Emerald Township History

Patrick B. Dunbar
Patrick B. Dunbar was born in Spartansburg, Crawford county, Pa., March 28, 1865, son of Patrick and Ann (Kane) Dunbar, of County Mayo, Ireland, who came to America in 1858, locating at Holyoke, Mass., the father being employed in the cotton mills. In 1860 the family moved to Spartansburg, where the father worked at railroading until 1877, when he came to St. Croix county and bought 160 acres, which he broke and improved and upon which he erected a home for his family. He carried on a general farming business. He now makes his home with his son, Patrick, his wife having passed away in 1907.

Patrick received his education in the graded schools of Spartansburg and after leaving school learned the plumber's trade, which he continued until 1894, when he came to Emerald, and shortly after took charge of the home farm, buying his brother's interests in the estate and making a home for his parents. In 1907 he moved to the village and bought a house and lot, where he now lives, renting his farm to other parties and engaging in the elevator business.

Mr. Dunbar was married, October 28, 1903, to Mary Kennedy, of Emerald township, daughter of Anthony and Mary (Riley) Kennedy, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, but now residents of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar have three children Walter, born November 27, 1904; Francis, born April 17, 1906, and Mary A., born November 26, 1907.

Mr. Dunbar is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic church. He belongs to Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians, at Cylon, and Greenwood Camp, No. 7,001, Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Dunbar is noted for his honest and upright character. He is in comfortable circumstances, and no public movement is undertaken until he has been asked his opinion in the matter. Although an eastern man, he is intensely interested in St. Croix county, and combines Eastern stability with Western progressiveness.

Edward Dunbar
Edward Dunbar is a son of Patrick and Ann (Kane) Dunbar, of whom a sketch will be found in this history in connection with that of their son, Patrick. Edward received a common school education in Spartansburg, Pa., to which place his parents moved when he was a small boy, and then engaged with his father in farming for many years. Coming to Emerald, he purchased 120 acres, which he cleared and developed. In 1904 he erected a comfortable home. He carries on a general farming and breeds both cattle arid horses.

Mr. Dunbar was married, January 21, 1891, to Nellie Riley, daughter of Miles and Ann (Kane) Riley, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. They came to America in 1881 and located at Erin township. The mother died in September, 1895, and the father is still living.

Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar have been blessed with eight children, as follows: Dell, born April 18, 1893; Marie, September 4, 1894; Rosella, October 13, 1896; Sibina, October 26, 1898; Edward, March 12, 1900; Miles, July 5, 1902; Joseph, April 8, 1904, and Dora, August 6, 1907. Mrs. Dunbar has three brothers, Patrick, Peter and John, and one sister, Ann, married to Joseph Millner, an engineer at St. Paul, Minn. Mr. Dunbar is a Democrat in politics and has served as chairman of the town for five years. For many years he has been treasurer of school districts Nos. 1 and 5, which office he now holds. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and also the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Emerald Village

Henry V. Fleming
Henry V. Fleming, general manager of the extensive Fleming lumbering interests, is one of the leading men of Emerald, in which township he was born March 29, 1864. He is a man of sound business judgment and genial personality, and the industry under his management has prospered and grown in a very pleasing manner. His father, William Fleming, was born in Furmanuth, Ireland, April 16, 1835, and was brought to Melbourne, Canada, when still an infant. He was educated in the public schools of that place and at an early age became a member of the Episcopal church, in the faith of which denomination he remained until the time of his lamented death.

As a young man he came to Wisconsin, staying for a time in Waukesha county. He then came to Emerald township, which was then located in what was called the "Big Woods." He liked the country here so well that in 1858 he took up land and located.

In 1859 he went to Canada again, and October 17 was married to Elizabeth Potten Phillips, of South Durham, Canada. He at once brought his bride to Emerald and the two began married life as pioneers of Emerald. He was well on the road of success when the war of the Rebellion broke out and, leaving his work and his family, he went to the front, where he did brave service in Company A, Forty-fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
At the close of the war he returned to civil life and again resumed business as a lumberman and to a considerable extent as a real estate man. During his career he bought and sold as many as 3,000 acres of land in this vicinity, and at the time of his death he owned nearly 1,000 acres of good land, which now remains in the estate, 350 acres being improved. Among Mr. Fleming's large operations was the selling at one time of 400 acres of heavily timbered pine land to the Glenwood Manufacturing Company.

Some years before his death he began to fail in health and for a long time was a patient and lovable sufferer. The end came January 23, 1908, and he was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery at Emerald. He was the father of ten children, nine of whom are living. They are: Mary A. Schoonover, Mabel (deceased), Henry V., Alexander, Noble M., William S., George W., John J., Laura J. Lovgren and Thomas T. William Fleming was the soul of honor in business, a faithful friend and a kind and loving father. His memory will never be forgotten.

Henry attended the common schools as a boy and then graduated from the high school at New Richmond, Wis. After a course in the Normal School at River Falls, Wis., he went to Valparaiso, Ind., and graduated from the business college there. Returning to Emerald, he took charge of his father's lumber business, buying, selling and manufacturing until 1908, when his father died. He now carries on a retail lumber business for the estate. He is a very successful business man, owning, aside from his interests in the estate, 160 acres of land, 90 of which is under cultivation. He also possesses two fine houses. He is secretary and manager of the Emerald Cooperative Creamery Association, having been elected July 1, 1907. His administration has been one of growth and prosperity, and the stockholders and directors have been more than satisfied with his work and the results that he has achieved. He is a Mason and treasurer of Greenwood Camp, No. 7,001, Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican in politics and has been both chairman and clerk of the town. The latter position he has held for nine years, having served before at the early age of twenty-one years.

Mr. and Mrs. Fleming are members of the Protestant Episcopal church. Henry V. Fleming was married June 26, 1895, to Lillian H. Long, daughter of Jackson P. and Anna M. (Harrington) Long, of Troy, N. Y., and the state of Illinois respectively. They settled at Downsville, Dunn county, Wis., where the father engaged at his trade of millwright. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in Company K, Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteers. The father passed away June 9, 1901, and the mother still makes her residence at the old homestead in Downsville. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have two children, Kenneth V., born June 6, 1901, and Danne (adopted), born September 6, 1901.

William Gillen
William Gillen is a native of Emerald, born November 27, 1871, son of Michael and Ellen (Campbell) Gillen. They came to America from Ireland in 1847 and located at Rock county, Wis., for one year. In 1854 they came to Emerald township and bought 320 acres of land, which the father broke and improved. Later he added another 100 acres, and carried on general farming until his death, February 14, 1907. The mother died February 12, 1905.
William received his education in the common schools of Emerald and then took up farming with his father until 1891, when he bought a farm of 140 acres, which he broke and improved. He has continued to develop the place and now carries on a diversified farming.

He was married September 2, 1896, to Annie O'Donell, of Emerald township. She was the daughter of Anthony and Bridget (McLaughlin) O'Donell, prominent residents of this township. By this union there are five children. Florence was born July 9, 1897; Gerald was born December 14, 1898; Mary was born May 9, 1902; William F. was born in June, 1904, and Margaret was born September 1, 1907.

Mr. Gillen is an independent voter. From 1894 to 1897 he served the township as clerk and is now serving his fifth term as chairman of the town board. He is a member of the Catholic church and of the Modern Woodmen of America.

S. E. Lindefield
S. E. Lindefield is a native of Norway, born May 17, 1859, son of Salve and Ellen (Sophia) Lindefield, both of whom died in the old country. S. E. received his education in the common schools and in the Seminary of Egersund, Norway, being trained for a teacher.

In 1882 he came to the United States and located in Ada, Minn., where he farmed for one year, afterward going to North Dakota and working on the railroad. He attended the English school at Sand Creek, Dunn county, Wis., two months, and then spent a year at Emerald, Wis., working on a farm for Elias Grimes. Subsequently he clerked for G. F. Hurd in the same village seven months.

Leaving Emerald for eleven months, he worked at Downing, Wis., afterward returning and taking up the mercantile business with Elias Grimes in 1886. In 1888 he purchased his partner's share and has since conducted the business for himself. He carries a large stock of goods, and during all the years that he has been in business has never been charged with a dishonest act. His goods are of the best and he makes it a special aim to please his customers.

He was appointed postmaster at Emerald, October 23, 1889, and held that office until March 12, 1895. He is also a notary public and as a side line handles the agency for the Phoenix Insurance Company, of Brooklyn, N. Y. He has been very successful and as the result of many years of hard labor now owns 175 acres of rich farm land near the village, in addition to valuable village property.

In 1887 he married Mrs. Emma Snyder, by whom he has one daughter, Ella C., who assists in the store and is already a valuable aid to her father in his business.

Mr. Lindefield is a Republican in politics and is well informed on all current events. He affiliates with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a most affable gentleman and his friendship is highly prized by a wide circle of fellow townspeople.

Edward McMullen
Edward McMullen, for nine years chairman of the town of Emerald, is a progressive man who believes in thoroughness and impartiality in the management of township affairs. In the farming business he has achieved success and is looked up to as an honest, upright and able man by all who know him. He was born in Canada, September 17, 1834, son of John and Vina (Burns) McMullen, natives of Ireland who came to Canada in the early days and spent the remainder of their lives there.

Edward received a good education in the common schools of Canada and also in the state of New York. He followed the business of farming for six years in New York state during his early manhood and then located in Emerald in 1864. For four years he worked a farm on shares, after which he purchased eighty acres, which he broke and improved, now carrying on diversified farming, raising grains, vegetables, hay, live stock and fowls. His farm buildings are neat and well kept and in 1907 he erected a beautiful home at a cost of $2,000. In this home, which is well furnished and well supplied with books, Mr. McMullen and his family now reside.

He was married April 5, 1855, to Catherine Kennedy, of County Clair, Ireland, daughter of Michael and Mary Kennedy. Her father died while coming to this country on a steamship. Mr. and Mrs. McMullen have seven children. John was born June 11, and is now a photographer in Burns, Ore.; Thomas P. was born January 29, 1858, and is now prospecting in the gold fields of Alaska. He married Annie McGovern. Edward, born April 5, 1860, is also in Alaska, as is Michael, who was born October 29, 1862. Mathew, born April 24, 1864, is in the meat business in California. He married Annie Martin. Peter, born June 29, 1871, lives at home, and Winnie, born February 24, 1874, married James Lavell, of Erin township, Wis.

Mr. McMullen has been school treasurer for six years. He is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic church, having been a hard working and conscientious man all his life.

Joseph Moore
Joseph Moore is a hard working farmer, of honest and upright habits, who owns one of the well-cultivated farms of Emerald township. He is a quiet man, much devoted to his family, one who finds his greatest pleasures at his own fireside rather than in the rush and turmoil of public and political life.

He was born in this township on the old Moore homestead, June 15, 1866, son of Lawrence and Katherine Moore, now deceased, natives of Ireland, who settled in Emerald in the early days and continued farming operations with considerable success.

Joseph received a good common school education, and then took up farming with his fathers and brothers, assisting in breaking, developing and cultivating the old home place. In 1901 he took possession of the place and erected a house and barns, fixing the farm up generally. He now carries on farming on a moderate scale, raising the usual crops and breeding a fair amount of live stock.

Mr. Moore was married June 14, 1892, to Mary Brown, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Shea) Brown, farmers of Warren. Her father died November 20, 1897, and her mother passed away November 4, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have eight children, as follows: Henry E., born April 21, 1893; Joseph, born December 28, 1897; Margaret, born September 12, 1898; Celestine, born June 26, 1900; Lawrence, born June 2, 1902; John H., born May 4, 1904, and died February 4, 1905; Charles, born December 14, 1905, and died November 1, 1906, and Mary, born July 15, 1908.

Mr. Moore is a Democrat, but has never sought public office. Being the father of a large family, all of whom will be given the opportunities for acquiring a goodly store of learning, Mr. Moore is naturally interested in the public school system and is a director of the board in school district No. 1.

Lawrence D. Moore
Lawrence D. Moore was born in Emerald, April 10, 1869, son of Lawrence and Katherine Moore, natives of County Cork, Ireland, who came to America in the early fifties. They located first at Hudson, Wis., where the father worked on the river for two years. He then moved to Emerald and followed farming. Lawrence D. received a good common school education and then took up farming on the old homestead, continuing same for twenty years. Subsequently he bought eighty acres of land in this township and broke the land, making general improvements. He later purchased eighty acres more, upon which he conducted the same operations. Upon this fine place now stands a beautiful residence, erected in 1898.

Mr. Moore was married June , 1891, to Katherine Garrity, also of this township, a daughter of Edward and Katherine Garrity, who came to America some half century ago. There are three Moore children. Katherine was born March 17, 1892; Lawrence was born July 3, 1896, and Lizzie was born February 22, 1905.

Mr. Moore is a hard working man and has been most successful in all his undertakings. He is an independent voter, belongs to the Catholic church and fraternizes with Cylon Lodge, Modern Woodmen of America, and Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is also a director of school district No. 3, in which his services and his advice are highly valued.

D. L. Padden
D. L. Padden was born November 13, 1866, in Erin Prairie, this county, son of Dennis and Katherine Padden, natives of Ireland, born in Counties Dublin and Mayo, respectively. The parents came to America in the fifties and located first at Hudson, this state, and then in Erin township. They bought forty acres of land, which they broke, developed, improved and cultivated.

In 1876 they came to Emerald and bought 240 acres of land, upon which they performed the same operations, also erecting a large house and ample outbuildings. They carried on a general farming until the time of their deaths; the mother died in 1895 and the father February 5, 1905.

D. L. received a good education in the common schools and was brought up on the farm, which, with the assistance of his brothers. Frank and James, he now runs, the old homestead holdings being still kept in the estate and undivided. The farm is a fertile one, and the brothers have brought it to a high degree of perfection, raising both crops and live stock in fact, doing the usual diversified farming.

Mr. Padden was married June 19, 1907, to Ann Neary, daughter of James and Bridget (Hopkins) Neary, early settlers of Erin, where the mother still lives. This union has been blessed with two twin daughters Catherine and Elizabeth, born May 21, 1908. Mr. Padden is an independent voter, voting at each election as the contingencies of each campaign seem in his judgment to demand. He is a member of the A. O. H. at Cylon and a communicant of the Catholic church.

Edward Peterson
Edward Peterson, postmaster and general merchant at Emerald, is a native of Sweden, born May 31, 1861, son of Peter and Mary (Nelson) Peterson, natives of that country, where they spent all their lives, the father passing away in 1904 and the mother in 1905.

Edward received an excellent education in the schools of Sweden and then took up coaching and railroading.

In 1882 he came to America and located first at North Branch, Minn. For the next few years he followed railroading, farming and lumbering in various places in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

In 1885 he located in Emerald, and after lumbering for three years engaged in shipping stock and wood to the city dealers. During that time his business integrity won the hearts of the people, and in 1897, when he was appointed postmaster, he was easily the most popular man that could have been chosen for that position. Upon receiving his appointment he engaged in the mercantile business, opening a general store. Under his regime the office has grown in importance and it now is the headquarters for two rural free delivery routes. The business also prospered, and buying two acres of village land, Mr. Peterson built a large store, which houses both his business and the post office. He also erected a fine brick dwelling at a cost exceeding $3,500, and his real estate holdings include 120 acres in Emerald township and 80 acres in Glenwood township.

Mr. Peterson was married December 8, 1885, to Matilda Johnson, of Sweden, daughter of Swen and Christine (Lawrence) Johnson, now deceased.

The subject of this sketch is a Republican in politics and has served as supervisor and juror and as a delegate several times to the Republican county convention. He fraternized with Glenwood Lodge, No. 148, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Greenwood Camp, No. 7,001, Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Edward Peterson is a hard worker and is highly esteemed and respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. His administration of the post office has been most satisfactory in every particular to all its patrons.

Harris C. Pott
Harris C. Pott, real estate and insurance man, has achieved success at various lines of business, and is now located in Emerald, where he is enjoying in large measure a pleasant flow of prosperity. He was born in Sparta, Monroe county, Wis., January 18, 1865, son of Charles W. and Margaret" (Hogue) Pott, of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. The father was born January 10, 1819. After acquiring an education he took up harnessmaking, which he followed for sixty years. In 1897 he retired and was elected justice-of-the-peace, which office he held for ten years. In October, 1907, he came to live at Emerald, where he has since resided, making his home with his son. He is still in the possession of all his faculties, a bright and active old gentleman. The mother was born August 9, 1829, and is still living.

Harris C. received his common school education in his native town and at fourteen years of age entered the employ of George D. Dunn, the leading mercantile man of Sparta. At the end of five years he entered the shoe store of J. C. Muller, where he stayed six years. The stories of the growing prosperity of the great Northwest then attracted his attention, and he went to northern Wisconsin, where he remained a short time as overseer for the Bradley Mercantile & Lumber Company. His next location was at Washburn, Wis., where he succeeded the Wood & Holgren Company in the grocery business, continuing for five years. Selling out to George Posey, he took charge of the general store of the Iron Belt Mining Company at Iron Belt, Wis., which he managed for several years. His next employment was with the Duluth Shoe Company, with whom he remained one year, afterward traveling for the Jordan & Jordan Shoe Company, of Stillwater, Minn. While working for this company he covered the Northwest, selling prison shoes to the general trade.

In 1903 he settled at Emerald and with B. C. Lauer and H. C. Peters, his brothers-in-law, engaged in a general store business, which they conducted until 1906, when the place was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of over $5,000. Mr. Pott then took up the real estate and insurance business, confining his operations entirely to St. Croix county. He is general agent for North St. Croix county and for the Conservative Mutual Fire Insurance Association, of Wisconsin.

Mr. Pott was married December 12, 1896, to Miss Elizabeth Peters, of Emerald, at Hudson, Wis., by the Rev. Burnley, of that city. She was the daughter of F. F. and Minnie (Miller) Peters, natives of Germany. The parents came to America in the early fifties and located in Waukesha, Wis., where they farmed until 1873, when they came to Emerald and settled on a farm which they broke and improved, remaining until 1905, when the father built a beautiful home in the village of Emerald, in which he now lives with his daughter, Mrs. B. C. Lauer.
Mr. Pott is a staunch Republican. In 1904 he was elected justice of the peace and has served creditably since that time. He is also a member of the Republican town committee, and a Mason of high degree, being a Knights Templar.

One of the evidences of his prosperity is his beautiful home and forty- five acres of surrounding land in the heart of the city. He has recently improved this place, moving and enlarging the house and making some beautiful drives. At the present time the place is as beautiful a home as one would care to see. Mr. Pott is well-to-do financially, and his word is as good as his bond. He combines sterling integrity with good business sense, and is both a true gentleman and a good citizen.

Michael Ross
Michael Ross is one of the side supervisors of Emerald, which position he has held for the past five years. His administration has been accorded the hearty approval and support of his fellow citizens, and he is regarded as one of the valuable members of the town board. He was born in Hudson, this state, July, 1856. His parents were Thomas and Bridget Ross, natives of Ireland, who came to this country in the early fifties and settled at Hudson, afterward moving to Emerald township, where they first bought 160 acres, adding to this from time to time until they possessed 560 acres. The father continued to buy and sell land, carrying on general farming until his death, in 1896, at which time he owned 160 acres, most of which he had broken and improved. His wife died in 1888 at the old homestead.

Michael received a common school education, and worked on the farm with his father. After the latter's death he bought eighty acres of land, which he improved. He erected a house and has since continued to carry on diversified farming. He is a good farmer and hard worker, and has been uniformly successful in his operations.

Mr. Ross was married, February 2, 1886, to Mary Neary, daughter of James and Bridget (Hopkins) Neary, natives of Ireland, later well known farmers of Erin Prairie. Mrs. Ross died August 10, 1898, leaving a large family of children to mourn her loss. They are: John, of Seattle, Wash.; Bridget, wife of Thomas Welsh, of the same city; Nellie, a teacher at Superior, Wis.; Kate, married to Ray Gibson, a farmer of Erin township; James, a wholesale clerk at Duluth, Minn.; Annie, Charles and Irene, who are at home, and Pearl, a student in the high school at Superior.

Mr. Ross is a Democrat in politics and for six years has been treasurer of school district No. 5, of Emerald. He is a believer in education and has given his children the advantages of considerable schooling.

John Trickey

John Trickey is a native of Hammond, Wis., born August 25, 1868, son of Jason and Martha (Johnson) Trickey, of New York state and Canada, respectively. The parents came to Wisconsin in the early days and settled in Hammond township, where they became prominent farmers. The father died in 1875 and the mother passed away in 1882.
John received a good education in the common schools of his native village and afterward took up farming, renting a place for eleven years. He then bought eighty acres at Emerald, in March, 1899, and broke the land, making the usual improvements. He has since continued to carry on general farming and has been uniformly successful in all his undertakings.

A Republican in politics, he has served on the side board two years. Mr. Trickey is a member of Glenwood Lodge, No. 148, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a hard working, industrious man, a thorough believer in education, one who is always ready to help in every undertaking that is for the public good. Being one of the substantial men of the township, he is highly respected by the younger generation and well thought of by those of his own age.

Mr. Trickey was married March 23, 1892, to Amelia White, daughter of Carl and Charlotte White, of Emerald, but natives of Germany. The parents came to America in 1882 and located in Vernon, Waukesha county, Wis., remaining until 1888, when they came to this township and engaged in general farming, in which they have since continued.

Mr. and Mrs. Trickey have three children Zella, born December 9, 1892; Elsie, born March 31, 1894, and Myrtle, born May 8, 1901. All are at home. Mrs. Trickey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.