Franklin Town

Franklin Town

The town of Franklin is situated in the southern part of Vernon county, and comprises parts of congressional townships 11 and 12, ranfifes 4 and 5. It has an ai-ea of fifty-two sections or about 33,280 acres. It is bounded by the towns of Jefferson and Viroqua on the north, Viroqua and Kickapoo on the east, Crawford county on the south, and the towns of Sterling and Jefferson on the west.

The only streams within the borders of this town are a few small creeks, among which are, Taiuters, a branch of the Kickapoo river, and a branch of the lower Bad Ax river. The general surface of the country is very rough and hilly. Among the objects of natural curiosity in this town is "Monumental Rock," which is described in another chapter.

Early Settlement

To John McCullougli is ascribed the honor of having made the first actual settlement in the town of Franklin. He came in 1844 and afterward entered land and did some breaking. The next spring he brought his family on. His claim was on section 25 of township 12, range west. In 1852 he, with a number of others, went to California, remained a year in the gold region, and wrote to his brother that he was about to return, but he was never afterward heard of, and it is supposed he perished on the plains.

Another settler of 1845 was Samuel Rice and his brother Hiram. The former brought his family with him. His wife died a year or two Hfter their arrival and he married again, but left his family and moved to Mackinaw, Mich.

Edward Davis, who was among the pioneers of the town, settled on section 35, township 12, range 5; He was a resident of the county in 1884, but not living on the same land on which he first settled.

Andrew Briggs, a man of considerable ability, and who was afterward a member of the State Assembly, settled in the town at an early time. He removed to Readstown, where he died.

Michael Hinkst settled on the north half of the southwest quarter of section 31, township 12, range 4, Aug. 6, 1847, where he was still living in 1884.

Another early settler was Anson Tainter, whose settlement dates back to 1848. He was born in Virginia, Aug. 19, 1823. His father was Stephen Tainter, a native of Massachusetts. A. G. Tainter married Rachel J. Tobler. Mr. Tainter is one of the well known and well to do farmers of this town ; his residence is on section 11. He owns over 400 acres of land in Vernon county, and 160 acres in Crawford county. Mr. and Mrs. Tainter have been

History Of Vernon Cottntt

Among other settlers in the town was Ransom Lamb, who removed from Virginia, his native State, to Illinois, and from there to Franklin township in 1850, where he remained till his death, in 1871.

Besides those mentioned as being among the first settlers were : George Pike, L. D. Smith, John Britt, Andrew Henry, James Lawrence, William TJtley, E. Inman, Ira Wixcox, Isaiah Adams and Daniel Read, who built the Readstown mill. All of these came prior to 1853.

C. C. Fortney, an early settler, was the son of Christian O. Fortney, who was born in Norway, and came to America in 1856, settling in the town of Franklin, on section 10, township 11, range 4, where he remained till his death, Jan. 11, 1869. He left a wife and two children. C. C. is the only one now living. He was born in Norway in 1846. He married Margaret Jones, daughter of Elling Johnson, an early settler of the town of Liberty. Mr. and Mrs. Fortney have five children - Christine, Christopher, Gustave, Carrie and Eliza.

Organic

The town of Franklin was the last territory in the county to which the name "Bad Ax" was applied. It was changed from Bad Ax to "Loch Haven," by the board of supervisors, April 8, 1857. The following year, 1858, it was given the name of Franklin.

No record having been preserved, nothing certain can be determined upon as to who the first officers were. Those of 188.3 were: Chris EUefson (chairman), Arne Larson,William Clawater, supervisors; Knute Peterson, treasurer; W. W. Johnson, assessor ; Forest F. W. Alexan<Ier, clerk ; O. S. Henry and Sidney Higgins, justices of the peace.

Forest F. W. Alexander is the present town clerk of the town of Franklin. He resides on section 18, town 12, range 4 west. He has fifty acres of land, which he purchased of Harriet Dulap. He was born in Broome Co., N. Y., and came to Wisconsin with his father, who settled at Muscoda, Grant county. The family came to Vernon county in 1869 and settled at Liberty Pole. The father is now deceased. Forest has been generally engaged in clerking. He married Mary Crume, whose father was an e.irly settler of the town of Viroqua. They have three children - Florence M., Grace and Rue E.

The first school house in this town was made of logs, and located near New Brookville on section 17, town 12, range 4. In it was taught the first school in the town of Franklin; Lorenzo Pierce was the first teacher.

The first school building in district No. 3, which was built at an early day, served until 1877, when a new frame structure was built. From the date of the erection of this building, the interest in school matters has inci-eased.

District No. 4 embraces the territory around the village of Brookville. A new building superceded the old pioneer house, in 1878, which has accommodation for about fifty pupils.

In district No. 5 the school house is situated in a beautiful grove, and is finely furnished with the most improved style of seats etc. The scholars are mostly Norwegian, who in winter time, furnish a large attendance and manifest much interest.

District No. 6 embraces what is known as Liberty Pole. Here a commodious school building has been erected, which is well supjihed with the best of seats and apparatus, including maps and charts. This school is always well attended and successfully conducted.

District No. 7 is chiefly made u|>of Germans and Norwegians. The school district is provided with a good building, enclosed by a substantial fence, and being near a fine grove '-» a very attractive place.

District No. 9 is in the heart of the heaviest Norwegian settlement. The school house liere, is small but in good repair and well furnished. The winter school is usually well attended.

In district No. 10 the school building is located on low flat ground, near a little creek. Here tiie school interests have been greatly neglected.

In district No. 11 the building is small and poorly furnished. The location is a beautiful elevation. The attendance is small in the summer time. The school population are chiefly Norwegians, with a few Irish.

In district No. 1 2 there is a very good school house, which however, is poorly located on low ground. This school has a good average attendance.

Religious

The earliest religious services within Franklin town Were held at private houses before a school house or church had been erected or even contemplated. The first services were conducted by a missionary of the Methodist Episcopal denomination from Prairie du Chien. This was in 1846. A little later a log school house was built on section 17 and services were then held in that. The Rev. Parkins was the first to preach regularly here.

The names of the first class organized were, so far as remembered: Dr. George A. Swain and wife, J. A. Cooke and wife. The latter named was the leader of the class and later became a local preacher, remaining such till his death. As the county increased in population so did this Church in membership and spiritual strength. [For some years it was in what was known as the Bad Ax mission, which was afterward included in the Viroqua circuit, and is now known as the Liberty Pole circuit.

There are two Norwegian churches in the town of Franklin. One is situated on section 10, town 11, range 4 and belongs to what is known as Hanges Evangelical Lutheran Synod of America. It became detached from the parent synod about 1860. It numbers about thirtyfive voting members. A church building was erected in 1872. The first trustees were: C. C, Fortney, Ole Torge and Knute O. Fortney. The first pastor was Elling Eilson.

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church is located on section 15 ,town 11, range 4 west This denomination was the first to locate in this town.

The first Norwegian settler of the town of Franklin was Torger O. Fortney, who came in 1855; others came about the same time and soon after, services of this people were held in a church built of logs, located just over the line in Crawford county. In 1876 they erected a neat frame church on section 15. The first sermon preached in this building was delivered by Rev. Juve. He was succeeded by Rev. J. Neilson. Others who have preached for and been pastor of this Church from time to time are: Rev. Stubb and Rev. Praus.

Liberty Pole

This place, as an old pioneer remarked in I88:J, "is an imaginary village." At a very early day some town lots were staked ofF and numbered, of which but a very few were ever sold. Yet this particular locality has always been a prominent land mark to both the resident and stranger. It derived its name from the fact that the first liberty pole or flag stafi' in Vernon county was erected at this point July 3, 1848. A postoftice was established there, called Bad Ax, which, in 1870, was changed to Liberty Pole.

Jacob Higgins erected a store at an early day and he, in company with Capt. Thomas Cade, ran a store for about a year, during a part of 1862 and 1863, when Mr. Cade withdrew from the firm.

Soren Hanson, a native of Denmark, came to the United States in 1873 and located in the fall of that year at Liberty Pole. Here he worked at the blacksmith's trade which he had learned in his native land.

In 1853 James Lawrence buried his sister, Mrs. Henry Williams, on land he owned on section 1 9, and after a few years gave a piece of land containing about two acres, including the spot where his sister was buried, to be used by the town of Franklin as a cemetery. It is situated in a beautiful spot within the forest near the road-side, and is the principal burying ground of the town.

There was, in 1884, besides this cemetery, a Norwegian burying place near their church, south of Liberty Pole, and also a few private burying grounds.

Dr. George A. Swain was one of the pioneers of Vernon county. He was a native of Ohio. His parents were from Pennsylvania, and his paternal father was a soldier in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Mr. Swain's parents died when he was quite small and he was reared on a farm. He was married in Ohio to Anna Hay, and a few years after suffered the loss of a leg by the falling of a tree. After this accident he turned his attention to the study of medicine and removed from Wood to Wayne county, in the same State. He subsequently located in Wayne Co., 111., and in 1845 came to Vernon Co., Wis. He settled in a small setllement afterward called New IJrookville, and was engaged in farming. He was proliably the first pliysician in Vernon county, and as such his professional services were much in requisition. The county was sparsely settled and a call for tlie "doctor" would probably come from the distant parts of the county. A long ride through forests and underbrush, and small, if any, remuneration was often the result of such calls; but Dr. Swain never faltered when sickness demanded his attention, and many an early settler remembers him with heartfelt gratitude. In 1879 he removed to Kansas. Himself and wife had seven children, six living - Henry V., Jonathan H., John J., Allan L., R. B and William M. Their other child, Julia, died at the early age of eight years. The family are all residents of Bourbon and Rock Co's., Kansas with one exception. Jonathan H. resides on a portion of the old homestead on section 21. He was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, March 1, 1835, and accompanied his father to this county. He enlisted in the 50th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was in the army about one year and four months. He married Louisa Strieker, daughter of William Strieker. They have three sons and one daughter - Lemard W., Hobart F., Eftie A. M. and Frank W. Mr. Swain's farm contains 114 acres.

Michael Ilinksl owns a fine farm of 240 acres onsection 31. He was born in YorkCo., Penn., March 10, 1817, and when eight years of age removed to Ohio with his parents. When a young man he spent ten years at various points in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, engaged in farming and mining. He was employed in the lead mines in Grant Co., Wis., as early as 1830. On Aug. 6, 1847, he came into Vernon county and located in what is now Franklin town, and is tlie earliest settler now residing in the town. Otiiers came before he did, but they have moved away or have died. Mr. Hinkst is a man of good education and possesses a valuable fund of general information. He was the second superintendent of schools for the town and held that position eight years. He has also served as chairman of the board and clerk of the town. Mr. Hinkst was married Oct. 19, 1852, to Eliza Fisher, born in Crawford Co., Penn., Aug. 13, 1824. She removed to Wisconsin with her j)arent8 when quite young. She died in the town of Franklin, in

June, 1S63. Mrs. Hinkst was the mother of four children - George, who resides in Virginia City, Nev., and tliree daughters - Jane, Lydia and May. Ail were students at the State Normal School at Platteviile, and are now engaged in teaching school.

Jacob Higgins was one of the earlier settlers of Franklin town, and is well remembered by the pioneers. He was born near Ithica, N. Y., Oct. 2, 1802, and was there reared, receiving a good education. He taught school in New York in early life, and then went to Michigan, where he opened a store and was engaged in mercantile pursuits. On Nov. 10, 1842, he there married Phebe Wisel, and seven years later came to Vernon (then known as Bad Ax) county, Wis., arriving May 10, 1849. He located at Liberty Pole, and immediately bought a quarter section of land on sections 25 and 26, town 12 north, range 5 west. He continued in mercantile pursuits, was also postmaster of what was then known as Bad Ax postoffice, and continued in that office until his death. He held various town offices. In March,

1857, he removed his family dn his farm one mile west of Liberty Pole, where he permanently settled, and was a prominent and well respected citizen up to his death, which occurred Sept. 4,

1858. Mrs. Higgins was born at Parma, Cattaraugas Co., N. Y., and removed to Indiana with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have two living children - Sidney, who was born in Steuben Co., Ind., Sept. 2, 1843, has always lived on the old homestead, married Lucy A., daughter of Jesse Davis, an early settler of this town. They have four children. Judson the second son, was born in St. Joseph Co., Mich., Aug. 11, 1845, married Alice Robson, and has four children. Zuleima, the only daughter, was born at White Pigeon, Mich., Dec. 28, 1847, and died on the old homestead, Feb. 16, 1868.

Chautauqua county, in his native State, to Permelia Sherwin. He removed his family to the village of Harmonsburg, Crawford Co., Penn., and there resided until 1846. In the latter year he loaded up his family and household effects, and with a team of oxen as the motive power, started westward over the mountains of Pennsylvania. He traversed the hilly country of eastern Ohio, and tiie flat prairies of northern Indiana, and finally stopped at Janesville. Rock Co., Wis. In 1851 Mr. Southwick removed his family to Vernon county and purchased a claim of State land of L. D. Smith, at that time a merchant of Liberty Pole. 'i his land was located on section 28, and was farmed by Mr. Southwick until his decease. He died July 17, 1860, leaving a wife and six children. Mr. Southwick learned the carpenter and joirer trade in New York, and followed it for some years after locating here. Mrs. Southwick resides at Salem, Oregon, with her three youngest children - Frank, Mary and Ella. The other children are as follows - Sarah E., wife of David Cary, resides near Soldier's Grove; Milton and Nancy A., wife of Myron Goodell; Amy and Matilda (Brown) are dead. Milton, the eldest son, resides on the home farm, which now comprises 130 acres. He was born in Crawford Co., Penn., in 1836, and was fifteen years of age when his parents came to this county. During the war he enlisted in the 6th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served about two years. He married Juliette, daughter of Ransom Lamb, who was one of the early settlers of this county. They are the parents of eleven children, all living - Aniasa R., Maria J., Burnhara, Ada, Emma, Lucy, Myrtia, Edna, Vesta, Helen and Frank B. Mr. Southwick has also served his neighbors and fellow citizens as chairman of the board of supervisors, road supervisor and town treasurer for several terms.

near Hull, Yorkshire, England, March 9,1811. He emigrated to the United States with his father, Thomas Cade, in 1830. The family settled in Michigan, where the father resided till his death. On Aug. 3, 1853, Mr. Cade came to the town of Franklin, and located on a farm he had purchased of James McColloch the preceding June. Some five acres of this farm were improved when Mr. Cade became its owner, and he immediately began to clear the land and cultivate the soil. He was the first person to experiment in fruit growing in Vernon county. In 1854-55, he set out 300 trees, consisting mostly of apples and plums. He also set out three pear trees which bore large and excellent flavored fruit for a few years, and then stopped bearing. In 1854 he went back to Michigan and bought a flock of sheep, which he took to his new home. These were among the first sheep ever brought into Vernon county. His farm now consists of 200 acres. Mr. Cade married Lydia Read, a native of Tompkins Co., N. Y., and a niece of Daniel Read, in whose honor the village of Readstown bears its name. Mr. and Mrs. Cade have had eight children, six living - George B., Henry R., Joseph D , John W., Isabell and David A. The deceased were Elizabeth and Jonathan G., the latter a twin of David A.

William Clawater, of Liberty Pole, is one of the early and well known settlers of Vernon county. He settled in this town Oct. 21, 1853. He was born at Rock Haven, Clinton Co., Penn., in lf-25, and came to the town of Franklin Oct. 1, 1853. He was married in Pennsylvania, and came here with his family. His father, William Clawater, came here at the same time, and lived with his son until his decease. Mr. Clawater and father were the only members of the family that ever came to Franklin town, i He had five brothers and four sisters; two of the former and one of the latter are still living. I His oldest brother, Cornelius H., lives at Stcwartville, Mo., John F. in Donophon Co., Kan., and his sister Jane, wife of D. M. McDonald, I resides at St. Josej^h, Mo. Mr. Clawater married Elizabeth E. Hogue, a native of Indiana. They have ten children, three sons and seven daughters - Mary A., wife of Lloyd Coe; Jessie, wife of Thomas Kelly; Jennie, Louis, Kate, Belle, Edna, Forestine, Ray and Wade. Mr. Clawater's general occupation has been farming. He has 256 acres of land in his home farm, also owns land elsewhere. He has been chairman and member of the town board of supervisors for about twenty years.

John Fortney resides on section 33, and is a son of Thomas Fortney, who became a resident of the town of Franklin in 1856. Thomas Fortney was born in Lysters, Bergens stift, Norway, Feb. 4. 1816. He learned the blacksmith's trade in his native land, and came to the United States in 1853. He bought a tract of land of George P. Taylor, and the residue of his farm from the State. He still resides on section 4, where he first settled. Mr. Fortney married Susan Ottum, and eight children have been born to them - John, the eldest son, was born in Dane Co., Wis., in 1855. He bought his farm, now comprising 240 acres, of David Carrey. His wife is a native of Norway. The second son is Ole, born in Vernon county in 1858, also married and owning 265 acres of land on section 32. The other children are Hans, Arne, Katherine, Thomas, Christian and Christina.

Robert Hornby came to Franklin with ''Ca])- tain" Cade in 1853. He was born in Canada in 1832, and accompanied his father's family to Michigan in 1841. Mrs. Hornby died there and Mr. Hornby, in 1851, went to California, returned to Michigan in 1856, and came to Vernon Co., Wis., residing witli liis son Robert until his death, Oct. 15, 1874. K<)l)ert has been a resident here for thirty years, and owns a farm of 203 acres on sections 26 and 35. He married Margaret Getler, a native of New York, and daughter of Ferdinand Getler. They liave been given five children, four sons and one

Among the early settlers of the town of Franklin, is Andrew J. Johnson, who resides on section 19, of town 12 north, of range 4 west, (town of Franklin), where he settled in November, 1853, on government land. Mr. Johnson was born in Albemarle Co., Va., in 1819, where he lived till seventeen years of age, when he removed with his parents, William R., and Francis Jolmson, to Alton, 111. In 1846 Mr. Johnson came to Lafayette Co., Wis., when that State was yet a territory. He came here from that county. His father went to Lafayette county in 1847, and came here with his son, in 1853, with whom he lived until his death in 1861, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. His wife died in Illinois. Mr. Johnson was married in Alton, 111., to Elizabeth Brown, who died in this town July 9, 1872. He has six children - William O., A. F., Anna, wife of Fayette Tainter, Edwin R., Fannie, wife of Nathaniel Bowman, and Mary, now Mrs. Burleigh. Mr. Johnson's farm contains 170 acres. He is one of the substantial citizens of the town of Franklin. He has been a member of the town board and also a school director. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Liberty Pole.

Jacob D.ich was one of the earlj' settlers of this town. He was born in Alsaee-Loraine, then a province of France, in 1810, and lived there during early life. He was there married to Mary Miller, and four children were born to them, two daughters and two sons. The two former died, and in 1854 Mr. Dach, wife and t.vo sons, emigrated to America. They came directly to Vernon county, where they joined Mr. Dach's brother, Christian, who had preceded them a year. They purchased of Elisha Inmau, a farm of 160 acres, and both brothers went to work to improve the land. The country was new, also the farm, but both were energetic and hopeful, and soon the land was cleared and cultivated. As time progressed, Mr. Dach added to his first purchase, and at the time of his death was the largest land-holder in the town of Franklin, and was successful beyond expectation. He first lived in a log house, 12x16 feet in size, and at present the improvements on the Dach lands are not surpassed by any in the town. 'J'he brother. Christian, died Jan. 26, 1875, and our subject April 28, 1876. The widow and the two sons reside on the farm, which now consists of 557 acres. Jacob, the eldest son, was born in Alsace-Loraine, Jan. 10, 1846, and married Lizzie, daughter of John A. Gross. They have three children - Mary, Lizzie and Jacob. Daniel, the younger son, was born in Alsace-Loraine, Feb. 15, 1849 and is yet unmarried.

Ole T. Torgar resides on section 28, and is' a son of Torgar O. Fortney, the earliest Norwegian settler in the town of Franklin, havinf» located here in 1854. Torgar O. Fortney was born in Bergen stift, Norway, in April, 1807, and was married in his native land. In 1848 he emigrated to the United States, and located at Cottage Grove, Dane Co., Wis., where he bought and improved a farm. On June 15, 1854, he came into Yernon county, and purchased of the government a tract of land lying in the two towns, Franklin and Kickapoo. He erected a house on the part that lies on section 15, of Franklin town, and resided there until his death, which sad event occurred I"eb. 18, 1880. When he, Fortney, came to Vernon county his family consisted of a wife and four children - Ole T., Cordelia, Daniel, who now resides on the home farm, and Christina, the youngest. Ole T. Torgar was born in Norway, Oct. 11, 1838, and located on his present farm of 240 acres, June 6, 1871. He has been twice married. His first wife was Susan Larson, with whom he lived for fourteen years. Siie was the mother of seven children - 'J'orgar T. O., Carrie, Jane C, Olena, Louisa, Susanna and Soren. His present wife was Johanna Solonson. They have four children - Ellen C, Samuel O., Maria and George A.

William Smith, an industrious and enterprising farmer, owns a farm of 102 acres, on section 17. He was born in Vinton Co., Ohio, March 19,1851. His father, John Smith, came from La Fayette Co., Wis., to this county in the fall of 1855. He first located in the town of Viroqua, but in December, 1866, removed to the town of Franklin, where he now resides on section 17. William Smith settled in Franklin town in 1875, purchasing his farm of Daniel Aikens. This farm was first settled by William P. Hayter, who is now a resident of the to,wn of Viroqua. When Mr. Smith bought the land, only twenty acres was improved. He has developed fifty-seven acres into fertile fields, and put good and substantial improvements thereon. Mr. Smith did not desire to see the great Smith family disappear from off the face of the earth. He married Melinda J. Aikens, also a native of Ohio. They have two children - Daniel Elmer and Benjamin F.

Philip Biddison came to this county in June, 1856. He resides on section 22, town 12 north, of range 4 west, and made his location soon after coming to the county, purchasing a quarter section of State land. Mr. Biddison was born in Baltimore Co., Md., near the city of Baltimore, in 1815, but was principally reared in eastern Ohio. His father, William Biddison, was a native of Maryland, and after removing to Ohio, located on a farm where he resided till his death, at the advanced age of ninety years. Mr. Biddison grew to manhood on a farm. He was married at the age of twenty-three and about that time left farming and settled in the village of Oakfield, Ohio, and engaged in manufacturing. Since he came to Vernon county, he has been engaged exclusively in agricultural pursuits. He was married in Ohio to Elizabeth McFarland. They have five children - James E., Sarah J., Samuel D., Sena A. and Philip, all natives of Ohio. Mr. Biddison has 340 acres of land, about 250 of which is under cultivation.

He was born in the parish of Dalton,in the south of Scotland, July 6, 1806, and came over to America when a young man. His father died in Scotland, in 1817, and his mother came to this country with her son, and lived with him until her death, which occurred Oct. 12, 1863, at the age of ninety-seven years. Mr. Henderson finally settled at Monument Rock, Franklin town, in this county, where he died Jan. 1, 1878. He was a well-read man, taking pride in the possession of a large and well selected library, containing mostly those works relating to science and religion. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a punctual attendant at its services. On Dec. 9, 1837, Mr. Henderson was married in Delaware Co., Ohio, to Irena Page, a native of Broome Co., N. Y., born Sept. 22, 1819. The fruits of this union were the birth of seven children, only two of whom are living-John W.,who owns the old homestead, and Irena, wife of William O. Johnson. Thomas, the eldest son, died in 1854, aged sixteen years, while attending school at Dubuque, Iowa. Alexander was a member of company F, 8th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and died at St. Louis, Mo., July 15, 1863, of wounds received in battle. John W. married Hattie, daughter of Oscar Henry, and resides on the home farm of ItiO acres.

Felix K. Van Wagner was born in I'^lster Co., N. Y., in 1827. He married Mary Gorsline in 1848; removed to Calhoun Co., 111., in October of the same year; remained theie until 1852; removed to Grant Co., Wis.; lived there until 1856 ; moved to Vernon county and settled on section 13, town of Franklin. Remained there until 1864. Moved with his family to Viroqua, in said county of Vernon ; enlisted in the 42d regiment as a sergeant and I was detached from the regiment as chief of ' military police. Remained in that position until discharged at the close of the war, when he came home and remained in Viroqua until 1^67. Bought the farm of 120 acres on section 18, town of Franklin, of John Anderson, first settled on by Mr. Eaton. Mr. and Mrs. Van Wagner have had eight children, of whom three died in infancy, one, at the age of twenty, and four are now living - Saraii, wife of Alexander Morrison, deceased ; Mary, wife of Daniel Wise ; Augustus and Etta.

William Cox resides on section 15, where he located many years ago. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1835, and when quite young was taken to raise by his uncle, Rev. John Whitworth. In 1S50 Mr Co.x accompanied Mr. Whitworth and family to the United States. They came to Wisconsin and located in Vernon county. Mr. Cox purchased the farm where he now resides from Mr. Whitworth. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the 18th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Champion Hills, Jackson, siege of Vicksburg, Altoona, and with "Sherman marched down to the sea." He married Jane J., daughter of Abner Conkling. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have four children - Lester W., Edwin W., Erminine B. and Harvey T.

George W. Bush is a lite resident of Vernon county. His father, George Bush, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania, in 1810. He was there married and five children were born to him. His wife died and he again married, this time to Mrs. Eliza (Suit) Connor. They came to Vernon county in 1853 and settled at Viroqua. Mr. Bush was landlord of the old "Buckeye House" for several years, and afterward carried the mail and passengers on the stage route between Viroqua and Prairie du Chien. In 1859 he came to Franklin town and bought a farm on section 20, where he lived till his death, Feb. 28, 1875. The children by his first wife were named Elias, Morris, Mary, Emily and Theodore. His second wife was the mother of three children - Harriet, Sarah and George. Mrs. Bush died in December, 1868. George W. was born on the old homestead, April 26, 1857. He married Bibalonia, daughter of John Smith, born in Vernon county. They have one son -

Oscar S. Henry has been a resident of Vernon county since 1851, and is classed among the pioneers. He resides on section 18, of this town, on a farm owned by H. D. Williams, of Viroqua. Mr. Henry was formerly a resident of Illinois, and in the fall of 1851 came to Vernon county with his brother, Samuel. In the summer of 1852 he bought some land in the town of Viroqua and converted it into a good farm. This farm he subsequently sold to Ralph Hall, and it is now owned by his widow, Mrs. Martha Hall. In 1862 Mr. Henry came into the town of Franklin, where he has since resided. He has been a justice of the peace for four years. While living in Illinois Mr. Henry married Lucinda Bowman, who was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 3, 1835. She went to Illinois with her father, Nicholas Bowman, when eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Henry are the parents of three children - Mary, wife of Albert Brott; Phineas S. and Hattie, wife of John Henderson.

Knudt Hoverson made a settlement in this town in 1862. He was born in Bergen Stift, Norway, in 1806, and came to America the same year, he located in Vernon county. His second son, Martin, preceded him one year, and enlisted in Dane Co., Wis., in the 11th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and died at St. Louis, Mo., while in the service. The eldest son, Hans, remained in Norway. Mr. Hoverson first purchased eighty acres of land on section 15, and since then has increased his farm to 320 acres. Mr. Hoverson has two children living in the town of Franklin - Martha and Einar. The latter was born in Norway, in 1845, and lives with his father on the home farm. He married Betsey S. Thompson, and they have four children living - Knudt M., Johanna, Sever and Rodina. They lost one son, Soren.

William Clements settled here in 1863. He was born in Athens Co., Ohio, and is a son of John Clements, who died in 1880. His paternal grandfather, James Clements, was the first settler in Athens Co., Ohio. He was a Spaniard by birth, and educated for the priesthood. He never adopted his profession. William Clements located in the town of Franklin, and purchased forty acres of land of Thomas Munyon. The remainder of his land he bought from Eleph Divie. He married Jane, daughter of Thomas Munyon, and they have nine children, seven sons and two daughters.

Lutlier Thompson resides on section 33, where he settled in 1863. He was born in December, 1839, in Bergen Stift, Norway, where he lived until 1855, and then came to America with his father, Andrew Thompson ; the latter died in the town of Franklin, Vernon county, in March, 1875. Mr. Thompson located here in 1863, purchasing a farm of 140 acres of Nelson Cady. Mrs. Thompson came to this country with her father, John O. Svecn, in 1857. The latter died in Christiana town, in December, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have five children - Thomas, Ida Marie, Albert Julius, Emma Jonnete and Thea Chrisdine. Osten Johnson Sveen, who resides with Mr. Thompson, was born in Gudbrands Dalen, Norway, Feb. n, 1842, and came to the United States with his father, John Anderson Sveen, in 1857. The latter died in the town of Christiana, Dec. 7, 1878. Mr. Osten J. Sveen has no family lion. Christian Ellefson came to this town in 1866, and now owns a farm of 280 acres on section 14. Mr. Ellefson was born in Lysters, Hergen Stift, Norway, April 20, 1842. He received a good education, and in 1860 emigrated to America He lived for a short time each in Dane Co., Wis., Dakota, Sioux Ciiy, Iowa, and in 1866, settled in the town of Franklin. Mr. ICllefson has been a prominent citizen for many years. He has been chairman of the town board and treasurer and assessor of the town. He was committed to the interests of the republican party until 1878, when he was the nominee of the independent part for assemblyman. He was elected, and re-elected in 1882, by 288 majority out of a total of 1,543 votes. Ills wife was Lena Michael, a native of Norway. They have six children.

Ferdinand Getier was one of the settlers that located in the spring of 1855. He leased a farm for several years, and finally bought land in the town of Sterling. He purchased his present farm of James Hornby in February, 1869. He now owns 179 acres. Mr. Getier was born at Schoharie, Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1815. He is a son of William Getier, who was of German parentage and born on board the vessel which brought the famous La Fayette to our shores to espouse the cause of American liberty. He located with his parents in eastern New York, and died at Schoharie Court House at the age of over 100 years. Ferdinand Getier learned the tailortrade in his native town, and followed it for many years, bolii before and after coming to Wisconsin. When he came to Vernon county he was very poor, and his wife assisted him athis trade for many years, and to lier is entitled much of the credit of their success in life. Mrs. Getler's maiden name was Ellen Van Dusen, of Holland descent. Her father, .Facob Van Dusen, died when she was quite a child, and her mother still resides with her daughter at an advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Getier are the parents of twelve children, eight living - Helen J., divorced wife of James Hornby; Margaret, wife of Robert Hornby; Benjamin, John, William, Samantha, wife of James Latshaw; Cornelia, wife of Willard Bowman and Carrie, wife of William Jackson. Three of their sons were in the Union army. Ferdinand was a member of the 18th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and accidently killed at Jackson, Miss.

Ole E. Soloi, who resides on section 33, and is better known as Ole Ericson, was born in the village of Havslo, Bergen Stift, Norway, July 4, 1833. He came to the Uuiled Sutes in 1856, and located at Sparta, in Monroe Co., Wis., and afterward at West Prairie, in the town of Sterling, in this county. In 1861 he married Betsey A. Thompson, and in March, 1866, he came to the town of Franklin, and bought a farm of Mr. Richards, one of the early settlers of the town. This farm now comprises 120 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Soloi have four children - Edward E., born at Sparta, Wis., in 1862; Thom, in the town of Sterling, in 1864; Henry, born in 1866 and Peter, in the town of Franklin, in 1869.

Benjamin Williams resides on section 18, town 12 north, of range 4 west. He bought his farm in 1876 of T. B. Appell. He settled in Vernon county in 1366. Mr. Williams was born in South Wales in 1839. He there learned the trade of a blacksmith and came to the Uniterl States in 1866, the same year that he settled in the county. He located first at De Soto, and engaged in work at his taade, and went to Viroqua in 1872, where he also followed blacksmithing. His farm contains ninety-five acres. He married in Wales, Elizabeth Deere. Her father was John Deere. Mr. Williams' father also bore the Christian name of John. Mr. Williams at his present location is engaged in farming and blacksmitliing.

N. Christian Peterson is the present wagon maker at Liberty Pole. He was born in Denmark, in lS3o, and there learned the wagon maker's trade. He emigrated to tie United States in 1869, and came direct to the town of Franklin, succeeding Peter Jacobson in the wagon business. Mr. Peterson is an excellent workman, a man of intelligence and highly respected by the entire community.

Knudt Peterson is a member of the firm of Fortney & Peterson, dealers in general merchandise, at the village of Liberty Pole. He was born at Utica, Crawford Co., Wis., in 185.'i. His father, Nels Peterson Bjorkem, was a na tive of Norway and an early settler in Crawford county. Mr. Peterson came to Liberty Pole in 1874 and was a clerk for Williams Bros., until

1878. He was then employed in the same capacity by Geo. H. Tate & Sou, of Readstown and remained with them one and a half years. Returning to Liberty Pole, he clerked for C. D. Williams until Nov. 1,1882, when the preseni firm purchased the stock of goods of Mr. Williams and have succeeded him in the business. Mr. Daniel T. Fortney, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Kickapoo town, this county; is a farmer.

Andrew Burns is an old settler of the State of Wisconsin, but has resided in Vernon county only a few years. He was born in county Kildare, Ireland, about 1822, and lived there until twelve years of age. His parents, Peter and Margaret Burns, died in Ireland, and Andrew came to the United States when about seventeen years of age, with his brother Thomas, who now resides in Chicago. Mr. Burns first stopped at Fall River, Mass., where he worked in the fruit factory of Andrew Robinson and made his home with his employer. In 1846 he located in the town of Cedarburg, now in Ozaukee county where he lived seven years. In June, 1854, he removed to Crawford county and seven years later to the town of Bangor, La Crosse county. Inl876 he came to Vernon county and bought of Eldad Rogers, a farm on seition 30, now comprising 220 acres of land and well improved. Mr. Burns was married in New Jersey to Sarah Booth, who is a native of Hudson, N. Y., and removed to New Jersey with her parents when five years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Burns have had eight children, three living - Sarah, wife of Edward Riley, of La Crosse, Marcella and Peter J. Louis N., Mary A., Lucinda and two infants are dead.

Abram Newville owns a farm of 120 acres on section 14. He is a son of Jeremiah Newville, who was one of the pioneers of Franklin town. Mr. Newville was born near Albany, N. Y., in 1-10, where he was reared. He married Rachel Lawson and removed to Michigan. He subsequently located in Illinois, and went from there to Vernon Co., Wis. He settled on the farm his son Abram now owns, where he lived till his death, which occurred about 1860. Abram was born in New York and came to Vernon county some years after his father. He married Mrs. Jane (Davis) Pidcock, a native of Pennsylvania, 'hey have one son, Jeremiah, who resides on a farm near his parents. Mrs. Newville had three children by her former husband-Hugh, Letitia and John C.