Biographies from The History of Columbia County,
Wisconsin, 1880 


Contributed by Carol carolann612@charter.net
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm


From The History of Columbia County, Wisconsin, 1880,
publ. by Western Historical Company, Chicago, Page 896

WILLIAM MARSHAL EDWARDS (drug clerk with John GRAHAM);
was born in Milwaukee, March 15,1850; son of Samuel
and Sarah (KEENE) EDWARDS; came to Portage with his
parents in 1851; in 1860, removed to Winona, where he
lived until 1867; commenced learning the drug business
with his father in Winona in 1864; has been with Mr.
GRAHAM since 1867.  Married in Portage, Sept. 5, 1875,
to Lizzie J. BAXTER, daughter of D. R. BAXTER, of Sauk
Co.  Mr. EDWARDS is a member of three branches of the
Masonic Order, the Lodge, Chapter and Commandry.

WILLIAM EDWARDS, lock-tender on the Portage Canal,
which connects the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers; he was
born in Wales Oct. 15, 1830; his parents came to the
United States in 1832, and settled in Deerfield,
Oneida Co., N.Y., where they resided until their
death.  He was married in March 1855 to Miss Johanna
C. GRAY, of Deerfield, N.Y.; in March 1855, they came
to Portage, and this county has been their home to
present date, 1880; he lived seven years on a farm
near Portage; on Sept. 22, 1864, he enlisted in Co. B,
22d W.V.I.; he was on detached duty until the close of
the war; soon after the war, was nearly two years in
railroad service as foreman at the yards in Portage of
C.M. & ST. Paul R.R.; he was then night watchman in
Portage for eight years, and was then City Marshal two
years; has been nearly two years in charge of
Government interests on the canal, with the nominal
appointment of lock-tender; he has been thoroughly
identified with the growth and improvement of Portage.
He is a Republican, but has held office ten years in
Portage, which is a Democratic city; they have no
children.  Himself and wife are members of the M. E.
Church.  Owns an attractive home on Cook Street.

HENRY EMBDER is a native of Prussia, born Aug. 27,
1831; came to America May 1, 1850; was in New York and
Boston until he came to Milwaukee in 1851, where he
remained until 1853; then removed to Madison, where he
resided until 1855, when he came to Portage.  Was
engaged in the railway business before coming to this
city.  From 1855 to 1858 was clerk in a grocery; since
in the hotel business; was proprietor of the National
Hotel for ten years.  In 1870, erected his elegant
hotel, which he has successfully managed up to present
time.  Mr. E. was married in Milwaukee July 23, 1854,
to Pauline ARSAND; she was born in Prussia.  They have
five children - Louisa, Emma, Paullina, George W. and
Charlie H.  Is one of the oldest members of the
I.O.O.F.; also member of Liederkranz Society.

MRS. REBECCA L. EMERTON, widow of Thomas J. EMERTON;
was born May 15, 1810, in Northfield, Merrimac Co.,
N.H.; she is daughter of Benjamin and Lucy HOEGG
ROGERS.  She was educated in the public schools of her
native town, and taught several terms before her
marriage.  She was married Feb. 23, 1833, to Thomas J.
EMERTON, of Grafton Co., N.H.  He was born March 15,
1805; he was a successful farmer in the East, and
enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens; held
several town offices, and was several times elected to
the Legislature.  In 1851, the family came to Fort
Winnebago and bought the farm which he carried on
seventeen years; in 1868, he moved to Westfield,
Marquette Co., where he died on the 14th of January
1870, leaving one daughter and two sons - Benjamin J.
born Jan. 19, 1835; Lucy R., born Sept. 21, 1838, and
Andrew J., born Aug. 24, 1841.  Her daughter married
Robert COCHRANE, and lives in Portage; her sons are
married, and are farming in Fort Winnebago.  She owns
some real estate in Wisconsin and a pleasant home on
Conant street; her young granddaughter resides with
her.  She is a Presbyterian.  She is threescore and
ten, and is cheerfully nearing the sunset land.

FRANK B. ERNSPERGER, merchant, Opera House; born Oct.
14, 1838, in Rockford, Wood Co., Ohio.  His parents
are of Swiss ancestry.  Began commercial life as a
dry-goods clerk, at age of 14; after 1841, his parents
lived in Sandusky Co., Ohio; at age of 20, he located
in Fulton Co., Ind., and continued as salesman; in
1861, he went into trade for himself, at Rochester,
Ind., with a large stock of general merchandise.  He
was married in May 1861, to Miss Mary A. LYON,
formerly of Pennsylvania.  He had a large trade for
many years, being the leading house of the city, and
doing both a retail and a jobbing trade; he closed his
business there in 1879, and opened business in Portage
on 1st of January 1880, in the elegant Opera House
Store; keeps good stock of dry goods, boots, shoes and
hats and caps.  Has four children - Lillie V., Cecil
R., Laura M. and Edgar B.  He is a member of I.O.O.F.
and is a Royal Arch Mason.  Is a thorough temperance
man and an active Methodist.  Previous to 1880, his
history was connected with another State, but he is
rapidly becoming identified with the city wherein are
his commercial interests and his chosen home.

Submitted by Carol