Walworth County, Wisconsin - Biographical sketches, 1912 (part 1 of 5)

Biographical sketches

Albert Clayton Beckwith. the eldest of ten children of Asahel Lane Beckwith and Harriet Angeline Seymour, was born at Chittenango, New York. March 14, 1836; lived at Rome (Oneida county) from 1843 to l855 and there he and a brother were bred to their father's calling of house and sign painter; came in 1855 to Adrian, Michigan, for employment as a brakeman; in 1856 to Racine, and in the same year to Delavan and Elkhorn Two brothers having enlisted in April, 1861, he did likewise at Cedar Falls, Iowa, two days before Bull Run, and was honorably discharged from the First Iowa Batten- in April, 1863, at Young's Point, Louisiana. He worked at his calling from 1864 to 1873 at Chicago, and returned to Elkhorn. He had married. April 17, 1870, Isidore Adelaide, daughter" of Nathaniel Dickinson and Phila Foster. Of two children, Constance Dickinson is (in 1912) assistant to the county school superintendent, and Mabel Foster is a teacher at Elkhorn.

Mr. Beckwith is a member of Delavan Masonic Lodge, of the Grand Army Post at Elkhorn, of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, of the Wisconsin Historical Society, and is a Son of the American Revolution. In mi 10 he undertook the compilation of the historical department of this work. In performing this unwonted task he found kindly-given and indispensable help from county officers, town, village, and city clerks, clergymen and keepi church record-, and from man) old friends and new ones; bul this is only to sav that he was among men and women who have made and are making one of the best counties of one of the best of forty-eight states.

genealogical data, in collecting which he developed noteworthy ingenuity. Besides, he knew something of the service and military reputation of most Federal regiments of the Civil war, and much generally and particularly of the organization and service of Wisconsin regiments and batteries. He had found, too, much interest in minor local records, no inconsiderable part of which, by copying or otherwise, he had saved from destruction. His various notes have supplied much of value to this compilation. Though no more than his elder brother a trained writer, his letters were easy, graphic, racy, and he had his grandfather Seymour's knack of satirical rhyming. In grained imitations of native and imported woods his forms and colorings were careful studies of nature's endless variety, and his work was known at Xew York. Detroit, Lansing (state house), Chicago, and Milwaukee.

Horace Greeley Douglass

The examples such men as Horace Greeley Douglass, the popular exmayor of the city of Lake Geneva, furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in adverting even in a casual way to their achievements in advancing the interests of their fellow men and in giving strength and solidity to the institutions which make so much for the prosperity of the community, for, all will agree that it is the progressive, broad-minded, alert, wide-awake men of affairs who make the real history of a community and the subject's influence as a potential factor of the body politic is difficult to estimate.

Mr. Douglass was born at the town of Fontana, near the west shore of Lake Geneva, this county, on November 12, 1858. He is the son of Carlos Lavalette Douglass and Margaret (Stewart) Douglass, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Suffice it to say here that this family has been prominent in the count)- since pioneer days.

The subject grew up at Fontana and in his youth worked with his father in the Hour mill there, the latter owning the mills, remaining in this work until he was about twenty-four years old. The father also owned a fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres, which he kept well stocked; this the son took charge of when the father retired from active life, and the son now owns the place I 1c remained there successfully engaged in general fanning and stock raising until about 1887, then came to Lake Geneva and entered the milling business, the ins and outs of which he had long previously mastered. He operated the old Geneva mill, the first mill in this county run by water power. He continued to operate the old mill about four years, then bough! ground along the railroad, and he and Mr. Dunn, his brother-in-law, built an elevator and ran that for eleven years, doing a large business in this line. Selling the elevator to John E. Burton, they went to Williams Bay and embarked in the lumber and coal business with Mr. Dunn, under the firm name of Douglass & Dunn. They had a good business both at Williams Bay and at Zenda. About 1907 Mr. Douglass sold his interest to Mr. I hum and he has not been engaged in active business affairs since. He made a success of whatever he turned his attention to and accumulated a competency, lie has a commodious and attractive home at Lake Geneva.

Politically, Mr. Douglass is a loyal Republican and has long been active in party affairs. He has been a member of the school board at Lake ( leneva for two years and in the spring of 1908. he was elected mayor of Lake Geneva, his time expiring in June. 1912. His administration has been characterized by a progressive, fair and broad-minded policy which has met the hearty approval of all concerned, and he has done much toward the permanent good of the city.

Mr. Douglass was married to Katherine Dunn, daughter of Patrick and Ann 1 .Murray) Dunn, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. She was born and reared in the town of Linn, this county, where her parents settled in pioneer days. Four children, two sons and two daughters, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Douglass, namely: Ruth, Harold, Josephine and Howard, all at home with their parents. Harold being engaged in the coal business at Lake Geneva.

Mr. Douglass owns the family homestead and on that ground is a flag staff, marking the spot where Brink and Jeauno, a half-breed Indian, stood when they discovered Geneva lake - the first white man who saw the lake. He and Jeauno were surveying for the government. Mr. Douglass got this information directly from Mr. Brink and it was corroborated by other-. On the same ground Chief Big Foot's son was buried high in a tree, then afterwards taken down and placed in another tree near the lake shore.

From Mr. Douglass' home he can see the whole of Lake Geneva, from end to end with the exception of Williams Baj and Geneva Bay, and a view of the lake from the old home is a sight which is calculated to remain in one's memory through life. On the farm is a great spring of excellent water.

which analysis has shown to be the same as White Rock. It is sold for drinking purposes and shipped to offices, stores and homes, finding a very ready sale.

Personally, Mr. Douglass is a sociable, genial and obliging gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet, and he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

Judge Jay Forrest Lyon

Jay Forrest Lyon was born on November 6, 1862, at Darien, this county, and is a son of Joseph F. and Arimathea (Jones) Lyon. The Lyon pedigree has been traced back to William Lyon, of Roxbury, England, who, at the age of fourteen, September 11, 1635, embarked in the "Hopewell," in which he reached Massachusetts after a tedious voyage of many weeks. He there grew to manhood and married Sarah Ruggles, daughter of John and Mar}- (Curtis) Ruggles. To William Lyon and wife a son was born, whom they named William. He grew up and married Sarah Duncan, and to them Samuel was born on September 20, 1679; he married Joanna, daughter of John and Hannah (Prentice) Weld. To Samuel and Joanna Lyon a son, Edward, was born, December 24, 1710, at Roxbury, who married Rebecca Boyden, and to them a son, David, was born in 1739, whose son, Isaac, was born at Royalston and married Sail) Blodgett and to them Joseph F. Lyon, father of Judge Lyon, was born.

Sally Blodgett's ancestry is as follows: She was in the seventh generation of the Blodgett family. The first of the name of whom we have definite record was Thomas Blodgett and his wife Susanna, who emigrated to America from London, England, in [635 on the old-fashioned sailing vessel "Increase," accompanied by their sons, Daniel and Samuel. The family settled at Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their son Samuel married Lucy Locke and settled at Woburn. Samuel's son, Thomas, married Rebecca Tidd, and they named a son Samuel, who married Mary Russell, and to this union a son, Timothy, was born, Augusl 7. 1740. who married Millicent Perry, and their son. Joseph, born in 177!). married Thankful Hawkins and lived at Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. 1 0 them a daughter, Sally, was born in 1800, who married Isaac Lyon, and was the mothei of Joseph F. Lyon, who was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1825. When nineteen years of age, in 1844, he started from his home in the Keystone state to Illinois, traveling most of the hi i"i !l< reached Little Foot (Fort?), now Waukegan, where he found employment as clerk in a store. Soon lie induced his father's familv to come west, lie remained at Little Foot (Fort?) until 1850, then moved to

Woodstock, Illinois, and engaged in the mercantile business until 1854, then removed to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and established his home in the town of Darien. Having previously studied law with Mr. Blodgetl in Waukegan. he continued his legal studies while engaged as a commercial traveler tor a Xew York clothing house, having been thus engaged from 1852 until 1855. While living at Woodstock he was appointed postmaster by President Fillmore and served in that capacity three years. He was also engaged at times in the practice of law in justice courts. On July 26, 1854, he was united in marriage with Arimathea Jones, daughter of Truman Jones, this family having come here in 1838 among the early pioneers, and for some time Mrs. Lyon was one of the early teachers of the county.

In the spring of 1859 Joseph F. Lyon went overland with an ox team to California, and returned in i860, resuming the study of law at Darien, and was admitted to the bar in 1864 in the circuit court of Walworth county. He was successful as an attorney and was prominent in local politics. He was a representative from this county in the Legislature in [868. He continued to practice law in Darien until 1875. when he was appointed clerk of the circuit court to fill a vacancy. He was afterward elected to the same office, which he held until January 1, 1878. Upon his appointment to this office he removed to Elkhorn. and here be continued to reside after his term of office had expired, and here he practiced law the rest of his life, bis death occurring in 1902. His wife died on November 7, 1872, leaving tbree children. A. Maw Vernette M. and Jay Forrest While a resident of Darien Joseph F. Lyon served as chairman of the county board of supervisors for two years. I le was elected justice of the peace in Elkhorn, and was clerk of the Elkhorn schools. He was twice married, his last wife being Amelia Dodge, daughter of Leander and Harriet Dodge. She was born at Darien, this county, in 1X40, her parents having been early settlers there. She died in [906 the) continued in partnership until 1899. In January of that year the subject was appointed county judge to fill out an unexpired term, and was re-elected to this office in 1901, and again in 1905 and 1909, for terms of four years each.

At the law school he took a three years' course in two years, and had the satisfaction of showing that, although coming from farther west than any of his class, nearly all being from Eastern colleges, he had the ability to stand at the head of his class.

The domestic life of Judge Lyon began on June 30, 1886, at St. Paul, .Minnesota, when he was united in marriage with Caroline A. Bayard, a lady of culture and refinement and a daughter of William and Rachael (Lewis) Bayard. She was born at Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, New York.

To the Judge and wife four sons have been born, namely: Bayard, born April 4, 1887, was graduated from Oberlin College in June, 1910, and is now in Tientsin, China; William F., born November 2, 1889, was graduated from Oberlin College in June, 191 1, and he is now in Tientsin, China, where he went in August, 191 1, under appointment of the International Young .Men's Christian Association, to teach in the Nan Kai Middle School. He was soon busy with his work as teacher and he started a football team, a band and other forms of recreation and amusements, and was in the thick of college life there when the revolution of 191 1 began; Charles E., born January 7, 1896, and Cieorge D., born July 18, 1897, are attending school.

Fraternally, Judge Lyon is a member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, and in religious matters he belongs to the Baptist church.

Edward F. Williams

In these days of large commercial transactions, when credits cut a iarge factor in the daily round of business, the province of the banker is very wide and very important. The excellence of the banks of the present as compared with those "i the pasl gives to all classes of business men lirst-class security for their deposits assistance when they are in need of ready money to move their business, and a means of exchanging credits that could be accomplished in safety no other way. In a large measure the success of the present time in all branches (if business is largely the result of the present banking methods. It is quite common for the stockholders of the banks to be business men of prominence in the community, fanners, merchants, manufacturers and pro- fessional men, - all of whom are known t" the depositors and their standing well established. This gives stability to the bank and confidence to the community. Such is the confidence in the Citizens Bank of Delavan, of which Edward F. Williams is president.

Mr. Williams was born at Delavan, Walworth county. Wisconsin, April 9. 1859. He is the son of Henry II. and Amanda | Keeler) Williams. The father was born in Dublin, Ireland, and was the son of Welsh parents. He grew to manhood in Dublin and there married Jane Curran. They emigrated to America in 1847, and after spending one winter in New York state they came to Delavan. Wisconsin. The father had been a jeweler in the old country, and he started a small shop here in the early days on the present site of the Citizens Hank. He was in the jewelry business here until he retired a few years before his death. He was twice married, and the first union resulted in the birth of six children, namely: Susan became the wife of a Mr. James and died in Kansas; Henry is living at Forest Grove, Oregon; Ella lives in Delavan with her brother, Howard; Jennie died in 1902; Robert lives at Emporia. Kansas; Xettie married I. J. Atwood, and lived seventeen years in China, where her husband was a missionary ; they now live at Newton. Washington. The mother of these children died two or three years after coming to Delavan, and the father afterwards married Amanda Keeler. who was born near Elmira. New York, and she was a young girl when she came to Walworth county in 1837. She was the daughter of Peter N. and Sarah (Wilson) Keeler. This family located in the northern part of Darien township, and were among the first settlers in the county. The first child born to the second union of the subject's father died in infancj ; Howard lives in Delavan. having succeeded his father in the jewelry business; Edward F., of this -ketch, was the youngest.

Henry II. Williams was thoroughly identified with the progress of this community, and he held several local offices. His death occurred in [903, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1892.

Edward F. Williams grew to manhood in Delavan ami attended the public schools here. After leaving school he began his business career by clerking in a clothing store in Delavan with M. Gavett for live years. In [88] he entered the Citizen- Hank a- assistant cashier. In [886 be was elected cashier, and in [910 succeeded t" the presidency of the bank, the duties of which he continues to ably discharge, the ever-increasing prestige of t hi-- and conservative institution being due in no small measure to his excellent management. He is also a director in the Bradley Knitting 1 ompan) of this place. For eight years he was president of the board of education. When

Delavan became a city in 1897 he was elected mayor, which office he held two years, doing much for the permanent good of the town, whose interests he has ever had at heart and lost no opportunity to promote.

Mr. Williams was married in 1892 to Carrie Phoenix, daughter of Franklin K. and Mary ( Topping) Phoenix. Her father was the son of Col. Samuel Phoenix, whose record is given at length in the chapter dealing with the county's first settlement. Franklin K. Phoenix was born in Perry, Genesee county (now Wyoming county), New York, in 1825, and in 1837 he came to Walworth county with his parents. He established a nursery when a young man. which he conducted until about 1854, then moved to Bloomington, Illinois, where he engaged in the same line of business on an extensive scale, basing six hundred acres under stock, making one of the largest nurseries in the world at that time. He closed out the business in 1877 ancl m ]^79 returned to Delavan, this county, and started another nursery, which he continued for several years. He married Mary E. Topping, daughter of Thomas Topping and wife; she was born in Montgomery county, New York. The Toppings were early settlers around Darien.

To Mr. and Airs. Edward F. Williams three children have been born: Phoenix and Lawrence are both attending Beloit College, and Edwina is attending high school at Delavan. Air. Williams is a member of the Episcopal church.

The Citizens Bank of Delavan, of which Air. Williams is president, was organized in March, [875, by Frank Leland, C. B. Tallman, John De- Wolf and others, as a state bank. It started with a paid-up capital of fifteen thousand dollars, later increasing this to twenty-five thousand dollars. In 1910 the capital stock was increased to fifty thousand dollars, and it now has a surplus of thirty-five thousand dollars. In 1S84 they built a one-story brick building on the present site, and in 1906 tore it down and erected the present substantial and modernly appointed structure, a two-story building with two business rooms, with a stone front and all up-to-date safety devices, etc. In ICS92 there was a great explosion of dynamite in the store next door which demolished the front of the building in the drug store owned by II. K. I >oane, and Ik- and a Mr. Totten were killed. Although the front of the bank building was demolished and partly blown across the street, the rest of the building was shielded by the vault near which the explosion occurred. Amid thi 1 citemenl those in charge of the bank placed gold and currency in the vault and locked it promptly, quickly carrying the books and notes to the other Next morning then- accounts balanced to the penny. This bank has 1 be thorough confidence of the people and has the reputation through many

Personally, Mr. Williams is an obliging, public-spirited and genial gentleman who enjoys the confidence and respect of a wide circle of friends and accpiaintances.

Edmund J. Hooper

A man who has long been influential in the advancement and prosperity of Walworth county, endorsing every movement which he believes will prove beneficial to humanity is Edmund J. Hooper, president of the State Bank of Elkhorn. His achievements represent the result of honest endeavor along lines where mature judgment has pointed the way. He possesses a weight of character, a native sagacity, a discriminating tact anil a fidelity of purpose that command the respect of all with win 'in he is associated, being a leader in financial, business, civic and social affairs of his vicinity.

Mr. Hooper was born at Palmyra, Jefferson county. Wisconsin, December 26, 1857. He is the son of John B. and Jane Eliza 1 Lean ) Hooper, both natives of Cornwall, England, where they spent their childhood, the father emigrating to America in 1S44, when fourteen years old, accompanied by his father, George Hooper, who bought a farm near Palmyra, Wisconsin, and established the family home there. The mother of the subject was also a child when she was brought to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, from England by her parents, John Lean and wife, who established their home at the town of Sullivan, near Palmyra, and there Jane Eliza grew to womanhood and lived until she and John B. Hooper were married. They spent most of their lives on the farm which George Hooper settled in pioneer times, and there they reared their six children, and there the mother spent the rest of her life, dying in January, 1905. John B. Hooper, now advanced in years, still lives there, an honored and well known pioneer.

Edmund J. Hooper grew to manhood on his father's farm, where he assisted with the general work when a boy, attending the local schools in the winter months, remaining at home until he was nineteen years old, when he started in life for himself by going into the general merchandise business, in the .Mitchell Brothers' store at Palmyra. In February, 1881, he went to Chicago, where he took a position with the wholesale jobbing house of Phelps, Dodge & Palmer, dealers in boots and shoes. Returning to Palmyra in 1884, he and Giles Hibbard formed a partnership in the general merchandise business, under the firm name of Hibbard & Hooper, which continued until 1887, when he purchased Mr. Hibbard' s interest and continued the business alone until January 1, 1896, building up a large trade. Then he and W. J. Bray organized the State Bank at Elkhorn and opened up for business the following July, Mr. Bray as president and Mr. Hooper as cashier, the latter remaining as cashier until in January, 19 10, when he became president of the bank, which position he now holds, the duties of which he has discharged in a manner that has reflected much credit upon his ability and integrity and to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons, rendering this popular bank one of the sound and safe institutions of its kind in the southern part nf the state. Mr. Hooper is also a stockholder in the Continental and Commercial National Bank of Chicago. He has been very successful both as a banker and merchant, and is today one of the substantial and representative business men of the county, all through his individual efforts.

Politically, Mr. HOopejr is a Republican, and while living in Jefferson county he was on the county board of supervisors for six or seven years, and alter moving to Elkhorn he was a member of the Walworth county board < ight or ten years, also a member of the board of education in Elkhorn for a number of years. He has been very faithful in the discharge of his duties as a public servant.

Mr. Hooper was married on June [6, [884, to Elizabeth M. Vandenburg, a lady of culture and refinement, a daughter of Peter and Pamelia (I .irr 1 Vandenburg, the father having come to this state from Amsterdam, New York, and became well established here. Mrs. Hooper was born at Little Prairie, in Troy township, this county.

The union of the subject and wife lias been graced by the birth of two daughters, Winifred and Elizabeth Jane, both now at home, the latter attending high school in Elkhorn, the former having been graduated from Milwaukee Donnei College. Milwaukee, with the class of 1911.

ery, Knights Templar, the Elkhorn Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and the Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He has long been prominent in Masonic circles of this part of the state, which is a criterion of his high standing among his fellow men.

Mr. Hooper has a beautiful home in one of the most desirable residence sections of Elkhorn, and here the many friends of the family delight to gather, finding an old-time hospitality and good cheer ever prevailing.

John Henry Snyder, Jr

Among the young men of Walworth county who have forged to the front no better or worthier example than that of John Henry Snyder. Jr., the present efficient and popular postmaster of Elkhorn and one of our representative business men, could be found. He is known to be a man of excellent judgment. Careful in his calculations, resourceful in his dealings and eminently honorable in his relations with others, people have always reposed confidence in his word and his integrity has been above criticism.

Mr. Snyder was born in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, March 7. 1871. He is the son of John H., Sr., and Eliza R. (Munson) Snyder. The father was born in the town of Claverack, Columbia county, New York, December 24, 1834. The Snyder family came originally to this country from Holland and settled in the state of New York in an early day.

John H. Snyder, Sr., was left an orphan when eighteen months of age, and he came with his grandfather to Mukwonago, Wisconsin, in 1846, and there resided until 1869. While living there he was married, in 1857, to Eliza R. Munson, daughter of Edwin and Mary (Carpenter) Munson. Sinwas born near Rochester, New York, and came to Vernon, Waukesha in Vernon until her marriage. She was descended from Thomas Munson, who came from England to New Haven, Connecticut, in 1034. She i> a direct descendant of Medad Munson, who was in the Revolutionarj ' on necticut troop, with Benedict Arnold's expedition to Canada.

ing here. John Snyder, Sr., became proprietor of the Central House in Elkhorn. the pioneer hotel of the city, which was finally torn down, mal place for the present Elkhorn Hotel at the southeast corner of the courl house square. He retired from the hotel business in 1884. He had sold his farm at Mukwonago and purchased another at the east edge of Elkhorn, within the city limits, the old Latham farm, where the founders of Elkhorn pitched their tents upon their arrival here. He stiil owns this valuable farm and lives in Elkhorn.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John H. Snyder, Sr., named as follows: Fred H., proprietor of the Frederick Hotel, St. Paul, Minnesota; Clifford F., now living in Munich, where he has an art studio, being a very talented portrait painter; John Henry, of this sketch; Maude E. is the wife of William J. Riddell, of Des Moines, Iowa.

John H. Snyder, of this review, grew to manhood in Elkhorn and here he attended the high school, later took a course in the law department of Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in the year [893. He then went to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he practiced law successfully for four years. Prior to this time his brother, Fred II., had become proprietor of the Cataract Hotel at Sioux Falls, and in 1899 he terminated his connection with the same and was succeeded by the subject, who conducted the business until the lease expired in 1903.

In 1904 occurred the marriage of John H. Snyder, Jr., and Gertrude II. Harrison, of Sioux Falls. She was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and from there moved with her parents, William Harrison and wife, to St. Paul, Minnesota, later to Helena, Montana. She came to Sioux Falls as a teacher of music in All Saints School, an Episcopal school of that city, her parents remaining at Helena the meantime, where they still reside. In Km 1 Mr. Snyder and wife came back to his old home in Elkhorn, and here Ik- went into the newspaper business as a partner of I7. II. Fames, succeeding VI. I . Park in the office of the Elkhorn Independent, the pioneer newspaper of the comity, and he has continued in the business ever since.

Politically, Mr. Snyder is a Republican and has long been active in party affairs. He served two terms in the city council, being president of the same, and he was also a member of the municipal water and light commission, lie was elected president of the Progressive Republican legislative campaign in Walworth countyj and at the primaries was elected a member of the Republican county committee, and at its organization was unanimously elected chairman of the county organization, lie was appointed postmaster al Elkhorn in February, 101 1. assuming his official duties in March following and he is the present incumbent of the same, discharging its duties in a manner thai reflects credit upon himself and gives satisfaction to the people and the department. As a public servant he has been true to every trust reposed in him and has shown his fidelity to correct ideals and sound principles in all his relations with the public. For two terms he was secret ar\ of the Walworth County Old Settlers' Society and is now secretary of the Walworth County Historical Society.

Fraternally, Mr. Snyder belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, being past chancellor of the latter. 1 [e has been interested in the local band for the past twenty-five years, with the exception of the time when he was away, and for the past four years he lias been its director.

The death of Mr. Snyder's first wife occurred on September 29, [909. She was the mother of two children. Theodosia Munson Snyder, born at Sioux Falls on May 21, 1902, and John Silvernale Snyder, born in Elkhorn on December 6, 1903.

The subject was again married on November 15, 191 1, to Louise B. Winter, of Elkhorn, daughter of Fred Winter and wife. She was born in Lafayette township, on her father's farm, not far from Elkhorn. Mr. Winter was born in Germany, from which country he emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, when a young man, about 1870. His wife was also a native of Germany and she came to Chicago when young and from that city to Walworth county, Wisconsin.

Mr. Snyder has been successful in a business way in whatever he has turned his attention to, and he has been the Independent one of the most influential papers in southern Wisconsin. A plain, straightforward, publicspirited gentleman, he enjoys the esteem of all who know him.

Henry Bradley

One of the worthy and well remembered pioneer citizens of Walworth county who did much for the development of his locality in a former generation was the well-remembered Henry Bradley, at one time postmaster at Elkhorn, a man who, having the old-fashioned ideas of honesty and uprightness, left the indelible impress of his character on the people with whom he came into contact and therefore he is well remembered by a host of friends and acquaintances, and his career is well worthy of emulation by the youth standing at the parting of the ways.

Mr. Bradley had the honor of establishing the first settlement at Elkhorn, having come here when this country was still the domain of the red man and the haunt of the denizens of the wild, but he was a man of courage, brave, freedom-loving, taking a delight in God's glorious out-of-doors, feeling cramped, like Daniel Boone, the greatest of pioneers, if he had a neighbor nearer than five miles. The men like him who live nowadays are not numerous; however, he was but one of a type in his period.

Air. Bradley was born in Delaware county, New York, December 26, 1823, and was the son of Daniel E. and Betsey (Sturgis) Bradley. His father was one of the men who staked the first claims and founded the city of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, on February 2j, 1837. On January 12th of that year the families of Daniel E. Bradley and his brother, Milo E., arrived from the East at the old log cabin of the settlement. The oldest among the children of the Bradley party was Henry, then fourteen years of age. Two years later Daniel E. Bradley died. The family remained on the farm about three years longer, then commenced in the mercantile business in Elkhorn in 1847. In 1846 Henry Bradley was appointed under-sheriff of Walworth county. On April 18, 1847, he Nvas united in marriage with Nancy J. Mallory, daughter of Samuel M. Mallory. She was bornin Tompkins county, New York.

In 1852 this family wont overland to California and there Mr. Bradley engaged in mining. Three years later they returned by way of Greytown and Nicaragua b) steamship to New York, thence to Niles, Michigan. 1>\ train and so home, at Elkhorn. Soon afterwards he was appointed deputy clerk of the court. He returned to the West, going to southern Oregon in [859 and spent a year there, then returned to this county.

.Mr. Bradley was first appointed postmaster in 186] by President Lincoln, and he served in this capacity for a period of twenty-four years continuously, discharging the duties of the same in a manner that reflected much credil upon himself ami to the entire satisfaction of the people and the department. The salary was small, but he devoted his attention to the office with much fidelity. In [884, when the Democrats came into power, Mr. Bradley was succeeded bj one of the dominant party. In [888 he was reappointed to the local office l>\ President Harrison and -erved four years more. Upon his second retirement from official duties he ceased active business and i" in considerable time with a son in Salt Lake City, Utah, lie also -pent a year in Europe, and. being a keen observer and widelj read, he talked very entertainingly of his travels and his early experiences in the Far West his strength of character, his industry, public spirit and general intelligence. All through his life he was an ardent lover of nature and the outdoors, delighting in camping trips, was familiar with the "oak openings," the lakes and the clearing from their most alluring days. He was fond of the rod and gun, because the}' took him into the fields and woods, "away from man with his vain conceits." He was a musician and although he interpreted little of the written score himself, the musical taste of the community along its best lines found in him helpful and encouraging appreciation. Sell" reliant, mentally vigorous, of strong but unobtrusive convictions, and of line old-fashioned integrity, Elkhorn history was enriched by the wholesomeness of his life.

The death of Mr. Bradley occurred on August 17, 1909, in his eight) sixth year. Few men who had made Elkhorn their home during Mr. Bradley's long residence here were so well or so favorably known. Mrs. Bradley is still living in Elkhorn. Of their children, William M. is an attorney at law in Salt Lake City; a daughter, Mrs. Lillian B. Kenyon, lives at Tacoma, Washington; Anna Ruth is the wife of Francis LI. Eames, Jr., and resides in Elkhorn.

Francis H. Eames

Perhaps no one agency in all the world has clone so much lor public progress as the press, and an enterprising, well-edited journal is a most important factor in promoting the welfare and prosperity of an) community. It adds to the intelligence of the people through its transmission of foreign and domestic news and through its discussion of the leading questions and les of the day, and more than that, it makes the town or city which it represents known outside of the immediate locality, as it is sent each da) or week into other district-, carrying with it an account of the events transpiring in its home locality, the advancement and progress there being made, and the advantages which it offers to its residents along moral, educational, social and commercial lines. Walworth county is certainly indebted to its wide-awake journals in no small ee, and one of the men who an- doing a commendable work in the local newspaper field is Francis II. Eames, pari owner of the Elkhorn Independent, lie has d with journalistic work, father was horn in Verona, Oneida county, New York, on December 18, [821. He was the son of Havilah E. and Philatheta (Warner) Eames. The Eames ancestry is traceable back to the famous "Mayflower," when the Pilgrim fathers founded Massachusetts Bay colony. Later members of the family aided in the struggle of the colonists for independence. Havilah Eames was born in Massachusetts, September 18, 1791, and he devoted his life to fanning. When a young man he moved to Xew York, where he spent his remaining days, dying on July 6, 1840, when forty-nine years of age. His wife was horn in Massachusetts. June 6, 1791, and her death occurred in New York on May 6, 1838. Francis H. Eames, Sr., spent his early life on a farm in the state of New York, and after attending the common schools he took a college course, later taught school several terms. In June, 1843, ne came to Wisconsin Territory and purchased a tract of wild land in Spring Prairie town-hip, which he developed into a good farm, and here established a comfortable home through his industry and perseverance, being known as one of the substantial pioneer agriculturists of this locality.

Francis H. Eames, Sr., and Jenette Smith were married on the 28th day of June. 1848. She was born in Rochester. New York, April 13, 1831, ami was the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Puffer) Smith. Her father was also born in the Empire state and there he engaged in business as a lumber dealer. Mr. Smith came to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1841. and there engaged in the lumber business until his death. He became one of the substantial and influential citizens of that place, highly respected by all who knew him. His parents were both natives of Germany. Mrs. Smith, who also was of German parentage, was born in New York, and she spent her last days in Wisconsin, where her death occurred in 1884 at the age of seventy-nine years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a woman of many praiseworthy attributes of head and heart.

Four children were born to Francis H. Eames, Sr., and wife, namely : Olivia M., born October 6, 1849. died February 22, i860; Alfred W., born January 5, 1852, is now in the Hawaiian Islands, where he owns and operates an extensive pineapple cannery, employing about two hundred and fifty people, and he does an extensive business. Fie owns a vast tract of land and raises great quantities of pineapples, and has accumulated a handsome competency there. He had resided at Los Angeles, California, since 1874 until about the time Hawaii and the rest of the Sandwich Islands were annexed bv the I nited States. The next child in order of birth in the family of Francis H. Eames was Ira F., whose birth occurred February 3, 1861, and he died April 28, 1870, when nine years old : Francis H., Jr., of this sketch, was the youngest of the family.

The father of the above-named children developed a fine farm from the wild land and in connection with general farming he made a specialty (if raising Merino sheep and diort-horn cattle, his fine stock ranking with the best in the county. He started in life at the foot of the ladder, but he overcame many obstacles and won a large degree of material success by his close application and honest dealings. He manifested a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the upbuilding of the community, and he won the confidence and high regard of those who knew him. His death occurred on May 30, 1893. His widow- now resides in Elkhorn with her son, Francis II., Jr.

Francis H. Eames, Jr., spent his boyhood, until he was fourteen years of age on his father's farm, then came to Elkhorn and attended high school, remaining in the Elkhorn schools four years. After leaving high school he went to Chicago and took a commercial course. During vacations in Elkhorn he worked in the ofhee of the Independent, where he learned the printer's trade, having begun in a boy's place and worked up, becoming an excellent compositor in due course of time. After finishing in the commercial school in Chicago, he took a position in the advertising department of the Chicago Inter-Ocean. A few months later he took a position as bookkeeper in the John M. Smythe store of that city, remaining there until 1893, when his father died, upon which event he came home and spent the summer on the farm. In the fall following he went to Elkhorn and was again in the office of the Independent, remaining there until the fall of 1894, when he and his mother went to California. In February, 1896, he returned home to look after the place, the barns having been burned down, and he remained there during the years 1896 and 1897. On August 12, 1807. he married Anna Ruth Bradley, daughter of Henry and Jane (Mallory) Bradley, a wellknown family of Elkhorn, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. After his marriage he returned to the old homestead and in the spring of 1898 took charge of the same. In 1899 he purchased a one-third interest in the Elkhorn Independent with M. T. Park and Eugene Kenney, but he continued to conduct the farm until 1900. Mr. Park had received an appointment as superintendent of a state institution and Mr. Fames came into the office to succeed to his duties. On November 6, 1902, Messrs. Park and Eames bought out Mr. Kenney and they published the paper aboul two years, then, on March 1, 1904, J. II. Snyder. Jr., purchased Mr Park's inter and Messrs. Eames and Snyder have been joint owners of the paper since.

Mr. Eames still retains the farm, but he has lived in Elkhorn since [899; He has done much toward increasing the prestige of the 1 11 J, which is recognized as one of the leading papers of southern Wisconsin, making it a newsy, bright, valuable advertising medium, a peer of any of its type in mechanical appearance and editorial power, and its circulation is constantly increasing. It has long wielded a potent influence in local affairs.

Politically. Mr. Eames is a Republican and has done much for the good of the party in this locality. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In May. 1909, he was appointed a member of the board of education and is now the president of the board. In 1905 and again in 1906 he was secretary of the Walworth County Old Settlers' Society.

Personally, Mr. Eames is singularly obliging and accommodating, a genial friendly gentleman, having faith in his fellow men, public spirited and always ready to do his full share in furthering the interests of his county.

The Wisconsin' Butter And Cheese Company

One of the most popular and widely known business firms in Walworth county is the Wisconsin Butter and Cheese Company, with head offices in Waukesha, Wisconsin, being the largest and best equipped concern of its kind in this locality, if not in this part of the state, in fact, there are comparatively few creamery factories anywhere that equal it.

Ahout 1890 Messrs. Harris and West, together with George E. Puffer and George Harris, funned the Wisconsin Butter and Cheese Company, a corporation with a capital stock of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Puffer and George 1'.. Harris went to Waukesha and took charge of the plant there, while J. 11. Harris and .Mr. West remained at Elkhorn in charge of the plant here, the former being president of the company and the latter vice-president. The) operated at one time twenty-seven creameries.

Their original plant at Elkhorn was near the fair grounds, hut in 1904 they removed to near the station of the ( hicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, in order to secure better side track and shipping facilities, and there they erected their present commodious and substantial plant, a model indeed of an up-to-date factory for dairy products, modern in everv appointment, sanitar) and convenient. The building is of yellow pressed brick and it is so handsonieK finished that travelers have frequently mistaken it for a hotel. Even the huge smokestack is ornamental, being neatly are two driveways where every morning long lines of teams are drawn up to unload the milk that is hauled in from all directions. Rapidly the milk is received, weighed, a sample taken for testing in the chemical laboratory and then poured out to run in a constant Row t<> the large receptacles on the floor below.

All through the factory runs a thorough system for handling the milk. making it into butter. Neufchatel and cream cheese, casein, condensed milk, or shipping the cream. Various machines and appliances are needed for such work and they have installed the most approved and latest designs. Power is furnished from four high-pressure boilers of one hundred and fifty horse power each, and two other boilers of lesser power. They also have a good 53 stem of cold storage rooms and coolers. Water to operate the plant is drawn from a deep drilled well. They have their own ice plant and a tower for cooling water. A hydraulic elevator facilitates the work of the factory. For the convenience and cleanliness of the employes of the factory, there are toilet and dressing rooms equipped with shower baths.

Here is to be found a complete battery of cream separators, also large Pasteurizers. A large copper vacuum retort, costing three thousand dollars, is used for condensing milk, where the air is drawn out. forming such a vacuum that milk will boil at a temperature of one hundred and twelve degrees. The condensed milk is either canned in small tins or put in bulk into large cans, cooled in the coolers where fifty cans at a time are revolved by machinery in cold water until cold enough to ship to the ice cream factories. From the skimmed milk casein is made, or dried curds. which is then put through a dry kiln and thoroughly dried, then shipped away to make sizing, glazing and glue.

In its earlier stage of manufacture it resembles the Neufchatel cheese, of which this company makes a most excellent quality, which is very popular; that made here is the Elkhorn brand and thai made at the Waukesha planl is the Arrow brand.

day at the present time: they ship a car load of cream daily to Chicag they handle as high as eight) to ninety thousand pounds of milk daily, and their business is constantly increasing.

For shipping facilities they have a cement platform along the rear end of the building, from which their products are wheeled directlj into the cars, lined up on the tracks to receive them. It would be hard to find a more thoroughly equipped or systematically managed plant of this nature than that of the Wisconsin Butter and I heese Company.

Andrew Kull

A prominent and well known citizen of Bloonifield township, Walworth county, is Andrew Kull. a man who has led an eminently honorable and useful life and achieved a marked degree of success in his chosen vocation and at the same time has benefited the community of which he is a native, and, one may truthfully add, a pioneer, having spent the sixty-seven years of his terrestrial existence in this locality, which he has seen advance from a wilderness to one of the choice farming sections of the state, and in which development he lias played no inconspicuous part. He is now' president of one of the leading local banks.

Mr. Kull's birth occurred in Bloomfield township, this county, on April 29, 1845. He is the son of John Michael and Cynthia (Slafter) Kull. a worthy old family, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. These parents having come here about 1837, were thus among the very earliest settlers of the county. The subjects mother died when he was only about four months old, and he was taken by his father's brother, Andrew Kull, and wife and reared in their home, they having no children of their own, and they became very strongly attached to the motherless little one and cared for it as they would have done their own child. Finally gaining the father's consent, they adopted the child, and he grew up on their farm in the north edge of Bloomfield township.

Andrew Kull, who .adopted the subject of this sketch, was the son of John Michael Kull, Sr., of Wurtemberg, Germany, in which place his birth occurred in 1808. There he grew to manhood and married Gertrude Pfrommer, and they emigrated to America before the year 1830. They came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1837 and entered land in the north side of Bloomfield township, and they became prosperous for these days, especially in a new country, where settlers were few and money scarce. The elder Kull's death occurred in 1887. his wife having preceded him to the grave in [872.

\nilivw Kull, the immediate subject of this sketch, grew to manhood when the roads in t hi ^ country were scarcely more than Indian trails and when wolves and other wild animals were abundant, and he recalls manv interesting reminiscences <>!' the early days, lie attended V W . .Moody's select school at Lake Geneva, ami on December 14, [86l, he was united in marriage with Win Reitbrock, daughter of Vlolph and Christena Reitbrock. She was born in Kenosha county, of which her father was anion;; the first settlers, her parents having come from Germany, in which country Mr.

Reitbrock had been a goldsmith. He established his home lure amid adverse conditions, such as having to haul his supply of flour and other necessities from Milwaukee, at first on a hand-sled. But that was not so trying as having to carry a sack of flour from Chicago on the shoulder, as Andrew Kull, who adopted the subject, had to do.

After his marriage the subject of this sketch continued farming on the place where he was reared, prospering at sheep raising, often keeping large droves, and he has continued raising sheep in connection with general farming. He early concluded from his experience as a wool grower that he got no benefit from a tariff on wool and he became widely known as an opponent of such a tariff and engaged in public speaking in many places in numerous states against such a tariff, of which the subject made a deep study, also of wool dying and manufacturing, becoming one of the best informed men along this line that southern Wisconsin has ever produced, and, being a forceful and entertaining speaker, he always had an interested audience. He has long manifested an interest in public affairs and in 1888 he was nominated by the Democrats for lieutenant-governor of Wisconsin and he made an excellent race.

Mr. Kull assisted in the organization of the banners National Bank of Lake Geneva and he was president of this popular institution from January 17, 1905, up to date of his resignation in 191 1, its constantly growing prestige having been in part due to his conservative and judicious management. He has kept well advised on all financial matters and is regarded as one of the county's leading financiers, his influence being potent in industrial and commercial affairs.

Mr. Kull has been twice married, and to his first union five sons and t\\<> daughters were born, namely: Frances, who died April 6, i<;i2; Helen M. married Orris Hart, and her death occurred at the age of twenty-nine years; Henry Andrew, who died when four and one-half years old; Adolph lives on his own farm in Bloomfield township; Frederick is an attorney, with offices in both Chicago and Lake Geneva; Hermann lives in Howard county, [owa, and, although a Democrat in a Republican county, has been elected i" two terms in the Iowa Legislature: Grover is farming in section 2, Bloomfield township.

The mother of the above named children passed away in [895, and on August 18, 1909, Andrew Kull was united in marriage with Carrie Lou (Scrutoni King, the daughter of William and Man (Pigg) Scruton, and born in Xew York city. Her parents were natives of England, tin- father born in Scarborough. Mrs. K nil came west to her sister in Illinois in 1890 and she remained there until her marriage in 1891 to Gustav E. EClug, and they made their home in Maywood, that state, where Mr. King's death occurred in 1902, after which Mrs. King spent two years in Rutherford. Xew Jersey, then came to Lake Geneva, where she continued to reside until her marriage with Mr. Knll. Two children were born of her first marriage: John Leslie and Ethel Lillian. Two children have been born to Mr. Knll and his last wife, David Clinton and "William Emerson, the latter since deceased. Air. Kull is a man of splendid physique, broad-minded, strong-willed, public-spirited, kindly and obliging in his relations with his fellow men, his conduct always that of an honorable, genteel gentleman, a man of influence wherever he is know n.

One of the well known business men of Lake Geneva is Levi Adams Nichols, who is well deserving of the success that has attended his efforts and of the respect of his fellow men which they freely accord, because he has lived an industrious, conservative and honorable life.

Mr. Nichols was born in Montgomery, Franklin county. Vermont, April 13, 1850, and is the son of S. J. and Mary A. (Adams) Nichols. The mother was a descendant of the Adams family so noted in American history and which produced two Presidents and other leaders. S. J. Nichols was of So neb descent and bis ancestors were among the early settlers of northern Vermont, having come there from Leominster, Massachusetts. In 1854 the subject of (his sketch was brought west by his parents, who located in section J5, Linn township, Walworth county, Wisconsin. There the father bought a farm of four hundred and fifty acres and there he spent the rest of his life, having become well established. He and his wife both died in 1 Si jo. lie had prospered through close application and the exercise of sound judgment and, having added to his original purchase, he at one time owned about one thousand acres of valuable land and was regarded as one of the county's most substantia] and progressive agriculturists. Farming was his chief interest all his life.

raising ever since. He has kept his land well improved and under a high state of cultivation. In 1903 he became a director in the First National Bank of Lake Geneva, and in January, 1909, he was elected president of that institution, which is regarded as one of the popular, safe and conservative institutions of southeastern Wisconsin, and he has continued to discharge the duties of this important position in a manner that reflects credit upon himself and elicits the commendation of all concerned.

Mr. Nichols was united in marriage with Ada K. Rice in October, 1876. She grew up and was educated in Whitewater, and she is the daugh ter of Edwin M. and Laura W. (Wicker) Rice, both natives of Bridgeport, Vermont, from which state they came to Wisconsin in 1N41 and located in Richmond township. Walworth county.

To Air. and Mrs. Nichols four children have been born, two sons and two daughters, namely: John E., who married Cora Baker, is fanning a part of his father's land; Charles L., who married Helen Brown, is also farming part of his father's land; he has two children, Velma and John; Marjery A. married Harold W. Stewart, an instructor in the University of Illinois at Urbana.

Fraternally, Mr. Nichols belongs to the lodge of Free and Accepted Masons and the chapter at Lake Geneva; he is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. He and his wife are both members of the Congregational church and are liberal supporters of the same.

After he had spent twenty-five years on the farm, Mr. Nichols moved to the village of Hebron. Illinois, where he immediately became identified with the life of the place and he took an active part in promoting the public improvements of the village. It is worthy of mention that any offices or positions of leadership which he has attained have come without his solicitation. He has proven eminently worth} of every trust reposed in him. always performing his duties as he saw and understood the right.

It is by no means an easy task to describe within the limits of this review a man who has led an active life and by his own exertions reached a position of honor and trust in the line of work with which his interests are allied. Bui biography finds justification, nevertheless, in tracing and recording the record of such a life, as the public claims a certain property interest in th r of every individual and the time invariably arrives when it becomes advisable to give the right publicity. It is then with a certain degree of satisfaction that the chronicler essays the task of touching briefly upon such a record as has been that of Dr. Goff, one of the men of high standing and influence in Walworth county, who, professionally, has long ranked with the leading dentists of this part of the state.

Dr. Sidney Clayton Goff was born in East Troy, this county, on January 23, 1861. He is the son of Sidney Calkins Goff and Martha (Barber) Goff, the father born in Steuben county, New York, in 1829, and he was the son of Pliny C. and Magdelane (Vorhees) Goff. The father of the subject grew up in the state of New York, and when he was about twenty-one years of age he went to Australia by sail-boat, around the cape of Good Hope, southern Africa, voyaging to the then newly discovered gold fields of Australia, and there he spent four years, returning home by way of Cape Horn, South America. Being a man who observed things, he frequently told interesting stories of his experiences in the antipodes and around the world. He was about twenty-five years old when he returned to New York, soon afterwards coming to Delavan, Walworth county, Wisconsin. There he engaged in the mercantile business, closing out a dry goods stock for an Eastern firm. He then took up the study of dentistry with a local dentist, before dental colleges were established. About 1857 he moved to East Troy, where he took up the practice of his profession, which he continued there until January 1, 1875, having enjoyed a large practice. On that date he came to Elkhorn, to take the office of sheriff of Walworth county, to which he bad been elected the previous fall, and he was encumbent of the same for two years, discharging In- duties to the satisfaction of all concerned. At the expiration of his term he resumed tin- practice of his profession in Elkhorn and continued there with his usual success until 1883, in April of which year he moved to Perrv. [owa, and there be died January 30, [912. IK- was bom in [829 and reached the advanced age of eighty-two year-. 1 1 is widow still resides at Perrv, towa. lie and Martha Barber were married when the town of Trov was young. She was born in Livingston county, New York. Her parents dying when she was a child, she came to Walworth county. Wisconsin, when a girl and lived here until her marriage, making her home with her elder sister, Mrs. Millard.

Dr, S. Clayton Goff, of this sketch, was one of three children, he being the only sun: his sisters were Cora and Lena, the former having married DeWitl C West and resided at Elkhorn three or four years, then moved to Perry, [owa, where Mr. West died, then she married Henry I'. Lods. Lena married Charles F. Case and they live at Lake Geneva.

Doctor Goff, of this sketch, spent his youth in East Troy and Elkhorn, and he received his early education principally in the high school in the latter city, soon afterwards taking up the stud) of dentistry, lie attended the Indiana Dental College at Indianapolis, where he made an excellent record and from which he was graduated in the year [883. lie returned to Elkhorn and began practicing, succeeding his father, who in that year moved from here to Iowa, and here he has since remained, having enjoyed a very liberal practice all the while, following successfully in the footsteps of his worthy sire, and, like him, gaining the confidence and good will of the people.

Politically, Doctor Goff is a Republican and active in the affairs of the party. He was elected village clerk before the town of Elkhorn was incorporated as a city, having been first elected in [885, and again in 1886. He was elected a member of the village board and served on the same for a period of six years successively. In 1908 he was elected mayor of Elkhorn, and. after a most satisfactory and praiseworthy term of two years, he was re-elected and served until April, 1912, in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, irrespective of party alignment. He has done much for the permanent good of the city. He was a member of the county board of supervisors for a period of three years. In 1910 he was elected as representative from this county to the state Legislature, and he served in the session of 191 1, making his influence felt for the good of his locality and the party.

Doctor Goff was married in 1885 to Jennie P. Britton, daughter of Charles H. and Laura (Hodges) Britton. She was born in Elkhorn, but lived in the town of Berlin, Green Lake count}-, at the time of her marriage. Her parents were originally from Xew York. Her grandfather, Edwin Hodge-, was one of the first settlers in Elkhorn. having emigrated to this county from Xew- York in pioneer days. Two children have been born to the Doctor and wife, namely: Rispah J!., born in [891, and Sidney B., born in 1899.

The subject and wife belong to the Congregational church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was a charter member of the local camp of Modern Woodmen, which cam]) was the first organized in Wisconsin, and was started within a year of the organization of the ordei

Doctor Goff was elected chairman of the Walworth county Republican committee in 1904 and again elected to the same organization in 1906. I Ithas been a member of the Elkhorn Cornet Band since 1878, one of the best bands in this part of the state.

In childhood the Doctor developed a natural talent for mechanical work and at the age of sixteen years he made a small steam engine which worked successfully, being well made, - in fact, there seems to be little difference between it and a real locomotive except in size. He also had a well developed talent for making toy ships, which in their completeness of detail rival the large sailing vessels. Since reaching manhood he has found recreation in collecting Indian relics and other curios, now possessing a large and valuable collection, some of them being very rare, as well as beautiful.

Henry DeLafayette Adkins, the efficient and well known cashier of the First National Bank of Elkhorn, is a worth) representative of one of the oldest and best known families of Walworth county. Time and prolific enterprise have wrought wonderful changes in this section since he first saw the light of day, and the great section no longer depends upon its initial industr) <>i lumbering but has been brought forward to the high plane which marks the older sections of the commonwealth. The Adkins family have played no inconspicuous role in this development.

Mr. Adkins was born in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, on January 10, 1864. He is the son of Henry Breekenridge Adkins and Emma (Cronk) Adkins. the father a son "I' Henry and Betsey Ann (Adams) Adkins. Henry Adkins, son 'if Henr) and Martha Adkins, was born on December 23, 1812, in county Kent, England. In his youth he was apprenticed to learn the drug business am] he served three and one-half years. In [833, when twenty-one years "Id. he emigrated to the United States, locating in Oneida county. New York, where he married Betsey Ann Adams, daughter of William Want- and wife. She was born in Otsego county, New York, September to, [813. In 1N41 he and his family came to Walworth county. Wisconsin, and Incited on a farm in Sugar Creek township, moving the following year to Lagrange township, entering eighty acres of land from the government, in section 14. In the autumn of [854 he was elected register of deeds and hi December of thai year moved t" Elkhorn and entered upon his official duties. lie was re-elected and seTved lour years. While there he siarted

After his term of office had expired he entered the abstract business, in which he remained until 1863, when he engaged as a clerk in the First National Bank of Elkhorn. He finally became assistant cashier and vicepresident and was active in the affairs of the hank until his death in 1889, and was one of the substantial and influential men of the county.

The Adkins family consisted of the following children: Elizabeth, who married Reuben Eastwood, died on March 5. [892; Henry B., father of Henry DeLafayette, of this -ketch; Charlotte [sabell, who was horn in Xcw York, now lives in Elkhorn; Zehrua A., born in 1841. is the wife of Charles D. Root and lives at Lake Mills. Wisconsin; William E., bom September 4, 1847, died Jm)' J3> r9Q3; Mary Lydia died in early childhood; Mary Ellen, who married Preston Smith, died on December 28, 1889; John Charles, born April 28, 1856, died on April 26, mi 1. Henry Breckenridge Adkins, father of the subject, was born near (Jtica, Oneida county, Xew York, on January 17, 1839. He came to this county as a child with his parents, in 1841. He received a fairly good education, and was an excellent penman, but preferred mechanical work to clerical confinement. He learned the painter's trade, which he followed most of his life. He was married on January 1, 1862, to Emma Cronk, who was born in Dutchess county, Xcw York, in 1S42. She was the daughter of Acel and Polly (James) Cronk. Her father was born in Dutchess county, Xew York, in J 803, and her mother was born at Clifton Park. Saratoga county, Xcw York, in t8o2. The Cronk family came to this county in the early days. Acel Cronk died on December 28, [881, his wife having died on December 14. 1880.

On December 10. [863, Henry I',. Adkins enlisted in Companj K. Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served his country well in those trying times during the Civil war. his labor- being for the most part confined to Wisconsin. Minnesota, the Dakotas and Kentucky. He was hon orably discharged in September. [865. After the war he made his home in Elkhorn during the principal part of bis remaining life. His wjfe died on 0 ember 1;. 1901, and he survived until November M>. 1007.

As a companion, whether at home or in business life, the father of the subject was always agreeable, kind, obliging and always fair in In relati m with his fellow men. He was a keen observer and kepi well posted on current events.

The children of Henry B. Adkins and wife were as follows: Henry D. L.. of this sketch: Jessie Lena, wife of George Rannej Short, of Sanger, California.

The immediate subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Elkhorn and he received a good education in the local schools. He entered the First National Bank of this city on October i, 1882, and has been with this popular institution ever since. Starting as a clerk, he later became bookkeeper, which position he held for a number of years. He became assistant cashier in 1896, and in July, [911, he became cashier, and has thus been an employe of this bank for over thirty years, having given the utmost satisfaction to the stockholders and patrons, always discharging his duties in a manner that reflected much credit upon his ability and fidelity, his honor and integrity never being questioned. He has kept well informed on financial matters and has been a profound student of banking affairs. He is secretary and treasurer in group Five of the Wisconsin Bankers Association.

Mr. Adkins has been city clerk, which position he held a number of years at the time the village was merged into a city. He represented his ward on the board of supervisors for a number of years. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, and for about twenty years he has been chorister of the church.

Mr. Adkins was married in 1896 to Jennie McDougald, of Elkhorn. daughter of William and Eugenia (Foster) McDougald, and to this union one child has been born. Jessie Louesa, whose birth occurred on December 30, [897.

Mr. Adkins was a charter member of the local lodge of Knights of Pythias, and he has been active in lodge affairs, having held all the chairs in the local lodge and has received the grand lodge honors.

John Ii. Harris

Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of record in the annals of history wherever they are found. By a few general observations the biographer hopes to convey in the following paragraphs, succinctly and yet without fulsome encomium, some idea of the high standing of John II. Harris, of Elkhorn, as a business man and public benefactor, one of the representative citizens of Walworth county. Those who know him best will readily acquiesce in the statement that many elements of a solid and practical nature are united in his composition and which during a series of years have brought him into prominent notice throughout the southern portion (if the state, bis life and achievements earning for him a conspicuous place among In- compeers.

Mr. Harris was born in Jefferson count). New York, August 29, 1856. He is the son of James B. ami Rachael (Chene) 1 I [arris, the mother a native of Jefferson county, New York, .laughter of an old family of that state. James B. Harris was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and when a boj he emigrated to [ngersoll, Canada, with his parents where his brother and other relatives had preceded him. He came down into the state of New York, probably about 1850. and there married Rachael Cheney, and he conducted a cheese factory in Jefferson county, that state, most of his life.

Two sons and three daughters were born to .Mr. and Mis. James B. Harris, namely: John II.. of this sketch; Minnie is the wife of John Mc- Kelvie and they live in southern Kansas; Belle, who was a teacher in the Xru York schools, died there in 1910; Maria, the fourth child in order of birth, married C. O. Roberts, and they live in Philadelphia, Jefferson county, New York; George B.. third in order of birth, was born February, [860, has always been in the creamery business, being at present associated with the subject in the management of the Wisconsin Butter ec Cheese Company, of which there are several branches, he being in charge of the one at Waukesha, in which city he resides, having moved there in [89] from Spring Prairie, where lie had lived up to that time. He married Alma Coleman, daughter of James Coleman and wife, an excellent family of Spring Prairie, and George B. and his wife have five children. John C, Hugh, George, Robert and Helen.

John H. Harris grew to manhood in Xew York and there received his education, remaining in his native community until the spring of 1879, when he came to Clinton Junction. Wisconsin, where he lived something more than a year, then moved to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1880, and located about seven miles east of Elkhorn, in Spring Prairie township. There he operated a cheese factory until 1890. when he and Walter A. West, (ieorge B. Harris and George B. Puffer formed the Wisconsin Butter & Cheese Company, one of the best known companies of its kind in the state, a large, prosperous and growing concern, a complete account of which is to In- found on another page of this work. The subject is presidenl of this company and its splendid success is due largely to his able management.

Mr. Harris has long been active and influential in public affairs and is an ardent Republican. In [898 he was elected state senator, and lie served his constituents in a manner that won their hearty approval and reflected much credit upon himself.

Mr. Harris has been very successful in a business way. being a man of progressive idea-, sound judgment and keen discernment. Aside from his large cheese manufacturing interests, be owns a valuable and finel) improved farm of one hundred acres in the southwestern part of the city limits of Elkhorn. Here he has an excellent barn, worthy of special mention because of its size, convenience and completeness, a model dairy barn in every respect. He is a breeder of full-blood Holstein cattle and is taking a great deal of interest in improving and enlarging his herd.

The domestic life of Mr. Harris began on September 5, 1882, when he was united in marriage with Effie G. Webber, daughter of Loring O. and Alary (Fairbanks) Webber. She was born in Raymond. Racine county, this state. Her mother"s people came from the state of Xew York. Loring O. Webber was one of the first settlers of Racine county, and his father erected the first frame house built in that county.

Four children have been born to Mr. ami Mrs. Harris, namely: Cora Belle, wife of Clarence A. Arp, lives in Chicago, where he is connected with the Universal Cement Company ; James L. lives with his father in Elkhorn ; Robert Bruce and Ruth M. are also at home.

Richard Powers

It is proper to judge of the success and the status of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, in his church, hear his views on public questions, observe the outcome of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization and thus become competent to judge of his merits ami demerits. After a long course of years of such daily observation it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know his worth, because, as has been said. "Actions speak louder than words." Throughout Walworth county there is nothing but good words heard concerning Richard 1'owers, Well known banker of Lake Geneva, lie lias passed his life here and his worth is well known, but it will lie of interest to run over the busy events of his unusually busv. successful ami useful life in these pages, for he is one of the native sons whom the county delights to honor, being the scion of one of our sterling old pioneer families.

Mr. Powers was born on Decembei 31, 184S, in Lyons, Walworth county, Wisconsin. IK' is the son of Patrick and Margaret (Derene) Towel's. The father was born in county Kilkenny, Ireland, and there spent his

.hood, emigrating to America when aboul eighteen years old, in iSjS. He lived in St. Louis many years, lie came to this count) on Januarj 6, 1S45, and located on a farm in Lyons township, east of Lake Geneva, on land now owned by Homan Brothers. There Richard Powers resided until he was forty-four years old, having worked hard to develop a good farm.

Mr. Powers was one of a family of four children, namely: William; Michael, who died when young; Richard, of this sketch; and John, who is now living in Dakota.

The father of these children farmed the rest of his life east of Lake Geneva, becoming one of the substantial men of that community and he established a comfortable home there, where he lived until his death, in 1868, his widow surviving until 1882. He was active in public affairs, holding a number of township offices in Lyons township, and he was one of the pioneers who helped build the first Catholic church at Lake Geneva, and he was liberal in his support of the same the rest of his life.

Richard Powers followed general farming and stock raising successfully until he was forty-four years of age. For nearly thirty years he ha-- been interested in Dakota lands and for two seasons he engaged in shipping horses there. He is still interested in Dakota farm lands and has been very successful in this line of endeavor. Lie and his brother own in partnership about twenty-four hundred acres there. They built the first creamery in North Dakota and for a period of thirteen years operated the same most successfully, benefiting both themselves and the farmers over a wide territory. They were compelled to furnish the cows in order to gel il started, but when the farmers there saw the great value of the same they -vent into it heartily.

Mr. Powers is also interested in two banks in this county, also two banks in .Montana, being president of one of the .Montana banks at Lain ville. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers National Lank at Lake Geneva, and he is at present in charge of the department of loans,, discounts and collections of that institution, lie has been very successful in whatever he has been engaged, being a business man of rare acumen. sound judgment and foresight, by nature an organizer and promoter and able to foresee with remarkable accuracy the future outcome of a present transaction. He is one of the substantial and influential business men of the county and he has won the good will and esteem of all with whom he has come into contact as a result of his industry and integrity.

America in early life and located in 'Walworth county, Wisconsin. Mr. and Airs. Powers are the parents of five children, named as follows: Margaret, who married Oliver T. Cody, lives in Chicago; May is at home with her parents in Lake Geneva; William is in the bank at Bainville, Montana, of which he is cashier; Edward is assistant cashier of the bank at Bainville; John is superintendent of the farm in North Dakota. These children have received good educations and are well launched in life's affairs.

Mr. Powers and family are faithful members of the Catholic church. Personally, the subject is a quiet, unassuming, obliging and genial gentleman, whom it is a pleasure to meet.

Ceylox Court

One of tlie most attractive villas of southern Wisconsin is Ceylon Court, the Lake Geneva home of John J. Mitchell, at the east end of the lake, which comprises about thirty acres of the most beautiful grounds in the lake region of Walworth count}'.

The original structure of the residence was the Ceylon building at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, 1893, which was brought here in sections and rebuilt. It stands on high ground overlooking the lake, every part of which can be seen from the tower and, in fact, near all the lake shore places can be seen, the point of view being nearly three hundred feet above the water. Approaching from the lake, one lands at the pier beside which rides at anchor the splendid white steam yacht. '"Louise," with its gold mountings ami luxurious furnishings. There is also a .sailing yacht and a motor boat. A short distance up the lake is the convenient bath-house, from which the family and friends bathe in the lake.

The shore vises somewhat steeply and is built up in narrow terraces of boulders and large field stones into an attractive grotto overgrown with Boston ivy and on each terrace grow many varieties of flowers in season. Winding up along the terraces, the walk leads to the tunnel through which one goes to the hydraulic elevator that takes one up into the residence.

Ceylonese architecture. Additions have been made to the original structure. making it roomier and enhancing the general beaut) of the building. Even the chimnevs are of terra cotta and are tine works of art. The furnishings match the carved Ceylon wood, much of the furnishings being of Japanese style. Throughout the house are to be found the comforts and furnishings that one would expect a man of Mr. Mitchell's means and esthetic tastes to have. About the grounds are a number of other buildings, all built after the same general style of architecture.

The boat-house is commodious and well arranged, handsomely finished, adjoining which is the laundry, finer than the average good residence, and equipped with the most approved machinery and appliances for high-grade work. Not far from the boat-house, about two hundred feet from the lake, is an immense never-failing spring lined with marble, over which is a little open house, in the same style as the other buildings, with seats around the sides for the accommodation of visitors to the grounds. The latter being thrown open to the public, visitors are usually taken here the first place after their arrival at the lake, when they start out to view the places of interest and most attraction. All about the front of the main residence, in summer, may be seen a great bank of tropical plants. The grounds have been set with many hardy plants which remain alive all winter, and in addition to them about thirty thousand other plants are set out annually, in the best taste th.it an expert can devise. The broad, well-kept lawns are studded with natural forest trees and ornamental evergreens. Nearby is a rose-garden containing about five thousand plants of one hundred and fifty varieties, which would have delighted the poet Omar Khayyaim, who loved hi- Persian gardens of rare blooms.

Over on the farm, across the Lakeside Drive, there is a series of greenhouses covering about thirty thousand square feet, containing roses, orchid-, palms and many other plants, a number of them tropical, from which come the supplies of Ceylon Court and also for Mr. Mitchell's home in Chicago. Fruit trees are grown in large pots and brought to the residence for t'ruitN and decoration. \Y. Imer varieties of fruit tret-- could l»- found in tin- country, in fact, all the tree- ami shrubbery on the grounds arc of the besl varieties obtainable, many having been brought from remote localities. Until the summer of 1 <j 1 1 there was a deer park on the grounds, containing fortyfour deer. The-c wi 1 to Lincoln Park, Chicago, bj Mr. Mitchell, and there the}' are now kept, and the ground has been made into a garden of wild flower-.

trances to Ceylon Court, through massive gateways, made of granite from the fields. The broad gravel driveways wind about through the park, and from them one may see a stretch of lawn about two hundred feet long and ten feet wide, on each side of which is a mass of scarlet flowers extending the entire distance, in beds about six feet wide. Other designs in flower beds are to be seen, but so arranged as not to make it too conventional nor to detract from the natural beauty of the undulating surface of the park.

Across the Lake Shore drive to the east lies Ceylon Court farm, also the property of Mr. Mitchell and a part of the same establishment. Ceylon Court is under the supervision of Alfred John Smith, whose record appears on another page of this work, and Ceylon Court farm is under the supervision of Harrv E. Cocroft, who is well known in this county, and a sketch of whom, and his family appears elsewhere in this work.

Ceylon Court farm is of commanding interest, not merely because it is improved and kept up in a manner that can be afforded only by the wealthy* hut because it is the home of a number of domestic animals that are world champions of their species. Furthermore, it is kept not merely as a matter of pride, but as a benefit to the surrounding country.

It was only a little more than ten years ago that Mr. Mitchell began building up this farm. In 1901 he purchased of F. H. Chandler the Ceylon building and fifteen acres of land surrounding it at the lake shore, which was already a place of great beauty. He also bought of the same gentleman a ten-acre tract one-fourth mile east of Ceylon Court, and that was the nucleus of the present farm. Most of this was underbrush and swamp. In 1903 he put thirty to forty men to work clearing and cleaning up the land, and draining it. A small portion of the land had already been improved and on it was the coach barn and carriage house, a building sixty by two hundred and twenty feet.

In the carriage house may be seen eighteen carriages, all the later styles of vehicles, from the old-fashioned stage-coach to the modern baby cart. It is a common occurrence in the summer to see Mr. Mitchell and his familyout in the old-fashioned stage-coach, with four high-stepping horses. In [903 a horse barn was built, in which are kept twenty-six of the best coachhorses that could be bought in America. The same year a cow barn was built, thirty-four by one hundred and thirty feet, to which has been added an extension, twenty-four by one hundred and sixty Feet. These buildings are models of their kind. They have concrete floors, concrete mangers, hoi and cold water and are lighted by electricity. In the cow barn there are lights in each stall for cows and calves and also the barn is equipped with machine-. operated by electricity, for milking the cows. These machine-, properly used, have been found to be a success in every way.

In 1904 .Mr. Mitchell imported from the island of Jersey twenty-four head of the best Jersey cattle to be found on the island, and lie now has seventy-six head of Jerseys, ranging from rive hundred dollars to three thousands dollars in value each, and several for which he has refused twentyfive hundred dollars each.

In 1904 a chicken house was also built, large enough to accommodate four thousand chickens, and at this writing the place is stocked with over three thousand fowls. This, too. is a thoroughly up-to-date plant, heated 1>\ hot water, and chickens are hatched every month in the year, incubators and brooders being used. In 1904 Air. Mitchell purchased two hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining, and the following year another horse barn was built, which is sixty- four by eighty feet, of stone construction and is well kept. The same year he built a creamery, where there is a spring that furnishes an inch stream day and night for cooling the milk. This is one of the most upto-date creameries in this part of the state. In the same year was also built a hog house which accommodates sixty h<>gs. It has floors and troughs of cement. An up-to-date dog house was built in 1906, of cement floor, and heated with hot water, ddie house contains wire cages, and here may Inseen seven varieties of dogs. The same year a new water system was also installed, and a drilled well, two hundred and ninety-seven feet dee]), from which water is pumped with a gasoline engine. The various buildings are supplied with electric lights, the electricity being furnished from the city plant. In 1908 Mr. Mitchell purchased the Cliff Arnold farm of ninety acres, adjoining on the east, which has been converted into a hog farm, fitted with all the latest improvements for caring for hogs. English Berkshire's. Chester White, Duroc Jersey Reds are to he found here, all registered stock and the best that money can buy. In 1910 a three-storied horse barn was built, forty-four by one hundred and forty feet, of cement block and concrete, with pebble dash outside, j<>i-ts of steel and cement floors, all casings and posts being of steel. In this barn we find the champion Belgian stallions and mares of America, which were tin- best in Belgium before their importation, In three months after landing here they won the championship at the International exhibition at Chicago. Here are also t" he found the champion Percberon horses. The mares won both the first and second prizes at all the leading horse shows in 1910. Mr. Mitchell also own die three first prize Percheron stallions, imported in 1910. In English Shin- horses he has al the head of the mares "Selffridge Pride." the prize winning man' of England and also of America, having won first prize at the London show in May, 1910, and in August, of that year, won first and championship at Dee

Moines, Iowa. From there she won first and championship at five different state fairs and at the International Stock Show in Chicago in 1910 she was first champion and grand champion.

We may also see at Mr. Mitchell's stables the world's champion Shire stallion, "Dan Patch,-' the only draft horse in the world that won first prize at the International Exhibition three years in succession. He cost ten thousand dollars, and he weighs two thousand four hundred and ten pounds and he is as active as a coach horse. His services are given to the surrounding country at a mere nominal sum, in order to benefit the breed of horses in this region.

In 1910 there was added to the coach horse department the champion hackney stallion, "Prick Willow Carnout," and three imported hackney mares, the best that could be bought in England, regardless of price. In selecting the live stock for Ceylon Court farm, price has not been considered, the main object being to secure the best of everything. Probably there is more high priced stock on Ceylon Court farm than any other in America.

In iyn further improvements were made, such as the building of a modern garage of concrete, with an addition containing electric dynamos for running lathes, drills and other necessary machinery. Air. Mitchell purchased, in that year, the Batisford farm adjoining his land on the southeast and on this extensive improvements are now going on. it being Mr. Mitchell's intention to make this an experiment farm for the benefit of the people who may be near enough to profit by it.

'I attention to his record either than to give the salient facts in the same, for here he has spent his entire life and has gained a prominent place in the esteem of the people, and is universally respected in the business world, fair dealing being his watchword in all transactions. He is optimistic, looking nil the bright side of life and never complains at the rough places in the road, knowing that life is a battle in which no victories are won by the idle and indifferent, but that the rewards worth while are to the diligent and courageous nf heart, lie is the representative of one of our worthy old pioneer families, the Robinsons having been well known here since the time when this country was a vast forest, with few settlements ami when the fertile soil lay, for the most part, untouched by the plowshare. The several members of the family have taken an active part in the upbuilding of the locality in every way possible.

Albert S. Robinson was born in Linn township, this county, on February 3, 1855. and is the son of Samuel and Jane (Reed) Robinson. The father, who was born in Massachusetts, was reared in Chenango count). Xew York. He came to Walworth county. Wisconsin, in 1844 and purchased land in Linn township, south of Lake Geneva, but he did not settle there until 1S46. He was married before leaving Xew York to Freelove Thornton, who died in Xew York, leaving one son. Irving Robinson, now living in Linn township, this county. Samuel Robinson was again married in [848 to Mrs. Jane Marshall, widow of Horace Marshall. She was born in the town of Ovid, Seneca count}-. Xew York, in 1808, and when twelve years of age she moved to Genesee count}-, Xew York, with her parents, and there grew to womanhood and was married. She came to Walworth count), Wisconsin, in 184O, with her first husband, who died soon afterwards. To Samuel Robinson and wife two sons were born. Charles, the elder, was drowned in Lake Geneva when but four years of age. The other son is Albert S.. of this review. The death u( Samuel Robinson occurred on February 5, 1897, his wife having preceded him to the grave on December 29, 1893.