Miscellaneous Kenosha Co., Wisconsin Biographies USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogy information on the Internet, data may be freely 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 presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must contact the submitter or the listed USGenWeb archivist. The history of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin, containing a history of each county, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc., an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, their improvements, industries, manufactures, churches, schools, societies, etc., war record, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views of buildings, etc., etc.; also history of Wisconsin, Constitution of the United States and of Wisconsin, condensed abstract of laws of Wisconsin, miscellaneous, etc., illustrated Chicago: Western Historical Company. MDCCCLXXIX. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. ABBREVIATIONS. Co. company or county dir dealer W. V. A. Wis. Volunteer Artillery W 9, C. Wis. Volunteer Cavalry W. V. 1 Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry P. O. Post Office S. or Sec . Section st. street CITY OF KENOSHA N. R. ALLEN, proprietor of tannery, is at present the oldest settler in Kenosha; he came here Aug. 17,1835, and engaged in the mercantile business, in which he remained until May, 1836, when he began farming. He pre-empted a quarter of Section 31, and subsequently bought an additional quarter. After a visit of year at the East, he returned, in 1841, and built stores and a dwelling, the latter being the first brick house in Kenosha. In October, 1843, he married Mary Hale, a native of Oneida Co., N. Y. In the spring previous to that, he bought out Samuel Hale, and carried on the business as the firm of Stryker & Allen. He was Highway Commissioner most of 1844, and the firm of Stryker & Allen being dissolved after six months, he clerked for John Bullen, Jr. In 1845, he was elected Constable and Collector; held the office for five years. When the county was divided, in 1850, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff by Leonard Crocker, and, in the fall of the year, was elected Sheriff. Mr. Allen was one of the original stockholders in the Western Emigration Co., organized in Hannibal Center, Oswego Co., N. Y. He invested in three shares of the stock, which cost him all the money he had in the world, $30. He had taught school the previous winter to earn it. Mr. Allen only realized $3 for the money invested. In 1853, he bought grain, and, in the spring of 1854, formed a lumber partnership with James M. Stryker and John A. Brooks. He continued in this firm two years, and, in 1856, commenced the building of his tannery on its present site, in company with Levi Grand and William Vercelius. In 1857, Vercelius having withdrawn from the firm, though still foreman, Grant sold out to William H. Smith, who in turn sold his interest to Allen, in 1863. The tannery burned June 21, 1866. On the 1st of May Mr. Allen's son, Charles W., became a partner, as did another son, Nathan R., in 1878; the latter received the first diploma issued to a civil engineer from the Northwestern University. Mr. Allen, during his long residence, has held many offices of trust. He was Trustee of the village two or three years before the city incorporation; he was a member of the first grand jury in Racine Co., and was on the last grand jury in Kenosha Co., before that system was abolished. He has been Alderman one or two terms, a member of the Board of Supervisors, and also a member of the School Board. Mr. Allen has six children, four daughters and the two sons before mentioned. The daughters are Mary H., now Mrs. James H. Cole, of Kenosha; Hattie C., Julia C. and Clara Adelle. HENRY ANDRE, manufacturer and dealer in cigars and tobaccos; born in Pennsylvania in 1839; came to Wisconsin in 1865l, locating at Racine, where he worked at cigar business for one year, then moved to Kenosha and commenced business for himself. Married, in the fall of 1865, Miss Elmira B. Stoneback, a native of Chester Co., Penn. They have had three children, one boy and two girls. Members Methodist Church; Republican. EDWARD BAIN, a native of Kinderhook, Columbia Co., N. Y. was born on the 9th day of March, 1823, and is the son of Bastian and Moyea Burgher Bain; his father was of Scotch and his mother of German ancestry; he received a good common-school education, and, in 1839, went to Albany and apprenticed himself to learn the hardware business; when he became of age, he removed to the West and settled at what was then known as Southport (now Kenosha); he established himself at once in the hardware business, which he continued, with uninterrupted success, for twenty years. PARIS TOWNSHIP D. DUNNING, farmer, Secs. 19 and 20; P. O. Paris; he was born in Essex Co., N. Y. Feb. 15, 1814; came to Wisconsin in 1839, locating in Paris Township and engaged in farming. He married on Oct. 15, 1843, Miss Clarissa L. Brayton, a native of Wayne Co., N. Y.; they have had five children, two living Brayton, born June, 1848; Frank, May, 1850. Brayton married Miss Rhoda Wheeler; they have three children - Frederick, Wentworth and Charlie. Mr. Brayton Dunning has been an active member of the School Board, and he is at present Director of same. He owns 120 acres of fine, fertile land, in Paris Township. His father, Mr. E. D. Dunning, has led an active, energetic life, and he has accumulated a valuable property, owning altogether 200 acres of well-improved land, in two farms. JOHN EDGOOSE, farmer, Sec. 9; P.O. Union Grove; born in Norfolk, England, in 1827; he came to America in 1846, arriving in Racine, Wis., Oct. 20; he located in Yorkville, Racine Co., and engaged in farm-work; he purchased land in Kenosha Co. in 1847, but continued to work out until 1851, when he settled on the farm he had purchased, where he now resides. He married in Dover, Racine Co., Oct. 29, 1851, Miss Sarah L. Stebbins, a native of the State of New York, who died June 19, 1874. Mr. Edgoose married again July 18, 1875, Mrs. Lucinda Anderson, a native of Pleasant Prairie Township, Kenosha Co.; Mr.Edgoose has one child - Aristean, born Aug. 5, 1878. Mr. Edgoose is owner of 100 acres of land in Kenosha Co., and fifteen acres in the village of Union Grove, Racine Co. MATTHEW FONK, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Paris; born in Paris township, Kenosha Co., Dec. 16, 1846; his father, Philip Fonk, came to Kenosha Co. in the spring of 1846, locating in the township of Paris, where he engaged in farming, which he followed until his retirement from active pursuits in 1875. Matthew Fonk was raised on his father's farm, and has always followed farming; he is now working his own farm in Paris Township, consisting of 210 acres. Married in Kenosha Co. Jan. 10, 1871, Eval Corol, a native of France; Mr. Fonk has four children - Annie R., born Oct. 10, 1871; Virginia M., in 1872; Maggie E., Aug. 20, 1873; Mary, Jan. 29, 1878. CHARLES M. FOWLER, Farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Bristol; born in Connecticut Dec. 30, 1796; came West in 1838, and purchased land at the Government land sale; March, 1839, he went back to Connecticut; came West again in 1848; brought his family, and settled on the farm he now occupies in 1850. Married in Northford, Conn., in 1824, Miss Emily Cook, a native of that place; Mr. Fowler has four children living - Anna L., born Sept. 6, 1826; Ellen, June 2, 1830; Jeannette, Nov. 19, 1832; John D., June 26, 1835; two died - Emily, born Dec. 28, 1836 (died June 28, 1853); Charlotte M., born Nov. 9, 1841 (died June 19, 1845); Mrs. Emily Fowler Nov. 15, 1874, aged 72 years. Mr. Fowler is owner of 580 acres of land. JOHN D. GOLDSWORTHY, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Union Grove; born in Cornwall, England, he came to Wisconsin in June, 1842, and located in Paris Township; engaged at farming, and has accumulated a valuable property. He married, in 1847, Miss Mary Ann Gilbert, a native of Cheshire, England; they have had eleven children, seven living - Stephen G., William G., John D., Joseph T., Mary 3., Samuel and Jennie. Mr. Goldthe Bible Christian Church. MARY E. HANEY, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Sylvania , Racine Co.; born in Prussia in 1817; in 1848, she came with her husband and family to America; in 1849, to Wisconsin, and located on a farm in Paris Township, where Mrs. Haney and her son Jacob now reside. Mrs. Haney married in Prussia Mr. Peter Haney, who died Sept. 15, 1871; the family consists of the widow and two sons - John, Married and residing on a farm in Paris Township, near his mother; Jacob resides with his mother, and conducts her farm of 120 acres; John was born in May, 1842, and Jacob in August, 1848. DANIEL MARSH, farmer, Secs. 34 and 35; P. O. Kenosha; born in Onondaga Co., N.Y., in 1830; came to Kenosha Co., Wis., in 1846, his father, Lyman Marsh, locating on the farm now managed by Daniel. Mr. Lyman Marsh died in March, 1861, since which time Daniel Marsh has conducted the farm. Mr. Marsh held the office of Treasurer of Paris in the years 1854 and 1855, and has been Town Clerk for several years; also was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in 1865 and 1866, and elected Justice of the Peace in 1854. He married I New York Oct. 26, 1853, Miss Emily J. Wood, a native of the State of New York. He has two children - Charles L., born May 2, 1856; Henry W., born June 2, 1866. Mr. Marsh is owner of 150 acres. BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP THOMAS FRANCIS BABE, P. O. Brighton; son of Thomas Babe, who was born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1804, and came to Brighton in 1845. He married Mary Tarley in Ireland, and had four children - Thomas, Phillip, Mary and Catherine. He died in Brighton Oct. 23, 1875, aged 70 years. Thomas was born in Brighton March 23, 1846; educated here. He now owns 80 acres in Brighton, with barns and residence built by his father. Phillip, the other son, also owns 80 acres in Brighton; they live with their mother and two sisters. SAMUEL BOHANAN, farmer, Sec. 25; P. O. Bristol; was born in Paris Township, Kenosha Co., June 5, 1848. His father was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1828; came to Wisconsin in 1844, and located in Paris Township, where he engaged at farming; remained at that occupation during his life, excepting a few years when he kept a hotel. Samuel, at an early age succeeded his father on the farm, which occupation he is still engaged in. He married, in Yorkville, Township, Nov. 1, 1870, Miss Emma Banons, a native of Yorkville Township; she was born in 1853. They have five children - Hiram, born June 3, 1872; Etta, born Feb. 3, 1874; William, born March 14, 1875; Myrta, born Sept. 26, 1876; Andrew, born March 15, 1878. Mr. Samuel Bohanan enlisted on Oct. 4, 1862, in Co. D, 1st Wis. Art.; served until September, 1865, at which time he was mustered out, an returned to his home. He owns 80 acres of productive land, comfortable house and a pleasant home. JOHN CALLAGHAN, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Brighton; he was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1831; he first came to Wisconsin in 1849, and lived in Burlington Township, where he worked on a farm till 1851, then moved to Brighton Township, where he was employed on different farms. In 1856, he married, in Burlington village, Miss Ellen Flannagan; she was born in County Cork in 1835; they have never had any children. In 1858, Mr. Callaghan, with his wife, moved to Minnesota, where he located on a farm; lived there until 1864, then returned to Wisconsin and bought the farm on which he is now living. He has been very industrious; he owns forty acres of fertile land, situated on Sec. 19, handsomely improved, with stables, granary and comfortable house. Members of the Brighton Roman Catholic Church. CHARLES CHOAK, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Kansasville; he was born in Cornwall, England, in 1841; he came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1853; they located in Brighton and began farming; Charles lived at home until 1861, when he enlisted in the 1st W. V. I., Co. C; he was in all the battles his regiment participated in; he was wounded at the battle of Jonesboro, where he had his finger shot off; was mustered out in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1865, when he returned to his home and parents. He married, in April, 1867, Miss Lotta Weaver, born in Brighton; they have three children - Evered born Oct. 22, 1868; Ellinor Aug.6, 1871; Florence Nellie, Feb. 20, 1875. He was elected and served as Treasurer of the School Board at different times, giving satisfaction to the community. He owns 146 acres of fine land, all under cultivation, finely improved, good barns, a new, pretty house, comfortable home, etc. WILLIAM CHOAK, farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. right on; he was born in Cornwall, England, in July, 1815; located where he is now living, and engaged at farming, which occupation he has industriously followed since. He married, in England, in 1837, Miss Patty Harry, a native of Cornwall, England; they have eight children living - Charley, born in 1841; Lavinia, 1845; Louisa, 1846; William, 1849; Emeline, 1851; Sarah, 1855; Alfred E., 1858; Laura A., 1860. Mr. Choak was elected member of the School Board, and served twelve consecutive years giving satisfaction to the community. He owns 200 acres of land, 160 acres situated on Sec. 22, and 40 acres on Sec. 2; the land is all very good, most of it under cultivation, well improved, large barns, etc., a comfortable house and pleasant home. Member of the Brighton Methodist Church.