Biographies from "The History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin," 1881

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From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 805.

L. WACHENHEIMER, real estate and insurance agent; was born in Baden, Germany, March 16, 1822; came to America in 1856, and lived in Milwaukee two years; was in the liquor business, as manager for Mahler & Wend; came to La Crosse in 1858, and has resided there since. He was in the liquor business in La Crosse for three years; then clerk in the post office eight years. He was Register of Deeds five terms in succession - from 1870 to 1880, and always elected by large majorities. He has been in the real estate business since January, 1880, and added insurance in January, 1881.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 804.

JOHN WACHTER, proprietor of livery barn, saloon and meat market on North Third street; was born in Baden, Germany, in 1843; son of Matheus Wachter; came to the United States in 1865, and has lived in La Crosse ever since; has been in business for himself in North La Crosse since 1869; was married Feb. 8, 1870, in La Crosse, to Miss Mary Osmeler, and has five children - John, Ada, Louis, Emma and Fred. His father died in Germany in 1845. Mr. Wachter is Foreman of Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, and has been either Foreman or Treasurer of the company ever since it was organized, in 1869, except two years.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 805.

LEWIS WADE, engineer at Polleys Brothers' mill; has been in his present situation since 1876. He was born in Chemung Co., N. Y., in January, 1833; son of John Wade, who is still living in that county; learned his trade in Elmira, N. Y., and came to Wisconsin in 1870; lived two years in Trempealeau Co., and since that in La Crosse. He was married in 1864, in his native county, to Miss Bathia Monroe, of the same place; has four children - Rolan, Bertie, Lizzie and Peter. His mother's maiden name was Mary Jones.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 805.

REINHARD WAECKER, foreman of the Heilmann Brewery; has been a resident of La Crosse since October, 1865, except two years in Vernon Co., Wis. He was born in Unter Hallan, Kt. Schaffhausen, Switzerland, in 1844; son of George Waecker. Both parents died there, and he came to the United States in 1865. He was married in La Crosse, in 1868, to Caroline Bantle; has five children - Ida, Louisa, Emma, George and Hermina.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 805.

E. P. WALCOTT, book-keeper; has been a resident of La Crosse since 1873. He is a native of Utica, N. Y.; born in 1844. In June, 1862, he enlisted in the 2d Squadron R. I. V. C., and served three months; enlisted again in December, 1862, in the 26th N. Y. Battery, and was in the Department of the Gulf, at New Orleans, one year and nine months. He was then transferred to the 8th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, with a Second Lieutenant's commission. In August, 1864, he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and had command of his company till the close of the war.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 805.

DAVID WALLACE, contractor and builder; has been a resident of La Crosse since September, 1856. He was born in Durham, England; son of Robert Wallace, also a contractor. Mr. Wallace, Jr., came to the United States in 1854; lived in Bloomington, Ill., two years, and came from there to La Crosse. He learned the mason's trade in England; was married, in Bloomington, Ill., in 1855, to Miss Ann Fletche, also a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have five children - Thomas William, James Edward, Robert, David and Ida.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 805.

J. L. WALLACE, proprietor and Principal of the La Crosse Business College; was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., Oct. 18, 1842; was educated in New York City; came to Racine, Wis., with his parents, in 1856, and from there to Milwaukee, in 1858; commenced teaching in Milwaukee Co. Nov. 19, 1860, and, in the spring of 1861, accepted a situation as teacher in the Lincoln Business College of Milwaukee. In 1869, he removed to La Crosse, and taught in the public schools till 1875, when he purchased the La Crosse Business College, which he has since conducted with success.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 805.

N. P. WALLER was born in Wilkesbarre, Luzerne Co., Penn., March 30, 1807, where he lived till 16 years of age, when he removed with his parents to the State of New York. He married Mahala Edwards. They came to La Crosse Co., Wis., in 1858, and settled in what was then the town of Neshonoc, now Hamilton. Mr. Waller was long a prominent citizen of that township. In politics, he was a prominent Republican; was elected by that party to the Legislature in 1867, and re-elected in 1868; was elected County Treasurer of La Crosse Co. in 1861; served one term. His wife died in May, 1863. He went to Tennessee in the fall of 1874, where he lived till April, 1877, when he returned to La Crosse, and settled in the city. He has had five children, four of whom are living - Phineas B., Mary (now Mrs. John Parks), Mattie (wife of Marvin Mathews) and Fannie. His eldest daughter, Hannah, was the wife of James McKinley. Phineas B. was born in Broome Co., N. Y., in 1843. He enlisted Sept. 7, 1861, in Co. B; 2d W. V. C., and served till the close of the war. He was in active service most of this time, and participated in many important battles and campaigns, including the battles of Pea Ridge, Cotton Plant, Ark., Memphis, both battles of Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., etc.; he took part altogether in twenty-three engagements; discharge Dec. 16, 1865. He was married to Helen M. Horton, daughter of Hiram Horton, born in the State of New York. Aug. 22, 1876, he and his wife accompanied an excursion given by the Order of Sons of Temperance of La Crosse, on the steamer Natronia. During the festivities attending this occasion, his wife fell overboard, and was drowned. They had two children - William and Charles. The former is deceased.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 819.

NICHOLAS WALL, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Half-Way Creek; was born in Sweden March 13, 1827; came to Wisconsin, 1852; owns 360 acres of land, on which he has made all the improvements; enlisted in Co. I, 44th W. V. I., 1865, and discharged, 1865. His wife, Hattie Halgeson, was born in Sweden Dec. 8, 1834. They married in 1855, and have nine children - Emily A., Hilmea, Carl Phillip, Anna L., Agnetia I., Julia L., Edna C., Selma and Joseph E.; has been School Clerk and Director, Supervisor and Justice of the Peace.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 805 - 806.

JOHN WALTER, saloon keeper, Pearl street, between Third and Fourth; was born in Prussia, in 1841. His father, John Walter, came to America in 1859; settled in Buffalo Co., Wis., and died there in 1876. John Walter, Jr., went to St. Louis, Mo., in the spring of 1857, and was in the commission business there four years; then kept a provision store there till 1866, when he came to La Crosse, and has been in his present business ever since. In 1861, he was in the military service three months, in Co. G, 4th Mo. V. I. He was married in La Crosse, in the spring of 1866, to Anna Wendler, and has four children - Henry, Oscar, Della and Mary.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 832.

EDWIN WAMBEY, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. West Salem; born in Wales in February, 1825; married to Jane Griffith; came to the United States in the spring of 1851; lived in Oneida Co., N. Y., for several years; came to La Crosse County and settled in the town of Hamilton in the fall of 1854. He entered 120 acres, forty of which is a part of his present farm of 282 acres.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 806.

A. M. WATSON, merchant; was born in Washington Co., N. Y., in 1836. His father, William B. Watson, came to Wisconsin with his family, in June, 1856, and resided in La Crosse till his death, Sept. 24, 1861, in his 53d year, of paralysis. Mrs. Watson, whose maiden name was Lydia Martin, died Oct. 14, 1875, in her 71st year. The father of the present Mrs. Watson, James Webster, of Dodge Co., Wis., died Feb. 14, 1881, in his 67th year. A. M. Watson enlisted, in December, 1861, in Co. D, 14th W. V. I., as a private; was in the service three years, and came back as Captain of his company. He has resided in La Crosse since he left the army, and has been in his present business since 1875. He was married, Jan. 17, 1877, to Miss Jennie, oldest daughter of James Webster, of Elba, Dodge Co., Wis., and has one child - James.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 806.

JOHN B. WEBB, book-keeper for the Black River Improvement Company; has been a resident of La Crosse since August, 1857. He is a native of Meriden, Conn.; came to Chicago in 1853, and from there to La Crosse in 1857. He enlisted in 1861, in Co. B, 2d W. V. I., and was in the service three years. He returned to La Crosse in 1864, and has been in his present position since 1867.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 806.

NICHOLAS WEBER, proprietor of the American House; was born in the city of Luxemburg, Germany, in 1817; son of Peter Weber; came to America in 1854, and to La Crosse in the spring of 1855. He was on the river part of the time till 1860, since which he has resided in La Crosse continuously. Has been in the hotel business fifteen years; was three years in the City Hotel, and has been twelve years in the American House, which is a three-story brick building, 40x75, on Pearl street, between Second and Third. Mr. Weber was married in La Crosse, and has nine children living - Michael, Margaret, Bertha, Mary, Nicholas, Bernhardt, Joseph, John and Helena.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 806.

GEORGE S. WEEKS, superintendent of the boat yard of P. S. Davidson, at North La Crosse; has been in his present position since 1866. He was born in New York City in 1809; son of John Anthony Weeks, who died while George S. was in infancy. He left New York City in 1828, and engaged in ship-building in Jefferson Co., N. Y., about nine years; was also in the same business in Buffalo, N. Y., and Detroit, Mich., for several years, and went from there to Chicago, where he remained till 1862, then went to Savannah, Iowa, and had charge of the floating stock of the W. U. R. R. at that place till 1866, when he came to La Crosse. While in Chicago, he built the dry dock there, and since built the steamboat "George S. Weeks," of which he was part owner.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 806.

JOSEPH WEHLE, stone-cutter, contractor and builder; was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1846; son of Henry Wehle, who died in Switzerland in 1875. Mr. Wehle learned his trade in Switzerland, serving four years; came to the United States in the fall of 1870; lived in Brooklyn, N. Y., one year, then three and a half years in Chicago, Ill.; went from there to St. Paul, Minn., and came to La Crosse in April, 1876. He was married in Chicago, in 1872, to Miss Amelia Heherlein, and has five children - Edward, Bertha, Maggie, Mary and Victoria. He was three years in the army, in Europe, in 1867, 1868, and 1869.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 806.

SEBASTIAN WEIMAR (deceased) was born in Coblentz, Germany, Nov. 23, 1824; son of Frederick Weimar. Came to the United States in 1853; lived three years in Greenfield, Mass., then came West and lived three years in La Crescent, Minn., and came from there to La Crosse in 1859. He was engaged in brick-making in company with his brother Valentine Weimar, which he continued up to the time of his death, which occurred Nov. 1, 1866. He left three children - William, Valentine, and Lizzie Rosina. Mrs. Weimar, who still survives him, was Rosina Schwab, also a native of Coblentz, and daughter of J. W. Schwab, who came to the United States in 1848, and died Nov. 12, 1879, in La Crosse.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 806.

VALENTINE WEIMAR, (deceased); came to La Crosse in 1855. Two years after, he married Miss Caroline Splitter, whose father, William Splitter, settled on Root River, Minn., four miles from La Crescent, in 1855, and kept the first ferry at that place. Mr. Weimar started a brick-yard at La Crescent in 1856, which he carried on two years, then came back to La Crosse, and followed brick-making, in company with his brother Sebastian Weimar, till the spring of 1869; he then bought a mill in the town of Barre, which he sold in 1875, returning to La Crosse, and went into the brick business again. His health failing, he quit business, and in the fall of 1876 took a trip to Europe, accompanied by his oldest daughter, Elizabeth. He returned the next March, and died on the 18th of May following, at the age of 46. He left six children - Elizabeth, Rosa, Philopena, William, Herman and Augusta - all living at No. 88 Eighth street, with their mother, except Philopena, who died in September, 1878, at the age of 16. Mr. Weimar was born in Lauhersheim, Germany, near "Bingen on the Rhine," and Mrs. Weimar in Mecklenburg.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 856.

JACOB WEIMAR, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. La Crosse; was born in Prussia in 1833. Emigrated to the United States in 1852, and stopped one year in Brooklyn, N. Y. He then went to Greenfield, Mass., and stayed three years, after which he came to Wisconsin, living at Janesville six months, after which, in 1856, he came to La Crosse, and worked at brick-making, during which time, in 1860, he was married to Philapena King, born in Germany in 1841; in 1865, Mr. Weimer quit the brick business, and rented 160 acres of his present farm for three years, after which he purchased the same, and now owns 240 acres. The children are Caroline, John and Valentine (twins), Barbara, Louisa and Jacob. Mr. Weimer is a member of the German Reformed Church, and a Democrat.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 807.

RUEL WESTON, retired; has been a permanent resident of La Crosse since 1866. He resided here temporarily in the springs of 1856-57-58. He was born in Skowhegan, Somerset Co., Me., March 7, 1802; son of Stephen Weston, and lived on the farm on which he was born till he was 60 years old. He was one of a family of ten children who were all alive when the youngest was 45 years of age. Mr. Weston and two sisters now living in Brooklyn, N. Y., are the only survivors at this writing. He was married in Maine, Sept. 1, 1830, to Eliza Woodman, who was born in 1810, and is still living. Mr. Weston held several official positions in his native State, and represented his district in the State Legislature of 1860. He lived a short time in Bureau Co., Ill., previous to locating permanently in La Crosse. In addition to his farming, he was in the lumber business in Maine for about twenty years, and has also been in that business fourteen years of the time he has resided in La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Weston have four children - Joshua W., Reuel F., Sarah, now Mrs. Rufus Douglass, and John H. - all residents of La Crosse except the youngest, J. H., who is General Manager and Secretary of the "Red Elephant Mining Co.," of Colorado; office 33 Broad st., New York City.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 807.

ALEX A. WHALEN, proprietor of the Minnesota House; has resided in La Crosse since the fall of 1854. He had a clothing store the first two years, then had a contract for grading streets which kept him occupied one year; after that he dealt in horses and cattle for several years, spending considerable time in Arkansas and the Indian Territory in the business. In 1867, he bought the Minnesota House and has kept it since. This house stands on the site of the old trading post kept by Nathan Myrick (now of St. Paul), who was the first settler in La Crosse. Mr. Whalen was born in Queens Co., Ireland, and when about a year old his father, James Whalen, came to America and settled in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. He was a canal contractor in New York and Ohio, and railroad contractor in Maryland and Pennsylvania; was on the Baltimore & Ohio Road for some time, and also worked two years on the Croton Dam in New York. He finally came to Milwaukee, and died in that city. Alex remained with his father till he came to Milwaukee in 1843, and came from there to La Crosse in 1854. Has four children - Margaret, James, Alexander, and Katie. Margaret is now the widow of Gilbert Shaffer, Esq., of the State of New York. Mrs. Whalen was a native of New York City; her maiden name was Catharine Lawler.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 541.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 838.

JOHN WHELDON, Postmaster, Bangor; born in Wales in 1815. His parents emigrated to this country in 1817. They lived about two years in Philadelphia, and then removed to Steuben, Oneida Co., N. Y., where his parents resided till their death. Mr. Wheldon came to La Crosse Co., and settled in what is now the village of Bangor in October, 1853. Mr. Wheldon may be regarded as the first settler in the village of Bangor. He purchased a farm which includes part of the village, purchasing of R. A. Richards. This farm was entered by Ebenezer Buckingham, which was the second farm entered in the town of Bangor. The date of this entry is July 1, 1850. Mr. Wheldon still owns his original farm, except that portion on which a part of the village stands. He built the first dwelling - a log house - in 1853, on the present site of the village. He has always been prominently identified with the interest of this town, and enjoys the respect and confidence of all; has held nearly all town offices; was Town Clerk and Treasurer for a number of years; also Supervisor and Chairman of the Board; is at present Justice of the Peace, which office he has held for the past twelve years; has been Postmaster since 1873. His wife was Elizabeth Roberts, born in Wales. Have eleven children - nine sons and two daughters; all, except two, residents of La Crosse Co., one son residing in Colorado and another in Minnesota. S. B., Robert and Griffith reside at home. S. B. is Assistant Postmaster and Town Clerk.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 859.

JOHN M. WHITE (deceased), was born in the State of New York in 1810; when 2 years of age, his parents died, and he was then adopted into the family of his uncle where he learned the wagon-maker's trade; at the age of 21, he went to Montreal, where he engaged in the manufacture of wagons for a term of years, when his shop was burned; he then removed to Matilda, now Iroquois, Canada, and followed the same business, at which place in 1848, he was married to Sarah A. Service, daughter of John and Hannah Service, born in Canada in 1828; in 1853, they came to La Crosse Co., and were among the early settlers of Bostwick Valley, where Mr. White was highly esteemed as a good neighbor and an honest man; a painful illness of the heart of three years' duration, culminated in his death Jan. 3, 1880. He left a wife and five children - Jennie (nee Micham), born March 3, 1851; Alice A., June 24, 1853; Emma, Sept. 6, 1855; Elgin G., March 3, 1858, and Charles F., July 15, 1862. Mr. White was a member of the Baptist Church, and a Republican in politics. Mrs. White now lives on the estate of 80 acres, Secs. 20 and 21; P. O. Barre Mills.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 807.

J. B. WILLIAMS, Constable, Collector, Notary Public and Special Treasury Agent, was born in Grand Isle Co., Vt., in 1826; when 2 years old, his parents removed to Georgia, Franklin Co., Vt., where he grew up to manhood. His father, Jesse Williams, died there Dec. 7, 1829, in his 55th year; and his mother, whose maiden name was Aurelia Bingham, died April 12, 1863, aged 80. He learned the blacksmith's trade in Burlington, Vt.; was married in Georgia, Franklin Co., in 1847, to Miss Lucia Kimpton; her father, Josiah Kimpton, was born in May, 1801, and her mother, whose maiden name was Jerusha Nay, was born Oct. 14, 1880[?]; both now living in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in good health. Mr. Williams removed from Vermont to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1850, and came from there to Portage City, Wis., in 1857. He ran a bakery there about a year, and then went to railroading on what is now the C., M. & St. P. R. R. He was with the first gang of men in Minnesota on the road from Mendota to Shakopee in 1858, and in 1859 was on the Northern Pacific as a contractor; came from there to La Crosse in the fall of 1859, and went from there on the Mobile and Mississippi road as contractor till the fall of 1860, when he returned to La Crosse. He first clerked in La Crosse two years, then went into the mercantile business, and burned out in 1865; then kept boarding-house till 1875, and has been in his present position since the spring of 1876. He was Alderman of the Second Ward three years, in 1864-65-66, and has been Constable eight years.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 838.

JOHN WILLIAMS, retired farmer; P. O. Bangor; born in Wales August, 1827. His parents emigrated to Oneida Co., N. Y., when he was 13 years of age. Mr. Williams came to La Crosse Co. in 1853, and settled in the town of Bangor, Sec. 9. He still owns this farm, which contains 280 acres. This is a fine farm, and well improved; has been a very successful farmer; has a fine residence in the village of Bangor, where he resides. His wife was Miss Mary Morris, born in the State of New York. They have four children - Richard, Thomas, Morris and Hannah.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 838.

JOHN WILLIAMS, M. D., Bangor; was born in Wales Dec. 15, 1855. He attended the Medical College at Birmingham, England, for three years. He came to the United States in August, 1877; remained in Brooklyn, N. Y., for a short time, and came to Bangor the following winter; has been practicing his profession since that time. His wife was Sarah J. Hughes, daughter of John H. Hughes.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 837 - 838.

RICHARD D. WILLIAMS, farmer, Sec. 11; P. O. Bangor; born in Wales. He came to the United States with his parents, David J. and Sarah Williams, in 1850, and settled in Waukesha Co. The family came to La Crosse Co. in 1851, and settled in the town of Bangor, in Fish Creek Valley, and was the first family that settled in this valley. The family removed to California in 1868, where the father died in May, 1875. Richard D. returned from California in 1869, and settled where he now lives, on Sec. 11. His mother returned in 1878, and now resides in the town of Bangor. The others are still on the Pacific coast. The parents of Richard D. had ten children. His wife is Catharine, daughter of Edward R. Jones. They have two children - Elias and Hannah; lost three children. Farm contains 230 acres.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 849.

WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, carpenter, Sec. 32; P. O. Bangor; where he owns a farm of 175 acres; born in North Wales, June, 1835. He came to the United States in the summer of 1858; came to Bangor in the fall of 1859; married in Milwaukee, in 1860, to Alice Oweles, born in Wales. They have seven children - Jane, Ellen, Griffith, Alice, Maggie and Nellie (twins), and Kittie. Mr. Williams follows the business of carpentry, which he learned in Wales. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 807.

JOHN WILLING, merchant, was born in Saxe-Gotha, Germany, in 1836; came to America in 1853; lived in Canton, Ohio, a few months, and about a year and a half in Indianapolis, Ind. He came to La Crosse in 1855, and remained one year, and went to St. Louis, Mo., in 1856. He kept a hotel in St. Louis from 1858 till 1861, and came from there to La Crosse in 1864, and since that time has been in his present business. His present location is No. 18 Third street, where he keeps a general assortment of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hats, caps, etc., and is also agent for the Weed Sewing Machine.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 807 - 808.

ETHAN A. WILSON, dealer in groceries, provisions, etc., has been in La Crosse since May, 1857. He was born in Nashua, N. H., in September, 1833; son of Simeon Wilson; and came from there to La Crosse. He is a mason by trade, and followed that business till the fall of 1861; has been in the grocery trade since that time. He first had a partner, G. W. Bagley - firm of Bagley & Wilson - till 1869, when they dissolved, and nine months after he took another partner, E. M. Rogers - firm of Wilson & Rogers - for sixteen months; then conducted business alone till September, 1877, when H. D. Bussel joined him, and the firm was Wilson & Bussel till Feb. 1, 1881, when they dissolved, and he is now running business alone. He was married in his native place, in 1855, to Maria E. Jewett, of Hollis, N. H., and has three children - Ethan A., Etta C. and Lillie B.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 808.

MERRICK PRENTICE WING, attorney and counselor at law, was born in Hinsdale, Berkshire County, Mass., September 10, 1833. His parents were Philander Wing and Almira A. Wing. He emigrated with his parents to the town of Webster, Washington Co., Michigan, in 1837, where he resided with his parents on a farm until 1853, when he returned to Hinsdale and attended the Hinsdale Academy for two years, and taught school for two terms. Removed to Portage City, Wis., in 1855, and was employed in the abstract office of A. B. Alden, most of the time for seven years. Read law with G. C. Prentiss and Emmons Taylor, of Portage. Attended the Law School of Michigan University in 1861 and 1862; was admitted to practice in Columbia County Circuit Court, in 1862, Harlow S. Orton, Presiding Judge; removed to La Crosse, in 1863, and formed a partnership in the practice of law with B. F. Montgomery. On Mr. Montgomery's removal from the State, he formed a partnership with Charles C. Gage, in 1868, who died in 1869; was two years in company with C. L. Hood, and since 1872 has been in partnership with G. C. Prentiss; was elected City Attorney of La Crosse in 1872, elected to the State Senate in 1876, for the term of two years, from the Thirty-first District, comprising the County of La Crosse, and elected again in 1880; was married in 1859 to Hannah Amanda Palmer, of Scio, Mich., who died Nov. 4, 1860, the issue of this marriage was Lizzie A. Wing, who was born Jan. 1, 1860. Mr. Wing was married again to Emeline E. Sherwood, of Fond du Lac, Wis., Aug. 29, 1865. The fruits of this marriage are Edwin M., born March 16, 1867; Frances M., born Oct. 3d, 1874; and Florence, born July 13, 1879.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 808.

HORACE A. WINSTON, proprietor of the Eagle Hotel, corner of Gould and North Third streets, North La Crosse; has been a resident of La Crosse since May, 1858. He was born in Broome Co., N. Y., at Chenango Forks, in 1828. His father, Dr. Reuben Winston, practiced medicine in Broome Co. over thirty years; he came from there to Wisconsin in 1847; was in Madison till 1857, then came to La Crosse, where he resided till his death, in 1865. H. A. Winston came to Wisconsin in 1848; he had been engaged in the mercantile business at Chenango Forks, N. Y., two years previous to that, and carried on the same business at Pheasant Branch, Dane Co., Wis., from 1848 till he came to La Crosse, in 1858, and held the office of Postmaster the last six years of the time. He commenced the manufacture of mineral water when he first came to La Crosse, continued it three years, and then sold out. He also sold goods the first two years of the time. He was Chairman of the town of Campbell two years when he first settled in the place, and was Deputy Sheriff of the county from 1868 to 1872, and from that time to 1873 was Chief of Police in the city of La Crosse, and has been City Constable since that. He has owned the Eagle Hotel since 1860, and has kept it fifteen years of the time. He was married in his native place, in 1846, to Miss Isabel Roos, has two children - William B., assistant yard-master at La Crosse, and Arabel, now the wife of Stephen F. Clinton, of La Crosse.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 808.

LEVI WITHEE; was born in Skowhegan, Maine, in 1834, and came to La Crosse in 1853, and immediately commenced the lumber business, which he has followed ever since, spending his winters in the pineries in the northern part of the State. Mr. Withee was married in La Crosse in 1868 to Miss Louisa Smith, by whom he has one son named Abner.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 808.

N. H. WITHEE, lumberman, has been a resident of La Crosse since June, 1853, and has been in the lumber business during the whole time; he is a native of Somerset Co., Me., born in 1827; was engaged in lumbering in his native State till he came to Wisconsin, in 1852, and was one year on Black River before coming to La Crosse; now owns a saw-mill in Onalaska, and also one in Clark Co., Wis.; has three sons, N. Haskell, Willie W. and Theodore. Mrs. Withee was Louisa, daughter of Col. A. Wood, formerly of Chenango Co., N. Y., who came to La Crosse in 1856, and died in February, 1880, at the age of 67.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 838.

MRS. CHRISTINA WOLF, Secs. 5 and 6; P. O. Bangor; the widow of Andrew Wolf, who was born in Switzerland in 1819. He came to the United States in 1840; he lived in Highland, Ill., for some time; thence to Galena, afterward to Sauk Co., Wis., where he was married to his present widow, Christina Ruedy, also born in Switzerland. They came to La Crosse Co. in 1852, and settled on the farm where Mrs. Wolf now resides. Mr. Wolf died May 9, 1867. Mrs. Wolf has five children - Florin, born, 1848; Anna, 1850; Caspar, 1856; Andrew, 1858; Christina, 1861. Florin Ruedy, father of Mrs. Wolf, emigrated to Highland, Ill., in 1840, and to Sauk Co., Wis., in 1844; to La Crosse Co. in 1851, and settled in the town of Bangor, where he died in 1858. Her mother still resides at the homestead, in her 86th year.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 808 - 809.

GILBERT MOTIER WOODWARD, attorney and counselor at law; was born in Washington, D. C., Dec. 25, 1835. Apprenticed to printing trade at Baltimore in the spring of 1850. Worked as printer and proof-reader in Baltimore, Upper Marlboro, Md., and in Washington, chiefly in the office of the National Intelligencer, until the beginning of 1860. Settled in La Crosse Feb. 25, 1860. Read law with Messmore & McKenney. Admitted to the bar by George Gale, Circuit Judge, at Black River Falls. Had no practice before the outbreak of the war. Enlisted in La Crosse Light Guard, Co. B, 2d W. V. I., May 22, 1861. Was mustered into the United States service for three years, June 11, 1861, at Madison, and thereafter served with the Second Wisconsin Infantry in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, in which that regiment participated until June 11, 1864; Orderly Sergeant of Company B, September, 1861; Second Lieutenant, Aug. 25, 1862; First Lieutenant, Sept. 15, 1862; Adjutant of 2nd W. V. I. June 2, 1863. Served at Gettysburg as Acting Aid de Camp of First Brigade, First Division, First Army corps (Gen. James S. Wadsworth's division); received a severe gunshot wound in the right forearm in this batle. During campaign of the Wilderness and advance of army from Rapidan to Richmond, May 5 to June 11, 1864, served as Acting Aid de Camp on staff of same division, then part of the Fifth Army Corps. Mustered out of service with the regiment at Madison, June 30, 1864. Elected City Attorney of La Crosse, April, 1865. Elected District Attorney of La Crosse Co. in November, 1865, also in 1867, 1869, and 1871. He formed a partnership with S. S. Burton, January, 1866, which continued until January, 1877. Was Alderman of Fourth Ward of La Crosse City from 1868 to 1874; Mayor of La Crosse from 1874 to 1875; City Attorney of La Crosse City since April, 1876. Candidate for Mayor in April, 1872, and was defeated by James I. Lyndes; was candidate for State Senator in the fall of 1872, defeated by G. C. Hixon. Delegate to National Liberal in Cincinnati, May, 1872. Delegate to National Democratic Convention at Cincinnati in June, 1880. His father, William Woodward, was born in Washington, of parents who had removed there from Philadelphia; his mother, Esther, nee Rittenhouse, Woodward was born in Philadelphia.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 832.

E. D. WOOD, Principal of the High School and Superintendent of Graded Schools of West Salem, was born in Massachusetts in 1845; went to Illinois in 1854, thence to Minnesota; came to Wisconsin in 1868; taught a school in the town of Roxbury, Dane Co., the following winter; taught the following winter in the town of Dane; went thence to Paoli, where he taught three terms; also taught one term in Belleville. In the meantime, Mr. Wood had attended several terms at the State University at Madison, where he graduated in 1874. After his graduation, he went to Baldwin, St. Croix Co., and engaged in teaching; also established a book-store at that place, which he still owns; assumed his present position in the fall of 1878. Mr. Wood was married at Paoli, Dane Co., in 1872, to Miss Mary C. Matts; she died in November, 1878, at Paoli. His present wife was Miss Mary C. Van Waters, daughter of William C. Van Waters; she was formerly a teacher in the school at West Salem. They have one daughter - Cora Blanche.

From History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 850.

MRS. HANNAH WRIGHT, Bangor; widow of Samuel Wright, who was born in Vermont, April, 1807, where he was married to his present widow, Miss Hannah Cram. They came to Wisconsin in 1866, and settled on present farm, which they purchased of Daniel Cram. Mr. Wright died September, 1878. Mrs. Wright has four children - Elvira, now Mrs. Eli D. Wisbell, lives in Vermont; Melissa, wife of Hiram Sweet, and Robert. The latter was born in Vermont, in 1843; married Mary E. Bowen, daughter of L. R. Bowen. Farm contains 180 acres.

These biographies submitted by Roxanne Munns.