CHARLES B. McCLURE, Sparta. Born
in Franklinville, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in 1827, where he was brought
up. He first came to Sparta in 1853, and pre-empted a farm in this town,
but sold his claim and returned to Cattaraugus County, engaged in
teaching the following Winter in the village of Cadiz. Mr. McClure was
engaged considerably in this occupation when a young min. He returned to
Sparta in 1855, soon after engaged in the lumber business at Wilsonville
for four or five years; then took up a farm near Cataract, where he
stayed about two years. In the Spring of 1864 he went to Montana; was
absent one and a half years. After his return, engaged in lumbering on
the head waters of La Crosse River. Since that time has been engaged in
business at Sparta. It may be a matter of interest to mention the fact
that at the time of Mr. McClure's first visit to Sparta, he sawed the
lumber of which the Globe Hotel was built. This structure he also
assisted in building. His wife was Miss Sarah C. Sumner, of Cattaraugus
Co., N. Y. They have two children, Inez and Floyd C.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
BRICE E. McCOY, proprietor of Sparta
mills. Born in Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1830. Came to Wisconsin with his
parents in 1844. His father, Jesse McCoy, settled in Racine County,
where he died in 1874. Mr. .McCoy was brought up a farmer. He enlisted
in the Summer of 1863 in the 43d Wis. V. I., and served till the close
of the war. After his first six months' service, he was appointed judge
advocate of a military commission, which position he held during the
balance of this term. After the close of the war, Mr. McCoy went to
Kenosha and engaged in milling. Came to Monroe County in 1867, and to
Sparta in 1876. Built his present mill in 1878. Married Miss A. S.
Bowker. daughter of Abram Bowker, one of the earliest settlers of
Kenosha County, formerly from the State of New York. He settled in
Kenosha County in 1837, where Mrs. McCoy was born the same year. Her
parents continued their residence in Kenosha County till their decease.
Mr. and Mrs. McCoy have two children, Robert B. and Clark S.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
SELIUM McGARY, farmer, Norwalk,
born in the town of Milton, Chittenden Co., Vt., in 1831; his parents
removed to Erie Co., Ohio, when he was a child, where Mr. McGary was
brought up. He came to what is now Norwalk, in the Fall of 1852, and is,
therefore, one of the earliest settlers of Monroe County. The land which
he entered at that time, included the greater part of the site of the
present village of Norwalk. Manuel Metzgar had settled the previous
Fall, on a piece of land adjoining that upon which Mr. McGary settled.
With the exception of Mr. Metzgar, Mr. McGary is the earliest settler of
the town of Ridgeville. Mr. Mettzgar removed to California many years
ago. Mr. McGary engaged in lumbering for about two years, but his
general business has been farming. He gave the name Norwalk, to the
village from the beautiful village of that name in Huron Co., Ohio, near
which he lived for many years. He is quite an extensive farmer, owning
380 acres of land. He enlisted February, 1865, in 52nd Reg. W. V. I.,
and served till the close of the war. He was married in Ohio, in 1851,
to Miss Elvira Fox, daughter of Charles Fox. They have six children—Francis,
Eugene, Isabel, Lenora, Josephine and Jessie.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
C. W. McMILLAN, Sparta, born in
Warren Co., N. Y., in 1829. His parents removed to Buffalo when he was a
child; afterward, resided in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. He
lived in Western New York till 1856, when he came to Sparta. Was elected
Sheriff in the Fall of 1858. Has served as Sheriff of Monroe County ten
years; was also Under Sheriff for many years. Married in the State of
New York, to Mary Gallagher, born in Canada. They have nine children,
one son and eight daughters.
(History of Northern Wisconsin)
REV. WILLIAM McMILLAN, pastor of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, Leon; born in Ohio, in 1826. settled in
Richland County in 1856; began preaching in 1862. His field of labor has
been mostly in Richland and Vernon counties. He came to Monroe County
and became pastor of the church at Leon, October, 1880. Married Miss P.
H. Harland. They have two children, Harland and A. K. They lost two
daughters.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
T. L. MARTIN, druggist and Postmaster,
Wilton, was born in Dane Co., Wis., in 1851; afterward removed to Rock
County; came to Wilton, December, 1874, and engaged in the drug business
here soon after; was appointed Postmaster, March, 1879, but had charge
of the Post Office some time previous to that time, lhe owns the only
drug store in Wilton; succeeded F. N. Walker in business.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
J. J. MASON, merchant, Sparta, born in
Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1837. Afterward, went to Cayuga County with his
grandfather, with whom he lived. He went to Black River Falls in the
Spring of 1859, and engaged in milling, which trade he had learned in
the State of New York. He remained there about two and a half years, and
then went to Sechlersville, Jackson Co., where he was also engaged in
milling for five and a half years, and then went into the mercantile
trade wiih Mr. J. R. Sechler. This business he followed in connection
with milling. He was afterward at Neillsville and Wrightsviile. Came to
Sparta. July, 1878, and engaged in the mercantile trade. His wife was
Anna Sechler, daughter of J. R. Sechler. They have two children, Orpha
B. and Berrie.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
WILLIAM L. MASON, stock dealer and
farmer, etc., Tomah, and of the firm of Mason & Crandall,
proprietors of meat market. Mr. Mason was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in
1843. where he grew to manhood. He came to Monroe County in January,
1869, and located at Sparta; came to Tomah in the Spring of 1873 and
engaged in the stock business. Mr. Mason is an energetic and successful
business man. He was married to Elizabeth Sherman. They have one child,
Walter.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
JOHN L. MATHER, Tomah, born in Orange
co., N.Y., in 1832 where he lived till about twenty-one years of age. He
then went to Elmira, N. Y., where he engaged as clerk for H. C.
Spaulding in the lumber business. He went to California in 1855;
returned in 1858; came to Sparta in October of that year; there he
engaged in the drug business with Mr. Charles Gage, with whom he
continued one year. He was for many years one of the prominent business
men of Sparta. In 1865-7 he built the paper mill at Sparta, which he
conducted until 1870; he also erected several other buildings in the
town. He was married in Sparta to Mary E. Jones, daughter of S. K.
Jones,
formerly from Yates Co.. N. Y., who came to Sparta about 1857. In the
Fall of 1870, for the benefit of his wife's health, he went to Kansas
City. Mo. Here he engaged in business as cashier in a bank, where he
remained about one year. He went to Philadelphia in 1871, and engaged in
the insurance business. Here his wife died. He returned to Sparta in
1872, and engaged in the lumber business with James Lowery, whose
interest in the lumber business he purchased in 1875. He was at this
time quite extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He is now
president of the Wisconsin & Lake Superior R. R., between Tomah and
Lake Superior. His present wife was Martha J., daughter of Rev. J.
Taylor. Has four children by first marriage—John J., Fred. H., Maria
J., and Sadie E.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
A. H. MATTESON, farmer. Sec. II, P.
O. Leon, born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1830, where he was brought up. He
came to Leon Valley, May, 1857; settled where he now lives in 1858,
though he had visited the Valley in 1855. His parents M. W. and Abigail
Matteson, came in 1858, and resided at the home of A. H. till their
death. Parents had three children—Melissa E., Wllard J. and Alonzo H.
Willard died October, 1861, Melissa B. is now Mrs. Charles Morgan. A. H.
married Susie Clark, native of Otsego, N.Y. They have three
children-Jennie, now Mrs. Clifford Austin; Vera B. and Grace Abigail.
They lost their oldest child, Melville E., who died in 1855, July 18. He
was born Feb. 6, 1854.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
CHARLES J. MATTESON, farmer. P.
O. Leon. Born in Otsego Co., N. Y., October, 1818. He came to Wisconsin
in 1846, and settled in Fond du Lac County. Returned to New York in
1848, and was married to Livonia Tucker, born in Chenango County.
Returned to Wisconsin; resided in Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties,
till June, 1854, when he came to Monroe County, and settled in the town
of Leon. He built a store and engaged in the mercantile business, which
he followed for about twelve years; was also Postmaster during this
time. This store, which is still standing, was the second frame building
in the village of Leon. Was engaged, also, in farming, in connection
with his mercantile business. Has a pleasant home in the village of
Leon, and a fine farm of 300 acres. His wife died Feb. 18, 1881. Has two
children, Willis and Carrie.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
MARK P. MATTESON, farmer. Sec. 29,
P. O. Cataract. Born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1820. He moved to Monroe
Co., Mich., with his parents, Roswell and Miranda Matteson, in 1834. His
parents removed from St Clair Co., Mich., to Wauwatosa, Wis, in 1848,
where they lived two years, thence to Washington County, thence to
Waupaca County, where they now reside. Parents had thirteen children—nine
sons and four daughters. Six sons and two daughters reached mature years
; five sons and two daughters still living—Ezekiel D., Mark P.,
Charles K., David A., Zapher W., Lucy and Martha. They are all residents
of Waupaca, except Mark P. The latter came to Wisconsin in 1851, he
resided in Fond du Lac County till the Fall of 1856, when became to
Monroe County, and settled on his present farm. He was married to Eliza
Locke; born in Lower Canada. They have seven children, four sons and
three daughters. Mr. Matteson's farm contains 100 acres. He has been
Town Treasurer of Little Falls, and member of Town Board several years.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
D. R. MELOY, Justice of the Peace,
Tomah, born in Genesee Co., N. y., in 1819, where he lived till nineteen
years of age. He settled in Racine Co., Wis., in 1839. He learned the
trade of a carpenter and joiner, when a young man, which he followed for
fifteen years. Married Arvilla Cone, born in the State of New York. In
1848, Mr. Meloy settled in Wyocena, Columbia Co., Wis.; was also
Postmaster here for about four years. He was one of the earliest
settlers in the town of Tomah, where he settled in 1854. Engaged in
farming and worked at his trade; came to the village in 1867. With the
exception of two years has been Justice of the Peace since 1855. Has
five children—David Adelbert, Martha Conkling, Hattie, Edward H. and
Homer.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
GEORGE W. MILLEGAN, M. D., is the
pioneer physician of Sparta. He was born in the town of Cairo, Greene
Co., N. Y., in 1826. He read medicine in his native town, and attended
lectures at a medical school in Pittsfield, Mass. Came to Sparta in
1853, and has been engaged in the practice of his profession since that
time. His wife was Clara A. Darwin, a native of Vermont.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
MOLL, O'BRIEN & TITUS, Wilton.
Frank W. Moll, of the above firm, is the son of A. H. Moll, the former
partner of Mr. O'Brien, who removed to Columbia Co., Wis., from New York
City very early in the history of that county. He came to Monroe County
in 1857 and settled in the town of Greenfield, where he still resides.
Frank W. was born in Columbia County in 1853. He succeeded his father in
business with Mr. O'Brien. His wife was Elletia, a sister of his
partner, John O'Brien. They have two children, Bernardia and Claude
F.
John O'Brien, of this firm, was born in Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in
1846; he removed with his father's family to Portage, Wis., in 1853; his
father died in 1857. The family resided in Columbia County till 1862,
when they removed to the town of Greenfield, Monroe Co. Mr. O'Brien came
to the village of Wilton in the Fall of 1872, and engaged in the
mercantile business with A. H. Moll, in the firm name of A. H. Moll
& O'Brien. His wife was Angela Webb, daughter of Clark Webb, an
early settler of Rock County. Mr. O'Brien is a member of the Legislature
of Wisconsin, elected in the Fall of 1880.
L. M. Titus, of this firm, is a native of Vermont; his parents
removed to Essex Co., N. Y., when he was a boy; he came to Wisconsin
with his father's family, May, 1867, and settled on a farm in the town
of Wilton. He engaged in the grocery trade in this village in 1869;
increased his business to a general store, when the railroad was
finished to this point in 1873. His wife was Elvira George, born in
Warren Co., N. Y.; they have three children—Louisa, Lucena and an
infant daughter. His father still resides in Wilton.
The firm of Moll, O'Brien & Titus was established in 1876. They
are engaged in a general mercantile business, also dealers in grain and
produce, and buy largely railroad ties, wood, etc.; in fact, do the
principal business in their line in the village. They are enterprising,
energetic gentlemen, courteous and accommodating, and have established a
reputation for fair dealing which commands the respect of all with whom
they do business. They have an extensive mercantile trade, their sales
amounting to about $60,000 a year. They buy from 60,000 to 75,000
railroad ties per annum, and during the past year have bought about
9,000 cords of wood. Their business gives constant employment to seven
men.
J. E. MOONEY, Superintendent of Poor
Farm, of Monroe County, Was born in Jefferson, N. Y., about 1834. Came
to Wisconsin in 1866, and settled at Tomah, and engaged in farming. He
married Ann E. Fuller, daughter of Alvah Fuller, an early settler of
Dodge County. Has one son, Fred. Mr. Mooney took charge of Poor Farm,
April, 1881.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
HORACE J. MOORE, farmer, P.O.
Glendale. born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1830, where he resided till
twenty years of age. when he removed to the town of Elba, Dodge Co.,
Wis., and engaged in farming ; came to Glendale in the Summer of 1855.
Mr. Moore was one of the very earliest settlers of this town—but one
family, that of Mr. Lorenzo Harris, now resides in the town of Kendall,
who was here at that time. Mr. Moore was the first Treasurer of the town
of Kendall, and held that office for many years. Has been Justice of the
Peace most of the time since the town was organized; has also been
Assessor of the town. In 1872, he built the Glendale House, which he
conducted about three years. He enlisted, Dec. 18, 1863, in the 19th
Regt., Wis. V. I, and served till the close of the war. Was married to
Nancy Keller, born in the State of New York. Her parents settled in
Dodge Co., Wis., in 1846. They have two children, Augustine and Sarah R.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
MORROW & MASTERS, attorneys,
Sparta. J. M. Morrow, of the above firm, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in
1832. When a young man, before preparing for the practice of law, he was
in the employment of the house Geo. A. Prince & Co., Buffalo,
manufacturers of organs and melodeons. Afterward, was in the employment
of Mason & Hamlin, Boston, in the same business. He came to Sparta
from Boston, Dec. 18, 1856, Read law with Graves & Rice. Married
Olive Graves, daughter of Rev. Nathaniel Graves. Has one daughter, Mary.
Charles M. Masters, of the above firm, is the present County Judge of
Monroe County. He was born in Hampden Co., Mass., in 1841. Was brought
up in Hampshire County. He came to La Crosse in the Fall of 1863, and
engaged in the insurance business. Came to Sparta in 1865, and engaged
in the book trade. Read law with L. W. Graves Esq.; was admitted in
1871. Was elected County Judge in the Spring of 1877; re-elected in the
Spring of 1881. Married Alice Seeley. daughter of James Seeley. Has one
son, Harry J. Lost a daughter, Louise Blanche.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
MARTIN V. B. MORSE, farmer Sec. 32,
P. O. Sparta. Born in Hanover, Grafton Co., N. H., in 1829, where he
lived till January, 1856, when he came to Monroe County and settled on
his present farm, which he purchased of Cyrus Rich. He has a fine farm
of 440 acres, and is pleasantly located. His father, Moses Morse, came
to Monroe County about 1860. His wife was Maria H. Doten, born in New
Hampshire. They have four children— Fred O., Flora B., Luella E. and
William M.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
WILLIAM MUNZ. Norwalk, son of Jacob
Munz. who emigrated to this country from Wurtemburg, Germany, and
settled in Township II, Dodge Co., Wis., in 1853; afterward removed to
Milwaukee, where William attended one of the ward schools in that city,
for about one year; afterward attended Englemen's Academy. The family
removed to the town of Ridgeville, Monroe Co., in 1856. where thay made
a farm. William was born in Germany, in 1844, he enlisted January, 1862,
in the 19th Wis. V. I., served in that regiment till August, 1865 ;
reenlisting after his first two years' service. He was engaged in many
of the most important battles and campaigns in Virginia ; was in Grant's
last campaign, participated in many important battles in Virginia,
including Cold Harbor, Fair Oaks, Chapin Farm; was present at the
surrender of Gen. Lee. At the close of the war, he returned and engaged
in farming during the Summer and teaching during the Winter; has taught
seven or eight terms in the town of Ridgeville; located in Norwalk in
1873. He married Katherine, daughter of John Seybold, one of the
earliest settlers in Monroe County. Mr. Munz has held various township
offices; served as Town Treasurer two years; as Chairman ol Board two
years; has been Clerk of Board for nine years.
(History of Northern Wisconsin 1881)
ALONZO MOSELEY, one
of the pioneers of 1852, is entitled to a space in this history. and
following is a brief sketch of his life. He was born in Cattaraugus
county, New York, October 28, 1827, a son of Aaron Moseley, a native of
Tompkins county, New York. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Moseley, a
native ot Windom county Vermont, was a soldier in the war of the
Revolution. Aaron Moseley married Elias Moseley, who was his cousin.
Alonzo, their son, was reared on a farm in Cattaraugus county, and
during the winter season attended the common schools. Believing the
opportunities of the West greatly superior to those of the East, even at
that early day, he determined to go to the frontier. Accordingly, in
1852, he started to Wisconsin, coming by steamer to Detroit, thence by
rail to Chicago, and from that city to Milwaukee by the lake; he was
accompanied by O. P. McClure of Erie county, New York, who settled also
in Monroe county. Mr. Moseley first located on the northwest corner of
the courthouse square in the town of Sparta, and there resided two
years. He was engaged in teaming on the road from Milwaukee to Sparta,
the trip requiring seventeen days. When he turned his attention to
agriculture, he settled on a farm one and a half miles north of Sparta,
where he resided for twenty years. At the end of two decades he sold
this place and removed to another point, driving his team the distance
of 800 miles; he remained but six weeks, when he disposed of his newly
acquired interests and returned to this county. He new owns a farm of
300 acres lying on Robinson creek, admirably adapted to the raising of
live-stock.
Mr. Moseley was married March 28, 1850, to Miss Eunice
Hunt, who was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, a daughter of John
S. and Mercy (Foster] Hunt, natives of Pennsylvania and New York
respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Moseley are the parents of six children: John
H., a physician of Tomah, Wisconsin; Thomas, one of the largest
producers of potatoes in Monroe county; Mrs. Flora Myers, a widow
resident in Bismarck, Dakota; Ida, wife of N. M. Woodworth; Arthur G.;
and Clara, wife of Thomas Kelly; Mrs. Kelly was a very competent teacher
before her marriage.
Politically our subject affiliates with the Republican
party, and is s stanch supporter of the prohibition movement. He has
represented the people of his township as Assessor four terms, and has
also been Justice of the Peace, and a member of the School Board. He is
a man well informed upon the leading topics of the day, is thoroughly
loyal to home interests, and a supporter of home enterprise.
(Biographical History of La Crosse, Juneau and Monroe County, Wisconsin
1892)
WILLIAM McLEAN, a successful
farmer of Monroe county, is a son of John McLean, who came to this
county in the fall of 1854. The latter was born in county Armagh,
Ireland, in 1809, and his parents emigrated to that country during the
days of the persecution. After arriving at a proper age John McLean
learned the butcher's trade; and after reaching years of maturity
decided to cast his fortunes in America, being the first of the family
to make the venture, but afterward two brothers and a sister came to
this county. After his arrival Mr. McLean located in Ulster county, New
York, where he engaged in ship-carpentering a number of years and then
followed the butcher's trade seven years. He was engaged as a stock
drover, buying and selling in the New York markets, and in the fall of
1854, in company with his son William, came to Wisconsin, locating on a
farm about four miles south of Tomah, on section 27, where they
purchased 160 acres of the Government and later bought seven acres of
the Henry W. Cressy farm. Here he and his son, who was then about twelve
years of age, began to prepare a home in the then new and almost
uninhabited country, erected a log house, 14 X 20 feet, for which they
sawed the timber with a whip saw. As a sample of teh hardships they had
to endure at this early day, it may be mentioned that they had to drive
to Sparta, a distance of twenty miles, with an ox team for their flour,
groceries and other supplies.
Mr. McLean, Sr., resided on this farm until his death, which occurred
January 21, 1881. He was one of a family of eight children, viz.:
Alexander, deceased; Ann, deceased, was the wife of William Little;
George, a resident of Tomah: Jane, who remained in Ireland; William,
deceased; John, the father of our subject; and two who remained in the
old country. John McLean was married first in New York, to Mary
Alexander, who was born at Market Hill, Ireland, and when five years of
age came to America with her parents, Robert and Mary (True) Alexander.
She died in New York in 1856, at the age of fifty-one years. They had
seven children, namely: Ann, deceased at the age of twelve years; Mary,
wife of John McCullough, an architect of New York; William, our subject;
Jane, wife of Thomas Donaldson; Margaret, now Mrs. Watson; John,
deceased at the age of one year. Mr. McLean married for his second wife
Mrs. Elizabeth Torrice, a native of county Donegal, Ireland, and they
had one child, Elizabeth A., wife of D. J. Adams, of Tomah township. His
first wife was a member of the Presbyterian, and Mr. McLean and his last
wife associated themselves with the Congregational Church.
The subject of this sketch, William McLean, was born
in Ulster county, New York, May 3, 1843, and after coming to Monroe
county learned the butcher's trade. August 8, 1862, he enlisted in
Company D, Twentyfifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and after fifteen
months' service was discharged owing to disability, and eight months
later re-enlisted in Company A, Thirty-second Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry, and was mustered out at the close of the war at Washington,
District of Columbia, after taking part in the Grand Review at
Washington city. He participated in eight important battles and eleven
skirmishes, and after the close of the war returned home and took up a
claim of forty acres on section 27, Tomah township. Two years later he
sold this place and purchased 100 acres on section 23, Tomah township,
for which he paid $800. He now has about 103 acres of this place under
cultivation, is a progressive farmer and is deserving the confidence
which is reposed in him by a large circle of friends. Politically, he is
a staunch Republican, has been a member of the Town Board, and Treasurer
of the School Board ten years. Socially, he is a member of the A. F. and
A. M., No. 132, of the A. O. U. W., and of the Henry W. Cressy Post, G.
A. R. Mr. and Mrs. McLean and three children are members of the
Congregational Church.
Mr. McLean was married April 25, 1861, to Jane McKain,
who was born in county Derry, Ireland, on Easter Sunday, 1841, a
daughter of Alexander and Betty McKain. Tbe mother died im the old
country, and the father in Monroe county, Tomah township, in July, 1874,
at the age of seventy-seven years. They were the parents of seven
children, viz.: Ann, wife of Mr. Kanarie, of Vermont; Moses, a resident
of Monroe County; James, also of this county; Jane, wife of our subject;
Margaret, a resident of Maine; Andrew, of Vermont, and Elizabeth,
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McLean have had seven children, namely: Mary J.,
born March 17, 1862, died March 31, 1862; Andrew W., born May 26, 1863,
is engineer on the Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad; Margaret Ann, born
May 10, 1866, is the wife of Seth Johnston, of Tomah township; John S.,
born April 18, 1869, is a brakeman on the railroad; George, born
November 16, 1871, is a butcher of Tomah; Jane born February22, 1875, is
at home, and Robert, born August 20, 1878, is also at home.
Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe and Juneau Counties, Wisconsin
1892
ROBERT H. McMULLEN, proprietor
of the principal livery barn of Tomah, was born in Ulster county, New
York, October 9, 1856, a son of William and Martha (Findlay) McMullen,
residents of Tomah. Our subject came to this city with his parents when
only six months old, was educated in the public schools, and reared to
farm life. At the age of fifteen years he began work for himself, and
March 19, 1881, engaged in the livery business in this city, but was
burned out in November, 1889, at a considerable loss. In 1890, Mr.
McMullen erected his present barn, two stories high, 100 X 36 feet, with
office 14 X 26 feet, built of stone which he quarried himself. He
carries a stock of about $3,000, and also owns considerable real estate
in this county. He made his first purchase about 1877, and now owns
sixty acres of improved land, and also a fine frame residence in Tomah,
erected in 1890, at a cost of about $2,200.
Mr. McMullen was married April 5, 1881, to Miss Lottie Fryer, a
native of La Grange township, Wisconsin, and a daughter of John and
Betsey Fryer. To this union has been born two children, Winnie and
Jessie. Mr. McMullen affiliates with the Republican party, and was
Deputy Sheriff of the county in 1886-87. He is a member of the I.O.O.F.,
Tomah Lodge, No. 128, in which he has passed all the chairs and has
taken the Grand Lodge degree, and in 1890 was a delegate to the Grand
Lodge at Eau Claire. He is a self-made man, is among the prominent
citizens of the county, and was the first to run a milk-wagon in this
city.
Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe and Juneau Counties, Wisconsin
1892
W. J. McMULLEN, a successful business
man of Tomah, was born in Monroe county, Wisconsin, February 10, 1860, a
son of William and Martha McMullen. Our subject remained at the home
farm until twenty-one years of age, when he commenced to work for
himself, and engaged in any vocation that presented itself. In 1882 he
bought his brother's dray business, and six year later purchased the
confectionery and grocery establishment of D. Lewis, Bartell's old
stand, where he remained about eighteen months. Mr. McMullen then
purchased the property known as the old Palmer Gallery, which he
remodeled, and put in a stock of groceries, confections, fruits, cigars
and tobacco, to which, in 1889, he added a bakery. He is one of the
active business men of Tomah, affiliates with the Republican party, is a
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 178, in which he
holds the office of treasurer.
He was married February 18, 1885, to Theressa B. Treffer, a native of
Milwaukee, and a daughter of George Treffer. Mr. and Mrs. McMullen have
three children, Alvie, Earl and Ray.
Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe and Juneau Counties, Wisconsin
1892
WILLIAM McMULLEN, a successful
farmer of Monroe county, was born in county Down, Ireland, March 18,
1829, a son of Brice and Margaret (Harbertson) McMullen. The father died
in his native country, and the mother in America. At the age of eighteen
years our subject came with his sister to America, locating in Ulster
county, New York, where he made his home until 1875, and in that year
came with his family to Monroe county, Wisconsin. He purchased a farm of
120 acres on section 29, in what is now La Grange township, where in the
fall of 1857 they erected a log house, 14X22 feet. In 1873 he erected
his present frame residence, 18X26 feet, with a wing, 18X22 feet; has
improved sixty acres of his farm, and has also added 120 acres to his
original purchase. He afterward disposed of this land, and in 1889
purchased forty acres in the southern part of La Grange township, near
the city of Tomah, and in 1888 bought his home property in Goodyear's
addition in Tomah. Mr. McMullen has done much toward building up and
improving this part of the county, has made general farming his business
since his residence here, and is now iving a retired life.
He was married December 7, 1852, to Martha Finley, who was born in
the north of Ireland, March 16, 1834, a daughter of Thomas and Mary
(Fee) Finley. The father died in 1853, and the mother is still living, a
resident of New York. Mr. and Mrs. McMullen have had eleven children,
viz.: Thomas A., in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
railroad at La Crosse; Robert H., engaged in the livery business at
Tomah; Mary J., wife of William B. Reikie; William J., in the restaurant
and bakery business in Tomah; Margaret, wife of Levi Bigelow; Martha,
wife of Willi8am H. Spooner, of La Grange township; Sarah, wife of
William Fryer; Rosina, wife of Byron Gilson; Euphema M., Anna and Bryce,
at home.
Politically, Mr. McMullen is a Republican, has always been one of the
most active and worthy citizens of this part of the county, and by his
honesty and integrity has won a large number of friends. Mr. and Mrs.
McMullen and five children are members of the Congregational Church.
Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe and Juneau Counties, Wisconsin
1892
JOHN HAMILTON MOSELEY, M.D., homoeopathic
physician and surgeon located at Tomah, Wisconsin, has been engaged in
the practice of his profession at that place since August 1885,
succeeding Dr. W. O. Kenyon, a successful and popular physician of
Appleton, Wisconsin. Dr. Moseley was born in Cattaraugus county, New
York, on May 28, 1851. His parents were Alonzo and Eunice (Hunt)
Moseley, both natives of New York, the former born in the same county as
his son, on October 28, 1827. His father's parents were natives of
Vermont. The mother of our subject was born in Machias, Cattaraugus
county, New York, on September 25, 1831. In 1852, our subject's parents
came West from Buffalo, New York, via the Great Lakes, Racine,
Wisconsin, and thence across the country with teams to Monroe county,
Wisconsin, at that time a part of La Crosse county.
They first settled on a rented farm in Jefferson county, Wisconsin,
but in the succeeding year came to Sparta with their son, the subject of
our sketch. Mr. Moseley was accompanied on his first trip West by Orange
P. McClure, who died in Sauk county, a few years ago, these gentlemen
making the trip from Racine to Monroe county on foot. The land selected
by Mr. Moseley, Sr., for his home was State land, situated on what is
known as the Black river road, about one and a half miles north of the
city of Sparta. This is now one of the finest farms in Monroe county,
and it was here that Mr. Moseley resided for about twenty years, at
which time he disposed of his homestead, intending to remove to the
South. On further consideration, however, he changed his mind, he and
his wife still being worthy and respected residents of this county. All
of their seven children, excepting our subject, were born in this
county, six being living at the present time (1892); the next child,
younger than the Doctor, is Daniel Thomas, born February 16, 1854, being
at present a farmer of Lincoln township, this county, being mostly
engaged in raising potatoes, in which branch of agriculture he excels;
Emma, the next child in succession, was born on June 26, 1856, dying of
diptheria in January, 1864; Flora was born on December 17, 1858, and is
the widow of F. A. Meyers, who succumbed to pneumonia which succeeded
the grippe, dying at Bismarck, North Dakota, on March 26, 1891; he was
assistant station agent and telegraph operator at the place; Ida May,
wife of Martin Woodworth, was born on January 16, 1861; Arthur was born
on September 17, 1864, and resides on the old homestead; Clara Eliza,
youngest of the family, was born on June 8, 1868, and is the wife of
Thomas Kelley.
Our subject, John Hamilton Moseley, M.D., was reared on the old
homestead in this county, attending the district school at Beaver creek,
and the high school in the village, now city, of Sparta, which latter
school was then presided over as principals by Professors Magoffin and
Jacob Bloomingdale. He went, in 1871, to St. Louis, to study medicine
with Dr. E. E. Sargent, with whom he remained five years. He first
practiced his profession of Olathe, the county seat of Johnson county,
Kansas, locating there in May, 1876. On March 22, 1877, he was married
to Miss Clara Clark, a graduate of the St. Louis Normal School and a
teacher at that time in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents were William
and Sarah (Tharp) Clark, the former having been born at Johnstown, New
York, on May 22, 1826. Her father was, for many years, employed by the
Studebaker Manufacturing Company, at South Bend, Indiana, and was at
that time the owner of the water power at Mishawaka, near South Bend.
Her mother was born at Mishawaka, Indiana, where her parents were
married in April, 1853. In 1854, her parents removed to Iowa, locating
in the vicinity of Bloomfield, and later in the vicinity of Fairfield.
In 1866, they took up residence in St. Louis, residing there until their
respective deaths, her father surviving her mother by several years.
Mrs. Moseley and a brother, Allan Clark, of Cincinnati, Ohio, are the
only survivors of a family of four children, two brothers being
deceased, viz.: Preston and Giles, who were aged respectively sixteen
and nine years at the time of their deaths. Mrs. Moseley was born near
Bloomfield, Iowa, September 19, 1854.
Dr. and Mrs. Moseley have had six children: Parker, born on June 26,
1878; Mabel, born August 13, 1880; Edith, born November 26, 1882; Jannie,
born April 22, 1885; died of malignant scarlatine, on October 20, 1888;
Nita, born October 13, 1887; and Cora, born on April 26, 1891.
On entering upon the study of medicine, Dr. Moseley selected the
homeopathic system, and graduated in March, 1874, from the Homeopathic
Medical College, of Missouri, located in St. Louis. After this, he spent
some time in the hospitals of that city, graduating with high honors
from the Missouri Medical College (old-school) at St. Louis, in March,
1876. His fine medical library contains well selected books of both
systems of medicine. He is well versed in his profession, and enjoys a
large practice, being a most worthy and esteemed citizen. He is a man of
commanding presence, genial and sympathetic attributes, contributing
much to his professional success. Rocked in the cradle of adversity
himself, he can sympathize with the sick and suffering; and his
practical knowledge of the value of money prompts him to many acts of
generosity, appreciated and remembered by his patients and friends. Of
high morality and integrity, he is deeply interested in the promotion of
the moral and material growth of his community. From boyhood, he has
been much interested in the cause of temperance, having been a member
amendment in that State in 1880. He was reared a Republican, but his
strong temperance convictions and intense opposition to the liquor
traffic have conduced to attract him to the Prohibition party, of which
he has been a member since 1884. Temperate in all things, himself, he is
ever interested in the advancement of temperance and morality.
Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe and Juneau Counties, Wisconsin
1892
DR, WILLIAM H. MOSELEY, psycho-hygienic
physician of Sparta, is a representative of one of the early families of
Monroe county. His father, Daniel T. Moseley, was a native of Cazenovia,
New York, and was a son of Samuel Moseley, whose father was Joseph
Moseley, of Worcester, Massachusetts. The latter, the great-grandfather
of Dr. Moseley, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and after his
death, which occurred at Worcester, his three sons became scattered,
locating in different parts of the country. Samuel became a resident of
Cazenovia, and later, when the father of our subject was a boy, he
removed with his family to Cattaraugus county, New York, and died in
Franklinville, in that county. Daniel T. was his only son, the remainder
of the family consisting of three sisters. He, however, is the sole
survivor of his father's family. Mr. Daniel T. Moseley was born in 1811,
and married Amanda Hunt, a native of Ithaca, New York. She was a
daughter of Colonel John S. Hunt, who came to Sparta, Monroe county, in
1853, where he became a well-known and influential citizen. Perhaps no
pioneer of this county was more generally and favorably known than he,
and his death occurred at Cheted, Barron county, in 1885, at the
advanced age of ninety-three years. Daniel T. Moseley emigrated to
Monroe county with his family in the spring of 1854, locating in Sparta,
where he resided about two years. He then purchased a farm about three
miles north of the village, on which he resided fifteen years and then
returned to Sparta. Recently, with his wife, he removed to Lincoln,
Nebraska, to reside with their son. He was a well-known and esteemed
citizen, and possessed a high sense of honesty and integrity.
Liberal-hearted and generous to a fault, he ever possessed the respect
and esteem of the citizens of this county. In the early days he was an
Abolitionist, and later a Republican. Both he and his wife are
consistent members of the Advent Christian Church. They were parents of
six children, five sons and one daughter, but two of the former Frank
and George died in early life, at the ages of fourteen and eleven years,
respectively. Dr. Moseley is the eldest of the family; Clara, the next
in order of birth, is the wife of Major J. W. Curran, a well-known
citizen of Madison; Daniel W. is a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, and
with him his parents now reside. He is a prominent citizen of that town,
is engaged in the real-estate and insurance business and is a man of
large wealth and influence. Clarence H., the youngest of the family, is
also at Lincoln.
Dr. W. H. Moseley was born in Franklinville, Cattaraugus county, New
York, March 4, 1841, and was about fourteen years of age when the family
emigrated to Monroe county. He had at that early age been a student for
some time at the academy in Warren city, Pennsylvania. He entered that
institution at the age of twelve years, and soon became distinguished
among his fellow pupils for his industry and rapid progress in his
studies, and before leaving the school he had attained to the highest
department, and was the youngest member of that department. The Doctor
attended the Sparta school several winter terms and also pursued some
branches under special instruction. Although precocious in his youth he
was physically strong, and at the age of fifteen years he became an
assistant in the water-cure establishment at Sparta, which was then
under the supervision of Dr. Sargent, who, with his wife, founded the
cure. Here he continued about two years and then went to New York city
and attended the lectures of Dr. Russell T. Trail for some time. Soon
after his return to this city he went to St. Louis, to the sanitariun of
Dr. Sargent, who in the meantime had removed to that city. At St. Louis
Dr. Moseley pursued the study of medical electricity, and after becoming
conversant with that subject he returned to Sparta and engaged in
practice in accordance with the philosophy of medical electricity. In
1881 he erected a sanitarium at Ear Claire, which he conducted for a
short time and then sold to Dr. John V. R. Lyman, of that city.
Returning to Sparta he again resumed the practice of his profession, and
has had about twenty-five years' experience of chronic diseases. He
employs combined vital and electro-magnetic treatment, electro-magnetic
and electro-medicated baths, etc. The Doctor has given much attention to
scientific studies and endeavors to make a practical use of the
knowledge thus attained.
In 1883, having conceived the existence of coal in Dakota along the
east bank of the Missouri river, he determined to make a personal
investigation, and the result of his researches justified his opinion.
Coal fields were found to extend along the east bank of that river for a
distance of fifteen miles at least. His experience in the coal fields of
Dakota is too extensive a subject for the limits of this article:
suffice it to say that his discoveries have proved of great importance
to that State and promises to be of still greater value.
Dr. Moseley was married to Sparta, to Miss Bell McKenzie, a daughter
of Edwin McKenzie. The latter is a brother of C. W. McKenzie, of Bangor,
and an early settler of Wisconsin. The father of Mrs. Moseley was a
soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and his death occurred July 4,
1876, leaving three daughters. The Doctor and wife have had three sons:
Wayne T., Paul W. and Raymond W. Dr. Moseley is a man of culture and
refinement, both in his professional character and as a citizen, and
possesses' the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe and Juneau Counties, Wisconsin
1892
B. W. MEE, who now owns 240 acres of
choice valley land in section twenty-five, township seventeen, one west,
has been for years one of the most extensive real estate owners in
Monroe, county, where he was born November 7, 1864, the son of Benjamin
and Margret Mee, natives of England and Scotland. They came to America
in 1845, and first located in Racine county, but during the year 1855
moved to Monroe county and homesteaded eighty acres of land in Tomah,
now a part of our subject's present farm, and here passed their lives.
The father died in 1882. He was a tailor by trade, and as a pioneer,
experienced the ups and downs of those days, and after struggling the
while through hard work and perseverance, he acquired sufficient means
to make their last days comfortable and enjoyed the highest esteem of
their neighbors. Mrs. Mee was born in St. Andrews, County Fife,
Scotland, in June, 1826, and died at her home in Tomah on March 15,
1910. Mr. Mee was a Republican in politics and served as justice of the
peace for many years in Tomah. They were devoted members of the
Methodist church.
B. W. attended the common schools of his neighborhood up to his
fifteenth year, lived at home and worked on the farm. His father died
when he was seventeen years of age, and on Christmas day, in 1888, he
was married to Miss Emma Roeder, daughter of August and Elizabeth
Roeder, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1858 and settled in
Tomah, where the father died in 1893 and the mother still lives at the
age of sixty-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Mee have had three children, two of
whom are living: Archie, born April 9, 1800, and Luella, born January
17, 1902. Their farm is ecquipped with the best grade of horses, cattle
and hogs, and in connection with his general farming, Mr. Mee makes a
specialty of dairying. He was formerly president of the Farmers'
Co-operative Creamery Company for four years and was its secretary and
treasurer for some time. He is a Republican in politics.
(History of Monroe County Wisconsin 1912)
OLUF C. MELGARD, manufacturer and
dealer in marble and granite monuments at Cashton, Monroe county, Wis.,
was born in Coon valley, Vernon county, March 12, 1860, and is the
second child in order of birth of a family of nine children, six of whom
are now (1912) living, born to Carl and Bertha (Knudson) Melgard. The
father, Carl Melgard, emigrated from Norway to America in 1850, and
located in Coon Prairie, Vernon county, when approaching middle age, and
found employment as a farm laborer, which occupation he followed some
five years. In 1855 he married and purchased a tract of forty acres in
Vernon county. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade and in a
small way was engaged in making furniture at his home seven miles from
Cashton, where he lived for forty years. At the age of seventy-eight
years, he became an invalid, and in 1898 moved to the village of
Cashton. He was born on May I8, 1822, and died at Cashton in 1907. He
possessed a good education and excellent business judgment; a man of
prominence and influence in his community and his advice on business
matters being often sought by the early Norwegian settlers. His wife,
mother of our subject, was also born in Norway, in 1831, and is still
(1912) living at an advanced age. Both she and her husband were members
of the Coon Valley Lutheran church, of which he was trustee.
Oluf C. received his education in the common schools of Vernon
county, and at the age of twenty years, came to Sparta and served an
apprenticeship for two years at the marble business. He then moved to La
Crosse, where he was employed for two years in the leading marble shop
of the city. On December 5, 1855, he came to the village of Cashton and
embarked in the marble business on his own account, starting in a small
way with only about one dozen small slab stones. His business has grown
to large proportions. Mr. Melgard inherits his father's business acumen,
and by close attention and good management, he has established and built
up a monument business second to none in western Wisconsin. The best
quality of Wausau and red granite obtained from the granite quarries in
Minnesota, also Vermont granite, is used in his work, and the trade
extends over a large area of Wisconsin and other states, all operations
being carried on under the name of O. C. Melgard. Besides the home
business at Cashton, branch houses have been established in other
places; the one at Sparta, opened under the management of Carl Melgard,
employs three skilled workmen and three traveling salesmen, while the
one at Galesville, established four years ago, is doing an extensive
business under the management of Hans Twesme. Mr. Melgard is one of the
solid men of Cashton, and is popular alike in business and social
circles. In politics he adheres to the principles of the Republican
party, and fraternally belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, while
religiously he and his estimable wife are members of the Lutheran
church. In addition to his marble business, Mr. Melgard owns a choice
forty acre tract
two miles from Cashton, while his hone is one of the most modern and
commodious in the village of Cashton. In January, 1884, Mr. Melgard was
married at La Crosse to Miss Amelia Larson, daughter of Gilbert and
Caroline Larson, who also came from Norway and settled at Cashton. Nine
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Melgard, viz: Eilert, born
December 5, 1885; Carl, born March 11, 1888; Herbert, born June 3, 1890;
Anna, born January 3, 1892: Oscar, born August 4, 1894; Ida. born
December 24, 1895; Rosa, born May 30, 1899; Howard, born January 13,
1903, and Nina, born October 2, 1906.
(History of Monroe County Wisconsin 1912)
EMIL MICKELSON, who resides on
section twenty-six, Leon township, was born in the town of Leon, Monroe
county, on May 5, 1874. His parents were Louis and Martha (Gilbertson)
Mickelson, both natives of Norway. The father emigrated to America in
the fifties and located in Cannon valley, county, where he homesteaded
eighty acres of government land in section twenty-six, Leon township.
After a residence of one year there, he married and continued to make
that his home. He was energetic and thrifty, and as a result of
overwork, he suffered a sunstroke in 1874, from which he never
recovered, and passed away in 1884. They were the parents of four
children, three of whom are now living. The mother now, in 1912, resides
in Minnesota at the age of fifty-four years. The father was a great
Bible student and a member of the Lutheran church.
Emil received a rather limited education in the district schools,
assisting with the work on the farm. He was married December 17, 1896,
in Leon to Miss Dora Brooks, daughter of F. L. Brooks, who was born in
1850. He was twice married, first to Miss Alice Waters, by whom he had
three children, two of whom, Dora, wife of our subject, and Clifford
Brooks, are now living. The mother died August 10, 1897, and he was
married for the second time to Miss Ida Alga. To this union was born six
children, five of whom arc now (1912) living, viz: Hattie, born August
10, 1886: Howard, born October 31, 1888: Jessie, born February 29, 1892:
Myrtle, born August 18, 1895, and Eva, born July 26, 1898. The father
now resides in South Dakota. Seth Brooks, grandfather of Mrs. Mickelson,
came from New York state in an early day and settled in the Cannon
valley, where he died in 1867. To Mr. and Mrs. Mickelson have been born
three children, two of whom, Louisa, born January 31, 1904, and Leslie,
horn August 13, 1907, are living. In 1901 Mr. Mickelson purchased his
present farm of 166 acres in section twenty-six, Leon township, where he
has since made his home engaged in general farming and dairying, and is
counted among the thrifty and progressive fanners of Cannon valley.
(History of Monroe County Wisconsin 1912)
PETER E. MITBY is another one of
Cashton s representative business men, a native of Norway: he was born
at Toten, March 20, 1858, and came to the United State, landing in New
York September 3, 1880. He then set out for the west and came direct to
Cashton, where he was employed in various lines of industry for five
years. By hard work and strict economy, he saved his earnings and
embarked in the saloon business in 1880, and simultaneously began the
buying and selling of grain. In that year he erected the building in
which his saloon was located, and in 1888 built his grain elevator and
in 1888 erected his modern residence, and still later constructed the
building now occupied as a restaurant, and in 1897 erected a new grain
elevator which he has since owned and operated. On December 5, 1886, Mr.
Mitby was united in marriage with Miss Petrina Kremstad, who was born in
Vernon county. They have an interesting faniilv of four children, viz:
Edna, Lillian, Myrtle and Chester.
In addition to his business and property holdings in Cashton, Mr.
Mitby owns a farm of sixty acres just over the line in Vernon county,
and owns one-half interest in the Hotel Lewis at Sparta, and is a
stockholder and director in the Cashton bank. a Republican in politics,
he is active in the councils of his party and all matters pertaining to
the betterment of the community receive his hearty support. He is a high
minded, public spirited man, surrounded by a wide circle of friends who
regard him as one of the prosperous and influential business men of the
county. In religious faith he is a member of the Lutheran church.
(History of Monroe County Wisconsin 1912)
GEORGE J. MOEN, son of one of the
early and prosperous farmers of Portland township, was born here on June
19, 1874. His father was Bernt Johnson Moen, a native of Norway, who
came to America in 1869 and first located in Sparta: he was born
February 23, 1842, and passed away on March 12, 1909. Mrs. Moen, our
subject's mother, was Miss Carrie Gustava Rognstad, born April 12, 1847,
and they were married on July 16, 1872, the same year she came to
America. For several years Mr. Moen worked at various occupations, and
by close application, economy and thrift, he saved enough to purchase a
tract of forty acres of practically wild land, which he cultivated and
soon brought to a high state of cultivation, and purchasing additional
land from time to time, until at his death he owned 100 acres of fine
land near the village of Cashton. Their family was small, our subject
and Jorgen A. being the only children. They were members of the Lutheran
church, and Mr. Moen was always an active worker in the Republican
ranks, ready at all times to give his aid towards the best interests of
his fellowmen, and his death was mourned as a loss to his community.
George J. obtained his early education in the public schools of his
township and later graduated from the high school at Viroqua with the
class of 1896. He then followed the vocation of teaching for some eight
years near Viroqua, after which he accepted a position with the Brown
Music Company, of that place, remaining there until the death of his
father; he then took up the management of the home farm, where he has
since lived with his mother, has been organist and choir leader of the
Immanuel Lutheran church since 1890.
His brother, Jorgen. was born December 11, 1877, after receiving his
preliminary education in the public schools, took a one year course at
the St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minn., and from there he went to the
Valparaiso University and spent two years in the law department. Spent
one year at the law department of Northwestern University of Chicago. He
was admitted to the bar in 1904 and is now located in Viroqna,
conducting a successful law practice under the firm name of Smith &
Moen.
(History of Monroe County Wisconsin 1912)
WILL G. MERRILL M.D., who is practicing his profession in Wisconsin Rapids as a specialist, was born in Sparta, Wis., April 26, 1875, son of Llewellyn D. and Sarah L. (Garrison) Merrill. The parents were natives respectively of Maine and New York. They came west when young with their parents, who settled near Friendship, Wis. Llewellyn D. Merrill after arriving at manhood went to Montana, where for some time he was engaged in mining. After his return to Sparta, Wis., he engaged in the jewelry business there, and is still a resident of that city though now retired. Will G. Merrill as a youth attended school in Sparta and was graduated from the high school there in 1893. He then worked three years in a drug store. In 1897 he became a student in Northwestern University, where he took a two-year course in pharmacy, and in 1899 he took a post-graduate course in chemistry. During the three years following he worked as a clerk in drug stores. In 1903 he entered the medical department of Marquette University at Milwaukee, and in 1906 was granted his medical degree at that institution. He then began the practice of his profession in Sparta, where he remained four years, coming to Wisconsin Rapids in 1910. His line of practice was given a special direction owing to his service in the late war. In June, 1911, he took the army medical examination, which he successfully passed and was commissioned as first lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps. In 1915 he attended the officers' training camp at Camp McCoy, Sparta. On Aug. 5, 1916, he was called into the active service during the border mobilization and was stationed at San Antonio, Texas, in the Base Hospital, where he remained for 11 months. He was then transferred to the Wilbur Wright Flying Field at Dayton, Ohio, where he built and organized a hospital, remaining there from July, 1917, to October, 1917, and during that time receiving his commission as captain. He was then sent to New York, where he remained until he went overseas, landing in England Dec. 17. There he was stationed at Romsey, having charge of the medical work, in a rest camp. From there he was transferred to Winchester, where he performed the operative surgery in the base hospital until August, 1918, when he sailed for France. His first assignment in that country was at the First Air Depot at Colombey-les-Belles, where he had charge of the medical work and received his commission as major. He was transferred Dec. 25, 1918 to Chatillon-Sur-Seine, with the 2nd Corps, a training school for officers, where he remained until March. From there he was transferred to the 313th Engineers, 88th Division as regimental surgeon and remained with that division until he returned to the United States in June, 1919. He was then stationed at the Base Hospital at Camp Grant, Ill., having charge of the ear, nose and throat department until the hospital closed. For six weeks after that he was stationed at the post hospital at Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and afterwards at the post hospital at Douglas, Arizona, where he remained until October. 1920. He then returned to Camp Grant, Illinois, when all the emergency officers were discharged. After receiving his discharge Dr. Merrill returned to Wisconsin Rapids, where he has since practiced his profession as eye, ear, nose and throat specialist. He is building up a good practice and winning the confidence and respect of the people in the city and surrounding territory. As a progressive citizen he has identified himself with the Rotary Club, and is also a member of the local Masonic lodge. He belongs to the county, state and American medical associations, and is religiously affiliated with the Congregational Church. Dr. Merrill was married in Sparta, Wis., Nov. 9, 1898, to Alice Sholts, daughter or John and Emma (Kenyon) Sholts. Both her parents are now deceased.
----Source: History of Wood County, Wisconsin (1923) compiled by George O. Jones, pages 413-414; submitted by Marla Zwakman
APPLETON N. MALTBY, postmaster at
Oakdale, Wis., was born October 16, 1840, in Dekalb couny, Indiana. His
parents, Noah and Jane (Coleman) Maltby, were natives of New York state,
having; been born in Oneida county. They came west to Indiana in and
after a residence there of ten years, moved to Illinois in 1848, and in
1852 went to Iowa, and in I860, they came to Tomah. Wis. He was a
carpenter and joiner by trade, and for many years was express agent at
Tomah. The father later went to Greeley, Colo., where he died in 1899,
at the age of eighty-eight years. The mother passed away in 1892. They
reared a family of seven children, five of whom are now living.
Appleton N. received his education in the common schools of Indiana
and Iowa, and in 1859 came to Tomah and for thirty years was employed in
the saw mills. He was married on December 27, 1862, to Miss Clemy I.
Baker, daughter of Enoch Baker, an old an old and highly respected
citizen, who came from Washington county, New York, and settled in
Oakdale township, in 1855. Mrs. Maltby is the only surviving member of a
family of three children, and at the death of her father inherited 200
acres of land near the village of Oakdale. Mr. and Mrs. Maltby have one
daughter, Leah, born August 25, 1866, who is now the wife of J. N.
Weloby.
Mr. Maltby was appointed postmaster of Oakdale in 1897, and is still
the incumbent. He has held the office of town clerk for six years, and
for eight years has been treasurer of his school district. He is now
retired from active business, except the duties of postmaster.
On August 7, 1862, at Tomah, he enlisted in company D, twenty-fifth
regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the
war. His regiment was sent to Minnesota during the Indian Massacre,
afterwards returning to La Crosse, and in February. 1863, was ordered to
Columbus, Ky., and from there to Vicksburg, and took part in the siege
of that city, and the capture of Helena, Ark. He was with Sherman on his
march to the sea and later his regiment was transferred to the army of
Tennessee. At the battle of Atlanta, his company went into the
engagement with thirty-four guns and came out with seventeen. He was
honorably discharged at Washington, D. C, in 1865. In fraternal matters,
Mr. Maltby is a member of the Masonic order, and Henry W. Cressy Post,
G. A. R., of Tomah.
(History of Monroe County Wisconsin 1912)
F. E. MARKGRAF. The parents of F. E.
Markgraf, Frederick and Anna (Umbright) Markgraf, came to America from
Germany in the early fifties with a family of two children. After two
years spent at Madison, Wis., they moved to the town of Sheldon in
Monroe county, where the father purchased a small farm, which he
afterwards sold and purchased 320 acres of wild land in sections ten,
three and eleven of the same town, and there established a family home
and commenced the life of a farmer in the then new country. With no
capital but his native ability, in a wilderness without settlement, and
markets and trading posts a long way off, and the only means of
transportation an ox team, here he built a small log house, and as there
were no shingles or roofing to he had, bed sheets were substituted for
the rooting which sufficed until a better one could be procured. There
the family lived for six years, when a larger and better log house was
constructed, which they afterward occupied for twenty years. Mr.
Markgraf set diligently to work clearing and cultivating his land, and
from a sickly calf presented to him, he commenced the raising of stock
which resulted in the successful breeding and the building up of a large
herd of Durham cattle, with which he in later years kept the farm well
supplied. In those early days wild game was plentiful and the family
relied on the deer for their meat supply. Mr. Markgraf, Sr., was in
every way a successful farmer, a model citizen, and well informed on
almost any subject. In politics he was a Republican, and in religious
matters affiliated with the German Evangelical church. In this family
there were twelve children, of whom two sons and four daughters are now
living. Prior to the death of the father he sold his farm to his son,
the subject of this sketch. His wife, mother of our subject, is also
deceased.
F. E. Markgraf was born in the town of Sheldon, July 20, 1862, and
had the advantages of the district schools until his fifteenth year. He
assisted in the management of his father's farm until he purchased it.
He cleared 100 acres, and following in the footsteps of his father, has
brought it from a wild to a highly cultivated state, and with the
substantial residence, barns and other outbuildings, makes it one of the
best farms in Sheldon township. Besides general farming, Mr. Markgraf is
a breeder of Durham cattle, high grade hogs and sheep, and his farm is
well supplied with modern equipments.
He was married at Watertown, Wis., to Miss Tillie Osbreich, daughter
of William and E. O. Osbreich. They have three children, viz: Elma, born
February 26, 1890: Louis, born March 4, 1895, and Ada, born April 24,
1897.
(History of Monroe County Wisconsin 1912)
DAVID C. MARTEN, whose parents, David
F. and Caroline (Link) Marten, were early pioneers of Wilton, Monroe
county, owns a nice farm of 160 acres in sections four and nine of
Wilton township. He was born here on February 22, 1868, and attended
school until he was fifteen years old and for several years afterward,
worked as a farm hand in his neighborhood. On November 23, 1898, he was
married in the town of Oakdale, to Miss Amelia Rogge, daughter of Henry
and Johanna Rogge. She was the sixth child of a family of nine children
and was educated in the district schools. Mr. and Mrs. Marten have two
children, Erma Caroline, born September 19, 1899, and Elba Henry, born
March 18, 1903.
David F. Marten came to America in 1857, two years after his brother
came, and settled in Monroe county. David worked as a farm laborer for a
while, then bought eighty acres in section three, in the town of Wilton,
and lived there until he died on August 22, 1905. They had a family of
nine children, eight of whom are living. He was a hard working man and
good citizen, and in acquiring his beautiful home, he passed through the
trials and hardships of the pioneer, and at his death, left his widow
and family in comfortable circumstances. Mrs. Marten is still living at
the age of sixty-six years.
Our subject is a successful farmer and makes a specialty of the dairy
business; he keeps the best grade of stock and uses the latest methods
in his management of the farm. In 1901 he built a nice barn and in 1898
built his residence, with which his other buildings correspond. He is
independent in his political views and they are devoted members of the
Lutheran church.
(History of Monroe County Wisconsin 1912)
FRANK MASHAK
is another one of the
wide-awake and progressive men of Portland township, and is the son of
Frank J. and Razy (Sleider) Mashak, natives of Poland and Bohemia
respectively. The father came to the United States with his parents when
he was nine years of age and early in the seventies he located on a farm
of 182 acres in section seventeen, Portland township, Monroe county,
where our subject, Frank, was born October 9, 1877. When the father
settled on his farm, it was all wild land covered with a heavy growth of
timber, which he cleared and brought to a good state of cultivation,
improving the farm with a substantial residence, barns and other
outbuildings, and here made his home until 1904, when he moved to the
village of Cashton, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Mashak raised a
family of seven children, of which our subject is the third in order of
birth. The others are: John, of Cashton: Lena, the wife of Jake Konen,
resides in Washington township, La Crosse county: Razy is the wife of
Albert Marx and lives at Cashton; Vincent lives at Melvina, where he is
engaged in the hardware business; Louis and Edward, who reside in
Portland township.
The subject of this sketch attended the district schools and lived on
the home farm, assisting in the farm work until 1904, when he purchased
the place, which he has since carried on with marked success. He is
engaged in general farming and dairying and uses all the improved
methods in his operation.
On June 7, 1904, Mr. Mashak was united in marriage with Miss Amelia
Dagenhardt, daughter of Henry and Katherine Dagenhardt, of St. Mary's
Ridge, Jefferson township. To this union has been born five children.
viz: Ethel, Clarence, Raymond, Sylvester and Lorine. Mr. Mashak is a
public spirited, enterprising citizen, and takes an active interest in
the affairs of his town and county, and for three years has been a
member of the town board. Religiously he and his wife are members of the
Middle Ridge Catholic church.
(History of Monroe County Wisconsin 1912)
JOHN W. MASHAK, son of Frank J. and
Razy (Sleider) Mashak, early settlers and prosperous citizens of Monroe
county, was born January 25, 1872, in the town of Portland. He attended
the district school and remained at home with his parents until he was
twenty-three, when on May 23, 1895, he married in La Crosse county, Miss
Mary Corn, one of a family of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Mashak have
two children, Joseph and Levi. After his marriage, Mr. Mashak purchased
a farm of 215 acres, where he lived for five years, then moved into the
village of Melvina in Jefferson township, and for a short time was
engaged in the saloon business. He erected a large brick business
building, which is now owned by Tony Pelzer. After disposing of his
interests in Melvina, Mr. Mashak, in 1105, moved to the village of
Cashton and again embarked in the saloon business, but soon moved from
his first location to one near the depot, and after one year,
re-purchased his first saloon and has since operated that.
Besides the 215 acre farm which he owns, he purchased in 1906 another
farm adjacent to the village of Cashton, which he disposed of in 1907.
He also owns considerable property in Cashton. In 1911 he went into the
automobile business and now conducts a large garage where he does all
kinds of automobile repairing and handles the sale of the Jackson
automobile, and is doing a splendid business in this line.
Mr. Mashak is one of the most enterprising business men of Cashton,
public spirited and progressive, and takes a commendable interest in all
public matters, especially in those of his town and county. He is a
Democrat in politics, and both he and his estimable wife are members of
the Pine Hollow Catholic church.
(History of Monroe County Wisconsin 1912)
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