Wisconsin Genealogy Trails

Columbia County, Wisconsin
Obituaries and Death Notices


Belle Boyd (1844 - 1900)
Source: Wisconsin Historical Society (publication source unknown) Submitted by Diana Heser Morse

BELLE BOYD DEAD
Was Famous Woman Spy Who Held Commission as Captain in Confederate Army
The sudden death in Kilbourne, Wis., on Monday, of Belle Boyd, the noted spy of the Confederates, recalls another leaf in the history of the civil war. It recalls the thrill, the danger, the triumphs, the reverses, the many ups and downs in the life of the most determined woman foe the Union ever had. Little has been heard of Belle Boyd in recent years, and to the present generation her name recalls nothing; but the time was when that name caused many a secret council at army camps and many a plan was hatched to place its owner where she could not add to the harm she had done.

Living only in her undying love for the cause of the Southern people, and debarred by her sex from carrying a musket, she dedicated to the Confederate army the only weapons that she possessed—a woman's beauty and a woman's wiles.

But recently out of school when the war began, she flung to the winds everything that was dear that she might help the flag of her choice, and her daring exploits and, services to the Confederate army became, familiar to the whole world. During her career she was twice sentenced to be shot, and for eleven months was a prisoner in the old Carroll and Capitol prisons in Washington. With indomitable will she kept in the struggle, however, until
when, while trying to run the blockade with important dispatches, she ,was captured and banished from the country by Abraham Lincoln.

So highly did Stonewall Jackson value her services that after his defeat of Gen. Banks on May 23, 1862, he sent her this note: "Miss Belle Boyd—I thank you for myself and for the army for the immense service that you have rendered your country today."

Her whole career was one of romance and adventure. Born in Martinsburg, Va., now Went Virginia, in May, 1843, she was related to a number of the most noted families of Virginia. The Hon. Charles J. Faulkner, Minister to France under the Buchanan administration, father of ex-United States Senator Faulkner of West Virginia, and Judge John Blair Hoge, United Stales Attorney for the District of Columbia during the Cleveland administration, wore her cousins. She had just finished her education in Mount Washington Female College, in Baltimore, Md., when the war broke out. Her whole soul was with the Confederate cause. Her residence within the Federal lines and her acquaintance with many Union officers enabled her to gain much important information regarding the position and designs of the enemy, which she regularly committed to paper, and when opportunity offered dispatched to the nearest Confederate commander.

In a hundred ways the seventeen-year-old girl was able to outwit many Federal officers whose gallantry got the better of their discretion. The flowers and poetry of her many epauletted admirers in the hated blue she kept, but all of the Information of value which they indiscreetly dropped she immediately dispatched to her countrymen in gray. Gen. Shields of the Union army was quartered at her house, and when he held a council of war she lay on the floor of her chamber above with her ear to a hole, and, taking down every word, sent it to Gen. Jackson and thereby helped to win a great battle.

Very soon afterward her actions were suspected by the Federal officers and she was arrested, but she soon flirted her way to liberty. Acting upon Gen. Jackson's advice, she removed to Winchester in the Summer of 1862, and it was there and then that she received her commission as Captain and honorary aide to the General, and thenceforth enjoyed the respect paid to an officer. Upon the occasion of the review of the troops in the presence of Lord Hartingdon and Col. Leslie, and again when Gen. Wilcox's division, was inspected by Gens. Lee and Longstreet, she attended on horseback and associated with the staff officers of the several commanders.

Her greatest service, however, was that of a spy. For months and years she withstood every privation and lived constantly within the shadow of death. Her name was passed from one Federal army to another and the greatest honors awaited the officer or sentry who would capture her. The man who finally accomplished the feat afterward sacrificed everything for her.

Belle Boyd was captured on the blockade runner Greyhound, in 1864, by a gunboat in command of Lieut. Samuel Harding of Brooklyn. She and two Confederate officers were being conveyed on the gunboat to Boston and during the trip Lieut. Harding lost his heart to the beautiful prisoner. He proposed marriage.

"So generous and noble had he been in everything," she said, in telling of the romantic years afterward, "that I told him I would be his wife, though our polities differed. 'Woman,' thought I, 'can sometimes work wonders, and may not even he come by degress to love for my sake the ill-used South? ' "

Even before this romantic voyage was ended the implacable foe of the North connived at the escape of her two Confederate fellow prisoners. She herself was sentenced to be shot and afterward was banished from the country. Lieut. Harding was arrested for allowing the two prisoners to escape, but was not convicted. Shortly afterward he deserted and followed the witching rebel to England, where he married her, the Prince of Wales attending the wedding. He returned to this country later, and following his wife's example became a Confederate spy. Harding lived only four years after his marriage. In 1869 Belle Boyd, who had become an actress, married Col. John S. Hammond, an ex-British army officer, in New Orleans, and went to live In California. She was divorced from her husband in 18844 and a year later married Nathaniel R. High, son of an Episcopal clergyman of Toledo, Ohio, with whom she lived until her death. She lectured for years, principally at Grand Army encampments throughout the country, where many an old soldier remembered her as the most daring woman in the Confederacy.

A. P. Chestnut
Wisconsin State Journal (10 May 1889) submitted by Diana Heser Morse

Deaths in Wisconsin
Cambria, May 3. --- A. P. Chesnut, a prominent livestock dealer of this village, died of pneumonia, after an illness of only five days.

W.F. Corning
Aberdeen Daily News (Aberdeen, S.D.) 21 June 1895 - Sub. by Brenda W.

Wisconsin Politician Dead.
IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich., June 21. - Hon. W.F. Corning of Portage, Wis., died here, aged 66 years. He was visiting with his daughter and was taken suddenly ill with a paralytic stroke. He never regained consciousness. Mr. Corning was well known all over Wisconsin, especially in Democratic political circles. He represented the Portage district in the legislature and was mayor of Portage for three years.


Joseph Crele
 Canton Repository (Canton, Ohio) Wednesday, 7 Feb. 1866 - Sub. by a Friend of Free Genealogy

Joseph Crele, died on Jan. 27, at Portage, Wisconsin, at the ripe age of 141 years.
[Read more from Mrs. Juliette Kinzie's book.. She knew the man when he was younger and knew he was nowhere near 141 when he died.]

Lester R. Daugherty
 "The La Crosse Tribune", 17 September 1951 - Sub. by Diana Morse

PLAN RITES FOR CLERK
Prairie Du Chien, Wis. (Special) Funeral services for Lester R. Daugherty, 56, who was a Crawford county clerk for years, will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Methodist church. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery. Friends are asked to call at the Lake funeral home in Prairie du Chien. Daugherty died suddenly Saturday morning. He was prominent in political circles.

Martha A. Dodge
Wisconsin State Journal (26 Feb. 1903) submitted by Diana Heser Morse

Portage, Wis., Feb 25 -- (Special) -- Mrs. Martha A. Dodge, one of the pioneer residents of Columbia county, died at her home in the town of Scott, aged 57 years. She was born in Walworth county in 1845 and came to the town of Scott three years later. She leaves two children, Mrs. M. W. Roberts and Ray Dodge, both of the town of Scott.

Charles Holly
Source: Wisconsin Weekly Advocate (25 Sept. 1902) transcribed by FoFG MZ

Rio, Wis., Sept. 22. – Charles C. Holly, aged 72 years, died last evening at his home near here of cancer in the face, from which he suffered intensely for about six months. He was a veteran of the Civil war; having served in the Thirty-second Wisconsin Volunteers Infantry. Three sons and one daughter survive him.

A. J. Karch
Source: Wisconsin Weekly Advocate (18 Oct. 1900) transcribed by FoFG MZ

Portage, Wis., Oct. 16. – A. J. Karch, ex-city treasurer of Portage, died, aged 34 years.

Isabelle F. Kennow
Source: Marshfield News-Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Sunday, 18 Jan. 2009; contributed by Ron Flink & transcribed by Marla Zwakman

Isabelle F. Kennow, 91, of Marshfield died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, at Saint Joseph's Palliative Care. Arrangements are pending at Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield.

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Monday, 19 Jan. 2009

Isabelle F. "Isy" Kennow, 91, Marshfield, died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, at Saint Joseph's Palliative Care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. The Rev. Donald Meuret will officiate and Suzanne Golden will be the organist for Michael Gonering as soloist. Burial will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery and grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

The visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Tuesday at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Mrs. Kennow was born July 13, 1917, in the town of Scott, Columbia County, to John and Lucy (McGrath) Ryan and moved with her family to Loyal at the age of one. She was a 1935 graduate of Loyal High School. On August 30, 1941, she married Wilder W. Kennow at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Loyal. He died Nov. 26, 1987.

Isabelle worked as a telephone operator in Loyal and later became a nursing assistant at Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, until her retirement.

Isabelle was very artistic. Some of the things she enjoyed were cooking, crocheting, drawing, knitting, painting ceramics and sewing. She was very proud of her family and her home.

She is survived by her children, Rodney of Loyal, Lucy Ann (John) Scheuer, Mary Jo and Kevin (Sara), all of Marshfield. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, Melissa (Ian) Bell and their son Aidan; David Scheuer and his children, Karen and Joseph; Patrick (Dannielle) Scheuer and their children, Hannah and Ryan; Steven (Tisha) Scheuer and their daughters, Onna and Faith; Michael (Carrie) Scheuer and their children, Megan, Drew and Luke; and Monica and Amy Kennow. She is further survived by a sister, Gladys Ryan of Loyal.

She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, five brothers and five sisters.

Memorials may be designated in her name to Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church or Saint Joseph's Hospital.

C. A. Merritt
Source: Wisconsin Weekly Advocate (23 Nov. 1899) transcribed by FoFG MZ

Portage, Wis., Nov. 21. – Col. C. A. Merritt died at Merrittsville, aged 71. He was the founder of the village of Merrittsville. He went there in 1849 and was postmaster from 1878 to June, 1899. He served in the Civil war with Co. I, First Wisconsin Heavy artillery.


T. D. Roberts
 "Wisconsin Weekly Advocate", 18 Oct 1900 - Sub. by Jan Stypula

Randolph, Wis., Oct. 17 - T. D. Roberts, a prominent Welshman of this town, is dead at his home here, aged 57.

Gladys L. Ryan
Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Saturday, 16 Jan. 2010; contributed by Ron Flink & transcribed by Marla Zwakman

LOYAL -- Gladys L. Ryan, 95, of Loyal died Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, in the Palliative Care Unit at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Loyal. The Rev. James Logan will officiate and burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jim Miller, Duane Stutte, Richard Loos, Ronald Hoeser, Bernard Kaiser and Harvey Degenhardt.

Visitation will be held at the church Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Gladys Lucy Ryan was born May 25, 1914, in the town of Scott, Columbia County, the daughter of John and Lucy (McGrath) Ryan. She grew up on a farm north of Loyal and graduated from Loyal High School in 1933. Gladys worked as a switchboard operator for General Telephone in Loyal for many years. After the Loyal office closed, she transferred to Marshfield and worked there until retiring in 1980. After her retirement, Gladys resided on the home farm with her brother Lawrence. After Lawrence's death, she continued to reside on the farm with her nephew, Rodney Kennow, until the time of her death.

Gladys was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and the PCCW.

She enjoyed bowling and was on a bowling team for many years. She also enjoyed traveling and took many trips through out the United States. In her later years, she especially loved short trips riding in the car.

She will be dearly missed by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; six sisters, Grace Klimmer, Nellie Searvogel, Margaret Searvogel, Rosetta Beaver, Laverne Degenhardt and Isabelle Kennow; and five brothers, James, Charles, William, Henry and Lawrence Ryan.

Gladys' family requests that memorials be given to St. Anthony's Catholic Church.

Cuddie Funeral Home of Loyal is assisting the family with arrangements.

Henry Ryan
Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) 5 Aug. 1986; contributed by Ron Flink & transcribed by Marla Zwakman

Loyal – Henry Ryan, 74, Route 1, Loyal, died at 7 a.m. today at Continental Manor Nursing Home, Abbotsford, where he had resided since July 25.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Loyal. The Rev. Robert Streveler will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery, where military rites will be conducted by the Loyal American Legion.

Visitation will be after 6 p.m. Wednesday at Rinka Funeral Home, Loyal, where a rosary service will be at 8 p.m.

Mr. Ryan was born April 29, 1912, in the Town of Scott, Columbia County, a son of John and Lucy (McGrath) Ryan. He attended St. Anthony’s School, Loyal. He never married.

He was a veteran of World War II, and was employed as a janitor at St. Anthony’s School and church for 25 years.

He was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and Loyal American Legion, of which he was a past commander.

Surviving are one brother, Lawrence, Loyal; and four sisters, Mrs. Bernard (Rosetta) Beaver, Loyal, Grace Klimmer, Stevens Point, Isabelle Kennow, Marshfield, and Gladys Ryan, Loyal.

He was predeceased by his parents, three brothers and three sisters.


John White, Sr.
 "The Milwaukee Journal", Jan 5, 1884 - Sub. by K.T.

John White Sr, while drawing a pail of water from a well at his residence in Portage yesterday, lost his balance and fell into the well, receiving injuries from which death resulted.

Kathrina D. Wood
Wisconsin Weekly Advocate (4 June 1903) Submitted by Diana Heser Morse

HER DEATH A MYSTERY
Body of Mrs. Kathrina D. Wood Found With Skull Crushed
DIVORCE SUIT WITHDRAWN
Husband Who Had Been Charged with Cruelty Was Three Miles Away and Is Not Suspected.

Cambria, Wis., June 8 --- The death of Mrs. Kathrina D. Wood, aged 65 years, who figured in a divorce suit brought against her husband on charges of cruelty last December, which she withdrew after the trial had been begun in Portage, is surrounded with mystery. The body of Mrs. Wood, was found near her home on Friday with the skull crushed evidently by a blunt instrument. The coroner called a jury, which returned a verdict of murder. The woman's husband proved to the jury that he was at work on a farm three miles away from the scene of the crime, and no charge has been made against him. Mrs. Wood, it is said, owned the farm upon which she and her husband, who is 45 years old, lived. She alleged at the trial last December that he married her for her property.


Yellow Thunder
Source: Pomeroy's Democrat 21 Mar. 1874 - Sub. by Brenda W.

Yellow Thunder, chief of the Winnebago tribe of Indians, recently died at Portage, Wisconsin, aged one hundred and ten years. It is a consolation to know that so far no Indian agent has lived to this age.

Mrs. John Yule
Source: Wisconsin Weekly Advocate (25 Jan. 1900) transcribed by FoFG MZ

Lodi, Wis., Jan. 22. – After a lingering illness, Mrs. John Yule died last evening. She was the wife of John Yule, a member of the Iron brigade. She was the mother of E. B. Yule, editor of the Lodi Enterprise.


Deaths Listed in The Wisconsin State Register, (Portage, WI) Sat., May 8, 1880:

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