Auburn Town

Auburn Town

In the southeast corner of Fond du Lac County lies the town of Auburn. It is bounded on the north by the town of Osceola, east by Scott, in Sheboygan County; south by Kewaskum, in Washington County, and west by Ashford, in the county of Fond du Lac. It contains thirty-six sections of land, but these are not all full sections. The actual number of acres in the town is 22,901.99, being 138.01 acres less than the full 36 sections - 23,040 acres. The territory of Auburn includes that platted by the United States as Township 13 north, in Range 19 east. The township lines were run during the first quarter of the year 1884, by Mullett & Brink. It was subdivided into sections and quarter-sections during the second quarter of 1835, by Deputy Surveyor Hiram Burnham. By him the lake on Sections 10 and 15 was called " Crooked Lake ; " the one on Sections 11, 12, 13 and 14 was named " Off-Set Lake. " But these names were not retained.

The face of Auburn is smooth in appearance, though not level in surface ; it is gently undulating, with ascents and declivities of various heights and depths. The streams of water - of which the. principal are the three branches of Milwaukee River - flow with a strong current. Lying as it does within the broad belt of heavy-timbered land skirting the northerly part of the western shore of Lake Micliigan, the territory now included in the town of Auburn presented to the eye, in its natural state, neither prairie, openings, nor hay marsh - nothing but continuous woods. The forest trees proclaimed the excellence and fertility of the soil which sustained their growth ; the principal of which were sugar-maple, basswood, elm, black ash, white ash, red oak, white oak, hickory and butternut. The large groves of sugar-maple offered excellent opportunities for manufacturing maple sugar.

The soil of this town is a deep, black, sandy loam, with a mixture of marl, 'and a subsoil of reddish clay. In early spring, when the county was first settled, the ground in the woods became covered with grass and herbage, giving good support to cattle before vegetation was developed in cultivated fields. Many of the farms of Auburn have living springs upon them, which send their running waters to swell the outlet of Long Lake and the three branches of the Milwaukee River. The soil is rich in those properties which make it warm, productive and durable. The different varieties of grain are cultivated with success, while the growth of grass is generally excellent. The Northwestern Union Railroad crosses the southwestern corner ot Auburn in its northwesterly course toward Fond du Lac, entering it near'the center of the south line of Section 32, and leaving it at the northwest corner of Section 19, crossing into the town of Ashford.

The first settlement in this town was made in 1846 by Ludin Crouch and John Howell, on the spot afterward occupied by Crouchville, now New Cassel. Here Mr. Crouch built a log shanty and then commenced building a saw-mill. The same year, there was a small settlement made in the neighborhood by J. 0. Baldwin, J. L. Perry, C. Crownhart, Rev. H. A. Sears and others, but some of them settled across the line in what is now Ashford. In February, 1847, Roswell Hill purchased a lot on the west side of the Milwaukee River, near what was subsequently Crouchville, built a house, and, in July following, removed his family into it. Alamon Wheeler, Seward Wilcox and Harvey Woodworth soon located in the same neighborhood. Several other settlements were made in different parts, and, that year, the town of Auburn was organized, its territory including, also, the present town of Ashford.* At the first election, held at Mr. Crouch's mill, there were twenty votes polled. Ludin Crouch was elected Chairman, and Hiram Hatch, Town Clerk.

The first school taught in Auburn was in the summer of 1848, in the house of Mr. Crouch, by Miss Maria Bristol. Mrs. Crouch taught the school the next year.

The most notable event in the history of this town was the tornado of July 4, 1873, which killed one person and laid waste forests, crops, buildings, fences and other property in large amounts.

The first election after Auburn and Ashford were separated, was in April, 1849, at which twenty-seven votes were cast. T. S. Wilcox was elected Chairman; M. Buckland, Clerk; A. W. Wheeler, Assessor; C. D. Gage, Collector, and M. Miller, Superintendent of Schools.

New Prospect. - This is called "Jersey" because its first settlers came from New Jersey. The first Postmaster was B. Romaine, who held the office twenty years, being appointed probably in 1859. He was with Gen. Scott in the Mexican war. In 1877, a two-story building for a schoolhouse and church was built on Mr. Van Blarcom's farm. The church is non-sectarian.

Eblesville. - This village was founded by Andrew Eble, who came from Milwaukee, in 1855, purchased the water-power and built a saw-mill. He was accidentally shot on Christmas, 1859. The New Fane Post Office, established on the line between Sections 29 and 30 in 1851, by T. S. Wilcox, was moved to Eblesville in 1875. The village consists of a saw and feed mill, two stores, Lutheran Church, built in 1871, and the usual number of shops.

New Cassel. - This is an old village; has the honor of being the first settlement in the towns of Auburn and Ashford. Ludin Crouch, a school teacher from -' York State," came to the spot from Waukesha, in February, 1846, camping over night with an Indian named Weh-augwok-na. He was in search of a water-power, and had followed up the Milwaukee River. Here he found the desired power and returned to Waukesha. As soon as spring came, Mr. Crouch and his brother-in-law, John Howell, returned to the spot and erected a log wigwam, with shaker roof and puncheon floor - the first white man's domicile in the present towns of Ashford and Auburn. Mr. C. entered 160 acres of land on the west side of the stream (Middle Branch of Milwaukee River), and Mr. H., eighty acres on the opposite side. These two were joined in June, by H. Barnett and J. L. Perry, with their wives. The dam was then begun. C. Crownhart and wife came next, and during the year, J. O. Baldwin and wife, E. B. Hall and wife, Joseph Johnson and wife, C. and R. Hemenway, L. Pryor, William Brown, C. North, H. Hatch, J. E. Helmer and wife, William Pool and wife, Adin Nelson and wife, T. S. Wilcox and others. The village plat was surveyed by John Bannister, and after a celebration gotten up by the three ladies then in the settlement, July 4, 1846, the place was formally named Crouchville. In 1856, Emil Brayman changed the name to New Cassel, in honor of Hesse- Cassel, his birthplace. Some of these early settlers claimed by Crouchville actually located

* The first settlement of .\shford and .Vubum being so near to the line now dividing the two, it is no wonder there is a dispute aa to who were first settlers in each.

T38 History Of Fond Dv Lac County

just over the line in what is now Ashford. Crouch's saw-mill, the first in the vicinity, was put in motion in the fall of 1846, anil did good service for the settlers. Lumber was scarce, and what was not wanted for home use brougiit a good price at Taycheedah. The Hemenway brothers, millwrights, first used it without roof or sides. It changed hands many times before going into disuse. In 1856, Emil Brayman purchased 160 acres including the mill, and raised the frame of the present flouring-mill. He failed, and the mill stood incomplete and unused until about 1863, when the Hirsch brothers finished and put it into operation. It has since changed hands several times, A. Colburn &, Sons, the present proprietors, finally making it one of tlie best mills in the county.

New Cassel Post Office was called Auburn for many years. It was changed to New Cassel in 18.56. Squire Crownhart was the first Postmaster, keeping the office in his tavern at Crownhart's Corners. The Postmasters have been, Marion iJuckland, S. C. Matteson, Seth G. Pickett, Adin Nelson, Emil Brayman, Mrs. Emil Brayman, S. Hirsch. who kept it in his mill, P. Berkhauser, David Gude.x, F. M. Findeisen, and William Pool, Jr., appointed August 3, 1870.

The Baptist Church society is comparatively an old one. The first services were held in the fall of 1846, in H. Barnett's house, by Rev. H. A. Sears. In 1852 an organization was formed in the schoolhouse at the five corners, town of Auburn. R. F. Adams was elected Deacon and Clerk. In 1866, the present edifice, costing $2,200, was built under the supervision of J. E. Helraer, Henry Barnett and C. Yancy, Building Committee. The first preacher in the town, Rev. H. A. Sears, is the present Pastor. The Trustees are F. W. Tanner, President and Treasurer; F. Borchert, Clerk, and William Scheid.

The Evangelical Reformed Church was organized and built a log place of worship, in 1855, in the south part of Ashford. The leaders in the work were Ulricli Legler, John Senn, U. Gundel, and others. In 1867, they built the present edifice in New Cassel. The first Pastor was Rev. Reine, the present is Rev. Charles Huicker.

The Roman Catholic Church is now the richest in New Cassel. The first services were held by Father Dael, of Fond du Lac, in Owen Bannon's house. James Kramer, J. Guippe, C. Becker, 0. Bannon, T. Hoy, M. McCulloch and others composed the ' first organization. The first attempt to build a house failed. In 1866, however, the congregatioii having been re-organized in 1865, the church edifice was erected; soon after, a pastoral residence was built by Father Michels. Since 1872, when Father A. Michels took charge, additions costing $1,800 have been made, the debt of $1,100 cancelled, and in 1874, St. Joseph's Convent built, at a cost of $10,000. This was erected for the Sisters of St. Francis, who numbered eighty-five. They teach a boarding-school in the Convent building, and a parochial school in a building near the church. They also teach music, needlework and all useful branches. The church numbers ninety fimilies. A new parochial school building, 30x54 feet, two stories high, will be built during 1880.

OWEN BAXNON, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. New Cassel ; born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1806 ; came to America in 1834, and worked sixteen years as a laborer in Dutchess Co., N. Y. Married, in 1849, Miss Hose Hoy, of his native county, who came to America in 1847. In May, 1850, Mr. B. came to Auburn and bought 160 acres of his present farm ; of this only ten acres were poorly cleared, on which was a floorless and doorless log house; holes were cut for doors and windows, and blankets hung therein, which seemed a slight protection against the bears that used to be neighborly, so much so as to occasionally "borrow" a pig of him; Mr. B. has seen much of pioneer life, and, as a result of his chopping, breaking and planning, he has 440 acres, mostly improved, and a cozy biick farmhouse in place of the early settlers' log house. Michael, his elder son, was born Jan. 28, 1850 ; he grew to manhood on the farm ; was a student at Milton College, and a graduate of Notre Dame College , a young man of more than ordinary abilities; his de.ith on the lOtt of January, 1880, was a severe blow to a large circle of admiring friends. James- the younger son, was born May 28, 1852, and was educated in the High School in Fond du Lac, and the Northwestern College, Evanston, 111.; he married, Sept. 10, 1878, Miss Bertha Husting, of New Cassel, by whom he has one son - Arnold J. The young couple are on the homestead, and the entire ftmily members of the Roman Catholic Church ; politics. Democratic.

AlVDREW' DIERIXGER, farmer, Sec. 7; P. 0. Campbellsport ; born iu Germany Nov. 30, 1823 ; spent his early life, was educated and learned blacksmithiog, in the Fatherland ; came to America July 4, 1844, and .spent about ten years at blacksmithing and on the canals in Ohio ; in 1854, he settled on a heavily timbered farm in Ashford, on Sec. ;!0 ; after seven years, he bought the Griffith saw-mill and eighty acres of land with it; in 1868, he settled on his present farm of 240 acres, which is well improved, he having built a 40x84-foot basement barn ; the public and private life of Mr. D. is beyond rejiroach ; he first served two years as a Supervisor of Ashford, and was then its Chairman for ten years, never flinching from duty through the dark and bloody war times, though his devotion to public interests cost him a personal loss of at least S2,00U ; in 1865, and again 1869, he was chosen a member of the Wisconsin Legislature, and has been twice Chairman of Auburn ; was the first President of the Ashford Insurance Company, and in 1875, besides superintending his large farm, he had charge of the material us. d in building an addition to the St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee. Married, in Ohio, Mi.«s Crecentia Str.ibel, by whom he has eight children - Valentine, Frank X., Joseph, Mary, Andrew, Catherine, Philipp and Thomas. Mr. D. is a Democrat, and, with his family, a Roman Catholic.

L.OITIS EIDE711L.L.ER, M. !>., New Cassel ; born March 3, 1851, in the city of New York ; is of Prussian descent ; son of Nicholas and Elizabeth E., who left New York for Wisconsin in 1856, locating at Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co.; the subject of this sketch attained an excellent commonschool education, left the farm at fourteen, entered the Commonwealth oflSce, Fond du Lac, learned the trade of printer and remained six years ; a partial fliilure of his health induced him to leave this and enter the office of Drs. Gray & Wyatt, then, as now, considered among the leading Wisconsin physicians ; after a course of study under them, he entered the Medical College of Ohio, one of the oldest and best in America, graduating as physician and surgeon ; in 1874 began, and has since continued, an active practice in New Cassel. Married Miss Emma Maibuecher, April, 1874; they have one son - Edwin L., born Nov. 10, 1876. The Doctor is a Democrat; is a member of Fond du Lac Lodge No. 112, I. 0. 0. F. of the Hock River Medical Society ; was the organizer, and is now President of the New Cassel and Campbellsport Literary Society, and is the founder and President of the Now Cassel Turnverein. Dr. Eidemiller makes a specialty of surgery, and stands deservedly high in his profession, his practice extending through Fond du Lac and into Dodge, Washington and Sheboygan Cos.; ho is now building a large residence on the modern plan to replace the one lost by fire a year ago, entailing upon him a loss of all his books, pictures, instruments, furniture, etc.

F. 31. JFINDEISEX, merchant. New Cassel; born in Prussia Oct. 12, 1837 ; was educated in the Fatherland and began mercantile life as clerk in the sugar refinery of J. Henize, one of the largest in Germany ; came to America in 1862 ; clerked six months in Fond du Lac, then began business in New Cassel. Married, in 1862, Mrs. Ernestina Brayman, who is a daughter of Ernest Schulten, who came from Prussia to America in 1855, with his family ; in 1858, Ernestina married Emil Brayman, who died in 1860, leaving two children - Ernest and Emelie; and a daughter, Helen, by a former marriage - Mr. and Mrs. FuedeLsen have one daughter - Ernestina. Mr. F. began business in the old store of Mr. Brayman, which still stands beside the large and handsome store built by Mr. F. in 1874, at which time he built the only elevator in Campbellsport ; making a small beginning in New Cassel, Mr. F. has constantly increased his business ; carries a general stock of all goods required to meet his trade, besides buying largely of farm produce; has bought on the average, during the past six years, 80,000 bushels of grain, and 100,000 pounds of pork, besides 10,000 pounds of poultry; he also owns eight village lots. Mrs. M. Krombs, widow of Louis Krembs, with Miss Charlotte Schulten, both sisters of Sirs. Findeisen, have for ten years past kept the only stock of millinery in the village, in a large room adjoining the store. Mr. Findeisen and family are members of the Lutheran Church.

W. R. EOLjTS, veterinary surgeon. New Cassel; born June 11, 1833, in Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he spent his early life, and learned blacksmithing of his father. Married, in 1852, Miss Margaret Tafi'ney, of that county. Came to Wisconsin and to New Cassel in 1855 ; it was Crouchville then, and there were only two horse teams in the vicinity, but he opened a shop and grew up with the country, increasing his business, and sold out in six years ; has since devoted himself to his profession, which he began studying when 18 years of age ; as an evidence of his success, we may state that he has built a large and tasteful residence, a barn 38x46, with an L addition 100 feet in length ; here, he for three years kept a livery stable ; about fifteen years ago. Dr. Folts opened a drug-store, where ho has also a pleasant office ; he is the manufacturer of Dr. Folts' Domestic Liniment, Blood and Condition Powders, have won testimonials from the entire Northwest, and are considered standard remedies. Dr. F. enlisted, Sept. 1, 1864, in the 14th W. V. C, and after three months was commissioned Regimental Farrier ; was with his regiment in various States, and at the capture of Mobile and the forts. Mr. and 3Irs. Folts have two sons - Dempster and Eugene. Politics Republican.

D. GAGE, farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. Kewaskum ; born in Onondaga Co., N. Y,. Feb. 11, 1825; spent his early life and was educated in his native county, and, in 1843, made a brief visit to Milwaukee, visiting both Milwaukee and Waukesha Cos. in 1845; lived in Waukesha Co. from May, 1847, until March,

1848, when he bought and settled upon forty acres of his present farm ; the whole country was a wilderness, his nearest neighbor, A. Wheeler, living two and one-half miles distant; he had footed it from Waukesha Co. in February previous, and built a log shanty, which was without a window for six months, and provided with a puncheon floor and trough roof; one course of troughs were laid with the hollow sitfe up, and the spaces between them covered with others laid with the rounding side uppermost ; this must have offered a striking contrast to the spacious and elegant residence built in it« stead ; Mr. Gage saw more than liis share of frontier hardships, as he had contracted the ague in Waukesha, and shook with it for eleven long weeks, his family not seeing a neighbor during that time, and living one week on potatoes and salt alone ; he relates that when they made their first visit to Mr. Wheeler, he carried his wife across the Middle Branch on his back ; Mr. Gage was the first Town Treasurer after the division of Ashford and Auburn; served three years, and, in 1852, was elected Chairman, and that fall to the Legislature; re-elected Chairman in 1853, he served many successive years, and was again elected to the Legislature in 1867; took an active part as a member of the "Third House," in the great "Dells" controversy in 1871. Is a Democrat, and a member of the West End Lodge A., F. & A. M., and the Kewaskum Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. Married, Dec. 31, 1846, Miss Mercy Hosier, of Onondaga Co., N. Y., who died in April, 1871, leaving six children - Fanny L., Rosier N., Floyd B., Florence M., Carrie A., and Russel G.; on the 28th of June, 1874, he married Miss Mary O. Hale, of Onondaga Co., N. Y. Mr. G. owns 280 acres, with the best of buildings.

IRA liUCE, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Kewaskum ; born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Aug. 21, 1829 ; was educated in his native State and lived on his father's farm until 1847, when he spent the summer in Racine Co., Wis.; reaching Auburn in the fall of 1847, bought his farm of eighty acres of a Mr. Fields, at $1.25 per acre, it then being a part of the surrounding wilderness crossed by Indian trails; the road past his farm was not cut through till the next year. He married in February, 1841), Miss Frances Wheeler, daughter of Alanson W., one of the pioneers of 1846 ; after the wedding, Mr. Luce built a log shanty, roofed with basswood troughs which he dug out ; the furniture was made by him of trees cut on his own land ; he earned his first team by chopping fourteen acres for C. D. Gage, and his first cow by working out during the harvest of 1849 ; as a reward for the discomforts then endured, he has an improved farm and good buildings. Mr. Luce is a Republican, and is now serving his fifth term as Supervisor.

KEV. FATHER A. MICHELS, Pastor of St. Mathew's Catholic Church, New Cassel, the Dundee Mission and Spiritual Director of tiie St. Joseph's Convent, New Cassel ; born in 1840, in Prussia; was educated in the Fatherland as teacher ; came to America in 1857, and resided for a time in Ozaukee Co., Wis.; entering St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, in 1860, he pursued his studies there until 1868, when he was ordained by Archbishop Henni ; was then for a few months Assistant Priest in St. Joseph's, Milwaukee, then had charge of three congregations in succession, up to the year 1871 ; was then called to teach in the Normal School, St. Francis, where he remained about a year and a half, taking his present charge in 1873.

WILLIAM POOL, of Pool & Harter, merchant and Postmaster, New Cassel ; born in the town of Spring Prairie, Walworth Co., Wis., April 10, 1846; is a son of William and Mary Pool, who came to Auburn in September, 1846, Mr. Pool buying Government land, which is still his homestead; his eldest son, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the county and was on the farm until 1867. when he entered the store of 0. L. Helmer, and clerked until 1869, when he bought an interest in the firm of W. Pool & Co., doing business one year; Messrs. Pool & Weiss then bought the stock and store, continuing the business until June, 1875, when Mr. J. B. Harter bought the interest of Mr. W.; the firm are doing and have done a good and satisfactory business, carrying a complete stock to meet a general trade, besides dealing in farm implements. Mr Pool married Sept. 3, 1877, Miss Mattie L. Angell, a native and resident of Atlanta, Logan Co., 111.; they have lost an infant daughter. Mr. Pool is an outspoken Republican and a meaiber of the New Cassel Lodge, G. T.

B. D. ROJIAIN, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. 0. New Pro?pect ; born in Bergen Co., N. J., March 23, 1843; came to Fond du Lac in 1849 with his parents, Benjamin and Charity Romain, who had eight children - Gerret, Rachel A., Ralph, Elizabeth J., iMary E., Edward W., Barney D. and Benjamin D.; after the settlement of the family in Auburn, 1850, Barney attended school in the old log schoolhouse, since replaced by the two-story structure where his children attend ; he settled on his present farm of ninetyfive acres in 1866, when all but ten acres were a forest, living, working and prospering in a shake-roofed log shanty for years; this is superseded by a tastful farmhouse, and the farm is under cultivation, a record which needs no eulogy. Married, in 1864, Miss Elizabeth Roberts, a native of London, England, she coming with her parents to America and to Auburn when a child; Mr. and Mrs. R. have five children - George M., Clara E , Laura A., Edward R. and Mary E. Politics, Republican ; and a member of Wickes Lodge, I. 0. O. F.

1833; son of Benjamin and Charity R., who came to Auburn in the spring of 1850, and settled on the farm now owned by the father, '' Uncle Ben" Romain; is a native of Bergen Co., N. J., and served with Gen. Scott through the campaign, from Vera Cruz to the Aztec capital; after his settlement in Wisconsin, he made his hou.se a home for all the "Jersey" settlers who came afterward; a carpenter by trade, he built nearly all the houses and barns in the vicinity besides the schoolhouse and saw-mill. His wife was Miss Charity Hopper, of New York City, they spending the winter of 1849-50 in Fond du Lac, where Ralph attended school. He married Miss Mary A., daughter of Norman Cisco, of Niagara Co., N. Y., and settled on his present form of eighty acres in 1857. At this time a few acres had been cleared and a small frame house built, which he now uses as a shop, he having improved his farm and built a pleasant residence. Mr. Romain is a Republican, and is now serving his second term as Supervisor; none of the substantial farmers of Auburn have made a better record ; besides his farming operations, he has followed thrashing almost constantly since 1857, when he and his eldest brother, Gerret, bought their first machine ; Mr. and Mrs. Romain have eight children - Walter G., Charles E., Benjamin G., Lydia A., Ralph, Charity A., Anna E. and Gerret A. Mr. R. was a charter member of Wickes Lodge, L 0. 0. F.

CHARLES J. SUCKOW, miller and Po.stmaster, New Prospect; born in Ozaukee Co., Wis., 1848 ; his parents removing to Sheboygan Co., he learned the miller's trade and lived there until he was 17, then went to Crawford Co., Wis., then went to Missouri and remained three and one-half years, then made an extended trij) through Kansas, the Indian Territory, Texas, Mexico and Colorado ; returning from Denver to Wisconsin, he spent about a year in the Plymouth mill, and in January, 1875, in company with William Ecke, he bought the farm and mills of Gerret Romain ; Mr. Eberhardt bought out Mr. Ecke, in 1877, constituting the present firm of Suckow & Eberhardt, Mr. S. being in sole control, as Mr. E. is a Sheboygan Co. farmer ; Mr. Suckow rebuilt his saw-mill several years ago, and has added two large basement barns to his buildings. Is a Republican, and was made Postmaster in 1879, and wa.s a Supervisor in 1877. Married Miss Lillie Eberhardt, a daughter of his partner ; they have three children - Otto, Gustie and a babe ; the family are Lutherans.

J. S. TIIOMPSOX, i'arm and saw-mill, New Cassel ; born in the town of Peru, Berkshire Co., Mass, Oct. 3, 1823; was educated in his native county, and, at 21, left for Wilmington, Del., where he learned daguerreotyping. In October, 1847, he landed at Milwaukee, Wis., and, the next November, entered a half-section of land on Sees. 14 and 21, using the first Mexican land warrants in the town of Auburn ; during his residence here he taught several terms of school ; after four or five years, he began and continued for eight years a mercantile business in Kewaskum ; then building a saw-mill in the village; selling this in 1867, he bought his present farm of 160 acres, of which twenty-five were cleared, and on which were only log buildings; has added fifty-five acres to the clearing, and, in 1870, built a tasty and substantial brick residence; has operated the only saw-mill in New Cassel since he built it in 1867. His first wife, Miss Rebecca Smith, whom he married in Washington Co. July 3, 1851, died April 4, 1855, leaving him one daughter - Ellen, who will soon graduate from the State Normal School of Minnesota ; in 1856, he married Miss Lenora F. Williams; they have had eight children - A. Dell, Elma L., Harlan J., Loren D. (deceased), Eudora, Leslie A., Lillie M. and Merril W. In politics, a stalwart Republican; Mr. T. was Town Clerk in the Democratic town of Auburn two years and has served many years as Justice . of the Peace. Is an able and influential temperance worker and a man who enjoys the esteem of all.

RALPH TICK, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. New Prospect ; born in Passaic Co., N. J., March 17, 1825. Married Miss Mary McGee, who was also born and bred in that county, they coming to Auburn in August, 1855, and buying eighty acres, which was as the hand of nature left it. While Mr. Tice was building a log house, they made their home with Uncle Ben Romain ; clearing five acres that year, Mr. Tice sowed fall wheat, and, though the roads were Indian trails, and Cascade the nearest mill, he prospered, and now owns 105 acres, and has exchanged his pioneer quarters for a pleasant farmhouse, built in 1869 ; has a large basement barn and all needed stock and implements. Is in politics Democratic. Mr. and Mrs. Tice have ten children - Sarah, John, Nelson, Louisa, Ralph, Leah N., George W., Benjamin, Maria and Francis E.; Sarah is the widow of J. P. Van Blarcom ; John married Amelia Bell, of Eldorado, and has a farm near the homestead.

LEWIS VAN BLARC0.1I, fitrmcr, Sees. 2 and 11 ; P. 0. New Prospect; born in Bergen Co., N. J., on Christmas, 1829 ; son of Peter and Hannah Van B., who were farmers of that State; at 20, Lewis went to New York City, remaining until 1855. Married, Dec. 27, 1849, Miss Leah Ann, only child of John P. and Maria Post, of Bergen Co., N. J., where she was born on St. Valentine's Day, 1830 ; Mr. and Mrs. Post removed to New York City in 1836, and here Mrs. Van Blarcom was educated. In jNIay, 1855, both families settled on eighty acres of the homestead, of which eight had been cleared and a los house built; as a result of the hibors of Messrs. Post and Van Blarcom, the farm contains 340 acres and all needed barns, implements and stock, the log house having been superseded by a substantial and tasteful residence in 1858 ; Mr. Post died May 8, 1871, followed by his wife Sept, 14, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Van Blarcom have had seven children - John P. (deceased), Avery E,., Hanna M., Peter (>., Anna L., Lewis B. and Celia E.; John P. married Miss Sarah C. Tice, of Auburn, and die<l in less than a year, leaving his bride and widow a pleasant home. Mr. Post was Chairman of Town Board of Auburn many years, and was, like Mr. Van Blarcom, a Democrat.