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    NORMAN L. JAMES has long been recognized as one of the leading citizens of Richland county and he has so managed his various business interests as to not only contribute to his material well-being but also to develop the natural resources of the community in which he lives. Mr. James was born in Deerfield, Rockingham county, N. H., Nov. 29, 1840, and came with his parents to Richland county in the spring of 1855, since which time he has been a resident here. His father was George H. James, who with his family was among the early settlers of Richland Center, and in the year of his arrival, 1855, he purchased a large quantity of land in Richland and Bad Axe (now Vernon) counties. He also purchased a large quantity of flour, and for several years supplied a good portion of the county with that necessary article. In 1862 he engaged in the hardware business, which he continued until 1881, when he withdrew from the active participation in affairs and lived the remainder of his life in well-earned retirement, dying July 29, 1894. He, also, was born in Deerfield, N. H., the date of his birth being Sept. 6, 1815, and he received his education in the same school that afterward afforded the early educational training of his children. As a young man he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and also worked as a wheel and millwright, but after coming to Wisconsin he gave his attention to farming until he entered the mercantile business as above stated. He was a strong Republican in his political belief, and before the organization of that party was a Free Soiler. The James family is of old New England stock, and Capt. Warren James, a brother of George H., did good service in organizing troops for the Union army during the Civil War. He was a very prominent man in New Hampshire. George H. James was married at Lowell, Mass., on June 20, 1838, to Miss Louis E. Hurd, a native of Canada, born July 11, 1815, and she survived her husband nearly nine years, dying on May 29, 1901. Her father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. Four children, born to Mr. and Mrs. James, are now living; the subject of this review being the first born; David G., born in August, 1843, is a prominent hardware merchant of Richland Center; William G., born in April, 1847, is a resident of Milwaukee, and Lizzie, born in October, 1854, married George H. Strang and resides in Richland Center. When the James family came to Richland county the nearest railroad was at Madison, so they drove the remainder of the way, crossing the Wisconsin river by ferry at Muscoda. Prior to coming to Wisconsin the subject of this review had attended the public schools in his native state, and after coming here he continued his efforts for an education in the schools of Richland county. When eighteen years of age, with his father's consent, he began life for himself, and by his own efforts succeeded in getting a good education. He worked at various occupations, in the meantime attending private schools and he also employed private instructors in his desire to realize his cherished ambition. He taught school in the Brush Creek district in the winter of 1860-1 and also during the following summer. On Oct. 12, 1861, he enlisted at Mauston, Wis., in Company F, of the Sixteenth Wisconsin volunteer infantry, as a private, and with the command remained in Camp Randall until Mar. 13, 1862. Arriving at Pittsburg Landing on March 20, the regiment was assigned to General Prentiss' brigade, and was at the front when the battle of Shiloh opened. Two days of fearful exposure seriously affected the health of Mr. James and he was sent home, and at Mound City, above Cairo, from which place he was sent home, and after being on the convalescing list until Oct. 1, 1862, he was discharged for disability. Subsequently he tried to re-enlist three different times, but was rejected. On Feb. 3, 1863, he entered into partnership with his father in the hardware business at Richland Center, under the firm name of G. H. and N. L. James & Co. Later the father's interest was purchased and the firm was changed to James Brothers and it so continued until 1880, when the subject of this review sold his interest to his brother and retired from the business. He then opened a lumber yard and operated a mill from 1880 to 1894, during which time he contracted to furnish ties and bridge timber to the St. Paul Railroad Company. In the summer of 1875 a railroad company was organized at Richland Center with George Krouskop as president and Mr. James as general manager, under the name of the Pine River & Stevens Point Railroad company, the purpose being to build a railroad from Lone Rock to the county seat. About the first of October ground was broken near where the stock yard now is, and work continued during the following winter, driving piles and grading deep cuts. On July 1, 1876, the entire line was completed and trains were run between Richland Center and Lone Rock. Mr. James managed this road two years and then turned the management over to J. W. Lybrand. The stockholders realizing the improbability of ever receiving any dividends on their investment, in 1880 they placed the road in the hands of Mr. James to be sold. He succeeded in disposing of the road to the St. Paul Railroad Company, the latter taking all the interest of the stockholders at fifty cents on the dollar. In the fall of 1899 the Kickapoo Valley railroad was sold at public auction to pay the receiver's certificates, being bid in by a capitalist who had purchased the certificates, and a company was organized with H. A. J. Upham, of Milwaukee, as president. Mr. James was elected as general manager of the road with full power to operate and improve same. He expended about $90,000 in addition to the earnings and put the road in good operating condition, finally succeeding for the first time in reducing the operating expenses below the gross earnings. In March, 1903, he sold the road to the St. Paul company and retired from the management, having the satisfaction of knowing that he had done something to build up the industrial and commercial interests of the Kickapoo valley. During his career Mr. James has been associated with the strongest men, financially, in the state of Wisconsin, and his ability has been long recognized by them. Prior to the building of the railroad to Richland Center, in 1867 he took the contract to carry the mail to Lone Rock, secured a relay of horses, and also established a freight and express carrying system, his brother, David G., being associated with him in the enterprise. They ran two teams each way daily and also carried passengers, but that mode of travel and conveyance was of course ended with the building of the railroad to the county seat. A number of years ago Mr. James for a time engaged in the manufacture of furniture, a factory having fallen into his hands by reason of his being security for a firm that failed. He shipped furniture by boats and rafts to Burlington, Ia., and he also formerly floated railroad ties down the river. At present he conducts a lumber-yard and sawmill at Richland Center. Aside from his activity in the lines mentioned Mr. James has also been interested in the basic industry of agriculture. He brought the first creamery to Richland county in 1878, establishing the same in Bear valley, and in 1884 he introduced the first centrifugal separator in the state. It was located at Richland Center. Our subject has a farm of 120 acres, lying within the city limits of Richland Center, and he also owns 240 acres in the town of Dayton. He has always been successful in farming and stock-raising. Politically Mr. James has always affiliated with the Republican party, taking an active interest in its success even before he was a voter. He has filled various positions of a public nature, having represented Richland Center on the county board of supervisors, and he also served as chairman of that body. He served as a member of the state assembly in 1873, and again in 1875, was state senator from his district in 1885 and 1887, and he was a delegate to the Republican national convention in 1880. Mr. James was married, Sept. 11, 1865, to Miss Georgia Lane, daughter of David and Ann Maria Lane of Bear Valley. She was born in New York city, at the corner of Tenth street and Fourth avenue, and came to Richland county with her parents. Her father was in business in New Jersey for several years prior to coming to Wisconsin, and he came to the western country in the hopes of benefiting his health. Mr. and Mrs. James are the parents of four children, as follows: Eva L., born Oct. 11, 1866, married E. B. Clark, who is a prominent banker and lumberman in Miles City, Mont.; Harry L., born in May, 1868, is a captain on the retired list of the regular army and has charge of recruiting stations at Davenport, Cedar Rapids and Dubuque, went into the Spanish-American war as lieutenant and has made two trips to the Philippines; Norman L., Jr., born in 1881, has charge of the hardwood lumber yard at Richland Center; and Mabel L., born in 1887, remains at home with her parents. Mr. James was made a Mason in the lodge at Richland Center, in 1868, and a Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar at Madison in 1873. In 1893 he joined the Wisconsin consistory and took the Thirty-second degree. He is a member of the Tripoli Shrine at Milwaukee, and also has membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at the latter place.
    NICK JAX, ex-supervisor of the town of Westford, is one of the representative farmers of the county, where his entire life has been passed. He was born in the town of Westford, this county, October 24, 1861, and is a son of Peter and Ann M. (Steffes) Jax, both native of Prussia, Germany. Both came to America when young and their marriage was solemnized in Wisconsin. He located near Fond du Lac, this state, whence he came to Richland county in 1854, taking up a tract of government land in the town of Westford, the entire section being heavily timbered, with no roads through the forest. He made the trip from Fond du Lac with an ox team and one horse, having much difficulty in making his way through the forest to his destination. He made a clearing on his land and erected a primitive log cabin, which was later destroyed by fire, as was also his second house. He bent every energy to the reclaiming of his farm and eventually became the owner of a good farm, accumulating a very considerable landed estate before his death, which occurred Nov. 5, 1898, his wife having passed away Sept. 6, 1891. Both were communicants of the Catholic church, being members of St. Anthony's parish, and in politics he was a stanch Democrat. To them were born ten children: John M. resides in Seattle, Wash.; Mary is the wife of William Blunigan, of Marshfield, Wis.; Theodore is deceased; William is a farmer of Richland county; Elizabeth is the wife of Peter Gillis, of Mitchell county, Ia.; the subject of this sketch was the next in order of birth; Peter is a barber in Jefferson county; Anthony operates a shingle mill in Seattle, Wash.; Sebastian is deceased; and Annie is the wife of Joseph Barnier, of Olivia, Minn. Nick Jax secured his early educational training in the district school and was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm. He has resided on the old homestead from his boyhood to the present, except for a period of two years, during which he operated a horse-ranch and sawmill in Montana, and varying intervals in which he has followed other temporary avocations aside from farming. For the past eighteen years he has given his attention to the management of his homestead farm, which is devoted to diversified agriculture, stock-growing and dairying. He has one hundred and forty acres; well improved and of the same about eighty acres are now under cultivation. He is an energetic and capable business man and has made his farm enterprise a prosperous one. He is held in high esteem in his native county and served three years as a member of the board of supervisors, being a Democrat in his political proclivities. He and his wife are communicants of St. Anthony's Catholic church. May 28, 1888, Mr. Jax was married to Miss Leimkuehler, who was born in the town of Westford, this county, being a daughter of Gottfried and Gertrude (Bauer) Leimkuehler, natives of Germany. The father came to America when a young man and the mother when but five years of age. They were married Oct. 5, 1858, and of their eleven children seven are living. In conclusion is given brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Jax, with the respective dates of birth: Adeline C., Sept. 9, 1889; Eva G., Dec. 11, 1892; Pauline, June 17, 1896; Marcella, Nov. 25, 1898; Hurbert N., Aug. 27, 1901; Herman J., Nov. 23, 1903; and Leonard J., Aug. 5, 1905.
    LOUIS T. JOHNSON is the efficient and popular superintendent of the Richland county insane asylum and alms-house, and by virtue of his position he also officiates as secretary of the board of managers of those institutions. He was born in Hougesund, Norway, on June 5, 1866, and he is the son of T. Ovsthus and wife, the father still residing in his native land, while the mother is deceased. The subject of this review is one of two children that were born to these parents. Louis T. Johnson was educated in Norway, attending school in that country until he had reached the age of sixteen years, and then he set out to try his fortune in the great republic of the west. Arriving in America he first located at Viroqua, Wis., where he engaged in teaching, and during the first year there he conducted two terms of school. He then engaged as a clerk in a store in Viroqua and followed employment of that kind during the ensuing eight years. His industrious habits and the close and careful attention which he gave to all matters intrusted to his care soon impressed his fellow men with his general worth and he was called upon to assume the position of attendant at the Vernon county insane asylum, where he remained in that capacity three years, after which he became the supervisor of the institution and remained three years longer. On Sept. 6, 1897, he came to Richland county to accept the position of superintendent of the county asylum and alms-house, and he has officiated in that capacity since, seemingly to the entire satisfaction of everyone interested. He has entire charge of both institutions, including the farm of 580 acres of land, and fourteen assistants are employed in the management of the large affairs that need constant attention and care. Mr. Johnson was married on June 16, 1889, to Miss Anna Sophia Hooverson, of Soldiers' Grove, Crawford county, Wis., and to this union one child has been born - Agnes Beatrice, who resides at home. Our subject is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Foresters.
    JAMES W. JONES is the owner of one of the fine farm properties of Richwood township and is a citizen of sterling character, being held in high regard in the community which has represented his home for so many years. Mr. Jones was born in the state of Tennessee, Nov. 3, 1836, and is a son of Warrenton and Minerva (Howard) Jones, the former of whom was born in Georgia, in 1811, and the latter in South Carolina, in 1813. Their marriage was solemnized in Tennessee and there they remained until 1847, they came to Wisconsin. The father had visited the state in 1842, making the entire trip on horseback and remaining for some time. After bringing his family to this state he engaged in mining at Mineral Point, where he remained until 1853, when he removed with his family to Richland county and took up 100 acres of government land in Richwood township and forty acres adjoining in Crawford county. He reclaimed his farm to cultivation and here both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, having been numbered among the sterling pioneers of the county. Of their seven children five are living. He was a Democrat in his political proclivities and both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this review was Joseph Jones, who was born in Georgia and who was a resident of Tennessee at the time of his death, as was also his wife, Elizabeth, who was a native of England. The maternal grandfather, Robert Howard, was born in South Carolina, removing thence to Tennessee, from which state he came to Wisconsin in 1826, becoming one of the first miners at Mineral Point, where he erected the first dwelling, a primitive log cabin. He represented Iowa county two terms in the state legislature and was one of the influential citizens of his section, having been a Democrat in his political adherency. He died in 1870 and his wife passed away in 1880, having been a resident of Missouri at the time. James W. Jones was ten years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Mineral Point, and there he was reared to maturity, securing a common-school education. He accompanied his parents to Richland county in 1855, and here he has since been actively concerned in agricultural pursuits, being now the owner of a farm of 400 acres, in Richwood township, and having developed a considerable portion of the same from the virgin forest. In politics Mr. Jones is an uncompromising supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party and he has rendered efficient service as a member of the town board, of which he was chairman four years, also holding the office of assessor for five terms. He and his wife are zealous members of the Christian church. Nov. 30, 1856, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Kinder, who was born in Indiana, in 1838, being a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Hartwell) Kinder, the former of whom was born in Kentucky. He came to Wisconsin in 1845 and established his home in Richwood township, Richland county, where he passed the remainder of his life. He died Feb. 17, 1873, at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife died in 1875. He was a Democrat in politics and was a citizen who held the unequivocal esteem of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Jones became the parents of fourteen children, namely: John, Allen, James, Lee, Clara, Minerva, Millie, Hattie, Julia, Dora, Elmer, Clarence, Etta, and Roy. John, Millie, Hattie and Roy are deceased, and the others are all married and well established in life, Elmer and Clarence having charge of their father's farm.
    EDWIN JOSEPH is one of the able and popular exemplars of the agricultural industry in Akan township, where he has a well improved farm. He makes a specialty of raising high-grade stock and is also interested in the manufacturing of cheese. Mr. Joseph has been a resident of Richland county from the time of his birth, which occurred in the town of Forest, May 3, 1868, and he is a son of John and Anna (Morris) Joseph, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in Wales. Their marriage was solemnized in England, whence they immigrated to America, becoming pioneers of Green county, Wis., whence they later came to Richland county and numbered themselves among the early settlers of Forest township, where the father developed a farm and where both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, honored for their sterling attributes of character. The father cleared and improved his land and was the owner of 160 acres at the time of his demise. He was a loyal supporter of the Republican party and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Baptist church. Of their nine children six are still living. Edwin Joseph was reared to maturity on the home farm and was educated in the public schools of the locality. He has been continuously identified with agricultural pursuits from the time of initiating his independent career and is now the owner of a good farm of 160 acres, in sections 11-12 Akan township, the place having excellent buildings and other permanent improvements and being given over to diversified farming and stock-growing, in the latter department of which enterprise he makes a specialty of raising Hereford cattle and Poland-China swine. Mr. Joseph is also a stockholder of the West Branch Cheese Company and has been manager and salesman for its well equipped factory. In politics he is stanchly arrayed with the Republican party and he is at the present time school director for his district, taking a loyal interest in all that touches the welfare of the community. He and his wife attend and support the United Brethren church at Boaz. Mar. 17, 1892, Mr. Joseph wedded Miss Alice Dobson, who was born in the town of Forest, this county, June 10, 1871, a daughter of Thomas L. and Emma (Ewing) Dobson, who now reside in Viola, this county, having been early settlers of Forest township, whither they came from Pennsylvania. Mr. Dobson was a member of Company I, Twelfth Wisconsin volunteer infantry, in the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph have three children, - Mildred, born Jan. 18, 1894; Emil, born Apr. 3, 1898; and Glenn, born Oct. 17, 1903.
    MAJOR WILLIAM H. JOSLIN has been for nearly half a century one of the leading citizens of Richland county, and whether identified as an office-holder in a civil capacity or in military equipment at the front of battle he has filled every position with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of those in whose interests he was acting. Major Joslin was born in Ypsilanti, Mich, Sept. 25, 1829, and he is the son of Carlos Joslin, who was also a pioneer citizen of Richland county, and to whom it is proper to devote a few lines in this memoir, which in dedicated especially to his worthy son. Carlos Joslin was born in Chittenden county, Vt., Nov. 30, 1805, and his parents dying when he was but a small boy he subsequently resided with his guardian, and with the latter, about 1819, removed to the state of New York. Mr. Joslin came to Michigan in 1827, while the future Wolverine State was yet a territory, and there he followed farming and lumbering until 1841, when he came to Wisconsin, and first settled at Madison. He resided there until November, 1846, when he removed to Mineral Point, and in 1847 the family took up a residence in Richland county, six miles south of Richland Center, where the father pre-empted the southeast quarter of section 9, town 9 north, range 1 east, of the fourth principal meridian, now known as the town of Orion. He resided on his pre-emption but one year, when he sold to Frederick Schuerman, and then entered the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 10, in the same town. There he toiled to improve the land, and, in common with the rest of the settlers on Ash creek, endured the hardships and enjoyed the pastimes of pioneer life. In 1853 Mr. Joslin moved to the north part of the county and became one of the early settlers in the town of Henrietta, where he became one of the most highly respected citizens, and died in August, 1892, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. In 1825, near Rochester, N.Y., he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bostwick, who was a native of Canada, and who was to him a faithful wife and dutiful helpmate until her death, which occurred in 1876, she being at the time sixty-nine years of age. The subject of this review is one of five children who were born to these honored parents, the names and other data being given as follows: Lucy married Lattimer Renick and is now deceased; William H. is he of whom more will be said in the course of this article; James Wallace is a resident of Little Falls, Minn.; Mary A. married Octavius Carl and is deceased; and Albert E. is a resident of Royalton, Minn. Maj. W. H. Joslin was educated in the common schools and remained with his parents until 1847, coming with them to Wisconsin, but he did not locate in Richland county until 1848, which was one year after the family had settled on Ash creek. He began his independent career by engaging in the lumber business and also followed farming. In 1853 he settled in the town of Henrietta and engaged there in farming until 1858, in which year he was elected sheriff of Richland county. He then removed to Richland Center and served the people one term as sheriff, when he again resumed the occupation of a tiller of the soil. He subsequently spent one year in Colorado, but his family did not leave the county, and in 1862 he returned home. In August of the same year, enthused with patriotism, he raised a company of men, of which he was chosen captain, and, in September following, it was mustered into the service as Company B, of the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin volunteer infantry. The company was composed entirely of Richland county boys, and Major Joslin was commissioned as their captain on Aug. 16, 1862, after which they were ordered to the front and joined the Army of the Tennessee. Prior to going south, however, the regiment to which the company was attached was ordered to report to General Pope, at St. Paul, to aid in suppressing the Indian difficulties in the state of Minnesota. In the spring of 1863 it was transferred to the south and at the siege of Vicksburg formed the extreme right of the line of investment. On Aug 25, 1863, Captain Joslin was promoted major and was in command of the regiment from Sept. 16 to Oct. 25, 1864. In May, 1864, the regiment joined the forces of General Sherman, preparatory to the movement on Atlanta, and in that celebrated campaign took part in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, throughout the siege of Atlanta, including the battle of July 22, Jonesboro, and innumerable skirmishes. It then participated in the pursuit of Hood, after which it returned to Atlanta and prepared to take part in the famous "march to the sea." During that brilliant campaign, so disastrous to the Confederate cause, Colonel Rusk was in command of the regiment. From Savannah the command marched up through the Carolinas, and in the fight on the Salkahatchie Lieut.-Col. Jeremiah Rusk (who afterward became governor of Wisconsin) was in command of the regiment. He was injured by an exploding shell and fell from his horse, when Major Joslin assumed command and reformed the front. It was said by the division commander that on this occasion Colonel Rusk rode further into hell at the head of the charge than any other officer could, but Major Joslin, after assuming command, led the regiment still further. Finally reaching Goldsboro, the regiment proceeded to open communications with the coast, and then started after Johnston, who had retreated toward Smithfield. After the surrender of that general and his forces the regiment moved overland to Petersburg and Richmond, and thence through the historic battle fields of the Army of the Potomac - Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and the Wilderness - on to Washington, where it took part in the grand review. The war being over and peace being restored, Major Joslin was mustered out of the service on June 7, 1865, being breveted colonel as a partial reward for the gallant service which he had rendered. Although an active participant in many hotly contested engagements he was singularly fortunate, only receiving two or three slight wounds, but a number of bullets passed through his clothing. At the close of the war he returned to Richland county and engaged in farming, turning his sword into a plowshare, and followed that occupation and also lumbering until 1881. In 1868 he was elected treasurer of Richland county, was re-elected in 1870, thus serving two terms, and in 1879 he was chosen to represent the county in the assembly. He was later appointed by Governor Rusk as assistant superintendent of public property, with headquarters at Madison, in which capacity he served for a period of nine years, the last two years with the administration of Governor Hoard. He was then appointed to a position in the agricultural department at Washington, under Secretary Rusk, in which he served one year, after which he was appointed to a clerkship in the department of the secretary of state and served therein from 1894 to 1898, inclusive. Aside from these more important official stations Major Joslin has acceptably filled various local offices, having served as chairman of the town board of Henrietta and also of Rockbridge a number of terms. He served as treasurer of the town of Henrietta two or three terms, and after his removal to Richland Center he served as city treasurer three years. Since returning from his official duties in Washington, in 1899, he has lived in retirement in Richland Center, enjoying the pleasures of a vigorous old age, due in a large measure to a well-spent and temperate life. At different times in his active career he has devoted considerable attention to interests which he had in Nebraska and Minnesota, but he always kept his residence in Richland county, and since he first gazed upon her hills and dales in 1848 he has looked upon her as the place of his abode. Major Joslin was married, Oct. 24, 1852, to Miss Margaret M. Gillam, a native of Edwardsville, Ill., who came with her parents to Platteville, Grant county, in 1836. She is the daughter of Charles and Clarinda Gillam, the former of whom was a native of South Carolina and the latter of Georgia, and after coming to Wisconsin they spent the remainder of their lives in Grant county, both of them dying there. To Mr. and Mrs. Joslin there have been born seven children, the names and other facts concerning whom are as follows: Mary M. married John W. Bowen and resides in Richland Center; Frank W. is also a resident of Richland Center; James G. is a teacher in Minnesota; Charles H. and Hattie C. are twins and both reside in Richland county, the latter being the wife of George Brewer; Susie married John W. Dieter, a druggist in Richland Center, and May B. resides at home with her parents. Major Joslin fraternizes with the Masonic order, being a member of Richland lodge, No. 66, at Richland Center, and of the Robert McCoy commandery at Madison. He also has membership in W. H. Bennett post, G. A. R., at Richland Center. In politics he has always affiliated with the Republican party.
    JOHN JOYCE was one of the sterling pioneers of Richland county, where he reclaimed a good farm, continuing to reside on his homestead, in Marshall township, until the time of his death. He was a man of spotless integrity and his life counted for good in all its relations. Mr. Joyce was born in County Galway, Ireland, in December, 1816, being a son of Miles Joyce, who passed his entire life in the Emerald Isle. The subject of this memoir was reared to maturity in his native land and there received a good common-school education. In 1848 he immigrated to America, making the trip on a sailing vessel, and the voyage extended over a period of eight weeks. He was accompanied by his wife, whose maiden name was Anna Bann and who likewise was native of County Galway. They located in Pennsylvania, whence they later removed to Ohio, where Mr. Joyce was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1860, when he removed with his family to Wisconsin and numbered himself among the pioneers of Richland county. He secured 220 acres of wild land, in section 36, Marshall township, erecting on the same his little log cabin, sixteen by twenty feet in dimensions, and forthwith instituting the reclamation of a farm in the midst of the forest. He was a man of marked energy and determination, laboring early and late and directing his affairs with much discrimination and ability. He was distinctively the architect of his own fortunes, and he gained a success worthy the name. He reclaimed about 100 acres of his homestead before he was summoned to his final reward. Mr. Joyce was held in unqualified esteem in the community, was a communicant of the Catholic church and was a stanch adherent of the Democratic party. He took an active and helpful interest in public affairs and served eighteen years as treasurer of his school district. He died July 25, 1882, and his devoted wife survived him by a score of years, her death occurring Dec. 21, 1902. They became the parents of nine children, concerning whom the following brief record is entered: Catherine is the wife of Martin Walsh, a farmer of Richland county; Bridget, now deceased, was the wife of James Luft, who is a railroad conductor, residing in the city of Madison; Mary is the widow of Thomas Nee and resides in Richland Center; Anna, now deceased, was the wife of Patrick Wallace, of Richland county; Thomas resides in the town of Rockbridge; Ella is the wife of Anthony Nee, a farmer of Ithaca township; John, by whom was furnished the information on which this sketch is based, will be further mentioned in this context; Sarah is the wife of Henry O'Brien, of Superior, Wis.; and Margaret is the wife of Timothy Conley, of Superior. John Joyce, the seventh of the children, was reared and educated in Richland county and still remains on the old homestead farm, which was the place of his birth. He has always resided here and has well upheld the honor of the name which he bears, being now one of the representative farmers of his native township, devoting his attention to diversified agriculture, stock-growing and dairying. He accords allegiance to the Democratic party and both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church. He has been treasurer of school district No. 5 for the past twelve years and takes a special concern in the educational work in his township. Nov. 12, 1903, Mr. Joyce was united in marriage to Miss Mary Thompson, a daughter of George and Mary (Drea) Thompson, of Rockbridge township. Her father was born in this county and her mother in Cleveland, Ohio, and the former was a carpenter by trade. They became the parents of nine children: Mildred resides in the city of Chicago; Mary is the wife of Mr. Joyce, of this sketch; Lucy is the wife of James Thompson, of Beloit, Wis.; Catherine is the wife of Charles Long, of Baraboo, Wis.; and Georgia, Della, Hiram, Helen and Margaret remain at the parental home. Mr. and Mrs. Joyce have one son, John G., who was born Mar. 5, 1905.
    BENJAMIN JUDSON, one of the venerable citizens of the town of Henrietta, where he has made his home for nearly half a century, is of stanch English ancestry in the agnatic line and is a scion of the third generation of the family in America. Though nearing the patriarchal age of ninety years he is well preserved in mind and body and is a man of high intellectuality and was a licensed preacher in the Adventist church, but is now a member of the Seventh-day branch of that religious organization. He is now living retired, after long identification with the farming industry in the county, and having divided his property among his children makes his home with the youngest son. Mr. Judson was born in Woodbury, Litchfield county, Conn. Oct. 27, 1819, and in the same place was born his father, Benjamin, the date of whose nativity was May 6, 1774. He bore the family patronymic, having been a son of Benjamin Judson, who was the founder of the family in America, whither he came in the latter part of the eighteenth century. He was born in England, in 1734, and died in Connecticut, Sept. 11, 1811. He was twice married and reared a large family of children. Benjamin Judson (2d), father of the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood in Connecticut, where he passed his entire life, having been a farmer by vocation. He married Esther Miner, who likewise was native of Connecticut, and she survived him, her death occurring Nov. 14, 1868, at the venerable age of ninety-seven years. He was a deacon in the Congregational church during the major portion of his mature life and was a man of exalted integrity of character. He and his wife became the parents of nine children: Isaac, who was born June 14, 1796, died in Cleveland, O.; Albert, who was born Sept. 28, 1798, became a clergyman of the Presbyterian church and his death occurred in the city of Philadelphia; Lydia, who was born July 1, 1801, became the wife of David S. Miner and both are deceased; Ann, born Aug. 29, 1803, never married and she passed her entire life in Woodbury, Conn.; Lucy, who was born Aug. 21, 1805, and who became a successful teacher, married Augustus W. Curtis and both died in the state of Illinois; Achsa, born June 22, 1810, married Rev. John W. Beecher, a clergyman of the Congregational church, and they lived in turn in Connecticut, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee, both having died a number of years ago; Eunice, who was born May 31, 1813, married Milton Hart and both died in Connecticut; Gould C., who was born May 18, 1815, received a collegiate education and was ordained a minister of the Congregational church, following his high calling, in Ohio and later in New York, until impaired health compelled his retirement; he married Mary Beardsley, of New Haven, Conn., and she is now deceased; Benjamin, subject of this sketch, is the youngest of the nine children. After due preliminary training in the common schools Benjamin Judson continued his studies in Woodbury Academy, in his native town. He was reared to maturity in Connecticut, where he remained until he had attained to his legal majority, when he went to Ruggles, Ashland county, Ohio, in 1840, there teaching school for one term. He had purchased a farm in Ashland county but later sold the same and removed to Wakeman, Huron county, O., in which section he bought sixty acres of land, improving a good farm and there continuing to reside until 1860, when he traded his farm for 160 acres of wild land in sections 6 and 7, town of Henrietta, Richland county, Wis. He came here the same year, in company with his family, and on his land he made a sufficient clearing to enable him to erect his pioneer log house and barn. He then proceeded to reclaim his land to cultivation, and with the development of the county, with which his own operations kept pace, his success became cumulative and he gained prestige as one of the prosperous and substantial farmers of his town. He made excellent improvements on the farm and added to its area, continuing to reside on the place until about 1898, when he sold the property to his son Alvin W., who sold the property in the spring of 1900 and purchased 120 acres in section 16, Henrietta township, and on this place he now lives with this son. Mr. Judson has ever taken a deep interest in all that has made for the wellbeing of the community and his broad information and mature judgment have made him popular as advisor and friend. As a young man he was ordained as a preacher in the Christian conference of Wisconsin, and later he joined the Seventh-day Adventist church, having been active in his ministerial labors and having been called upon to preach in many different places. He served two terms as justice of the peace, also held the office of town treasurer and has been incumbent of minor positions of public trust, ever commanding the unqualified esteem of all who know him. In politics he has been a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party from the time of its organization. June 7, 1843, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Judson to Miss Janet K. McCullough, who was born in Washington county, Penn., being a daughter of Ebenezer and Mary McCullough, the former of whom died in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ohio. Mrs. Judson proved a devoted wife and mother and was the cherished companion of her husband for more than half a century, this gracious relationship being severed when she was summoned to the life eternal, Nov. 29, 1900. Of their union were born six children: Mary E. is the widow of James McBain and resides in Bloom township; Eunice is the wife of John Carter, of Sextonville, this county; Paxton, who married Miss Bertha M. Richardson, is one of the representative farmers of the town of Henrietta; Aminta M. is the wife of Robert E. Richardson, a farmer of the same town; Lorena is the wife of James Potts, a farmer of Bloom township; and Alvin W., who is one of the progressive and popular farmers and stock-growers of his native township, where he also makes a specialty of fruit culture, is the youngest of the children and the one with whom the venerable father now maintains his home. Oct. 13, 1889, Alvin W. Judson married Miss Chloe A. Straight, daughter of Elisha and Ann E. Straight, who came from the state of New York to Wisconsin in the pioneer days, having lived in different places and the father having been a farmer by vocation. He is now deceased and his widow resides in Monroe county, this state.
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