Wyocena Town (part 1 of 3)

Wyocena Town

distance by a marsh one-half to one mile in width. Duck Creek crosses the middle sections in a similar direction, and is similarly bounded by marsh. The Fox River marsh has an altitude of about 210 feet ; that of Duck Creek nearly the same. Between the two, there is a nearly level sand plain raised in its highest part not more than 20 to 30 feet above the streams. South of Duck Creek, the surface is much more broken, and near the south line are some quite high bluffs rising to an altitude of 350 feet.

The first entry of land in the town was made by Joseph W. Turner, June 17, 1886, and patented August 10, 1887, for Lots 5, 11 and 12, Section 5, containing 166 acres ; also Lot 5, Section 6, containing 58 acres.

1872 - C. J. Pardee, Chairman ; P. C. Irvine, A. E. Patchin, Supervisors ; H. W. Spear, Clerk ; A. M. Parmenter, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor.

Village Of Wyocena

Hotel of Dickeson. - One night, in the winter of 1844, Elbert Dickeson had a dream, so he affirmed, that upon the site of his farm, on Section 21, there would spring up a village called Wyocena, whichshould be the seat of justice for Columbia County. In the morning, he told his dream to Benjamin Dey, who was then stopping with him. The two talked the matter over and determined to put the plan into execution, for the fulfillment of the dream. To this end, Maj. Dickeson opened a public house, to "afford entertainment for man and beast." In 1846, the old log gave way to a large two-story frame building, which was duly dedicated with a grand dance the evening of July 4. Maj. Dickeson died in 1848 ; the hotel was not completed. Mr. A. A. Bull took a lease of the hotel for a term of years, completed the hotel ; he occupied it for one year, and leased it to William Wolcott for one year. Wolcott sold out his interest to John Hunter. Hunter sold out to Becker; his time expired with the lease. Widow Dickeson, married to Dr. Singer, took possession of the hotel, kept it a short time, and sold out to Noah Dickeson. He, Dickeson, sold his interest to I. M. Carr ; he sold to C. Hill, and he to W. Austin ; that closes the hotel business. The county bought the property for a county house, for which purpose it is now occupied.

About 1850, Dr. Rockwood built a public house, which was purchased by John Lewis, by him sold to J. Hunter ; he, in 1853, disposed of it to James Austin, who, iii 1880, had been in charge of the same for twenty-seven years. The name given to the house was Boston.

Maj. Dickeson, who was a practical surveyor, laid out and platted the new village, in 1846. The Board of County Commissioners adopting it as a temporary county seat, and the prospect seeming good for its being made permanent, lots brought a fair price and considerable improvements were soon under way.

Jacob Rogers was the first to embark in the mercantile business in the place. In 1847, he opened a stock of general merchandise and commanded a fair trade.

In 1817, the citizens erected a small frame building, for school purposes, which was used eight years, when, becoming too small, the district erected a two-story frame building, 32x40. The school was now divided into two departments, the primary department occupying the lower room, and the high school the upper. In 1879-80, Henry Stanley and Nellie Hughes were the teachers.

Some two years before the completion of this building. Elder Miner erected a building for a select school, in which the higher branches should be taught, and students be prepared for college. Only moderate success attended his efforts. In 1817, the building was disposed of to the Methodists and Baptists, for church purposes.

A post office was established here in 1845, with Harvey Bush as Postmaster. Jacob Rogers was next appointed. He resigned in favor of David R. Meloy. Mr. Meloy, in 1852, resigned in favor of John Weiting, who was commissioned by the Post Office Department, under James K. Polk. Through the successive administrations of Polk, Taylor, Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan, Lincoln, Johnson, Grant and Hayes, Mr. Weiting has served the people. - In his proud boast that not a dollar ever mailed in this office has been lost, to the best of his knowledge.

In 1853. a grist-mill was erected by John Hunter and Chauncey Spear. In the fall of that same year, Benjamin Dey purchased the interest of Mr. Spear, the firm remaining Hunter & Dey for two years. In 1855, Mr. Dey purchased Hunter's interest, and, in the fall, the mill was burned. Mr. Dey immediately rebuilt, and on a more extensive scale. In 1865, he disposed of his interest to Mr. Sexton, of Milwaukee. Mr. Sexton continued sole proprietor for four years, when he sold to George Craig, who, in turn, in the spring of 1879, sold to Mr. Douglas.

Wyoaena Cheese Factory. - In the fall of 1875, a stock company was organized for the purpose of manufacturing cheese. A paid-up capital of -f 1,600, composed of sixty-four shares, at $25 each, was immediately subscribed. During the summer of 1876, about forty thousand pounds of cheese were manufactured, and the same during 1877. In 1878 and 1879, the amount was reduced to about twenty-five thousand pounds per year, in consequence of the inability of securing a supply of milk.

Spear's Cheese Factory. - This factory is located about one mile east of the village, and began operations in the summer of 1878, making about twenty -five thousand pounds of cheese. In the summer of 1879, the .same amount was manufactured.

ConyregntioJialist Church. - In the spring of 1853, Rev. S. E. Miner organized a congregation of fifteen members. For two years, services were held in the schoolhouse, but, in 1855, a small, neat house of worship was erected, at a cost of $1,600. From the organization up to Januaiy, 1880, Revs. Miner, Barton, Jenkins, Hassell, Donaldson, Richards, Fairfield, Logan and Ball have served as Pastors. At this time, there were twenty-eight members, with James I. Purvis, George Hill and De Witt Gilson as Trustees ; A. E. Patchin and John Wood, Deacons. A Sunday school was organized in 1853, which continued for three years, when, in connection with the Methodists and Baptists, a union school was organized.

Baptist Church. - The first religious services held in the town, at which there was preaching, was in the summer of 1846, Elder Wood, a Baptist minister, officiating. Elder Wood preached here occasionally for one year, and then returned East. In 1852, Elder Moses Rowley organized a congregation, with D. A. Vaughn and wife, Mrs. Electa Spear and Mr. Sherman and wife, in the organization. Elder Wood returned in 1853, and was called to the pastorate, serving for four years, when he went to Baraboo and remained thi-ee years. Elder Meredith, during that time, having charge of the Wyocena Church. In 1860, Elder Wood again resumed the pastorate, with a record of twenty years' continuous service in the spring of 1880. In conjunction with the Metliodists, the schoolhouse erected by Elder Miner was purchased in 18.57, wherein regular exercises have been held. About forty names were on the roll of church membership, January, 1880 - R. 0. Spear, clerk.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - A class was organized about the year 18.52. In 18.57, together with the Baptists, they purchased a house of worship. In the spring of 1880, they had a membership of twenty.

" Wyocena is the remains of a once thriving and increasing village assassinated by the building of the old La Crosse Railroad. Seventeen years ago, it contained five stores doing a good trade. Now it has two. Pardeeville was erected upon its decadence ; then the new division of the railroad was laid toward Portage ; the seat of commerce again shifted ; the glory of Pardeeville departed, and Rio was built upon its ruins. Wyocena is overgrown with the thin moss of the Western antiquity, and is ancient in appearance, as is permitted to any village of less age than a quarter of a century. It has a good schoolhouse, a tolerably commodious town hall (costing, perhaps, .^1,500 more than the one in Columbus), and two churches. But we observed no new buildings and few evidences of the vigor generally found in Western villages. The railroad, upon which it scarcely impinges, came too late to benefit it much. Its settlement antedated Portage proper, though of course. Fort Winnebago was older. Maj. Dickason, the hardy pioneer of our own village, we are told, was the first settler also. He built the log cabin on the bank of Duck Creek, in which he afterward died. A man named Bush located shortly after the Major, about a mile east of the Columbus road, and Charles Spear, John Dalton and Benjamin Dey, are mentioned too as among the earlier settlers. They live here still, but the Major's descendants have sought newer camping grounds. We believe the old veteran himself was buried here and we meant to visit the spot of his repose, but time did not permit. It is about eleven years since the poor-house was located at Wyocena ; previous to that date a temporary accommodation for the destitute had been provided at Portage. Three inmates were removed to Wyocena in 1858. During the first winter, the institution was kept in a small building a little east of the present one. The three persons with which it was founded were an old deaf man named Savage, who was afterward killed by the cars, a lad whose father sent him from Madison off to school, and who became dissipated, was expelled, and afterward sent up from Portage. The father came after the prodigal when he had been sufficiently punished. The third was a crazy Norwegian, who has since remained here. The buildings now occupied are pleasantly situated close upon Duck Creek. They consist of a two-story wooden building, and an adjoining two-story brick. The latter was built two years since by Messrs. Prescott & Carnagy of Portage, at a cost of about .$4,000. The frame of the former was erected by Maj. Dickason, who had been dispensing his hospitalities from his log cabin on the other side of the creek, and had determined to put up a more modern hostelry. The old Major's light was put out as the frame went up, and it was leased for a term on condition of being completed. It soon passed into the hands of the county and has since been used for its present purpose.

"A little cabin on the Crawfish, in Columbus, was the first structure that the Major built in the West, and the mark of his hands ceased with the future poor-house building of the county. In the interim is the story of all his pioneer days.

"An almshouse is the depository of much sad personal history. It is a discolored, worn and faded volume, in which are bound as many pathetic and discreditable biographies as there are inmates ; it is a charnel-house, where are laid the remains of missspent or unsuccessful lives ; and there is instruction there, in turning over dead relics of the past, and in the study of the causes of their decay ; it is a place where the brightness of life can be only a distant memory, and hope is but a specter of the irrecoverable. Few things can be sadder than the death of worn-out old age in the alms-house. We have talked with men of much experience in the management of pauperism, and they have invariably informed us that, in nine cases out of ten, it

" The individual history of many of the inmates would not be uninteresting, did space permit. In this poor-house, two years ago, died Jonas Haywood, aged ninety-two years. He was a man possessed of much general information, and had fought with Wellington in the Napoleonic wars ; he had many a tale of that stirring period that had never reached the historian's page, and, doubtless, not a few of them were true. The aggregated individual experience of contending armies is the only complete annals of war. It was too large and too frequent drinks that finally beat the old veteran.

"Here also died Gabriel Rongie, at the age of eighty-four, after living here four years. He came to Green Bay fifty-nine years ago, being a French Canadian. He was an Indian trader, and one period had amassed considerable property. During his life he formed three matrimonial alliances with dusky aborigines, and bequeathed to the Territory an unrecorded number of half-breeds. His personal experience and knowledge, properly compiled, would make a most readable volume. He was blind before he died, and used to aver that one eye was sick and that the other was scratched out by a wild cat, while he was climbing a tree for coon. He too succumbed to his cups.

" Edward Lahey, a former Catholic priest, was once an inmate here. It was he who was pardoned from States prison, where was sent for the shooting of a man, eighteen years ago, in Pardeeville. He was comparatively rich, but claims brought against him after the pardoning beggared him."

Village Of Pardeeville

In the fall of 1848, John S. Pardee, then merchandising in Milwaukee, sent out Mr. Reuben Stedman to build a store in this neighborhood, and in December following, Yates Ashley came out with goods and commenced trading for Mr. Pardee, and getting out timber to build mills. In 1849, the saw and grist mills were built and commenced operations. This was the beginning of Pardeeville.

In July, 1850, John S. Pardee platted a portion of his land, and Willis S. Haskin did likewise. In 1855, Dr. Lake made an addition to the village of some forty acres on the south.

The first frame house built on the site of the village was by Mr. Haskin, but Joseph Utley built the first after it was laid out. Killian Hepler built the second.

In 1852, Reuben Baughman erected the first hotel, giving it the name of "Diamond Hall." In 1855, he sold the same to Mr. Turner, who in turn disposed of it to Mrs. Johnson, who assumed management for awhile, and then leased it to various parties until September, 1879, when it was purchased by George Briffett, who immediately took charge of the same. The house is roomy, with accommodations for twenty guests.

Killian Hepler built the Hepler House in 1860, and leased it to John Benedict, who ran it three years, when Mr. Hepler took personal charge.

J. S. Pardee commenced the erection of the large grist-mill, in 1849 ; in the same year he transferred his interest in Pardeeville to Joseph Utley, who, about the year 1853, turned the whole property over to John Pardee, father of the original proprietor, who took possession of the property (the mill being unfinished), and completed the mill in the latter part of 1856.

About that time he disposed of a quarter interest in the mill property to Yates Ashley, the copartnership being continued till the death of Mr. John Pardee, which occurred June 26, 1873.

The site of the village is embraced within School District No. 3. A schoolhouse was erected in the district as early as 1847, which soon gave way for a better one, and it in turn by a still better one, erected in the village limits in 1868. This latter building is a large two-story brick. In the winter of 1879-80, Miss Nora C. Waters was Principal, and Mrs. Blaisdell, Assistant.

Presbyterian Church. - This society was organized in 1857, with six members - xllanson Hughson, Phila M. Hughson, Lebbuns H. Gilbert, William J. Ensign, Leona Ensign, and

Sarah Burcheeker. Rev. S. H. Barteau was the officiating minister in its organization. A. Hughson was elected Deacon and William J. Ensign and L. II. Gilbert, Elders. Rev. S. Barteau was the first occasional and then stated supply till .January 1, 1862. Rev. E. F. Tanner preached one year, from August 1, 1862. Rev. E. F. Waldo, as his successor, supplied the pulpit for one year from October, 1863. After being without a regular minister for nearly a year, Rev. E. F. Tanner became the second titns the stated supply from September, 186.5. The house of worship was commenceil in the summer of 1863, ami completed at a cost of §2, .500. It was dedicated March 30, 1864. Rev. Charles Hichards succeeded Mr. Tanner, and was followed by the Rev. Joseph Rossiel.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - The church building was erected in 1861. John W. Falconer and Samuel Cannon were the most active in its construction. Its cost was $1,800. Revs. Boschee, Parker, Joseph Bolton, T. M. Ross, M. Peck. Edward Bronson, Jabez B. Cole, 0. B. Clark, AVilliam Jones, William Cook, John Varty and W. F. Stright have each served as Pastor. The church form? a part of the Wyooena Circuit.

Pardee Lodge, No. J7I, A.. F. ^f A. M. - A dispensation w!is granted September 12. 1867, to organize at this place, wliicli organization was effected by the election of Samuel B. Rhodes, W. M. ; Charles J. Pardee, S. W. ; David H. Langdon, J. \V. A charter was granted to the organization .June 10, 1868. It had a membership January 1, 1880, of thirty-two. There have been four deaths and ten dimissions since the organization.

Pardee Lodge, No. 126, 1. 0. 0. F. - This lodge was instituted December 5, 1873, with Charles J. Pai'dee, N. G. ; David Narracong, V. G. ; F. A. Matthewson, Sec. ; John Hartman, Treas. Its membershiji January 1, 1880, was twenty.

Post Office. - The first mail route was established here in 1849, from Madison to Fort Winnebago, thence to Pardeeville and Wyocena. Yates Ashley was first appointed Postmaster in 1843, served two years. In 1852, Jose])b Utley, who served one year. In 1853, Hubble West, Sr., who served two years. In 1855, Darius Coman, who served four years. In I860. John Pardee, who served one year. In 1861, Ira Atkins, who served six years ; died in 1867, when Luman A. Gilbert was appointed, who .«erved si.x years. In 1873, Newton W. Gilbert was appointed, served five years. In 1878, Mrs. Susan Falconer was appointed, who now holds the office as Mrs. Susan Yan Schaick.

Errata

On page 764, Elling Muhl should be made Male : George Windens should read Windus : Nels Paterson should be Peterson : Hans Lollinger should read Hans Tollackson ; Stephen Collenson should read Colbenson.

On page 765, Talbot Askinson should read Tollac Asbinson ; Edmund Cushing should read Edward ; Nelson Van Wil should read Nelson Van Wie, and Andrew Baarnaman should read Boarnaman.

Since the article, page 752, on the Village of " Inch " was printed we are informed that there were lots sold, houses built, and some business was done in 1856 or 1857. - Ed.

Biographical Sketches City Of Portage

W. H. C ABRLL, dentist ; born at Middletown, Genesee Co., N. Y. (now Wyoming Co.), May 25. 1827. When about 12 years of age. his parents removed to Ohio : lived there until he was 20 years of age. Educated in dentistry in ^Middletown. Conn.; commenced study with a brother in 1852 ; prior to that time, he was engaged in civil engineering, V>eing Second Assistant Engineer of the Western I)i\ision of the Erie Canal during its construction in New York State. The Doctor was married at Skaneatelcs, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in April. 1854, to Angelina C. Lawton ; she was born at Catskill. Greene Co.. N. Y. They have three children - David Hunter. Fannie Jewett and Henry Russell. Mr. Abell is a member of the A., F. & A. M. Lodge.

SlILiES T. ALiVERSON, real-estate and loan agent : was born in the town of Rodman. Jefferson Co., X. Y.. Jan. 20, 1833 : son of Almanson and Sylenda Alverson, who moved to Russell, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., November. 1848, where Miles T. lived until 1854, when he came to Wisconsin in October of that year, locating on what is now the town of Arlington, on Sec. 1, with his friend Ambrose Powers, remaining with him. more or less, until 1857. when he went to Southwestern Misssouri. where he taught school a [jortion of the time, only remaining there a year, when he returned to Wisconsin to Lowville, working at the carpenter's trade. Married, JIarch 23, 1859, to Melissa A. Low. only daughter of Hon. Jacob Low. of Lowville. who died Jan. 24. 1875 ; her mother, Catherine Low. is now living ; they were among the early settlers of that place. Mrs. Alverson is probably the oldest settler now living within tlie corporate limits of Portage ; she was born in the city of New York. :March 28. 1841. They have two children - Charles Lewis, born Dec. 23. 18(30. and Harry Bartlett, JIarch 27, 1872. After marriage, ^h-. Alverson was engaged in teaching and working at his trade as carpenter and joiner, but teaching principally, until 1864 ; one year of this time, he carried on his father-in-law's farm ; in 1864, went to Milwaukee and took a course in commercial college, returning to Poynette. where he taught the higher department of the public school, that being his third term at this place ; he returned to ^Milwaukee in 1865, and was employed as a teacher in Bryant & Stratton's College, where he remained until he came to Portage. Jan. 1, 1867;- was Deputy Treasurer two years, then elected County Treasurer in the fall of 1868 ; re-elected in 1870. In 1872, in company with Thomas Yule, purchased aljstracts of titles of lands in this county ; was engaged in the abstract business and real estate, loans, etc.. until November. 1878. when he sold out their abstracts, and since then has been in loan and real-estate business ; since Aug. 1, 1879, has conducted business alone ; was Town Superintendent of Schools in 18(il, Town Clerk of Lowville in 1862 ; was Deputy County Treasurer two years after he went out as County Treasurer, and Deputy County Register at the same time. Mr. A.'s father died Aug. 29, 1879 ; mother now lives on the homestead, in Russell. St. Lawrence Co.. N. Y. Jh'. A. was one of the charter members of the T. O. O. F.; also a memlier of the A.. F. & A. M.. and was a member of the School Board two years.

WILLIAM ARMSTRONG was born in County Armagh, town of Drumminmadder, Ireland. June. 1824; came in 1839 to America, and located in the vicinity of Stevens Point, Wis.; engaged as head sawyer in Harper's mill for three j-ears, then came to JIarquette (now Green Lake)

Co.; was on a fai'iii one smiiiiu'r : l)oiigiit and iiin a saw-mill at Now Lisbon for til'teen or sixU-en months ; cumc to what is now Portage ; ran a hunber yard two or three years ; took iij) the elaini and entered pro])erty in tiiat place : commented brick making in 1S47. which he has continued since, with the exception of two years. .Mr. .V. was married in I'ortage to Ilulda Fish. They have had three children, of whom but one. William John, is li\ing; William James, deceased : Sally Jane, deceased. Mr. A. was one of the (Irst Aldermen of the city, .serving several terms.

CHAKIjKS ,1. AK^OI^I), son of Josiah Arnold, was born at Colnmluis, Cohnnbia ("o.. Wis.. Oct. 24. 1847. Attended I'ortage High School and Kacine College; came with parents to I'ortage in 1851 ; followed lumbering during ten years, up to ISTtl, when he engaged in his present business, that of freigliting. lie was married at Portage. June 30. 1870. to Mary F. Hutt, born in Canada. They have three children - Louis C. Jiobcrt'lL and Carl S. Mr. A. is a member of the A. O. V. W. and A.. F. c^ A. >L

JOSIAH AKX4llil), son of Sylvester Arnold, was born in the town of Wasliington. Berkshire Co.. .Mass.. Nov. 1. 1820: moved to Stockbridge, Mass., with his parents, in 1824; his father died in that jilace Oct. 18. 1845 : removed to Canaan, Columbia Co., N. Y., and resi<led there ten years ; he liwd afterwards for \arious periods in New York City, Stockbi-idgc, ^\'ashington. JMass., 3Iaryland. A'irginia, and Hamiltcm. .Madison Co.. N. Y. ; taught school in the latter (ilace until he came west in the spring of 1S4:J ; he located tirst at Stoughtou. but moved to Janesville in the fall of 184:5. where he rcmainetl two or three years, teaching the tirst public school ; in the spring of 1844. after the close of his school, he clerked for one year in Janesville : commenced general mercantile business in spring of 184") with Danii'l K, Bassctt : they started a liranch store at Columbus, in fall of 184"). closing out the business at Janesville in the spring of 1840 ; continued in business at Columbus until 1847 with Bassett ; then one year alone in trade; Mr. A. was appointed Clerk of Circuit Court in 1848, and elected to same position in the fall of same year ; in 1850. elected Hegister of Deeds ; held the office two years ; came to I'ortage in 1851. where he lias since resided (except during a few years at (ierraantowii), and engaged in the hardware business with J. B. Fargo, from 1853 to 1857 ; continued in that business alone initil 1801 ; then engaged in the lumber business, operating a large mill at Germantown. Juneau Co., Wis. ; also associated with Carnagie & I'rescott in a lumber yard and plauing-mill. at Portage ; Mr. A. owns pine lands in Wood. IMarathon and Clark Cos. Mr. A. was married in the town of Fulton. Rock Co., Wis., Dec. 20, 1840. to Mary Jane True. l)orn in Perry. Wvoming Co.. N. Y. Thev have five children - Charles J., born Oct. 24, 1847 ; William S., born Aug. 10. 1850 ; Samuel E., born Nov. 9, 1854 ; Harry E., born Feb. 1,1859; Fred D., born March 23, 1804. IMr. A. was Postmaster at ColumVius for two years; Alderman of Portage in 1854. 1855 and 1850; in the si)ring of 1877, elected Mayor, and is now serving his third year ; in 1877, elected Assemblyman. He is a member of A. F. & A. .M., Lodge No. 23. Chapter 14. and Commandery No. 4. Mr. A.'s grandfather, Timothy Arnold, served in the Revolutionary war.

JOHX ARTHl'R was born in County Radnor. Wales, in Novemlier. 1821 ; came to America in 1845 ; lived in New Jersey until 1851 ; worked for a hosiery manufacturing company at New Brunswick, in that State; in 1851, Mr. A. came to Wisconsin, biit returned to New Jersey for five years after 1853 ; came to Portage in 1858. and began dealing in furs, hides, wool. etc.. with Evan Arthur and Samuel Brown. Mr. Brown retired from the business in 1807.

EVAX AKTHi'K was born in County Radnor. Wales, in 1824 ; came to America in 1851. and settled lirst in New Jersey ; in 1854. he began tanning and dealing in hides with Samuel Brown ; John Arthur became a partner in 1858 in this business. He was married at Jlilwankee. in 1803. to Elizabeth F. Remington, a native of New York State ; they have four children - K\au R.. Willie J. (irace and Nellie; Mr. Arthur's mother died at Ft. Winnebago, after living there about one year ; father, John, died at Portage in No\ember, 1802 ; his sisters were Mary, iiow 31rs. H. II. Beanor. of Canada; Ann. ^Irs. Samuel Hrown. who died in Milwaukee in 1872 or 1873; Sarah, a resident of Portage, and Flizalieth. now Mrs. O. J. Thomas, residing near Pewaukee. Wis.

CHARLES P. AUSTIN was born at Hamburg. Erie Co., N. Y.. Jan. 5. 1830 ; when he was a cliild, his jjarcnts moved to ( )hio ; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1845 ; located at Janesville until 1850. when he came to I'ortage : Betsey Austin, his mother, died in Dodge Co.. Wis., and his father, James Austin, died at Portage ; Mr. Austin began clerking for John (iates. with whom he continued until enlisting in April. 180]. in Co. (!. 2d W. "\'. L ; participated in the following battles ; Blackman's Ford, ^'a., First Bull Run. (lainesville, C^hancellorsville, Wilderness, Gettysljurg. and Spottsylvania ; he was wounded in the left foot at the battle of Gainesville, Aug. 28, 1 8(52, for a long time disabled, and while on the skirmish line, the tifth day of the tight, at Spottsylvania. he was wounded in his left hip ; this wound rendered him untit for duty up to the time of his discharge ; after leaving the army, he returned to Portage and again entered tlie store of Mr. dates, with whom he had been prior to entering the service; in 1868, he eonnneneed business for himself, the firm being Austin & Campbell; at the expiration of one year, Jolui dates pureliased Mr. Campbell's interest, and Mr. tl. continued in business until the time of liis death : !Mr. Austin was appointed Postmaster in 1870; served in that position until Deeemlier, 1874; since that time he has been with Loomis. dallett & IJreese. as salesman. He was married at Kilbourn City, Wis., .Sept. 17, 181)7. to Mary J. Campbell: she was born at Carlisle, England, Aug. K), 1847 ; they have four children - Euplieues IM.. (Jeorge d., Martha A. and Nellie .May. Mr. A. is a member of the A., F. & A. M. Lodge and of tlic I'rcsliyterian Church.

EIIIUUMD S. BAKl'iR,' bom in the town of Ft. Winnebago, Oct. 27.^1:^48; son of Charles and Priscilla Baker, who came to that town in April, 1848 ; mother died in 1802; father HOW lives on Sec. 2. where he lirst located ; Kdmund 8. remained on the farm until he was 2(1 years of age ; came to Portage ; clerked for Mr. Bacon in the hardware business for a year, then entered the law ofHce of Emmons Taylor ; remained there about three j-ears, and was admitted to the bar Dec. C, 1870 ; then engaged in farming until 1874, when he commenced the ))ructice of law; Justice of the Peace for three years. iMarried in town of Ft. Winnebago, Jan. Ill, 1874. to Miss Isabel A., daughter of A. Z. Maltljcy. of that town ; she was born in the village of McLean, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Jhirch 10, 1857 ; they have three children - Emmons M., born April 52, 1875 ; Burehard H., born June 17, 1877, and A(la ]\hiy, born Feli. 11. 1S70 ; Mr. B'. is a memlter of the A.. F. & A. M.

LEVI W. BAKDFiN was born in Benton, Yates Co., N. Y.. Sept. 3. 1820 ; lived in that town until he was 24 years of age ; residc^l in dorham, Ontario Co., N. Y., six years ; was engaged in farming until the spring of 1851 ; in May of that year, he entered the New York State and National Law School, from which he graduated Aug. 11, 1852, at Ballston Spa, Saratoga Co., N. Y,; was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of New Y'ork State, at Rochester, in September, 1852 ; came to Portage, Wis., Novemlier, 1852, and entered the law office of Judge Dixon for four months, then entered into partnership with John A, Johnson, where he remained until the death of Mr, Johnson, in June, 1853; after ISfil, looked after his private affairs, and was manager of the dreen Bay Transportation Company, in which position he continued for several years, until about the time of the dissolution of the company ; first admitted to practice in Wisconsin at Janes\'ille, in November, 1852 ; afterward admitted to practice in I'ortage during the first term of court held there after he came; next admitted to the Supreme Court of Wisconsin ; then to United States Court at ^lilwaukee; wliile a resident of Benton, N. Y., he was To^vn Superintendent of Schools two j'ears ; after he was 17 years of age, he taught in the public schools of his native county and in Ontario Co., every winter for eleven years ; was Town v^uperintendent in town of dorham two years; Justice of the Peace of same town, which oftice he resigned when he went to law school. He was commissioned Colonel of one of the luiiformed regiments. New York State Militia ; Captain also of a rifle company, in town of Benton ; Captain of company in town of dorham ; afterward commissioned Colonel of regiment to which this company was attached ; and, in 1857, he purchased property where he is now located ; the property was owned by Moses Pauquette and his mother ; part of the house he now occupies was owneil and occupied by the Pauquette family ; in 18(55, Mr. Harden enlarged and improved the buildings considerably, and moved here to hi^ present house in 1865; jilatted 100 acres, and Jerome B. Fargo platted 40 acres in 1857, known as Harden & Fargo's Addition to the city of Portage : he has since vacated the 100 acres, except a few of the streets which are retained as they weri' i)latted ; the 40 acres is still a part of the city i)lat ; since coming to his present location, Mr, B, has devoted his attention to farming. He has held offices of Justice of the Peace, District Attorney, Alderman of Second Ward, Sui)er\isor, Chairman of the Board of SuiJervisors, member of Assembly and State Senator. He was married at Mentor, Lake Co,. Ohio. Nov, 29, 1853, to Jane K. Corning ; she was born in Mentor, Nov, 14, 1824 ; they have three ehildren^William C., Marshall W. and ]\Iary E.

P. J. BARKMAW is a native of Canada West ; was born July 23. 184() : when aljout 5 years of age. he came to Wisconsin with his parents, Richard and Louisa Barkman ; they located at Oshkosh. and he lived there until he was 16 years of age, theu came to Portage ; previous to leaving Oshkosh, he had been engaged in the tinsmith business; after coming to this city, he worked for I. W. Bacon until six years ago, when the firm of J. E. Wells & Co. was formed, of he is a member. He was married in Portage Jan. 9, 1868, to Mary L. Pixley ; she died

ANTOBf BARTL was horn in Anstria Nov, 11.1843: came to America in 1870 and located in .Menaslia. remaining there six months ; prior to locating at I'ortage, in 1877. he resided in Appleton. (Jshkosli and Bea\er l)am. Mr. B. eonnnenced the lirewing husincss when 16 years of age. and has continued in it ever since. He was married at Bea\er Dam to Anna Waldheir, who died in May. 1S7S. leaving two children - Frank and Ida. Was married in Portage May 21, 1879. to Julia Mettler. ^Ir. B. is a memtier of the I. (). (). F. Lodge. Leiderkranz Society and the Hook and Ladder Conipanv.

IRYI\(ir BATH, editor and proprietor I if Portage Ihniticnit : was horn in Charlton, N. Y.. April 27. 1S44. In ISCiS. his parents came from .Michigan to Columhus. in this county, and the year afti'rward were followed hy their son. Irving, who remained with them for three years, attending school, after which he took a course of medical lectures at Ann Arlior. Mich. Upon the completion of the course, he went to Beaver Dam, Dodge Co.. and was engaged in the drug husincss until 18(J!I, when he removed to Berlin, continuing there in the same husiuess up to the year 1871, when he went to Cameron, !Mo., and carried on the drug and jewelry business for about two years, when he returned to Beaver J )am : in 1 875, he was appointed, hy Attorney ( Jeneral A. Scott Sloan, Patent Clerk in the land ottice at Madison, and contiinied such under (iov. Taylor's administration ; in 1878, he came to Portage and engageil as editor of the Portage Ihnuicviit. having the previous year purchased a third interest in that [)aper ; in 187;i, he became its sole editor and proprietor, which he has continued ever since. He has served as Hosi)ital Steward of the 47th AV. V. I. up to the close of our late civil war. He married .Miss Emma L. Chatfield. daughter of (ieorge and Eliza Chattield. of Beaver Dam, Dodge Co.. Jan, 11. 18(i!l. They have one child, a daughtei-^ - Leila.

JACOB BAl^fiR, wagon-maker; was born in June, 1838. in (iermany ; came to Cniled States in IS.'jII. and worked six years at his trade in Oneida Co., X. V.; in July. 1850, settled \\\ Portage, and foi- awhile worked as journeyman, but has been proprietor for fourteen years ; is now partner in firm of Bauer & Lewis, for maiuifacture of m-ir work, but each has other business 8e|)- arate. He was married in 1855. to Miss Rosa Wagner, formerlv of (lermanv. Thev have se\en children - Caroline, horn 185(i ; Fred, 18(i(l ; .\lhert, 1804 ; Anna, 18(iG ; Otto, 18(59 ; ".Minnie, 1872, and Emma, I87S. In 1804, he enlisted in the 11th W. V. I., and served till the close of the war. He has been member of City Council two terms, and served three terms in Board of Supervisors of Columbia Co. He has a residence on Superior street, but the slioj) is on Canal street. Business is in '- healthy condition.'

JACOB BENT was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, (iermany. .Martli 24, 1848 ; came to .America .\ugust. 1807, locating at Alilwaukee, where he remained until 1870. when he came to Portage, and has resided here ever since. While living in Alilwaukce. was engaged in manufacture and sale of wines and liipiors ; since coming here, engaged in the brewery business. Was married at Portage. \\^x\\ 19. 1S70, to Lizzie, daughter of Charles ILertel : she was liorn in this city. They have two daughters - .\ugusta M, and Ella M. Air. B. is a member of the Leideikranz and Turner Societies and Fire Department, Diamatic .Vssociatiou and Portage Business Alen's .Association.

DEABOLT BLAKN, Jr., son of Dcabolt and Lena Blass; was horn in New '\'ork City Jan. 1(1. 1S4S ; came with his parents to Portage in .May, 1852. Father resided in this place eighteen years, then removed to .Mansion : mother died at Mauston. Feb. 18. 1879 ; father is now engaged in mercantile business at Mauston. The subject of this sketch has resided in Portage since 1852 ; has l)een engaged in the barhering business for him.self since the spring of 1800. .Mr. Blass was married in Chicago. Oct. 22. 1873. to Anna AI. Weber, a native of Richherg, Wurtemherg, Germany ; she was Ijorn Dec. 19. 1852 ; came to .America in 1872. Thev have three children - .Vima L., liorn (3ct. 0, 1874 ; Dealjolt M., horn Feb, 23, 1877, and Edwin J.." born April l(i. 1879. Air. B. is a member of the Odd-Fellow Lodge. D, Blass. Sr.. was born in .Vlsace (now (Iermany) in 1S()7 ; came to .America in 183(1 ; married in 1830. to Alagdalena Kripe ; she was also l)orn in .\lsace, July 22. 1S13, and came to .Vmerica in 1S3(), The parents of Airs. D. Blass. Jr., Joseph and Theresa Weber, were married in 1S49 - both natives of (iermany : her father was horn in 1S22, died .April 16.1859; mother's maiden name was Theresa Sluirr ; she was horn in 1.S81, and died .March 17, 18(53,

ERIVEST BOTHIN, retired carpenter and joiner : born in (iermany on the 27th of Septemlier, LSll ; came to the Cnited States in 1S52, and stopped two years in Ohio, and then, in the spring of 1855, .settled in this city, where he now lives. Soon after coming into Columbia Co., he liought a farm of 22(1 acres in Lewistoii Township, which he carried on till 1S77, when he sold the farm and returned to city life. Was married, in ]835. to 3Iiss Kozena Laveranz in Germany : have six children - Ottella. Amelia, Emma. Minnie. Julius. Henry : has Iniried two children ; the daughters are married. Himself and wife are members of the Eyangelical Church, of which he is a class leader, and to whose welfare he is devoted. He has retired from active life, and is enjoying the fruit of industry and economy ; lives in a fine brick house on Cook street ; also rents another house near the depot, and owns other real estate in the city.

MRS. SAMUEL S. BRAXIVAIV was bom in Georgia, Franklin Co., Vt., on the 24th of April, 1837 ; she is the daughter of Joseph and Khoda M. Prentiss ; she came West in 185G, and made her home with her In-other. Judge G. C. Prentiss, then of Portage, now of La Crosse, Wis. On the 27th of August. 18(>1. she was married to her late husliand. Samuel S. Brannan, whose extended biography appears in tliis volume, with others of the illustrious dead of the county ; her entire married life has been passed in P(jrtage. and most of it also in her present home ; she has four children - S. Prentice, born June 2. 18(i2 ; William R., Feb. 24. 1SG4 : Lucy C. known as Kittie," Aug. 5, 18(i5. and Jackson T. Brannan, Oct. 24. 1868. Her husliand's mother, aged 75. widow of William Brannan, formerly of this city, resides with the family, and is still active and vigorous. One son. Willie, is Assistant in the post office at Portage ; and the other, S. Prentiss, is mail agent on the Madison & Portage Railway.

LL. BREESE was lioru Jlay 13, 1833. atA bermyuack, in the parish of Malwyd. Merionethshire, North Wales ; he is the son of Edward and JIary Breese ; he immigrated with his parents to this country in the month of May, 1846. and settled in the town of Randolph, this county ; his education was academic ; up to the age of 25. he was engaged most of the time with his parents in cultivating the farm. In tlie fall of 1858, owing to impaired health, he accepted the position of Deputy Sheriff of Columbia Co.. hoi)ing thereby to impro\e his health and extend his knowledge of business, and the circle of his ac(iuaintance. Previous to this, he held the office of School District Clerk, Town Supervisor, Justice of the Peace, and Town Treasurer. In the fall of ]8(i0, he received from the Republican County Convention the nomination for County Treasurer, and was elected the following November. He held this position for three consecutive terms, in all six years, having no competitor for the office, except in the first instance. In January, 1807, at the close of his third term as Treasurer, he entered as a partner the dry-goods firm of N. H. Wood & Co.. the firm being composed of N. H. Wood. R. (). Loomis. C. R. Gallett, and himself. This connection was continued until 1869, when Mr. Wood disposed of his interest to the other partners, and retired from the firm, which thereafter stood and was styled Loomis, Gallett & Breese. In the summer of 1 860. at the urgent solicitation of friends, he became a candidate for the office of State Treasurer at the State Convention held that fall. On the first informal ballot, he received a plurality of votes, but, owing to local combinations, the hdmination fell to his competitor. In about a month after this convention, the nominee for Secretary of State, resigning his position upon the ticket, made it necessary for the State Central Committee to fill the vacancy by ai)i)ointment. Without solicitation on his part, or even knowledge of the vacancy, the committee tendered him the nomination for that place, communicating their action by telegraph. Had it not been for the persistent entreaty of a few intimate friends, the appointment would have lieen declined. He was elected the following November. Under the organization of the State (iovernment of Wisconsin, the office of Secretary of State is by far the most important of the State offices ; besides involving the duties of Secretary of State proper, this officer is also ex officio Auditor of State, and School Land Commissioner, and also ex officio Commissioner of Insurance. In !May, 1876. he represented Wisconsin as Commissioner of Insurance at the National Insurance Convention held in the city of New York. This convention was composed of those officers in the ditterent States who had charge of the different departments therein. He was elected ^''ice President of the convention for the term of one year ; re-elected the second year, and elected President the third, and presided at its fourth annual session. After the expiration of his second term as Secretary of State, he returned to Portage and resumed his former occupation as merchant. In addition to this, he also held the pf>sitions of President of the City Bank of Portage, President of the I^ortage Iron Works and President of the Board of Education. He has lieen engaged in farming more or less extensi\ely throughout his life. Religiously, he is a memljer and Elder of the Presliyterian Church, professing Christianity at the age of 14 years. He is an active worker in the church and Sunday school. Mr. Breeafe was married, June 9, 1853, to Miss 3Iary E. Evans, of Milwaukee, by whom he has had six children, three lioys and three girls, one of the latter dying in infancj.

VOLXRV E. BREWER, jeweler ; was horn in Otego. Otsego Co.. N. Y.. May l(i. 1841; moved from tliere to Lisle, Broome Co.. N. Y.. when 10 years of age. lived there eight years : Mr. Brewer traveled in Western New York for st-veral years selling patent medieines. miisieal instrumeiit-s, ete.; was one year in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, spent a year in Illinois. Iowa and Missouri before coming to Portage, where he arri\ed in 18118 ; he learned the jewelers' trade in Lisle, N. Y.. and has been engsiged in that business ever since coming to Wisconsin : he is a member of the T. <).(). K.

JOH\ BRICKWEIiL was born in Ilighwicombe, Bnckinghamshire. England. Dec. 8, ISK:! ; came to Wisconsin fr<^m Uxbridge, England, locating at Ft. Winncl)ago in 1848; made a claim in Lewiston on Sees. 1, 2 antl 11 (only one section) ; lived there until 1857. then removed to Portage ; Mr. B. was first Justice of the Peace of Ft. Winnebago and organized all the schools before the town was organized or surveyed, and was the first School Superintendent of that (jlace ; he came to Portage, was admitted to the bar March 4, I85(i, and to the Supreme Court Nov. 0, 1877 ; his naturalization papers were issued Sept. 11. 185C. Mr. Brickwell was married in I'xliridge. England, to Sarah Barton, a native of Ilighwicombe. They have two children - Joseph and Sarah Ann. Mr. B, has held the ollice of Alderman several times, President pro tern, of the Council, etc. Justice of the Peace tbi' several years, Clerk of District School Board when he first came to Portage, Acting 3Iayor one year, and was elected Supervisor April (i. ISSd. His son is now living on the land which his father first entered in this countv ; he was elected Justice of the Peace in Lewiston in April. 1880.

HARVEY BRINGS was born in Bens,)n. Kntland Co.. Vt, May 17, 1818; educated at Castleton Seminary, read law in the town of Whitehall. Washington Co,, N. Y.. admitted to the bar of Vermont in 1842 ; he then practiced law in his native place until 1854 ; came to Portage June 4, 1854, has resided in ^Visconsin ever since ; be purchased a larm on Sec. 6 in the town of Lewiston, lived there one year ; in 1858. removed to Packwaukee, was appointed County Judge of Marquette Co, July 1(), 1858 ; in the spring of 1850, was elected to the same ottice on the Ilepublican ticket by a majority- of 500 in a Democratic district, served until 18li2, when he resigned ; was also Justice of the Peace and Assessor while in that county ; removed to Briggsville, was there until 1874 ; then in .Montello one year, and took charge of the ollice of County Judge. Came to Portage in 1875. where he has remained ever since; has been Justice of the Peace for four years. Mr. Briggs was marrieil at Cornwall, Vt, May 2, 1844, to Francis L. Peck, a native of Cornwall ; they have three children - Carlton W., now at Grand Rapi<ls, Wood Co., Wis., born April 21. 1845: Cloe Anne, now Mrs. Fred Davis, of Lewiston, born September, 1851 ; Ella ^lay, now Mrs, James S. Gay, of Douglas, Mar(|uette Co,, born July 13, 1858 - lost one son, Amasa, born 3Iarcli 10, 1847. died in Michigan in 18(17. aged 20 years ; Carlton enlisted as a private in Co. K, ISth W, \. I., in January, 1862 ; was Captain of the 44th W, V, I. when he was mustered out. after close of the war: was Acting Assistant Inspector General of the post at Paducah.

JA.MES R. BRODIE was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, about seven miles from (Uasgow. August. 18;iii : came to America in 18(16, and to Portage in the fall of the same year; learned the trade of shoemaking when he was 10 years of age, and has been engaged in that busini-ss since arri\'ing here, anil in trade alone for the last six years. Married in the town of Ardrie, Scotland, June, ISi;:'., to Margaret Leeds Potter ; she was born in Scotland ; they have three children - Hella, Willie and Jamcsij lost two, one infant son James, and Maggie, who died in February, 1877. 3Ir. and .Mrs. Brotlie are members of the Presbyterian Church.

L.. WAIjTER BROWIV was born on Fox Island. Me,. June 1. 1850 ; came with his parents to tlu' town ol' Dckorra, Columliia Co,. Wis., in the fall of 1854 ; engaged in farming there until 1865, when he removed to Jackson Co.. ^linn.; his mother. Mary Green lirown, died in the town of Dekorra, April 16, 18()5, leaving six children - Eurena J,, now 3Irs. S. T. Keller, ri'siding in Jacks(m Vo.. Jlinn.; Frank M., now a resident of Maine ; Hoscoe G., (Juinncsec, Mich.; Flora E,, now Mrs, D, II, Ilaggaril, of Winnebago Agency ; L, Walter (the subject of this sketch), of Phillips, Wis., Register of Deeds for Price Co,, dealer in pine lumber, real estate, etc, and Harvey If., mineral explorer at Quinnesec 3Ir. B. enlisted in Co. E, 50th W. V. I. in January, 1865, mustered in Fel). 22 of the same year ; mustered out in June, serving three months and twentv-flve days ; lived in Wisconsin most of the time since 1854 ; a resident of Price Co. since 1876 : local agent about three years for Senator Price, one of the largest individual lumber operators in America ; since then, operating on his own account principally ; his brothers and sisters are all natives of Maine, except Ilarvey L. who was born in Columbia Co.; father :uid mother both born on Fox Island, Me.

City Of Portage

ARCHIBAfiD BRYCE was Iwru Aug. 25. 1801. near Glasgow, Scotland; his parents came to America the April after his Ijirth, and settled in Stamford. Delaware Co.. N. Y., where he resided till 23 years of age ; the well-known cares and duties of a thrifty farmer's son were his till attaining his majority. He was married Dee. 1. 1824. to Miss Jaunette Frazer, formerly of Inverness. Scotland ; he lived twelve years at Little Falls. Herkimer Co., N. Y.; was engaged seven years of the time as overseer of repairs on a section of the Erie Canal ; and five years was engineer in a paper-mill at Little Falls ; he li\'ed four years in Oswego Co., N. Y., and then aliout six years in Steulieu Co., engaged in the lumber trade; he was a farmer four years in Ontario ; and then in 'Slay, 1840. he came to Columbia Co. and bought a farm in Marcellon Township ; this was his home till 187(1, when he sold this farm and soon afterward moved to Portage ; his fine brick residence is but a block from the court house, and on the corner of Clark and Pleasant sti'eets ; they have raised ten children - Thomas, Margaret ; Chauncey, who died in the army ; Jeanette, .Mary. Ann, Sarah ; Daniel, deatl ; David, dead, and Carrie ; one of the widowed daughters, Mrs. Sarah Tarbell, resides with the jiarents in their pleasant home: she was married to George L. Tarliell in 1800. and his death occurrctl in 1808. Mr, Bryee. although nearly fourscore, is still hale anil vigorous ; himself and worthy helpmeet have trod the relialile patli of industry and economy which almost inevitably leads to an old age of happiness and competency. Uncle Brjx-e" boasts that he -- never speculated, never went to bed hungry and never had a lawsuit."

WILIjIAM W. BIIIjLARD, the subject "of this sketch, is a native of Vermont; is the son of Derreck and Sibley Ballard ; was liorn in Weybridge. Addison Co.. Vt., Aug. 23. 1845, lived there imtil he was 2 or 3 years old, when his parents moved to JIartinsburg, Lewis Co., N. Y.; remained there about twelve j'ears ; during the next two years lived In Kingston, Canada, when he removed to Rutland. Dane Co., Wis.; resided there about eight months. Feb. 10, 1861. enlisted in Co. A (Lieut. Nobles commanding), Sth U. S. Infantry ; served in that regiment until May 12, 18(32 ; on account of disal>ilitv. did guard duty at Ft. La Fayette and Ft. Hamilton ; re-enlisting in July. 1862, in Co. E, 23d W. V. I., and was mustered out August, 1865 ; moved to Baraboo and resided there until coming to Portage, in 1876. Married Jliss Isabelle Elgie, daughter of jMathew Elgie, who came to Caledonia thirty years ago, and is now living there, March 18, 18(iG ; she was liorn in Guelph, Canada; they have one daughter - Belle, born Dec. 25. 1866.

WlfjIilAIH a. BUNKER, sou of Levi and Maria Bunker; was born in the town of West River, Randolph Co.. Ind.. Aug. 17. 1834; his parents moved to AVayne Co., Ind., in 1841 ; learned his trade at Richmond, Ind.. and commenced business for himself in 1853, in Wheeling, Delaware Co.. Ind.; remained there six years ; then went to Logansport, where he remained until 18(51. when he moved to (ialveston, in Cass Co.. and remained there four years, when he came to Portage in spring of 1865 and engaged in harness-making, which Inisiness he has since followed, with the exception of two years that he resided in the town of Ft. Winnebago. Was elected Justice of the Peace in 1874. and was re-elected in 1876 and 1878. Mr. B. was married in Jonesboro, Grant Co., Ind., Dec. 17, 1857, to Ursula A. Mehaffej- ; she was boru near Dayton. (Jhio, Ma3% 1840 ; they have two children - Adeline ^I. and Warren W. 'Sir. Bunker is a member of I. 0. 0. F. since 18(52.

ALEX. CARlKf AGIE, a native of Cupeer, in Fyfe, Scotland ; was born July 12, 1820, emigrating to America in 1840, and locating in Vermilion Co., N. Y.; remained there one year and a half; then going to Albany, N. Y., where he made it his home until 1848 ; then coming to Milwaukee, and remaining there until September, 1850, when he came to Portage; returning to New York City in 1853 ; living on Staten Island most of the time until 1855, when he returned to this city, which since hag been his home. Mr. C. learned his trade before leaving Scotland. He murried in the town of Hope, Hamilton Co., N. Y., June 3, 1842, Eliza Mills, who was born in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, Aug. 12, 1824 ; they have four children, three sons and one daughter - Agnes, Alex, Jr., John W. and George. Mr. Carnai:;ie has been City Assessor for two terms, also Alderman of the Second Ward two years.

FRED <jr. CASTLE, .passenger conductor on the Northern Division of the C, M. & St. P. R. R.; born in Waukau, Wis., Sept. 2, 1851 ; his father was for several years proprietor of the PJxchange Hotel at Omro, Wis. At the age of 14 years, he left home to .seek his fortune, and spent four years in the pineries, part of the time as cook and the la.st portion as lumberman. When 18, he began railroading as brakemau on the Northern Division of the C, M. & St. P. R. R.; after one year's experience, he was promoted the charge of same train - the " Winneconnee Freight" - which he ran four years: then for a year, he was an " extra passenger man," and, in the spring of 1875, he was appointid conductor of a passenger train on the same road, and he has been in continuous service to date -

Summer, 1880. He was married, Sept. 5, 1877, to Miss Frankie Gould, of Beaver Dam, Wis.; they have one son, named Guy Wilkinson, born on the 8tli of February, 1871). Mrs. Castle is a member of the Baptist Church at Portage; she is a graduate of the higli school at Lincoln, Neb.; she is a niece of B. F. Taylor, the well-known author - America's gifted word painter ; she herself wields a ready and graceful pen Mr. Castle is one of "the boys" who has hosts of friends; is a genial and popular conductor; he will be recognized in Portage by his constant attendant, "Don," the noblest dog in th - city, a pure-blood St. Bernard.

MRS. JULIA E. CHRISTOPHER, nee Waters, was born on the 11th of April. 1832. in Massena, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.; her early education was in her native town, and afterward with her brother in Canada; she and her brother Daniel came West in the fall of 1855, and the winter following, they together engaged in teaching the public school in Portage. In the summer of 185(3, she. taught school in District No. 5, township of Wyocena, and boarded with David Reynolds, an old pioneer. Eighteen years afterward, 1874, her stepdaughter, Mary Christopher, taught in the district, .same schoolhouse, boarded at same house and in the same family. In the summer of 1879, her oldest daughter, Susie E. Christopher, taught in same district, in same schoolhouse and boarded at the same house, but the old pioneer, David Reynolds, had gone to his last home. Mrs. C. taught in Ft. Winnebago before her marriage. In 1857, she taught in the First Ward School, and for the last five years, her stepdaughter, Mary, has been teaching in the same building, which has been moved nearer the present center of business, and now her daughter is teaching in the same bjilding. Mrs. Christopher is one of a family often children, of whom seven have been successful teachers in Wisconsin. She was married on the 2d of October, 1859, to Thomas Christopher, of Portage; they had sis children - Susie E., Daniel T., who is dead ; Daniel J., George M., Julia B. and Willie J., all of whom live at home. Her husband was one of the earliest settlers in Portage - came in 1848 ; he was a useful and leading citizen, and contributed largely to the building-up of the city ; he was a liberal Catholic, as is also Mrs. Christopher. He was seven times honored with the office of Assessor, and on the first Tuesday of April. 1872, he was again elected to that difficult position, but on the 30th of April - the day before his official duties were to begin - he passed from earth's toils and triumphs to the rewards ot the righteous.

JOHN TILIjOTSON CLARK was born in what' was then the town of Wolcott. now the town of Huron. \\'avne Co.. N. Y.. on the Idth of April. ISlil ; he was the son of the Rev. Williaui Clark, a l'resl)yt:erian flergyuian. and Sophronia Tillotson : resided in Huron until 1835. when he removed with his father tt) the town of J)aubv. Tompkins Co., N. Y. When IS years of age. he purehused his time of his father, paying therefor :?15ll. Naturally a elose student, losing no opportunity to ae(piire information while in the serviee of his father, he now took measures calculated to increase his facilities for gaining knowledge ; his time being his own, he applied all leisure moments to stud}', entering ( )wego Academy, Tioga Co., and ( rroton .Vcademy. Tompkins Co., for brief terms during the winter seasons, and laboring in the harvest field during summer, in order that he might earn the price of his tuition ; in September, 1843. he entered Hamilton College, where he graduated in 1845; in the fall of that year, he went to Camden. Oneida Co., N. Y., and taught a private school initil July 5, 1848 ; during the latter part of this time, he studied law out of .school lioiirs ; from Cannlen he went to Lyons, N, Y'.. and was there engaged as Princiijal of the Lyons Cnion School for three ^ears ; in the mean time he continued his study of the law, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1859, in Rochester. He was married at Lyons, N. Y.. on the 24th of September, 1851. to Harriet Louise Holley. daughter of John iM. Holley. M. C. In April, 1S53, he commenced practicing law with his eldest brother. AVilliam Clark, with whom he had studied; in September of that year, he removed to New Brunswick, N. J., and soon took charge, as I'rincipal. of the pul>lic school, remaining there until the spring of 1857, wdien he came to Wisconsin, locating at Portage, and engaging in the practice of his profession. In the spring of IStil, he was elected County Judge of Columbia Co.. serving until the 1st of January. lS(i(i : in the fall ol' this year, he was chosen District Attorney, and heUl that otliee two years ; in 1870. he retired to his farm in the town of Roxbury, Dane Co.. Wis., where he lived with his family until the fall of 1875, removing to the city of Madison, that his children might enjoy the advantages of the State rnivevsity. In February, 1878, he purchased of Messrs. Brannan & Turner the Wiscmixiii Stutr Jiegisttr, soon afterward admitting B. F. Goodell as a partner, ami removing his family from the State capital in July, 1879 ; Judge Clark has sole control of the editorial colunnis of the Rrgtstir. Seven children have been born to Judge and Jlrs. Clark - Mary Holley, born in Lyons, N. Y.; Elizabeth Sophronia, and John Tillotson (died Nov. 19, 18li3), born in New Brunswick. N. J.: Helen Loinse. Jidia Kirkland. Sarah Amelia and William Henry, born in Portage.

of Win. R. and Mar}- A. Govve_y Clough ; parents settled in Delavan, Wis., in 1846; afterward removed to Portage ; father died Feb. 8, 18(>9 ; Mrs. C. is still a resident of Portage ; Mr. C. was educated in the piil)lic schools of Portage, and also a graduate of the State University at JIadison in 1875 ; taught district sclioc^ls three winters prior to entering the State University ; afterward appointed Assistant Principal of Portage High School, and held the position one year ; since that time has been Principal in the same school.

ROBERT COCHRANE, miller and grain dealer, was born April 25, 1822. in Westfield, Chautauqua Co.. N. Y. ; his mill is in Westfield, Marquette Co., Wis,, and his residence is in Portage ; in 1842, came west, and remained nearly three years in Joliet, 111. ; about 1845, he, with three brothers, bought fully a thousand acres of land, near Waupun, and farmed unitedly on a large scale ; in 185(1. himself and two bnjthers went to Marquette Co. and bought a large tract of land, and laid out a village, which, in honor of his birthplace, he named Westfield ; there they erected a gi-ist-mill and saw-mill, and store and dwelling, and thus founded the village. He was married on the 12th of January, 1859. to Miss Lucy R. Emerton, of Ft. Winnelmgo ; she was born on the 21st of September,] 838. in Columbia, Coos Co., N. H. ; during the war. the Cochrane lirothers divided their respective interests. 3Ir. Robert C. retaining the Westfield property ; he also has a farm in Dodge Co.. besides the improvements at Westfield, and a large brick residence in Portage. One child died in infancy, and four are lining - Jennie E., Lula A.. R. Li^'ingstone and T. Harry. Mr. C. has held town and county ottices. and was a member of Legislature in 1803 ; is a memlier of the Odd Fellows and of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons ; he votes in local elections for the '' best man," but in State and National afliiiirs is of decided Democratic proclivities. Mrs. C. is a Presbyterian ; the familj- are highly respected.

J. COLE was born in the town of Cherry Vallej-. Otsego Co., N. Y., Nov. 15, 1815 ; worked in cotton mills in Oneida Co, until nearlj' 21 years of age ; then went to Lockport, N. Y., and remained about three years ; returned to Rochester, and worked in the cotton-mills for eighteen months ; in the fall of 1839, removed to Newton Falls, Ohio, residing there eleven years; he subseijuently resided in Painesville one year, Cleveland one .year, town of Bristol two years ; JNIr. C. came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1854, and located at (Jconomowoc, residing afterward at Milwaukee and Hartford ; in the tall of 1858, was employed by railroad company, as machinist, running stationary engines, etc. ; remained in their employ for twelve years ; in September, 1871, engaged in flour and feed business, and has continued in that Ijusiness ever since ; he also deals in wooden pumps. ^Ir. C. was married in Rochester, N. Y.. in the fall of 1839. to ;Mary A. McDonald, a native of Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y. ]Mr. and Mrs. Cole are l:)oth members of the M. E. Church ; Mr. C. is Stewartl, Recording Secretar}- and Class Leader in the church.

CONRAD 'COLLIPP. [An autobiography]. I was born Feb. 21, 1822. in the village of Obersuhl, in the middle Werra Valley of Northwest Thuringia, near the city of Eisenach, and the renowed castle of Wartburg, where Dr. JNIartin Luther in the years 1522-23 translated the Bible into the German language ; my liirthplace. Oliersuhl, belonging at that time to the J]leetorate of Hesse- Cassel, now to Prussia; I was brought up under stern Protestantism - the (jrcrman Reformed Church - vigorous Zwingli-Calvanism. 'Sly father. John CoUipp, was a verj- severe and stiff military gentlemen, of strict morality and of very few words ; he was a manufacturer of worsted and other fine white woolen yarns ; lie owned quite a wealth of real estate. 3Iy mother's name was Christina Mohr. of old German stock, tough and wiry all lier lifetime ; she died in Philadelphia in 1873. 77 years of age. I was the only son of five chiklren, having tour sisters ; I went to school about fourteen j-ears. from my 4th to my 14th year, in what we call in regular school, and four years in extra preparatory school tor higher studies, mostly three times a day, till I was 18 years old. 3Iy mother becoming a widow through the sudden death of my father, and she intending to use me for other purposes than book studies, took me awaj' from school against my most obstinate remonstrances and wishes, and put me in apprenticeship to a damask-weaver, antl afterward to plush and velvet weaving. After the death of mj' father, my mother, who had given up my father's business, commenced a commercial business of selling table-linen, damask and general hosiery, besides carrying on our farming : from my 18th to my 22d j'ear, I have alwaj'S considered the worst four years of my life, because l)eing compelled to engage in employments against my inclinations and wishes ; I rather would ha\e liked to be a soldier from my 20th year, but even that could not be, for I was the only son of a widow, and therefore exempt by law and the circumstances ; but thank God ! the year of 1844 came on, the 3-ear of my majority - 22 years old according to German laws ; yes, dear mother - 22 years old, now 1 t"ui do something for myself; aTid straightway I i)repared to go into the great universe, wlieresoe\er I might get to. to the East Indies or elsewhere, no differenee to me.

The 1 Ttli of .March. 1844. I left the old domieile of my mother and my native village of ( )l)ersulil amidst copious shedding of tears and great sorrow of my dear mother, sisters and hundreds of friends : per foot, knaiisaek on my liaek. eane in hand, the legal pajjers and passports, and necessary cash in my pockets ; going to (i ittingen in pretty had weather, and rather footsore. 1 took the mail coach for Bremen ; arriving in Bremen the 22d of March. 1S44. I noticed a large poster, stating that in a few days a ship would .sail for America ; I went to the ottice and asked what it would cost to go to Amerit'a : the man asked me what I had. I told him nothing hut myself and a knapsack ; he tohl me if I paid lit thalers in gold. I coulil go. I paid right away and took my passage ticket ; after looking around the city of Bremen, and buying .some maps of America and otlier stationery. 1 Anally left the old foggy jtlace in a schooner on the Weser Ui\-er for Braka some miles seaward. On the night of the 24th of March. 1844. I left dear old Fatherland in the hrig Louisa. Capt. Claus Wencke. for far-off America ; in the morning, when I got out, I could see nothing more of land, only dreary fog, and once in awhile a dangerous looking buoy in dismal waters. Adieu. After a stormy and terrific voyage of eight weeks in despair, sulfering in the meantime almost every conceivable misery and discomfort. T arrived hale and hearty the 21st of May. 1844, and about 9 o'clock A. M. set my feet on drv land at Spruce street wharf in Philadelphia, thanking (rod and kissing the very dry soil on terra tirina. I advanced a few rods upon my -' sea-legs " to the corner of Spruce and Water street, to a barrier post, made of an old cannon, and gazed with delight in the lialmy bright May morning up Spruce street, with its gilt-lettered liehung signs. While I was standing there in wondrous admiration and meditations of many sorts, a middle-aged. tall, paletaced and lank gentleman of a pleasant countenance approached me and asked, whether I had come with yonder ship, pointin<i with his finger toward the brig Louisa, with the Bremen flag flying in the lireeze in the Delaware Ki\('r : T understood so much, that I assented with nodding of my head ; for with the remembrances of the voyage, I had no desire to look toward the shij)s. The gentleman spoke a few more words to me, but I shook my head in the negative ; a few moments afterward, he said, you stay here a few minutes ; I understood that also partially, and again assented with my heatl nodding : s<'arcely five minutes had elapsed and the same gentleman appeared in company with a youngish man ; this youngish man stepped toward me, and bade me \ery [jleasantly good morning in German, and asked me further in the (lermap language whether I had just come with that ship, over there in the river, and whether there had not come some i)erson I knew of who could manufacture such material as my cap was made of (I had a plush cap on my head). I answered that I had learned to make such stuff at Marksuhl in Saxe-Weiucingen ; they both appeared very much pleased, but I did care much about it. for T was very hungry, having scarcely eaten anything within sixty hours of the miseralile food on board the ship ; though I was enchanted with the handsome landscapes, the crowing of roosters, lowing of cattle, sights of towns, orchards and fields on l)oth sides of the grand Delaware Bay and River, slowly coming up with the ship, in delightfid .May weather ; the old gentleman soon lelt. but the youngish man stayed with me, took me to an adjacent hotel, where a bountiful table was set with everything the heart could wish for. such as I only had seen at grand festi\'als ; I thought by myself CoUipp. yon have it ; there is surely a great festi\'al on the go here : no doubt of it, for all the people are dressed so well and everything looks so gay ; the reader may depend on it, 1 did eat at that time with great comfort, and to my entire satisfaction.

An incident occurred during my first American meal, which I may relate : While 1 was studiously eating away, the landlady of the house came in - a middle-aged woman ; she asked me where J came from in Germany. I answered, '-From Ul)ersuhl in the Werra-Valley."' "What is your father's name '! " I said. '- I am the only son of Johannes CoUipp ; my name is Conrad." " 0 dear (iod! " she exclaimed. " my dear young man, I nursed you while you Was a little boy. I have known your father \erv well ; you must stay with me as long as you please. " T hjoked at the woman with great pleasure, and asked who the good lady was who addressed a stranger so kindly (for I could not remember ever seeing the person). She told me her father's name, and other things. Well known to me in Europe, etc. I recognized at once that I was not altogether in a strange land, without friends.

After having finished my meal, the youngisli man. whom we will call now Mr. Hess, foreman of Mr. Woo<lrutf' s millinerv. hat and cap manufactory, took nu' witli him in an omnibus, and we rode that first half-day over many parts of the oi)uleut city of Philadi4phia. he treating me with many kinds of luxuries, such as oranges, ice cream, cocoanuts. iringcr beer. etc.. and showing me some of the arts, seieiu't-s. line architeeture and memorulile places of that tjreat t'ity. I thanketl (ioil in the evening, that in reality I had now come to a place where I could for awhile learn a great deal, and be happy. Mr. Hess treated me for several days in the same manner, till I told him that now I had - enough of sight-seeing, and we would go to business henceforth. We procured the necessary machinery, twisted mohair and other properly dyed yarns, etc., and went to work. I taught at that time about sixty girls to make plush for the manufacture of hats, caps, etc., 'Sir. Woodrurt'. the proprietor of the estal;>lishment. paying me well for niy ser\ices, and treating me with all the good graces of a gentleman while 1 was with him. Naturally for me, I applied my mind right away with an intense assiduity to the learning of the English language. I remained with >Ir. Woodruff aliout half a j-ear. Afterward. I apprenticed myself to become a printer in a newspaper printing office. An editor - a fine man - Mr. Miskey. addressed me once thus : Dear young man," he said, I get 12.000 a year. Ijut I have to work almost day and night like a slave, in a room like a prison : take my meals in a hurry ; only a few hours on Sunday I can see my family, and when the year is around, there is nothing left of my hard-earned wages ; besides, I have almost daily to write down, to my utmost disgust, the manifold truths and mendacities of commonplace men and hypocrites. I am sick of this business. If I were young yet. I would go to the West. Dear young man. I advise you to give up learning this business, and go West.* I assure vou, you will live happier if you work as hard there as I must do here." I took the hint - and quit ; or, I saw the reason in the advice, and quit.

After the printing experiment, I went to learning weaving ingrain carpets, tor which art I had to pay $80. With this business I could, and really ditl, make good wages during four days of the week, and so had three days for muse and studies while I remained in Philadelphia. The years, and parts of years. I lived in Philadelphia, were of great blessing to me, and added much to my future career. I learned the English tongue, some of the English literature, antl various good manners and Americanisms. Late in the fall of 1844, I got ae(iuainted with a \ery good, common-sense, reasonable and pious man. Rev. Daniel Berger. Through the grace of (Jod. tliis good man and mjzealous efforts. I found peace of mind religiously, in the Christian fundamental truth or principle ; and my motto was henceforth. --Entire negation of the negative. '

My mother's great love of her only son indui-ed her to sell her iiroperty in Europe, and follow me, with my four sisters, to America, in the year 1 840. They arrived safely at Philadelphia, and mother bought some real estate there, and I helped to get them in tolerably good condition, in the way of living to their satisfaction.

In the year 1848, lieing now additionally a little lietter prepared for the great world, I started off again - for the West and wilderness - to the infinite sorrow of my dear mother and sisters. But who could heljj it? I went via New York. Hudson Ri\er. Erie Canal. Buffalo ; per steamer Olobe over Lakes Erie and Huron, Straits of JIackinaw and Lake Michigan, to Wisconsin, and finally arrived, in the beginning of August, 1848. at Chicago, 111. There I got, the first day, employment as a clerk In a large dry-goods and grocery store. In April. 1840, I obtained the excellent situation of clei-k on the steamboat Indiana, whicli was towing at that time vessels in and out of Chicago's poor harbor, in Iwisterous, l:)ad weather : also the many canal and packet boats of the Illinois Canal, from Bridgeport up and down the Chicago River - an arduous, dangerous and dashing business for me ; among primitive, chaotic ^A'estern wickedness, putrid water, mud and (luagmire. jjestilential cholera, numerous and terrific deaths, and lilack clouds of tormenting mosquitoes at night-time, but plenty cash rolling around me. in the general havoc going on at that time in Chicago. I eame out all hale and hearty ; no impression made on me of any jjarticular hurt, then or afterward.

In the beginning of August, 1840. I startecl from Chicago, per steamer, well equipped with gun, pistol, ammunition, etc., and some cashj for Milwaukee. From there, per foot, to the Indian lands, bej'ond Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, having at Chicago set my eyes for the wilderness and utmost limits of civilization, to try progress, I had for company, on this adventurous route, Mr. Samuel Slifer. who afterward liecame my father-in-law. and another - a youngish Yankee he was, I think. At Oak Grove, a little westward of poVerty-stricken Watertown, at that time, I saw the last poor habitation of quasi-civilizatif)n. Further on toward Fort AVinneltago, I saw nothing but inane expanse of grassy, wild, rolling i)rairie and wf)ods. About ten miles eastward of Fort Winnebago, we struck an apparent wagon-track through tlu* woods, which. I afterward found, had lieen the military road to the fort. I eame up to Fort AVinnebago about half an hour in advance of mv weary comrades, it being now about 0 o'clock A. M., middle of August. I sighted the consoling and well- arranged frontier military Ijarrack and building of the fort with much pleasure, and was delighted with the fine view toward the west and Barahoo hills. While I sat there waiting, I soliloquized : " Precious castle of comfort to the pilgrim seeking an eartlily home ; a watch-house of our glorious Government for the protection of ad\ancing civilization anil wealth, versus barbarism.'' As S(5on as m\ comrades came up, I walked again in advance down to a bridge across a small stream. A grassy ditch, thought I. All at once I noticed what appeared to me a half-breed Indian in the big grass near the bridge. -' What is this ':* " I asked, pointing to the water. He said. " Fox River." O Poseidon !* said I to myself - Fox River. I asked. Where is the Wisconsin River ':* " He said. " Over there," pointing with his finger southward. - great big river, that. " 'My comrades now came up to the bridge ; I told them, This, you see. is the great Fox River ;" but they were so weary and worn-out. they had nothing to say. Tn the mean time, the indi\idual down in tlie grass came up to us. I asked him. Is there any tavern round hereabouts ?" He said. Little way over there - the C'ap'ns place." pointing soutiieasterly across the liridge. I said then to my comrades, "Let us cross the Xiemen. and now into - Russia. " As soon as we were a few rods across the river among tiie tall willow brush which at that time covered the whole flats to the Wisconsin River, we saw everywhere groups of horriljle-looking Indians, old and yijung. l\ing among the bushes on the ground. Alas ! wild-looking creatures to liehold. In a little while, we came to the Franklin House - a cozy resting-place for weary men in this wilderness. (31d Capt. Low had built this hospice a few jears back, in this <lreary marsh, for the coming of advancing civilization" westward. We got something to eat, and rested for that day.

The next day. I equipped m3self with fighting tools, plenty of dr\' [jowder. round lead and pocket compass, for an expedition into the Indian lands. I walked toward what is now called Ketchum's Point, kept along the dry land toward Mud Lake, turned a little north, to the marsh below what we now call Siher Lake, crossed the quagmire northward, and went to the westerly side of the lake. Here I found a splentlid woods and ijretty good soil, north and west of this fine slieet of clear water. Why not pitcii on this spot ? thought I to myself I wandered till toward evening round about the woods, meeting some Indians and wild game, and returned finally, wet and tired, to the hospice in the marsh.

Next day, Mr. Slifer. the young Yankee, and I started out prosjjecting into the Indian land, and stayed several days in the woods. We got pretty deep into it. finally astray, about the big slough and general chaos thereabouts. We slept in the woods and went next da}' in a southerly direction, across a seemingly endless marsh, miry swamps and low. thick woods. At last we came, toward midnight, aliout twelve miles above the portage to the Wisc(;nsin River, but did not know at that time where we were. It must be the Wisconsin River, and sure enough it was. It was the first time I got sight of the grand river of much movalile sand. We had shot two raccoons during the day. and I tried to eat some nasty coon's flesh, but could not get it down. Early next day. I marched down along the shore of the r'wev through the awfuUest woods, slough, abominable quagmires and tall cutgrass, which was swarming full of hungry mosquitoes. Jly hands, face and neck became one smear of blood, sweat and black mud in the struggle. At last. al)out noon, I reached dry land, at what we now call Prospect Hill. Passing along this eminence on the shore of the ri\er. T came to tiiat hca^-y-tinlbered infernal cornel'! where now old Jlr. Leach resiiles. and where Mr. William Armstrongs brickyard is. There in that wild nook of hill, slough and morass. I notici'd a ealaxerous smell, some human hair. rags, traces of clotted blood and a grave of recent date in the dark wcxjds. 1 felt somewhat iuicomf(3rtal)le. shivered some, and with fleet steps made my exit from the dismal place. Coming pretty soon to that other dark nest of timber and slough, where now Mr. A'alentine Helman's house is. I came again into the mud. The big timber reached in a slough, at that time, to where now John Rurchhard live* on Wisconsin street. Finally I came to dryer land covered with young l)lack-oak woods, and met, about the place where uo^v Peter Neiss' brick house stands, a few lioards stuck up, behind which I discovered a woman, an old stove and a few barrels. No doubt I looked like a hard case, for the poor woman was much scared when she got sight of me. I told her not to be afraid. Have you anything to eat ? " I asked. She said, -' Yes, I ha\e some pork in that barrel there, and some bread. " I told her to (piickly cook some, for I was very hungry, I ate about three pounds of half-raw i)ork and some doughy fresh liread. I ofl'ered her some money, but she refused to take it. This good woman was Barney Cook's first wife, afterward the wife of Peter Neiss. I asked the woman how far it was to Fort Winnebago. She said, " I don't know, but I think, it is only a few miles.'' I could not see far for the heav}'

Wisconsin River slough-timber full of drifted logs, slabs, lumber and all kinds of muss, about ten feet high in some places, reached about to where now Main street meets the canal at Portage. Somewhere along the hills, in the neighborhood where Hettinger's brewery now stands. I got sight of the fort buildings-. I felt relief In a short time. I entered the comfortable hostelry, the old Franklin House. " 0. my God ! " exclaimed Ashlum. the keeper of the liou.se, I thought you were dead." I said, '- I guess not yet." - Where is Mr. Slifer and the other young man ? " I said, " The young man is a little behind me. but he may soon turn up." And he did after awhile. Mr. Slifer came another route through the woods, and appeared also toward evening.

Next day, being the third time of ray going out in the woods, I went to Silver Lake again, taking an ax with me, and made tlien and there at the very place where I now reside my claim, with a settled determination of the lilack hussar sort - "victory or death." I marked out what I called 160 acres, cutting my name on the trees. I chopped one tree down (which blistered my hands), cut some underbrush awaj- and knelt down and passed through my mind the Lord's Prayer. Meanwhile, a beautiful liird flew over my head - of good omen, thought L Subsequently. I built me a tight and snug log house. 14x1 S feet, with one door and one window, sash SxlO inch glass. I built my log house all alone. Nobody would nor could help me. Now and henceforth. I commenced work in earnest, chopping, digging, rooting, liurning- and clearing up general chaos around ; frequently went hunting for game, of which there was plenty, and for other provender.

When I came to the Indian lands in lS4il, I had cash, $150, ;\Iy dear mother sent to me. in the years 1849 and 18ij(», $130 cash, and, in 3Iay, 1850, a chest containing tools and clothing from I'hiladelphia. Late in the fall of 1840, I surveyed the town line from the southeast corner stake of Sec, 33. Town 13, Range il, and ran it westward into the Indian land four miles, or four sections, for the purpose of getting my claim fixed as near as possible according to the Government survey, I found it to be nearly correct, when finally the lands of the jMenomonee Purchase were surveyed by order of the Government in the summer of 1851, I had already, in 1851, about 40 acres fenced and 20 under good cultivation, which can be seen marked on the original maps of the ITnited States survey of 1851,

In December, 1849. I measured the depth of the water of Silver Lake, and found the westerljpart, deepest measurement, sixty-two feet ; and the easterly part, deepest measurement, twenty-two feet. During the first years of my living here. Silver Lake used to be lower in summer-time than it is now. The marsh at the easterly end of the lake was of a very loose and swampy nature - a perfect quagmire ; high wire-grass and reeds grew there. When the road was liuilt across this marsh, in 1851 and 1852. it took large quantities of log timber, brush and earth to make it passable. Still it sunk and remained very aqueous for years, needing fixing and filling up. It dammed Silver Lake up considerable. I think in the summer-time over two feet ; for I could go on my marsh westward, joining Silver Lake, safe with a horse-team in the summer time, before the road we now call pinery road was there. The waters of Silver Lake were full of fish of fine quality. I caught some weighing thirty-two pounds. In the spring and ftill time, its surface was sometimes covered with various kinds of wild ducks and other water-fowls. At times, I would throw a stone into the lake, and a cloud of wild ducks would rise above me to fire into, and sometimes a dozen or so would come down with a bounce to my feet, on dry land - plenty of fun.

In the faH of 1849, some prospectors, travelers and some actual settlers appeared at Ft, Winnebago and vicinity. S^me traders put up at the fort, and a few, with a very small stock, liuilt shanties at the portage in the woods. Next year and henceforth, dickering and merehantiug improved consideralile. The place at present called the city of Portage was nicknamed " Gaugeville " for awhile, because a --hard set " had gathered there. In 1850, a good many excellent settlers came to the Indian lands and made homes ; also a lot of quasi and sham settlers made their appearance hereabouts - the worst kind of settlers in a new country. But, after all, all of them together, myself includetl, made up a population good enough for this wilderness ; and the conse- (juences were and are, what you see now, dear reader - grand city of .Portage, with first-rate people therein and thereabouts,