county and was elected superintendent of the schools, wliich position he held for two years. In 1866 he came to Whitestown and purchased the grist mill owned by Laughton Bros. In 1867 lie erected the fir.st saw mill in the village, which he still owns and operates. In 1873 he platted the village of Rockton and in 1879, in connection with C. B. Weldon, purchased a general stock of goods. In 1881 the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Weldon retiring from the firm, and Mrs. Bennett has since assisted in the store duties. Mr. Bennett is the largest landed proprietor in Vernon county, owning about 2,;J00 acres. He was married, in 1858, to Jennie, daughter of Alfred and Rebecca Lovelace. They have one daughter - Onie. Mrs. Bennett was born in 1837. Mr. Bennett was justice of the peace thirteen years ; chairman of town board four years ; chairman of county board two years ; represented his district in the Assembly two terms. He is the present representative to the State Senate from this district, receiving a plurality

Elbert W. Sandon is the senior member of the firm of Sandon & White, dealers in ilry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and clothing. He was born in Dane Co., Wis., in 1849, and in 1866, wlien seventeen years of age, came to the town of Whitestown, where he has since resided. During the first three or four years of his residence here, he traveled during the summer months, and resided in Ontario in the winter seasons. In 1869 he formed a copartnership with his brother Robert, and the firm commenced the mercantile trade. Mr. Sandon remained in the firm until 1874, when he disposed of his interest to liis brother, and established iiimself in his present business a little later in the same year. In 1880 he sold one half interest in the business to Cassius White, and purchased a half interest in the saw and grist mill in the village. The flouring mill contains tliree run of stones and has a capacity of about 700 bushels per day. The saw mill is furnished with a circular saw, and has a capacity of 8,000 feet of lumber per day. Mr. Sandon is one of the enterprising and successful business men of Vernon county, and enjoys the esteem of the whole community. He was married in 1874 to Angle, daughter of Giles and Caroline While, the first settlers in this town. Mrs. Sandon was born in 1846.

1866, where he remained till the fall of 1867, when he came to Whitestown and entered 160 acres of land on sections 21 and 28, which he now owns, with about 80 acres improved. Mr. Arntzen was married, in 1853, to Johanna M. Sternberg. They have six children - August M., Henry, Peter O., Rudolph, John and Arendine. August is now married to Mary Vance.

sel in the spring of 1869, and when near England, the vessel broke a propelling screw, and had to put into London for repairs. After leaving England, and when fully in mid ocean, terrific stormts drove the vessel hither and thither. Their provisions almost gave out, and their coal was entirely consumed. 'J hey found it necessary to use bedsteads, benches, stools, etc., for fuel, and with great difficulty and many misgivings, reached New York harbor. Mr. Heinrich came directly to Vernon county, and purchased eighty acres of land in Whitestown town, on sections 3-t and 27, where he has since resided. In 188C Jie was appointed justice of the peace, and is now serving in th.it capacity. Mr. Heinrich was ma'-ried, in 18.52, to Alh Zaeger, born in 1832, and a grand-child of a native of Germany, wlio came to America at an early day, and fought under Washington in the Revolutionary war, but afterward returned to Germany, and there died. Six children were born to this union, one dying in Germany, and five now living - Carl D., born in 1853, studied theology for three years at the Northwestern College, Naperville, 111.; Louise M., born in 1856, and wife of August Krugel; L. Emielie, born in 1859, and resides in New York city ; A. Auguste, born in 1861, and wife of Carl Krugel, and Eliese Adeiia, born in 1866, and wife of George Thomas.

Rev. W. F. Phillips, the present pastor of the Baptist Church, of the village of Ontario, Vernon Co., Wis., was born in Wales, in 1801. When quite young he became imbued with the idea of becoming a minister of the gospel and at the age of fifteen years commenced to talk on religious matters. In 1818 he entered Brecon College, in the south of Wales, to prepare for the ministry. He was graduated in 1822, and in 1842 came to these United States. His first charge was the Welsh Baptist Church, at Utica, N. Y., where he remained four years. He then removed to Freedom, in the same State, where he officiated as pastor to both the English and Welsh Baptist Churches for about nine years. He was subsequently in charge of two Baptist congregations at Dodgeville, Iowa Co., Wis., for three years, and was then called to the Church at Spring Green, Sauk Co., Wis., where he ministered to the spiritual wants of three congregations until 1870. In the latter year, he came to Ontario, and has since officiated as their pastor. A glance at the foregoing will abundantly serve to show that Rev. Phillips has spent a long and useful life in the service of his Lord and Master. He is now nearing the end of this mortal life, but the years that have whitened his locks and enfeebled his steps have also added strength to his soul and a determination to die in the harness. He was united in marriage, in 1831, to Ann Jones, and seven children have been born to them, five living - Frank M. (Daniel), Jennie (Davis), William C, Lucinda (Green) and Catherine (Fox). Mrs. Phillips crossed over the dark river in 1869, and Jan. 12", 1875, Rev. Phillips married Lydia Beecher, a native of Hinesburg, Vt.

Christian Fransen is a native of Norway, where he was born in 1844, and emigrated to the United States in 1872, and first located on Coon Prairie, where he lived until 1875, when he moved to Whitestown, and purchased sixty acres of land on section 7, where he now resides. He has increased his farm to one hundred acres. Mr. Fransen was united in marriage in 1872 to Mary Christianson, by whom he has six children - Clara, Laura, Carrie, Jenette, Zena and a twin sister not yet named. Mr. Fransen has about twenty-five acres of land under cultivation.

Steen Steenson was born in Norway in 1850. His father, John Steenson, was born in Norway, in 1823, and came to the United States in 1865. He now resides in this town, on section 5. Steen Steenson came to America in 1868, and first settled on Coon Prairie, in this county, where he lived five years. In 1873 he removed to Whitestown, and purchased eighty acres of land, on section 5, which he now owns. Mr.

V. A. Stoddard, a native of the "Badger State," was born in Dodge Co., Wis, in 1854. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Sheldon, in Monroe county, where he remained until 1875, receiving a good common school education. In the latter year, he purchased fifty acres of land on section 6, Whitestown town, and moved on to his farm the same year. Mr. Stoddard was elected clerk of Whitestown in 1882, and has been clerk of his school district for six years. He was married in 1874 to Anna E., daughter of Michael and Mary J. Dunn. They have four children - Charles D., William P., Rettie A. and Bessie A. Mr. Stoddard's father was born in New York, in 1828, and his mother in Maine, in 1833.

Han.8 Hanson is a native of Norway, and was born in 1S28. He emigrated to the United States in 1853, in the month of August. He first settled on Coon Prairie, in Vernon county, where he remained until 1877, when he removed to Whitestown and purchased 140 acres of land from Christian Thompson on sectioti 6, which he still owns. Mr. Hanson was married to Anna Evenson in 1860, by whom ho had one child - Caroline, who died in 1866. Mr. Hanson was unfortunate in losing his wife in 1865. He again married, in 1866, Mary Larson. They have five children - Anna, Henry, Laura, Clara and Ida, all single and living at home. Neither of Mr. Hanson's parents came to the United States.

Ora Winsor, cabinet and wagon-maker, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., where he remained until 1827, and then removed to Chau- : tauqua county, in the same State. He there learned the carpenter trade, and in 1831 went i to Canada, and worked at his trade for two years, j Returning to New York, he there remained ; until 1847, when he came west and located in York town Green Co., Wis. In 1851, he removed to Madison, and there lived until 1855. He traveled extensively over the States of Wisconsin, Iowa and Colorado, and in 1881 located in the town of Whitestown. He now carries on a cabinet and wagon-shop, and enjoys a good run of custom. Mr. Winsor was married, in 1835, to Polly Ann Brown, who was the mother of four children - Chauncey A., who married Frank Ten Eyck, Lucy M., wife of E. Groer, Jirab R., who married Cordelia A. Bishop, and Jason C, who selected for his wife Anna Piper. Mrs. Winsor died in 1861, and Mr. Winsor was again married, in 1863, to Jane A. Wilcox, who departed this life in 1875.

Arnold Widmer, junior member of the firm of Bennett & Widmer, proprietors of Rockton flouring mills, was born in Switzerland, in 1848. He received a thorough collegiate education in the mother country, and subsequently learned the milling trade. He came to these United States in 1868, and first located in Buffalo Co., Wis. He there worked on a farm for some time, and since then has been constantly employed at his trade. In 1874 he came to Kockton, and worked in the grist mill. In January, 1883, he purchased a half interest in the flouring mill, and the business has since been conducted by the firm of Bennett & Widmer. Mr. Widmer also owns a residence and three village lots in Rockton, and eighty acres of land in the town of Stark. Mr. Widmer was married, in 1870, to Viola, daughter of David and Jutita Kellicut. They hare five children - Franklin A., Bertha, Elmer L., Nettie C. and Hattie L. (twins).

A. Burlingame, a physician by profession and a farmer by occupation, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1819. In 1828 he accompanied his parents to Putnam Co., Ind, and in 1836, to Milwaukee, Wis. His mother was the first married white woman in that city. Mr. Burlingame attended the public schools, and in 1847 returned to Putnam Co., Ind, where he studied medicine for four years. He first local-

Honorable Mention

It is but natural that those persons who have been honored witli high official positions should be entitled to tlie esteem of good citizens when it is known that their advancement has been due wholly to merit. Such, in a marked degree, has been the case with those few .citizens of Vernon county who have been intrusted with liigli official responsibilities. In this connection may, with jiropriety, be named Daniel B. Priest, who filled the office of collector of internal revenue of the 6th Wisconsin district; William Nelson, appointed mai'slial of Utah; Jeremiah M. Rusk, who was first elected bank comptroller of the State of Wisconsin, and afterward its governor, and is still in office, and William F. Terhune, the pioneer lawyer of Vernon county, and subsequently its representative in the State Assembly, and county judge.

Gen. Jeremiah M. Rusk, governor of Wisconsin, was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1830, and settled in Vernon (then Bad Ax) Co., Wis., in 1853, where he has since resided. He was sheriff of the county some years, and represented his district in the Assembly in 1862. He was commissioned major of the 25th Wisconsin regiment in July of that year. After a brief service in the Minnesota Indian campaign, his regiment was ordered down the Mississippi and up the YazToo river, and subseqwently participated in the siege and capture of Vicksburg. After that place fell he returned to Helena, Ark., and was promoted lieutenant-colonel of his regiment, and served a short time as president of a court martial there. On tlie 1st of February, 1864, he took command of his regiment, joined Gen. Sherman's army, and participated in the Meridian campaign. He was complimented in general orders for the discipline he maintained on that march, and for not losing a man from straggling or inattention. He continued with Gen. Sherman, participating in all the hot fights in the Atlanta campaign, from May 1, until the battle of Jonesboro, which gave the Union forces possession of Atlanta in Se])- tember. At the battle of the "Twenty-second of July," when the heroic McPherson fell. Gen. Rusk was in command at the front, and lost one-third of his men. During the battle he wns once fairly cut off from his command and surrounded by soldiers armed with sabre bayonets. His sword was seized, and he was ordered to surrender, but drawing his pistol, he used it with such deadly effect that he broke through his assailants, and escaped with a slight wound in his leg and the loss of his horse, riddled with bullets. This incident is mentioned in illustration of his bravery and daring. Conduct under trying circumstances is a fair inde.x of character; opportunities make men; we are creatures of circumstance. Distinctive traits of character or positive qualities cannot be successfully assumed for the occasion. Give a man an opportunity, and the metal he is made of, either voluntarilv or involuntarily on his part, will be made to appear; the keen perception of a discriminating public will soon detect the impostor, notwitlistanding he may play the game with consumate art. The public man, especially, cannot long play undetected the part of the deceiver. Gen. Rusk is a brave, true and

After the battle of Jonesboro he followed Hood back into Alabama, then returned to Atlanta, and in Sherman's "march to the sea," had command of the advance of the lYth corps, having the skirmishers, pioneers, engineers and the pontoon train under his charge. In the Carolina campaign, from Beaufort Island north, he was breve tted brigadier-general for gallantry at the battle of Saukahatchie, in February. Here, to use Gen. Mower's expression, "he rode farther into hell than I would go, and he was the onlv man I have ever seen who would take such risks." This campaign lasted about two months. He was mustered out in June, 1865. From the May previous he had been constantly on duty in Gen. Sherman's army every day.

When his regiment was mustered out, officers and men united in expressions of regard and esteem, and he was highly commended by his superior officers for gallantry.

The following is a copy of a card that appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal on the separation of the officers of the 2.5th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers:

A Card

American House, ) Madison, Wis., June 25, 1 865. f We, the undersigned officers of the 25th Wisconsin Infantry, hereby take this opportunity, upon the occasion of the disbanding of our military organization, to express our esteem and profound regard for Col. J. M. Rusk. We part from him feeling in our hearts that we have bid good by to our leader, than whom there is not one more daring or gallant.

Remembering that he led us through Georgia, down to the sea, and through the swamps of the Carolinas, ever mindful of our welfare, he stood by us to the last ; our prayer is that he may be rewarded by the people of the State, and that his noble deeds be not forgotten by the authorities. Never despairing but always hopeful, we remember how he performed his arduous duties during the dark days around and in front of Atlanta ; and when his regiment was called into action, we always knew who was at its head. Asking nothing and receiving little, he stood by the regiment at all times, ever mindful of the interests of its officers and men.

Washngton, D. C, May 29, 1865. \ Dear Colonel : - As I am ordered by the war department to a distant field, in a few hours I shall be compelled to take leave of my old command. In doing so I feel that I shall separate from very many that are very dear to me, made so by being associated with them in common toils and danger. I cannot leave you, colonel, without expressing my tbanks for that hearty support and co-operation which has ever characterized your actions and bearing in the field. You have been very much in command of your regiment, it has won a proud name, second to none that I know in our armies. You, by your faithful and untiring efforts, have contributed largely to this. You are entitled to, and I hope will receive the generous thanks of the executive and the people of your State, for your faithfulness to the troops entrusted -to your care. The able manner in which you have discharged every duty in the field entitles you to the gratitude of all who love the cause in which you have served so well.

In September, 1865, the republican* State convention of Wisconsin nominated the general for bank comptroller by acclamation. He was elected in the November following by upwards of 10,000 majority. In 1867 he was again nominated and elected by the repub licans of his State, and served tiie two terms in a most acceptable manner. During his second term the business of State banking having become nearly obsolete, by reason of the discriminations against it in the national banking law, the people passed an amendment to tbe Slate (Constitution abolishing the office of bank comptroller. So that he was the last bank comptroller of Wisconsin. The following editorial appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal on tbe occasion of Gen. Rusk's final retirement from the office of bank comptroller: department. In closing out old banks he has saved the State much money. His suggestions concerning the final settlement of all bank accounts have been valuable.

"The general is distinguished for his thoroughness in business matters, the abstnce of narrow prejudices in all things, a determination to do what is fair, for his excellent judgment and unswerving devotion to republican principles.

"In August, 1870, he was nominated by the republicans of the sixth congressional district in Wisconsin as their candidate for representative in Congress and in November of the same year was elected by the largest majority given by any district of the State to its representai ve. He is now serving his term in Congress. '

Gov. Rusk's congressional career commenced on the 4th day of March, 1871. He was then brought face to face with the most eminent statesmen of both political parties, and placed on a higher plane of action than he had before occupied. Would he be found equal to thd emergency? His district was "the old sixth" that had been represented so many years by the late C. C. Washburn. It was very large, embracing twenty-four counties, and covering nearly, if not quite, one-half the area of the State. It embraced all that portion of the State which was rapidly filling up with new settlers and in which new industries were being developed. It extended from the Wisconsin river on the south and east, to the Mississippi river on the west and to Lake Superior on the north. To become acquainted with and to protect all the mixed interests of his district required great labor and ceaseless care.

When he appeared in the field as a candidate for the nomination, he found the Hon. William T. Price, of Black River Falls, to be his principal competitor; the Hon. John T. Kingston, of Needah. was also in the field with quite a strong and influential following, but he was not so prominent an opponent as was Mr. Price-

The merits of the three candidates were freely and thoroughly discussed before the nominating convention was held. The voters felt as though the district that had been so well represented by Washburn, should be represented by a worthy successor. The nominating convention was held in Sparta, and after a spirited contest, during which Price, despairing of r. - ceiving the nomination himself, sought to defeat Gen. Rusk by turning as much of his strength as he could over to Kingston. Gen. Rusk bore off the honors

The Hon. Alexander Meggett, of Eau Claire, was the democratic nominee, and both candidates canvassed the whole district, but Gen. Rusk was elected over Meggett by a majority of 5,528 votes, his own county, Vernon, giving him a majority of 1,1-32 votes in a total vote of 1,562. In this Congress, the XLIId, Geii. Rusk was placed on the committee on public lands and on that of tlie militia.

Before the next congressional election cam( around, the State had been re-districted unde; the census of 1870, and the "old sixth district' disappeared, and Vernon county was throwi into the new seventh district. But so well had h< met the expectations of his constituents, and si clean was his record, that no candidate appeared in the field against him, and he was elected to the XLIIId Congress without opposition in the republican ranks. The democratic candidate was the Hon. Stephen Manton, of Eau Claire. Gen. Rusk was elected in the new seventh district, by a majority of 7,637 votes, his own county giving him a majority of 2,124, in a total vote of .3,010. This vote will illustrate the great popularity of the general at home. In the XLIIId Congress, he was chairman of the committee on Invalid Pensions, also a member of the committee on Mines and Mining. Under his chairmanship, the pension laws receivcil careful consideration, and it can undoubtedly be said that the interests of the old soldiers nf the republic were not neglected.

In 1874 he was placed in nomination for reelection, with little or no opposition. Maj. D. C. Fulton, of Hudson, was the democratic nominee. In this election, the general received a , majority of 3,441 votes over Maj. Fulton, his own county giving him a majority of 1,262, in a total vote of 2,570. The XLIVth Congress was democratic, but he was placed on two committees - on Invalid Pensions and on Agriculture.

Gen. Rusk was not a public speaker in the general acceptation of the term, and consequently but few of his utterances on the floor of the house of representatives were printed, liut he was a worker, and with sleepless vigilance he watched the legislation of Congress, that he might protect and enhance, in all things, the interests of his more immediate constituents, at the same time not forgetting that as a member of Congress he was called on to legislate for the whole country. His rai:'ml)ersbip on the committee on Agriculture led him to turn his attention to the agricultural interests of the cnuntry, and he delivered in the house of representatives, a s])eech on "The tariff and its relation to agriculture," which was printed and circulated all over the country as a campaign document, in the summer of 1876.

While a member of Congress and in a great measure held responsible for all Presidential and and other federal appointments in his district, amid all the scrambles forofliceand einoluments, he so conducted himself as to retain the respect, not only of his constituents, but of all the people of the State. Refusing to profit by the salarygrab, which he voted against in all its stages, he covered his back pay into the treasury. He left Congress without a stain on his record.

From the day of his retirement from Congress to the day he was called on to assume the executive authority of the State, he remained quietly at home, attending to his own private business. Only once during these years did he appear in public, and that was as a delegate to the republican National convention in Chicago, in 1880. But during this period of retirement, he was not lost sight of. Six years service in Congress, under the eye and notice of Gen. Garfield, had given the latter a clear knowledge of the real worth and abilities of Gen. Rusk, and when Garfield became President, without consulting Gen. Rusk, he nominated him to the Senate as minister to Paraguay and Uraguay, in South America, and the nomination was at once unanimously confirmed by the Senate. But Gen. Rusk declined the mission. President Garfield t'len tendered him the appointment of minister to Denmark, and the position of chief of the bureau of printing and engraving, both of which Gen. Rusk declined.

In the fall of 1881 he was placed in nomination for the oflice of governor by the republican State convention. Before the meeting of the convention, several good republicans were named as candidates for the ofiice. It was known that the question of prohibition would enter into the contest, and the democrats hoped that the prohibitionists would draw enough republican votes to enable the democrats to elect their whole State ticket. With this end in view, the democrats encouraged the prohibitionists in every way they could. Hon. N. D. Fratt, of Racine, was placed in nomination by the democrats, T. D. Kanoure, by the prohibitionists and E. P. Allis, by the greenback party. Herculean efforts were put forth by the democrats and prohibitionists to defeat the general, but without success. He was elected by a plurality of 11,957, over Fratt. Kanoure received 13,22.5 votes, and Allis received 7,002 votes.

Monday, the legal day for celebrating the new year, and inaugural day, too, according to law, brought grand events to tlie capital city. At an early hour in the morning streets and corners were crowded with people, especially boys and girls, all anxiously awaiting the arrival of troops from various sections of the State, coming to make a display on the inaugural occasion. Trains from the north were late, and as time went on the crowds continued to gather and become more eager. One was reminded of the approach of Barnura's or Forepaugh's show - the St eet parade. The day was bright, and on the sunny street corners the throng experienced no great inconvenience. By and by a man in military garb made his appearance down by Shelden's headquarters and hundreds rushed to meet him. He gave out word that three companies had arrived - two from La Crosse and one from Beaver Dam. Then did excitement run high. In due time the military column moved from East Madison towards the centre of the city. The march was up Wilson, King and Main streets. The escort was conducted by the Governor's Guard and the Lake City Guard, of Madison. When the line reached a point on Main street,between the Vilas House and the Park Hotel, slight maneuvering was indulged in, and the companies from abroad were assigned regular quarters.

Soon after 1 1 o'clock there was another arrival and another rally of sight-seers. The train from Milwaukee, by way of Watertown, brought to the East Madison depot a company from Milwaukee, one from Oshkosh and one from Fond du Lac, and a band from Oshkosh. Here followed another grand escort to the heart of the city, the Oshkosh band discoursing soulinspiring music. The leader in front with a cap as big as a bushel basket, swinging his baton, engrossed the full attention of the j'oungsters. This was the elephant of the show. The march continued along the streets above mentioned, and the line halted where the first one did, and broke ranks after a few moments had been indulged in to the edification of a vast throng of spectators.

There was but little time to waste, as the new State otficers must be at the capitol to take the oath of office at noon. Therefore it was not long before drums were heard to beat and rattle, and from all quarters gathered soldiers in fine new uaiforms. The Lake City Guard was easily distinguished by their overcoats which they kept on all through the day, with capes fastened back, showing the blood-red lining.

Eight companies formed into two battalions on Main street, along the southeast side of the Capitol square - one battalion made up of the two La Crosse companies and the tvvo capital city companies, was commanded by Lieut. Col. M. T. Moore, and the other battalion, composed of the Milwaukee company, the Beaver Dam company, the Fond du Lac and the Oshkosh companies, was under command of Col. Chandler P. Chapman, of Madison. After some maneuvering the two battalions were marched up Main street, and took position on Carroll street in front of the Park Hotel. Here the new and the o'd State officers were received; and then they went around the capitol park, starting down Carroll, and enteringthe park opposite the Vila: House. The line was made up as follows:

The capitol was entered at the east door, and all proceeded at once to the assembly chamber. On the main stand were soon seen the out-going and in-going State officers, the president of the day, Hon. J. C. Gregory, the chief justice and his associates of the supreme court, and other dignitaries.

While seats were filled, the Oshkosh baud gave out rare music. The exercises were opened with prayer, delivered by Rev. C. H. Richards, of Madison.

Gov. William E. Smith then made what may be termed his valedictory address. He expressed himself happy in having an opportunity to acknowledge that though the two terms of his office had found his duties a pleasure, the 'most friendly and cordial feelings had existed between him and all with whom he had dealings. The State was in a most lirosperous condition ; there were plenty of moneys in the treasury, and all was serenity, so to speak. He introduced his successor with happy remarks.

Gen. Rusk arose, amid applause, and after acknowledging the responsibilities of the high office he was about to enter, returned thanks to the citizens of Madison, and others who had assembled, for the most kind, and generous reception of the newly elected officers about to assume their duties; he also thanked the National Guard, who had so generously rendered service upon the occasion, and the retiring State officers, who are entitled to the thanks of all for the faithful and efficient manner in which they have discharged their several duties. Ihe governor commenced his address as follows :

"Selected by the people of Wisconsin as their chief executive, I have the honor, in obedience to the requirements of the constitution, of submitting to you my first annual message. I am deeply impressed with the responsibilities of the position to which I have been chosen, occupied as it has been by so many distinguished gentleman, including ray immediate predecessor, who has administered the affairs of State with marked ability and to the satisfaction of the people.

"The past year has been one of unparalleled prosperity to the Nation. United once more in the bonds of peace and harmony, with all sectional strife abated, the country has made gigantic strides ahead. Our Nation has been blessed with health, with abundant harvests, and a greater degree of prosperity than in any former year; and had it not been for the shock of the assassination of our lament^ President, the year would have been one of the most successful and happy of our National life.

"I cannot refrain from speaking in this connection a few words in relation to our late beloved President, James A. Garfield; a man of broad intellect, a noble heart, a kind and generous spirit; he was pre-eminently a leader among leaders. Succeeding by his own efforts in raising himself from poverty to the highest position in the gift of the people, he had comiii,enced a career which promised to bear full fruition of the hopes of his countrymen, when he was prostrated by the bullet of an assassin. Beloved by the people and mourned by the whole civilized world, his memory will live forever.

"The present chief magistrate, President Chester A Arthur, called to the position under these most sorrowful circumstances, has, by his wise administration of governmental affairs, merited the confidence of the country.

"Wisconsin has shared in the general prosperity of the year. Our harvests have yielded good returns and our products have found ready markets at good prices.

"Agriculture, our greatest industry, has been well rewarded, and the financial condition of this class, who contribute so much to the growth and wealth of our State, has been materially improved. Capital seeks investment at a much reduced rate of interest; our manufacturing industries have steadily and permanently increased, and many other enterprises and resources have been developed during the year.

"The laws have been faithfully and efticiently executed, and peace and tranquility have prevailed throughout the State during the year with as few exceptions as is usual."

The oath of oflfce was administered to all the newly elected except the insurance commissioner and the railroad commissioner, whose terms have not yet begun.

In the evening a reception and dance took place in the assembly chamber. It was a happy time. The new governor seemed to enjoy himself hugely on the floor. He did not have the fancy modern step and shufile, but he indulged in the regular old-fashioned "hoe-down" style, to the edification of the spectators.

Mrs. Gen. Wilson, black satin de Lyon, wilii court train; black velvet basque, trimmings of jet and steel passementerie and thread lai-e: duchesse lace and coral jewelry.

Hardly had Gov. Rusk been seated in the executive chair, before he was confronted with a problem, the solution of which shows the farreaching sagacity of the man, and the executive ability of the magistrate. On the 2Gth of January, 1882, he received by telegraph, the following message:

The men on this end of the Portage and Superior road are taking every thing within their reach. We are powerless to protect our property against 700 men, who have neither money nor means of subsistence. They threaten to burn houses and destroy everything here. We appeal to you for protection. Can you send relief?

To understand the full force of this dispatch, it will be necessary to state that the Legislature, in 1874, granted to the Chicago & Northern Pacific Air Line Railway Company a large tract of land, part of the original lands granted to this State by acts of Congress, of June 3, 1856, and May .5, 1864, for the purpose of aiding the building of certain lines of railroad in this State. The lands granted to the Air Line Railroad Company were the lands that were set apart in the original grant to aid in building a road from "St. Croix river or lake" to the west end of Lake Superior and to Bayfield. The road from St. Croix river to Bayfield was being built by the North Wisconsin Railway Company, that company having received the lands applicable to the building of that load. The Air Line company was trying to build the road from the west end of Lake Superior - Superior City - southward to a point of intersection with the North Wisconsin road in Burnett county, the point of intersection being known as Superior Junction. This company had received from the Legislature, as before stated, a grant of all the lands applicable to the building of a road from Lake Superior southward to the junction with the North Wisconsin road. In January, 1882, the Air Line company had al)out 1,400 men working along its line, when suddenly it collapsed, being deeply in debt to sub-contractors and laborers. This collapse left 1,400 men turned loose on the community in the winter time, and many of them were far away from their homes and families. About 600 of them were at Superior Junction, and about 800 were at Superior City, or scattered along tlie line. This was the condition of things on the 26th of January, 1S82, and which called out the telegram above quoted. It may here be stated that Walker, Judd & Veasey were heavy lumber men, located near Superior Junction and having extensive property interests there, and they were also the creditors to quite an amount of the Air Line company for supplies furnished.

To that telegram the governor at once replied, requesting Walker, Judd & Veasey to notify the men that they must do no damage, and to assure them that supplies would be sent at once and transportation furnished such of the men as wanted to leave and find work in other localities. On the same day. Walker, Judd & Veasey telegraphed back to the governor that the men refused to leave without their pay ; that they would have their pay before they left or they would burn the railroad bridges and destroy the track. They also wanted the governor to send up 200 armed men to protect properly and preserve order. The governor replied in substance that the men wanted bread - not bayonets ! A great many telegrams came to the governor trom different parties, showing a highly wrought state of feeling, and great fear that the men would resort to riotous proceedings. A bill had been introduced into the Legislature, and was then pending, to revoke the grant of lands to the Air Line company and confer it on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway Company. This bill had been introduced because the Air Line company had virtually forfeited its right to the grant in not building the road within the time limited by the grant. A happy thought struck the governor. In revoking the grant to the Air Line company and conferring it on the Omaha company, the Legislature bad ample constitutional power to attach the condition precedent to the grant, of full payment of the indebtedness of the Air Line company to its laborers. The Legislature was not in session then, it having adjourned over Sunday a day or two before, and consequently Gov. Rusk could not communicate with them, but keeping his own counsels, he sent a dispatch direct to the laborers, telling them tliat tliey must at all events maintain order and respect persons and j)roperty, and that the State would not permit any violation of the rights of jiersons or of property. He told them it was not wise for them to stay there expecting speedy payment from the Air Line company, and he advised them to appoint a committee to look after their rights, and then go away and get work as quick as they could. The governor's sensible advice was followed.

In a few days the Legislature re-convened and the governor at once sent in a special message giving a full and unvarnished history of the whole matter. He called especial attention to the fact that a great deal of expense had been incurred in feeding the men and furnishing transportation to those who went away to seek work elsewhere, and he closed his message with these words: "I also venture to suggest that if the Legislature sliall transfer the grant applicable to the road from Superior Junction to the west end of Lake Superior, to any company, it would be wise, under existing circumstances, to require such company to provide funds for the immediate payment of these laborers, and to reimburse the State for any expenses incurred in taking care of these men in this emergency."

The governor's suggestion was heeded, and on the 16th of February following, he approved an act revoking the grant to the Air Line company, and conferring it on the Omaha company. This act provided that within three days after its passage the Omaha company should pay to the governor the sum of SVSjOOO, and give such security as the governor should require, to fully indemnify and save harmless the State against all liability and expenses incurred in feeding the laborers, should the sum of $75,000, part of the $78,000 paid to the governor, be inadequate to the full payment of the laborer!*, and requiring the company within thirty days after the passage of the act, to file with the secretary of State their authenticated resolution of acceptance of the grant on the terms imposed by the Legislature. The balance of the $78,000 being 13,000 was reserved to pay the e.xpenses of the agent appointed to adjust the claims of sub-contractors and laborers. The act further required the governor to appoint an agent who should forthwith investigate and ascertain the amounts honestly and actually due for labor and supplies done and furnished prior to Jan. 20, ls82, on the Air Line road. The Omaha company at once accepted the^ grant on the terras proposed, paid over to the governor the $78,000 and gave the security the act required. The governor appointed Judge Butt, of Vernon county, agent to adjust the claims, who at once entered upon that duty, and in a few months the claims were all adjusted and paid.

Tile manner in which the people of the State appreciated the action of Gov. Husk in the matter is well illustrated in the following extract of a speech delivered by the Hon. John Hinton, of Milwaukee, at a mass meeting held at Bay View on the 21st of February, 1883. He said: "He is an earnest, untiinching friend of the workingman. When several hundred laborers up north here, who had not received pay for months, and were almost starving for the want of food, and demanded that they have their pay or provisions to live on, and when Gov. Rusk was telegraphed to send 200 bayonets to put them down, he telegraphed back: 'I cannot send bayonets - it is bread they want.' He ordered them fed, and more than that, he notified the Legislature that if they did pass that land grant bill, unless they made provision to pay those men the wages they had honestly earned and which was their due, he would not sign the act. He is the friend of the laboring man, he

This brief sketch of the matter gives but a very faint idea of the real situation of things along the line of the road, and of all that Gov. Rusk had to deal with in bringing about such a happy solution of the trouble.

As executive of the State, Gov. Rusk has felt called on several times to interpose his veto to bills that had passed both houses of the Legislature.

The first bill that he vetoed was one conferring on John Glover and others, their heirs and assigns, the right to erect, maintain and keep a dam across the Totogalicans creek, in the county of Bayfield, Wis. This act authorized them to rtood lands, to charge tolls for the passage of logs and lumber through the dam, etc., etc. The act conferred these privileges on Glover, his associates and assigns, for the term of fifteen years.

"I feel constrained by a sense of public duty to withhold from this bill executive approval. This action upon my part has been reluctantly taken, for the reason that I discover no constitutional objection to the bill in any of its provisions, and I am fully mindful of the delicacy involved in placing my individual judgment in opposition to the judgment of the Legislature, upon grounds going to the expediency of its action. But as my objections to this bill pertains with equal force to a class of measures rapidly increasing in number, and aimed at what, in my judgment, is a growing evil in legislation. I have thought it fairly within the line of executive duty to call the attention of the Legislature to the subject in this connection.

"The constitution of the State provides that coporation without banking powers or privileges may be formed under general laws, but shall not be created by special act, except for municipal purposes, and in cases where, in the judg- ment of the Legislature, the objects of the corporation cannot be attained tinder general laws." The constitution reserves to the Legislature the right to alter, modify and repeal all charters granted by the Legislature or created under general laws, made permanent to the foregoing constitutional provision.

But for years the Legislature had been granting to persons the right to dam the lumbering streams of the State,to charge tolls for the passage of logs and lumber on through the dams, to flood lands, and conferring on those persons corporate powers and franchises for a number of years, without reserving the right to alter, modify or repeal those franchises and corporate powers, and the governor of the State had been signing all such acts, until, as Gov. Rusk said in his veto message, "a large number of the lumbering streams in the State are being given over by this means to the control of individuals."

The veto message was quite lengthy, but it completely covered the whole ground, and so convincing was its logic, that it was unanimously sustained, and it effectually stopped the passage of bills conferring corporate powers and franchises on individuals, without any reservation of the constitutional right of the Legislature to alter, modify or repeal.

Another veto which shows with what keenness the governor looks into all actions of the Legislature in the passage of bills, and the closeness with which he scrutinizes that action in the light of the constitution of the State, is the one he sent to the Senate on the 12th of March, 1883, to a bill originating in the Senate, entitled " An act to legalize the action of certain county boards of supervisors, relating to the salaries of certain county officers. "

In 1882, there was, and ever since the organization of the State government there had been, a statute authorizing and requiring the board of supervisors of the several counties in the State ti> fix the salaries of the several county officers ; and as the law stood, in 1882, the supervisors were required to fix the salaries for a given term, one year before the commencement of that terra. The counties, or at least some of them in which an election for county officers was to be held in November, 1882, the term of office to commence on the first Monday in January, 188.3, fixed the salaries of their respective officers for that term, at the annual meeting in November, 1882, one week after the election was held, in clear violation of the law, and then appealed to the Legislature to legalize their acts. And this thing had been going on to a greater or less extent since the organization of the State government, and it is believed the governors of the State had invariably approved the bills. Gov. Rusk, in his veto of the bill in question, raised several po-nts, but it is unnecessary to notice them here. The following extract from his message will show clearly one point raised, and his manner of dealing with it :

"The bill declares to be legal and valid the action of such of the county boards as voted at their annual meetings in November, 1882, to raise the salaries of certain county officeis for the years 1883 and 1884. The language of the bill creates the irresistible inference that a portion of the county boards of the Stale voted at the annual meetings in November, 1882, to raise the salaries of certain county officers in their respective counties for 1883 and 1884. It also very clearly implies the invalidity of such action, as the necessity for this proposed curative legislation rests solely on such invalidity. The power of the county boards of the State to fix salaries of county officers was, in 1882, and is now, regulated by section 094 of the Revised Statutes, which is as follows :

'(Section 694). The county boards at their annual meeting in November, shall fix the amount of salary which shall be received by every county officer, including county judge, wlio is to be elected in the county during the next ensuing year, and is entitled by law to receive a salary payable out of the county treasury ; and the salary as fixed shall not be- increased or diminished duringr his said terra of office. All salaries shall be paid out of the county treasury, quarter-yearly, at the end of each quarter. If the county board of any county shall fail to establish the salary of any county officer as herein provided, such officer shall receive the same annual salary as that received by his immediate predecessor. This section shall not apply to any particular county whose salaries to its officers have been specially provided and fixed by lavkf.'

"As to officers to be elected in the county during the next ensuing year, the action fixing the salaries, whether by lowering or raising, would l)e clearly within the power of the boards and would require no legislative care.

"I feel warranted, therefore, in assuming that the action sought to be legalized by this bill was invalid for some violation of section 694, either in fixing the salaries of county officers elected in 1S82, or in raising the salaries of officers then in office. Can the Legislattire constitutionally legalize the action of a portion of the county boards of the State, in so fixing the salaries, in violation of section 694? The supreme court seems clearly to have answered this question in the negative in Rooney vs the Supervisors of Milwaukee County, 40. Wis. 23."

The governor made another point on the constitutionality of the bill, holding it to be in conflict with section 23, of article 4 of the constitution, which provides that "the Legislature shall establish but one system of town and county government, which shall be as nearly uniform as possible."

On this point the governor said: "It would be a signal breach of the uniformity of the organic system of county government required by the constitution, that a board of supervisors of one county should be permitted or required to disregard the wholesome principle binding all the other counties of the State. It would be a strange uniformity, which for grave ends of public policy should absolutely place the compensation of county officers beyond control in some counties, and subject it, in violation of such policy, to control in other counties. It is quite apparent that an act of the Legislature of 1882, in terms authorizing county boards of certain counties to raise the salaries of officers elected that year, or those in office, would have been unconstitutional as violating the uniformity of county governijient."

The messages which Gov. Rusk has annualy transmitted to the State assembly are characteristic of the man - plain and simple in their wording, clear and concise in tone, and honest and straightforward in pointing out what he considers to be the best methods of meeting the present wants of this rapidly increasing population, and providing for the exigencies which may arise in the fostering and development of the agricultural, mercantile and industrial interests of the State. They bear unmistakable evidence of a close observance into the necessary requirements of the different departments of the State government and a ])ainstaking eflportto promote the moral and intellectual growth of the whole people.

Gov. Rusk has yet a year to sit in the chair of State, and it is useless to speculate as to what his future may be. He may be called to further and higher honors when he vacates the gubernatorial chair. And it may not be amiss, in this connection, to produce here a few of the compliments that have dropped from the press and other sources, called lut by "a record so clear in his high office."

Said a leading and influential democratic politician of this State, in the fall of 1883 : "Gov. Rusk has made a most excellent governor for Wisconsin. His unassuming, impartial, honest policy is such as the people like, and Gov. Rusk's admirers in the State have wonderfully increased in numbers since he seated himself in the gubernatorial chair."

After the death of Postmaster-General Howe, the name of Gov. Rusk was mentioned in connection with other names, as one who \\ ould make a worthy successor. This called out from one of the prominent papers of the State, the fol- lowing paragraph : "Among the names spoken of in the Wasliington tlisjiatches for thevacant position of postmaster general, is that of Gov. J. M. Rusk. Wliile all Wisconsin people would he glad to know that the abilities of their brave soldier and most excellent governor were thus recognized by President Art' ur, they would be sorry indeed to have him vacate the executive chair at Madison. Of all the governors Wisconsin has ever had, none of them ever held the respect and good will of all parties as lias Gov. Rusk. If the President concludes to call Gov. Rusk away from his presentposition, the people of this great commonwealth will, of course, approve his choice, knowing full well that what will be lost to the State, will be gained by the Nation."

The following extract from a paper independent in politics, probably gives as good a description of the man and the governor, as anytliing tliat has been written or said :

" The present occupant of the executive chair in Wisconsin, is a man who tips the beam quick at -250 pounds, and has a heart in him in proportion to the size of his body. There is not a more genial, companionable or kinder hearted man in the State, or in the countrv, or in the world, and, if he is at all afflicted witli that contemptible disease known as political or official big liead, none has yet been able to discover it. It is the unanimous opinion of those who visit the executive office, or meet the governor about llie capitol, that he is the exact type of man that it is proper to make into governors. In the expression of opinions as well as in movements, he is cool and deliberate, evidently does not believe in rushing things, but does not hesitate to shoulder the responsibility wlien the time to act has come. No one will ever find Gov. Rusk a coward, physically, morally or ]iolitically. He does not jump to conclusions quickly, but, when he decides what to do, is able to give substantial reasons therefor. In fact, he is a safe man, even in the emergency where other men fly to pieces with excitement.

Gov. Rusk is a large man, with a kindly face, has an abundance of hair, and full beard, pretty well silvered, and in his demeanor lacking of that self-satisfied, peculiarly offensive digniiv so often seen among official luminaries."

The parents of Gov. Rusk, Daniel Rusk and Jane Fakner, were married in 1811. Their children were : John, Anna, James, Ruel, Daniel, Elizabeth, Jane, Samuel, Allen and Jeremiah M. Daniel Rusk died in 1845, and Jane (Fakner)RHsk died Nov. 25,1876, aged eighty-six years eleven months and nineteen days. Jeremiah McLain Rusk, was married April 5, 1849, to Mary Martin, in Perry Co., Ohio. She died in January, 1856. Their children were Charity Ariel, Lycurgus James and Mary Jane, deceased. J. M. Rusk was again married, Nov. 18,1856, ir. ]jad Ax (now Vernon) county. Wis., to Elizabeth Johnson. Their children were : Alonzo, deceased; Ida May, Mary Elizabeth and Blaine Dahiel.

William F. Terhune was born at Northumberland, Saratoga Co., N. Y., July 10, 1821. His ancestors came from Holland and France, and were Huguenots. He is of mixed English, Dutch and French descent. His great-grandfather, at the time of the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, surrendered a lucrative office under the British crown rather than liecorae the instrument to enforce unjust laws and illegal taxation. His grandfather was a soldier in the war on the side of the colonies, and his own fatlier was an adjutant at Sackett's Harbor in the War of 1812.

Wm. F. Terhune was the son of a farmer, in morlerate circumstances, and until the age of seventeen years was employed upon the farm in summer and in attendance upon a district school in winter. Having by that time acquired a good common school education, and being ambitious to make further progress, he commenced the business of teaching, which he pursued alternately with attendance on some convenient academy. He attended at dill'erent times,Troy Conference Academy, at West Poult-

Tiey, and the academy at Castleton, in Vermont, and tlie academies at Schuylerville and Amsterdam, in New York. During liis academic course he was cliosen to deliver three valedictory addresses. He entered Union College, New York, in 184.3, but the death of his mother, and tlie consequent derangement of his father's affairs, prevented liim from fully completing a collegiate course. He resumed the business of teaching, and in J8-t6 commenced studying law in the office of Hon. P. H. Sylvester, at Coxsackie, N. Y. Here his success as a teacher, and his pen as an educationist, rapidly brought him iirto public notice, so that in 1846 he was chosen county superintendent of schools for Greene Co., N. Y., which enabled him to complete his law studies, and he was admitted to the bar of the supreme court of the State of New York, at the September term thereof held at Albany in 1848. He commenced practice at Athens, opposite the city of Hudson, and intermarried with Margaret C. Vandenberg, by whom he has had nine childi'en, seven of whom are now living - Julia, Aurealia L., Leonard ]i., Blanche, now the wife of Thomas German; Etbie, a resident of Coxsaekie, N. Y ; Frederic and La Torce.

In 18.50 Mr. Terhune was employed, by the marshal of the southern district of New York, to superintend the taking of the census of that year, and to correct and revise the returns of the assistant marshals. In 1851 he resolved to seek his fortune in the west, and on the 5th of August of that year landed at where Victory now is, and thence came to Viroqua, where he permanently located, and became one of the early settlers of Vernon (then Bad Ax) county.

The county was then just organized, and Ve was very soon appointed deputy clerk of the court, and deputy clerk of the board of supervisors. Since then he has been honored by the confidence of his fellow citizens, who have chosen him at different times member of the assembly, register of deeds, district attorney, and county judge; beside he has filled the less responsible offices of court commissioner and chairman of the board of supervisors. He has ever been identified with the interests of the county, and was chierty instrumental in procuring the name of the county to be changed from the barbarous one of "Bad Ax" to that of Vernon. Heis also the founder of the Vernon cemetery which he caused to be laid out upon his own land in the year 1867, to supply a much needed public want, and which he conveyed lo the trustees of the village of Viroqua in 1877.

Mr. Terhune is the pioneer lawyer of Vernon county. Unlike many of the profession, he wrote a beautiful recording hand which embellishes many of the early records of the county. He was an excellent judge of the law, and excelled in drafting original papers. Of late years he has been afflicted with partial blindness and a nervo-spinal disease, the latter of which, caused by a fall in his boyhood, embarrassed him, even in the vigor of manhood, and as age advanced has had the effect to weaken his ])owers of application to business, and seems to handicap his executive ability. He and his amiable lady are the only two persons surviving and remaining within the limits of the \illage, who were adult residents in 1851.

Changes In Viroqua

When the writer of this article settled in Viroqua, on the 10th of September, 1853, theie weie but five of the present buildings erected, viz.: The house now occupied by Father Nichols, the one occupied by H. A. Vess, the one occupied by R. S. McMichael, and the one occupied by Mr. Isham. All the others have been built since that time.

The only inhabitants of the village- at that time (1853) now (1870) living here are Judge Terhune and wife and their son Leonard, who was then a small baby; Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Lincoln and their daughter Edith, who was then just beginning to run alone; Mrs. Skippcns, then the wife of of the late Rufus Dunlap; Warren W. Dunlap, L. R. Decker,Thomas I.

Decker, Mrs. Pennell, then the wifeof the late Daniel Parkinson, and two adopted daughters, who are now the wives of John Norris and C. P. Richardson; Father Nichols, L. W. and M. C. Nichols, and 0. C. Weeden. All the other present inhabitants of the village have moved in or been born liere since that day.

There were several huge oak trees standing in Main street that were gradually cut down and removed. The hickory trees now (ISVO) standing in the court house square were crooked saplings, and I went out one day and trimmed them with my knife, and straightened those that were growing crooked. The Lombardy ])oplar now growing in the court house yard was planted there by Charles Waters, at my request. Mr. Waters is now (1 870) one of the oldest settlers in the county, and that tree will be a monument to his memory.

Number Of Dwellings In Vernon C0I7Nty Personal

Gen. J. M. Rusk, familiarly known in this county as "Jerry Rusk," is at home again, after an absence of four years. On his arrival in the village, a number of his friends paid their respects to him and bade him welcome home, to show him that he had not been forgotten. He will live in this place (Viroqua) for the future. Since his retirem&jit from the office of bank comptroller he has been the recipient of many words of cheer from his friends, and a large number of the journals of the Slate have given him flattering endorsements. Among these, we name The State Journal, The Sparta Eagle, The La Crosse Republican, The La Crosse Leader and the Sparta Herald. SucL

Married

MARRIED. [From the Vernon County Censnr, Nov. 30, 1870.] In the town of llimburg, Nov. 21, 1870, by Rev. A. C. Preus, Anders H. Bakken to Petra H. Korstad. In the town of Portland, Monroe county, Nov. 5, 1870, by the same, Martin Evenson to Marie Ericksen. In the town of Viroqua, Nov. 19, 1870, by the same, Lars Cluistianson Ergenas to Guro I. Burlockken. In the same town, by the same, Nov. 16, 1870, Tosten Evenson to Bertha Marie Amundsdatter. In the same town, by the same, Oct. 20, 1870, Neri Halvorsen to Anne Amundsdatter.

Mrs. R. C. Bieece

On Sunday evening, the 19th, she was sitting in Church by her husband's side, when, without any warning, she was stricken down, lingering until the next Saturday, when, at twenty minutes past 4 o'clock in the afternoon, slie passed away without a struggle.

A faithful wife, a devoted mother, an unswerving friend and a steadfast Christian, she has gone to her rest. However peaceful the death of the righteous may be, it leaves an aching void in the hearts of the survivors ; but the hopes of a glorious immortality beyond the grave, assuages all sorrow ; and that sorrow may be even turned to joy when we reflect that ''Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." - VernOn County Censor, Aug. 5, 1874.' . *

Henry Nichols

Our venerable and esteemed citizen, Mr. Henry Nichols, was a member of a company of - trappers o])erating in the Yellowstone country nearly sixty years ago. The company endured many hardships aud faced perils at every step.

Many of Mr. Nichol's companions died from sickness ; some were killed by Indians, and the survivors narrowly escaped. Mr. Nichols is eighty-five years old. He probably saw the waters of the Yellowstone at an earlier period than any other person now living. His early life was an adventurous and eventful one, and a narrative of it would make a very interesting and reada"ble volume.

Hiram De Lap

Mr. De Lap was, for many years, a resident of Vernon and Crawford Co's., Wis. His many friends will be glad to hear something respecting his last moments. His aged companion writes that he was in his usual health on Friday morning, the 20th inst. (August, 1875), ate his breakfast, fed his pigs and chickens, and visited a neighbor. About 1 o'clock he got up from his pallet where he was lying, went to the water bucket, took a drink of water, went back, lay down and expired without a struggle or a groan.

In 1880, According To Sex, Nativity And Color

It may be said, therefore, that, of the inhabitants of Vernon county, three-fourths are nativeborn, while one-fourth are from the old country .- Of the foreign-born, much the larger number are Norwesrians.

And Villages

'I'he villages marked with an asterisk (*), arc unincorporated, and their population is given only approximately, as their limits cannot be sharply defined.

Hon. Henry Cha.Se

We learn with pain of the death of Hon. Henry Chase, a prominent citizen of this county. He settled on the spot where Chasebur;]; (named after him) is now situated, eight years ago, and began at once his labors to improve the place. He was indefatigable in his labors; and joined to his energy a spirit of open and lionest dealing, which won for him the respect and friendship of all. He represented his district in the Assembly iii the winter of 1868, discharging his duties well.

Last year he was taken dangerously sick of dropsy, but obtained relief, which, however, proved Init temporary. Being again attacked the past winter, he went to Sparta to try the effects of the Turkish bath. This, also, failed to afford relief, and he died there last week in the thirty-ninth year of his age. He was born in Vermont and was one of ten children, all of whom, except one, visited him at Chaseburg last fall. His is the second death in the family of ten.

MONUMENT EOCK.* [From the Western Timts, Oct. 35, [1856.1 A monument indeed! A monument of nature! How long, old rock, hast thou stood there in all thy stern grandeur? How long hast thou looked down on the inhabitants of this earth, who have passed thee in all their pomp and pride? Had it been possible, would not thy stern, old features have relaxed into a smile of contempt at their self-conceit? How long, old rock, hast thou withstood the scorching suns of summer and the keen blasts of winter? Who can tell thy age? Art thou not as old as the "everlasting hills?" When the Creator first divided the sea from the dry land, thou heardst the command to come forth, and thou obeyed - to show the wonderful wisdom and power of thy Maker. And long years before the feet of white men pressed the prairie sod, thou wast witness to tlie midnight revelries of the forest. History has recorded scenes of savage barbarity almost incredible, but hadst thou the power of speech, couldst thou not tell to the awe-struck traveler, who has, perhaps, lingered to gaze upon thy moss-covered sides, a tale, compared with which the mightiest efforts of the pen would be fables? Stand thou there still, old rock, till the end of the creation in which thy existence first commenced. Let no impious hand dare touch thee to profane thy majestic form! Let vain man look up to thee and learn tlieir own nothingness and inferiority!

Jawes B. Savage

Mr. Savage was an old resident of this county, having moved here upwards of twenty years ago. He was widely known and respected, and many of his friends and neighbors attended his funeral on Tuesday of this week. Thus another of the old and respected residents of the county is no more. His loss will be felt in many places, where he has been wont to be a prominent actor.

Republican State Ticket

In displaying the above ticket at the head of its columns, on the 14th of October, 1857, the editor of the Western Times has a word to say why each candidate on the county ticket should be elected. "Jeremiah M. Rusk," says he, " the candidate for coroner, is now sheriff of the county. He is landlord at the North Star, and everybody knows that they'll get good fare when they call on him." Jeremiah M. Rusk was elected coroner.

"The nominee of the convention for goveriior,Gen. J. M. Rusk,has been a resident of Vernon county for thirty years and therefore needs no introduction to our people nor to the peo]>le of the State, for his record of public life is a part of the record of the State. He served the State two terms as bank comptroller, his district three terms in Congress and his country three years in the army. In every one of these positions he made an honorable record and won the confidence of his people. In Congress lie was the trusted friend of Garfield, Blaine and other great leaders, and no man possessed their friendship and confidence in a greater degree.

"Working his way to position from the luunblest walks of life, through his own exertions and energy. Gen. Rusk knows the wants of the people. He had not the advantages of a college education, but he had a fund of common sense, which, with his common school education, enabled him to accomplish for his constituents while in Congress much that men with more learning could not; and not one measure for the benefit of his constituents failed at his hands.

"That Gen. Rusk will prove a strong head for the ticket none doubt. He enjoj's a large personal acquaintance throughout the Stale and all know that his administration will be conducted in the interests of the people. His previous public record warrants this assertion; and all who know him know that his highest ambition will be to serve the people of the glorious Badger State ably, faithfully and honorably.

"The republicans of Vernon county - Gen. Rusk's neighbors and friends - send greeting to their brethren throughout the State and assure them that old Vernon will roll up for the gallant standard bearer such a majority as no man ever received liefore in this county.""

Elbctoks And General Election

Section 12. Every male person of the age of twenty-one years or upward, belonging to either of the following classes, who shall have resided in the State for one year next preceding any election, shall be deemed a qualified elector at such election.

2. Persons of foreign birth who shall have declared their intention to become citizens conformably to the laws of the United States on the subject of naturalization.

3. Persons of Indian bluod who have once been declared by law of Congress to become citizens of the United States, any subsequent law of Congress to the contrary notwithstanding.

4. Civilized persons of Indian descent, not members of any tribe. Every person convicted of bribery shall be excluded from the right of suffrage unless restored to civil rights, and no person who shall have made or become directly or indirectly in any bet or wager depending upon the result of any election at which he shall offer to vote shall be permitted to vote at such election.

Section 14. The general election prescribed in the constitution shall be held in the several towns, wards, villages and election districts on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in November in each year, at which time there shall be chosen such representatives in Congress, electors of President and Vice-President, State ofiicers and county officers as are by law to be elected in such year.

Section 15. All elections shall be held in each town at the place where the last town meeting was held, or at such other place as shall be ordered at such last meeting, or as shall have been ordered by the supervisors when they established more than one election poll, except that the first election after the organization shall be held at the place directed in the act or proceedings by which it was organized ; and all elections in villages constituting separate election districts, and in the wards of cities, shall be held at the place to be ordered by the trustees of such village, or the common council of such city, at least ten days before such election, unless a different provision is made in the act incorporating such village or city.

Section 16. Whenever it shall become impossible or inconvenient to hold an election at the place designated therefor, the board of inspectors, after having assembled at or as near as practicable to such place, and before receiving any votes, may adjourn to the nearest convenient place for holding the election, and at such adjourned place shall forthwith proceed with the election. Upon adjourning any election as hereinbefore provided, the board of inspectors shall cause proclamation thereof to be made, and shall station a constable or some other proper person at the place where the adjournment was made, to notify all electors ar-

2. In each ward or election district of every incorporated village in which, by law, separate elections are held; which village, at the last preceding censu.^, had a population of 1500 or more.

3. In every town containing a village which, at said census, had a population of 1,500 or moif, in which village separate general elections are not by law required to be held.

4. In all towns, any part of which shall have been embraced in any part of any city or village in which a registration by this cliaptcris required.

Such registration shall be made in the manner provided by this chapter. The persons authorized by law to act as inspector of election in each of such towns, wards or election districts shall constitute the boards of registry therefor.

Section 21. The said inspectoi's shall have their first meeting on Tuesday, four weeks preceding each general election at the place where said election is to be held; and in election districts in which there were polled at the previous general election 300 votes or less, they shall sit for one day and in districts in which t'lere were more than 300 votes polled, they shall have power to sit two days, if necessary, for the jmrpose ot making such list. They shall meet at 9 oclock in the forenoon and hold their meetings open until 8 o'clock in the evening of each day, during which they shall so sit. The clerks appointed by law to act as clerks of election shall act as clerks of the board of registry on the election only. The proceedings shall be open and all electors of the district shall be entitled to be heard in relation to corrections or additions to said registry. They shall have the same powers to preserve order which inspectors of election have on election days and in towns vacancies on the board shall be filled in the same manner that vacancies are filled at elections.