p. 994-1018

     The town of Mount Pleasant comprises congressional township 3 north, range 8 east, of the fourth principal meridian.  It is bounded on the north by the town of Exeter; on the east by Albany; on the west by Washington, and on the south by Sylvester.  The surface of the town is drained by Little Sugar river,  and its numerous tributaries.  The south half  of the town is principally prairie, while the north half consists of oak openings.   The soil varies.  On the prairies it is a rich, dark loam; on the low lands a dark muck; and on the rolling lands it is mixed with clay.  The sub-soil is clay.
     The assessed value of the farming land in Mount Pleasant is $411,270, or $18.33 per acre; of village lots, $18,615.  The total value of real estate and personal property is $609,333. The principal farm products grown in the town of Mount Pleasant during the year 1882, were as follows:  1,850 bushels wheat; 69,800 bushels corn; 83,930 bushels oats; 195 bushels barley; 320 bushels rye; 5,270 bushels potatoes; 2,555 bushels apples; 68 bushels clover seed; 40 bushels timothy seed; 1,450 pounds tobacco; 2,890 tons of hay; 53,450 pounds butter; 86,300 pounds cheese.  The acreage of the principal farm products growing in the town at the time of making the annual assessment for the year 1883, was as follows;  252 acres wheat; 3,215 corn; 3,340 oats; 15 barley; 50 rye; 82 1/2 potatoes; 123 acres apple orchard; 3,135 bearing trees; 2,771 acres grass; 2,420 acres growing timber.  There were 1,345 milch cows in the town, valued at $30,465.  In 1883 there was the following live stock in the town:  Six hundred and forty-eight horses, average value $55.60, total $36,035; 2,566 head of cattle, average value $18.90, total $48,415; 3 mules, average value, $88.33, total $265; 4,026 sheep, average value $1.87, total $7,535; 2,486 swine, average value $6.01, total $14,965.  The populations of the town in 1875, was 1,120; in 1880, 1,086.

     The exact date of the first settlement in this town is unknown, but it was made by Henry Mitchell, hardly admits of a doubt.  He was a native of England, and came to the United States in 1832, immediately making his way to the lead mines of southwestern Wisconsin.  In 1837 he was living in a log cabin on section 9, where he did some breaking.  His family was still living in England and he spent the greater portion of his time in the mining districts.  In 1847 his family joined him, after which he devoted his attention to farming until his death, in 1861.  His widow, now ninety-three years of age, is still living on the homestead, which is managed by James Richards, a son-in-law.
     At about the same time that Henry Mitchell settled on section 9, Elias Lutherell entered land on the north half of section 28.  He erected his log cabin near the spring of water which gushes forth from the ground at that place.  He also spent the greater part of his time at the lead mines, and thus found little time to make improvements.  In 1839 Justus Sutherland visited the land and cultivated the same.  In 1843 Mr. Lutherell sold the property to William Boyls, Jr., and left the country.  Mr. Boyls was a native of Pennsylvania.  He improved the farm and remained a resident of the place for many years.
     A.F. Steadman, a prominent citizen of Athens Co., Ohio, settled on the northeast quarter of section 18 in 1841.  He afterwards removed to Iowa.
     Archibald and Prosa Whaley, natives of the State of New York, settled on the southeast quarter of section 25, in 1841.  They improved some of the land, then sold out and emigrated to Iowa.
     John Troy, in 1842, took up his abode on the southwest quarter of section 28.  He remained a few years the sold out and went to Iowa.  Mr. Troy was a native of Pennsylvania.
     In 1842 the settlement was increased by three brothers--John, Benjamin and Daniel Rima and Michael McNutt, who came from Ohio.  The Rima brothers settled on the northeast quarter of section 23, where Daniel died.  John now lives in the town of Exeter, and Benjamin removed to Rock county, and afterwards to Nebraska.  Mr. McNutt settled on the northeast quarter of section 26.  He afterward removed to section 29, where he resided until his death.
     In 1845 Pliny Colton, Christopher Silver, Artemus Silver, Daniel Tree, Thomas Stewart, Stephen Wood and George Mears, with their families, left the State of Pennsylvania to seek homes in the far west.  They traveled by steamboat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi river to Galena, and thence overland to Green county, and soon the larger number of them chose land in what is now Mount Pleasant, and settled down to begin life anew.
     Christopher Silver was born in Grafton Co., N.H., May 5, 1797.  He remained in his native State until twenty-one years old, then went west and settled in Erie Co., Penn.  He was married in that county March 2, 1820, to Marinda Loveland, who was born Aug. 11, 1803, in Hampshire Co., Mass.  They remained in Erie county seven years, then removed to Mercer county where they lived until 1845, at which date they came to Green county.  He died here on Aug. 30, 1881.  Mrs. Silver is still living, and occupies the homestead.  They were the parents of thirteen children, seven of them are living--Sarah, Artemas, Azariah, Clarrissa, Willis, Ann and Alonzo.
     Azariah Silver, son of Christopher and Marinda (Loveland) Silver, was born in Erie Co., Penn., May 3, 1838, and was seven years old when he came with his parents to Mount Pleasant.  Here he spent his younger days in school and upon the farm.  He remained with his parents until 1860.  He married on the 20th of May, of that year, to Elizabeth J., daughter of James and Elizabeth (Duckworth) Compton, a native of Lake Co., Ohio.  He bought land in the northwest quarter of section 11, upon which stood a log cabin.  In that they began housekeeping.  He improved the land and lived there until 1866, then purchased land in the northwest quarter of section 14, where he lived in a log house five years.  He then erected a good frame house.  His farm now contains 191 acres.  He has engaged in raising grain and stock, and is a successful farmer.  Mr. and Mrs. Silver are the parents of eight children--Marinda E., Ella M., Arthur F., Elbert U., Emery H., Norman B., Nellie M., and Maudie E.
     Willis Silver, son of Christopher and Marinda (Loveland) Silver, was born in Erie Co., Penn., on the 25th of April, 1842.  When three years of age his parents removed to Green Co., Wis.  He grew to manhood on his father's farm, receiving his education in the district school.  In 1865 he went to Boone Co., Iowa; remaining there a few months, he went to Kansas, lived in the State about a year, then returned to Wisconsin.  He was married on the 22d of March, 1868, to Kizpah A. Colton, born in Green county.  They lived in the town of Mount Pleasant until the fall of 1869, then went to Osage Co., Kansas, and purchased a farm.  In 1876 he returned to Rock Co., Wis., and rented a farm near Evansville for one year.  He then removed to Mount Pleasant, this county.  He now lives on section 15.  Mr. and Mrs. Silver have two children--Herbert E. and Cora M.J.  While in Kansas Mr. Silver was employed by the government, and drove a team laden with supplies to Colorado.
     Artemas Silver, one of the pioneers of Green county, was born in the town of Salem, Erie Co., Penn., Dec. 11, 1822.  When he was three years old, his parents moved to Mercer county, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits.  In 1844 he came to the Territory of Wisconsin and visited Green county, but did not settle here at that time.  He returned to Mercer county where he was married March 12, 1845, to Harriet Colton, a native of Chautauqua Co., N.Y., born Oct. 21, 1824.  Five weeks later they started for Wisconsin.  They came by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, to Galena, and completed their journey to Green county, overland.  They stopped three weeks in Monroe, where he rented a piece of land and put in a crop, then came to Mount Pleasant and lived with Pliny Colton until fall.  He then entered forty acres of land, on section 11, of township 3, range 8 east, now known as Mount Pleasant.  At the same time he laid claim to other lands, hiring money to enter the same, at 25 per cent.  He built a log house which they occupied eight years.  He then built a good frame house, in which the family now reside.  The same year he erected a frame barn.  In 1869 he built another barn, larger than the first. He has engaged largely in raising grain and stock. Mr. and Mrs. Silver have four children--Marion, Lewis, Truman and Flora, who is now married to Amos Pierce and living in Emporia, Kansas.
     Daniel Tree settles on section 12.  In 1860 he sold out and removed to the Pecatonica river, where he died.
     Pliny Colton settled on section 10, and there made his home during the remainder of his life.
     Stephen Wood settled in the town of Exeter.  Thomas Stewart remained but a short time and returned to the State from whence he came, and George Mears settled at Monroe.
     A widow lady by the name of Newcomb came in 1845, and settled on section 27.  She afterwards married John Snell and removed to the State of Minnesota.
     Hugh McClintock, a native of Virginia, in 1846, purchased land on section 7, and resided there until 1854, then removed to La Crosse.
     Mr. Bushnell, and family settled on section 14, some time previous to 1844.  Gideon Gillett purchased the place, and the family left the county.
     Ira Foster, a native of Vermont, settled in 1844 on the southwest quarter of section 7, and there died.
     Peter Wilson, a carpenter by trade, came with Ira Foster.  He at first worked in various parts of the county, but finally settled at Monticello, where he now resides.
     Walter Bedell also came in 1844, and for a few years resided on the southeast quarter of section 15.
     During the same year Mr. Ingalls settled on the northwest quarter of section 15, and there resided for several years.
     John Lewis, a native of Wales, settled on section 12 in 1846.  He still resides on the place he first chose.
     John Lewis was born in South Wales, Nov. 30, 1813.  He was there reared to agricultural pursuits.  At the age of twenty-one he commenced work in an iron foundry, which he continued until 1841, then, having heard of the vast prairies of the United States, he resolved to see the country for himself, and came to America.  He located first in Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he engaged in farming until 1845.  The first year he received for his work $100, and for the next three years $120 per year.  In the fall of 1845 he came to Wisconsin and located on Eagle Prairie, in Waukesha county, and there spent the winter.  In 1846 he came to Green county and settled in township 3, range 8, town of Mount Pleasant.  He bought land on section 13, and built a log house, in which he lived until 1865.  He then built the frame house he now occupies.  He has engaged largely in raising cattle, horses and sheep, and has made a large addition to his landed estate, and now owns 648 acres, the greater part of  which is improved and fenced.  He was married April 19, 1841, to Kesiah Richards, a native of South Wales.  Six children have been born to them, two of whom are now living--John and Theophilus.   Mrs. Lewis was born Oct. 29, 1819, and died March 19, 1853.  From that time until Mr. Lewis' second marriage, April 11, 1861, he and his sons "kept bach."  His second wife was Olive Lee, a native of Oswego, N.Y.
    Thomas Fenton, a native of Pennsylvania, came from the eastern part of Wisconsin in 1847, and resided on section 1 until his death.

     The first school in the town was taught in the village of Monticello, in the summer of 1845.  This was a subscription school, taught by Orinda Foster, at the house of A.F. Steadman.
     The first public school was taught in 1848.  In that year the people erected a rude log building near the southwest corner of section 7, called it a school house and employed Marintha Niles to take possession as teacher and give instruction to all who wished to attend.  As there was no other school near the attendance was quite large.
     In 1851 the people became tired of the log building and erected a neat octagon frame school house on the northwest quarter of section 8, and employed Dr. Adams as teacher.  In 1854 this building was moved into the village of Monticello and continued to be used for school purposes until 1860.  It is a frame building two stories in height.
     School district No.1 was organized in 1849, with the following named persons as the first officers:  Thomas Fenton, director; Arantha Thomas, treasurer; Ephraim Moody, clerk.  A log house was built on the northwest quarter of section 12, and Lyman Dexter was the first teacher.  The log house was in use until after the war, when the present frame building was erected.  There had been a school taught in the neighborhood before 1849, in a log house located on the southeast quarter of section 4.
     The first school house in district No.2 was built in 1849. and was located on the southwest quarter of section 10.  Dr. Adams, Samuel Aiken and Melger Colton were among the early teachers.  The present school house, which is located on the site of the first, was built in 1877, and Miss M. Edwards was the first to occupy it as teacher.
     The first school in district No. 4 was taught by Mandana Newcomb in a log house owned by Gideon McNaught.  In 1850 a log school house was erected on the south half of the northeast quarter of section 28, and James Powell was employed as teacher.  The log house soon gave place to the present frame building, which occupies the old site.
     School district No.7 was organized in 1858, and the first school was taught during the following winter, in a log house owned by John Sutherland.  It was located on the northwest quarter of section 35.  Stella Wheeler was the first teacher.  In the spring of 1859 a stone school house was built, and Stella Wheeler and Amelia Woodworth were the first teachers in this.
     The first school taught within the limits of district No.9 was in a very early day in a frame house built by John Williams.  The district was re-organized in 1871, and the present school building erected on the northwest quarter of section 21.  The first teacher in this house was Hattie Ross.
     The first school in district No.8 was taught in the winter of 1854-5 by Hannah Noble, in a log house owned by Thomas Seers.  The following summer the present building, located on the line between sections 4 and 5, was built, and George Ray served as teacher.
     The first school in district No. 5 was taught in 1853 by Julia Stevens, daughter of Dr. J.D. Stevens, of Monroe.  The stone school house is still standing, and is now used as a stable by J.F. Annis.  The district now has a good frame building.
     In 1849 the town of Mount Pleasant was divided into five districts.  The officers of the various districts at that time were as follows: No.1.--Thomas Fenton, director: Aranthus Thomas, treasurer; Ephraim Moody, clerk.  No.2.--Amos Perry, director; James Bedell, treasurer; Lyman Wright, clerk.  No.3.--Henry Adams, director; A.F. Steadman, treasurer; John Manly, clerk.  No.4.--William Lowe, director; A.P. Jewell, treasurer; William Boyls, clerk.  No.5.--Benjamin Rima, director; Joseph Conklin, treasurer; David McKee, clerk.  James L. Powell was town superintendent of schools.  On the 1st of September, 1849, the reports of the district clerks show that there were 210 scholars in the town.   At that time districts Nos.1 and 4 had log school houses; 2 and 5 stone school houses, and No.3 was without a house.

     The town of Mount Pleasant was organized in April, 1849.  Aranthus Thomas, Henry Adams and James L. Powell were among the first officers elected.
     At the annual town meeting held on the 3d of April, 1850, there were seventy-four votes cast.  The following officers were elected:  Supervisors, Henry Adams, chairman, L.W.P. Morton and J. Moody; clerk, James L. Powell; assessor, Thomas Fenton; treasurer, D. Bragg; superintendent of schools, James L. Powell; justices of the peace, Henry Adams and Aranthus Thomas.
     At the general election held in November, 1849, there were forty nine ballots cast.  The following is the roster: Abraham Pratt, James L. Powell, Lyman Smith, Thomas Morton, Henry Adams, William Boyls, Hall Bedell, Abner Aiken, Benjamin Robey, Josiah Marty, Alfred Rogers, Aranthus Thomas, I. Jewell, James Gillett, James Truax, Joseph Moody, Paul Castle, John Troy, William H. Castle, Wesley Truax, Benjamin Truax, A.F. Steadman, Lewis Morton, William Love, Willard Stephens, Gideon Troy, Daniel M. Tree, Nathaniel Lewis, A.L. Wood, Thomas Fenton, Ephraim Moody, James Bedell, William Morton, James Broderick, George L. Barks, R. Taylor, R.R. Jennison, Abraham Pratt, Jr., John Hulett, Porter Pratt, Amos Perry, Christopher Silver, Thomas Raymond, William Foster, Ira L. Foster, William Hitchcock, Lyman Wright, C.H. Woodworth and Noah Cryst.
     The following is a list of the gentlemen who have served as chairman of the board of supervisors of this town:  Aranthus Thomas, Henry Adams, Thomas Fenton, Samuel Johnson, J. Troy, Ransom Drake, Charles F. Thompson, Jesse Gist, John V. VanSlyke, G.W. Baker, A.H. Pierce, F.K. Studley, A.H. Pierce and Franklin Pierce.
     The town clerks have been as follows: James L. Powell, Mathias Marty, C.H. Woodruff, Alonzo H. Jennison, James Broderick, F.R. Drake, Cyrus Troy, John V. VanSlyke, W.E. Noble, B.C. Baker, Samuel Johnson, F.K. Studley, David Sears, H.H. Bissell, M.H. Fitzgerald and E.F. Wright.
     The following named in succession have held the office of assessor since the organization of the town: Thomas Fenton, Ransom Drake, Henry Barkey, B.C. Baker, B.C. Baker, Samuel Johnson, Joel Wood, Henry Adams, A.H. Pierce, E.R. Gillett, Thomas Gravenor, Franklin Pierce, Jesse Gist, L.W. Wright, Cyrus Troy, J.F. Annis, Charles Morgan, L.F. Moore and John Stauffacher.
     The following names have filled the office of town treasurer: D. Bragg, John Troy, William Foster, Pliny Colton, Joseph Moody, Edward Gillett, E.C. Fessenden, George W. Bridges, Joel Ward, W.C. Kessler, A.M. Barber, Warren Jones, W.E. Noble, J. Bowen, Cyrus, Troy, John Marty, R. Knight, L.P. Aldrich, E.F. Wright and John Legler.

     In June, 1844, Author Smith, a native of the State of New York, was killed by some unknown person. Mr. Smith had just sold his claim on section 17 for $200, but was to do some breaking on the place.  This he was engaged at, and it seems that while in the act of sharpening the plow, he was approached from behind by some unknown person, who dealt him a fatal blow with a hatchet.  His body was dragged some ten or fifteen rods, and left on some low ground, and the cattle with which he was plowing were left to wander about the field.  Mr. Smith was a young man, and at the time was keeping "bach".  He had been in the habit of calling at A. F. Steadman's, and as he did not call as usual, Mr. and Mrs. Steadman went to his house where there found things in disorder.  This aroused suspicion, and Mr. Steadman immediately went to Exeter to enquire if he had been seen; he also went to his uncle's at Monroe, but as he had not been there, search was commenced by the citizens, which resulted in the finding of his body in a partly decayed state.  An inquest was held at Exeter, but no clue to the murderer could be found.  It appears the murder was committed for money, as his trunk had been ransacked, but the money was afterward found wrapped up in some cloth.  His body was buried on the Steadman place, but in 1882 was removed to the Monticello Cemetery.
     In 1856 Charles Gilson committed suicide by cutting his throat while laboring under a fit of insanity.  He had had an attack of fever and ague which had deranged his mind.  He left no family.
     The first death occurred in 1841, Samantha, daughter of A.F. and Patty Steadman.  The remains were buried on the land owned by Mr. Steadman.
     The first burial place was on the farm of A.F. Steadman, where six bodies were interred.  One has since been removed, and five remain, but there is nothing to mark the spot.  There were also a few bodies buried in the southwest quarter of section 6.  The first being a daughter of David Smith.

     The land now occupied by this village was entered in 1843 by Robert Witter, who was acting as agent for his brother, Chester Witter.  He immediately commenced making improvements, and the following winter completed the first saw mill at this place.  In 1846 A.F. Steadman purchased the property and platted the village.  In 1847 Hugh McClintock purchased a half interest; but in 1848 Mr. Turman became sole proprietor of the property.  He, however, owned the same but a few months, when he sold to Jacob and Mathias Marty.  These gentleman divided the property, Jacob taking that part lying on the north side of the river, and Mathias that on the south.  The latter vacating his portion, Jacob Marty, in 1850, gave one lot to Peter Wilson on condition that he at once erect a house, whereupon Mr. Wilson built a frame dwelling, 16x24 feet in size, one story in height.  This was the first building in the village, and it now forms part of the Rural House.
     The first store building was erected in 1851 by Sylvester Hills, who became the first merchant.  He carried a general stock of goods, and continued in trade two years, when he was succeeded by George Campbell, who soon sold to Mathias Marty.  He was succeeded by S.S. Hills & Co. in 1855.  J.W.F. Randall afterward owned a half interest for a short time.  In 1857 George Gibson purchased the business and finally closed it out.
     The first hardware and tin shop was started by David and S.S. Hills and L.B. Conant, but was continued but a short time.
     The Marty Bros., who were prominent among the pioneers of Monticello, were natives of Switzerland.  They were well educated and good business men. Mathias was married  to a daughter of Josiah Pierce, and is now a resident of California, whither he went on account of his health.  He is also a large property holder in Kansas City, Mo.  Jacob Marty married a daughter of Sylvester Hills, and is now a resident of Paola, Kansas.
     George Bowes was the blacksmith, although his shop was not within the village limits, it being located on the south side of the river.  George Rolland built a shop on the north side in 1849, and remained two years, then went to California.  This branch of industry is now represented by Thomas Mitchell and David Pratt.
     Thomas Mitchell, blacksmith and wagon maker, began business in Monticello in 1877.  In 1878, he erected the shop which he now occupies, a commodious building, 26x32 feet.  He is engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, and does shoeing and general blacksmith work.  He is a first-class workman, and is liberally patronized.  He is a native of Bohemia, born Dec. 9, 1838.  At the age of eleven he was apprenticed to a blacksmith to learn the trade.  He served three and a half years.  When he was sixteen years old, he left his native land and came to America.   He first located at Rock River, Dodge county, where he worked at his trade until 1856, then went to Bad Axe, now Vernon county, and opened a shop at Liberty Pole.  He remained there one and a half years, then went to Madison, where he worked as journeyman one year, then to Minnesota, where he stopped a short time in Nininger City.  In 1858, he located in New Glarus, Green county, and in the fall of that years, was married to Catharine Schindler, a native of canton Glarus, Switzerland.  In 1861, he enlisted in the service as blacksmith, and served six months.  He then established himself in business at Rockport, Atchinson Co., Mo., continuing there until 1873, when he sold out and returned to Wisconsin.  He opened a shop at Junction House, three miles west of Monroe.  Six months later he went to Adamsville, Iowa county, and remained until 1875, then went to Dane county and remained two years, and, as before stated, came to Monticello in 1877.  He owns a residence here, besides two store buildings, one of which he rents, and in the other has a stock of groceries.  Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are the parents of seven children -- Elizabeth, May, Agnes, Clara, Katie, Edith and Thomas.
     The first wagon shop on the south side of the river was opened by Robert and George Bridges and their father.  The first shop on the north side was opened in 1857 by Ralsey Knight, who continued in business until 1861.  Thomas Mitchell now represents this line of work.
     The first harness maker was William Jordan.  He established his present business in 1862.
     The first shoemaker was Frank Drake, who came in 1853.  He enlisted in the Civil War, and served as a soldier.  He is now living in Idaho.  The present shoemaker is Fred Swighey.
      The grange store was established in 1875, with F.K. Studley as an agent and business manager.  He was succeeded, in 1877, by E.S. Sears, and he, in October of said year, by John Richards, who had charge until 1884, when he resigned and Pelter Holland was appointed.  This business was owned and conducted exclusively by members of the Patrons of Husbandry until 18?0, when the charter was so amended as to allow others to hold stock.  I.T. Humiston is president and J.F. Sears clerk of the association.  A large stock of general merchandise and hardware is carried, and a profitable business conducted.
     Ira T. Humiston, senior deacon of Monticello Union Lodge of A.F. & A.M., was born in Allegany Co., N.Y., Dec. 19, 1824.  His parents removed to Chautauqua county when he was four years old.  He obtained his education in a subscription school, and at the age of fourteen years was apprenticed to a blacksmith, to learn the trade.  He served five years, then opened a shop in Chautauqua county, where he continued business until 1856.  He then came to Wisconsin, and established himself in business at the village of Monticello, and remained there until 1861.  In November, of that year, he enlisted in company 1, of the 2d Wisconsin Cavalry.  He went south.  He served until April 18, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability, and returned home with an impaired constitution.  He has never recovered sufficiently to perform any manual labor .  He purchased a farm in 1864, located on section 3, to which he removed, living there until 1882, when he came to Monticello, which is his home at the present time.  He was married in 1849 to Helen M. Woodworth, who was born in Cayuga Co., N.Y., March 31, 1826.  They have two children—Robert and Fred W.  Fred W., the youngest son, was born Aug. 31, 1855.  His early education was received in the district school and advanced by one years attendance at Cedar Valley Seminary, at Osage, Iowa.  After this he engaged in teaching.  He was married Dec. 31, 1879, to Kate Hayden, born at Attica, Green Co., Wis.  They have two children—Myrtie T. and Ivan R.  He now occupies the old homestead.
      The Monticello Union Cheese Manufacturing Company was organized in 1878, and received its charter on the 18th day of March.  The charter members were: L.W. Wright, C. H. Baxter, Peter Wilson, S.C Taft, W. P. Clement and C.W. Whitter.  The first officers were: Peter Wilson, president; C. H. Baxter, secretary; David Sears, treasurer; S. C. Taft and Amos Clement, trustees.  The association purchased a lot on which they erected a building, which, when furnished, cost $2,000.  The first year they leased the factory to parties who bought the milk.  Afterwards the patrons hired the building, and have as rent, thirty cents per 100 pounds of cheese manufactured.  A good grade of cheese is here made, which is sold in Chicago market.
      The first hotel was built by Jacob Marty, in 1851, who kept the place about two years, then sold it to George Campbell.  On 1854 Daniel Taft puchased the property, and one year later he sold to Thomas E, Fitzgerald.  The property has changed hands several times since, and the house has been enlarged.  It is now owned by Peter Wilson & Son.
      Peter Wilson, one of the pioneers of Green county, is a native of Huntington do., Penn., born April 16, 1818.  When he was four years old his father died and his mother went to live with her parents, and with them emigrated to Ohio and settled in Stark county, where he spent his early life and obtained his education in the public schools.  At the age of eighteen years, he was apprenticed to a carpenter and joiner, whom he served twenty months, then went to Cincinnati and worked under instruction sixteen months.  He then went to Rardolph Co., Ind., and worked at his trade two years, then returned to Ohio, and settled on Mercer county, where , in 1841, he was married to Sarah; daughter of Ira and Jane (Linden) Foster.  In October, 1843, he started, in company with his father-in-law and family, for the Territory of Wisconsin.  They traveled with teams, bringing with them a portion of their household goods.  On reaching Kane Co., Ill., they stopped and remained until January, 1844, then pushed on to Wisconsin.  Mr. Wilson lived with his father-in-law until March, and in the summer of 1844 worked at his trade in the town of Sylvester.  In the fall he went to Monroe and worked upon the court house until it was completed.  In 1847, when he made a claim on section 1, of township 3, range 7 east, now known as the town of Washington.  He built a log house and improved a few acres.  In the spring of 1848 he sold this claim and bought eighty acres in the same town, which he sold the next fall and purchased 160 acres, also in the same town.  This he sold after breaking thirty-five acres.  In 1850 he built the first house ever erected on the present site of Monticello, which he occupied eight years.  In 1852 he went across the plains to California, and was five months on the road.  He engaged in mining there until 1854, then returned by the way of the Isthmus of Panama.  Soon after he built a saw mill in company with S.C. Taft.  In this he owned an interest until 1866.  In 1872 he bought the “Monticello House,” in company with his son, and has lived here since that time, with the exception of the winter of 1882-83, when he purchased a residence in Albany, and spent the winter there.  Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of four children—Julia, Alonzo, Ira and Harriet.

      Ira Wilson was born in the town of Washington, Green Co., Wis., Feb. 22, 1848.  He was reared and educated in his native county.  Feb. 22, 1865, he enlisted in company G, of the 49th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went south to Missouri.  He served until after the close of the war and was discharged with the regiment in November, 1865.  In 1866 he commenced to learn the shoemaker’s trade, at which he worked for several years.  He was married in 1870 to Temperence Loveland, a native of Pennsylvania.  They have three children—Emery, Laban and Marion.  In 1870 Mr. Wilson went to Michigan and remained one year, then returned to Monticello, and in 1879 moved to Warren, Ill., where he lived three years, working at his trade,  Since that time he has resided in Monticello, where he is engaged in company with his father, in keeping the “Monticello House.”

     The Monticello grist mill was built in 1854 by Orrin Bacon.  It is 30x40 feet in size, and three and a half stories in height, and has two run of stone.  Various improvements have been made from time to time, and the mill at all times does first class work.  The dam is a substantial structure, built of stone and earth, there being a solid stone wall four rods in length.

     The Monticello postoffice was established in 1848, and A.F. Steadman was appointed the first postmaster, and he kept the office a this house.  The office was located on the mail route between Janesville and Mineral Point, and between Monroe and Madison.  It is now on the route between Monroe and New Glarus.  Mr. Steadman was succeeded in office by Mr. Turman, and he in turn by Mathias Marty, Vinie Godrey, Dr. Wilcox, James Butts, A. Gorland, Frank Drake, L.B. Aldrich and E.F. Wright.

     Dr. E.S. Knapp, who located at Monticello in 1854, was the first resident physician.  He was a graduate of Rush Medical College, and a man of superior attainments.  In 1859 he went to Kansas, but afterwards returned to this place.  He is now a resident of Wiota, Wis.
     The second physician to locate here was Dr. Jeremiah Wilcox.  He remained here for about four years, then removed to Iowa.
     Among others who have been located at Monticello are:  Drs. Ruttan, Bradshaw, Coblen, Stair and Minkler.
     In 1884 the only representative of the medical profession at Monticello was Dr. Flower, who located here in 1875.

     Monticello Union Lodge, No. 155, A.F. & A.M., was organized under dispensation Oct. 5, 1865, with the following members:  James Butts, S.C. Taft, Joshua Crowell, S. Johnson, I.T. Humiston, T.C. Scott and B.F. Fessenden.  A charter was granted them July 13, 1866, and the following were the first officers:  James Butts, W.M.; S.C. Taft, S.W.; Franklin Pierce, J.W.; S. Johnson, secretary.  Joshua Crowell died before the charter was granted.  The following have served as past master:  James Butts, S.C. Taft, F.R. Drake and H.M. Barnes.  The lodge now has a membership of over thirty, and its regular communications are on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
     Mount Pleasant Lodge, I.O.G.T., was organized Jan. 28, 1883, with thirty-nine charter members, and the following officers were elected:  A.R. Taft, P.W.C.T.; Fred Sears, W.C.T.; Martha Magood, W.V.T.: Charles Barlow, W.C.; G.E. Knight, W.A.S.; Florence Buck, W.F.S.; Lewis Thompson, W.T.; William Barlow, W.M.; Ella Magoon, W.D.M.; Mattie Sears, W.I.G.; R.A. Barney, W.S; Lottie Barlow, N.H.S.; Barbara Meredith, L.H.S., and James Moore, L.D.  The lodge is in a flourishing condition, and now has a membership of sixty.  Its meetings are held weekly.
     Rescue Division, No. 201, Sons of Temperanco, was organized May 17, 1883, with the following named persons as officers:  Thomas Sears, P.W.P.; J.F. Sears, W.P.; Susie Buck, W.A.P.; Henry Pickford, R. Sec.; Hattie Trogner, Asst. R. Sec.; J.H. Trogner, F.Sec.; Mrs. Henry Pickford, treasurer; R.P. Hyde, Condt.; Mrs. R. Magoon, Asst. Condt.; Mrs. D.W. Pratt, I.S.; R. Magoon, O.S., and Elder Burnham, chaplain.  The division now has a membership of thirty-five.  Regular communications are held weekly.

     A Methodist Episcopal class was organized as early as 1848, and the meetings were held at the log school house, located on the southwest quarter of section 8, Elder Phelps being the first pastor.  Among the first members were Ira Foster and wife, Elijah Roby and wife, W. H. Coates and wife.  Elijah Roby was the first class leader.  There were several revival meetings held, and the class afterwards held meetings in the octagon school house until 1861, when a neat frame church edifice was erected.  The following have been pastors of the society: Revs. Phelps, Frazier, Jones, Harris, Knox, Waldrown, Sample, Briggs, Burnish, Lawson, Allen, Lewis, Bean, Russell, Walker, Fancher, Hurd, Lake, Dudgeon and Gould.
     In 1854 Elder Patton, a regular Baptist preacher, organized a society at what was known as the Truax log school house, and the following named wer among the first members:  Benjamin Truax, Benjamin Smaley and wife, Samuel Whitesit and wife, Elisha Gord and wife, Edmund Irish and wife, W.W. Martin and wife, W.W. Truax, Daniel Titus, Samuel Gord, MArtin Purintun and wife, Leonard Gord and wife, Thomas J. Whittsitt and wife, James Truax and wife, E.B. Gord, S. Eldridge, MArtha M. Whittsitt, Charlotte O. Conklin and Jane DeFord.  The first deacons were: Benjamin Truax and Martin Purintun. Elder Patton was asisted in the organization by Elders Reece, Pool and Clack.  As a great many members have moved away, meetings are no longer held regular.
     The Monticello Free Will Baptist Church Society was organized Dec. 1, 1855, by Rev. J.F. Hill.  The first members were:  David Sears and wife, O.M. Baker and wife, Cyrus Robinson and wife, Laura A. Johnson, Robert S. Bridges, Robert Moore and Otis Bridges.  The deacons were:  O.M. Baker, and R.S. Bridges.  Meetings were held at the octagon school house until 1861.  The society then erected a neat stone church, which in May, 1862, was dedicated to the worship of God by Rev. Horace G. Woodworth, who took as his text on that occasion.  "In the name of God we unfurl our banner."  The following pastors have had charge of the society:  Revs. William Small, R.R.Davis, Edward Berry, Mr. Felt, J.S. Dinsmore, Jeffereson Bradley, M.M. Thompson and Rev. True, the present pastor.  The society has a membership of about forty.  The deacons are J.H. Trogner, Ralzy Knight and T.Z. Buck, and J.F. Sears, clerk.

     The land occupied by the Monticello cemetery was donated for burial purposes by Mathias Marty and Robert Bridges, and on the 10th day of January, 1852, an association was formed to take care of the same.  The first trustees elected were:  Henry Adams, R. Garland, P. Pratt, M. Marty, F.R. Drake and R.S. Bridges.  Ransom Drake was appointed secretary, and R.S. Bridges treasurer.  Money was raised by taxation to fence the ground, and lots were sold at $7.50 each.  The association failed to meet according to law, and thus lost their charter.  A new association was formed in 1881.  The new association took immediate steps to clear the ground, repair the fence, and now keep the same in good order.

William Boyls was a native of Green Co., Penn., born in 1795.  He was brought up on a farm, and received a liberal education.  He was married to Mary Morris, a native of Pennsylvania, and settled in Lafayette county, where they remained some years, then moved to Indiana and settled in Vermillion county.  Here he bought timber land and opened a farm.  In 1835 he sold out there and went to Illinois.  He spent one summer in Stephenson county, and in the fall of the year came to the Territory of Wisconsin, and settled in what is now the town of Clarno.  He entered land and improved a farm, making it his home for some years, then sold out and bought land on section 15, where he also improved a farm, and remained several years.  He then sold his farm and removed to Monroe, where he lived until 1861.  In that year he removed to Black Hawk Co., Iowa, where he died in August, 1881.  His wife died a few days previously.  They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are now living – Jemima, now the wife of George Adams, of Monroe; Lucinda, wife of John Brown; Matilda, now the widow of George Franklin, and living in Iowa; Casander, wife of Isaac Fan, of Lone Rock, Wis., Sarah Ann, wife of L.W.P. Morton; and William, who lives in Nebraska.  Mr. Boyls was one of the earliest settlers and to him is said to belong the honor of naming the county.  [Page 1004]

Josiah Pierce, the first settler in the town of Washington, was a native of the Bay State, born in New Salem, Hampshire county, May 21, 1783.  He was married to Ruth Ayers, of Granby, Conn.  In 1827 they removed to New York, and settled in Otsego county, where they lived until the spring of 1837.  Mr. Pierce then being in failing health, concluded to try a change of climate, and came to Milwaukee, where he was engaged by Col. Bird, the contractor who was building the State capitol at Madison, to proceed to that place and open a boarding house for the accommodation of the workmen.  Accordingly, he joined Bird’s party and they started overland with four teams, carrying provissions [sic], tools and other necessary articles.  A part of the way they were obliged to cut a road, and in some places to build corduroy roads.  He became the second settler in Madison, but remained there only until fall, when he came to Green county, and entered land on section 13, of township 3 north, range 8 east, now known as Washington.  His nearest neighbors were at Exeter, seven miles distant.  Although his health was quite poor at this time, he was able to be about and attend to business for several years.  His death occurred Dec. 25, 1843.  He was a man of good education, intelligent, public spirited and enterprising, and in his death the county lost one of its most useful and respected citizens.  He was one of the first commissioners of Green county.  His widow died June 8, 1863.  They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living.  [Page 1004]

Franklin Pierce, son of Josiah and Ruth (Ayers) Pierce, was born in New Salem, Mass., July 17, 1823.  He was four years old when his parents moved to Otsego Co., N.Y., where his younger days were spent in school and upon the farm, until he was fourteen years old.  He then came with his parents to Wisconsin.  At the age of twenty-one he went to the pineries and worked one year.  On his return he entered land on section 24, of the town of Washington, and commenced to improve a farm.  He was married, in 1848, to Orinda, daughter of Ira L. and Jane (Lindsey) Foster.  He built a log house in which they commenced housekeeping.  In 1851 he went to California and engaged in mining three years, then returned to Green county.  In 1854 he sold his farm and purchased another on section 25, of the same town, where he lived until 1869.  He then sold and moved to Monticello.  One year later he bought a farm on section 16, of the town of Mount Pleasant, on which he resided until 1876.  He then rented his farm and bought a farm adjoining the village of Monticello where he now resides.  Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are the parents of five children – Ellen, Byron, Waldo, Ida and Frank L.  Mr. Pierce has been, for many years, identified with the interests of both town and county.  His first office was that of superintendent of schools, in the town of Washington.  He was elected to that office at the organization of the town.  He was also assessor of that town, and for several years, chairman of the board.  Since living in Mount Pleasant he has served as a member of the town board, and as chairman, five years, an office which he still holds. [Pages 1004-1005]

Albert Pierce, son of Josiah and Ruth (Ayers) Pierce, was born in New Salem, Hampshire Co., Mass., April 28, 1820, and was seventeen years old when he came with his parents to Wisconsin.  He was married in November, 1852, to Sara E. Becker, a native of Jefferson Co., N.Y.  He settled at the time of hits marriage on section 19, of the town of Mount Pleasant, where they remained two years, then sold his farm and bought another, in the town of Washington, upon which they lived until 1868, then sold and moved to Monticello and purchased land near the village, where he resided until the time of his death, Feb. 11, 1882.  He had been prominently identified with the affairs of both town and county and filled offices of trust to the satisfaction of all.   He also represented his county in the Senate of Wisconsin.  He was always foremost in every enterprise for the public good, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all.  At the time of his death he was president of the Monticello Mercantile Association, the Mount Pleasant Fire Insurance Company and the Monticello Cheese Factory Company.  He left a wife and four children to mourn his loss.  The children are Ruth, Irwin, Florence and Burton.  [Page 1005]

L.W.P. Morton, one of the pioneers of Green county, was born in Spencer, Co., Ind., June 28, 1821.  His father had a farm, but being a millwright by trade, worked at that a great part of the time.  In 1838 he decided to remove to Wisconsin, but before his arrangements for removal were complete, he was taken sick and died in January, 1839.  In the month of April following the subject of this sketch, accompanied by his mother, started for Wisconsin with a team, carrying a portion of their household goods and provisions for the journey.  They camped out on the road.  On their arrival in Green county, they settled on a rented farm in the town of Clarno.  In June of the same year, other members of the family came, driving their stock with them.  In 1841 his mother bought forty acres of land in Monroe which was unimproved, and on which they resided until 1843.  He then engaged to build a barn for his brother-in-law, Asa Brown.  He had learned the carpenter’s trade while living in Indiana.  After this he rented half of Mr. Brown’s farm upon which he lived until 1847.  He was then married to Sarah Boyls, who was born in Virginia in 1826.  He purchased forty acres of land in township 3 north, range 8 east, now known as the town of Mount Pleasant, where he erected a small frame house and commenced to make improvements.  He has been industrious and energetic.  These qualities, combined with good judgment, have made him the owner or 300 acres of land, which is well improved and fenced.  He has engaged in raising stock and grain.  Mr. and Mrs. Morton are the parents of eight children – Ruey A., Isabelle, William, Imogene, Volney, Wallace, Frankie and Fred. Ruey A. is married to Amos Rutledge; Isabelle is the wife of Luther Goltry, and Imogene is the wife of Talbot Purinton.  Mrs. Morton removed to Buchanan county where she died. [Pages 1005-1006]

Erastus Hulburt was born June 18, 1803.  He was married to Laura Webster Jan. 20, 1825.  They first settled in Malius, Onondaga Co., N.Y.  They removed to Wisconsin in 1839, and settled in the town of Sylvester, Green county.  Afterward they removed to Decatur, where they resided at the time of their decease.  They were the parents of thirteen children, six of whom lived to manhood and womanhood, five sons and one daughter – John, the eldest, was born in New York state, Jan., 18, 1838, and was married in 1859 to Lorinda Smiley; they reside in Mount Pleasant, Green Co., Wis.; Lydia L. married Timothy Kellogg, and at present is living at Fergus Falls, Minn.; Hiram H. is living in Peterson, Clay Co., Iowa; Lorrain D., still owns the homestead; Judson E. died Oct. 1, 1862, aged twenty three years; Webster, the fourth son enlisted in the War of the Rebellion for three years.  He served his time and re-enlisted, serving till the close of the war, and died on board a steamer between New Orleans and Vicksburg on his way home to be mustered out.  He died the 19th of December and his father died in Iowa at his son John’s, the 11th of the same month.  His remains were brought to Albany for interment and taken to the house of his brother Julius, his own farm being rented.  They kept the body as long as convenient awaiting the coming of the soldier son, knowing that he was on the way home.  They buried him, and soon after returning from the funeral, a messenger came telling them that the son's body would soon be there.  It was brought in, the coffin placed on the same chairs (which had not been moved) from which his fathers had just been taken.  The mother died at her home Sept. 16, 1863.  They were constituent members of the Monticello Prairie Baptist Church, for which they labored much.  [Page 1006]

John Hulbert, son of Erastus and Laura (Webster) Hulbert, was born in Onondaga Co., N.Y., Jan. 18, 1833.  In 1839 his parents came to Green county, where his childhood and youth were spent.  He was married in 1859 to Lorinda Smiley, Daughter of Daniel and Ellen (Bemus) Smiley, pioneers of Green county.  She was born in Janesville.  They settled in Howard Co., Iowa, where he purchased unimproved land.  They lived there two years, then returned to Green county and settled on the old homestead in Decatur.  In the fall of 1870 he rented his farm here and went to Jasper Co., Mo., where he rented a farm and lived one year, then returned to Green county and resided in the village of Albany two years.  He then sold his farm in Decatur and bought his present farm, located on section 26, of the town of Mount Pleasant.  It was first improved by Charles F. Thompson, and contains 320 acres.  Mr. and Mrs. Hulburt are the parents of four children – Dan, Nellie, Julia and Johnnie. [Page 1006]

Joseph McGoon, a native of New Hampshire, came to this county in the fall of 1841, and settled in the village of Exeter, where he lived some years, engaged in teaming.  He died at the home of his son Richard, in the town of Mount Pleasant.  [Page 1006]

Richard McGoon was born in Cayuga Co., N.Y., Jan 17, 1826.  When he was six years old his parents removed to Michigan and lived three years, then to Ohio, and settled in Mercer county, where they remained until 1841.  Richard McGoon was married in November, 1847, to Maria, daughter of Stephen and Betsey (Loveland) Wood.  In March, 1848, they settled on section 4, of Mount Pleasant, and commenced improvements.  He enlisted Aug. 29, 1864, in company I, of the 43d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went to Tennessee.  He participated in the battle of Johnsonville and other minor engagements, and served until after the close of the war.  He was discharged with the regiment in June, 1865, returned home and resumed farming.  In 1878 he sold his farm and purchased land adjoining the village plat, upon which was a small frame house, to which he has since built an addition and still occupies.  Mr. and Mrs. McGoon are the parents of twelve children – Maroa, Martha, Franklin, Jackson, Sarah, Ella, Addie, Albert, Arthur, Etta and Ernest. Emma, the fourth child, died at the age of nine years. [Pages 1006-1007]

Charles Parkin is a native of England, born May 28, 1823.  He was reared upon a farm, where he remained until sixteen years old.  He then engaged in mining.  At the age of twenty he came to American with his parents.  They stopped for a few months in St. Louis, then came to Green county and settled in the town of New Glarus, where they were among the first settlers.  They lived in that town a few years, then removed to Exeter, where his parents died a few years later.  The subject of this sketch made his home with his parents until the time of their death.  He was married in January, 1854, to Annie E. Stamn, who was born in Norway, and came to America when eleven years old.  They settled on the homestead in Exeter, where they lived until 1864, then moved to Minnesota and remained one year, then returned to Green county and lived five years in the town of York.  He then went to New Glarus and bought the farm upon which his father had first settled, lived there three years, then sold out and moved to Mount Pleasant and purchased a farm of 200 acres on section 2.  Here he erected a frame house and granary, and resided until his death, Dec. 9, 1883.  Mr. and Mrs. Parkin were the parents of ten children – Emma A., Carrie E., Eliza J., Mary J., Addie L., Josie M., Clara B., Charles E., Annie M. and Gracie A. [Page 1007]

William Clark, son of D.W. and Elizabeth Clark, was born in Vermilion Co., Ill., Dec. 22, 1841, and was three years old when his parents came to Green county.  He was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving his education in the public schools.  In 1866 he visited Montana Territory, where he remained a few months and returned to his home in Green county.  He was married March 17, 1867, to Hannah, daughter of Richard and Ann (Pickup) Barlow, a native of Derbyshire, England, born Jan. 1, 1847.  They first settled at the old homestead with his parents, where they remained one year, then went to Boone Co., Iowa and purchased a farm in Worth township.  He built a house, broke and fenced several acres of the land, and lived there four years.  He then traded for his present farm, located on section 20 and 21, of the town of Mount Pleasant, where he has since resided.   Mr. and Mrs. Clark have three children – Charlie, Wesley, and Daisey Pearl. [Page 1007]

James H. Conway, an early settler in Green county, was born in Salem, Washington Co., N.Y., in 1792.  He spent his younger days in his native county, and when a young man learned the shoemaker’s trade.  He was married to Mary Carlton, a native of New Hampshire, and a few years later moved to Ohio and settled in Licking county, where they lived a short time, then removed to Huron county and bought timber land and cleared a farm.   In 1845 he came to the Territory of Wisconsin and settled in Green county.  He purchased land of Sylvester Hills, on section 8, township 2, range 8 east, now know as Sylvester.  He improved a farm and made his home there until the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1876.  Mrs. Conway died in 1879.  They were the parents of eight children, all of whom lived to an adult age, but only three of them are now living – James B., Thomas C. and Werlin.  [Page 1007]

Thomas Conway was born in Huron Co., Ohio, Aug. 25, 1837, and was eight years old when he came to Green county.  He lived with his parents until 1866, then bought land on section 28, of the town of Mount Pleasant.  Upon this place was s small frame house in which he lived until 1881, when he erected the commodious frame dwelling in which he now lives.  He was married, in 1864, to Eliza A. Edwards, and they have four children – Adrian, Mary, David, and Jesse.  [Pages 1007-1008]

Theodore Chamberlain, one of the pioneers of Green county, was born in Huntington Co., N.J., May 12, 1812.  When he was twelve years old his parents moved to Ontario county, N.Y., where he spent his youth and learned the shoemaker’s trade.  He was married Nov. 7, 1833 to Emeline Green, who was born in Duchess Co., N.Y., April 10, 1812.  In the spring of 1834 they removed to Ohio and settled in Vienna, Trumbull county, where he worked at his trade and farmed until 1845.  In that year he came to the Territory of Wisconsin and settled in Green county.  He entered land in township 2, range 7 east, now known as Monroe.  There was a log house on this land, in which they lived two years.  He then sold his land and went to Walworth county, and one year later to Rock county, where he spent one year.  He then returned to Green county and bought land on the southwest quarter of section 35, of the town of Mount Pleasant.  He built an addition to a log house, which stood upon the land, and resided here until the time of his death, in 1865.  He left a wife and three children to mourn his loss.  Their son, James, was born in Ohio, and came with them to Green county, remaining with them until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, went south and died in the service.  Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Chamberlain has occupied the homestead.  The children living are – Mary, Albert and Theodore.  [Page 1008]

Anton Stauffacher, one of the pioneers of Green county, was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, in 1814.  He was reared on a farm and also worked in the slate quarries.  He was married to Annie Stauffacher.  In 1845, they left their native home, and in company with several other families, came to America, and settled in Green county, in the town of New Glarus.  He remained there a short time, then went to Sylvester, where he was employed for several years by Mr. Thompson.  In 1849 he had accumulated enough of his hard earnings to purchase a farm, and came to Mount Pleasant and bought land on section 32, where he built a log house and commenced farming.  He was successful in his enterprises, and afterwards, bought more land and erected a stone house with a frame addition.  He died here Nov. 4, 1883.  His wife died in 1879.  Eight of their children are now living.  Their son, John, was born in the town of Sylvester, July 16, 1847.  He was reared upon a farm and educated in the public schools.  Feb. 7, 1865, he enlisted in the 46th Wisconsin regiment and went south.  He served until December of that year and was then discharged with the regiment, and returned home.  He was married in 1876 to Magdaline Nordor, a native of the town of Sylvester.  They have three children – Anton, Otto and an infant not yet named.  Mr. Stauffacher occupies the homestead.  [Page 1008]

William H. Coates, a pioneer of Green county, was born in the town of Abington, Luzerne Co., Penn., Nov. 22, 1818. When he was quite young, his parents moved to Huntington, in the same county, where he was reared and educated in the district schools. In his youth he worked in a broom factory and learned the trade of broom making. In 1838, he went to Susquehanna county and made a claim of government land, on which he made some improvements, and lived seven years, then in 1846, started west to seek a home. He was accompanied by his family. They embarked on a canal boat at Elmira and went to Buffalo, thence by the lakes to Chicago, where he hired a team to take them to Roscoe, a few miles from Chicago. There they spent three months. He then hired a team to bring them to Green county. He bought a claim on section 19, of township 4 north, range 8 east, now known as Exeter. There was an unfinished log cabin on the place which he completed and built a frame addition to. In the spring of 1848 he sold this place with some stock, for $300.00, which comprised the sum total of his wealth. He then moved to Mount Pleasant and bought forty acres of land on section 5. He subsequently purchased more land and his farm now contains 240 acres.  In 1862 he rented his farm and removed to Monticello, where he bought village property and erected a commodious frame house, which he has since occupied. He was married in 1839 to Jane Morely, who was born in Susquehanna county, Sept. 28, 1818. Eight children were born to them, Hamilton J., Washington B., Ellen S., Elisha M., William M., Mary Jane, Coralee, and Luella. Mr. and Mrs. Coates are members of the M. E. Church.  [Pages 1008-1009]

Peter Jenny, a pioneer of Green county, was born in canton Glarus, Switzerland, in 1811.  He learned the business of wood engraver, and followed his trade in his native country until 1847, when he came to America and landed at New York.  He went up the Hudson river to Albany, then by the Erie canal to Buffalo, thence by steamboat to Milwaukee.  At the latter place he hired a team to carry himself and family to New Glarus, this county.  He purchased land in that town and occupied it two years, when he sold out and purchased another piece in the same town.  He erected a log house, and also built a good log stable.  He improved a portion of the land, and made it his home until his death, which occurred in 1858.  He was married in the old country to Sarah Frauld.  Three children blessed this union – Fannie, John and Annie.  Mrs. Jenny died in 1882.  Their only son, John, was born in canton Glarus, Switzerland, on the 22d of March, 1839, and was but six years of age when his parents came to America.  In December, 1858, he was married to Ursula Baumgardner, born in canton Glarus, Switzerland.  They settled on his father’s old homestead, but only lived there one year, when they removed to the town of Mount Pleasant, and purchased 160 acres of land on section 28.  His land is mostly improved.  He has a nice, large frame house and out buildings, and has shade, fruit and ornamental trees set out.  Mr. and Mrs. Jenny have ten children—John, Anton, Magdaline, Matilda, Lucy, Annie, Peter, Emma, Lydia and Whilmi.   [Page 1009]

John H. Trogner, deacon of the Baptist Church in Monticello, was born in Lewis Co., N.Y., Dec. 13, 1843.  When he was five years old, his parents removed to Wisconsin and settled in the town of New Glarus, where his younger days were spent. He obtained his education in the district school.  Dec. 29, 1863, he enlisted in company K, of the 16th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.  The regiment remained at Camp Randall until the following March, then went south to Vicksburg, thence by way of Cairo to Clifton, Tenn., and soon after to Rome, Ga., where they joined Sherman’s command.  He participated in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta, where he was severely wounded, on the 21st day of July, 1864.  He was sent first to the field hospital, then to headquarters hospital at Rome.  As soon as he was able to make the journey, he was granted a furlough and returned home.  At the expiration of his furlough he reported at Madison, and was sent to the division hospital at Camp Randall, and there discharged, May 23, 1865.  He returned home, and as soon as he was able to work rented a farm in New Glarus, lived there two years, then moved to Mount Pleasant and farmed one year.  He then bought a farm in the town of York, which he sold one year later and moved to Exeter, where he lived five years, then went to Monroe and remained until 1877.  At that date he came to Monticello and engaged in the flour mill, where he has since been employed.  He was married in 1868 to Esther Roby, a native of Ohio.  She died in 1872.  In 1873 he was again married to Hattie Buck, daughter of Theodore Z. and Lucia W. (Harper) Buck.  Four children have been born to them – Ora A., Verne, Evelyn and Walter C.  [Page 1009]

Thomas Sears, one of the pioneers of Green county, was born in the town of Knox, Waldo Co., Maine, Oct. 18, 1819.  He was reared on a farm until fifteen years old, when his parents move to the town of Freedom.  His father owned a woolen mill there, which he afterward gave to Thomas and his brother.  Soon after this the mill burned and they erected a saw and shingle mill, which they operated until 1844, then went to Georgia and worked as millwright through one winter, then returned to Maine and remained until fall, then returned to Georgia and spent the most of the time until July, 1847, then returned to Maine and was married December 29, of that year, to Adeline Holt.  She was born in the town of Clinton, Kennebec county, Nov. 29, 1827.  They remained in Waldo county until the fall of 1849, then came to Wisconsin, starting on a steamer for Boston, thence by railroad to Buffalo, thence by the lakes to Milwaukee, and there hired a team to bring them to this county.  He bought land on section 8, with a little improvement, including a log house, into which they moved and spent the winter in company with two other families.  Four years later he erected a frame house and occupied the same until 1879, when he built another which he now occupies.  Mr. and Mrs. Sears are the parents of five children – Wilmer, Sarah, Ella and Fred. Carroll, the third child, was born June 12, 1855, and died March 27, 1858.  [Page 1009]

Charles St. John, an early settler of the town of Mount Pleasant, was a native of Pennsylvania.  When he was quite young, his father died, and his mother soon after moved to Ohio and settled in Trumbull county, where he grew to manhood and was married to Mary Shoop, a native of Ohio.  They remained in Trumbull county until 1849, then came to this county, making the trip overland, a distance of hundreds of miles, bringing provisions along and camping on the way.  He purchased a tract of land on section 25, town of Mount Pleasant.  There was a log house on the land, in which the family lived some years, when he erected a frame house.  He died there Feb. 14, 1863.  His widow died Feb. 8, 1881.  They had six children who reached the age of maturity – Thomas, Catharine, Margaret, George, Charles and Amos.  The younger son, Amos, now owns and occupies the homestead.  He was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1842, and was but seven years old when he came to Wisconsin with his parents.  Here he grew to manhood, living with his parents until the time of their death.  He was married on the 24th of November, 1863, to Margaret Grovenor, a native of Wales.  They have three children – Mary, George and Roy.  [Page 1010]

John U. Elmer, Jr., third son of John U. and Verena Elmer, was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, Nov. 22, 1847.  When he was two years old his parents came to America and settled in Green county.  He attended the district school, and afterwards three terms at Evansville Academy, and five terms at Naperville, Ill., where he graduated in the German course, in 1868.  He then taught school one term in Sauk county.  He commenced preaching in the German Evangelical Church, and traveled on the Kickapoo circuit one year, then on the New London mission, then two years on the Hartford circuit, two years on the Black River mission, one year on Alma mission, and one year on the Brandon circuit.  He located at Brandon and remained one year, then in 1878 bought a farm on section 29, of Mount Pleasant, where he since engaged in farming and teaching school, as well as in preaching.  He was married May 6, 1874, to Rosa Wurster.  She was born in Fond du Lac Co., Wis., Nov. 22, 1850, and died March 23, 1877, leaving two children, one of whom is now living – Adeline.  He was again married May 16, 1878, to Sophia Shultz, a native of Racine county.  By this union there is one child – John M.

Thomas Fenton came to this county in 1846.  He was born in Washington Co., Penn., Dec. 6, 1806.  When he was quite young his parents removed to Trumbull Co., Ohio, where his pioneer life began.  His father owned a large farm in Pennsylvania; also a mill and a distillery, the products of which he used to take down the rivers to New Orleans, on flat boats.  Soon after their removal to Ohio both he and his wife died, leaving four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the oldest, and nine years of age.  He went to live with an uncle in Trumbull county, to whom he was bound until twenty-one years old.  When he was eighteen his uncle died, but he continued to live with his aunt until his term of service expired.  He then engaged at farming in the neighborhood, receiving $8 per month, and continued working for the same man seven years, then rented the farm and engaged extensively in stockraising, paying particular attention to fine stock, and making a specialty of fine wool sheep.  He remained on this farm until 1846.  In the fall of that year he came to Wisconsin by way of the lakes, hiring some one to drive his stock.  He located in Ottawa, Waukesha county, where he rented a farm and engaged in raising broom corn.  He had an interest in 500 sheep, many of them full-bloods, which were brought from Ohio, but the climate not agreeing with them, about half of them died the first winter.  In 1848 he came to Green county and purchased a claim on section 1, township 3, range 8 east, now known as Mount Pleasant.  He entered the land with a land warrant, at Mineral Point, Dec. 1, 1848.  After entering this land he returned to Waukesha county and remained until 1849.  In the spring of that year he removed here with his family and stock.  He afterwards entered and purchased other land, and engaged in stock raising.  At the time of his death he was the owner of 514 acres.  He was married to Ellen Buchanan, who was born at Little Britain, Orange Co., N.Y., July 6, 1812.  Eleven children were born to them, of whom ten are now living – Sally E., Agnes Jane, Robert P., George, Maria, Eliza, Emeline, William, Abigail, Jennie and Thomas.  Five of the daughters were school teachers.  Mr. Fenton died April 3, 1866, and Mrs. Fenton died Feb. 23, 1881.  Possessed of a vigorous mind and energetic in action, he was well calculated to exert influence and to gain respect, which was so plainly manifested in choosing him at various times to fill offices of trust and responsibility in the town, county and State in which he lived.  [Pages 1010-1011]

William, son of Thomas and Ellen (Buchanan) Fenton, was born in Waukesha county, Jan. 3, 1847, and was two years old when his parents removed to Green county.  He spent his younger days in school and on his father’s farm.  He was married in March, 1875, to Elizabeth Smith, a native of New York, and now occupies the homestead.  They have one child – Polly.  [Page 1011]

Charles H. Baxter came with his parents to Green county, in 1853.  His father purchased 240 acres of land on section 20, and drew lumber from Janesville to build a house.  The subject of this sketch assisted his father in improving a farm.  He received his early education in the district school, and afterwards attended Evansville Seminary, two terms.  In August 1861, he engaged to teach school the following fall, but changed his mind and enlisted in company H, of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, State service, and went into camp at Madison.  The next month, he enlisted in the United States service, and soon after went to the Missouri and did guard duty on the line of the Iron Mountain Railroad, making Pilot Knob headquarters until November, 1861, then went to Sulphur Springs, and remained stationed there until January, 1862, then went to Cairo and in March following, to Point Pleasant, Mo.  There, provisions gave out, and they were obliged to forage for what they had to eat, often having nothing but corn, which they ground in the plantation mills.  His health failed, and April 26, he obtained a furlough and returned home.  At the expiration of his furlough, he reported at Camp Randall, and remained in the division hospital until July, when he was transferred to Keokuk and there discharged on account of disability, Nov. 26, 1862.  He returned home and was unable to do much work for three years.  In 1866, he bought land on section 18, which was timbered, with the exception of a small tract that had been cleared.  He improved a farm and lived here until 1881, then rented the place and moved to Monticello.  In 1882 he sold his farm and purchased a house and two lots in the village where he now resides.  He was married in 1866 to Mary E. Schoonover, formerly of Lagrange Co., Ind.  They have one child – Phila.  [Pages 1011-1012]

George W. Baker came to Green county in 1853, and lived near Monroe until the fall of 1854, then came to Mount Pleasant, and bought land on section 34.  He had bought a log house near Monroe, located on what is now the “county farm,” moved it to his land, put it up and lived there one and one half years, then sold out and purchased forty acres on section 27, erected a frame house, and has continued to make that his home until the present time.  He has bought land adjoining, and how has eighty-five acres, the greater part of which is improved.  He is a native of Washington Co., Penn., born March 20, 1825.  He was reared to agricultural pursuits in his native county.  When he was twenty-two years old, he went to Ohio and settled in Warren county, where he lived until 1853, then came to Wisconsin and spent two months in Iowa county, previous to coming the Green county.  He was married in 1854, to Martha Whitesett, who was born in Vermilion Co., Ill.  They have three children – Mary B., Charlie W. and Lettie Medora.  [Page 1012]

Asahel Wilcox, a native of the State of Connecticut, came from Janesville in 1853, and settled on section 3, of Mount Pleasant, where he resided until the time of his death which occurred in January, 1868.  His widow died in March, 1879.  They were the parents of ten children, three of whom are living – Lodena, Junet and Edgar. Lodena is the wife of James Barnes, and lives in Kansas; Junet lives in Trail Co., Dak.  Edgar was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Aug. 19, 1838 and was but eight years old when his parents came to the Territory of Wisconsin and settled at Janesville, where they resided until 1853.  He was married, Dec. 1, 1870, to Eliza, daughter of Thomas and Ellen Campbell.  They have four children – Edgar E., Eliza A., Nellie M. and William H.  He settled at the time of his marriage on his present farm which he had previously purchased.  The land was timbered, but is now cleared and fenced and in a good state of cultivation.  He has erected good frame buildings, set fruit trees and has a desirable home.  [Page 1012]

John Blumer, one of the most extensive farmers in the town of Mount Pleasant, was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, Aug., 16, 1816.  When he was twelve years old he commenced work in a woolen mill and continued in that occupation until twenty-four years of age, then engaged in farming.  He was night watchman in the village of Schwanden nine years.  He was married, in 1836, and his wife died in 1849, leaving five children – Annie, Ezra, John Sarah and Caroline.  In 1853 he took his five children and started for America, making the voyage in a sailing vessel in thirty-five days.  He landed in America with $4 in his pocket, and the five children dependent upon him for support.  He went to New Glarus and engaged in farming, working in the harvest field for cents cents [sic] per day.  His oldest son worked through the summer and received a small calf for his labor.  In the fall Mr. Blumer bought forty acres of land in the town of Washington.  He built a log cabin doing all the work with his own hands, as he had no money with which to buy nails, he made wooden pins to use instead.  He also made table, chairs and bedstead with which to furnish the house.  He was very industrious, and soon was able to buy more land.  He improved a farm and lived there sixteen years then sold out and bought another farm in the same town, where he lived until 1881, then bought his present place which contains 317 acres, a part of which is in the town of Mount Pleasant and a part in Washington.  The buildings are located in the town of Mount Pleasant and include a nice frame house well furnished, two large barns with basements, a granary and cheese factory.  He keeps sixty cows and from the milk makes imitation Swiss cheese.  He was married the second time, in 1853, to Maria Stussy, also born in Switzerland.  They first met in the ship on their journey to America.  They have seven children – Sula, Mary, Fred, Samuel, Katie, Lizzie and Jacob.  Their son, Samuel, now assists the father in the management of the farm.  He was born in the town of Washington, in October, 1859, and was married to Augusta Wilhelmina Butts.  One child has been born to them – John Herman.  [Pages 1012-1013]

John H. Titus commenced in the grocery business in Monticello during the fall of 1874.  He was born in Orange Co., Vt., Jan. 8, 1825.  When he was seven years old his parents removed to Wolcott, Lamoille county, and there he grew to manhood, being brought up on a farm.  When he was twenty-one years old he went to Boston and worked at lathing for three years, then six months at bakery business, then was engaged as cook in a restaurant.  He then engaged in stucco work in the city three years.  In 1854 he came to Wisconsin on account of his health and spent one year in the town of Mount Pleasant.  He then returned east and was married in the town of Wolcott, in February, 1856, to Lucinda Courier, who died the following year.  He remained in Vermont and Massachusetts until the fall of 1860, then came to Green county and worked two years at farming, then engaged as carpenter and joiner until 1874, when he engaged in trade as before stated.  His second wife, to whom he was married in October, 1879, was Alice Barlow.  They have one child -- Ila G.  [Page 1013]

Jacob H. Elmer, the sixth son of John U. and Verena Elmer, was born in the town of Washington, March 11, 1854.  His youth was mostly spent in the town of Mount Pleasant, where he attended school.  He was married Oct. 4, 1877, to Verena Hefty, who was born in the town of New Glarus, and is a daughter of Casper and Elizabeth Hefty.  They have four children – Elma, Lillian, and Alvin and Alonia, twins.  At the time of his marriage he settled on his present farm located on section 31, town of Mount Pleasant, and a part of sections 5 and 6, of the town of Sylvester.  [Page 1013]

Sweting C. Taft, came to Green county in 1854, and located at Monticello. George Campbell gave him a lot in that village, on condition that he build a house, which he proceeded to do immediately, erecting a frame house, into which he moved before it was completed.  He then commenced working upon the grist mills, for Mr. Bacon.  In 1854, in company with his brother, John, he built a saw mill on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 8, which they operated until 1863.  He enlisted December 22, of that year, in the 5th Wisconsin Battery, and was mustered into service Jan. 7, 1864, at Camp Randall, where he remained until the last of February, then went to Nashville, and from there to Chattanooga.  He was soon after taken sick and sent to the hospital, where he spent six weeks, then joined the battery at Rossville, and went with Sherman to Atlanta.  After remaining there a few days he was sent back to Chattanooga, thence to Jefferson, Mo., Hospital where ten days later he was transferred to Prairie du Chien.  He remained there until June, 1865, then joined the battery at Madison, and was there discharged, and returned home.  As soon as able he took charge of the saw mill, which he then owned in company with Peter Wilson.  In 1866 they sold out to the Monticello Woolen Manufacturing Company, taking their pay in stock of the company.  Since 1854 he has worked at his trade (millwright) in different places in Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan, but his home has been at Monticello.  He was born Dec. 19, 1819, at Springville, Susquehanna Co., Penn.  When he was five years old his parents removed to Virgil, Cortland Co., N.Y., where he grew to manhood.  At the age of twenty-one he commenced learning the carpenter and joiner’s trade.  His first work was framing barns.  In 1846 he went to Steuben Co., N.Y. and there worked at his trade as carpenter and joiner, and also worked as millwright, remaining there until 1853, when he came to Wisconsin and spent one year at Janesville.  In the spring of 1854 he came, as before stated, to Monticello.  He resides at present on the south side of the river, near the village.  He was married Sept. 28, 1843, to Elizabeth Gray, who was born in Cortland Co., N.Y., in October 1820.  She died June 28, 1846.  Mr. Taft was again married Oct. 25, 1849, to Electa W. Fluent, a native of New York, born in Cameron, Steuben county, Jan. 27, 1825.  By this union there are four children living – John O., Appleton R., Ogden G. and Franklin D.  [Pages 1013-1014]

Richard Barlow first came to Green county in 1854, and engaged in farming in the town of Jefferson.  Five years later, he came to Monticello, purchased village property and engaged at his trade as merchant tailor.  He continued in business here until 1883, when he removed to his farm on section 16, and remained until 1884.  He then moved to Monroe.  He is a native of England, born at Berry, near Manchester, July 13, 1823.  His father, Charles Barlow, was pressed into the British service when but thirteen years old, and served on board a man-of-war until the age of thirty-one.  He participated in the battle of New Orleans in 1814.  In one of the many engagements in which he took part, he received a wound, from which he suffered until the time of his death.  The subject of this sketch was, in his youth, apprenticed to a tailor, to learn the trade.  He served until twenty-one years of age, then worked at his trade in Manchester and Derbyshire until 1851.  In that year he came to America and spent some time in New Jersey, after which he returned to England and remained two and a half years.  He then came back to this country and settled in Green county, purchasing a farm in the town of Jefferson.  Soon after he moved to Monticello, and traded his farm for a farm in Iowa, which he again traded for the farm which he now owns.  He was married in April, 1846 to Ann Picup, who was born in Manchester, England.  Mr. and Mrs. Barlow are the parents of ten children – Hannah, now the wife of William Clark; Charles, Emma, wife of Charles Emmons,; Alice E., wife of John Titus; Martha A., wife of Edward Stout; Mary E., wife of Edwin Strink; George E., Joseph H., Lottie E. and Willie L.  [Page 1014]

  James Whitcomb, a pioneer of Green county, was born in Steuben Co., N.Y., May 17, 1812.  He grew to manhood in that county, and was there married Sep. 15, 1833, to Nancy Goltry.  She was born in Steuben county, Aug. 7, 1814.  In 1838 they emigrated to Indiana and settled in Jennings county, where he purchased timber land and cleared a farm.  The location proved an unhealthy one, and in 1846, he sold his farm and moved to Wisconsin, and located in Rock county.  He bought land four miles from Johnstown, where he lived three years, then came to Green county and settled in the town of Mount Pleasant, having traded his farm in Rock county for land on section 36.  Here he made his home until the time of his death, which occurred April 12, 1854.  Mrs. Whitcomb died in May, 1883.  There are four of their children now living – Rhoda, now the wife of John Clemmer; Rosanna, now the wife of Lindsey Neal; Rufus and James Martin.  The latter, James Martin Whitcomb, was born in the town of Mount Pleasant, Aug. 19, 1853.  His early education was received in the district schools.  When he was eighteen years old, he went to Janesville and studied vocal and instrumental music three years.  Since that time he has devoted his time to teaching music and is well known as a successful teacher.   He was married in 1874 to Lena, daughter of Daniel H. and Cordelia (Walling) Morgan.  She was born in Green county.  In 1877 he bought the interest of his brothers and sisters in the old homestead, on section 36, where he now lives.  They have two children – Harry and Luie.  [Pages 1014-1015]

Benjamin Lewis, a native of South Wales, was born Oct. 14, 1820.  When seventeen years of age he commenced work in an iron rolling mill, which he continued until 1844.  In the month of February, of that year, he set sail for America, and landed at New York city April 3.  He then went to Maryland and was there employed in a rolling mill until 1847, when he went to Kentucky and engaged with the Hillman Rolling Mill Company, on the Cumberland river, for whom he worked a few months, then went to Pittsburg [sic], and worked in a rolling mill until 1850.  He then went to Brady’s Bend Iron Works, where he was employed until 1854.  In that year he came to Wisconsin, and bought a farm on section 11, of the town of Mount Pleasant.  There was a log house on the place which the family occupied for a time.  He then built another log house, in which they lived until 1870, when he erected the frame house which they now occupy.  He was married in 1845 to Elizabeth Lewis, also a native of South Wales.  Ten children have blessed their union – Daniel, Edward, Elias, George, William, Silas, Thomas, Mary, Ellen S. and Freddie F. [Page 1015]

    Milo L. Barney first came to this county in 1855.  He was a young man at that time, and like many others, had come west to seek his fortune.  His first employment was type sticking in the Sentinel office at Monroe, at which he worked a few months.  In the winter of 1855-6 he taught school in Clarno, and the following spring returned to his home in New York, where he spent the summer.  In the fall of 1856 he came back to Green county and taught school in the town of Adams.  In 1857 he bought land on section 23, of the town of Washington, forty acres of which was fenced, and twenty acres broken, and a small frame house was standing upon the place.  The same year his parents move to the county, and bought a farm on section 24.  He lived with them from that time until 1859.  In 1859 he worked a portion of his father’s farm, having rented his own land.  He was married Jan. 1, 1859, to Annie Burtis, who was born at Saratogo [sic], N.Y.  Seven children were born to them – Grace, Eugene, Belle, Robert, Fannie, Mary and Maud.  In 1860 Mr. Barney settled on his farm and remained until the spring of 1866.  He then bought another farm on section 26, upon which he lived until June, 1879, when he rented it and moved to Monticello.  His residence is not in the village, but is pleasantly located on the south side of the river.  He was born in Jefferson Co., N.Y., Sept. 14, 1837.  He was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving his education in the public schools.  He made his home with his parents until 1854.  His father, James Barney, was a native of Vermont, born in 1801.  When he was quite young his parents removed to Jefferson Co., N.Y., where they were early settlers.  He was twice married and Milo, the subject of his sketch, was a son of his second wife, whose name was Matilda Walsworth.  She was a native of Jefferson Co., N.Y., where they resided until 1857, when, as before stated, they came to Green county and settled in the town of Washington.  James Barney died in 1875 and his wife in 1879.  [page 1015]

    Isaiah Baebler came to Green county in 1854 and first bought forty acres of land on section 31, town of Mount Pleasant.  He erected a log house and immediately commenced improving the land.  He soon after bought adjoining land and lived there until 1868, then bought his present farm on sections 29 and 30.  He now owns 259 acres of land, has good buildings, including a large frame house and two barns.  He keeps a dairy of fifty cows.  He was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, April 24, 1831.  He was married in 1851 to Annie Rhiner.  They have nine children now living – Henry, Mary, Chloe, Jacob, Annie, Celia, Verena, Susie and Barbara.  They made their home in Switzerland until 1854, when they came to America, making the voyage in a sailing vessel in thirty-nine days.  They landed at New Orleans, then came up the river to Galena, where they located, Mr. Baebler having fifty cents left with which to make a start in what was to them a new country.  [Pages 1015-1016]

    Henry Baebler, son of Isaiah and Annie Baebler [sic], was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, Feb. 16, 1853.  He was two years old when his parents came to America and settled in Mount Pleasant, Green county, where he was reared and educated in the district school.  He remained at home with this parents until 1874.  He was married January 1, of that year, to Anna Bloom, also a native of Switzerland.  He then purchased a farm in the town of Washington, on which he lived six years, then sold and bought his present farm on section 18, of Mount Pleasant.  Mr. and Mrs. Baebler have five children – Isaiah, Freddie, Anna, Henry and Lena.  [Page 1016]

    Albrecht Baebler came with his parents to Green county in 1855.  His is a son of Christopher and Chloe (Elmer) Baebler.  They settled in New Glarus and remained some years.  Christopher Baebler is now living at Monroe at the advanced age of eighty-two years.  The subject of this sketch was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, March 11, 1832.  He was reared upon a farm and remained with his parents until 1853.  In that year he came to America.  In 1855 he was married to Annie Barbara Veagley, who was born in the canton of Glarus, May 16, 1836.  At the time of his marriage he purchased land on section 33, of the town of New Glarus, and erected a log house, in which they lived a few years.  He then built a large frame house, also a large frame barn, 54x80 feet, with a stone basement.  In 1878 he sold his farm and moved to Monroe, and there engaged in dealing in live stock until 1883, when he came to Monticello and purchased a farm adjoining the village, where he now owns 230 acres of well improved land.  Mr. and Mrs. Baebler are the parents of seven children — Rachel, Chloe, Christopher, Barbara, Albrecht, John and Henry.  [Page 1016]

     Dietrich Stauffacher was born in of [sic] canton Glarus, Switzerland, in June, 1830.  He attended the public schools there until he was fourteen years of age.  From that time until eighteen years old he worked on the farm and in the slate quarries.  Then for four years he was engaged in herding cattle on the Alps.  In 1854 he left his native country and came to America, taking passage on a vessel the 11th of February, and arriving at New Orleans the last of April.  He went to St. Louis, Mo., and worked in a dairy for a year, when he came to Green county and commenced working on a farm.  In about a month he purchased eighty acres of land on section 32, from Charles Thompson, and worked for him a few months in part payment.  He purchased a pair of oxen and commenced improving his land.  The following winter he split and hauled rails enough to fence a part of his farm.  In 1856 he was united in marriage with Annie Norder, born in canton Glarus, Switzerland.  He erected a small frame house and commenced house-keeping.  He has been successful in life, and has added a large addition to his residence; also built a large frame barn, with a stone basement.  He has also added largely to his landed estate.  He took his first crop of grain to Janesville, and sold it for seventy-four cents per bushel.  He is now engaged in stock raising and dairying.  He has sixty cows, and makes cheese during the summer season.  His farm now contains 558 acres, the greater part of which is improved.  Mr. and Mrs. Stauffacher have twelve children – Katie, Euphemia, Dietrich, Jacob, Annie, Nicholas, John, Leonard, Mary, Mathias, Elizabeth and Edward.  [Page 1016]

     Ralsey Knight, the first wagon maker in Monticello, is a native of the town of Pike, Allegany Co., N.Y., born Oct. 12, 1815.  He remained in his native State until twenty years of age.  He was educated in the district school and afterwards attended two terms at Leroy Seminary, and five terms at Middlebury Academy.  At the age of sixteen, he went to Orleans county and engaged in farming.  Four years later he went to Canada, where he taught school one winter, then returned to Orleans county and purchased an interest in a wagon shop.  He continued in that business until 1854, then started for Wisconsin, bringing with him a horse and three vehicles, which he shipped to Detroit.  At that point he started overland.  He sold two of the vehicles in Michigan, and continued his journey with the horse and buggy.  On reaching Monticello, Green county, he traded his horse and buggy for land, a part of which is now included in the cemetery.  He then returned to his home in New York, and remained until the fall of 1856, then moved his family to Green county, and located permanently, at Monticello.  He bought a house and lot in the village and spent the first winter in building sleds.  In 1857 he erected a wagon shop in the village, in which he worked until 1860.  He then went to Tennessee, and in company with others, engaged in manufacturing wagons, at a point eleven miles from Murfreesboro.  In 1861, at the breaking out of the war, he thought it best to return to Wisconsin, and as he could not travel by rail, drove through with a pair of horses and wagon, bringing his family.  They took their own provisions and camped on the way.  They arrived at their destination after thirty-two days travel, and settled on his farm in the town of Exeter, where he lived a year, then came to town and worked at his trade until August, 1864, when he enlisted in company D, of the 35th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went south.  He remained in Arkansas for a time, then went to New Orleans, and soon after to Mobile Bay, where he participated in the siege and capture of Fort Spanish, from there to Fort Blakely, participating in the capture of that point, thence up the Tombigbee river, in pursuit of a rebel fleet, which was captured.  Here he was taken sick, and did no more duty.  He was discharged at the close of the war, at Jonesville, Texas, July 10, 1865.  He returned home and worked at his trade in Monticello, until 1868, then moved to his farm in Exeter, and remained until 1870, then sold that farm and bought a farm on section 7, of Mount Pleasant, and section 12, of Washington.  He has since since [sic] purchased land on section 5 and now owns 169 acres.  Mr. Knight has been twice married.  First, in 1837, to Caroline Murdock, who died in 1852.  He was again married in 1853, to Emma Wood, a native of Rensselaer Co., N.Y.  By the latter union there are two children – Adelbert and George.  Mr. Knight has held offices of trust in the town, having been treasurer and justice of the peace.  The latter office he filled for a number of years.  [Pages 1016-1017]

     Theodore Z. Buck, carpenter and joiner, came to Monticello in 1856, and purchased a farm in the towu [sic] of Mount Pleasant, which he lived upon one season, then removed to the village and engaged in working at his trade, which he has continued the greater part of the time since.  In 1864 he bought land near the village, and erected the commodious frame house which he now occupies.  He enlisted Feb. 22, 1865, in the 49th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, company G, and went to Missouri.  He was discharged in November, of the same year.  He was born in Canada, June 15, 1822.  His father, Reuben Buck, was born in Clarendon, Rutland Co., Vt., and when a young man went to New York, where he made the acquaintance of Polly York, who became his wife.  She was born in Philipstown, Schoharie Co., N.Y.  They settled in Ontario county, where they lived until 1822, when they went to Canada and remained six months.  During that time the subject of this sketch was born at Norwich, in the province of Ontario.  They returned to New York and settled in Chautauqua county, and afterwards removed to Belvidere, Boone Co., Ill.  Theodore resided with his parents until 1850, when he went to Janesville, Wis., and worked at his trade, which he had learned of his father.  He remained there until 1856.  He was married Dec. 24, 1844, to Lucy W. Harper, who was born in Vermillion, Huron Co., Ohio, Oct. 26, 1826.  They have five children living – Orlando H., Alda, Hattie, Susie N., and Florence A.  Their eldest son, Walter, was born in Belvidere, Ill., Feb. 15, 1846.  He lived with his parents until Feb. 17, 1864, when he enlisted in company E., of the 5th Wisconsin Battery.  He died in the service at Louisville, Ky., Sep. 24, 1864.  [Pages 1017-1018]

     Michael Kealey, a native of Ireland, was born in county Wexford, Sept. 29, 1824.  He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and in 1844 left his native land and came to this country.  He landed at New York city, and went to Schenectady Co., N.Y., and remained there and in Albany county until 1856, when he came to Green county, Wis., and settled at Albany.  He was in the employ of the Warrens, at that place, the greater part of the time for twelve years.  He then purchased the farm on which he now lives, on section 22, of the town of Mount Pleasant, where he has since been engaged in farming.  He was married Jan. 28, 1856, to Celina Riley, who was born in Limerick Co., Ireland.  They have one son – George.  Mr. Kealey enlisted Jan. 22, 1864, in company E., of the 13th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went sought, to Tennessee and Alabama, where the regiment were [sic] engaged in fighting bushwhackers and doing provost duty until after the close of the war.  They were then sent to Texas, and there discharged in December, 1865, and returned home.  Mr. Kealey is a great reader, and well posted upon all subjects.  He is a Protestant in religion.  [Page 1018]

     Hanford M. Selleck came to Green county into [sic] 1856, and purchased a farm in the town of New Glarus.  His children managed the farm while he worked at his trade as carpenter and joiner in different parts of the county.  In 1870 he sold the farm and went to Monticello, and bought a house and some land adjoining the village, and has since made that his home.  He was born on Hart Island, Long Island Sound, Aug. 20, 1820.  When he was but an infant his parents moved to Connecticut, lived at Stanford a short time and then moved to Greenwich.  He made his home with them there until fourteen years old, then went to live with an uncle on Long Island, where he remained one year, when he went to New York city and apprenticed to a carpenter and joiner to learn the trade, and served five years, nine months and seventeen days.  He then did journey work in the city for a short time, then engaged with Peter Lorillard, at Westchester, and worked for him two years.  Then in 1845, went to Pittsburg, Penn., and remained one year; then, 1848, went to Nashville, Tenn., and spent one year, then returned to Pittsburg, where he remained until 1855; then he came to Wisconsin, and located at Janesville, where he remained one year, then came to this county.  He has been twice married.  His first wife, to whom he was married in 1842, was Catalina Cunningham.  Seven children blessed that union – George, Annie, Alfred, Guy, Lucian, Catalina and Charles.  Mrs. Selleck died April 7, 1872.  His second wife was Sarah J. Hill, to whom he was married Dec. 11, 1873, widow of Eli Fitch.  She was a native of Lycoming Co., Penn., and has two children – Ernest M. and Floyd H.  [Page 1018]

     Adrian Berryman, son of Ephraim and Mary Berryman, was born near Cedarville, Stephenson Co., Ill., May 9, 1850, and was seven years of age when his parents moved to Green county, and settled in the town of Sylvester, where his younger days were spent.  He obtained his education in the district school, and remained with his parents until the time of his marriage, Oct. 7, 1874, to Emma Baldwin, daughter of Harvey and Margaret Baldwin, and a native of the town of Sylvester.  They resided in that town until 1880, then bought a farm on section 26, of Mount Pleasant, where they now live.  They have two children – Homer and Clyde.  [Page 1018]

     Capt. John Fuett Annis was captain of company G, of the 22d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.  He enlisted April 19, 1861, at the first call for troops, in company C, of the 3d Wisconsin; but that call was filled and he did not serve with the three months troops.  He immediately re enlisted in the same company and regiment, for a term of three years, was mustered in at Fond du Lac, in July, 1861, and went to the front and joined the army of the Potomac, at Harper’s Ferry.  After serving three months in this regiment, he was detached and joined the signal service, in which he remained until June, 1862.  He was then discharged on account of disability, and returned home.  July 28, of the same year, he re-enlisted in company G, of the 22d Wisconsin.  He was commissioned as 2d lieutenant, and went with the regiment to Kentucky.  He was promoted in November, 1862, to 1st lieutenant, and in December, 1863, to the rank of captain.  He served until after the close of the war, and was discharged with the regiment, at Washington, June 12, 1865.  He was mustered out at Milwaukee, June 22.  Among the more important battles in which he took part, were, first:  while serving in the signal corps, at Mill Spring, Ky., then, when a member of the 22d, at Thompson’s Station, Tenn., Brentwood, in the same State, where he was taken prisoner, sent to Libby prison and confined one month, then exchanged.  He joined Sherman’s army at Chattanooga, went with them to Atlanta, participating in the battles on the way.  From Atlanta he returned to Lookout Mountain, and was on detached duty in eastern Tennessee, some time.  He then went to Dalton where he did garrison duty until March, 1865, then joined Sherman at Goldsboro and proceeded with his army to Washington.  Soon after his return home, he moved to Iowa and settled in Taylor county, where he bought land.  In 1867 he sold out there and returned to Green county and purchased his present farm on section 25.  He has since purchased other land, and now owns 217 acres on sections 23, 24, 25 and 31.  He was born at Batavia, Genesee Co., N.Y., July 28, 1841.  He remained there until 1856, then engaged in farming one year, in Rock county, then came to Green county, and worked on a farm until 1858, when he returned to New York.  In the fall of 1860, he came back to this county and located in Decatur, where he was living at the breaking out of the war.  He was married, March 22, 1865 to Olive, daughter of John J. and Magdalena (Fleek) Putnum, a native of Licking Co., Ohio.  They have three children – John Burton, born in Iowa; Edith M., born in Mount Pleasant; and Flora B., born in Jo Daviess County, Ill.  In 1875 Capt. Annis rented his farm here and removed to Jo Daviess Co., Ill., where he lived three years and then returned.  [Pages 1018-1019]

     Jabez Clark settled in Green county in 1857.  He was born in the parish of Haugham, Lincolnshire, England, March 8, 1828.  When he was very young his parents moved to the parish of Minting and there his father died when he was six months old.  Soon after his mother moved to Hatton parish, where he lived with her until fourteen years of age.  He then went to work to earn his own livelihood.  He was employed by a farmer who paid him £3, equal to $14.52, the first year.  The second year his wages were increased to £3½; the third year, to £5; and the fourth year, to £7.  When nineteen years old he went to Derbyshire and worked upon a farm six months, then went to Yorkshire and spent two years.  He then went to Sheffield and engaged in dealing in produce, in which enterprise he was not successful, and continued it but a short time, then resumed farming.  In 1857 he left his native land and came to America, coming immediately to Wisconsin and locating in Green county.  His sole capital was good health and willing hands, and he rented land until the fall of 1859, when  he bought forty acres on section 18, also a small frame house which he moved to the land and occupied for some years, until he built the more commodious dwelling which he now occupies.  He has engaged in mixed farming, raising different kinds of grain and stock.  He has been successful, and at different times, has added to his land until he is now the owner of a well stocked farm, containing 240 acres.  He was married 1858 to Julia Dyson, who was born in the parish of Kirkburton, Yorkshire, England, Nov. 5, 1823.  They have six children – Mary E., William S., George H., Jennie E., Alsinda B. and Burnett L.  [Pages 1019-1020]

     Anthony Carroll came here in 1858, and purchased unimproved land on section 4, of the town of Mount Pleasant.  Some of his neighbors assisted him to build a log cabin into which he moved, and lived seven years.  He then built the frame house which he now occupies.  He is a native of Ireland, born in Tipperary county in 1824.  He was reared upon a farm, and in 1849 left his native land for America.  He took passage in a sailing vessel and after a stormy voyage of five weeks, arrived at New York city.  From there he went up the Hudson river to Albany, where he took the cars and went to Buffalo.  At that point he embarked on a steamer for Milwaukee.  On reaching that city he purchased a horse and dray and engaged in draying, which he continued four years.  He then went to Janesville and carried on his brother’s farm until 1858.  He brought twenty head of cattle with him when he came to Green county, and has since engaged in mixed farming, raising all kinds of grain and grasses as well as stock.  He is a successful farmer, and has purchased adjoining land until he now owns 220 acres.  He also owns a large number of cattle.  He was married in 1849 to Bridget Cary, also a native of Tipperary county, Ireland.  they have seven children – John, William, Alice, Mary, Anthony, Catharine and Dennis.  Mr. Carroll is serving his third term as a member of the board of supervisors, and has been a director in the school district several years.  [Page 1020]

     Adam Elmer, son of John U. and Franie Elmer, was born in the town of Mount Pleasant, May 12, 1858.  Here he grew to manhood, and received his education in the district school.  He was married on the 30th of November, 1880, to Mary Prien, born in Trenton, Dodge county.  They have two children – Melvina and a baby.  Two years previous to his marriage he settled on his present farm, which is a portion of the old homestead.  He has a frame house and barn.  He has a cheese factory on his farm, which is run by himself and two brothers.   [Page 1020]

     J.C. Steinman, of the firm of Steinman & Knoble, general merchants at Monticello, was born in canton Glarus, Switzerland, May 13, 1854.  When he was six years old he came to America with his mother and settled in the town of Washington.  He father had previously come to America.  He (the father ) enlisted in a New York regiment in 1861, and was wounded in battle, in consequence of which he died.  Mrs. Steinman was again married to Fred Zimmerman and settled in New Glarus.  The subject of this sketch made his home with his mother until he was thirteen years old.  He then worked at farming in the neighborhood until 1878.  In the meantime he had saved enough of his hard earnings to purchase a farm on section 20, in the town of New Glarus, where he engaged in farming until 1882.  He then sold his farm, and in January, 1883, began mercantile business at Monticello, in partnership with Fredoline Knoble.  They carry a large stock of groceries, dry goods and notions.  Mr. Steinman was married in 1878 to Barbara Legler, who was born in New Glarus, Green Co., Wis.  They have three children – Lena, Barbara and George.  [Page 1020]

     Fredolin Knoble was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, Dec. 7, 1856.  In 1860 his parents emigrated to America and settled in New Glarus, Green Co., Wis.  In 1861 his father enlisted in company B, of the 31st Wisconsin regiment, and went south.  He died in the service.  Soon after, his mother married again, and settled in Crawford county.  Fredolin lived with his parents until he was fourteen years old, then on account of ill-treatment, he ran away from home, and walked to Green county.  He remained with his grandfather, Fred Schindler six months, then engaged in farming in the neighborhood, receiving for his services $6 per month.  At the age of fifteen he attended the confirmation school, and was confirmed the next year.  When seventeen years old, he went to work in a cheese factory, in which he continued five years.  He then bought a farm in New Glarus and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1882, when he sold his farm and came to Monticello.  He was married in 1877 to Chloe Babler, a native of New Glarus.  They have one child – Fred.  [Pages 1020 - 1021]

     Jacob Marty came to Green county in 1864 and bought a farm on section 31, Mount Pleasant.  There was a frame house on the place, and he has since built a large frame barn with stone basement.  He was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, in February, 1819, and was reared to agricultural pursuits.  He was married to Barbara Stauffacher.  They have nine children – Henry, Conrad, Jacob, Barbara, Peter, Annie, Fred, Mary and Verena Anna.  Mrs. Marty died in September, 1871, and was buried in the Evangelical cemetery, town of Sylvester.  [Page 1021]

     James Pierce came to Green county in 1864, and remained in the town of Washington three months.  He spent that winter in Jackson county, and in the next spring worked on the river, rafting lumber.  In the fall of 1866 he returned to Green county and engaged in farming with Ira Baxter, in the town of Mount Pleasant.  In 1870 he purchased a farm on section 13, in the same town, and followed farming there until 1881, when he sold out and purchased 200 acres on section 19, of Mount Pleasant.  A small portion of this farm is in the town of Washington.  He has a good frame house and barn on his farm, and in fact, his farm is one of the best improved in the town.  He was born in Crawford Co., Penn., July 11, 1845.  He there grew to manhood, being reared on a farm.  He lived with his parents until 1864, when he came to Wisconsin, as before stated.  He was married on the 6th of September, 1868, to Susan Baxter, born in Vermont.  This union has been blessed with eight children – Ira, Celia, Arthur, Frank, Clinton, Edith, Lester and Charlie.  [Page 1021]

     John Richards, who was for some years manager of the Grange store, is a native of Cornwall, England, born Feb. 8, 1849.  He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Bartle) Richards, who emigrated to America when he was but a few months old.  They settled in Iowa Co., Wis., where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the district school.  His mother died when he was eleven years old, and six years later his father removed to Mount Pleasant.  He resided with his father until 1870, when he was married to Martha J. Lewis, daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Smith) Lewis, old settlers of Green county, where Martha J. was born.  After marriage, Mr. Richards went to Exeter and engaged in farming six months; then returned to Mount Pleasant, where he farmed until 1877.  He then became manager of the Grange store at Monticello, conducting business successfully until April 1884, when he resigned, having engaged as traveling salesman for Jacob Wellaner & Co., of Milwaukee, and also as agent for Power, Bayard & Co., commission dealers in produce, at Chicago.  Mr. and Mrs. Richards are the parents of three children – Alice Blanche, S. Earl and Dane C. [Page 1021]

     Lewis Franklin Moore came to Green county in 1867.  He was born in Gilmanton, Belknap Co., N.H., June 16, 1845.  He was left fatherless at the age of nine years, and went to live with a farmer near Moultonboro, with whom he remained two and a half years; then went to Meredith and lived until 1866.  In that year he went to Chicago and remained working in a wood and coal yard until the time of his coming to this county.  His first employment here was farming in the town of Albany.  He was married, June 24, 1869, to Sally A. Douw, daughter of Cornelius and Harriet (Flint) Douw, and settled at that time upon his father-in-law’s farm, which he now owns and occupies.  He has purchased more land and now owns 251 acres.  He has good buildings, including a frame house and commodious barn, which are located on section 24.  Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two children – Arthur S. and Emma J. [Pages 1021-1022]

     F.J. Breylinger opened a tin shop in Monticello, in 1871, and soon after put in a stock of hardware and cutlery.  He is a native of Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, Austria, born March, 1847.  He was reared in his native country and received a liberal education in the public schools.  At the age of nineteen, he came to America. He spent nine months in Pennsylvania, working at his trade, then went to Freeport, Ill., where he worked for a time, at his trade.  He then went to Milwaukee and thence to Monroe, where he was employed by Bloom & Ball, to go to Juda and open a tin shop, of which he had charge until 1872, when, as before stated, he came to Monticello.  His store is a great convenience to the people in the vicinity, who patronize it liberally.  He was united in marriage in 1871 with Mary C. Willoughby, a native of Belleville, Dane Co., Wis.  They have two children – Leon and Otis.  [Page 1022]

     August Milbrandt came to Sylvester, Green county, in 1874.  He was employed in farming, two years, at Sylvester, then moved to Albany and rented the “Nicholas farm,” four years, at which time he had succeeded in accumulating enough to buy a farm, and came to Mount Pleasant and purchase the “Swager” farm of 241 acres, located on sections 15 and 22.  There was a log cabin on the place and a frame barn.  He lived there two years, then bought the “Hilliard farm” on sections 22 and 23, where he now resides.  He has a good frame house and two frame barns, and is now the owner of 421 acres of land.  He is extensively engaged in raising stock and grain.  Mr. Milbrandt is a native of Prussia, born July 11, 1838.  His early life was spent in that county.  He attended school until fourteen years old.  In 1874 he came to America, landing at New York.  He came directly to Green county.  He was married in 1861 to Wilhelmina Lupke, a native of Prussia.  They have eight children – William, Frank, Amelia, Augusta, Julia, Charlie, Herman and Henry.  [Page 1022]