Wheatland Town

Wheatland Town

Wheatland is in the extreme southern part of Vernon county, with the Mi.ssissippi river for its boundary on the west, the town of Genoa on the north, tlie town of Sterling on the east and Crawford county on the south. It comprises parts of towns 1 1 and 12, ranges 6 and 7 west, and contains about twenty-six sections. The only water course within this town is a small stream called Battle creek, which takes its rise on section 3, town 11, range V, and ilows into the Mississippi river from section 9, of the same town and range.

Not unlike the other towns of Vernon county, which border on the Mississippi river, there is a large amount of rough untillable land, a part of which is covered- with heavy timber. The valleys are very productive and even the hillsides are not worthless, as they are utilized as pasture lands for sheep, which are quite extensively grown.

Settlement

Ira Stevens was the first man to settle in this town. He located at Victory, ip January, 1849. Other pioneers are mentioned at length in the history of the villages of Victory and De Soto. At these two points was effected the first settlement in this town. The eastern portion of the town being settled at a much later date.

Aaron Cooley settled on section 18, in the autumn of 1854. On the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Union army, though at the time he was upwards of sixty years of age. He was taken sick while in the service, received a furlough and succeeded in getting as near home as the residence of Davis Sumner, in this town, but being unable to proceed further, he there died. He was a drummer while in the service. His family continued to reside in the town for several years after his death, but finally all moved away except one son, Charles, who resides on section 17. Another son, Franklin, was a Congregational minister in Dakota, in 1883. Egbert Benedict settled at about the same time as did Cooley, on section 18, on land afterward owned by Robert Angel.

The following settlers were among the number who came in 1855 : L. P. Miller, who located on section 17 ; Samuel Huntington, on section 12; Willard Fosdick, also a settler of section 12; a man named King made a claim on section 1, but the land was finally entered by another party. Jonathan Law also seltled that year on section 31. This farm is now known as the Law place. Arvin and A D. Chase settled on section 32, and J. T. Shaw on section 29.

Samuel Huntington came here with his family, then consisting of his wife and two children, one son and one daughter. In 1883 the family were all dead except the wife and mother, who moved to New York State.

Still others who came in 1855, were Moses Sanderson and his sons, Clark W. and Bridano. The sons settled on sections 5 and 8 ; but the father located in the town of Sterling. J. J. Tenney settled on section 8, where ho still resided in 1884. Richard Morgan and family located on section 5, on lands entered by Elijah, Reuben and Stephen Powell, the previous year. P. Jay Miller settled in this town in November, 1855. He was a native of New York. He married Julia, a daugliter of James Lawerence, of Crawford county, this State. In 1884 he lived on section 5, on land purchased ot Samuel Morgan.

Peleg Coffin settled in the town of Freeman, Crawford Co., Wis., July 5, 1855. He was born at Yarmouth, Cape Cod, Mass., Nov. 20, 1795. He followed the life of a sailor for a number of years and afterwards learned the machini.st'.s trade, which he pursued for some years. He was a soldier in tlie War of 1812. His wife, Zylphine Crowell, was a native of Yarmouth, born Sept. 26, 1808. They had nine children, three of whom died in infancy. The six who lived to maturity are - George, a resident of Dakota; Seth, deceased; Henry, also in Dakota; William, a resident of Rockford, 111., Mary, wife of Thomas Lawrence, born in Massachusetts, in 1841; Esther, wife of James H. Rogers, of Viroqua. Mr. Coffin died July 20, 1882. His wife died in 1875.

Thomas Lawrence, although a resident of Freeman, Crawford Co., Wis., was with his father, an early resident of Vernon county, owning a farm near Lil)erty Pole, which was first occupied by John McCulloch, the first settler of Vernon county. His father, James Lawrence, located at Liberty Pole July 5, 1851, and settled on the farm now owned by William Clawater. James Lawrence was born in Monmouthshire, England, in 1809. He emigrated to the United States in 1851, making his first settlement at Liberty Pole, where he remained until the spring of 1854, then removed with his family to the town of Fi'eeman, Crawford county, being the first settler in the neighborhood, and where he resided until his death Aug. '2'i, 1883. In 18.32 he was married to Mary Williams, who still survives him. Father Lawrence, as he was called, was a member of the Hible Christian Church in England. When lie came to the United States he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and remained a firm believer until his death, being a member of these Churches for over fifty-five years. He was an earnest and sincere Ciiristian and his memory wi 1 long be cherished and his name remain a prominent one in the pioneer history of Vernon and Crawford counties. His surviving children are - Thomas, Mary, wife of Nathan Coe, of Viroqua; Julia, wife of L. J. Miller, of the town of Wheatland; James W., Matthew E. and Jane E. They lost one child, a daughter, Emma. Thomas, the eldest child, was born in Enghuid, in 1834. He resides in Freeman, Wis., at present, but was for several years a resident of De Soto. He kept the Bay State House in 1862-3 and a meat market from 1874 until 1877. His wife was Mary Coffin, a daughter of Peleg Coffin. She was a native of - Massachussetts. They have three children - Ellen J., William and Alice Z. Tliey lost their eldest daughter.

First Events

The town of Wheatland was organized in 1857 and the first election held that year, at which the following officers were elected to fill the town offices:

Adam Carlyle, chairman; Joel Shaw and Hiram Furgeson, supervisors; George G. Van Wagner, clerk; William Furgeson, assessor; C. B. Stevens, treasurer; J. C. Kurtz, town school superintendent.

Religious Societies

A society of the Congregational Churcli was formed in 186.3, at the school house on section 33, in the town of Sterling; though most of its members were residents of the town of Wheatland. The first members -were : Richard Morgan and wife, E. Cilley and wife, C. W. Sanderson and wife, Samuel Morgan and wife, Dr. D. A. Bean and wife, J. I. Tenneyand wife,and perhaps a few others. This society and the one at Retreat were consolidated in 1879. The ministers have been the same as those who served at De Soto.

The town of Wheatland has always been fully up with the other towns of Vernon county in its school and other educational advantages. The first school was taught in the fall of 1853, by Nancy Berry, daughter of Joh-i C. Berry, at a point near where the villsge of Victory now stands. In 1 884 there were six schools in the town, held in districts Nos. 1, 2, 3, 9, joint district No. 3, and at the village of De Soto.

In district No. 1 the school building is a small frame house situated in a pleasant spot on the main road from De Soto to the Bad Ax valley. The population is mostly of an American element, who attend the school with a good degree of regularity. The foreigners of this district are principally Germans.

District No. 2 is located in the little village of Victory, on the banks of the Mississippi river. This district has a good school building, and always has a fair attendance.

District No. 3, proper, is located on the ridge above De Soto and Victory. The building here is a fair frame structure, situated in a beautiful place overlooking the great Mississippi valley country, with its many picturesque scenes. The school population is chiefly American.

Joint district No. 3 is provided with a good building very well furnished. The American element predominates ; there are, however, many Norwegians within this district.

District No. 9 is along the ridge, in the vicinity of the John Davis farm and three miles from De Soto. This district was lately provided with a fine new frame school building, which took the place of the old one, which was burned in 1880. This school has ever had a good average attendance, made up principally of American children.

De Soto union schools, located within the village of De Soto, are kept in a fine two story building, which accommodated three departments until within a few years, but of late, only two. Very earnest and efiicient work ha* been performed in these schools, which have always been of much credit to De Soto.

Red Mound Postoffice

In addition to the postoflices of De Soto and Victory which have been already mentioned in the vill.age history, tbe town of Wheatland has another known as "Red Mound," which is located on section 5, town 11, range 6 west. It was established March 15, 1872. L. J. Miller was appointed postmaster, and was still holding the position in 1884.

In 1884, the town of Wheatland contained three cemeteries. One situated near the village of Victory; one on section 12, town 12, range 7, and one on section 15, town 11, range 7.

De Soto Village

De Soto was first known as "Winneshiek's Landing," from the chief by that name, who came here to trade his furs for supplies wilh the French traders at this point. Two French families by the name of Godfrey located here not long after the close of the Black Hawk War. They were induced to come through efforts i)ut forth by Col. Dousman, of Prairie du C'hien. Tliis was occupied as a trading post for about twenty years. Moses M. Strong made the original entry of the plat of the village. Dr. Euclid

B. Houghton purchased it of Mr. Strong. Dr. Simeon D. Powers, Dr. Houghton and Dr. James O.sgood laid out the village in 1854. These gentlemen came hither from Port Washington. Dr. Osgood built the first house on the village plat, which was occupied in 1884 by Charles Lyttle as a residence. Dr. Hout;hton opened the first store.

The first building of any importance was erected by Carlyle, Dowse & Co. The lumber with which this house was built came from Black River Falls, the nearest available point for obtaining lumber at that time.

The first shoemaker was Henry Fosdick. In ilie fall of 1855 Mr. Adam Carlyle purchased for Mr. Fosdick a side of sole leather and othei stock for his shop of Ulysses S. Grant, of Galena, 111.

The first saw mill was built in the fall o 1855, by A. B. Clapp and George Meade. Thi mill and all others at this point were operate' by steam power. It was destroyed by fire ii 1864. N. S. Cate & Co. built a saw mill ii 1857. This firm was composed of Messrs. N S. Cate, II M. Chamberlain and Emery Hough ton, who came from the State of Maine. They operated the mill till 1862, and did an extensive business, employing sometimes as high as fifty men. The mill cut upon an average 50,000 feet of lumber per day, besides shingles, lath, etc. This company also built a grist mill adjoining the saw mill, which was also propelled by steam power. In 18'>2 these mills went into the hands of H. M. Chamberlain & Co., who in 1864 sold to .John C. Davis. The stock was closed out and the mill lay idle for several years. ') his failure was caused in part l)y the failure of the New England Glass Co., nf which Mr. Houghton was the financial manager. On the (!om])letion of this mill, when thev had

A shingle mill was built by C. M. and A. R. Worth, about 1865. They also sawed some lumber. After running this about four years it was converted into a grist mill and the Worth brothers then occupied the Cate & Co's. mill for about five years, during which time they manufactured large amounts of lath, shingles and lumber. In 1884 this mill was used for cutting staves and heading.

An establishment for the manufacture and cutting of files was started by A. Miller, who run it for a year or so and enlisted in the army to "suppress the rebellion," which had then just commenced. He was killed at the battle of Gettysburg.

In 1857 Capt. William Plummer & Co. enga£;ed in the manufacture of lime and connected with their business the manufacture of hard wood barrels. They did an extensive business, although it was continued only about a year.

The De Soto brewery is owned by Charles E. Reiter, who purchased it of George Eckhardt in 1882. Mr. Reiter makes about 400 barrels of beer per annum. The building was erected by Cate & Co., in 1858, and used by them as a store. George Eckhirdt first utilized it for brewing purposes.

The first school in the village was taught hj Mrs. Catharine P. Stevens, in the winter of 1855-6. This was a private school. The first school house proper wa.s built in the summer of 1856, in which James McDill taught the first school the winter following. This house was in use as a residence in 1884, a new school house having been built in 1872. This building was a frame structure, two stories high. The cost of this house was |3,500, and, excepting the one at Viroqua, was the best in the county.

The first physician in De Soto was Dr. G. S. Sperry, who came from St. Paul in the summer of 1856. He was an excellent physician. He died in 1873.

Other physiciuns were: Dr. G. W. Brooks and Dr. Worth. The physician in 1884 was Dr. Orlando Ewers. Others who have borne the title of doctor, though not educated physicians, were Dr. E. B. Houghton, the original proprietor of the village. He moved from the place to La Crosse and later to St. Louis, where he died in 1862. Dr. James Osgood came in 1854 and assisted in laying out the village and finally became owner of one-fourth of the town plat. He died in 1863. Dr. Simeon Powers, a dentist, was also owner of another fourth interest in the town site of De Soto. He afterward removed to Sparta, where he was at the time of his death. Capt. C. B. Worth came in 1854 and remained till his death in 1875. He was also owner of a fourth interest in the village plat. His son Addison made the first lumber wagon in De Soto.

The first lawyer who practiced at this point was Addison A. Hosmer, a graduate of the Harvard law school at Cambridge, Mass. He came in 1857 and returned to that State in 1860. From there he went into the army and befoie the war closed became quite distinguished. After the close of the war he was made judge advocate and it was he who passed sentence on the notorious Wirz, of Andersonville infamy, the Winneshiek House. It was a log house and among the first built in the place. The Bay State House was erected in 1856, by Seth Crowell and Jonathan F. Porter, who ran it for several years. Other parties who have from time to time operated this house, are C. H. Allen. Thomas Lawrence, who had charge of the house in 1862-3, and was succeeded by Benjamin Trott, who improved the premises and who operated it till his death, in December, 1879. In 1884 it was owned and conducted by his widow, Mrs. Hannah Trott. This hotel was, without doubt, the finest in Vernon county in 1884. It was a three story frame building, 32x45 feet, and finished in good style. The first cost was $7,000.

Mrs. Hannah Trott, proprietress of the Bay State House, De Soto, is the widow of Benjamin Trott, who came to De Soto in 1 859. He was born in Shuncook in the British Province, in 1816. He was brought up in the State of Maine. He came here in the milling interests of Gate & Co., and had charge of the manufacturing of shingles in the mill of this company. In February, 1864, he rented the Bay State House, which he conducted for several years, then purchased it, and continued in charge of the same, till his death, which occurred Dec. 15, 1879. He was a man highly respected in the community in which he lived, as an upright, honorable citizen. His wife still owns and conducts the hotel. Her maiden name was Hannah Bean. She was born in Perry, Washington Co., Maine. She has two children - Barbara, wife of Mr. Steele, of Viroqua, and Rebecca, wife of Robert Rice.

The next hotel was the De Soto House, built soon after the Bay State House was erected. It was built by Kurtz & Hale for a hotel and boarding house, but finally was used for a carriage and wagon shop.

The second hotel, called the De Soto, was formerly a store building and was chajiged to a hotel, by Edward Sweeney. This house, in 1884, was being operated by Mrs. Ann M. Miller.

The postoflice at De Soto, was established in 1855. Dr. S. D. Powers was the first postmaster, and Adam Carlyle acted as his deputy. The next to hold the office was Dr. Osgood, with J. C. Kurtz as his deputy. Dr. Osgood was succeeded by C. B. Whiting, whose deputy was Fred Carr. In 1884 the postmaster was J. H. Rogers, who was appointed in 1865. This be.

carue a money order office in July, 1678. The first order was issued to J. H.Hinds, for 138.32. Tlie first order paid, was to Mrs. John Babcock and was dated July 22, 1878.

D. Abbott Steele came to De Soto Oct. 5, 1855, in company with his brother, Alvah Steele, who remained about three years and returned to New Hampshire. D. Abbott Steele was born ill Georgia, where his parents, who were natives of New Hampshire, were then living. He has been variously engaged since coming to De Soto; in 1884, he was engaged in the furniture business.

Edmund Houghton came to De Soto April 1, 1855. He is now the earliest present resident on the village town plat. He was born in Harvard, Mass., in 1808. Served an apprenticeship in New Hampshire, to the trade of a machinist; and came here from that State. A friend of Mr. Houghton's, R. P. Waite, came with him, l>ut returned to New Hampshire. Mr. Houghton made a location on section 10, town 11, ange 7 west, where he mide a claim which her still owns, but he has always made his home in the village. His wife was Nancy Bryant, a native of New Hampshire. They have one daughter - Ellen, the wife of Woodbridge Dyre.

Other early settlers of the town were : Samuel Pike, who came from Massachusetts in 1855, and remained until 1873, when he removed to Iowa. He was a painter by trade ; C. B. Stevens, who was a tinner, came into the village of De Soto in the spring of 1855, and continued to live there until 1882, when he moved to Dakota. Also, Dennis Powers, Sidney R. Gage, Hugh McDill, R. F. Lemen, A. McDowell and Anthony Valle, a Frenchman, who enlisted into the United States army and died at Andersonville prison. cnuKCUES.

organized in 1857. The first preacher was Rev. Myron Clendenning. The original members were : Jacob Chase and wife, A. D. Chase and wife, Moses Sanderson and wife ( Mr. Sanderson was a local preacher); Peter Waldron, Bridane Sanderson and wife. These are all that are remembered.

De Soto, Retreat and Central societies have comprised one circuit, hence this is called the Central Church. The Rev. Newton Lane assisted Rev. Clendenning, who was the first on the circuit. The circuit at that time, comprised a large area of territory. Rev. Clendenning is now a member of the Rock River Conference. The Rev. Lane died in the service during the Rebellion. Rev. Clendenning was succeeded by Rev. Smith.. He by the Rev. Bassenger; then came the Rev. J. E. Irish ; other pastors were W. P. Hill, Christopher Bushby, Thomas Manuel, H. J. Walker, D. L. Hubbard, D. Clingman, H. D. Jenks and the Rev. W. W. Hurd. The present pastor is the Rev. I. F. Nuzum. The Central church building was erected in IS'/V. It is a frame structure, one and a half stories, and cost about $900. A Sunday school has been supported since the class was organized ; it now numbers seventyfive members.

Rev. George W. Nuzum, formerly pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Viroqua, was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Aug. 26, 18-32. He there grew to manhood. He was a student for some time at the college at Athens, Ohio. When twenty-three years of age, he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the Ohio Conference. He was married in Ohio to Miss M. F. Groves, and in 1856 came to Vernon Co., Wis., joining the Bad Ax circuit and preaching at various points according to the customs of his Church. Mr. Nuzum first settled on forty acres of land in Viroqua town, where he lived for a number of years. Subsequeuily he resided for about eight years in Liberty town. He then settled on his present farm in

Viroqua. He has been engaged in the active ministry ever since his removal to Vernon county, twenty years, except at intervals, when ill health compelled him to retire for a season of rest. He has ten children, six sons and four daughters.

Isaac F. Nuzum, son of George W. Nuzum, also a Methodist minister, was born in June, 1855, in Perry Co., Ohio. He began the ministry in 1877, at which time be joined the West Wisconsin Conference. He is at present pastor of the Church at De Soto. He married Lydia A., daughter of David McCulloch, an early settler of Crawford Co., Wis.

The first meeting of the Congregational society in this locality was held Feb. 15, 1856. The society was organized at this meeting. The minister present was the Rev. L. L. Radcliffe, of La Crosse district convention. Among the number who joined the society at this time were : Charles Houghton and wife, Fannie Houghton, Mrs. Mary E. Roach, Mrs. Abbie W. Tobey (the last two were daughters of Mr. Houghton ). Daniel D. Fuller and wife, Mercy P. Fuller, Alexander Young and wife, Wilton E. Roach and J. F. Tobey. The first pastor was Rev. L. L. Radcliffe ; the first oiBcers were Charles Houghton, deacon ; and Daniel Fuller, clerk. Rev. L. L. Radcliffe was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Parker, in 1863, and he by Rev. Peter Valentine, in 1865. The next pastor in charge was Rev. L. Bridgeman, who came in 1868 and remained till his successor, Rev. James Mitchell came in 1871 ; the Rev. S. H. Thompson came in 1S74 and was succeeded by Rev. William Houghton, in 1879; Rev. Charles Vaile was pastor in 1881 ; then came Rev. William Houghton to his second pastorate.

A church building was erected in 1859; it was built in the Gothic style of architecture, and cost the society about $1,800. The society has been supported by a good Sunday school since the time of its organization in 1859. D,

A1)br)tt Steele, who was elected siipevintendent of this school in 1862, was still its superinteiulciit in 1884, having served continuously for twenty-one years. This school averages about thirty-Hve pupils.

The tirst class was formed by Rev. T. C. Clendenning in tlie year 1858. The members, as near as can be ascertained, were as follows : James Lawrence and Mary, his wife ; William Hemraingway and wife, and his son, George, and daughter, Mary Heramingway, and William Wyburn.

The De Soto Baptist Church was organized at the house ot Dr. James Osgood, Jan 11, 1855, with a constituency of sixteen members, who adopted as theirs the New Hampshire articles of faith and covenant. The Church was duly recognized by council on the 9th of the following February. A. B. Hubbard, a member of the Church, served as its pastor with acceptance for six months, after which Rev. D. Mulhern became pastor. For a while the I Church gained in membership, both by baptism [ and letter. In 1^57 serious trouble arose which resulted in the exclusion of quite a number of members. The aggrieved, with others, holding letters from other Baptist Churches, called for a council, which was attended by delegates from the La Crosse and Winona, Minn., Churches. Although the Church was represented in the council, it refused to comply with the recommendation to reconsider its action. The council further recommended that, should the Church refuse to reconsider its action, a new Church should be formed. This was done soon after by the union of about twenty members. The new Church was admitted to the La Crosse Valley Baptist Association at its next annual meeting. Rev. D. Mulhern served as its pastor, and a few were added by baptism. Through removals its membership was reduced and its meetings discontinued, and were never revived. The first Church held occasional meetings at De Soto. In March, 1861, its place of meeting was changed to Brush Creek. Here it was prospered, at one time numbering thirtyone members. Removals and change of residence led.the Church in 1868 to again make De Soto its place of meeting. Concessions were made which resulted in those living in the neighborhood, members of the second Church, uniting with the old Church. The following year Rev. S. E. Sweet became pastor and was ordained. He preached here and at other points, one of which was Harmony, where a Baptist Church was organized the following January. Rev. Sweet served the two Churches one year, when, in order to pursue further study, he went to Beaver Dam, Wis. In 1872 Rev. William Haughton became pastor, serving the Harmony Church also. He remained about eighteen months. From this time regular monthly meetings were held, with occasional preaching, till February, 1875, when Rev. N. L. Sweet became pastor. Quite a number were added to the Church by baptism. Rev. Sweet's pastorate continued four years. Since his resignation tlie Church has been declining. Although twenty-eight names are reported now, but very few are active members.

charter members were: James Lyttle, Fred Schmidt, William Davis, Philip B. Peters, George Eckhardt, B. D. Jenks, D. A. Steele, Fred A. Schlottman, Jacob Eckhardt and AVoodbridge Dyre. The first officers were : James Lyttle P. M. W; Jacob Eckhardt, M. W; P. B. Peters, foreman; B. D. Jenks, recorder; D. A. Steele, financier; W. Dyre, receiver; George Eckhardt, guide; F. A. SchlottmaUj overseer; F. Schmidt, I. W; William Davis, O. W; P. B. Peters, George Eckhardt, and James Lyttle, trustees. In 1884 this lodge had a working membership of thirty-two, and was in a flourishing condition. In 1884 there was both a lodge of the Odd Fellows and Good Templars at De Soto, each in a flourishing condition.

Disastrous Fiebs

The 8te im mill of Whiting & Carr was burned ill .July, 1865, involving a loss of over $20,000. In March, 1879, occurred the worst conflagration that ever visited the place. The cause of tills fire has always remained a mystery. It originated in the general store of L. C. Larson. Eight buildings were consumed. Mr. Ingersoll sustained the greatest loss, which included two buildings occupied as a wagon and blacksmith shop, together with a fine stock of general merchandise. His total loss was about $10;000. Among tbose wao sustained quite heavy losses were:L. C. Larson, John L. O'Kre, J. F .Allen, Fred Schmidt and John Devlin. This fire was a serious blow to De Soto, from which it never fully recovered.

The Oldest Shoemaker In America

In 1884 the village of De Soto boasted of a resident, who came to the place at an early date, and who by careful investigation was found to have been actively engaged more years, at the shoe bench, than any other man in the country. This gentleman's name is Patrick De Lacy, who has been constantly engaged at the bench since twelve years of age, or a period of seventy-one years. And strange to say, after

Village Of Victory

This village was laid out in 1852, by Henry W. McAuley, VVilliara F. Terhune, Ira Stevens and Hiram Rice. It was named Victory, by Judge William F. Terhune, on account of the victory over Black Hawk, which occurred near this place. There were three houses on the site of the village when it was laid out, one of which was built by Timothy Piper; the second by Hiram Rice, and the third by the French traders, who had occupied the place. Tlie first building after the laying out of the village was built by Hiram Rice a<i a warehouse. This was a cheap building, 16x24 feet. Tlie first structure of much importance was erected by .lohn Cavinee, who kept it as a hotel for some time. He came here from Ohio, and finally moved from this point to California, where he died.

H. W. McAuley opened the first store in the building which the French traders had erected. Soon after the laying out of the town, .John Cavinee became an equal partner with Mr. ]Mc- Auley in the ownership of the north part of the plat. In the laying out of the village, the plat was surveyed by H. W. McAuley and Samuel McMichael.

A postoffice was established at Victory in 1854. John C. Berry was the first postmaster. Among others who have held this office was R. McAuley. Mrs. August Mueller was postmistress in 1884, having succeeded her husband.

Victory has always been an important j)oint for the buying and shipment of grain. It has three warehouses, one of which is built of stone, through which, in years gciiie by, has passed 100,000 bushels of wheat per annum, besides other grains. It was built by tlie farmers and called the "Farmers Stock Warehouse." The two other warehouses were built respectively by John C. Berry and Spencer & Co. There is quite an amount of grain bouglit here now, but not so much as in earlier times.

Nancy Berry taught the first term of school in the village, which was also the first in the town of Wheatland in 1854. The place now has a good two story frame school house, which cost $1,200.

The first death in the place was that of a man named Entield. He died early in the history of the village and was buried on the land afterward occupied as a cemetery.

This point on the Mississippi river was first known as "Stevens' Landing,'" from Ira Stevens the first settler. He made the original entry of fifty-four acres on which the town site was laid out. His patent bears date, Nov. 1, 1849, and was signed by President Zachary Taylor. At the time this entry was made it had been occupied by French traders for many years, who came here for the ]>ur])ose of trading with the Indians.

Personal Histories

Ira Stevens, of the village of Victory, has been a resident of the county since January, 1850. He was born near Toronto, Canada, in 1819. He passed the winter of 1889-40 in Cliicago, and went to Galena the following spring; located at Prairie Du C'hein, in 1844, and came to Bad Ax county, as stated, in 1850. He married Eliza Decker, a daughter of Moses Decker, who was the earliest settler of Viro(jun.

Harriet A. Porter, of De Soto, is the widow of Henry G. Porter, who settled with his family in De Soto, Aug. 15, 1855. The family resided in tlie village until al>out 1860, when they removed to a farm on section II, in the town of Wheatland, which Mrs. Porter still owns. Mr. Porter died December, 1880. He was a native of Oxford, Maine, where he was born Sept. 19, 1825.

He was married, in 1859, in New Hampshire, to his present widow, Harriet Bryant, born in New Hampshire. She first came west with friends, in 1855, but returned to New Hampshire, where she was married. Mrs. Porter has one daughter - Mary Lillian, born in De Soto, August, 1860. Mrs. Porter is now a resident of the village of De Soto.

H. W. McAuley is a native of North Carolina. His ancestors belonged to the Mecklenberg colony, which emigrated to North Carolina from Scotland in 1774. He was born Sept. 9, 1816. His father, Daniel McAuley, emigrated to Wythe Co., Va., when H. W. was but three months old. In 18-30 the family removed to Hendricks Co., Ind. Mr. McAuley came to the territory of Wisconsin, in 1835, and located at Mineral Point, in what is now Iowa county, where he engaged in mining for a time. He was in Grant county when it was organized - in May, 1835. In August, of that year, he went back to Mineral Point. Mr. McAuley, at this time, was quite a young man, and not permanently located. He returned to Indiana in the fall of 1835, but came to Wisconsin again, the following year. In 1839 he again returned to Indiana; was married and returned in 1840, locating at Lancaster, Grant county. He had built the first house in the present village of Lancaster, two years previous to that time (in 1838). In 1852 he came to the town of Wheatland, and assisted in laying out the village of Victory, as will appear in the history of the town of Wheatland. He was the first merchant in the village. He has been a resident of Vernon county since he went to Victory, June 7, 1852. In November of that year, he went to Liberty Pole and engaged in the mercantile business. In the fall of 1853 he removed his goods to Viroqua, where he was in business for some time. In the fall of 1854, owing to the difficulty of getting store room at Viroqua, he removed to the town of Sterling and located on section 10. He built a saw and grist mill, on the Bad Ax river, which was the second mill built on'the Wisell branch of this river, Ira Wisell having erected the first mill. Mr. McAuley engaged in milling till 1873, when he sold out to his sons and removed to Sparta, where he invented a turbine water wheel on which he obtained a patent. He engaged in the patent-right business for a time, and then again located at Sterling. He now resides in the town of Wheatland, on section 31, town 12 north, of range 6 west, where he is engaged in farming, and making a specialty of manufacturing sorghum. Mr. McAuley has been three times married. His first wife was Eliza Ann Richie, born in Nicholas Co., Ky. His second wife was Rebecca A. McConnell, a native of Ohio. His present wife was Melvina Sloan, born in Pennsylvania. Mr. McAuley has had twelve children, seven of whom are living. Mr. McAuley is one of the well known early settlers of Vernon county, and has been intimately connected with its growth and progress since its organization. He was one of the early attorneys of the county, having been admitted to the bar in 1842.

R. M. McAuley, of DeSoto, is the son of H. W. McAuley, now of the town of Wheatland. He came to this county with his father, in 1852. He has been a resident of the village since 1872. lie is a miller by trade, having been taught that business by his father. After coming to De Soto, he opened a feed store, which he continued for some time, then engaged in general merchandising under the firm name of McAuley & Bell. The firm was afterward changed to H. W. McAuley & Son. He was engaged for one year with ('. L. IngersoU and after that with C. H. Upham. In February, 1881, he retired from merchandising »nd is now engaged in farming, giving special attention to the raising of sorghum. Mr. McAuley was married to Mary Young, daughter of Alex Young. She was born in Crawford county. Wis. Mr. and Mrs. McAuley have five children - John, Royal and Raymond (twins), Marv E. and Frank.

Adam Carlyle came to De Soto in August, 1855. No man has been more intimately connected with the history of the village than he. On coming to De Soto he engaged in merchandising with Thomas Dowse, under the firm name of Carlyle, Dowse & Co. In 1858 their stock and trade was sold to parties in Lansing, Iowa, and Mr. Carlyle re-embarked in busi ness under the firm name of N. S. Cate & Co. From 1862 to 1865 he was connected with the firm of John C. Kurtz & Co. In 1870 he was employed as book-keeper by Joseph Reynolds, the owner of the "Diamond Jo" line of steamboats, and was stationed at Fulton, 111. From 1874 to 1878 he was in Patterson, N. J., engaged with Capt. J. B. Wilcox, of Victory, in selling Minnesota flour. In 1879 Mr. Carlyle was constituted agent at De Soto for the "Diamond Jo" line of steamers, a position he has since held. Mr. Carlyle is a native of Dumfries, Scotland, born in 1826. He emigrated with his father's family to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1840. The family removed from New York to Canada, where the father, Walter Carlyle, resided until his death. In 1852 Mr. Carlyle went to ( hicago. 111., where he was engaged as clerk by Mills & Co. Three years later he came to De Soto. Mr. Carlyle has been connected with De Soto from its infancy and has always been highly esteemed as an upright business man and a valuable citizen. His wife, Mrs. Catharine E. (Cook) Carlyle, is a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. C;irlyle have eight children, six of whom were born in De Soto - Walter J., Catharine J., Thomas, wio was the first white child born in De Soto (born Feb. 14, 1856), now at Fulton, 111., Annie C, Mattie, Daisy M., Adam and George.

Arvin Chase resides on section 32, where he entered eighty acres, in 1855. He resided here, however, at that time for about one year, and then located in the town of Sterling, t)n what is known as the H. Bellows place. He re-seltled here in 1870. The farm, which contains -200 acres, is now owned by his brother, R. J. Chase, who was the youngest of his father's family.

and came to the county about 1858 ; studied law with Judge Graham, of Viroqua, where he was adniitled to the bar ; served in the Union army durins; the Rebellion,and is now practicing his profession at Sioux City, Iowa. Another brotlier, Lucius, also studied law with Judge Graham. He is now deceased. The father, Jacob Chase, settled in the town of Sterling, in 1858, where he resided till his death.

James H. Rogers, general merchant and postmaster at DeSoLo, was born in Indiana, in 1842; he has resided in Vernon county since 1855, when his father, B. H. Rogers came to this county, with his family, and located ai Springville ; he afterwards removed to the town of Wheatland, where he died in 1868. James H. enlisted in the Union army in 1862, as a soldier in company A, 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, first commanded by Capt. James Berry, afterwards by Col. Butt, and still later by Capt. J. K. Casson. Mr. Rogers participated in most of the campaigns and battles in which the twenty-fifth was engaged, including Kennesaw Mountain, siege of Vicksburg, Resaca and Sherman's march to the sea. He has been engaged in business in De Soto since 1865, building his present store in 1868, a frame building 24x36 feet. He was appointed to his present position as postmaster, October, 1865. His wife was Esther Coffin, daughter of Peleg Coffin, who settled in the town of Freeman, Crawford county, in 1855 ; further notice of whom will be found elsewhere. Mr. Rogers has five children - Winnie 11., Minnie E., James H., Jr., Charles M. and Mary Z.

Joel T. Shaw is one of the early settlers of the town of Wheatland. He landed at DeSoio, Oct. 1 1, 1855, by the steamer War Eagle, which was afterwards burned at LaCrosse. The same fall he entered 120 acres of land on section 29, where he still resides. His farm now contains 160 acres, 100 acres being improved. Mr. Shaw was born in the town of Glover, Orleans Co., Vt., in 1821. His parents were Seth T. and Clarinda (Mason) Shaw. His father died in

New Hampshire, and his mother in Vermont. Mr. Shaw was married in Mas.sachusetts, to Elizabeth Bodwell, a native of New Hampshire. They have two daughters - Jane A., now Mr.s. Chris Larson, born in Vermont, and Julia Frances, born in the town of Wheatland, now Mrs. Harry Clark.

One of the early settlers of the town of Wheatland is John W. White, who resides on section 11, town 11, range 7 west, where he settled in May, 1855, purchasing his land of Dr. E. B. Houghton. Mr. White is a native of Massachusetts, and was born in Fairhaven, now town of Acushuet, Mass., in 1822; where he resided until he went to New Bedford, Mass., where he was in business for a number of years. His father, Phineas White, was a cotton manufacturer. He was a lineal descendant of William White, who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620, and whose son. Peregrin White, was the first child born in the pilgrim settlement. The father of Mr. White had nine children, seven of whom are living - five sons and two daughters. He died in 1878, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. John VV. is the only one of the family who settled in Wisconsin. The land which Mr. White purchased of Dr. Houghton consisted of but twenty acres. On this he built a log house the year that he came here. This house is still standing, and is one of the oldest in town. Mr. White occupied it until 1878, when he erected his present residence. His farm proper contains 160 acres; this he entered as government land the year that he came here. His wife was Catharine H. Ashley, a native of Mas.sachusetts. They have had five children, three of whom are living - James, Charles A., deceased; Alice, deceased ; John M. and Edward I. The last named was born in the town of Wheatland, the others in Massachusetts. Mr. White enlisted January, 1864, in the 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was in service until the close of the war. He was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, after which he was not in active service.

Josiali F. Allen, wagon-maker of De Soto, came to Vernon county in 1856 and settled at Springville in the town of Jefferson. He is tlie son of Truman Allen an early settler of Springville, but at present a resident of De Soto. J. F. Allen was born in Keysville, Essex county., in 1837. VN'hen a lad he moved with his parents from the State of New York to Rock Island, III., thence to Springville, \N is. He afterwards returned to New York and having lived in different parts of that State he remeved from thence to De Soto, Vernon county, several years after his father had located there. At the time of the Rebellion he enlisted in the U^lh New "i ork Volunteer Infantry, and served six months, being then discharged for disability. He learned his trade, that of a wagon-maker, in Fredonia, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. He came to De Soto in the fall of 1875. Mr. Allen has been twice married; his first wife died at Fredonia; she was Almeda Taylor of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. His present wife was Emma Heal of De Soto. He has two children by his first wife - Wilton G. and Wallace T. and also two by present wife - Goldie and Silv'ia.

William Fosdick was born in Maine in 1810, his parents were natives of New Hampshire. He settled in De Soto in May li-55, and that year entered 120 acres of government land on section 12, where he resided for a number of years. April 1, 1873, he settled on section 36, where he now lives. He has been twice married. His first wife was Hannah Eastman who died here in 1861. His second wife was a widow when she married Mr. Fosdick, her maiden name was Clara A. Smith. She was a native of Brandon, Franklin Co., N. Y., but was brought up in Vermont. Mrs. Fosdick's first hushand was Henry Webster, who died in Fairfield, Vt., in 1850. She was married to Mr. Fosdick in 1862. By his first wife Mr. Fosdick has one son, Albert E., another Henry A., was a soldier, a member of the 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, company I. He died at Washington, while still iii the service. Mrs.

William Cushing resides on section 14, town 11, range 7 - west. He was born in the town of Pembrook, W^ashington Co., Maine, in 1835. He was brought up on a farm and when a young man engaged in lumbering and milling. He came to De Soto in 1857, with N. S. Gate & Co. In 1860 he purchased a claim of S. D. Powers, and settled upon it in 1868. All improvements upon it have been made since that time. July 1, 1861, he enlisted in company I, 6th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served four years or until the close of the war. He participated in fifteen general engagements, including among the number the second battle of Bull Run, the battles of Gainesville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Hatches Run and Five Forks. He was wounded during the battle of Bull Run and also at Spottsylvania. He was detached to Battery D, 5th Rhode Island Light Artillery, near Cattlet's Station, Va. April 18, 1862, returned to his regiment again April, 1863. He was taken a prisoner at the Battle of Hatche's Run, Feb. 6, 1865, where he was held as a prisoner of war in Libby prison, Richmond, for two months when exchanged and returned to his regiment. For one year after the war he resided in St. Louis. He married Julia A. Warham, a native of Oswego Co., N. Y. They have three children - Mary E. Luella G. and Cassius I.

Mrs. S. G. Heal resides on section 1, in the town of Wheatland, her farm contains 112 acres. Mrs. Heal is the widow of Stephen G. Heal, who was born in England, in 1844, and died here June 29, 1879. He emigrated to the United States with his parents when he was quite young. Mr, Heal came to Vernon county in 1857, at the same time, Mr. Miller, the father of Mrs. Heal, also arrived in this county. Henry JNIiller was a native of Belfast, Ireland. He emigrated to this country with his family and settled at Paterson, N. J., wliere he engaged in mercantile business. The year of his arrival in V^ernon county he purchased the farm wliich his (laughter now own.s, of William Ovvles. He returned to Paterson, where he died in February, 187P ; bi.s wife died in September of the same year. Tliey had twelve children, but four of whom are living - Elcazer .1., of Paterson N. J., Joseph R., residing in the same city, Elizabeth and Ellen M. The youngest son was a member of company I, Oih regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at tiie battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Heal was married to Ellen Miller, Nov. 3, 1870; he had lived in the family of Mr. Miller some time previous to this event. Some time after his marriage he purchased the farm on which Mrs. Heal now resides, of his father-in-law. Mrs. Heal has four children - Mary E., Agnes S., Lizzie H. and Henry S. She lost her oldest child, Lizzie M.

Henry H. Morgan resides on section 5, town of Wheatland. He isason of Richard Morgan, a native of New Hampshire, who settled on this tarni in \X5H. When a young man, Richard Morgan moved to Maine, where he married Ach.sah Whitcomb. From there he moved 'o this State. At this time he had a family of five children - Samuel, the eldest, came here witli a family of his own ; he now resides in Ogden, Boone Co., Iowa. Joseph, the second son is now in the town of Sterling. Two other children are Achsah and .Henry H., the latter of whom owns the homestead where his father settled in 1856. He was born in the State of Maine, in 1840, and came to this county the year after his father. He married Elizabeth Phillips, a native of Monmouthshire, England. Edmund Philli|i8, her father, having died in England, her mother emigrated to the United States with her family in 18,54. Mrs. Phillips moved to De Soto in 1803, and resided there until her death, which occurred in May, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have five children - Mary W., Roscoe P., Grace C, Wesley H. and Maurice

E. The homestead farm has now 220 acres, it originally contained 240. Mr. Morgan is one of the prominent farmers of the town of Wheatland. He has been a justice of the peace and assessor of the town, and is at present chairman of the town board, a position which he has held for six years.

Charles Reiter, owner of the De Soto brewery and also of the Lansing and De Soto ferry boat, J. A. Rhomburg, is the son of Martin Reiter, who settled in the town of Freeman, Crawford Co., Wis., in 1853. In 1857 he settled at Retreat, in the town of Sterling, of this county, where he lived about twelve years. He then settled in the town of Wheatland. He removed to Minnesota, in 1872, where he now lives. He is a native of Germany ; his wife was born in America. Charles E., was born in Albany Co., N. Y., in 1851, and came to Wisconsin with his parents. With the exception of six years, ending in 1878, which he spent on the frontier of Minnesota, he has been a resident of Vernon county since he came here with his father's family. Before engaging in his present occupation he was engaged in farming and stock buying for several years. His wife was Cora A. Green, a native of Vermont. They have three children - William H., Charles W. and Myrtle.

One of the early settlers of the town of Wheatland, is Jeremiah J. Tenney, who resides on section 6, on the farm' which he entered June 11, 1855. He made some improvements on the place the first season, and brought his family here April 26, 1856. He entered 245 acres on sections 6 and 7, and still owns that amount of land, although he has disposed of part of his original entry. Mr. Tenney was born in the town of Topsfield, Esse.v Co., Mass., April 17, 1805. From the age of seven till that of nineteen years he lived in the Stale of Maine; afterwards he was a resident of Massachusetts and New Ham))shire until he came here. Mr. Tenney learned the trade of a millwright. He was a skillful mechanic, and for many j-ears en- gaged 111 business pertaining to his trade. For eight years in Mancliester, N. H., and ten years in Lawrence, Mass., be was employed as a millwright in manufacturing establishments. He went to Manchester before the first mill was built there, and from there to Lawrence, where he was engaged to assist in the erection of mills. For over twenty years he followed his trade of a millwright. He married Patience Choate (Proctor), who was born in Derry, Rockingham Co., N. H., Jan. 26, 1807, and died March 5, 1877. Mr. Tenney has five children - Charles A., Jacob, Elizabeth, Thomas and Lyman W. He lost three children, two of wliora died in infancy, the other a son, Gilman, enlisted in company A, 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served about fifteen months, when his health failing him he obtained a furlough, hoping a visit home would fully restore him. He arrived at De Soto in a very feeble condition, and stopped at the home of his comrade, Charles Tilden, where he suddenly died, not having reached his destination. The loss of his son was a terrible blow to his father, and he still feels deeply his sad afliiction. Charles, the oldest son, lives in the town of Wheatland; was a soldier in the Union army, and is a teacher by profession. Thomas was born in Manchester, N. H. He is also a teacher. Elizabeth, the only daughter, a native of Derry, N. H., followed the same profession for many years.

John C. Davis came to De Soto in I8.')8, in the interests of the milling firm of N. S. Cate it Co. He was born in the town of Chester, Rockingham Co., N. H., in October, 1826. The earlier years of his life, from the time he was five years old, were spent in Haverhill, Mass., in the family of a man named Crowell, his father, John Davis, having died when he was quite young. His mother, formerly Polly Emerson, was a native of Chester, N. H., and died in Massachusetts in 1862. Mr. Davis married Sarah M. Blood, a native of Boston. For sometime after coming to De Soto, Mr. Davis continued in his position as agent for N. 8, Cate & Co. Afterwards for several years he was engaged in the mercantile trade, and at the same time was agent of the Northwestern Insurance Co. He was a man quite generally known in the county, especially as an agriculturalist. For a long time he was a member of the M. E. Church, and for several years a preacher of that denomination. He died Aug. 16, 1883. Pie had been an invalid for a number of years and a great sufferer during that lime; but his sufferings were greatly alleviated by the constant and devoted attentions of his faithful wife and daughters. The family at present consists of Mrs. Davis and six children - Ellen, Lisette, Edward S., E. Stacy, Cora F , Susie E. and Russell.

Noah E. French is engaged in the grocery and restaurant business at De Soto. In 1S.t9 he came to the town of Wheatland with his uncle, James Davenport, who now lives in Crawford county, and has been a resident of this town ever since. His father, Noble P. French, died in the State of Indiana when Noah E. was a child. His mother, Ruth, came here with her second husband, Benjamin Rogers. She died in 187.3. Noah E. French was born in Broome Co., N. Y.,in 1843. From New York he moved to Indiana, from there to Grundy Co., 111., coming here from the last named State. He married Sophia Gould, a daughter of Joseph Gould, a native of Massachusetts. She died here Aug. 13, 1872. Mr. French's present wife was Elizabeth Powell, daughter of Francis E. Powell. Mr. French has one daughter by his first marriage - Minnie J., and five children by his second wife - Mary, Lizzie, Bertha, Nellie and Noble P.

William A Hodge, of Victory, is proprietor of the Victoria Nursery and is extensively engaged in fruit growing. In 1866 he entered eighty acres of land on section 27, which he at once began to improve. In 1868 he began the nursery business and has been successfully engaged in that business until the present time.

He makes a specialty of small fruits; has a large experience in the business and follows his occupation with a perseverance and ardor which indicate both his love for the business and his determination to succeed. Marked success has attended his labors. His stock includes all kinds of apples, which his experience has taught him are adapted to this climate. He has a great variety of plums, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc. The business is carried on in a most systematic manner, Mr. Hodge himself performing a largo part of the labor required. The satisfaction that is expressed with the stock he produces is well attested by his large patronage. His business is constantly increasing; witliin the last fevv years he has purchased forty lots in ihe village of Victory, which he is devoting to nursery stock and small fruit. He is also engaged in the raising of sorghum, manufacturing from 1,500 to 2,000 gallons annually. Among his industries may also be mentioned bee keeping and market gardening, supplying the steamboats with vegetables and shipping also to La Crosse and Lansing. Recently he established a mill of four horse power, suitable for all kinds of grinding, except flour. Mr. Hodge is one of the most active business men in V^ernon county. He was born in Yates Co., N. Y., in 1832; there he also received liis education. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in the 46th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served nine months; being badly wounded at the battle of Harrisonburg, Va., he was discharged for disability. In 1864 he came to Wisconsin. His wife, Jane Williams, was born in Rockford, 111. She came to Vernon county with her mother, Permelia Williams, who died in this town in 1862. Her father died in Rockford, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Hodge have two children - Olive Jane and Clara L.

Alfred Proctor came to the town of Wheatland Iron Lynn, Mass., in 1862. In 1865 he settled on his present farm, which he purchased of Alfred Rolfe. His farm consists of 160 acres on which all improvements have been made since his possession of it. Mr. Proctor was born in Derry, N. II., in ISls. His parents, Jacob and Lois (Lufkin) Proctor, were natives of Gloucester, Mass. They both died in Derry, N. H. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mary Ann Blodgett, born in Maiden, Mass., in 1824, but died in this State in 1865. His present wife is a lineal descendant of Dr. Jeimer, tlie discoverer of vaccination as a preventative of the small ])ox. Mrs. Proctor was born in Paterson, N. J., in 18-^4. Her maiden name was Mary Ann Jenner. Her father, William Jeniier, died in 1835, when she was eleven years old. From New Jersey she removed to Ohio, where she married Enoch Yocum in Cincinnati in 1847, who died in Toledo in 1853. After the death of her husband Mrs. Yocum returned to New Jersey and with her mother's family removed to Salem, Henry Co., Iowa. At this place she was married to Samuel H. Woodmansee in 1857 and removed with him to Lansing, Iowa, at which place he died in 1863. Several years later (1868) she was married to Mr. Proctor. By his first wife Mr. Proctor had seven children, two of whom are living in Chicago, two in Washington territory, two in the town of Sterling, Vernon Co., Wis., and one remains at home. Mrs. Proctor had two children by her first marriage; both of them died in infancy. Mrs. Proctor's mother died in Crawford Co., Wis., in 1879.

One of the earliest settlers of Vernon county is Alexander Latsliaw. Perhaps, with the exception of Lee Grant Sterling, there is no older resident of the county. In 1847 he made an entry in the town of Sterling, on sections 3 and 4, town 11, range 6 west. At the time of his arrival there were but two families in the town - those of L. G. Sterling and George Nichols. In 1867 he removed from Sterling to Victory, where he has since resided. His son James, born June 18, 1847, was the first male white child born in Vernon county. Mr. Latshaw is i a native of Sullivan Co., Ind., where he was born in 1824. His father, Joseph Latshaw, was a native of Pennsylvania, from which State he removed to Indiana, where he lived until his death, in September, 1845. He settled in Indiana in the year 1814. Mr. Latshaw has generally been engaged in farming; he is at present in the wood trade. He married Mary Clark, daugliter of William Clark, a native of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Latshaw have seven children - James, Albert, Belle, Edward, Kate, Nellie and Clare - four sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in the town of Sterling except Clare, the youngest, who is a native of Victory.

John D. Babcock is the son of Simeon Babcock, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Crawford county with his family in 1854, but died the following year, before he had made a settlement. The family settled, soon after the father's death, in the town of Freeman, Crawford county. lie was married three times ; his widow, Liberty Furman, a native of Pennsylvania, lives in De Soto. Simeon Babcock had six children by his last wife. John D. resides in De Soto ; was born in Pennsylvania in 1851 ; has lived in De Soto since 1865 ; he married Rossie Greene, a native of Vermont. Mr. Babcock is at present engaged in buying grain for the firm of Fred Eckhardt & Co.

Charles H. Upliam, general merchant, came to this State and also to De Soto in ISVS. He was born in Great Barrington, Mass., in 1853. On coming to De Soto Mr. Upliam engaged himself as a clerk to Stevens & Son, in general merchandising business. He remained with them three years, when he engaged in business for himself. He keeps a complete stock of geiieral goods. Hardware is an important department of his business ; also the manufacture of tinware, as he is a tinner by trade. He also handles farming implements. Mr. Upham came to De Soto a young man, with but little means, and by attention to business he has succeeded in establishing a good trade. His stock is one of the most complete in tlie

Joshua A. Cooper, wagon and carriage manufacturer at De Soto, established his business Oct. 1, 1875. He was born in Connecticut in 18.33. His father died when he was a child. Mr. Cooper has spent a number of years of his life in traveling, and has visited various parts of the* United States. When about eighteen years of age he went to Richmond, Va., where he lived three or four years. He established a wagon manufacturing business at Winona, Minn., in 1857. As before stated, Mr. Cooper has traveled extensively, having worked in not less than twenty-three States and territories ; also in Canada. He married Jane Coy, a native of New York. They have three children - Edward L., Alice M. and William A. The oldest was born in Montana, and William in Preston, Minn. Mr. Cooper is engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages ; also sells farming implements.

The firm of C. Lyttle & Co. consists of C. Lyttle and Peyton Davidson, of La Crosse. Mr. Lyttle came to De Soto and engaged m the lumber business, in the spring of 1870, which he conducted alone for two years, and was then joined in business by his brother, James, who was with him one year. Mr. Lyttle was again in business alone for one year in the lumber and stock trade. The present firm was formed in 1881. They transact a large business in lumber, stock and general merchandising. Mr. Lyttle, who conducts the business, is a gentleman of excellent business qualifications. He is also agent for the Northwestern Line of steamboats. He is a native of Canada and an early settler of La Crosse county, Wisconsin. Mr. Lyttle was born in 1847 and came to De Soto in 1876. His wife was Alice Haney, a daughter of James H. Haney.

13, 1833, and came to the town of Sterling in the spring of 1847 with Alexander Latsbaw. At the same time came J. L. Tewalt and Lewis Trainer, the former of whom settled in the town of Sterling. The latter settled at Dodgeville, Iowa county, but afterward removed to Miiscoda, where he died. He came to Vernon county with his mother's family, consisting of eight children, his father, William Clark, having died when he was a boy. His mother, Matilda Clark, settled at Walnut Mound, now called Retreat, in the town of Sterling. She now lives in Victory. Mr. Clark came to Victory in 1881 and engaged in merchandising. He married Sarah Wilcox, a native of Indiana. They have three children - Lola L., Effie and Russell. The children of Mrs. Matilda Clark are as follows-Mrs. Martha Chandler (deceased), Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey, James A., who went to California in 18.52 and still lives there; Mrs. Mary Latshaw, William P., at Tomah; Mrs. Jane Messersmith; George C. and Franklin.