Biographies

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

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CONRAD SEHRT, boot and shoe maker; born Feb. 6, 1839, in the village of Hattroth, Hesse-Darmstadt; in 1853, his parents, Henry and Margaret Sehrt, came with their children to America, locating in Milwaukee; Conrad learned his trade, and three years later the family settled in Waukesha, where the old couple still reside; Conrad Sehrt worked as a "jour" about eight years, then, in company with his brother Henry, opened a shop on Clinton street (at present Syal's grocery); four years later, they removed to the present location, Conrad selling out to Henry at the end of a year, losing two years on account of ill-health, and nearly losing his life as well; having regained his health, he has worked for nearly three years past in his brother's shop. He married Louisa Esslinger, of Waukesha, on the 11th of February, 1861; they have five children-Nellie, Lillie, Cora, William and Minnie; Mr. Sehrt is liberal in politics; he is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and a leading member of Bismarck Lodge, No. 193, I. O. O. F., having held and filled with credit all its offices; he has also been Village Trustee and Marshal.


AUGUST SCHLEY, general merchandise store on Madison street; was born 1849 in Prussia; came to the United States in 1856; lived in Milwaukee till 1864. He enlisted in Co. H, 45th W. V. I., in 1864, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865; settled in Waukesha in 1869-clerked for ten years, and then opened his present store. Was married in December, 1877, to Miss Lucetta Korn, daughter of Jacob Korn, a prominent farmer and early settler of New Berlin Township, of this county; they have one child-Katie, born in January, 1879. Their residence also is on Madison street; has a good patronage, both German and English.


JAMES WATSON SHERMAN was born in Waukesha, Jan. 26, 1849, and is the son of Henry W. and Martha A. Sherman; he was employed most of his time as a clerk until 1876; he then commenced business for himself, and has since has been dealing in boots and shoes, hats, caps and furnishing goods. Mr. Sherman is a member of the First Baptist Church. His grandfather, James Y. Watson (his mother's father), came to Prairieville, now Waukesha, in July, 1837, and made his claim three miles west of the village; after making his claim, he returned to Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., and in November of the same year he brought his family, consisting of a wife, four daughters and two sons, to South Prairieville, which was their home for about thirty years; then came to the village of Waukesha. Mr. Watson was born at Brookfield, Mass., July 9, 1782, and died at Waukesha, Jun 24, 1871. His wife was Eunice Stone' she was born in Salem, Mass., Feb. 14, 1793; she died at Waukesha December 29, 1862. Mr. Watson was well known throughout Waukesha County, having held various offices which brought him in communication with the people in general. He was one of the oldest members of the Masonic order in Wisconsin, having been a Mason for sixty-eight years. His children were as follows, Asa S., born July 29, 1812, died in Waukesha February 1, 1865; Thankful B., born May 23, 1815, married Benjamin A. Jenkins of La Crosse (a former resident of Waukesha County, and recently deceased), she died at La Crosse March 3, 1876, and her remains were brought to Waukesha for interment; Martha A., now Mrs. Sherman of Waukesha, was born Nov. 9, 1823; Mary E., now Mrs. George W. Babcock, of Pattersonville, Iowa, was born Oct. 28, 1828; James Q., a resident of Waukesha, was born April 8, 1826, and Sarah M., now Mrs. A. T. Clinton, of La Crosse, was born Oct. 22, 1833. Martha A., the second daughter above mentioned, was married to Henry W. Sherman by Rev. Calvin Warner at South Prairieville, Oct. 24, 1843; her children are, Charles H., born April 20, 1847, now married and a resident of Indianapolis, Ind.; James Watson, born Jan. 26, 1849, merchant, now of Waukesha; Hattie E., born march 20, 1856, now Mrs. George W. Carleton of Waukesha, and Edmund Kingsland, born August 1860, now residing in Kansas City.


CONRAD P. SILVERNALE, retired farmer; born in the township of Livingston, Columbia Co., N. Y., April 8, 1810; his father, Peter C., was a prosperous farmer in that county; he was married Feb. 27, 1831, to Miss Elizabeth Avery; he is of German parentage. He spent several years farming in New York State, raised large crops, sold for good prices, and mad money, but in an evil hour he took a partner and went into the milling business, and the result was the loss of all his property; then he came west, and landed in Milwaukee on the 15th of May, 1846; he bought 80 acres of land in Mukwonago; brought his family there; carried on farming three years; sold, bought again, and sold once more at an advance. He now owns 40 acres of land in Pewaukee Tp., and also a pleasant village home in Waukesha. Had four children-Lucinda, who married T. D. Cook, of Milwaukee; Catherine, who married Richard Smith, of Minnesota; Mary, who married Solon Dedrick, of Waukesha; Harvey married Miss Rankin, and lives on a farm in Pewaukee. He has been a Methodist nearly half a century. On the 27th of February, 1881, will be held the "golden wedding" of this honored couple.


WILLIAM H. SLEEP, Superintendent of Wisconsin Industrial School. Born near Lanceston, Cornwall County, England, July 18, 1848; came to America with his parents in 1857; son of John and Ann Sleep, who settled in Waukesha in the summer of 1857. When he was a little over twenty-one years of age, he became connected with the Industrial School; January 17, 1870 he accepted the position of outside overseer; he continued in that position for a year or two, then took charge of the store; was appointed Assistant Superintendent in January 1878; was made Superintendent December 15, 1879. Mr. Sleep was married in Waukesha May 7, 1873, to Harriet A. Bennett; she was born in Rutland, Rutland Co., Vt., November 10, 1852; they have one daughter, Alice Mabel; she was born May 2, 1876. Mr. Sleep is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge and Chapter; also of the Royal Arcanum.


ISAAC SMART, veteran pioneer and farmer, Sec. 10, Township of Waukesha; was born September 15, 1809, in Newburgh, Yorkshire, England. Was married in England, in 1832, to Miss Elizabeth Clegg, of his native place. He came to America in 1834, and to Waukesha in May, 1835, with the "old man Cutler." In 1836, they took up Government land, including the farm of 160 acres where they now live. His brother, Richard, came a few months later, and took up a farm adjoining his, upon which now stands the Fountain House. Mr. Smart claims to be the earliest settler now living in the township of Waukesha, and his daughter Jennie, born September 21, 1836, was the first girl born in Waukesha Township. He thinks Morris Cutler came in the fall after his arrival in may; although Mr. Cutler is generally regarded as the earliest living resident of the county. Their old home, built in 1840, was the first frame house on the prairie. They have buried two children, four are living-Jennie, born in 1836; Benjamin, born in 1838; Mary, in 1840, and Maria A., in 1856. Two children are married and live in this county, and the youngest daughter, Maria, is at home. Mr. Smart owns 396 acres of land in the township of Waukesha. He has emphatically "grown up with the country" from nothing to a competency. He is a good citizen and an honored pioneer.


DR. JEHIEL SMITH was born in the town of Bath, N. H., Aug. 25, 1803; he went to Concord, N. H., spent one year there, then he went to Boston; when he was 19 years of age, commenced the study of medicine in Concord, N. H., and completed it in Boston. Dr. Smith was educated in the Eclectic Medical School; he studied with a physician at Cambridge, and graduated from Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and has practiced for about fifty years. Dr. Smith is one of the pioneers of the new practice of eclectic medicine. He has one daughter, Mary, now a resident of Murray, Iowa. The present wife of Dr. Smith was Julia Louisa Willard, married June 15, 1868; she came to Waukesha as a first assistant of Carroll College, remained there two years. Mrs. Smith was born at Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Penn., May 27, 1827; she has been connected with educational institutions as an instructor, for many years, from 1841, to 1863, and for the last three years more or less, lately conducting a select school; came to Waukesha in September, 1861. Dr. Smith came to Waukesha in October, 1847, and has engaged in the practice of medicine ever since. He is proprietor of one of the leading mineral springs of this place, an account of which will be found elsewhere in this work.


HON. JOHN C. SNOVER was born in Chester, Orange Co., N. Y., April 1, 1813; remained there three years, then his father, Charles F. Snover, removed to Bucks County, Penn; lived there until John C. was 17 years of age, then the family removed to Blairstown, Warren Co., N. J., where they remained until the spring of 1834; then they went to Michigan for three years and came to Milwaukee, Wis., September 12, 1837. That city was his home for three years with the exception of some time that he was engaged on a contract with the construction of Illinois canal. He returned to Milwaukee in January, 1840. In the same winter he purchased a farm in the town of Vernon, on Sec. 12 (the farm now owned by Finlay McNaughten). He remained here one year, then removed to the town of Eagle, and purchased a farm of 200 acres from John Evarts, on Sec. 27. He remained there until 1859, then sold out and went o the village of Eagle and engaged in the hotel business which he continued for three years. In 1850, he was elected to the Assembly. In 1844-45, he was chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Milwaukee County, and was a member of county board a great many years, representing Milwaukee two years, and for a long time member of the board since the organization of Waukesha County. After leaving the hotel business at Eagle, he worked at carpenter and joiner's trade in the northern portion of the State part of the time, and in Iowa, Michigan, and in different parts of Wisconsin, jobbing work principally. In 1870, he was managing agent of Pritchard's Brewery, at Fort Atkinson, Wis. He was one year there and engaged again in building until the spring of 1877, when he was elected County Judge of Waukesha County. Mr. Snover was married in the town of Washington, Macomo Co., Mich., Sept. 12, 1836, to Lucinda Phelps, a native of the town of Delaware, Canada West.


MATHIAS L. SNYDER was born in Prussia Sept. 15, 1842; came to America with his parents, Adam and Barbara Snyder, when he was 3 years of age; located in New York City; remained there ten years, then came to the town of Eagle, Waukesha Co., Wis,, where they have ever since resided. His father died Feb. 14, 1876; his mother is still a resident of Eagle. Mathias was employed in farming and clerking in an Eagle mercantile establishment until he was elected Clerk of the Court in the fall of 1877; re-elected in 1879. He enlisted Aug. 5, 1862, in Co. A, 24th Wis. V. I.; served until June, 1865, when he, with his regiment, was mustered out. He participated in the following general engagements; Stone River, Chickamauga, Peach Tree Creek, Dallas, Ga., Resaca, before Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. He was married at Eagle, Feb. 12, 1872, to Amelia Gose; she was born at Eagle, was the daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Gose, early settlers of Eagle; there are four children - Frank H., Mathias J., Henry N. and Mary Amelia. Mr. Snyder is a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and St. Joseph's Benevolent Society.


THOMAS SPENCE came to Waukesha in November, 1848, and has lived here ever since he was engaged in teaching school for two winters, and kept a store for a few years; has also been surveying more or less since be came to Waukesha; has been in the insurance business about fifteen years, with surveying in connection therewith. Mr. Spence is owner of the Horeb Mineral and Medicinal Springs,which were discovered next after the Bethesda Springs; is also owner of Lawadale Addition to Waukesha. The Horeb Mineral and Medicinal Spring water is sent to New Orleans, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Memphis, St. Louis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Montreal, Hamilton, Toronto, Quebec, Belleville, Detroit, Mich., St. Paul, Burlington, Iowa, and many other points. Mr. Spence was born Nov. 14, 1823, near Belfast, Ireland, of Scotch parentage, his parents being from Glasgow he came to America in 1846, taught school in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., two years; was County Surveyor of Waukesha County one term; Town Clerk five years; Assessor two years; and is Surveyor at the present time, Mr. Spence has also been conveyancer and notary for twenty-five years; is a member of the Episcopal Church, and was married in Ireland in 1844, to Jane Leslie; she was born neat, Belfast, Ireland; they have five children; Edward L., born in Brooklyn, N. Y., is now proprietor and editor of the Nuncie Democrat, in Indiana. Thomas H. was born in Waukesha, now proprietor of a wholesale and retail drug store at La Crosse, Wis.; Richard L., at present clerking for Thomas H. at La Crosse; Janette E., now Mrs. V. H. Bugbee, of this place; Emma M., residing with her parents. Mr. Spence had only $400 when he started out for himself; he taught school and boarded around, and has since then accumulated a handsome fortune; he has built thirteen dwelling houses, one store, and a large two-storyl its offices; he has also been Village Trustee and Marshal.


AUGUST SCHLEY, general merchandise store on Madison street; was born 1849 in Prussia; came to the United States in 1856; lived in Milwaukee till 1864. He enlisted in Co. H, 45th W. V. I., in 1864, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865; settled in Waukesha in 1869-clerked for ten years, and then opened his present store. Was married in December, 1877, to Miss Lucetta Korn, daughter of Jacob Korn, a prominent farmer and early settler of New Berlin Township, of this county; they have one child-Katie, born in January, 1879. Their residence also is on Madison street; has a good patronage, both German and English.


JAMES WATSON SHERMAN was born in Waukesha, Jan. 26, 1849, and is the son of Henry W. and Martha A. Sherman; he was employed most of his time as a clerk until 1876; he then commenced business for himself, and has since has been dealing in boots and shoes, hats, caps and furnishing goods. Mr. Sherman is a member of the First Baptist Church. His grandfather, James Y. Watson (his mother's father), came to Prairieville, now Waukesha, in July, 1837, and made his claim three miles west of the village; after making his claim, he returned to Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., and in November of the same year he brought his family, consisting of a wife, four daughters and two sons, to South Prairieville, which was their home for about thirty years; then came to the village of Waukesha. Mr. Watson was born at Brookfield, Mass., July 9, 1782, and died at Waukesha, Jun 24, 1871. His wife was Eunice Stone' she was born in Salem, Mass., Feb. 14, 1793; she died at Waukesha December 29, 1862. Mr. Watson was well known throughout Waukesha County, having held various offices which brought him in communication with the people in general. He was one of the oldest members of the Masonic order in Wisconsin, having been a Mason for sixty-eight years. His children were as follows, Asa S., born July 29, 1812, died in Waukesha February 1, 1865; Thankful B., born May 23, 1815, married Benjamin A. Jenkins of La Crosse (a former resident of Waukesha County, and recently deceased), she died at La Crosse March 3, 1876, and her remains were brought to Waukesha for interment; Martha A., now Mrs. Sherman of Waukesha, was born Nov. 9, 1823; Mary E., now Mrs. George W. Babcock, of Pattersonville, Iowa, was born Oct. 28, 1828; James Q., a resident of Waukesha, was born April 8, 1826, and Sarah M., now Mrs. A. T. Clinton, of La Crosse, was born Oct. 22, 1833. Martha A., the second daughter above mentioned, was married to Henry W. Sherman by Rev. Calvin Warner at South Prairieville, Oct. 24, 1843; her children are, Charles H., born April 20, 1847, now married and a resident of Indianapolis, Ind.; James Watson, born Jan. 26, 1849, merchant, now of Waukesha; Hattie E., born march 20, 1856, now Mrs. George W. Carleton of Waukesha, and Edmund Kingsland, born August 1860, now residing in Kansas City.


CONRAD P. SILVERNALE, retired farmer; born in the township of Livingston, Columbia Co., N. Y., April 8, 1810; his father, Peter C., was a prosperous farmer in that county; he was married Feb. 27, 1831, to Miss Elizabeth Avery; he is of German parentage. He spent several years farming in New York State, raised large crops, sold for good prices, and mad money, but in an evil hour he took a partner and went into the milling business, and the result was the loss of all his property; then he came west, and landed in Milwaukee on the 15th of May, 1846; he bought 80 acres of land in Mukwonago; brought his family there; carried on farming three years; sold, bought again, and sold once more at an advance. He now owns 40 acres of land in Pewaukee Tp., and also a pleasant village home in Waukesha. Had four children-Lucinda, who married T. D. Cook, of Milwaukee; Catherine, who married Richard Smith, of Minnesota; Mary, who married Solon Dedrick, of Waukesha; Harvey married Miss Rankin, and lives on a farm in Pewaukee. He has been a Methodist nearly half a century. On the 27th of February, 1881, will be held the "golden wedding" of this honored couple.


WILLIAM H. SLEEP, Superintendent of Wisconsin Industrial School. Born near Lanceston, Cornwall County, England, July 18, 1848; came to America with his parents in 1857; son of John and Ann Sleep, who settled in Waukesha in the summer of 1857. When he was a little over twenty-one years of age, he became connected with the Industrial School; January 17, 1870 he accepted the position of outside overseer; he continued in that position for a year or two, then took charge of the store; was appointed Assistant Superintendent in January 1878; was made Superintendent December 15, 1879. Mr. Sleep was married in Waukesha May 7, 1873, to Harriet A. Bennett; she was born in Rutland, Rutland Co., Vt., November 10, 1852; they have one daughter, Alice Mabel; she was born May 2, 1876. Mr. Sleep is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge and Chapter; also of the Royal Arcanum.


ISAAC SMART, veteran pioneer and farmer, Sec. 10, Township of Waukesha; was born September 15, 1809, in Newburgh, Yorkshire, England. Was married in England, in 1832, to Miss Elizabeth Clegg, of his native place. He came to America in 1834, and to Waukesha in May, 1835, with the "old man Cutler." In 1836, they took up Government land, including the farm of 160 acres where they now live. His brother, Richard, came a few months later, and took up a farm adjoining his, upon which now stands the Fountain House. Mr. Smart claims to be the earliest settler now living in the township of Waukesha, and his daughter Jennie, born September 21, 1836, was the first girl born in Waukesha Township. He thinks Morris Cutler came in the fall after his arrival in may; although Mr. Cutler is generally regarded as the earliest living resident of the county. Their old home, built in 1840, was the first frame house on the prairie. They have buried two children, four are living-Jennie, born in 1836; Benjamin, born in 1838; Mary, in 1840, and Maria A., in 1856. Two children are married and live in this county, and the youngest daughter, Maria, is at home. Mr. Smart owns 396 acres of land in the township of Waukesha. He has emphatically "grown up with the country" from nothing to a competency. He is a good citizen and an honored pioneer.


DR. JEHIEL SMITH was born in the town of Bath, N. H., Aug. 25, 1803; he went to Concord, N. H., spent one year there, then he went to Boston; when he was 19 years of age, commenced the study of medicine in Concord, N. H., and completed it in Boston. Dr. Smith was educated in the Eclectic Medical School; he studied with a physician at Cambridge, and graduated from Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and has practiced for about fifty years. Dr. Smith is one of the pioneers of the new practice of eclectic medicine. He has one daughter, Mary, now a resident of Murray, Iowa. The present wife of Dr. Smith was Julia Louisa Willard, married June 15, 1868; she came to Waukesha as a first assistant of Carroll College, remained there two years. Mrs. Smith was born at Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Penn., May 27, 1827; she has been connected with educational institutions as an instructor, for many years, from 1841, to 1863, and for the last three years more or less, lately conducting a select school; came to Waukesha in September, 1861. Dr. Smith came to Waukesha in October, 1847, and has engaged in the practice of medicine ever since. He is proprietor of one of the leading mineral springs of this place, an account of which will be found elsewhere in this work.


HON. JOHN C. SNOVER was born in Chester, Orange Co., N. Y., April 1, 1813; remained there three years, then his father, Charles F. Snover, removed to Bucks County, Penn; lived there until John C. was 17 years of age, then the family removed to Blairstown, Warren Co., N. J., where they remained until the spring of 1834; then they went to Michigan for three years and came to Milwaukee, Wis., September 12, 1837. That city was his home for three years with the exception of some time that he was engaged on a contract with the construction of Illinois canal. He returned to Milwaukee in January, 1840. In the same winter he purchased a farm in the town of Vernon, on Sec. 12 (the farm now owned by Finlay McNaughten). He remained here one year, then removed to the town of Eagle, and purchased a farm of 200 acres from John Evarts, on Sec. 27. He remained there until 1859, then sold out and went o the village of Eagle and engaged in the hotel business which he continued for three years. In 1850, he was elected to the Assembly. In 1844-45, he was chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Milwaukee County, and was a member of county board a great many years, representing Milwaukee two years, and for a long time member of the board since the organization of Waukesha County. After leaving the hotel business at Eagle, he worked at carpenter and joiner's trade in the northern portion of the State part of the time, and in Iowa, Michigan, and in different parts of Wisconsin, jobbing work principally. In 1870, he was managing agent of Pritchard's Brewery, at Fort Atkinson, Wis. He was one year there and engaged again in building until the spring of 1877, when he was elected County Judge of Waukesha County. Mr. Snover was married in the town of Washington, Macomo Co., Mich., Sept. 12, 1836, to Lucinda Phelps, a native of the town of Delaware, Canada West.


MATHIAS L. SNYDER was born in Prussia Sept. 15, 1842; came to America with his parents, Adam and Barbara Snyder, when he was 3 years of age; located in New York City; remained there ten years, then came to the town of Eagle, Waukesha Co., Wis,, where they have ever since resided. His father died Feb. 14, 1876; his mother is still a resident of Eagle. Mathias was employed in farming and clerking in an Eagle mercantile establishment until he was elected Clerk of the Court in the fall of 1877; re-elected in 1879. He enlisted Aug. 5, 1862, in Co. A, 24th Wis. V. I.; served until June, 1865, when he, with his regiment, was mustered out. He participated in the following general engagements; Stone River, Chickamauga, Peach Tree Creek, Dallas, Ga., Resaca, before Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. He was married at Eagle, Feb. 12, 1872, to Amelia Gose; she was born at Eagle, was the daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Gose, early settlers of Eagle; there are four children - Frank H., Mathias J., Henry N. and Mary Amelia. Mr. Snyder is a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and St. Joseph's Benevolent Society.


THOMAS SPENCE came to Waukesha in November, 1848, and has lived here ever since he was engaged in teaching school for two winters, and kept a store for a few years; has also been surveying more or less since be came to Waukesha; has been in the insurance business about fifteen years, with surveying in connection therewith. Mr. Spence is owner of the Horeb Mineral and Medicinal Springs,which were discovered next after the Bethesda Springs; is also owner of Lawadale Addition to Waukesha. The Horeb Mineral and Medicinal Spring water is sent to New Orleans, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Memphis, St. Louis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Montreal, Hamilton, Toronto, Quebec, Belleville, Detroit, Mich., St. Paul, Burlington, Iowa, and many other points. Mr. Spence was born Nov. 14, 1823, near Belfast, Ireland, of Scotch parentage, his parents being from Glasgow he came to America in 1846, taught school in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., two years; was County Surveyor of Waukesha County one term; Town Clerk five years; Assessor two years; and is Surveyor at the present time, Mr. Spence has also been conveyancer and notary for twenty-five years; is a member of the Episcopal Church, and was married in Ireland in 1844, to Jane Leslie; she was born neat, Belfast, Ireland; they have five children; Edward L., born in Brooklyn, N. Y., is now proprietor and editor of the Nuncie Democrat, in Indiana. Thomas H. was born in Waukesha, now proprietor of a wholesale and retail drug store at La Crosse, Wis.; Richard L., at present clerking for Thomas H. at La Crosse; Janette E., now Mrs. V. H. Bugbee, of this place; Emma M., residing with her parents. Mr. Spence had only $400 when he started out for himself; he taught school and boarded around, and has since then accumulated a handsome fortune; he has built thirteen dwelling houses, one store, and a large two-story offices; he has also been Village Trustee and Marshal.


AUGUST SCHLEY, general merchandise store on Madison street; was born 1849 in Prussia; came to the United States in 1856; lived in Milwaukee till 1864. He enlisted in Co. H, 45th W. V. I., in 1864, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865; settled in Waukesha in 1869-clerked for ten years, and then opened his present store. Was married in December, 1877, to Miss Lucetta Korn, daughter of Jacob Korn, a prominent farmer and early settler of New Berlin Township, of this county; they have one child-Katie, born in January, 1879. Their residence also is on Madison street; has a good patronage, both German and English.


JAMES WATSON SHERMAN was born in Waukesha, Jan. 26, 1849, and is the son of Henry W. and Martha A. Sherman; he was employed most of his time as a clerk until 1876; he then commenced business for himself, and has since has been dealing in boots and shoes, hats, caps and furnishing goods. Mr. Sherman is a member of the First Baptist Church. His grandfather, James Y. Watson (his mother's father), came to Prairieville, now Waukesha, in July, 1837, and made his claim three miles west of the village; after making his claim, he returned to Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., and in November of the same year he brought his family, consisting of a wife, four daughters and two sons, to South Prairieville, which was their home for about thirty years; then came to the village of Waukesha. Mr. Watson was born at Brookfield, Mass., July 9, 1782, and died at Waukesha, Jun 24, 1871. His wife was Eunice Stone' she was born in Salem, Mass., Feb. 14, 1793; she died at Waukesha December 29, 1862. Mr. Watson was well known throughout Waukesha County, having held various offices which brought him in communication with the people in general. He was one of the oldest members of the Masonic order in Wisconsin, having been a Mason for sixty-eight years. His children were as follows, Asa S., born July 29, 1812, died in Waukesha February 1, 1865; Thankful B., born May 23, 1815, married Benjamin A. Jenkins of La Crosse (a former resident of Waukesha County, and recently deceased), she died at La Crosse March 3, 1876, and her remains were brought to Waukesha for interment; Martha A., now Mrs. Sherman of Waukesha, was born Nov. 9, 1823; Mary E., now Mrs. George W. Babcock, of Pattersonville, Iowa, was born Oct. 28, 1828; James Q., a resident of Waukesha, was born April 8, 1826, and Sarah M., now Mrs. A. T. Clinton, of La Crosse, was born Oct. 22, 1833. Martha A., the second daughter above mentioned, was married to Henry W. Sherman by Rev. Calvin Warner at South Prairieville, Oct. 24, 1843; her children are, Charles H., born April 20, 1847, now married and a resident of Indianapolis, Ind.; James Watson, born Jan. 26, 1849, merchant, now of Waukesha; Hattie E., born march 20, 1856, now Mrs. George W. Carleton of Waukesha, and Edmund Kingsland, born August 1860, now residing in Kansas City.


CONRAD P. SILVERNALE, retired farmer; born in the township of Livingston, Columbia Co., N. Y., April 8, 1810; his father, Peter C., was a prosperous farmer in that county; he was married Feb. 27, 1831, to Miss Elizabeth Avery; he is of German parentage. He spent several years farming in New York State, raised large crops, sold for good prices, and mad money, but in an evil hour he took a partner and went into the milling business, and the result was the loss of all his property; then he came west, and landed in Milwaukee on the 15th of May, 1846; he bought 80 acres of land in Mukwonago; brought his family there; carried on farming three years; sold, bought again, and sold once more at an advance. He now owns 40 acres of land in Pewaukee Tp., and also a pleasant village home in Waukesha. Had four children-Lucinda, who married T. D. Cook, of Milwaukee; Catherine, who married Richard Smith, of Minnesota; Mary, who married Solon Dedrick, of Waukesha; Harvey married Miss Rankin, and lives on a farm in Pewaukee. He has been a Methodist nearly half a century. On the 27th of February, 1881, will be held the "golden wedding" of this honored couple.


WILLIAM H. SLEEP, Superintendent of Wisconsin Industrial School. Born near Lanceston, Cornwall County, England, July 18, 1848; came to America with his parents in 1857; son of John and Ann Sleep, who settled in Waukesha in the summer of 1857. When he was a little over twenty-one years of age, he became connected with the Industrial School; January 17, 1870 he accepted the position of outside overseer; he continued in that position for a year or two, then took charge of the store; was appointed Assistant Superintendent in January 1878; was made Superintendent December 15, 1879. Mr. Sleep was married in Waukesha May 7, 1873, to Harriet A. Bennett; she was born in Rutland, Rutland Co., Vt., November 10, 1852; they have one daughter, Alice Mabel; she was born May 2, 1876. Mr. Sleep is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge and Chapter; also of the Royal Arcanum.


ISAAC SMART, veteran pioneer and farmer, Sec. 10, Township of Waukesha; was born September 15, 1809, in Newburgh, Yorkshire, England. Was married in England, in 1832, to Miss Elizabeth Clegg, of his native place. He came to America in 1834, and to Waukesha in May, 1835, with the "old man Cutler." In 1836, they took up Government land, including the farm of 160 acres where they now live. His brother, Richard, came a few months later, and took up a farm adjoining his, upon which now stands the Fountain House. Mr. Smart claims to be the earliest settler now living in the township of Waukesha, and his daughter Jennie, born September 21, 1836, was the first girl born in Waukesha Township. He thinks Morris Cutler came in the fall after his arrival in may; although Mr. Cutler is generally regarded as the earliest living resident of the county. Their old home, built in 1840, was the first frame house on the prairie. They have buried two children, four are living-Jennie, born in 1836; Benjamin, born in 1838; Mary, in 1840, and Maria A., in 1856. Two children are married and live in this county, and the youngest daughter, Maria, is at home. Mr. Smart owns 396 acres of land in the township of Waukesha. He has emphatically "grown up with the country" from nothing to a competency. He is a good citizen and an honored pioneer.


DR. JEHIEL SMITH was born in the town of Bath, N. H., Aug. 25, 1803; he went to Concord, N. H., spent one year there, then he went to Boston; when he was 19 years of age, commenced the study of medicine in Concord, N. H., and completed it in Boston. Dr. Smith was educated in the Eclectic Medical School; he studied with a physician at Cambridge, and graduated from Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and has practiced for about fifty years. Dr. Smith is one of the pioneers of the new practice of eclectic medicine. He has one daughter, Mary, now a resident of Murray, Iowa. The present wife of Dr. Smith was Julia Louisa Willard, married June 15, 1868; she came to Waukesha as a first assistant of Carroll College, remained there two years. Mrs. Smith was born at Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Penn., May 27, 1827; she has been connected with educational institutions as an instructor, for many years, from 1841, to 1863, and for the last three years more or less, lately conducting a select school; came to Waukesha in September, 1861. Dr. Smith came to Waukesha in October, 1847, and has engaged in the practice of medicine ever since. He is proprietor of one of the leading mineral springs of this place, an account of which will be found elsewhere in this work.


HON. JOHN C. SNOVER was born in Chester, Orange Co., N. Y., April 1, 1813; remained there three years, then his father, Charles F. Snover, removed to Bucks County, Penn; lived there until John C. was 17 years of age, then the family removed to Blairstown, Warren Co., N. J., where they remained until the spring of 1834; then they went to Michigan for three years and came to Milwaukee, Wis., September 12, 1837. That city was his home for three years with the exception of some time that he was engaged on a contract with the construction of Illinois canal. He returned to Milwaukee in January, 1840. In the same winter he purchased a farm in the town of Vernon, on Sec. 12 (the farm now owned by Finlay McNaughten). He remained here one year, then removed to the town of Eagle, and purchased a farm of 200 acres from John Evarts, on Sec. 27. He remained there until 1859, then sold out and went o the village of Eagle and engaged in the hotel business which he continued for three years. In 1850, he was elected to the Assembly. In 1844-45, he was chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Milwaukee County, and was a member of county board a great many years, representing Milwaukee two years, and for a long time member of the board since the organization of Waukesha County. After leaving the hotel business at Eagle, he worked at carpenter and joiner's trade in the northern portion of the State part of the time, and in Iowa, Michigan, and in different parts of Wisconsin, jobbing work principally. In 1870, he was managing agent of Pritchard's Brewery, at Fort Atkinson, Wis. He was one year there and engaged again in building until the spring of 1877, when he was elected County Judge of Waukesha County. Mr. Snover was married in the town of Washington, Macomo Co., Mich., Sept. 12, 1836, to Lucinda Phelps, a native of the town of Delaware, Canada West.


MATHIAS L. SNYDER was born in Prussia Sept. 15, 1842; came to America with his parents, Adam and Barbara Snyder, when he was 3 years of age; located in New York City; remained there ten years, then came to the town of Eagle, Waukesha Co., Wis,, where they have ever since resided. His father died Feb. 14, 1876; his mother is still a resident of Eagle. Mathias was employed in farming and clerking in an Eagle mercantile establishment until he was elected Clerk of the Court in the fall of 1877; re-elected in 1879. He enlisted Aug. 5, 1862, in Co. A, 24th Wis. V. I.; served until June, 1865, when he, with his regiment, was mustered out. He participated in the following general engagements; Stone River, Chickamauga, Peach Tree Creek, Dallas, Ga., Resaca, before Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. He was married at Eagle, Feb. 12, 1872, to Amelia Gose; she was born at Eagle, was the daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Gose, early settlers of Eagle; there are four children - Frank H., Mathias J., Henry N. and Mary Amelia. Mr. Snyder is a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and St. Joseph's Benevolent Society.


THOMAS SPENCE came to Waukesha in November, 1848, and has lived here ever since he was engaged in teaching school for two winters, and kept a store for a few years; has also been surveying more or less since be came to Waukesha; has been in the insurance business about fifteen years, with surveying in connection therewith. Mr. Spence is owner of the Horeb Mineral and Medicinal Springs,which were discovered next after the Bethesda Springs; is also owner of Lawadale Addition to Waukesha. The Horeb Mineral and Medicinal Spring water is sent to New Orleans, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Memphis, St. Louis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Montreal, Hamilton, Toronto, Quebec, Belleville, Detroit, Mich., St. Paul, Burlington, Iowa, and many other points. Mr. Spence was born Nov. 14, 1823, near Belfast, Ireland, of Scotch parentage, his parents being from Glasgow he came to America in 1846, taught school in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., two years; was County Surveyor of Waukesha County one term; Town Clerk five years; Assessor two years; and is Surveyor at the present time, Mr. Spence has also been conveyancer and notary for twenty-five years; is a member of the Episcopal Church, and was married in Ireland in 1844, to Jane Leslie; she was born neat, Belfast, Ireland; they have five children; Edward L., born in Brooklyn, N. Y., is now proprietor and editor of the Nuncie Democrat, in Indiana. Thomas H. was born in Waukesha, now proprietor of a wholesale and retail drug store at La Crosse, Wis.; Richard L., at present clerking for Thomas H. at La Crosse; Janette E., now Mrs. V. H. Bugbee, of this place; Emma M., residing with her parents. Mr. Spence had only $400 when he started out for himself; he taught school and boarded around, and has since then accumulated a handsome fortune; he has built thirteen dwelling houses, one store, and a large two-story brick office.


JOHN SPERBER, proprietor of National Hotel; born 1832, in Germany; came to America in 1847 and settled in Waukesha in fall of same year; he was seven years in the brewing business, with Heisslentner, who died during the rebellion. He was married in 1859, to Miss Barbara Conrad, of Waukesha. From 1856 to 1867, he kept a billiard saloon, then after three years of mercantile experience, he purchased the lot on corner of Main and West streets, and in 1870, he erected the fine stone National Hotel, of which he is now owner and manager; this is a neat hotel, with eighteen sleeping rooms; house has good patronage, both German and American. He has two children - Oscar and Emma. He is liberal in politics and religion, but usually with the Democracy.


GEORGE SPERLE, merchant tailor; born in the village of Floss, Bavaria, in 1833; after his schooling he learned his trade, and spent some time traveling in Austria, Prussia and Italy; came to America in 1860; he spent a year in Brooklyn, and then came to Waukesha, opening a shop on Main street; after a year, he removed to Atkins Block, and in 1870, to his present store, where he does a general merchant tailoring business. He married, in 1864, Miss Margaret Dorhorst, of Pewaukee, by whom he has five children living - Kate, George, Addie, Esther and Mabel; Eddie died at 6 years, and Annie at 2; all were born in Waukesha; The family are members of the Congregational Church; politics, Republican.


JOHN STEPHENS was born in Prussia, February 25, 1827; came to New Berlin, Wis., in summer of 1843, with his father, Mathias Stephens, who died in the fall of 1877. Mr. Stephens was reared on a farm; he was a member of the Board of Supervisors, also Town Treasurer, Assessor, was elected Register of Deeds in the fall of 1876, re-elected in 1878. He was married in Watertown, Wis., Dec., 3l, 1848, to Mary Mann; she was born in Prussia; they have had ten children, nine now living;Henry J., now a resident of Dickinson Co., Kan.; Celestia, Charles Albert, Elizabeth, William H., Clara, John L., Henrietta, Mathias; lost one daughter, Mary. Mr. Stephens is a member of the l. 0, O. F.


JOHN P. STORY, deceased, son of William and Eliza Patton Story, was born in Marblehead, Mass., on the 28th of May, 1806. Both his grandfather and his father were many years in fisheries and foreign commerce, and owned large maritime interests. His father was a merchant, and sea captain in the East India merchant service. Judge Joseph Story, Associate Justice of Supreme Court of the United States, was an uncle of the subject of this sketch. He, at the age of 15, ventured his fortunes on the deep, and was rapidly promoted, and at the age of 21, he was made Captain of an East India merchantman. He followed the sea for 17 years, and three times sailed around the world. Salem, Mass., to which his parents removed, was his nominal home. His kindly, unselfish nature won him the love of his subordinates and the esteem of all; in 1888, he removed West and spent a winter in Milwaukee; in the spring of 1839, he settled in Waukesha County, which was his residence until his death. He was married November 19, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Quarles, daughter of a prominent citizen of Kenosha. Her sister married ex-Gov. Barstow. Her brother, Augustus Quarles, commanded a company in the Mexican war, from Kenosha, Wis., and was killed in battle at Cherubusco. They settled in the township of Brookfield in 1840, where he had bought 640 acres, and on which be lived till 1849, when he removed to the village of Waukesha, and did not thereafter engage in active business. He died March 3O, 1875, leaving five children and his worthy companion. Their oldest son, Lieut. John P., graduated from West Point, and is now in the United States signal service; William is Ex-U. S. District Judge, and now lawyer in Colorado; Frank Q. now in commercial business in San Francisco; Lizzie is the wife of Lieut. H. A. Reed, a graduate of West Point, and now stationed there as assistant professor of drawing; Anna remains with her mother in their pleasant home on Main street. Capt. Story was a gentleman of the old school, courteous, generous and unswerving in his integrity. Being of a reserved nature and not in business, he preferred the society of his family and a few chosen friends, to whom he was greatly endeared by his qualities of head and heart. He acted well his part in all the varied relation, of life, and left to family and the world the heritage of a spotless name and an unsullied life.


RICHARD STREET (Supt. Waukesha County Mfg. Co.) was born at Bannockburn, Scotland, Sept. 5, 1825; came to Wisconsin in 1855, and located in Grant Co., near Lancaster, engaged in farming for five years; learned the business of cloth manufacture at Wilson St Bros'. celebrated mills, Bannockburn, commencing at the age of 11 years; continued in the same business all the time, except the five years he was farming; in 1861, he returned to Utica, N. Y., where he remained until spring of 1868, when he came to Racine and introduced the manufacture of the "Badger State Shawl," in the factory of Blake & Co., that being the first shaw manufactured at that place; continued with Blake & Co., until 1871, when he came to Waukesha, and has been connected with the Waukesha County Manufacturing Company ever since. Mr. Street was also overseer at the Globe Mills, at Utica, N. Y. He was married near Bannoekburn, Scotland, May 26, 1847, to Elizabeth Robertson; she was born about 6 miles from Banncockburn; they have nine children - William, Robert R., Helen D., were born in Sterling, Scotland; John A., Lucy A., Belle J., Richard W. were born in Grant County, Wis.; George W., Charles A. were born in Utica, N. Y. Mr. Street is a member of the Village Board, and is also a member of the Good Templar Lodge, the A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F. Lodges, the Royal Arcanum and of the Baptist Church.


DANIEL H. SUMNER came to Wisconsin in August, 1868, located in Waukesha County at Oconomowoc; remained there two years; since then he has been at Waukesha; he was born at Malone, Franklin Co., N. Y., Sept. 15, 1837, and lived there six years; then came with his parents, John and Philena Sumner, who located in Richland, Kalmazoo Co., Mich., and was educated at Prairie Seminary in Richland, of which J. H. Burrows was then Principal. He was admitted to the bar June, 1868, at Hart, Oceana Co., Mich., and commenced practice at Waukesha in January, 1870. Being in feeble health, he was unable to practice when he first came to Wisconsin; most of the time he was at Oconomowoc, he was one of the proprietors of the La Belle Mirror, in that place. Mr. Sherman was married at Beloit, Wis., July 2, 1877, to Mrs. Terrie M. Nelson, a native of Genesee, Waukesha Co., Wis. Mr. Sherman, was District Attorney from 1875 to 1877, and member of the County Board three years; and is also a member of the Baptist Church and I. O. O. F. Lodge.


REV. FATHER DOMINIC F. THILL, Pastor of St. Joseph's Church. was born in Luxemburg, Europe, in 1844. the same year that the Catholic Church was built in Waukesha. He came to the United States in 1847, and located at Belgium, Ozaukee Co., Wis. Commenced his studies in 1858,. at St. Frances of Sales, near Milwaukee, and studied under the Right Rev. M. Heiss, now Coadjutor Bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Was ordained Priest by Archbishop John M. Henni, on the 29th of January, 1868. He was, awhile, assistant Pastor at Madison, and was then, in May, 1868, appointed Pastor of St. Mathews, at Neosha, Dodge Co. He was their first resident Pastor, and remained three years and three months, and during the time he built a parochial school, and made an addition to the parsonage, and other improvements, at a total cost of $1,500. He also had charge of two missions, St. Mary's, at Woodland, and St. John's, in township of Herman. Finding these two churches were very close together, St. John's was abandoned, and a church built at Rubicon, costing $4,000, which was dedicated on the Feast of St. John, 27th of December, 1870. At Woodland, he laid the corner stone, and partly erected a new church, which was completed in 1871, by his successor. In August, 1871, he was assigned to St. Brun's, in Ottawa, Dodge Co., with which, also, he had a mission at Golden Lake. He collected $8,000 for erecting a new church, and laid the foundation thereof, at Golden Lake. In February, 1873, he was assigned to the pastorate of St. Joseph's Church, at Waukesha, where he has remained till present date, 1880. His people are five-sixths English-speaking, and the remainder are German. All preaching is in English, except one sermon per month, which is in German. The church is thoroughly furnished, and finely adorned; the grounds are spacious and beautifully ornamented with shrubbery. The bell, costing $300, was donated by Mrs. Christina Schwartz. The parochial school has an average attendance of one hundred. There is a library society, and, also, a benevolent society, both of which are doing good work. The relations of Pastor and people are harmonious, and the congregation is large and prosperous.


VERNON TICHENOR, attorney; came to Prairieville last of August, 1839, being the first lawyer to locate here; remained here and engaged in practice ever since, except for a year or two when he first came, when, in consequence of ill health, he endeavored to recuperate his strength; he was the first lawyer in the county, and first Town Clerk when this town was organized; held that position for a number of years, Justice of the Peace many years, is now, and has been for nearly twenty-five years Court Commissioner for Waukesha County; Member of Assembly one term; Draft Commissioner in 1862, under appointment of War Department of United States Government, and held various other positions several years; and is now President of the Board of Trustees of Carroll College, and three times President of Waukesha village, and has held the offices of Clerk, Treasurer, Trustee, member of the School Board and Clerk. Mr. Tichenor was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery Co. (now Fulton Co.), N. Y., Aug. 28. 1815; he graduated from Union College at Schenectady, N. Y., in 1835; after leaving college he studied law at Amsterdam, admitted to the bar at Albany, October, 1838; commenced practice in Wisconsin. He was married at New Scotland, Albany Co., N. Y., Aug. 19., 1838, to Charlotte Sears; she was born st Balston Spa Saratoga Co., N. Y. They have two children, Willis V. a resident of Mason City, Iowa, and Mary C. Willis V. enlisted in Company G, 28th W. V. I., Aug. 21, 1862, and was mustered in as 2d Lieut. in September, 1862, promoted to captaincy of same company, March 30, 1864, and was mustered out; Aug. 28, 1865; formally disbanded Sept. 23, 1865; battles and principal expeditions he participated in were Helena, Yazoo Pass Expedition, White River, Mount Elba, Arkansas, siege of Mobile and its capture.


TYLER & BUGBEE, photographic artists; have been in partnership ten years in this village, the senior partner began photography in 1865 in Waukesha; Tyler was born in Chenango Co., N. Y.; Bugbee was born in Washington Co., Vt., Tyler came to Waukesha in 1863; Bugbee came to Wisconsin in 1865, and Waukesha in 1867. Tyler was married in 1873 to Miss Mary A. Bancroft, daughter of D. L. Bancroft of Waupun and have one child named Bernice; Bugbee married, Jennie Spence in 1878, who is daughter of Thomas Spence, of Waukesha; they have two children - Tyler resides on Main St., and Bugbee on Maple avenue; their studio is on Main St.; this is the earlier., largest and leading establishment of the kind in Waukesha, and among the first started in the county; they have a liberal local and extended patronage.


W. ULRICH, physician and surgeon; office in his block, on corner of Madison and River Streets; born in Stralaund, Prussia, in 1820; studied in Greifswald and graduated in 1845; came to the United States in 1850 and settled in Ozaukee Co. in 1851, and remained till 1870 in practice of his profession; came then to Waukesha, where he has practiced medicine, and most of the time has had a drug store. Married in 1846 to Miss Charlotte Engel, who died in 1857; then he married his present wife, in 1858; her name was Frederika Schlenvogt, formerly of Germany; they have had five children - Louis, Hannah, married and living in Ozaukee Co.; Emma, Ida and Louisa; the three youngest live with their parents. The family are Lutherans. Owns a business block and a residence in Waukesha, also a farm in New Berlin; it is his design to establish on the farm a hospital for treatment, of chronic diseases; his farm is favorably located for such a purpose; is on high ground with beautiful surroundings; has two springs, one of which is a choice chalybeate; this establishment, when fully fitted up, is expected to supply a felt want in this section of the country.


RICHARD WALKER, retired contractor and stone mason; born 1809 in England; married in England in 1829, to Miss Mary Morgan, of his native town. He learned his trade in the old country; came to America in August, 1844, and Waukesha has been his home continuously for thirty-six years. They buried one child in England; have no living off spring. He was of the firm of Cook & Walker, the owners of both the Waukesha and Pewaukee quarries. He rebuilt the court house, which was the second stone building in Waukesha; he also, about two years afterward, 1850, built the present stone depot, and in 1852, built Carroll College. He sold his interest in the quarries, and retired from active business in 1869. He has a pleasant residence on William street, and owns other real estate in the village and State. Is a Republican, but has always declined office. Mrs. Walker is a Congregationalist. When he arrived in Waukesha, he had suitable clothing, some household furniture, and three English shillings in cash. He immediately began laying stone during the day time, and worked by candle-light nights at brick-laying, for extra wages; would sleep about four hours out of twenty-four. He soon "got a start," and made some judicious investments. From his quarries came the many miles of stone side walks which are not the delight of the many pilgrims and strangers who wend their weary way over the rough broken surfaces. Until date of his retirement, he was always a hard working man, but now his worthy helpmate and himself are quietly enjoying the fruits of their labors. Though they are not blessed with the affectionate companionship of their own children, yet they have many kind friends and valued relatives both in this county and elsewhere.


NATHANIEL WALTON, farmer, northwest quarter of Sec. 10; a veteran pioneer; was born in Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y., Dec. 15, 1805; when a child, his parents removed to Genesee Co., where they resided till their death. He was married at Knowlesville, Orleans Co., N. Y., Aug. 25, 1830, to Miss Laura W. Jones, and then settled in Genesee Co., where they lived till spring of 1836; Mrs. Walton was born Jan. 12, 1811, in Florida, Montgomery Co., N. Y. Came West in 1836 with teams from York State, and settled that fall on land which he now owns. The Wisconsin Industrial School is on his old farm, and the village cemetery is on the other corner. Their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are as follows, Children - Louisa Walton Todd, Laura Etta Walton Sherman, Mary Walton Adams, James Walton, Maria M. Walton, Martha C. Walton, Nate E. Walton; grandchildren - Mary Todd Hackley, Hattie B. Todd, Charlie Todd, Walton S. Shernan, Wm. H. Sherman, James A. Sherman, Martha Adams Marshall, Libbie Adams De Witt, Zaida Maud Adams, Walton Payne, Laura Payne, Jessie Walton, Nettie Walton and Laura Walton; great-grandchildren - Georgie Todd Hackley, Belle Todd Hackley, Horace Adams Marshall, Clyde Adams De Witt, Baby Sherman. The present residence, built in 1844, there have been in it five births, six marriages and no deaths. He is Deacon of the Baptist Church and all his children were baptized and received into the church at Waukesha before leaving the parental homestead. Some of the pioneer reminiscences of this venerable couple are recorded elsewhere in this volume, On the 25th of August, 1880; will occur the golden wedding of these veteran pilgrims; they are in good health, and are cheerfully bearing life's burdens; they do not want for this world's goods, and possess the love of hosts of friends, some of whom were their first pioneer acquaintances.


ELIAS WAMBOLD, dealer in agricultural implements; born in Montgomery Co., Penn., May 21, 1821; his father was a tanner, and Elias worked four years in the tannery, then was clerk in store several years. Was married in 1847 to Miss Matilda Fertig, who died in 1857, leaving two sons and one daughter - David, Emily L., Theodore; all are now living in Wisconsin. He came west in April, 1847, and located in West Granville, Milwaukee Co., where he remained twenty-six years engaged in general merchandising. Married in 1861 to Miss Sarah A. Smith, daughter of Andrew S. Smith, one of the earliest settlers of that place; has one daughter, Nettie. He came to Waukesha in the spring of 1875, and has continued in business as dealer in agricultural implements. He was Postmaster in Pennsylvania and for twenty-five years was Postmaster at West Granville. His office and warehouse are on Main street. Speaks both German and English; has a good patronage. Has been a loyal Methodist "since long ago." Owns a brick residence on West avenue, near Bethesda Spring. Boards a few summer tourists each season.


DR. JAY T. WARDROBE was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, May 10, 1848; came to America with his parents, Charles and Anne Ellis Wardrobe, May, 1849; settled in Waukesha the same year, both living in Waukesha; their son, Jay T. received his early education in the Union School of this place. He graduated from the Philadelphia Dental College with the class of 1875-76; took hospital practice in medicine, connected with the Pennsylvania Medical University. Dr. Wardrobe practiced dentistry here for a few years; then entered the Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, and graduated from that institution in the class of 1877-1878; afterward engaged in the practice of dentistry, but not of medicine to any extent. He is also a partner with his brother in the drug business in Waukesha, having one of the finest drug establishments in the county.


REV. THOMAS G. WATSON, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, born in Geneva, Ontario Co., N. Y., August 11, 1836; was educated in his native town at "Hobart College," and graduated in 1857, and in 1861 graduated at New Brunswick, N. J., from the "Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in America." Settled at Cato, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1861, as a home missionary; spent eight years in that work, having charge also of a church at Fair Haven two years, and of the church at Victory three years. He was married Dec. 18, 1861, to Miss Fannie C. Seelye, of Lansingburg, N. Y.; she died in August, 1869, leaving one daughter, Fannie S. In May, 1869, he took charge of the Reformed Church at New Brighton, Staten Island. His health failing, he came West in the fall of 1871, and intended to rest a season, but after a few months he accepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church at Waukesha, which he still serves. He was several years Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Carroll College, and was some time Professor of Elocution in addition to the duties of an active pastorate. He married his present wife June 19, 1873; her maiden name was Elizabeth White, daughter of William White, of Waukesha, and was the widow of Walter L. Bean; she had one son, Walter L. Bean, Jr., who is living in the Township of Waukesha. Mrs. Watson is a lady of artistic talent and general culture; they have one son, Thomas S. Watson. For the last five years, Rev. Watson has been the "Stated Clerk and Treasurer of the Presbytery, of Milwaukee." His duties are clerical, corresponding, statistical and general, as the permanent officer of the Presbytery. His residence is a beautiful brick on McCall St. The church is a neat stone edifice on corner of South and Center Sts. The church membership has grown from ninety-five to one hundred and forty during his pastorate. He has a vital interest in all which affects the well-being of society. He is highly esteemed in all the relations of life, and is particularly beloved by his people.


STEPHEN WEBER, brewer; born May 11, 1822, in Bavaria; he learned brewing in Bavaria, and in 1848, came to America with John Beck, a brother-in-law; he bought the present brewery of William Kellogg; Mr. Weber sold out to Mr. Beck in 1862, and bought his present brewery of Peter Peffer and Christopher Nolh; he has torn away the small stone and wooden building of that day, and, after making a larger cellar, he, in 1873, built the present 52x56 stone building, which, with the large three-story ice house, makes the largest brewery in Waukesha Co.; Mr. Weber manufactures about 2,200 barrels of beer per annum, paying revenue on 1,700 barrels, and bottling for the local trade about 500 barrels during the summer. He married Rosina Stroebel, a native of Germany, who died in 1 89, leaving four children-John (died in 1877), William A., Barbara A. and Louis; the youngest was born in Waukesha, and the others in Milwaukee; Mr. Weber is a good citizen, and a live business man, liberal in politics, and an unstinted giver to the local churches.


NICHOLAS WEITEN, manufacturer and dealer in willow ware; born in 1841 in Germany, worked at his business ever since he was 10 years of age, his father in the old country being a leading manufacturer of willow ware. He came to the United States in December, 1865; spent a year in Chicago, also a year in Milwaukee, and then was five years superintendent of a department in Wisconsin Industrial School, devoted to manufacture of willow ware. Last seven years has carried on business in his own shop near foot of Main street. Married June 1, 1869, to Miss Margaret Diener, of New Berlin. The family are Catholics. Has one assistant, Fred A. Scheeley, who took his first lessons in the business at the Industrial School. The largest patronage comes from visitors who live in the South.


JOHN WHITING, Proprietor of Aldine Place; born in Guifford, Mass., in 1815; his parents settled in Western New York about 1830. He was married in 1838 to Miss Caroline M. Wing, of Vermont; they have one daughter, Frances A., who is married and lives in Chicago. They came West in 1840, and settled in Walwarth Co. where they remained six years, and then lived twenty-five years in Sheboygan Co whence he came to Waukesha in 1878, and purchased an attractive site on Maple avenue, and erected the summer resort known as Aldine Place. This is located on the east side of Maple avenue, which is the finest residence street in this beautiful village; it is conveniently accessible from all the springs, is new, contains fourteen rooms elegantly furnished, and combines many of the advantages of the city, with all the attractions of the country, and is deservedly popular. Mr. Whiting has been a Republican since formation of the party. His worthy wife and himself are Congregationalists.


EDWIN WOOD, retired farmer; born in 1822 in Genesee County, N. Y.; came west in 1839, and settled in township of Waterford, Racine Co., Wis. He lived on Caldwell's Prairie, and on the old homestead, until 1874, when he sold the farm and moved to the village of Waukesha. He was married in 1844 to Miss Lorraine S. Winchell, daughter of Harvey H. Winchell, of Rutland, Vt. He spent the year 1860 in California, engaged in conducting a nursery ranche at San Jose; his experience was satisfactory, but the profits were not immense. He was contented to carry on a large farm, pay war taxes and get war prices. Had two children; one died in infancy, and one died at age of 19. He is a temperance Republican, but never held office; votes as he is a mind to, and lets others do the same. He was Superintendent of Sunday school at Caldwell's Prairie for twenty years; is now Deacon of the Congregational Church at Waukesha. He is a genial gentleman, and enjoys a social game of croquet. He owns a pleasant home on Maple avenue. His house is one of the favorite resorts of summer tourists, who visit the "Springs" from all sections of the United States.


H. M. YOUMANS was born in Mukwonago, Waukesha Co., Wis., Jan. 6, 1851; son of Dr. Henry A. and Lucy S. Youmans; both are now living on Sec. 26, Mukwonago; settled in Mukwonago in 1843; Henry M. engaged in clerking when he was 14 years of age, continued in that business until 1870 (except a few months spent at Commercial College in Milwaukee). In 1870, he came to Waukesha and commenced learning the printer's trade in the office of the Freeman, worked at the case for three years, then purchased an interest doing more or less of the mechanical work; for the last five years sole proprietor. Town Clerk in 1876. He was married in the village of Mukwonago Sept. 14, 1870, to Frankie G. Kellogg, daughter of Erastus H. Kellogg, an early settler of Vernon, a prominent miller of Mukwonago now; Mrs. Youmans died Dec. 7, 1876, at Mukwonago, leaving two children-Augustus H., born Sept. 8, 1871, and Solomon K., born Feb. 8, 1873. Mr. Youmans is a member of I. O. O. F., K. of H., Royal Arcanium. He is the present President of the village of Waukesha, elected May 4, 1880, over P. H. Carney by 209 to 352. This was the largest Republican majority (143) ever given for a president of Waukesha.