Genoa Town

Genoa Town

Genoa was organized in the spring of 1870, a portion of it being taken from the town of Bergen and a part from the town of Wheatland. It is bounded on the north by the towns of Bergen and Harmony, on the east by the towns of Harmony and Sterling, on the south by Wheatland town, and on the west by the Mississippi river. It is seven miles in distance north and soutii and six miles from east to west, and comprises territory embraced within congressional townships 1-2 and 13, ranges C and 7 west. It contains an area of about 24,000 acres.

The town is watered by two branches of the Bad Ax river; the north branch entering the town on section 36, passing through a corner of this section into section 37 of town 12, where it unites with the other branch which enters the town on section 17, runs northwest through sections 17, 8, 7 and 12, where it makes a junction with the north branch. From section 12, the main stream courses through sections II, 14, 15 and 16 and there unites with the Mississippi river.

There are many spring brooks arising along the bluffs of the Bad Ax river, which are tributaries to this stream. The general surface of this town is extremely rolling. The valleys and table lands being the best farming lands.

Early Skttlkmknt

The first settler was William Tibbitts, who entered 160 acres of land on section 22, in ]f*')f\ He was followed the same year by Elias Shi.sler, who entered 120 acres of land on section 22, where he was still living in 1884,

Maj. N. W. Hamilton was one of the settlers of 1S5S. He was born in Fayette Co., Ind., in 1820, and settled in the town of Jefferson, this county, in 1854, where he entered land which he afterward sold to Ramsey and Miller, and then entered eighty acres of land in the town of Genoa, on section 4, moving there in 1858. Mr. Hamilton was married to Alnudia Clark, in 1853, by whom lie has four children - Emla, Isabell, Irila and Jenett. He was the first school treasurer of the town of Genoa, and held the office for eleven years.

James M. Bailey was born in 1815, in Virgina, and settled in Vernon county, near Viroqna, in 1819. He was under sheriff, and at the following election was elected the second slu-iiff of the county. He moved to the town of (icnoa in 1877, and settled on section 19, town 12, range 7 west. He was married to Elizabeth

James Stevenson was born in Ireland, in 1840, and came to America in 1857, and to the town of Genoa in 1863, where twenty years later he was still living on a farm of 200 acres on section 12. He was married in 1862 to Isabel Hamilton, of Vernon county.

Elijah Powell, who was born in 1820, in Mercer Co., Ohio, came to this town in 1865, and purchased 160 acres of land on section 4, town 13, range 7. He was married in 1842 to Mary Rayner, who died in 1843. In 1814 Mr. Powell married Martha McKee, who died in 1854, and in 1862 he again married a Miss Shelby. Mr. Powell has been the father of seven children.

W. H. Knower, one of the most intelligent farmers in Vernon county, was born in 1830, in R icktield, Mass. At ten years of age he moved with his parents to the city of New York, where he received a thorough education, and came west in 1850 to better his health. He taught school in Milwaukee in the winter of 1850-51, and in 1855 came to Ve rnoncoiinty and taught school until 1865, when he settled on his farm in the town of Genoa, on sections 1, 2 and 1 1, of township 12, range 7 west, where he owns 240 acres in one tract. He was married in 1 852 to Mary Elliott, of Bangor,Maine, by whom he has had four children - George, Charles, Susie and Franklin.

First Events Organic

The first election of what is known as the town of Genoa, was held April 7, 1860, at the village school house of Genoa. The first ofiicers were : E. Page, chairman, Peter Shumway and Willis Masker, supervisors ; William Burlock, clerk ; John Greeman, treasurer ; Willis Masker, assessor. Officers of 1883: William Riley, chairman, VVilliara Hall and August Vegline, supervisors ; Mathew Monti, clerk ; Barnard Gadola, treasurer ; John Carpenter, assessor.

The only religious societies in Genoa, in 1884, was that of the Roman Catholic, who organized at an early day. This Church is made up largely of Italians. Other denominations have held meetings from time to time at school houses.

Genoa postoffice was established in 1854, on section 29, on the site of tlie village of Genoa. The first postmaster was Jacob Kelsie, who was after a time succeeded by James McGrath, Mathew Monti, Wm. Bui'lock and J. B. Bozola, who was postmaster in 1884.

Romance postoffice was established in 1854, on section 6. The first postmaster was John Tewalt. He was succeeded by William Fox, who still held the oflice in 1884.

and .was first named Bad Ax, after the onlyriver in the town of Genoa. For a time it was thought the name Bad Ax quite appropriate as the people were for years kept in fear, by the bad characters that constantly infested their vicinity, from off the Mississippi river, as it was quite a steam-boat landing for steamers, plying up and down the river. However, in ISC, the people thought the name had a tendaucy to keep the town from being settled by the better class of people, and hence they changed the name. The original plat of the village contained twenty-one blocks. Block 12 was donated to the public, for public uses, by Joseph Monti, and afterward became the public square

he first house was erected by David Hastings, in 1853. The first store was opened by .Joseph Monti, in 1854. A wagon shop was put in operation at once ; also a blacksmitli shop run by Ferdinand Guscetti.

The first saw mill was built by William Ofiicer, in 1858. The business of tlie place ii 1884 was represented as follows: Mathev Monti and Albert Zabolia, dealers in dry goods, boots, shoes, crockery and hardware.

The St. Charles Catholic Church was organized in 1862, and a church edifice erected two years later, in the village of Genoa. This building was 24x36 feet, and cost $500. The Church was organized by Rev. Father Marko. In 1884 the Church numbered about 300.

There were two cemeteries within the town of Genoa, in 1884. One situated a half mile from Bad Ax city (Genoa), on land owned at an early day by Samuel Kels e, on section 21. The other burying place was on section 28.

he removed to Prairie du Chien, Wis., and lived there for two years. In 1850 he settled near Springville, in the town of Jefferson, and since then has resided in several different townships. He has followed boating most of his life. Mr. Cox was a member of the Ist Wisconsin Battery during the late war, and was honorably discharged in 1865. He was married, in 1855, to Matilda Powell. Of their four children, two are living - Sherman and Eddie. Roscoe and Rosa are deceased. Mr. Cox lost his wife in 1871, and in 1874 married Caroline Oliver. He owns two lots in the city of La Crosse, Wis , and his wife owns sixty acres of land in the town of Genoa, and three lots in the village of Genoa.

John Ott, o?ie of the pioneers of the town of Genoa, was born in Germany, in 1820. When ten years of age he came to America with his parents and they first settled in Butler Co., Penn. Mr. Ott remained there for twentythree years, growing to manhood and obtaining a good common school education. In 1^53 he eaniu to Vernon Co., Wis., and finally entered forty acres of land on section 34, in town 13 north, and range 7 west, wliich subsequently became the town of Genoa. 'I'he country was new and sparsely inhabited, and the trials and privations of a pioneer life w( re mail} . Mr. Ott was willing to accept his share of hard work and labored manfully, early and late, to clear the farm and make a liome for liis family. His landed possessions increased slowly and lie now owns 200 acres. In 1810 lie was married ill Pennsylvania to Barbara Sniiih. This union was blessed with four children, three of whom are living - Henry, Mary, wife of Lemuel Gorman, and Charles, who married Clementina Monti. Samuel is deceased. Mrs. Ott died in 1877, and in 1881, Mr. Ott was again married to Catharine Lupi.

Elias Shisler has been a resident of Genoa town for twenty-nine years. He was borti in Perry Co., Ohio, Feb. 12, 1827, and was married to Nancy Barnes March 27, 1844. After this union he removed with his family to Allamakee Co., I')wa, resided there two years and assisted in the survey of the county. He then came to Bad Ax (now Vernon) county, and located in the village of Victory, town of Wheatland, and while a resident thei-e served as chairman of the board of town trustees, and two years as constable. He has resided in the town of Genoa since it was organized as a town, and after traveling over fourteen States and three territories has arrived at the conclusion that Vernon county meets his approval better than any county he has ever visited. Mr. Shisler has been thrice married. His second wife was Eliza Conroad. They were married Nov. 5, 1855. He had one child by his first marriage, four by the second union and three children by his present wife, all dead but one son of the second wife, Amos by name.

Ferdinand Gusoetti, who lives on section 28, came to this town in 1855. He was living in Jo Daviess Co., Ill , and there carried on the manufacture of wagons. At the earnest solicitation of Joseph Monti, of this town, he was induced to come to Genoa and became a settler in 1855. He located in Genoa village when the country around was quite a wilderness and was a wagon maker there for many years. He finally sold his shop and bought eighty-two acres of land on section 28, where he now lives. In 1864 Mr. Guscetti enlisted in the Ist Wisconsin Heavy Artillery and served through the war. He was married in 1840 to Mary Buffi. Of seven children born to them only three are living - Matthew, Juliett, wife of Daniel Bifli, and Catharine.

Charles Brown, who was one of the early setiKr of the town of Genoa, was born in Ireland, in 1829, and in 1849 emigrated to the United Slates, and first settled in the city of New York. Mo followed boating from that port to New Orli'iins for two years and then moved to White Co., Ind., but not being satisfied, went still further west, and located in Lake Co., 111., where he remained two years, and then removed to Genoa, and entered forty acres of land on section 20, where he still resides. Mr. Brown has increased his farm to 120 acres. He was united in marriage in 1855 to Mary Campbell. They have seven children - John, Isabella, .M.Trgaret, Franklin, William, Irena and Romanso. Mr. Brown was a member of the 18th regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, having enlisted in 1864, ad discharged in 1S65. His father, John Brown, was born in 1800 and is now living in Scotland.

Charles Ott, who came to the town of (-Jenoa when but nine years of age, was born in Butler Co., Penn., in 1847. His parents, John and I^aibara (Smith) Ott, are natives respectively of Germany and Pennsylvania. When six years of age he came to Vernon county witli his parents, and in 1856 located here. Mr. Olt has always been engaged in farming, and owns 180 acres of land on section 2:^, under a high state of cultivation. He has been supervisor of roads since 1880. Mr. Ott was united in marriage, in 18T2, to Clementina Monti, of this town. They are the jiarents of four children - Ida V., Mary R., Jessie E. and Charles M.

William Pulliara was born in SufiFolkshire, England, in 1830, and when but six years of age emigrated to the Dominion of Canada, and there remained until about the year 1840, when lie removed to Piscataqua Co., N. H., and was a resilient there about sixteen years. He then came to Vernon county and entered land in the town of Wheatland, which he sold in 18(iO, and afterward, in the same year, purchased 120 acres of land in the town of Genoa, on sections 23 and 24, of town 12 north, of range 7 west. Mr. Pulhain was married to Nisa E. Sandon, of Vernon county, in 1862. They have reared eight children - Agnes, Ellen, Laura, George, David, Frank, Mary and Margaret. Agnes is the wife of Samuel <'wen, of the town of Jefferson. Mr. Pulham enlisted in January, 1864, in the 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and was discharged in July, 1865, at the close of the war. His mother, Elizabeth

Pulham, is now living in Genoa town, at the ripe age of seventy-nine years. His father, William Pulham, was also a native of England, and died in New Hampshire, about 1840.

William Stevenson, a native of the "land of Shamrock," located here in IS56. He was born in Ireland in 1820, and resided there till twenty-four years of age. lu 1844 he emigrated to the United States, and first settled in New York city. In 1855 he removed to Rock Co., Wis., but lived there only one year. In 1856 he came to the town of Genoa, and purchased of James McCormick eight acres of land on section 17, where he has since resided. Mr. Stevenson has been industrious and energetic, and at present owns 120 acres of land. In 1863 he came forward and enlisted in the 18ili regimentj Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served faithfully until he was honorably discharged at tiie close of the war. He reuirned home and has since devoted his time tc agricultural pursuits. In 1854 he was united in marriage to Mary E. Davidson, and two children were born to them - John W., who mairied Josie Graham, and Sarah M. Mr. Stevei son suffered the loss of his most estimable wift and was again married, in 1859, to Elizabeth .Miller. Five children have been given to thi.- union - Lizzie M., Henry A., Ellen R., Anna M. and James E.

John Fopper, one of the largest land owners in the town of Genoa, located here in 1857. He is a native of Switzerland, where he was born in 1818. He received a thorough education in his native land and is able to converse fluently in five different languages, including that of Switzerland. In 1857, he resolved to see the far famed America, and accordingly came over tlie same year. After lamling at New York, he c.uue westward to Wisconsin, and sought a new home. He tin.iUy concluded to locate in the new settlement, in what is now the town of Genoa, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 28, where he resided nine years. Mr. Fopper then sold the eighty acres of laud aforesaid and bought 400 acres of the Hecks estate on sections 11 and 14, town 12, range 7. Mr. Fopper is unmarried, but has lived with and supported his widowed mother during his residence here. Mrs. Fopper is now at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and Mr. Fo}/j>er shows his filial affection by trying to make lier declining days pleasant and comfortable. Mr. Fopper has also two widowed sisters residing in this town - Mrs. Barbara Gess and Mrs. Anna Barbara Gess.

William S. Riley, one of the well knowncitizens of the town of Genoa, was born at Marietta, Ohio, in 1845, and remained there until 1858. In the latter year he came to Vernon Co., Wis., and located at Viroqua. In 1861 he enlisted in company I, 6th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged in l!:*G4. He was captain of the Vernon County Light Guards for two years and under-sheriff for one term. For the past three years Mr. Riley lias been chairman of the town board of supervisors. He is a contractor and builder by occupation anil lias erected some of the finest buildings ami residences in Vernon Co. In 1882 Mr. Kiley was married to AnnaLupi. They have one ciiild - Augusta C.

AllR-rt F. Kuehn, one of the earliest settlers of the town of Genoa, was born in Prussia in 1S30 and at the age of nineteen left his home for a new one in a land that had only been a a N;ition for seventj'-three years. He spent two years wandering from place lo place over the iiert' republic and finally became satisfied that W'liion Co., Wis., wou Id be the location for a permanent home, lie bought eighty acrts on section 4, town 1 2, range 7 west, town of Genoa in 18i>0, and has since increased his first i>uichase to 360 acres. In 1864 he entered the army of his adopted country, enlisting in the 6lh regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. AVhile ill the service he was wounded in the head and one shoulder and received an honorable discharge at the close of the Kebellion. Mr. ( Kuehn has been a member of the town board for four years and town assessor for ten years. In 1^63 he was married to Julia Misjahl and nine children have been sent to bless their union - Lina, Elizabeth, Bertha, Albert, Ernest, Huldah, Sophia, Edward and an infant son.

Mathew Monti, a sou of Joseph Monti, the founder of the village of Genoa, and its present postmaster, was born in New York city in 1840. His father was a native of Switzerland, born in 181], and emigrated to the United States in 1832, locating in New York city. Mr. Monti's mother was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1811, and died in Vernon Co., Wis., in 1880. When Mr. Monti was but a year old his parents moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1842 to St. Louis, Mo.; thence to Galena, 111., where they resided until 1863. In 1853 Mr. Joseph Monti came to Vernon county and entered 2P6 acres of land in the town of Genoa. Being of an enterprising disposition he laid out and platted the village of Bad Ax (now Genoa), which he named after the county of Bad Ax (now Vernon). Mr. Mathew Monti now owns twenty acres of land on section 28 and village property. In 1882 he engaged in mercantile pursuits and now owns a stock of goods valued at $2,000. Mr. Monti has served his neighbors and citizens as clerk of the school district six years, justice of the peace ten years; was also town treasurer and has been town clerk and postmaster of Genoa for seven years. He was united in marriage in 1864 to Almira Greenman and three children have been born to them - Leona, Augustus and Blanche.

-John Carpenter came to this county in 1866 and resided in the vicinity of Victory for five years. He then settled in the town of Harmony and there resided until 1868, then moved to the town of Genoa, where he owns 2Y8 acres of land. He was born in New York in 1833, :inil in 1861 married Marcia Ann Rogers, a n;itive of New Hampshire, who accompanied her parents to this county and located in the town of Harmony, in 1853. In 1864 Mr. Carpenter enlisted in the 18th regiment, Wisconsin

Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. His parents came to this county in 1866 and settled at Victory, in Wheatland town. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are the parents of six children - Frank, Lou'sa, wife of George Van Vleet, Robert, Roxania, Agnes and Ross.

K. L. Oakes, who became a resident of the town of Genoa in 1867, was born in "the good old State of Maine," (Kennebec county), in 1821. In lS-i7, when he was but six years of age, his parents removed to Penobscot county, in the same State, and in 1848 they located in Worcester Co., Mass. In 1855 Mr. Oakes came out to see this western country, and appearing satisfied that the State of Wisconsin would develop rapidly and take her place among the foremost States of the Union, (like his native State), he settled at Springville, Adams county, where he remained twelve years. A desire to see more of this wonderful country, and perhaps to better his fortunes, led him to seek Vernon county. He there purchased of Amos Moore 166 acres of land on sections 4 and 34, in towns 12 and 13 north, range 7 west. Mr. Oakes resides on his farm on section 4, about three miles southeast of the village of Genoa. While a resident of Springville, Adams county, 'ae enlisted in the 3d Wisconsin Cavalry, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Mr. Oakes was married in 1848 to Polly D. Newton. They were the parents of one child - Clara, now the wife of Anson Elliott. Mrs. Oakes depaited this life in 1851, and two years later Mr. Oakes married Armanda S. Newton. They have been given seven ehildien, three living - -Florence J., wife of Charles F. Smith; Jessie S. and Horace E. Ella died in 1850, Bertha in 1861, Frank E. in 1865 and Alice in 1869.

John H. Seal was born in Pennsylvania in 1840, and in 1842 accompanied his parents to Ohio. In 1845 they removed to Du Page Co., 111., and in 1850 to Vernon Co , Wis. They first settled at Springville, and in 1870 Mr. Seal came to the town of Genoa and purcliased forty acres of land on section 3, of town 13 north, range 7 west, which he has increased to 200 acres and all free from incumbrance. Mr. Seal was married in 18*)0 to Emily P. Tainter, and their union was blessed with one child, now living - Edmund. Mrs. Seal died in 1803, on the 19th day of January. He was again married in 1869 to Julia E. Shrouf, who died in ISri. Mr. Seal the third time united in marriage to Sarah J. Irvin, by whom he bad five children, all now dead. His wife died in 1S79. His fourth and present wife was Paulina Mundsack, whom he married in 1882. Mr. Seal is a very prosperous farmer. He is the fallier of two living children - Edmund and John E.

J. W. Clayson was born in New York, in 1822, and in 1855 removed to Richland Co., Wis., where he entered land, which he afterward sold. In 1860 he went to Crawford Co., W is., where he remained seventeen years, and then came lo the town of Genoa, where he purchased eighty acres of land from George P. Griffin, on section 24, of town 12 north, of range 7 west. He has since increased his farm to 101 acres. He was married to Margaret J. Davis, and two of their children are now living - Charles an^l George. Mrs. Clayson died in ' 1857, in Richland county, and in 1860 Mr. Clayson was married to Jane Mullen. In 1864 Mr. Clayson enlisted in the 52d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged in 1865.

Albert Zabolie was born in Italy in 1858, and emigrated with bis parents to the United States in 1877, and settled in the village of Genoa, where his father and himself opened a dry goods and general store. They now carry the largest stock of goods in the village, valued at about $5,000. Mr. Zabolie was married in 1882 to Rosa Starlochi, of Vernon county. Mr. Zabolie':; father, August Zabolie, is still living in the village of Genoa. Albert is doing a prosperous business in his line of trade.