Biographical Sketch of P. V. Wise, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO >From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri. ********************************************************************** P. V. Wise, was born in Franklin County, Kentucky, June 17, 1832, and removed to Quincy, Illinois is 1834, and thence to the northwestern territory in 1836, in what is now Wisconsin, near Galena. Here it was that the subject of our sketch first commenced the active battle of life. His education was limited, the schools of the day being few in number and inferior in quality. The first school house he entered was three miles from his home, and owing to the illness of his father he was never permitted to attend a term continuously. At the age of fifteen he commenced business for himself as a farmer and burner of charcoal. In 1849, he went to California, taking the overland route via Salt Lake City. He and Colonel Ashel Woods put up the first stone building in Shasta. In his mining operations he was satisfac- torily successful. After a severe attack of congestive chills he returned to the States, and in 1850 commenced the study of law and was admitted to the bar at Lancaster, Wisconsin in 1853, by Judge Jackson. He opened an office in Prescott, and engaged in the active duties of his profession, in connection with which he did a large real estate business, and between 1854 and 1856 bought and sold more land in his own name than any man in the St. Croix Valley. In 1853, he was elected clerk of the board of supervisors, and in 1854, pro- secuting attorney of the district. In 1856, he was admitted to prac- tice in the Supreme Court of the state, and did a large business in all the courts of Pierce County and had an extended practice in the adjoining counties of Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as in the United States courts and departments in Washington. In 1858, he was elected Mayor of Prescott, and in 1858 he published the Northwestern Democrat, which he continued until 1860. It was a representative of Reform Democracy, and being disgusted with the actions of the National Democratic Committe he abandoned the party and supported Mr. Lincoln for the Presidency. While living here he showed a worthy public spiritedness in erecting the largest building in thee city, and one that besides being used for business purposes was used for court room, church and public hall. In 1860, he disposed of his law business and went to Memphis, Tenn. Refusing to enter the Confederate service, he and his wife were chased by the vigilance committee and narrowly es- caped with their lives. He returned to Prescott and raised Company F, First Wisconsin Regiment, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and in December, 1861 was promoted to First Lieutenant and in April, 1862 to Captain. After an exciting campaign through Kentucky, Tennessee and Norther Alabama, he was severly wounded October 8, 1862, at Perry- ville, and was reported dead. He remained on the battle field until October 14, his only attendant being a colored man, and it was not until the 15th that his wounds were dressed. He made his way to Louisville by private conveyance, and obtained with difficulty a leave of absence and returned to his home. In December he returned to Louis- ville and was placed on duty as a member of a court martial, and in company with Major Farris had charge of barracks No. 1, which placed them in command of the police duty of the city. The difficulties they had to contend with were many. Suffice to say it became one of the most quiet and orderly cities in the Union. For a time he had charge of the secret service, and also of transportation and in September, 1862, was relieved at his own request, and joined his command in Ala- bama, but his wounds prevented him from engaging in active duties in the field, and he was ordered back to Nashville, thence to Louisville and Camp Dennison, Ohio. In November he was transferred to Camp Chase, and made post adjutant. December 27, Captain Wise was transferred to Camp Douglas, Chicago, for duty in the Fifteenth United States Infantry. He resigned February 8, 1864, and returned to his home, but March 31 he re-enlisted as a private in Company F, Thirty seventh Wisconsin Infantry, in which he was appointed sergeant major, and was assigned to command and drill of Company K, wholly composed of Menominee Indians. He made application for an examination for a position in the regular army, which was granted by Hon. E. M. Stanton. The examination took place, he only missing one question, and was recommended for a first class captaincy. He arrived before Petersburg, Virginia, in June, 1864 and went into the trenches immediately in front of the enemy, and was almost constantly under fire. In the battles that followed, he, with his company, displayed heroic conduct and rendered valuable assis- tance to the Union cause, but not without great sacrifice of life. Captain Wise resigned his commission May 19, 1865, returned to his home and resumed the practice of law and acting as real estate, claim and insurance agent. In November, 1869 he visted St. Joseph, Missouri and made arrangements to settle here. In 1872, he engaged in underwriting as a representative of independent insurance. A bitter fight by the board companies was the result, but his business increased, and in 1878 the board collapsed. In connection with his insurance business he has been a successful claim agent. In 1879, he visited England and the continent, and contributed numerous interesting articles to the news- papers. He is a member of the principal benevolent orders and assoc- iations, and frequently represented them in the grand lodge. He is a radical in politics and thinks for himself. he is unqualifiedly opposed to all kinds of slavery, either of body or mind. He married Miss E. S. Hammond, April 10, 1853. she is a native of Missouri. To them have been born six children, only one of whom is now living. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. 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