Bios transcribed by Kay R. & History by Jan Cortez
Biographies
Page 1184 - Milo C. BUSHNELL, real estate, rents buildings, etc.; first located in Omro Township, Sec. 27, in 1846, and farmed until 1866, since which time he has been occupied in fruit-raising, farming, etc.; he is also engaged in settling estates. He has been Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, also Assistant Internal Revenue Collector Town Treasurer, etc. He was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 1867, again in 1868; has also been Chairman of the County Board, and has held many other offices and positions of trust. Was born in Waitsfield, Washington Co., Vt., May 2, 1824. Married in Vermont, in 1851, to Miss Marcy G. TAYLOR, of Vermont, who died in 1852. Was married again, in Omro, Wis., in 1853, to Mary S. BIDWELL; she was born in St. Lawrence Co., N.Y.; they have one daughter - Linnie A., living at home; Ervie J., deceased. Mrs. B. died in 1866. He was again married, in 1867, at Omro, Wis., to Mary J. BRADISH, who was born in Vermont.
Page 1184 - William BLACKBURN, retired; was born in Woolwich, England, Aug. 11, 1806; enlisted in the British Army at the age of fourteen years, and served thirty-five years and forty-one days, being all through the Crimean war; spent seven years in East Indies, and has evidently experienced much of military life; he was discharged July 27, 1856; he now draws half pay as an officer of the army, from the British Government. He emigrated to America to settle in 1857, and located in Omro and farmed until 1881. Was married in Newcastle, on the River Tyne, Jan. 3, 1829, to Miss Ann BLACKBURN, who was born in Northumberland, Hexhamshire, England, April 27, 1805; they have one son - William H., now married and living on their farm, near Omro.
Page 1184 - Frank CHALLONER, of the firm of CHALLONER's Shingle and Saw-Mill Machinery, for cutting shingles, etc., established in 1862 by their father, George CHALLENOR. They did work to the amount of $52,000 during the season of 1880-81, in one year; employ from twenty to thirty-five men, whose wages amount to from $10,000 to $12,000 per year. Sales extend over the whole United States and Canada, where lumber is manufactured. He was born in Omro, Wis., July 6, in 1853, and worked for his father until he was twenty-one years of age. His father died Oct. 4, 1880, since when himself and brother have operated the above. He was married in Omro, Sept. 27, 1876, to Miss Addie HICKS, who was born in the latter place; have two children, one of whom is named Grace, and the other an infant not yet named. Mr. C. is a member of the Knights of Honor, a beneficiary association.
Page 1184 - F. A. COLE, firm of S.M. & F.A. COLE, dealers in a general stock of dry goods, clothing, notions, etc.; established January, 1870. Peter COLE, the father of F. A. COLE and husband of S.M. COLE, was born in the State of New York Feb. 18, 1821, and lived in Allegany Co. of that State the greater part of the time, and followed the mercantile business until 1869, and, in the spring of that year, he removed with his family to Omro, Wis., where, in the following January, he established the mercantile business, which has been increased from year to year, and, at the present time, his wife and son have one of the finest stores in Omro. Upon his death, which occurred Oct. 25, 1880, the style of the firm was changed to S.M. & F. A. COLE. He was married in 1841, to Sarah M. ELLIS, of the same place, but whose parents were from Connecticut; they had a son whom they named F. A. COLE, born in Allegany Co., N.Y., in 1854. He clerked in his father's store until he became one of the firm with his mother. F. A. COLE is a member of the Presbyterian Church, also of the I.O.O.F.
Page 1184 - Sereno D. GILMAN, member of the firm of Northwestern Burial Case Co.; established in the spring of 1881; capacity, 200 coffins per week; also do a jobbing business in sash, doors and blinds, moldings, brackets, and planing lumber, etc., with a capacity of dressing 60,000 feet per day; he was born in Tamworth, Carroll Co., N.H., June 22, 1832; lived there until 1853; then went to Boston, Mass., and engaged in pattern making for steam engines about one year, then went to Richland City, Wis., and was in the building business about two years, then went to Bradford, Chickasaw Co., Iowa, and followed millwrighting seven years, and followed the same business in different portions of Wisconsin about one year; then to Chicago, Ill., and worked about seven years house building; went to Omro, Wis., in 1872, and engaged in the lumber business three years, then into the mercantile business six years; then into his present business. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, a beneficiary association; also a member of the Village Board.
Page 1185 - Dr. J. GIBBS, physician and surgeon; located at Omro, Wis., on North Side, in 1855; he bought an interest in a lumber mill, intending to discard his profession; was engaged in lumbering five years, when he disposed of his lumber interest and again took up his profession, and has since followed it. He was born at Sturbridge, Mass., Nov. 8, 1816; he graduated at the Hudson Medical College, located at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1848; was in Boston, Mass., in 1851 and 1852, when he took an honorary degree from the Cambridge Medical College. He practiced medicine in Avon, Lorain Co., Ohio, some time, then came to Omro, Wis., as above stated. He was married in Deerfield, Ohio, in 1830, to Miss Harriet REED, who was born in Deerfield, Ohio; they have three daughters, Gertrude R. (living at home); Mary J. (married to Mr. F. W. HART and living in Atlanta, Ga., manufacturer and dealer in sash, doors, blinds, etc.); Carol A. (now at home, but formerly married to Mr. George CARTER). The Doctor is a member of the M. E. Church; he is also a strong temperance advocate. Her was appointed Assistant Surgeon 19th W. V.I., February, 1965, and served until November, 1865. He is a member of the SAWYER Grand Army, Post No. 7.
Page 1185 - A. B. HALL, carriage manufacturer, painting and blacksmith shops; employs five men, and does trade and jobbing to the amount of $6,000 per annum; located in Omro in February, 1870, and began house and carriage painting, which he carried on about five years, and began his present business in 1875; Mr. H. was born in Orwell, Vt., Feb. 26, 1840. Was married at Omro, Wis., Jan. 5, 1871, to Miss L. M. DRAKE, who was born in the State of New York; they have two children - Edgar A. and Leo D. Mr. HALL enlisted in Co F, 14th Vt. V.I., Oct. 21; was mustered out ________; was engaged in the battle of Gettysburg.
Page 1185 - Emmet E. HENRY, of the firm of HENRY & CHARLESWORTH, dealer in a general line of drugs, paint , oil, lamps, notions, etc.; established in February, 1880; also have a branch store at Ledyard, Wis.; trade amounts to from $10,000 to $12,000 per annum; employ one clerk, besides their own help; he first settled at Rushford Township in 1857, and lived there until 1867; he afterward followed steamboating three years on the Mississippi River; was two years in the flouring-mill at Cleveland, Ill., then went to Omro, Wis., and took charge of a grocery store of HENRY & CARTER two years; he then purchased an insurance agency and followed the business one year; sold out and engaged as clerk in the Omro Post Office eighteen months, then went into the drug business. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, a beneficiary society. He was born in Medina, Medina Co., Ohio, Dec. 23, 1847. Married at Omro, Wis., May 9, 1880, to Miss Edna I. CRAWFORD, who was born in Omro, Wis.
Page 1185 - Abijah B. LARRABEE, proprietor of the LARRABEE House; established in 1854; he located in Omro in 1854;clerked six years in a general store, then bought an interest - firm name of LARRABEE & SCHIMMERHORN - and continued two years; in 1862 he clerked on the steamer Fountain City, running from Oshkosh to Green Bay; he soon after engaged in the livery business; since continued in company with his brother, A. J. LARRABEE; he bought the hotel in 1858, and began operating the hotel in June, 1879; he also bought the Northwestern Hotel of Omro in January, 1881; he was born in McKean Co., Penn., June 13, 1832. Married in Omro July 19, 1865, to Miss Jennie BLACKBURN, who was born Jan. 12, 1842, at Newcastle, on the River Tyne, Eng.; they have there children - Leo L., Irvie M. and George M.
Page 1185 - Charles C. MORTON, a member of the Northwestern Burial Case Co., ; they also manufacture sash, blinds and doors; erected during the season of 1881; employ thirty men, and have all of the latest improved machinery; Mr. M. settled in Winnebago Co., Wis., in 1854, followed farming and carpenter and joiner trade until 1871, at which time he went to Omro and engaged in the sash and door business until the spring of 1881, when he became a partner in the above-mentioned company; was born in Canton, N.Y., Sept. 7, 1837. Was married in Winneconne, Wis., June 3, 1863, to Miss Lois S. OLIN, who was born in Waukesha, Wis.; they have three children - Lucy, Irene (sic), George Edwin and Mary Altha. Mr. M. enlisted in Co. E, 1st Wis. V.C., and was mustered in the United States service September, 1861, and his regiment was principally employed in skirmishing and guerrilla warfare in the States of Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee; he was discharged at Memphis, Tenn., in December, 1862; he again enlisted in Co. H, 48th Wis. V.I., in February, 1865; the regiment was sent to the Far West on the plains where it did duty; he was mustered out in December, 1865. He has been a member of the Board of Supervisors at Winneconne, Trustee of Omro Village two years, and was President of the Board in 1880. He is a member of the Grand Army Post.
Page 1185 - John T. ORCHARD, member of the Northwestern Burial Case Company. They occupy two large buildings, one of which is 40 X 110, being the manufacturing department; the other (the finishing department) is 40 X 90; the capacity, 200 coffins per week; the other particulars will be found in the biography of C. C. MORTON. Mr. O. was born in England May 30, 1849, and emigrated to America in May, 1869, and settled in Omro; he first engaged as merchant tailor, which he now continues under the firm name of TRELEVEN & ORCHARD; Mr. O. is a book-keeper and Secretary of the first mentioned company. He was married in Omro, Wis., in May, 1875, to Miss Elizabeth ROSS, who died July 1, 1876; he was again married, Aug. 18, 1880, to Miss Lizzie C. PEASELEE, who was born in Oshkosh, Wis.; he has one son by his first wife, named Frank ORCHARD. Mr. O. is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Masons of Omro.
Page 1185 - P. H. PATTON, M.D., located in Omro, Wis., in July, 1878; was born in Franklin Co., Vt., Nov. 13, 1855, and was about eighteen years of age when he began the study of medicine at Burlington, Vt., entering the Medical Department of that University, and graduating in July, 1876; he then went West, and finally located as before stated, and began the practice of medicine. He was married in Omro, Wis., in July, 1879, to Miss Hattie C. MEDBERRY, who was born in Omro, Wis., in 1860. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, a beneficiary association.
Page 1185 - William W. RACE, dealer in a general line of hardware; established in 1863. He first settled in Waupun, Wis., in 1851, with his parents, where he lived until the spring of 1864, at which time he enlisted in Co. C, 41st W.V.I., that being a 100' days' regiment; was mustered in in May, 1864, and served until the expiration of his time, when he was mustered out at Camp WASHBURN; was disabled for some time on account of sickness. He then went to Cambria, Wis., and worked as a jour in the tin shop, having previously worked at the same business in Waupun, Wis.; he was engaged wholly three years; he went to Omro, Wis., in the spring of 1865, and began his present business; he was previously engaged in the same business in Omro. He was born in Clarkson, Monroe Co., N.Y., May 4, 1839. He was married in Scott Township, Columbia Co., Wis., June 14, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth THOM, who was born in New York City; they have one son, Archie D. REED.
Pages 1185 & 1186 - Richard REED, Jr., dealer in a general line of groceries, provisions, crockery, etc.; established in April, 1876; trade amounts to $13,000 to $15,000 per annum; employs two clerks. His father, Richard REED, Sr., settled in Omro, Wis., in October, 1847, and has since lived there, engaged in farming, until 1873; Mr. REED, Jr., lived at home until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he went to Pike's Peak, Colo., and was there two years, mining; then returned to Fond du Lac, Wis.; engaged there in the hardware business under the firm name of EDWARDS & REED, where he continued one year. He enlisted in Co. C, 14th W.V.I.; was mustered in in Madison, in the latter part of February, 1864, and engaged in the Atlanta campaign, under Gen. SHERMAN; he was soon transferred from the 17th to the 16th Army Corps, and engaged in the battles of Franklin, Nashville and the siege of Spanish Fort, opposite Mobile; was mustered out at Mobile, Oct. 9, 1865; returned to Omro, bought a farm, and followed farming until 1873; then moved into the village and formed the company of DAVIS & REED; continued two years, then sold his interest to his partner; then engaged in business on his own account. He was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., Sept. 12, 1841; married, in February, 1863, at Fond du Lac, Wis., to Miss Maggie EDWARDS, who was born in Scotland; they have three children - Frank R., Howard E. and Grace M.. Mr. R. is a member of Post No. 7, Grand Army of the Republic, also the Knights of Honor.
Page 1186 - James W. SAMPHIER, of the firm of P. SAMPHIER & Bro., retailers and jobbers in all grades of boots and shoes, trunks, valises, etc. Mr. S. was born in Ogdensburg, N.Y., Jan. 13, 1845; he came to Omro, Wis., with his brother P. SAMPHIER, in 1857; they farmed until the breaking-out of the rebellion, when he enlisted, Oct. 21, 1861, in Co. F, 18th W.V.I.; was mustered in the following January, and participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, siege of Corinth, battle of Corinth, Iuka, siege of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge and all through that campaign; was taken prisoner at Altoona, Ga., and was held as such two months in Andersonville and Milan, Ga., was exchanged and came home, but soon rejoined his regiment at Raleigh, N.C.; was at the grand review at Washington, D.C., and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., in July, 1865; there were only five men of his company that returned and were mustered out; he returned to Omro, Wis., and since has been in trade there as above stated. He was married, at Ogdensburg, N.Y., Nov. 25, 1877, to Miss Senora SNYDER, born at the same place, in May, 1847; they have one son - Charles J. SAMPHIER. Mr. S. is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Omro, Wis.
Page 1186 - Peter SAMPHIER, firm of P. SAMPHIER & Brother, dealer in general stock of boots and shoes, gloves and mittens; established in fall 1865; sales amount to about $8,000 per annum; he located at Omro, Wis., September, 1857, and worked at the boot and shoe business until Feb. 23, 1864, when he enlisted in Co. C, 3d Wis. Cavalry; served about one year; then the regiment was re-organized and he went to Co. H; he was all through PRICE's raid, first battle Lexington, Big Blue, Fort Scott, Newtonia, and was mustered out in Leavenworth, Kan., October, 1865; returned to Omro, Wis., and engaged in boot and shoe trade, and has since followed the same in company with his brother, James W. SAMPHIER. Peter SAMPHIER was born in St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., April 5, 1835; was married in Appleton, Wis., Feb. 14, 1858, to Miss Mary L. CURTIS, who was born in the same county, New York. They had one son - Thaddeus J., deceased. Mr. S. has been Chairman of his town for three years. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, also of I.O.O.F.
Page 1186 - Dr. I. H. SHEERAR, dentist, located in Omro, Wis., in 1864; he learned his profession in Cortland, N.Y., beginning in 1859, where he remained one year; then went to Virgil, same State, and began his profession at his old homestead, where he continued three years; went to Omro Junction, Wis., and lived one year; then traveled and practiced, and finally located as above noted, being there from fall of 1863 to the following spring, and went to Wausau, Wis., and was there one year engaged in his profession; he returned to Omro Junction and practiced until 1878; then moved to Omro and since practiced here; he was born April 1, 1840, in Virgil, N.Y. Married at Omro Junction Nov. 14, 1866, to Miss Josephine U. BEALS, who was born in Wheatland, Walworth Co., Wis., Nov. 9, 1846. They have one daughter - Florence, born Jan 2, 1868, died June 12, 1868; Frank B. SHEERAR, born Sept. 19, 1870. Mr. S. is a member of the Knights of Honor, also Good Templars' Lodge, and has been a member of the City Board.
Page 1186 - Edward SARGEANT was born in Chester, Windsor Co., Vt., Dec. 9, 1832. Parents were farmers. He received a common school and academic education at Chester, Vt. Came to Wisconsin December, 1856; taught school in Lake, Milwaukee Co., Wis., during winter of 1856 and 1857; next summer in Faribault, Minn., then home for three years; was in Waukesha and Milwaukee Co., Wis.; in spring of 1860 returned to Chester, Vt., returned to Waukesha, Wis., spring of 1861; home at Waukesha, Wis. until June, 1863. He was married June 17, 1863, at Lake, Milwaukee Co., Wis., to Martha A. AUSTIN, daughter of Samuel AUSTIN; she was born in Rochester, Windsor Co., Vt., Aug. 19, 1838; came to Lake, Wis., with her parents in 1844; spent the next year in Chester, Vt.; back to Lake, Milwaukee Co., Wis., September, 1864; home at Lake until spring of 1866; occupation during last ten years mostly teaching and farming, 1856 to 1866; came to Omro, Wis., spring, 1866, employed for a few years at the lumber and shingle mill of H. JOHNSON; last ten years occupation has been farming and local agent to 1881; has held office Town Assessor four years; Clerk of School Board village Omro six years; member of the Village Board and representative of village of Omro in County Board. Children living are - Marian M., born in Chester, Vt., April 25, 1864; Jennie M., Omro , Wis., May 4, 1874; Ernest E., Omro, Nov. 20, 1875; Harvey O., Omro, July 6, 1878.
Page 1186 - J. D. TRELEVEN, of the firm of TRELEVEN & ORCHARD, dealers in a general line of clothing, including custom and ready made furnishing goods, etc.; established in 1867; trade amounts to about $20,000 annually; stock about $8,000. Mr. T. settled in Omro, Wis., in 1864, and worked at the tailor's trade about four years; after which he began business for himself and has since continued; he has been Town and Village Treasurer since 1877, also School District Treasurer. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, a beneficiary association; he is also a member of I.O.O.F. He was born in England June 14, 1844; he was married in Omro, Wis., June 14, 1877, to Miss Anna R. ROOT, who was born in Vermont. They have three children - Elizabeth E., Eva B. and Minnie B.
Page 1186 - Andrew J. WHITE. engaged in the mercantile business in Princeton, Wis., in the fall of 1855, where he continued until spring of 1856; then moved to Omro, Wis., and began speculating; he engaged in mercantile business in 1858; continued two years, sold out his interest and engaged in lumbering, farming, etc., in 1862 he again opened trade in Omro and continued until fall of 1865, and was elected County Sheriff, which he held one term; was appointed Postmaster under first Administration of U. S. GRANT, served about three years and resigned; he was soon appointed Postmaster of State Senate one term, and afterward was engaged in speculating, etc. He was born in McKean Co., Penn., April 26, 1828; was married to Miss Melissa CHAPIN of same county in fall of 1846. They had two children - Harriet E. and Nellie M. Mrs. W. died July 14, 1855; was again married at Dartford, Wis., October, 1855, to Cordelia P. COATES, who was born in McKean Co., Penn. They have one child - Lulu B. Mr. W. was the first Marshal of Omro.
Page 1186 - Platt M. WRIGHT, proprietor and publisher of Omro Journal; established in 1864; originally called Omro Union; circulation about 500 copies; job work, etc.; deals in school books, stationery, etc. He was born in Wrightstown, Brown Co., Wis., Sept. 11, 1846. His father, Hoel S. WRIGHT, settled in Brown Co., Wis., in 1833. The subject of this sketch lived there until he was nineteen years of age; they then moved to Greenville, Mich.; was there four years with his parents; then went to Omro, Wis., 1870, engaged in clerking about four years; he then bought half interest in Omro Journal, firm name of KAINE & WRIGHT; was in company three or four years; he then bought the whole interest and has since continued. He was married in Greenville, Mich., in 1871, to Miss Mary A. JOHNSON. He was again married in Charlotte, Mich., in 1878, to Miss Edie ARCHER. He has one son living named George A. WRIGHT. Mr. W. has been a member of the County Board, also Police Justice, and is now Justice of the Peace.
