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
976-977

REV. FATHER HENRY J. ROCHE, Priest of St. Jerome's
Catholic Church, Columbus; born in County Wexford,
Ireland, in 1834.  He received his early education in
the common schools of his native county, and when 14
years old, wtih parents, he came to America, and
located at Utica, N.Y.; three years later, they
removed to the town of Fox Lake, Dodge Co., Wis.  In
1852, he entered the University known as the "St.
Mary's of the Lake," Chicago, where he pursued his
classical studies for three years; after which he took
up the study of philosophy, physics, and also theology
at St. Francis, of Milwaukee, where he completed his
studies in 1859.  He was ordained to the priesthood by
Bishop HENNI, of Milwaukee, in December 1859, and in
1860 entered upon the work at Beloit, Wis., as
Assistant Priest of St. Thomas', Catholic; remaining
there one year, he was next sent by  the Bishop as
Priest of St. Andrew's, of Delavan, Wis.; three years
later, he came to Richmond, Dodge Co., where he
organized an entirely new society, built St. Joseph's
Church, and remained there nine years.  In December
1872, he came as Priest of St. Jerome's to Columbus,
and has since supplied the parish of St. Augustine's,
at Wyocena, and St. Patrick's of Doylestown, and also
St. Mary's, of the town of Calamus, Dodge Co.

Page 977

EMIL L. RUPNOW, farmer, Sec. 34; P.O. Columbus; was
born in Prussia in 1819; his parents, John D. and
Regina RUPNOW, both died when he was quite young.
Though early in life deprived of that good counsel
which only comes from a parent, he resolved to gain an
education that would fit him for any responsible
position he might be called upon to fill.  He began
his studies at the public schools, and continued them
at the College of Neuzelle - the State institution in
the Province of Brandenburg - from 1837 to 1841, when
he graduated in the teacher's course; he was then a
teacher in the Government employ till 1856, when he
resigned.  He sailed May 1, 1857, for America, and
landed in New York sixteen days later; coming thence
direct to Watertown, Wis., he was engaged as a teacher
in the Lutheran School there for nine months.  In the
spring of 1868, he went to Jefferson, Wis., where he
was Pastor of the Lutheran Church for six years;
coming then, in 1864, to Columbus, he clerked for Mr.
WHITNEY in the hardware store for five years; having
purchased a farm of 132 acres in Sec. 34, town of
Columbus, in March 1863, he located on it in 1869, and
has since made it his home.  He was married in Germany
in 1844, to Miss Augusta R., a daughter of Charles and
Caroline SCHULTZ, and their children are Mary R., now
the wife of Herman HEYMEYER, and living at Lagrange,
Mo.; Maximilian, now a civil engineer on the railroad
from Chippewa Falls to Spencer, Wis.

HEMAN SHERMAN, farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Columbus; was born
in Essex Co., N.Y., in 1828.  His father, Amos D.
SHERMAN, was born in Waterbury, Washington Co., Vt.,
Oct 17, 1789, and made that his home till about 25
years old, when he removed to Essex Co., N.Y.; he was
a soldier in the War of 1812, and for his services as
such, now draws a pension from the Government; he is
now 90 years old.  His mother, Millie HANDY, was a
native of Pittsford, Rutland Co., Vt., and came to
Essex Co., N.Y., with her parents prior to her
marriage; she died April 15, 1850.  Mr. SHERMAN is one
of a family of twelve children - sox sons and six
daughters - three of whom now live in the State of New
York, and one in Iowa.  He spent his time in farming
in Essex Co., till 1849, when he removed to Steuben
Co., N.Y. where he engaged in lumbering for three
years.  In 1852, he immigrated to Columbia Co., Wis.,
and located on a farm on Sec. 4, town of Columbus,
where he now owns 103 acres on Secs. 4 and 5.  He has
been a member of the Town Board for two years.  He was
married in March 1851 to Miss Laura E., daughter of
Charles and Caroline LOVELESS, a native of Essex Co.,
N.Y.; born Dec. 15, 1836.  They have five children -
Orlin D., who married Miss Marian LINK, of Randolph,
Dodge Co., Wis., and now lives in this town
(Columbus); Albert R., at home; Eliza, now the wife of
Charles OLIVER, and lives at Winnebago City, Minn.;
Frank, and Clinton, at home.

T. CLARK SMITH, farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Columbus; was
born in Seneca Co., N.Y., in January 1811; when a mere
infant, his parents removed with him to Yates Co.,
N.Y., and located on a farm near Seneca Lake, where he
lived till near 31 years of age; he emigrated to
Wisconsin in 1842, and in June of that year, entered
and located on a farm of 160 acres in Secs. 3, 7 and
8, in the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., and in the
following September he went to Illinois, purchased
some land, and in October took the boat at Chicago,
was joined by his family at Milwaukee, and returned
via Buffalo, to Yates Co., for the winter; he came
again, with his effects to Columbia Co., in the spring
of 1843, and found his log house occupied by Mr.
BUSHNELL, who received him kindly, and soon gave up
his possessions to him; he at once began to make
improvements, and has since made that his home; his
farm now consists of 446 acres in the town of
Columbus, and 40 acres in the town of Calamus, Dodge
Co.; his log house has been exchanged for a commodious
residence, with all the improvements of a model farm. 
Mr. SMITH was elected the first Sheriff of Columbia
Co., in the spring of 1846 and in the fall of that
year was re-elected for another term of two years; he
has also been Chairman of the Town Board one term.  He
was married in April 1868, to Mrs. Angeline CARPENTER,
nee COMPTOM; they each have two children by former
marriages.

Submitted by Carol