Biographical Sketches, Merton Township Waukesha County, Wisconsin

Biographies

From "History of Waukesha County" by Western Historical Company, Chicago 1880

HOLT BARNES, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. North lake; was born in Lancashire, England, Jan. 23, 1827; in 1848, he came to the United States and settled in the town of' Merton, Waukesha Co., Wis, where he has since resided; he married in Oconomowoc, Helen Taylor, a native of Ashippun, Dodge Co., Wis., and daughter of Joseph and Alice Taylor, early settlers of Wisconsin; they have three children - James, Lizzie and Martha. Mr. Barnes owns a finely located farm of 120 acres of land; he has been at various times chosen to fill the office of Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors, Assessor and Justice of the Peace; his parents were James Barnes and Lizzie Holt; they were married in their native country (England), and became citizens of the town of Merton, Waukesha Co.. in its infancy, of which they were honored citizens during their lives, she died in 1859; he died in 1867.

THOMAS BARNES, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. North Lake; was born in Lancashire, Eng., Sept. 13, 1820; he married in his native place, Mary Graham; they came to this country in 1849, settling in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co., Wis., which has been their home since; they have one daughter, Elizabeth, now wife of Edward Spencer of this town; he was in active service in a Volunteer Wisconsin Regiment during the war of the rebellion. Mr. Barnes owns a finely improved farm, pleasantly located a short distance from North Lake; himself and wife are members of the Episcopal Church; in politics, he is a Republican.

EPH. BEAUMONT, farmer, Sec. 26; P. O. Hartland; was born in Yorkshire, England, Feb. 19, 1834; received a liberal education in his native country, and in 1851, came to the United States, locating in Waukesha Co., Wis., where he made his home until 1854, when he went to California; engaged in mining there until 1882, in which year he returned to Waukesha County and purchased his present house, Jan. 1, 1863, he married in Pewaukee, Wis., Deborah A. Wood; she was born in Pewaukee, and is the daughter of Wright Wood, an old settler and esteemed citizen of that town; they have seven children - Saxie F., Richard H., Hattie C., Charles R., William M., Bessie and Edith. Mr. Beaumont has been chosen to fill various offices; was Chairman of the Merton Town Board of Supervisors in 1868-69, and County Treasurer during the years 1871-74; was Sheriff in 1875 - 76; in every position he has filled he has discharged the duties thereof to the entire satisfaction of the people in general; in 1877, he erected his magnificent brick residence, which is one of the finest in the town, desirably located on the bank of Bark River. half-mile from Beaver Lake, and a short drive from Hartland, surrounded by his pleasantly laid out and improved farm of over 170 acres of land.

W. H. BOLSON, an enterprising citizen of Stone Bank, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y. in 1840; he learned the trade of engineer in Brutus, N. Y.; in 1858, he came to Wisconsin, located in Oconomowoc, where be married in 1860, Miss Aurelia Hatch, daughter of D. G. Hatch, of that town; she was born in Oswego, N. Y.; they have five children - Maria. William, Martha, Clara, and John. During the war of the rebellion, Mr. Bolson enlisted in Co. B., 16th W. V. I.; served three years, and participated in every battle, siege and skirmish his command was in during that time; the principal engagements were Shiloh, Corinth, Atlanta, and a series of battles around that place; he was honorably discharged at Madison, Wis.; he came to Stone Bank in 1877, since which year he has had the contract of carrying the United States mail to Hartland, Stone Bank, North Lake, Monches and Merton; he also has a steam thrashing machine, and during the thrashing season is busily engaged in that business. Mr. Bolson is a Republican in politics, and is a consistent and active worker in that party.

WILLIAM BULL, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Merton; was born near Hilton, Derbyshire, England, in 1833; in 1844, he came to this country, and has resided in Merton, Waukesha Co., Wis., the most of the time since. In early life he learned the blacksmith trade, and worked at it for several years in various parts of the county. He married in Merton, Elizabeth McCormick, daughter of Francis McCormick and Melvina McCormick nee Molster, who settled in this town (Merton) in 1887; they have six children - William W., Lilly, Matilda, Seymour, Eunice and Mina. Mr. Bull owns a pleasantly located farm, well improved.

JOSEPH BURG, proprietor of Monches Flouring Mills; is a native of Prussia; was born in October, 1817; in 1840, he came to this country, and located in Luzerae Co., Penn., where he married Sophia Rousser; they resided in Pennsylvania, until 1855; then came to Wisconsin, settling in the town of Polk, Washington Co., where they made their home until 1867, when they came to Monches, Waukesha Co.; their children are Charles, John, Peter, Joseph, Mary, Katie and Lizzie; the oldest of the above sons, John, is in Minnesota; Mary, the oldest daughter, is the wife of William Roth, of Milwaukee, In 1869, Mr. Burg purchased the Monches Flouring Mills; he does a large custom and merchant business, and to him, the village of Monches owes chiefly her present business prosperity. The flour made has a goodly reputation for its superior quality. Prior to his coming to this country, Mr. Burg served over three years in the Prussian army. Since his coming to Wisconsin he has been elected to many local offices, and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he has to do.

R. W. CROUCH, farmer, Sec. 27 P. O. Hartland; was born in Brattleboro, Windham Co., Vt., Oct. 8, 1822 where he remained until 1848, when he came to Watertown. Wis., and there married in 1856, Lucy E. McMillan, daughter of Alexander and Sarah McMillan, pioneer settlers of Watertown. After their marriage they continued to reside in Watertown, until 1867, in which year they came to Waukesha Co., and located where they now reside. Their oldest son is Edward M.; their oldest daughter, Eunice A., is the wife of Orrin Russell, Kansas; second oldest son is Lewis,H.; third oldest is Edward M.; youngest daughter is Bertha L. Mr. Crouch owns 175 acres of land, located on Beaver Lake, one mile from Hartland, and nicely improved.

SAMUEL DARRAH, Stone Bank, was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Oct. 26, 1837; when he was about 16 years of age he entered a hardware store at Schenectady, N. Y., where he remained until 1857, when he came to Wisconsin, and engaged in general merchandising at Muskego, until 1861, then came to Stone Bank, and was in the mercantile business there until 1865; afterward engaged in the same business at Rio, until 1873. He married in 1863, Margaret Ferguson, daughter of James Ferguson, Sr., an old and esteemed citizen of that place; they have four children. Mr. Darrah is the proprietor of Stone Bank Flouring Mills, and has for a number of years been associated with the various business and other interest of the place. His residence is a fine edifice, and is pleasantly located in the village.

ED DRUMMOND, merchant and Postmaster, Stone Bank; was born in Saffolk, Ipswich, England, Aug. 1, 1844; when he was 4 years of age, his parents emigrated to this country and settled in Yorkville, Racine Co., Wis., where he remained until 1862, when he came to Stone Bank, Waukesha Co., Wis.; he shortly afterward engaged in the mercantile business in Ashippun, Dodge Co., which he continued in there with good success for about four years; in 1872, he commenced business in Stone Bank, and by his strict attention and fair dealing has built up a large trade, and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he is acquainted; he keeps a full line of general merchandise, and his stock is second to none in the county. Be was appointed Postmaster in 1872, Notary Public in 1875; both positions he still fills; was Town Treasurer twice, Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors two terms, being the Chairman of that body at present writing. April 19, 1870, he married, at Stone Rank, Miss Susan Miles, of that place; they have three children, Leah A. M., Alice and Archie E.

ELI EASTMAN, Postmaster, Merton; was born at Hawkesbury, on the Ottawa River, Canada in 1821; when he was 16 years of age, engaged to learn the shoemaking trade in Chneiecarte, and, in 1846, he came to Wisconsin and located on a farm in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co., Wis.; continued farming until about 1851, in which year he moved to the village of Merton, engaged in shoemaking, a business he since continued in; he was appointed Postmaster in 1867, a position he still holds to the general satisfaction of the people and all interested; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1865, and, with the exception of three years, has been the incumbent of that office since. Mr. Eastman married in Canada in 1844, Electa Waite; she was also a native of Hawkesbury; they have three children living; Sarah, their oldest daughter, is the wife of J. Burk; he is now Principal of the First Ward School at Appleton, Wis.; Louisa E., their second oldest daughter, is the wife of E. S. Pearl, of Lisbon, this county; Eunice M., their youngest daughter, is the wife of C. J. Medbury, salesman for the Fish Bros. Manufacturing Company.

JOHN FERGUSON, JR., a leading citizen of Stone Bank, is a native of Perthshire, Scotland, was born in Loafargan Sept. 4, 1825; in 1842, he came with his father, John Ferguson, Sr., who is still an honored and esteemed citizen of Stone Bank, to this country, locating the same year in Stone Bank, Waukesha Co,, Wis. In August, 1850, he married, in Jefferson, Wis., Miss Ann Reynolds, a native of Medina, N. Y.; they have three children, William, Zelman and Josephine. Mr. Ferguson has, at various times, been chosen by his fellow-citizens to fill official positions; he was elected five consecutive terms Chairman of the Merton Town Board of Supervisors, and was a member of the said Board for more than eight years; he was Town Assessor several terms, and has filled various school offices, and has, at all times, taken a deep and active interest in the advancement of every public enterprise that gave promise of general good, and is deservedly very popular. He owns a valuable farm of 157 acres, very desirably located and finely improved; he has been engaged in the mercantile business in Stone Bank, and has been identified with the growth and prosperity of many business enterprises in that village for nearly forty years.

E. H. FULLER, farmer, Merton; was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1848; he came to Wisconsin in 1865; located in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co., where he married, on the 4th of February, 1869, Elizabeth Gavitt; she was born in Merton (was the daughter of James and Sophrona Gavitt, who came from Perry Village, N. Y., and settled in Merton in 1843); they have one child, Edna E. Mr. Fuller is very energetic, and is largely engaged in farming; he established the first cheese factory in the village of Merton; is a prominent member of the Masonic Society.

JOSEPH A. GILLETT, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Merton; was born in Clarkson, Monroe Co., N. Y., Sept. 25, 1837; while he was a boy, his parents, Nelson and Esther Gillett, removed to Wisconsin, settling in the town of Vernon, Waukesha Co., thus becoming pioneer settlers. In 1861, the subject of this notice, Joseph A. Gillett, married Adelia Hall, daughter of J. M. and Elizabeth Hall, old and honored residents of Merton; they have three children - Elmer E., Ella E. and John N. Mr. Gillett owns 120 acres of land, well located and improved; his parents' children were Marietta (now deceased), Phoebe (now living in New Lisbon, Wis.), Joseph A., Marcus D. (who was a soldier in the 37th W. V. I., was wounded at Petersburg and died from the effects at Washington), Emma (deceased), Andrew J. (served in the 30th W. V. I. during the war, and now resides near Neceedah, Wis), Imogene (wife of A. Cook, New Lisbon, Wis, who served in an Illinois regiment during the war, and was severely wounded), Francina (lives in New Lisbon) and Mary E. (wife of Albert Wood, of Barron Co., Wis).

I. D. GOODWIN, farmer; P. O. Hartland; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Nov. 23, 1820; in 1832,' he removed with his parents to Springwater, Livingston Co., where he remained until 1842, in which year he came to Wisconsin and located on a farm near Lake Five, in the town of Lisbon, Waukesha Co.; in 1858, he moved to the village of Merton, thence to Hartland in 1859, and, in 1866, moved to Dartford, Green Lake Co., from there to Beaver Dam, where he lived about four years, afterward went to Appleton, and from there to Jones Co., Iowa, then returned to this county, located on his farm, adjoining the village of Hartland, where he has since resided. Mr. Goodwin has been three times married; his first wife was Mary A. Calkins, of Columbia Co., N. Y.; she died in Lisbon; they had one child - Alvin, now deceased; his second wife was Matilda Palmer, a native of Green Co.. N. Y.; she also died in Lisbon; the maiden name of his present wife was Freelove Wright; she was born in Fishkill, N. Y.; her first husband, D. Gale, was a pioneer settler of Pewaukee; he died in Delafield; their children are Ellen E. (now wife of Hiram Smith, Port Henry, N. Y.), Mary K (wife of K. C. Sage, of Juneau Co., Wis.); children by present marriage are Harry W. and Henry B.; the youngest, Henry B., is now deceased. Mr. Goodwin owns a pleasantly located and well-improved farm adjoining the village of Hart land.

HON A. GUNTHER, Hartland; residence, Pine Lake; was born in Leipsie, Germany, Nov. 23, 1836; he received a liberal education in his native place; in 1850, he came to this country; he was one of the first settlers of Lawrence, Kan., where he resided until the breaking-out of the war of the Rebellion, when he raised a company; was commissioned Captain in 1861; afterward was promoted Major of his regiment, the 2d Kan. V. C., served until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged. He was a member of the Arkansas Legislature in 1868-69, and was United States Revenue Agent for five years, his territory embracing five States. He married, in 1876, Mary T., daughter of J. J. Sands, of Pine Lake. town of Merton; they have one child - Gracie. Mr. Gunther's residence is beautifully located on Pine Lake, a short, distance northwest of Hartland; he is a bottler of Falk's celebrated Milwaukee export beer, this beer is unequaled as a beverage, and has acquired the reputation of being the best made.

J. M. HALL, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 14; Y. O. Merton; was born in Auburn, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Dec. 3, 1815. He married, in Portage, Wyoming Co., N. Y., on the 25th of September, 1839, Elizabeth Fuller, a native of Sinott, Cayuga Co., N. Y., born Dec. 2, 1817; after their marriage, they moved to Illinois, thence to Merton, Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1842. where they have since resided; their oldest daughter, Adelia, was born Jan. 4, 1844; she is the wife of Joseph Gillett, of this town; their oldest son, Francis, was born in this town (Merton) May 13, 1846; was educated in his native town and Milwaukee; he resides at home and is extensively engaged in farming; the second oldest son, James, was born June 30, 1848; he married Sarah Smith, of this town; they live m Eden. Kan.; the third oldest son. John F., was born June 28, 1850; married Martha Mead; they reside in Eden, Kan.; the second oldest daughter, Emma, was born Sept. 29, 1852; married Alonzo Richardson; the fourth oldest son, Judson, was born Oct. 22, 1855; married Kittie Mount, and is teaching school at Hartland, Wis.; Eva and Ella (twins) were born Dec. 17, 1857; Eva married Edward Mount, and they reside in Eden, Kan.; Ella married William Baxter, of Oconomowoc; they live in Winnebago City, Minn.; one child (deceased), Anna K., was born July 25, 1841, and died Oct. 15, 1842. Mr. Hall owns 260 acres of finely improved land, well located; he has been chosen to fill various offices, and is prominent in public affairs.

PETER HOFFMAN, manufacturer of wagons, carriages, buggies, also general blacksmithing and repairing, Merton; was born near Paterson, N. J., July 26, 1841; he came to Wisconsin in 1842, with his parents, George and Margaret Hoffman; they settled on Sec. 1, town of Merton, Waukesha Co., where the subject of this notice began to learn the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop; he completed his trade in Milwaukee, and engaged in business on his own account in 1867. in the village of Merton, where he has built up a large trade; he has every facility for doing good work, and thoroughly understands the business in which he is engaged. Mr. Hoffman married, in 1867, at Richfield, Wis., Mary Loew; she was born in Milwaukee, Wis., daughter of Henry Loew, a pioneer settler of that city, and an early settler of Richfield; they have had three children, one of whom is living - Emma.

JACOB L. JACOBSON, farmer; Sec. 20; P. O. Stone Bank; was born in Norway, Nov. 17, 1834. He married in his native country Thora M. Jacobson; they came to this county in 1856, and settled in the town of Merton. They have 5 children, Mary, Lewis, Matilda, Henry and Ida. Mr. Jacobson has been a member of the Town Board of Supervisors two terms, and has held other local offices. He us a leading farmer; owns 111 acres of land, his farm is well improved.

JEFFERY L. JONES, proprietor of meat market; Merton; was born in the town of Pewaukee, Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1844. Is the son of John Jones, a native of England. who settled in that town in about 1843, and a few years afterward returned to his native country, taking his family with him. Jeffery, the subject of this notice, remained in England until 1865, when he returned to the land of his birth. He married in Pewaukee, Waukesha Co., Wis., Letitia Allen, daughter of A. T. Allen; they have two children, Ines E. and Roy Z. Mr. Jones engaged in his present business is Merton, in February, 1874; he is gentlemanly and obliging, and has a good custom.

JOHN KELLY, farmer; Sec. 5; P. O. Mapleton; was born in County Longford, Ireland, in the year of 1821. In 1827, his parents, John and Catherine Kelly, came to the United States and settled in Saratoga, N. Y., remaining there until 1848; when they came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co., then an almost unbroken wilderness. Mr. Kelly married in the town of Merton, Miss Margaret Hayburn, a native of the State of Pennsylvania. They have seven children, John E., James E., Christopher, William H., Martha J., Margaret E. and George F.; the second oldest, James K., is telegraph operator at Brookfield Junction, this county; Christopher, the third oldest, married Mary McLeary; they reside in Milwaukee. Mr. Kelly owns 240 acres of land; his farm is pleasantly located. He has been elected to various local offices, and takes an active interest in everything that tends to promote the general welfare of the town in which he has lived so long. His father died in 1872; his mother in 1875; they were a highly esteemed couple, and were identified with the early history of Merton, in progress toward its present prosperous condition.

BYRON H. KILBOURN, M. D., North Lake; was born in Milwaukee, Wis., March 20, 1840; is the son of the late Hon. Byron Kilbourn, founder of Milwaukee, and he was prominently identified with the history of Wisconsin. Byron H. received an academic education at the Episcopal Academy, at Cheshire, Ct., and collegiate course at Yale and Kenyon Colleges; his medical education he received at Rush Medical Institute, Chicago, and the St. Louis Medical College, graduating at the latter. During the war of the rebellion he raised Co. D. of the 3d W. V. C.; was commissioned 2d Lieut.; a position he filled with credit to himself and honor to his State. He married at North Lake, Lizzie A. Shears, daughter of Col. Henry Shears, a prominent citizen of Waukesha Co; they have three children, Maude A., Henrietta M. and Mary B. " Hawkhurst," so named from the ancient family homestead in Kent, England. The mansion of Dr. Kilbourn is beautifully situated about 100 rods from North Lake, on an eminence sloping toward the south, in the midst of a grove of sugar maples. The estate consists of fine arable, interspersed with timber-land, and is splendidly watered by the Oconomowoc River, while a portion of its western boundary is watered by the waters of North Lake. Dr. Kilbourn also owns a magnificent residence in Florida, located 25 miles south of Jacksonville, surrounded by orange groves, and amid a landscape of surpassing beauty. Dr. Kilbourn is one of those enterprising and public-spirited men, to whom much credit is due for the establishment of many beneficial interests, of which Waukesha Co. to-day is justly proud.

JOHN F. KRAUSE, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. Nashotah; was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1853. He came to Wisconsin in 1873, and has been engaged in farming in the town of Merton since that time; his home is pleasantly located on the west shore of Pine Lake, and consists of 220 acres of land. His father, Ernest Krause, married in Philadelphia Liseth Koborst, a native of Hanover, Germany. They came to Wisconsin in 1878, purchased a farm on Pine Lake, where they reside in affluent circumstances.

C. A. LEUTHSTROM, M. D., Inter-Lachen; P. O. Hartland. Inter-Lachen, the wondrously beautiful home of Dr. Leuthstrom, is located on Pine Lake, a short drive northwest of Hartland Station. His mansion occupies a magnificent site on the west of his grounds, and on the east of the lake. Dr. Leuthstrom was born in Norrkoping, Sweden, Nov. 29, 1818, where he remained until he was 21 years of age; be then came to this country and was engaged in the mercantile business at Cincinnati, Ohio, and Louisville, Ky. In 1841 he entered the Louisville Medical University, graduating therefrom among the first in his class. He afterward attended and graduated from the Eclectic Medical School at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was presented about the same time with an honorary diploma from the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College. He first practiced medicine in Bowling Green, and Franklin, Ky. In 1848 he moved to Columbus, Ohio, and there practiced his profession until 1854, when he located in Waukesha, Wis.. where be continued until 1861, when he went to Milwaukee, and there had the most extensive and successful practice for seventeen years, of any physician in that city. He moved to his present home, "Inter-Lachen," in April, 1879. He makes a specialty of chronic diseases, and is attending patients in various parts of the United States. He has at present writing been a member of the Wisconsin Medical Society over 15 years. Dr. Leuthstrom has been twice married, his first wife was Eliza Folger; she died in Milwaukee. His present wife was Mary C. Gifford.

JOHN MCRAE, merchant; North Lake; has been engaged in the mercantile business in Wisconsin for nearly 34 years. He was born in Inverness-shire, capitol of the Highlands, Scotland, in 1826. At the age of eighteen be left his native country and crossed the Atlantic to Canada; he lived in Melbourne, clerked in a mercantile house, and had general charge of store until 1846, in which year he came to Wisconsin, and located in Hustisford, Dodge Co., Wis., where he established a general store in 1848, being the second store erected in that town. In 1849 he was appointed Postmaster, and filled that position to the entire satisfaction of the citizens, for a number of years. In connection with the mercantile business in Hustisford, he established an ashery at Hustisford, and one at Mayville, and was extensively engaged in the manufacturing of pearlites and potash for several years; in 1858 he sold out his mercantile business, and in 1861 the ashery. In 1876 be moved to North Lake, Waukesha Co., where he has been engaged in keeping general store; he carries a full line of goods, and, by fair dealing and attention to business, has secured a large and increasing trade. He was married in Hustisford, Dodge Co., to Rachel M. Spear, a native of New Portland, Maine, and daughter of James and Rachel Spear, who settled near Hustisford in 1847; they afterward moved to Waushara County, Wis., where they resided during their life. Mrs. McRae's sister, Miss Mary R. Spear, makes her home with Mr. McRae, and wife.

DAVID MASON, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Stone Bank; is a native of Lancashire, England, and was born July 27, 1811. In 1841 he came to this country, and lived in Geneva, N. Y., until the spring of 1842, when he came to Wisconsin, and located in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co. He married in the same year (1842) at Nashotah, Elizabeth Holt. She was born in Lancashire, England, Dec 12, 1813; they have two children, a son and daughter; their son, Richard, married Lizzie Bonner, and resides in this town (Merton); the daughter, Alice, is the wife of James Allerdic, of Marshall County, Kan. Mr. Mason owns over 200 acres of land; he is one of the substantial men of the town of Merton; he has been elected to various local offices.

JACOB MASON, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. North Lake; was born in Lancashire, England, on the 26th of March, 1815; Aug. 2, 1841, he married in his native country Mary Wild, also a native of Lancashire, born May 15, 1816; in 1841 they sought a home in this country; they first settled in Seneca, Ontario Co., N. Y., where they remained until 1844, when they removed to Wisconsin and located in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co., where they set about clearing the wilderness and mating themselves a home, in which undertaking they were eminently successful; she died April 10, 1880; her death was deeply regretted by all; she was an earnest, kind and Christian woman. They had six children - John, the oldest of the children living, now resides at Stone Bank, this county; he was a soldier in the 28th Wisconsin during the war of the rebellion; was honorably discharged; he married Helen Ferguson, of Stone Bank. Robert, Joseph and Richard, the three youngest sons, are engaged in farming in this town (Merton). The deceased children are William and Esther. Mr. Mason owns 200 acres of land, desirably located in the vicinity of North Lake, and is one of Merton's well-to-do and energetic farmers.

JOHN MITCHELL, farmer, Merton; was born in the Parish of Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland, Nov. 19, 1823; received a good education in his native county, and in 1842, he crusaded the Atlantic to Livingston Co., N. Y., where he remained until 1849, in which year he came West; settled in the town of Lisbon, Waukesha Co.,Wis., residing in that town and in Merton until 1853, when he remove to New Lisbon, Juneau Co., Wis., purchased a farm and engaged in farming there until 1855, when he bought his present home in the village of Merton, being a resident of that village since; Oct. 2, 1849. he married in Castile, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Miss C. A; Lovejoy, a native of White Creek, Washington Co., N. Y., born Jan. 7, 1825; they have two children, viz., Jennie, born in Lisbon, Waukesha Co., Wis., Nov. 11, 1850, is now the wife of Henry Kuntz, proprietor of Poynette Upper Mills (flouring), Columbia Co., Wis.; Willie, born in Merton, Jane 17, 1864. Mr. Mitchell has been more than ordinarily successful in life; be owns over 400 acres of land in various portions of Wisconsin, besides a great amount of other interests; he has filled the position of Notary Pablic since 1865, was Justice of the Peace ten years, and has been at various times selected to fill other public offices.

J. C. MOLSTER, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Merton; was born in Lowland, Holland, Sept. 4, 1802; in 1828 he came to this country, and on the 28th of September, 1828, married in Philadelphia, Penn. Sarah Lewis, a native of West Chester, Penn., born Jan. 29, 1808,, in 1831. they moved from Pennsylvania to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence to Portsmouth in 1836, where they remained until 1840, in which year they removed to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co., where she died Nov. 8, 1878; she was a member of the Congregational Church, a sincere, earnest and christian woman, highly esteemed by all whom she was acquainted with. Their oldest eon, Cornelius, was born Aug. 28, 1829; be married Juliette Lyman; they reside in Hartland, Wis.; the second oldest son, Leuis. born May 1, 1831, married Miss W. Grenwes; they reside in this town; Wilhelmina, born Feb. 3, 1834, oldest daughter, is the wife of Wesley Meyers; they reside in Kansas; Sarah, second oldest daughter, born Feb. 10, 1836, died Nov. 19, 1866; Josephine, third oldest daughter, born June 15, 1838; she is the wife of S. L. Worth, of this town; Martin H., third oldest son, born June 15, 1840; he married Martha Rea; he has filled various local offices in Merton and is prominent in local affairs; Charlotte, fourth daughter, born Aug. 3, 1842, is the wife of Stephen A. Wakeman; they reside in Michigan; Martha Ann, fifth oldest, daughter, born Nov. 18, 1844, died August, 1850; Caroline, sixth oldest of the daughters, born Dec. 1, 1847; she is the wife of Fitz James Thompson; they live in Kansas; Juliette, youngest daughter, born April 8, 1849; at home. Mr. Molster owns 320 acres of land; he created his fine brick residence in 1857-58, which is one of the finest in the town; he is a member of the Congregational Church, and has always taken a deep interest in the religious and educational affairs.

JOHN E. PALIN, dealer in stock, Merton; was born in Shropshire, England, in 1846; he married in his native country Anna Candlin; they came to the United States in 1870; the same year engaged in keeping meat market in Pewaukee, Waukesha Co., Wis., for a short time, then removed to Merton, where he has been engaged in stock dealing the greater. part of the time since. They have four children - Nellie, Jeffrey, Edith and Willie. In politics Mr. Palin is a Republican.

THOMAS REA, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Hartland; is a native of Scotland, and was born in Forfarshire on the 12th of March, 1819; Sept. 31, 1841, he married in his native place Jeannette Cooper; she was also a native of Forfarshire, born in 1820. They came to this country in 1841; lived in the city of New York until the autumn of 1848, when they came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Merton, where they have since resided. They have seven children; James, their elder son, is engaged in the mercantile business in Waseca Co., Minn.; David, second oldest son, is engaged in farming in Minnesota; George, third son, is in Hartland, this county; Abner, the fourth son, is also living in Hartland; the fifth son, Gideon, lives in Merton; the sixth son, Thomas, is a painter in Milwaukee; Orrin, the seventh, lives in Merton. Mr. Rea's farm is pleasantly located and finely improved; himself and wife are leading members of the Presbyterian Church; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

WALDEN ROWELL, farmer, Sec. 35; P. O. Hartland; was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., July 22, 1839; his parents came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Lisbon, near Lake Five, when he was about 3 years of age, therefore his early life was spent amidst the scenes of pioneer life; in 1845 they moved to the town of Merton and located near the village of Harland, where the father, Mark Rowell, still resides in affluent circumstances; Walden married in Wauwatosa, Milwaukee Co., Miss Harriet, daughter of Francis Arnold, an old settler of Waukesha Co.; she was born in Brookfield, this county, in 1849; they have two children, Fannie M. and Abbie M. Mr. Rowell owns a valuable farm in the vicinity of Hartland.

GIDEON RUSSELL farmer, Sec. 25; P. O. Hartland; was born in Geauga Co., Ohio; he came to Wisconsin with his parents, William and Clarissa Russell, in 1844, and settled in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co., where he married Barbara Rea; she was a most estimable woman; she died Oct. 29, 1876; their children are three - Orrin L., William and James. Mr. Russell owns a valuable farm of 320 acres, most desirably located, a short drive from Hartland; his father, William Russell. was a native of Massachusetts; he married in Geauga Co., Ohio, Clarissa Howard; they came to Wisconsin in an early day, and were pioneer settlers of the town of Merton, Waukesha Co.; they afterward moved to the village of Hartland, where they resided until their death; their children are Gideon, whose name heads this sketch; Clarissa. now the wife of Thomas B. Ireland, of Oconomowoc; Sarah resides in Merton; Hobert,, who served in a Minnesota regiment during the Rebellion, is now deceased; Rubie, wife of Essau Beaumont, of this town. Mr. Russell is a member of the Merton Town Board at present writing, and has filled various other local offices.

FRANCIS SCHRAUDENBACH, Merton, dealer in general merchandise; is a native of Bavaria, Germany; born is Aschaffenburg April 2, 1817; was liberally educated in his native country; came to this country in 1840. Married in Ft. Plain, N. Y., in 1842, Magdalene Franck; immediately after they were married they came to Wisconsin, located in the town of Merton, which has been their home the greater part of the time since; they have seven children living - Caroline. their oldest daughter, is the wife of Fred Staps, a merchant at Hartland, Wis.; Edward, their oldest eon, is proprietor of the Okauchee flouring mills; he married Adeline King; Ottillia, their second oldest daughter, is the wife of Frank Rice, son of Hon. J. A.. Rice, of Merton; August, their second oldest son, is in the commission business in Chicago, Ill.; he married Sada Mills, of Hartland; Emma, third oldest daughter, is the wife of Henry Lowe, dealer in agricultural implements and grain, Richfield, Wis.; Albert, third oldest son, is in the store with his father; Walter, Ella and Nettie, the youngest children, are at home. Mr. Schraudenbach has been actively engaged in the mercantile business in Waukesha Co. since 1842, and by his strict business integrity has secured a large and constantly increasing trade he has a full stock of dry goods, groceries, crockery, ready made clothing, boots and shoes, undertaking, hardware, and everything kept in a general store of the first grade.

GEORGE SCHWALBACH, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Merton; was born in Germantown, Washington Co., Wis., July 14, 1850; his parents, John F. and Mary Schwalbach, were natives of Germany, who came to this country and settled at Germantown, Wis., over forty years ago, and are still residents. He was married in Washington Co. in 1873 to Theresa Stasser, daughter of Cornelius and Mary Stasser, of that county; after their marriage they moved to their present home in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co.; they have four children - Cornelius, Rosa, Mary and Helena. Mr. Schwalbach owns 120 acres of land, well located and improved.

RICHARD SEDGWICK, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Merton; was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1840; in about, 1849 he came to this country with his father, Richard Sedgwick, his mother having died in England; they settled in the town of Lisbon, Waukesha Co., Wis., where he married, in 1870, Laura Weeks, she was born in Lisbon in 1847, and was the daughter of William Weeks, a pioneer settler and esteemed citizen of that turn; they have one child, Alice May. He owns a desirably located farm a short distance from the village of Merton, and in the vicinity of Lake Keesus, a beautiful sheet of water covering several acres and abounding with fish; his father is now a resident of the village of Pewaukee.

COL. HENRY SHEARS, North Lake; was born in Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Mass., Aug. 9, 1816; when he was 4 years old his parents removed to Rochester, V. Y., where he was educated. In 1841 he married, in Rochester, Mary Benson; she was born near Lake Windermere, England, in 1817; they came to Wisconsin in 1842, settling in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co.; she died in 1875; was a most estimable woman; Lizzie A., their oldest daughter, is the wife of Dr. B. H. Kilbourn, of North Lake; Margaret A., their second oldest, married C. G. Schushardt; Henry B., the oldest son, is a member of the Bloomfield Milling Co., Bloomfield, N. J.; Mary, third oldest daughter, is the wife of Madison L. Hartridge, Jacksonville, Fla.; Blanche, the youngest of the children, is home. Col. Shears built the first flouring mill in the village of Merton in 1847; also built the first mill at North Lake in 1854; in Rochester, N. Y., he was Captain of the militia three years; during the war of the rebellion he raised a company for the 39th W. V. L; was made Captain of Co. B.; was afterward commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the 48th W. V. I. for meritorious services; then promoted Colonel; was honorably discharged in April, 1866. The Colonel was a member of the Wisconsin Assembly in 1850; his home is located on North Lake, a short ride from Hartland; the lake is a magnificent sheet of water, abounding in fish of various kinds, and surrounded by most enchanting scenery; he entertains about twenty guests; his house and cottages are situated on the bank of the lake, in a most delightful spot, several springs possessing medicinal properties.

ANDREW SHIELDS, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Merton; is a native of County Roscommon, Ireland; was born in the year 1821; he came to this country in 1836; settled near Hubbleville, Mass., where he remained but a short time before his moving to Hudson, N. Y., thence to Hinsdale, Mass., where he engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods for about two years; at the end of that time he went to Chatham, N. Y., and engaged in the mercantile business until 1842; he then came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Merton, on the farm he now resides on, which has been his home since. Mr. Shields has been largely interested in the building of railroads in Wisconsin, and for a period of about twenty years was a heavy contractor in the building of all the principal roads. He married in Albany, N. Y., Miss Margaret Lanahen; they have seven children now living - Mary, John, Sabina, Martin, James and Margaret; Sabina, of the above, is the wife of M. Gill, Chicago, Ill. Mr. S. owns a well-improved farm, consisting of 240 acres; when he settled in Merton, in 1842, there were but few settlers in the northern part of the town; it was merely an unbroken wilderness for miles either way, and he, in common with other early settlers, had to suffer many inconveniences.

MlCHAEL SHIELDS, farmer, Monchee, is the oldest settler now living in that village. He was born in County Roscommon, Ireland; came to America in 1836; first settled in Hudson, N. Y., where he remained two years, then went to Hinsdale, Mass., and engaged in shoemaking. He married in 1839, in Pittsfield, Mass. Margaret Corbett. After their marriage they moved to the State of New York, where they remained until 1842, in which year they came to Wisconsin, and located in Monches, Waukesha Co., which has been their home since. Their oldest son, Martin, was born in Massachusetts. During the war of the rebellion, he was a soldier, in active service, in the 12th Wis. Battery. He married Mary A. Tuckwood; they now reside in Chicago, Ill. Mary, the oldest daughter, is the wife of George Phelps, Janesville, Wis. He was a soldier in a Wisconsin regiment during the late war. Andrew, the second oldest son, was the first white child born in Monches. During the war, he enlisted in Chicago, Ill., in the 69th Ill. Regt., was honorably discharged, afterward entered the employ of the Government on the plains, receiving injuries which caused the amputation of a leg. Julia, the second oldest daughter, is the wife of William Bates, Milwaukee. He enlisted in the 12th Wis. Battery, and did good service during the war. James, the third son, lives in Hartland. Margaret, the third oldest daughter, resides at home. Agnes, the fourth oldest daughter, is the wife of George Hart, Chicago. Michael P. and John, the youngest, reside in Monches. Mr. Shields owns a valuable farm, on a portion of which is located the village of Monches. He has filled various local offices, and is a much esteemed citizen.

WILLIAM H. SMITH, manufacturer of wagons and carriages, also, general blacksmithing North Lake, was born in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1854; his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Smith, were pioneer settlers. He married, in 1877, in the town of Merton, Eliza Hoffman a daughter of George and Margaret Hoffman, old settlers of Merton, Waukesha Co., Wis. They have one child, Ida May. Mr. Smith is a thorough mechanic, does first-class work, and has a large trade.

HENRY SWALLOW, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O. Hartland; was born in Yorkshire, England, Nov. 10, 1827. In 1847, he came to the United States, located in Dover, Racine Co., Wis., there remaining about four years; at the end of that time, he returned to his native country for a short time, then returned to this country; lived in Skaneateles, N. Y., a few months, then came to Pewaukee, Wis., where he lived until the spring of 1854, when he, in company with Eph Beaumont and others, crossed the plains to California. He remained in California until 1862, then returned to this (Waukesha) county, and, on the 23rd of October, of that year, married in Pine Grove. Portage Co., at the home of her parents, Matthew and Fannie Beaumont, their oldest daughter, Zilpha. She was born in Yorkshire, England and was the widow of Clifton Merrill, who, during the war of the rebellion, enlisted in Co. E, 18th Wis., and was killed at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. Swallow and wife went to England, and, at, the end of a few months, returned to this country and located where they now reside. Their children are - Martin J., Robbin H., Grace and Dorotha. By Mrs. Swallow's first marriage, there is one child living - Frances E. Mr. Swallow owns 170 acres of land, located one mile north of Hartland, and within a few rods of Beaver Lake and Bark River. His farm is finely improved.

A. E. VAN DYCK, proprietor of general blacksmith shop, also manufacturer of wagons and buggies, Stone Bank, was born in Catskill, Glen Co.. N. Y., Feb. 12; 1820. He learned the carriage-making trade in Troy, N. Y., and worked at it in various towns and cities in that State until 1852, in which year he came West and engaged in farming, in the town of Lisbon, Waukesha Co., Wis. In 1854 he removed to Hartland, and there engaged in wagon and carriage making four years; at the end of that time he came to Stone Bank and established his present business. He is thoroughly experienced in all the details pertaining to the carrying on of his shop; uses the best material; therefore, he enjoys the reputation of turning out work of a superior grade. Mr. Van Dyck married, in Columbia County, Wis., Miss Esther Bonner, a native of Manchester, England, (her parents were early settlers of the town of Lisbon, this county, where they resided a number of years). Their children are Edward, who married Jennie Kennegie, of Freeport, Ill., and Elisabeth, now the wife of Richard Mason, of this town.

JAMES WALSH, farmer, Sec. 26; P. O. Merton; was born in Ridgeway, Orleans Co., N. Y., Sept. 19, 1830. He married in Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., Jeannette Gray, a native of Montreal, Canada. They came to Wisconsin in 1869, and purchased a farm in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co., which has been their home since. They have three children - Anna, Sarah and Ella. Mr. Walsh owns 160 acres of land, most desirably located and well improved. He has filled various local offices, and is a man of much public spirit and enterprise.

JOHN WALSH, farmer, Sec. 26; P. O. Hartland; was born in Medina Co., N. Y., July 15, 1834; he came to Wisconsin in 1856; settled in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co., when he married, in 1857, Julia Poler, a native of Orleans Co., N. Y., and daughter of Jeremiah Poler, a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y., and an early settler of the town of Merton; they have five children, George W., Frank J., Harry, John and Jeremiah; the second oldest, Frank J., is attending school at the Wayland University, Beaver Dam, Wis., and Harry, the third oldest, is clerk in a drag store at Hartland; the remainder of the boys are home. Mr. Walsh has been Town Clerk six years, and has filled various school offices; he owns 80 acres of land; in politics he is a Republican.

ADOLPH WEIL, merchant, Merton; was born in Prague, Bohemia, in 1822; he received a liberal education in his native country, and in 1846, came to the United States; lived in the city of New York until 1848, then came to Milwaukee, Wis., where he was engaged in business until 1852, in which year he went to California, there remaining until 1855, when he returned, and married in April of that year in New York City, Rosa Meyer, a native of Bavaria, Germany; after their marriage they resided in Milwaukee until 1860, then removed to the Village of Merton, Waukesha Co., where he has since been engaged in the mercantile business; they have four children, the oldest daughter, Jennie, is the wife of James M. Pereles, attorney-at-law at Milwaukee; the second oldest daughter, Nellie, is the wife of Thomas J. Pereles, also attorney-at-law in Milwaukee; the oldest son, James M., is an attorney at Milwaukee; the second oldest and youngest of the children, David, is engaged with his father in the store, and in partnership with him in dealing in wool; he is an active and energetic business man; Mr. Weil carries a full line of dry goods, notions, ready-made clothing, boots and shoes, crockery, and in fact everything to be found in a first-class general store; he has been engaged in the mercantile business the greater part of the time since he has been in the United States.

EDWARD WHIPP, farmer, Sec. ___; P. 0. Monches; was born in Lancashire, England, March 19, 1833; in 1842, his parents, John and Jane Whipp, emigrated to this country and settled in Merton, Waukesha Co., Wis., thus becoming pioneer settlers of that town; here the early life of Edward was passed, amidst the hardships that necessarily must be undergone in the early settlement of any new country; his father was identified with the early history of the progress and improvement of the town in various ways, and was elected to many local offices; was Postmaster at Monches at the time of his death in 1850; his mother is still living, a most estimable woman; Edward Whipp has been twice married; his first wife was Jennie Dooley, she died in 1866; they had one child, James, now an engineer in Chicago, Ill.; his present wife was Margaret Whealen, daughter of Patrick Whealen, an early settler of Washington Co., Wis.; they have four children - Mary, Edward, Ann and William; Mr. Whipp owns a finely located and well-improved farm; is an energetic and enterprising citizen; he has the full confidence of the county, and has been elected to fill various local positions.

S. L. WORTH, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Merton; was born in Catskill, Green Co., N. Y. on the 9th of April, 1830; in 1835, he came to Wisconsin, and located in the town of Merton, Waukesha Co., where he married Josephine Molster, daughter of John C. Molster, an old and honored citizen of that town; she was born in Portsmouth Ohio, June 15, 1838; they have four children - William J., Martin I., Sarah M. and Lewis, Mr. Worth owns 170 acres of land, finely improved and most desirably located; he has filled the office of Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors, and Assessor; is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen.

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