Genoa City Village

Genoa City Village

This village of about three hundred inhabitants is situated in the southeastern part of the town, near the northern State line of Illinois, and on the east side of Nippersink Creek. The Rockford & Kenosha Railroad passes through the village, and the Chicago & Northwestern along its eastern line. It is not incorporated. Genoa contains a postoffice, one flour mill, a planing mill, lumber yard, two carriage shops, one general black- smith and repairing establishment, a good hotel, three general stores, one drng and grocery store, one hardware store, one tailor, one shoemaker, and two saloon-keepers.

G-enoa Flour Mills. - The original building was erected in 1851, by James F. Dickerson. It then h;id two (2) run of stone; it now has four, with a capacity of 50 bbls. of flour and 350 bu. of feed per day. The main building is three-and-one-half stories, 60 X 80 ft., with three wings, and the property is valued at $15,000. J. A. Pierce, of Sugar Creek, is the owner, but the mill is operated by G. W. Pierce. The particular brands manufactured are : " Snow Bank " and " Cook's Delight." The mill is operated by water power, there being a fall of 16 ft. at this point.

W. J. Miller ^ Sons. - These flourishing wagon and carriage works were established by Mr. Miller in 1850. Besides manufacturing these articles he does a general repairing and blacksmithing business. The above partnership was formed in 1872, and additions were made to his buildings three years ago. The " Miller Wagon," so called, is standard.

Planing Mill, - The planing mill was built in 1869, and since then has been owned and operated by Robert Wegg. The property is valued at about $4,000. Mr. Wegg employs from .5 to 8 hands.

A neat Httle hotel, the Manor House, was built in 1871, and is the only one in the village. It is owned by Eli Manor, and conducted by his son, F. A.

This little village, which contains so many germs of growth, was first platted by James F. Dickerson, May 9 and 10, 1850. Mr. Dickerson died in a few years, and Adolph Freeman married his widow. In 185.5-6, two additions to the original plat were made by Mr. Freeman.

The Congregational Church was organized in the school house at the center of tli£ township on April 15th, 1846, by Rev. M. L. Rodgers, assisted by Rev. L. Hall. On February 25, 1852, this church changed its place of worship to the Village of Genoa Junction. It was organized with thirteen members. Its present membership is forty-two. The total number who have held a membership in the church since its organization, is one hundred and twenty-seven. This church has had four pastors, viz.. Revs. M. L. Rodgers, J. V. Dowes, C. C. Caldwell and F. J. Douglass. The latter has lately moved to Iowa. During apart of the time it has been supplied temporarily by students from the Chicago Theological Sem. In 1865, a ciiurch edifice was erected at a cost of about $3,300, and in 1872 a,bell purchased at a cost of about $150.

Church of the Holy Communion, Bloomfield. - On the 20th of August, 1848, the Right Reverend Jackson Kemper, Bishop of the Northwest, at that time including Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, held the morning service of the Episcopal Church at the house of Mr. William H. Whiting, in the town of Bloomfield, Wisconsin. He then baptized Esther Elizabeth Whiting, who was the first person baptized in the present parish of the Holy Communion, Bloomfield. He also administered the Holy Communion to John Sibley, Mrs. John Sibley, W. H. Whiting, Mary Jane Whiting and Mrs. Catharine Whiting. At this time, the Bishop advised that a parisii should be organized, and that the church services should be kept up by lay readers until such time as the ministrations of a clergyman could be procured. On the 8th of October, 1848, the parish was formally organized under the title of the " Church of the Holy Communion, Bloomfield, Wisconsin." The following ofiQcers were elected: John Sibley, Wm. H. Whiting, wardens; Samuel Allen, Robert Moore, Chas. Sibley and Royal Sikes, as vestrj'men. John Sibley and Wm. H. Whiting were appointed the bishop as lay readers. On the 29th of September, 1849, the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, Rev. John McNamara arrived as rector of the parish, being sent out by the Church of the Holy'Communion, New York City, of which the Rev. Dr. Wm. A. Muhlenberg (author of the hymn " I would not live alway") was the rector. The Church of the Holy Communion, Bloomfield, was the second of that name in the United States. On the 10th of March, 1850, the Rev. Mr. McNamara preached his farewell sermon and went from this parish to found the Church of the Holy Communion in Geneva, being the third church of that name.

During this time were baptized : William Van Rensselaer High, Susan Christian,, Llewellyn Christian, Charles Harris High, Nathaniel Rue High, now the Rev. Mr. High, of Toledo, Ohio. Thomas High, George R. Allen, Wm. H. Allen, Henry Donahue, Geo. H. Christian and Dr. Clarkson Miller.

The present church edifice was erected in 1849. It was intended only as a temporary structure, the vestry expecting aid from the New York parish to build at some future day a substantial church of brick. It is of wood, cruciform in shape, with a chancel and two transepts and tower. The length, including chancel, is 40 feet, the width 20 feet, with recess transepts north and south, 10x11 feet, in one of which is placed the organ.

The organ was placed in the church in December, 1849, and I think was the only pipe organ in the southern tier of counties, between the Rock River and the lake.

After the Rev. Mr. McNamara left, the Rev. Wm. S. Ludlam, of New York City came and took charge, on the 28th of December, 1851. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Peters, and then the Rev. Mr. Studley came in 1854.

After this there was no settled clergyman, but the services were kept up by Mr. Samuel Allen and Mr. John Christian as lay readers, until 1862 when arrangements were made with the Church of the Holy Communion in Geneva, by which the services of the clergymen officiating there were secured for the morning of one Sunday in every month. This was commenced October 19, 1862, by Rev. Wm. Dafter, the succession since he left being as follows : Rev. George N. James, December 25, 1864 ; Rev. Mr. Babcock, November 9, 1866 ; Rev. Wm. A. Armstrong, July 19. 1868 ; Rev. Robert B. Wolseley, February 1, 1874 ; Rev. R. T. Kerfoot, January 21, 1877.

Several members of the first Sunday-School have distinguished themselves as clergymen, merchants, and in other vocations to which they applied themselves. Tiiree are wealthy and prominent manufacturers, two are clergyman, one an officer in the navy, and one whose name is mentioned as an incentive to all poor boys. Bernard Donahue, the son of a poor widow, by his correct deportment, sobriety, and industry passed successfully through his apprenticeship to a manufacturer, became an expert in mining operations, and was recently mentioned favorably in the newspapers of New York as having acquired a fortune of two hundred thousand ($200,000) dollars. He is now residing with his family at the pleasant village of Yonkers, on the Hudson.

The church property consists of the church edifice and five acres of land used as a cemetery. There are no debts. The present number of communicants is about thirty.

Town Roster

1845: Supervisors - Cyrus Rugg, chairman, Amos Stafford, Dan Rowe; Town^ clerk - Jason Fobes ; Treasurer - John Wood ; Justices of the Peace - Cyrus Rugg, Geo. Field, Samuel Allen and Dan Rowe.

1855: Supervisors - W. D. Chapin, chairman, Ira Williams, Joseph Fuller; Town clerk - W. W. Byington ; Treasurer - John Chapin ; Justices of the Peace - Dan Rowe,

1858 : Supervisors - Gyrus Rugg, chairman, E. Woodman, A. Stafford ; Town clerk - W. W. Belden ; Treasurer - Homer Field; Justices of the Peace - G. R. Foster, Joel Wasliburne.

1860: Supervisors - W. D. Chapin, chairman, J. G. Meritt, E. B. Carter; Town clerk - G. C. Perry ; Treasurer - Solon Reed : Justice of the Peace - Joel Washburne.,

1861: Supervisors - W. D. Chapin, chairman, Robert Cobb, A. Freeman; Town clerk - G. C. Perry ; Treasurer - Solon Reed ; Justices of the Peace - G. C. Perry, D. C. Blakeman.

1862: Supervisors - A. Freeman, chairman, Ira Williams, Robert Cobb; Town clerk - I. A. Hart ; Treasurer - Solon Reed ; Justices of the Peace - I. A. Hart, Horace Johnson, J. S. Stilson.

1863: Supervisors - W. D. Chapin, chairman, A. Freeman, A. H. Abell ; Town clerk - C. W. Sibley ; Treasurer - Ira Williams ; Justices of the Peace - Amos Stafford, G. G. Perry.

1864 : Supervisors - W. D. Chapin, chairman, O. Kimball, Amos Stafford ; Town clerk - Ghas. A. Noyes, Jr.; Treasurer - Solon Reed; Justices of the Peace - D. C. Blakeman, G. R. Foster.

1866: Supervisors - Amos Stafford, chairman, Sidney Buell, Morris Read ; Towu clerk - J. S. Stilson ; Treasurer - Chas. A. Noyes, Jr.; Justices of the Peace - C. R. Foster, Ira Williams.

1867 : Supervisors - Amos Stafford, chairman,Wm. I. Buell, Enos H. Olden ; Town clerk - Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer - Chas. A. Noyes, Jr., Justices of the Peace - Dan Kone, Cyrus Rugg, Chas. A. Noyes, Jr.

1868: Supervisors - T. H. Fellows, chairman, Wm. I. Buell, W. J. Miller; Town clerk - Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer - Chas. A. Noyes, Jr. ; Justices of the Peace - Nathan Harrison, C. R. Foster, Chas. A. Noyes.

1870: Supervisors - Amos Stafford, chairman, Wm. I. Buell, E. B. Carter; Town clerk - A. C. Fowler; Treasurer - Abner Fuller; Justices of the Peace - Homer Field, Nathan Harrison, (vacancy) Amos Stafford.

1872 : Supervisors - Amos Stafford, chairman, Wm. I. Buell, Solon Reed ; Town clerk - Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer - D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace - Nathan Harrison, Frederick Fernald.

1874 : Supervisors - S. W. Benson, chairman, Wm. Forbes, A. H. Abell ; Town clerk - Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer - D.B.Maine; Justices of the Peace - Nathan Harrison, (vacancy) A. KuU, Jr., Sidney Buell.

1875 : Supervisors - S. W. Benson, chairman, Wm. Fobes, A. H. Abell ; Town clerk - Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer - D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace - Milton Carey, A. W. Foster.

1876: Supervisors - A. H. Abell, chairman, S. J.Wilson, Sidney Kidder ; Town clerk - J. M. Carey ; Treasurer - D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace - A. KuU, Jr., Sidney Buell, Nathan Harrison, (vacancy).

1877: Supervisors - A. H. Abell, chairman, W. H. Allen, Sidney Kidder ; Town clerk - J. M. Carey ; Treasurer - D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace - Nathan Harrison, D. B. Maine.

1878 : Supervisors - A. H. Abell, chairman, W. H. Allen, Sidney Kidder ; Town clerk - Frederick Fernald; Treasurer - D.B.Maine; Justices of the Peace - Sidney Buell, Joseph Arnold.

1879: Supervisors - A. H. Abell, chairman, W. H. Allen, Sidney Kidder; Towu clerk - Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer - D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace - D. B. Maine, Nathan Harrison.

1881 : Supervisors - W. D. Chapin, chairman, Sidney Buell, Daniel Forbes; Town clerk - A. W. Foster; Treasurer - D. B. Maine; Justices of the Peace - Nathan Harrison, D. B. Maine, John B. Buell.

Official Notes

At a special town meeting held Nov. 8, 1844, Timothy H. Fellows was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Wm. K. May. Also on June 7, 1844, W. D. Chapin was appointed Town clerk to fill vacancy caused by the removal of Lyman Redington from town.

War History

With the other towns in the county Bloomfieid, sent both men and money to the front. She furnished sixty-eight men, and 120,000 by tax and subscription. The record of this section of the county will be traced in the general war history.

There were, in 1881, 4,391 acres of growing grain, 159 acres of apple orchard, 2,437 acres of mowing and pasturage, and 2,411 acres of growing timber. The number of milch cows was 824, valued at $21,555.

In 1881, there were seven whole and five joint school districts. The number of scholars between the ages of four and twenty was 358, of which number, 231 attended school. There were seven schools, taught by eight teachers, at average monthly wages of $43.75 for male and $27.82 for female teachers. There were seven school houses, valued, including the sites, at $2,700. The annual expenditure for school purposes was $2,348.

WM. H. WHITING was born in Hudson, Columbia County, N. Y.,Aug. 15,1813. In early infancy his mother, who was then a widow, removed to Albany, where he received his education, with the exception of short intervals spent at the academies of Hudson and Kingston, N. Y. In 1829 he became a pupil of the engraving firm of Rawdon, Clark & Co., Alban3% which, with Philadelphia, was at that time tlie headquarters of bank note engraving. New York City has since pretty much monopolized. His father was also an engraver ; a pupil of the celebrated Gideon Fairman, of Philadelphia. On the 18th of August, 1834, Mr. Whiting was married, in the city of Albany, to Mary Jane Christian, a native of that city. Messrs. Rawdon, Clark & Co., having taken in other partners, resolved to remove their establishment to the city of New York. The title of the new firm was Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, and in the Spring of 1836 he followed them, and continued with this firm until 1847. Several years before this he had been admitted as a partner in the firm. Previous to this, that is in 1842, Dewitt C. Hay and Mr. Whiting bought 400 acres of land, part of the farm now occupied by him, of Chirk W. Spaford, and in 1844 made his first visit to Wisconsin. Previous to this, that is in 1843, he erected a small house on said land, or caused it to be erected by John Easter, whom he sent out for that and other purposes connected with the farm. In the Spring of 1847, he, with his family, moved from the city of New York, on to this land and commenced building the brick house in which he now resides. His family at that time consisted of his wife, mother and four children. The first child born in the house was his daughter, Esther, in 1848, and in 1850 his son Robert. There they resided until August, 1851, when they returned to New York, and Mr. W. became a member of the bank note engraving house of Wellstood, Hanks, Hay & Whiting. He continued in this connection until the formation of the American Bank Note (Jompany, which absorbed all the old engraving firms. As Secretary of this company, he remained in the business until 1861, when he once more came to occupy his present farm. He was elected one of the trustees of the American Bank Note Company, and served in that capacity for several years. His daughter, Esther, died November 12, 1866, and his wife November 28, 1879.

Biographical Sketches

CHARLES ALLEN, farmer, Sec. 29; P. 0. Crenoa Junction; son -of Samuel Allen, who was born in the city of Gloucester, England, and came to the United States with his parents when he was a boy. The family resided in New York for a time, and then removed to Albany. The family were engaged in keeping hotel for many years. Mr. Samuel Allen kept hotel at Lake George, and also in Washington County. He went to Michigan with his family in 1839, where he left his family and came to Walworth County and made a looition on Sec. 20, in the town of Bloomfield. He returned to Michigan the same year, and did not settle here with his family until 184L Charles was born in Washington County, N. Y., in 1829. He has been married twice. His first wife was Susan Christian, daughter of John Christian. She died in the spring of 1863. His present wife was Georgiana, daughter of Albert Baker. Mr. Allen has one son by first marriage, Charles Augustus, who resides at Minneapolis ; has three by present wife; Elizabeth, Samuel A. and Susan M. Mr. Allen's farm contains 165 acres.

SAMUEL ALLEN, deceased, was born in the city of Gloucester, England, on June 30, 1789, and moved with his parents to Albany, N. Y., about the year 1800. For thirty years of his life, while living in that State, he was engaged in keeping hotel in Albany, Saratoga Springs, Lansingburg, Lake George and Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y. In 1822, he was married to Maria High, daughter of Charles and Christine High, of Kingsbury, Washington Co., N. Y. In the spring of 1839, Mr. Allen sold his hotel property in Hartford, N. Y., and with his family, consisting of his wife and four children, started for the West. His destination was Geneva. A short time before making this move, he witnessed that historic event, the launching of the Robert Fulton, on the Hudson. He finally embarked, with his family, on a canal boat, at Dunham's Basin, near the Upper Hudson River, for Troy, N. Y., from thence to Buffalo by the Erie Canal. They went from Buffalo to Toledo, on Lake Erie, and from Toledo to South Bend, Ind., by wagon-road. In October, 1839, he left his fiimily in Michigan, and, in company with Oliver High, came by land to Geneva. When at the hotel, the proprietor and guests had the small-pox, but as the country was new and promising, nobody knew of the existence of this disease. While at Geneva, Mr. Allen met the Warrens, Col. John Capron, Surveyor McKaig and other early pioneers, all of whom were enthusiastic and delighted with the country. Mr. McKaig told him that nearly all the desirable land was taken from the Government; but he knew of a good quarter-section. Mr. Allen thereupon purchased land in the southeast quarter of Sec. 20, Town 1, Range 18 east. He moved on to his purchase April 24, 1841, and soon after built a frame house, a decided curiosity at that time. Here he continued to reside, all enjoying remarkable health for a quarter of a century. In 1868, however, then in his 78th year, Mr. Allen passed away, leaving a widow and four sons. Mrs. Allen died in 1879. Bloomfield has been the family home for over forty years.

GEORGE R. ALLEN, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Geno Junction; son of Samuel and Maria Allen ; the former was born in Gloucester, England, in 1789, and emigrated to the city of New York with his parents in 1801 ; Mr. Samuel Allen was brought up in the State of New York ; he came West as far as Michigan, with his family, in 1839 ; leaving his family, he came here the same year and bought the farm where his son George now lives; he settled herein 1841, this farm becoming his homestead, where he resided till his death, which occurred in 1856 ; his wife died in June, 1880. The parents of Mr. Allen had five children, four sons and one daughter ; the youngest son was born in Walworth Co., the others in the State of New York ; the sons, all of whom are living, are : Samuel, resides at Roch- -ester, Minn.; Charles, George R. and William H. ; the daughter, Susanna, afterward Mrs. William H. Potork ; she died in the fall of 1879 ; George R., was born in Washington Co., N. Y., in 1838, married Mary Grier, daughter of James Grier, a native of Ireland, but came to this country when a boy ; he lived in Connecticut and other Eastern States till 1842, when he settled in Bloomfield, where he still lives; Mrs. Allen was born in the town of Bloomfield in 1844; Mr. and Mrs. Allen have three children - John S., James G. and Mary C. Mr. Allen's farm contains 310 acres.

WILLIAM H. ALLEN, Sec. 33; was born in the town of Bloomfield, Aug. 2, 1842; married Miss Ann Reek, daughter of John Reek, of the town of Linn. They have two children - Lewis H. and <jreorge J. His farm contains 200 acres ; Mr. George R. Allen has been Assessor of the town of Bloomfield since 1865, except two years.

H. A. ARNOLD, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Geneva ; son of Alanson B. Arnold ; he was born in Indiana in 1846; came to Walworth Co. with his parents in 1865 ; he is a brother of R. B. Arnold, of Geneva, and of Frank L. Arnold, of this town ; he was married to Martha Cranson ; they have two children - Nell E. and Jessie C. ; Mr. A. purchased his farm of H. Merriam and Sidney Buel ; he has 175 acres; Frank L. resides on Sec. 6; he was born in Indiana in 1848; he bought his farm of Allen Merriam in 1877; he married Amelia Beardsley, daughter of Charles Beardsley ; she was born in the town of Linn ; they have one son - Warren ; Mr. Arnold's farm contains 75 acres.

BENJAMIN J. BILL, M. D., Genoa Junction ; he was born at Plainfield, Conn., in 1850 ; he received his literary education at Providence Conference Seminary, East Greenwich, R. I. ; studied medicine in Boston and New York (cities), and during the winter of 1871 and 1872, he attended the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor ; he located here in the practice of his profession in October, 1874; he graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1879. He has been married twice; his first wife was Rebecca Coggeshall, daughter of Dr. S. W. Coggeshall; she died in the fall of 1875 ; his present wife was Miss Sarah Stickland, born in Kenosha Co. They have two children - Benjamin J. and Harriet P.

JOHN B. BUELL, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Slade's Corners, Kenosha Co. ; Mr. Buell was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1825, where he lived till 1855, when he went to the State of Illinois; he came to Burlington, Racine Co., in 1862; he bought the farm which he now owns of Henry and Jones Locke; he has 180 acres ; his wife was Miss Maria Campbell, born in Madison Co., N. Y.; Mrs. Buell died Aug. 23, 1881. Mr. Buell has five children - -Arthur, at Jelferson, Wis.; Emery, Horace, Charles and Hattie. Emery resides at home ; was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1852, married Lonise Miller, a daughter of W. Miller, of Burlington.

SIDNP]Y BUELL, farmer. Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Genoa; son of Ira Biiell ; he was born in Chenango Co. , N. Y., in 1819; he was the first of his father's family who came to Wisconsin ; he came to Bloomfield in the fall of 1845, and taught school the following winter ; in the spring of 1846 he returned to the State of New York, and, with John McKibben, of the town of Linn, drove back a flock of 500 sheep ; the distance traveled was about one thousand miles, and consumed ninety-six days on the route ; he bought the farm where he now lives, of Mr. Rue High, in the spring of 1848; he also located a farm for his father, who came the following year. Mr. Buell has been married twice; his first wife was Mary L. Maynard ; his present wife was Miss Marie Antoinette Holcomb, daughter of Abraham Holcomb, a native of Chenango Co., N. Y.; Mrs. Buell was born in Ashtabula Co.. Ohio. Mr. Buell has seven children, six sons and one dau.^hter; Mr. Buell has 400 acres of land; for miny years he made a specialty of sheep-raising ; at present he devotes much attention to the raising of stock.

W. I. BUELL, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Genoa Junction; son of Ira Buell, who came to Walworth Co. with his family in the fall of 1849, and settled in the town of Linn in the following year ; W. I. was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1828; he came to this town in 1848, and has been a resident here since that time, except about two years that he lived at his father's in the town of Linn. He bought his farm in 1854, of Riue High, where he has since lived; his wife was Frances M. Matthews, daughter of William C. Matthews, who came to Walworth Co. in 1846 ; he afterward settled in Jo Daviess Co., 111., where he resided till his death. Mr. and Mrs. Buell have eight children, seven sons, and one, the youngest, a daughter. Mr. Buell's farm contains 160 acres.

J. M. CAREY, merchant and Postmaster, Genoa Junction ; son of David Carey, who was born in tlie town of New Labanon, Columbia Co., N. Y., and came to Walworth Co. in 1846, and settled in the town of Bloomfield, and engaged in farming; he resided about two years in the town of Wheatland, Kenosha Co.; ho went to California in 1855, and returned in 1872, went back in 1873, and was absent one and one-half years. During the last five years of his life he has lived with his son ; he had six children, five of whom are living. Julian M. was born in Ira Township, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1844; came here with his parents when 2 years old; he enlisted August, 1862, in Co. C, 22d W. V. I., and served until the close of the war. Went to California in 1870, mined two years and returned in 1872. Married Adelia Bywater, Jan. 28, 1874. They have three children - Grace, Myrtle and D. William. Mr. Carey went into the mercantile business here in April, 1874, and was appointed Postmaster, August, 1879.

WILLIAM D. CHAPIN, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Genoa Junction ; he was born in Franklin Co., Mass., April 28, 1814 ; his parents were John and Clarissa (Patterson) Chapin ; when 14 years of age, he removed with his parents to Nunda, Livingston Co., N. Y. ; he came to Geneva, Walworth Co., June 4, 1837, and made a claim on Sec. 6, in the town of Bloomfield ; he went to New York in September, 1838; the same season returned with his father's family ; his father bought a claim of Henry Kimball, on Sec. 6, which he made a homestead. The parents of Mr. Chapin had eleven children who grew to maturity, only sis of whom are living - William D., J. Patterson, John, Lyman, Monroe and Mrs. Maryette Gifford. Mr. Chapin lost three sisters in 1881, within a space of six months. Two brothers were in the army during the rebellion ; Monroe enlisted in 1862, in the 22d W. V. I., served one and one-half years, and was discharged for disability ; Lyman served for a time in an Iowa regiment. Mr. Chapin was married to Miss Loret Hyde, daughter of David W. Hyde ; she was born in Bennington Co., Vt., in 1824, and came to Walworth Co. with her parents in 1846; they settled in the town of Linn. Mr. Chapin is the only member of his father's family now residing in Walworth Co. ; his father died Dec. 29,1865; his mother April 23, 1873. He settled where he now lives in November, 1840. His farm contains 298 acres of land.

OTTO FREEMAN, retired lumber dealer, Genoa Junction ; son of Carl Freeman, who was born in Sweden; in. 1783; he was a prominent man in his native country, Sweden, and held, at various times. Government offices ; he wished his children to live under a Republican form of government ; in July, 1838, he came to the United States and brought with him six sons, the eldest remaining at home, and located on a farm in the town of Wheatland, Kenosha Co.; he left four of his sons on the farm, the fifth returning to Sweden with his fotlier, who soon after returned to his native land. Mr. Carl Freeman had six sons, Phermongis, the eldest, remaining in Sweden, John, William, Adolphus, Harmon, who returned with his father and Otto; Harmon returned to America and now lives in Kentucky ; but three of the brothers who were brought to this country by their father are living - Harmon, William and Otto. Otto went to California in 1853, and engaged in mining and stock-raising; he was quite successful. Adolphus established the lumber business here about 1858, which he conducted alone until about 1863, when William joined him ; in 1868, Otto joined the firm. Adolphus died in February, 1871; William and Otto then carried on the business until 1870, when they retired. William soon after settled in California. Otto's home is here ; his wife was Miss Miria, daughter of Aurelius Clary. She is a native of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have two children - Lingard C. and Lewis W.

JOSEPH FULLER, farmer. Sec. 35; P. 0. Genoa Junction; was born in ihe town of Lenox, Madison Co., N. Y., in 1814. His father was Abial Fuller. He went to Michigan with his parents in the fall of 1835. He came to Walworth Co. in 1837, but returned to Michigan, and came back in the fall of 1842. He purchased of the Government the farm which he now owns, where he has since lived. His parents came with him in 1842, and resided with him till their death. Parents had ten children when they came to this county, five of whom are living, but he is the only one of his father's family living in Wisconsin. His wife was formerly Mary Ann Ervin, born in Broome Co., N. Y. Her father, James Ervin, came here in 1845; afterward removed to Iowa, where he resided until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of whom are married. Their oldest son, James E., was a member of the 1st W. H. A., during the last year of the rebellion. Mr. Fuller owns 250 acres.

'TIMOTHY H. FELLOWS was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., March 14, 1812; moved to the State of Michigan in 1829, where he was married to Eliza Ann Duncan, daughter of William and Ruth (Gilmore) Duncan, of Sullivan Co., N. H. Mrs. Duncan died in New Hampshire. William Duncan moved, with his family, to Michigan, in 1829, where he died in the year 1852. T. H. Fellows was the son of Abiel and Dorcas Fellows. Abiel Fellows was born in Litchfield Co., Conn., Oct. 1, 1764.

Dorcas Fellows was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., in 1787. T. H. Fellows and family moved to the county of Walworth, Wis., in the year of 1839. They had eleven children born to them ; four were born in the State of Michigan, and seven in Walworth Co., Wis., five of whom died in infancy; and one (Mrs. Peet) died at the age of 22. Their children, now living, are: Gilmore D., who lives in Labette Co., Kan.; Theodore A., who is in Leadville, Colo, (he served four years in the war of the rebellion, and held a Captain's commission at its close) ; Ann Eliza, who resides at Plainville, Cal. ; Mary Avery, who is living at Salsbury, Montana; and Katie L. Reynolds, who lives in this county. T. H. Fellows has held the office of Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for several years, and was elected to the Legislature, and served two terms, in 1852 and 1853. He owns a very nice farm of 600 acres, on which he now resides. Mr. Fellows is one of AValworth County's most influential and highly reiipected citizens.

SELVEY KIDDER, M. D., Genoa Junction. Dr. Kidder was born in the town of Braintree, Orange Co., Vt., Nov. 16, 1811. When 14 years of age, he removed to the town of Bethel, Windsor Co. When 20 years of age, he went to Lower Canada, where he engaged in teaching, and where he also began the study of medicine. He resided in Canada about thirteen years ; he graduated at the Vermont Medical College in 1842, after which he located at Waterville, Vt., where he was engaged in the practice of his profession for thirteen years. He came to Wisconsin in 1854, and settled at Salem, Kenosha Co., where he practiced thirteen years. He located in the village of Lyons in 1868, where he remained, however, but one year, when he purchased a large farm on Sec. 18, in this town, of Robert Cobb. This farm he sold in the spring of 1882, to Charles S. Higinbotham. He was married, Sept. 20, 1840, to Emily Cooper, born in the town of Waterville, Lamoille Co., Vt. She died March 17, 1881. He has two sons - Julius and Charles. It is a singular fact, that Dr. Kidder has resided for the same number of years at the several places at which he has made his home during his professional life ; he lived for thirteen years in Canada, thirteen years in Waterville, Vt., and the same number of years in Kenosha, Co., and on his farm in the town of Bloomfield, during his residence in Walworth Co. He has had a very extensive practice, and is widely known as a successful and reliable physician. Dr. Kidder is not a man who seeks to attain to eminence by putting himself forward and assuming to know more than others, but, on the contrary, is a man of modest pretensions, whose worth as a physician and citizen is founded upon actual merit. After selling his farm, he located in the village, and devotes his entire attention to the duties of his profession.

ANDREW KULL, Jr., farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Geneva ; adopted son of A. KuU, Sr., who was born in Westerburg, Germany, and came to this country in 1833. Mr. John KuU, the father of Andrew, Jr., and a brother of his adopted father, came to this country at the same time, and they also came to Walworth Co. together. Andrew's mother's ancestors came to the United States from Wales in 1680. She died when he was 5 month old, and he was adopted by his uncle soon after. The father and uncle settled in this town, John M. on Sec. 21 and Andrew on Sec. 4. Andrew, Jr., is now the owner of the homestead of his adopted father, who lives with him. He was born in the town of Bloomfield in 1845; married Miss Ann Rietbrock, bDrn in the town of Wheatland, Kenosha Co. They have five children - Francis, Helen, Adolph, Frederick and Hermann. They lost their oldest son at the age of 41 years. Mr. Kull is a well educated gentleman, and possessed of excellent business qualities ; he has a fine library, and is a varied and extensive reader. He has been Chairman of the Town Board of his town, and a Justice of the Peace for several terms, and a school officer for nsarly eighteen years. In politics he is a Democrat. He has a fine farm of 240 acres, and makes a specialty of Spanish Merino sheep, of which he has a large number of fine specimens.

FRANK A. MANOR, proprietor of the " Manor House," Genoa Junction, was born in Plattsburg, N. Y., in September. 1852. He came to Wisconnn with his father, Eli Manor. The Manor House was built by his father, and is owned by him. Frank leased the hotel in April, 1880, which he repaired and refitted in good style, and has proved himself a compstent landlord, a fact which is attested universally by the traveling public. Before engaging in the hotel busine.ss, he was variously employed. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, which business he followed for three years. He was engaged as clerk for the St. Dennis House, Geneva, '' Capt.' Cole, proprietor, for one year ; was for three years engaged on the street railway of Chicago, in the capacity of conductor. His wife was Maggie McMalion, a native of Kentucky ; they have two children - E. F" and Worthington M. Mr. Eli Manor has been one of the active business men of Genoa Junction for a number of years. He has been variously engaged. He built the Manor House, which he still owns ; he is also engaged in the mercantile business ; keeps a general store, of which his son E. E. is general manager. He has four sons - E. E., Frank A., Charles H. and Fred J.

WILLIAM MERRIAM, farmer, Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Geneva; is a son of Allen Merriam, who was born in Connecticut June 1, 1797, and married Parmelia Hutchins. They came with their family from

Onondaga Co., N. Y., to Walworth Co. in the spring of 1843, and settled on Sees. 13 and 14, in the town of Linn, purchasing the farm of Ira Turner ; this farm became the homestead of the family, where the parents resided until their death. The father of Mr. Merriam died April 15, 1879, and his mother died May 19, 1871. They had eight sons and two daughters ; seven sons and one daughter are still living. F. B. Merriam now owns and occupies th« homestead. William Merriam was born in the town of Cicero, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1829; came to Walworth Co. with his parents in 1843; married Harriet S. Ford, daughter of John C. Ford {see sketch of S. C. Ford, Geneva). Mr. Merriam went to California with his father-in-law, Mr. Ford, in 1853 ; they went the overland route ; Mr. Merriam was absent about two years. He settled in this place in 1869, and bought a farm of G. L. Phillips. Mr. and Mrs. Merriam have three children - Revilo, Flora and Ada. Mr. Merriam's farm contains 400 acres of land.

WELCOME J. MILLER, carriage and wagon manufacturer, Genoa Junction. Mr. Miller was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., in 1828. His mother died when he was a child. He removed with his foster parents to Canada, and thence to McHenry, and thence went to Kenosha, Wis. He served three years in the carriage making business. He came to Genoa Junction in 1849, and established his present business. He is doing quite an extensive business ; employs from fifteen to twenty men. Two sons, Frank and John are engaged with him in business, the firm being W. J. Miller & Sons. His wife, formerly Miss Mary E. Hubbard, was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y. They have six children, three sons, and three daughters.

LEVI MOODY, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Genoa Junction. Mr. Moody was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1808, where he was brought up. He came to Walworth County, in July 1838, and bought the claim of his present fiirm of his brother-in-law, Harry Tupper. The latter came here with his wife in the spring of 1837, and made a claim of this place. It is claimed that Mrs. Tupper was the first white woman who settled in this town, and that her son, Silas W. Tupper, was the first white child born in the town. He enlisted in 1862, in the 8th W. V. I., and died at Indianapolis, in February, 1865. Mr. Tupper went to California in 1849, where he still lives. His wife lived with her brother untill her death, which occurred in May, 1871 ; she left three children, one son and two daughters, all of whom are residents of this town. It is claimed that Mr. Moody cut the first grain that was harvested in this town ; this was in 1838. He has owned his farm since 1838, which has since been his home ; but having a trade, that of a furnace-man, he was employed elsewhere in work, at his trade, a portion of the time for a number of years. He was never married. His farm contains 80 acres.

ROBERT MOORE, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Genoa Junction. Mr. Moore was born in Upper Canada, in 1811, but was brought up in Albany, N. Y. He learned the trade of gun-maker in Albany, in which business he was engaged until 1837. He went to New York City, where he engaged in what is now the American Bank Note Co., as engraver and transferer. He stayed there about one year, then went to New Orleans, in the employ of the same company, who had established a branch house in that city. In 1845, he came to the town of Bloomfield, in this county, and lived during the following winter on William H. Whiting's place. He bought the farm where he lives, of George and James Pease. In 1853, he went back to New York City, and engaged in his former occupation. He returned in 1857. In 1863, he again engaged as engraver for another company in New York City. He returned to farming again in 1866. His wife was Susan Wright, born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had seven children, five of whom are living. His farm contains 120 acres.

JAMES PRIMMER, farmer. Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Geneva. Mr. Primmer was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., in 1816, where he lived until 25 years of age. He came to Walworth County in 1841, and made his present location in the fall of that year, purchasing his farm of the Government ; he has lived here since, except about four years, when he lived at East Troy, where he owned, and kept a hotel. He was married to Hannah Shaver, born in Rensselaer County in 1821. Her parents came to Walworth County in 1843, and settled in this town, where they lived until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Primmer have two children Artemas J. and Charles, both born in this town.

WILLIAM H. REED, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. O. Genoa Junction. Mr. Reed was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Feb. 29, 1824. He came to the town of Bloomfield, in 1846, where he has since lived. His wife came to the county a number of years previous to the time at which her husband came. Her maiden name was Mary Ann, daughter of Isaac White, a native of New Hartford, Conn., and was married in the State of New York, to Phebe Ann Lounsbury, from New Jersey. They removed to Ohio, in 1832, thence to Illinois the following year, where she died in 1838. He came to Walworth County, and settled in the town of Bloomfield, in 1839. Her father removed to Vernon County, in 1854, where he resided until his death. Her parents had fifteen children, only five of whom are living. Mrs. Reed was born in

Tioga County, N. Y., in 1823, and has resided in the town of Bloomfield since her father came here in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have three children - Phebe R. ( now Mrs. Richard Kimball), Marietta and Willie I. Mr. Reed settled on this farm in 18(32. He hag about 360 acres of land.

IRA P. RICHMOND, proprietor of livery stable, and dealer in real estate, Genoa Junction; he was born in the town of Wayne, Steuben Co., N. Y., Dec. 5, 1825 ; he removed to the town of Conesus, Livingston Co., with his parents when a child; he came to Walworth Co., October, 1847, and bought a farm on Sec. 33, town of Bloomfield, which he afterward sold, and bought on Sec. 16; this farm, containing 250 acres, he still owns; has also a farm on Sec. 8, of 160 acres; he retired from farming in the spring of 1880, and came to the village and established the livery business. His wife was Miss L. M. Clary, a daughter of Aurelius Clary. Mrs. Richmond was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., and came to Hebron, 111., in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond have two children - Ida P. and Melville M.; they lost two sons and one daughter in infiincy. The parents of Mr. R., Elijah and Elizabeth Richmond, came here in 1855, where they resided until their death.

A. W. ROBERTS, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Geneva; Mr. Roberts was born in Washington Co., N. Y., March 14, 1817, where he lived until 18 years of age, when he removed with his parents to St. Lawrence Co., where he lived until 33 years of age, when he came to Walworth Co.; he lived in Geneva six years. He bought a part of his present farm of Warren Marsh ; he was married in St. Lawrence Co., to Ammaeila Nimscks, born in Canada. They have two children - ^ William W., a railroad conductor, and Henry 0. Mr. Roberts' farm contains 160 acres.

ASA C. ROWE, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. 0. G3noa Junction ; son of Dan Rowe, who was born May 26, 1813, in Oneida Co., N. Y., and married Feb. 22, 1835, in Le Roy, Genesee Co., to Miss Eliza Noyes; Ihey came to Michigan in 1837, and to the town of Bloomfield in February, 1838, and settled near what is now Genoa Junction; he died February 3, 1878; his wife died June 23, 1875. A short time previous to his death, Mr. Rowe married Mrs. Manning, a widow lady of Chicago; he had eleven children, six of whom, four sons and two daughters, are still living - Joh.i H., George A., William C., Asa C, Jennie E. and Helen A. Only Asa C. and his sister Jennie, now Mrs. Melvin North, who lives at Elkhorn, are residents of Walworth Co. Asa C. was born at the homestead, on Sec. 35, Jan. 12, 1848 ; he married Ida Z. Barnes, daughter of Simeon Barnes. Mrs. Rowe was born Jan. 12, 1857, and married Jan. 12, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have two children - Delia M. and Nellie E. Mr. Rowe's farm contains 220 acres.

AMOS W. STAFFORD, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Geneva. Mr. Stafford was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1810 ; when 14 years of age, he removed with his parents to Ontario Co., where he lived till the spring of 1844, when he came to Walworth Co. and located on Sec. 4, on a farm adjoining the one which he now owns; he sold out in 1847, and purchased on Sec. 12, which farm he sold to Jacob Darling ; he bought the farm where he now lives in June, 1857, of Apollos Hastings. He was married in Ontario Co., N. Y., to Miss Ann Sobrina Ellis, born in Ontario Co. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford have four children - Eliza (wife of Abner Farnham), Sarah, Harlow, John Q. and Francis G. Mr. Stafford's farm contains 200 acres ; Mr. Stafford was a member of the Town Board of his town for the years 1859, 1866, 1867, 1869, 1870, 1871 and 1872; he was a member of the Assembly branch of the Legislature for 1872, receiving 936 votes to his opponent's 399 ; his ancestors, on his father's side, were from Staffordshire, England, and came to this country about the time of the old French and Indian war; his grandfather, Amos Stafford, was a soldier of the Revolution, and was present at the massacre of Wyoming, and escaped narrowly with his life on that occasion ; after the war he settled in Saratoga Co., N. Y. The father of the subject of this sketch was Samuel Stafford.

WILLIAM H. WHITING, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Geneva. Mr. W. was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1813 ; he followed the business of bank note engraving for many years ; he was one of the original corporators of the American Bank Note Company: also a Trustee and Secretary of said company; in 1844 he purchased his present farm of Simeron Spafford, a brother-in-law of E. D. Richardson, of Geneva ; a portion, however, of his farm, he bought of the Government; he settled in 1847 and built his house that year; Mr. W. is one of the most prominent and best known residents of the town of Bloomfield ; he is possessed of abundant means ; he has about 700 acres of land and a home naturally finely located, made more beautiful by art ; he is a public spirited gentleman and a liberal contributor of his means in the promotion of all good works. The Episcopal Church of this town, known as the " Church of the Holy Communion," was built under his auspices ; to the building of this church he contributed liberally ; a few friends here, and others in New Fork, also contributed to its erection. The church was built in 1849 ; the first Rector was the Rev. John McNamara, who afterward went to Geneva and established the church at that place ; the churchyard, containing five acres, was given by Kue Hi^h, father of the Rev. N. R. High, now of Toledo, Ohio ; also the Rev. William D. Christian, now of Louisiana, who were brought up in this parish and members of its Sunday school. Mr. W. married Miss Mary Jane Christian, of the city of Albany, N. Y.; she was a relative of the Christians, of Minneapolis, celebrated millers; Mrs. W. died Nov. 28, 1879. The children of Mr. W. are - Mary, wife of Rev. E. R. Atwill, of Toledo, Ohio ; Katharine, wife of Mr. A. Lawson, of Nottingham, England ; William Henry, a Lieutenant Commander of the United States Navy, now of the navy-yard in Brooklyn, N. Y.; he was with Admiral Farragut at the battle of Mobile Bay ; he fired the first gun from the Hartford at the rebel ram, Tennessee ; George, in Brooklyn ; Robert, on the farm in Bloomfield ; Charlotte M., in England ; Prank B., on the farm in Bloomfield, and Esther, Annie and Beaverly (deceased).