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    CHARLES A. NEEFE merits consideration in this work as being one of the sterling pioneer citizens of Richland county and a member of one of the first families to settle in this section of the state; he is. also a veteran of the war of the Rebellion and for many years he has been successfully identified with the agricultural industry in the town of Bloom. Mr. Neefe was born Jan. 1, 1834, in Saxony, Germany, where also were born his parents, Charles and Christina Neefe. The parents immigrated to America in 1837, landing in the city of New Orleans and thence proceeding up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, where the father was employed at the cabinetmaker's trade for several years. In 1843 he removed with his family to Galena, Ill., and in 1846 he came to Richland county, Wis., and bought a quarter section of heavily timbered land in the town of Orion. His was one of the first houses erected in the township, the same having been a log cabin of the most primitive type. After he had established his family in the little pioneer home his wife and one of their children were taken ill and as no physician could be secured in this section they returned to Galena, Ill., so that they might have the requisite medical attention. The subject of this sketch and his paternal uncle remained on the claim and in 1848 the remainder of the family returned to the embryonic farm. Mr. Neefe recalls that while his mother was still ill he went to visit the family in Galena, and he was attired in a suit of buckskin at the time. His mother was mortified at his appearance and provided him with a suit of woolen clothing in place of his primitive garb. The father lived on his old homestead until after the Civil War, having cleared much of his land and made good improvements on the place. He accumulated 220 acres and was one of the substantial pioneer farmers of the county. After leaving the farm he conducted a general store at Avoca and later had a similar enterprise in Cottage Grove, Dane county, where his devoted wife died. He soon afterward removed to Sheffield, Ia., where he passed the remainder of his life. He was a Democrat in politics until the time of the Civil War, when he espoused the cause of the Republican party, of which he was ever afterward a loyal supporter. He and his wife were consistent members of the German Evangelical church. Of their five children the subject of this review was the first born; Julius is a resident of Riverview, this state; Annie, who became the wife of William Uphuff, is now deceased; Eliza is the wife of William Knolty, and they reside near Sheffield, Ia.; and Emma is the wife of John Albright, residing in the state of Nebraska. Charles A. received very limited educational advantages in his boyhood days, having attended school in the little pioneer log schoolhouse for a few weeks only and early beginning to do much strenuous work in connection with reclaiming and cultivating the home farm. He remained with his parents until he was sixteen years of age and then found outside employment, eventually earning enough money to "buy his time" from his father. He was employed for some time in the pineries on the upper Wisconsin river during the winters, and in the spring and summer seasons he assisted in the driving of the logs down the river, becoming expert in this hazardous work. In 1857 he married and located on his forty acres of wild land in the town of Orion, this county. He reclaimed the greater portion of the farm and made improvements in the way of buildings, the place continuing to be the family home until 1865. Sept. 13, 1861, Mr. Neefe enlisted as a member of the Sixth Battery, Wisconsin light artillery, Henry Dillon being captain of his company. He proceeded with his command to Cairo, Ill., and he took part in the siege of Island No. 10 and in the battle of Shiloh, then proceeding by boat to Hamburg, Tenn., and participating in the siege of Corinth. The battery passed the summer of 1862 in Mississippi and in the fall was in the two days' engagement at Corinth, passing the winter south of Holly Springs, Miss., and later going to Memphis, Tenn., and in the following spring taking part in the Yoho expedition in Arkansas. The command later re-crossed the Mississippi and took part in several engagements of importance, including the battle of Jackson and that of Champion Hills. The troops thereafter crossed the Black river on a bridge made of cotton bales and the Sixth Wisconsin Battery took part in the siege of Vicksburg, later going again to Memphis and thence starting on the march to Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge, at which latter point it took part in a two days' fight. Mr. Neefe was later with his command in the rear of General Sherman's forces in the Georgia campaign, his final service being that of guard duty on a railroad bridge at Cartersville, Ga. He was mustered out Oct. 10, 1864, at the expiration of his term of service, and received his honorable discharge after his return to Madison, W is. At Vicksburg he was wounded in the spine, by the premature discharge of a cannon, but he refused to go to the hospital and remained at the post of duty, having been made gunner and was a corporal at the time of his discharge. After the close of his long and faithful service as a soldier of the Union, Mr. Neefe returned to Richland county, disposed of his original farm and purchased 140 acres of land in section 36, town of Bloom. A considerable portion had been reclaimed and a sawmill was established on the place. He erected excellent buildings, made other improvements and for a number of years operated the mill in connection with his general farming. Of late his health has been somewhat impaired and he is living in a measure retired from active labor, having accumulated a competency through his well directed efforts. He has been the architect of his own fortunes and is also self-educated, being a man of broad information and mature judgment. He has so ordered his life in all its relations as to win and retain the confidence and esteem of his fellow men and he has a wide circle of friends in this section of the state. He is a stanch Republican and for several years he served as chairman of the town board of Bloom. He is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been an extensive traveler, especially through the west, and has widened his fund of knowledge through this means. In 1857 Mr. Neefe was united in marriage to Miss Nancy M. See, who was born in New York city, in 1836, being a daughter of John C. and Maria (Knapp) See, both of whom were likewise native of the state of New York, where the father died in 1840, having been a successful school-teacher. In 1856 his widow came with her five children to Richland county and settled on Ash creek. Mrs. See contracted a second marriage, becoming the wife of Eli Booth, and both passed the closing years of their lives in the town of Orion, this county. Five children were born of the first marriage: Henry, deceased; Mary and Rebecca, twins, the former being deceased and the latter a resident of Minnesota: Frank, deceased; and Nancy M., wife of the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Neefe have five children: Maria is the wife of Elliott E. Jones, of West Lima, this county; Christina is the wife of Hugh Clark, of Mendota, LaSalle county, Ill.; Emma is the wife of Simon Lepley, of West Lima; Richard F., who married Eliza Bonham. is engaged in mining at Freedom, Wis.; and Julius Frederick, who has charge of the operation of his father's homestead farm, married Miss May Klingeman.
    SAMUEL NOBLE, one of the well known and highly esteemed pioneer citizens of Richwood township, was born in Noble county, O., Nov. 2, 1830, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Caldwell) Noble, both likewise native of the old Buckeye State, where the respective families were founded in the early pioneer days. John Noble was born in Washington county, in July, 1802, and his wife was born in 1804. Both were still residents of Noble county, O., at the time of their death. John Noble, Sr., grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, and he became one of the very early settlers of what is now Noble county, O., said county having been named in his honor. He died in that county in 1831. His son John, father of Samuel of this sketch, devoted his active career to agricultural pursuits, having large landed interests and being one of the influential citizens of his county. He served as county commissioner and held other minor offices. His wife died in 1878 and he passed away March 20, 1888, at the venerable age of eighty-six years. Samuel Noble was reared on the home farm and his educational advantages were those afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. He has no brothers and his only sister still lives on the old homestead in Noble county. He continued farming in Ohio until 1864, when he came to Wisconsin, arriving-in Richland county July 16, and locating in the little village of Excelsior, Richwood township, where he became the owner of a gristmill, which he operated until 1872, when he sold the property. He has also been continuously engaged in farming and stock-raising, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 370 acres, having reclaimed much of his land from the virgin forest and having made excellent improvements in the way of buildings. He exercises his influence and franchise in support of the cause of the Democratic party and he served as treasurer of his township for ten years, ever having held the implicit trust and regard of the community in which he has so long maintained his home. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church. Mar. 16, 1861, Mr. Noble was united in marriage to Miss Miranda Ackley, who was born in Noble county, 0., Mar. 3, 1840, being a daughter of Lewis and Maria Grace Ackley, the former of whom was born in Otsego county, N. Y., in 1808, and the latter in Pennsylvania, in 1806.. They were numbered among the pioneers of Noble county, O., and there continued to reside until their death, the mother passing away in 1887 and the father in 1893. Of their ten children four are living. Mr. and Mrs. Noble have three children: Myron resides on his father's old homestead farm in Ohio; Rebecca is the wife of David Wilson, of Excelsior; and Maria is the wife of Oscar David, residing in the state of Montana.
    JAMES NORMAN, resides in section 20, town of Henrietta, on the old homestead place where his father settled more than fifty years ago, when the work of developing this section from the wilderness was in its incipiency. Mr. Norman is now one of the representative farmers of the county and town in which he has lived from his boyhood days. He was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, Feb.8,1846, and is a son of George and Mary (Welsh) Norman, the former of whom was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1811, and the latter in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1813. He died at the age of eighty-three years and she attained to the age of seventy-seven years. George Norman was reared and educated in his native land, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age, when he came to America, locating in the province of Ontario, Canada, where he engaged in farming and where his marriage was solemnized. He there continued to reside for nineteen years, at the expiration of which he came to Wisconsin, first locating in Jefferson county, where he was engaged in farming until 1855, when he came as a pioneer to Richland county, settling in section 20, town of Henrietta, where his son James, of this sketch, now resides. Here he bought 120 acres of government land, the same being heavily timbered. He built his little log house and barn and soon began to make the forest give way to cultivated fields, having raised the first wheat ever grown in the township. He reclaimed much land from the forest and in the early days did much hunting of wild game, by which means he added materially to the attractions of the family larder; he also dug ginseng, which he sold at fair profit. He was a man to whom was accorded uniform confidence and regard and he was one of the first to give support to the cause of the Republican party, with which he united at the time of its organization. Both he and his wife were zealous members of the First Adventist church, being specially active in religious work. They became the parents of eight children: George is a successful farmer of the town of Henrietta; Robert and Maria were twins, the former having served in the Civil War, having been a member of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery for three years and later a member of Company D, Twelfth Wisconsin volunteer infantry. He is now a resident of Tacoma, Wash., where he follows the trade of carpenter and builder, also having farming interests in that section; his twin sister became the wife of Thomas J. Leatherberry, who now resides in Hub City, this county, her death having occurred Dec. 16, 1898; Joshua, who is a retired farmer residing in Woodstock, this county, was in active service in the Civil War for three years, having been a member of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery; Caleb H., who is a retired farmer and merchant, likewise resides in Woodstock and is a veteran of the war of the Rebellion, having been a private in Company G, Forty-sixth Wisconsin volunteer infantry; James, subject of this review, was the next in order of nativity; Thomas C., who died in June, 1890 was a farmer in the town of Henrietta; and Mary J., who died in September, 1886, was the wife of Burgess Fowler, of this county. James Norman was nine years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Richland county, where he was reared to manhood on the farm which is now his place of abode, his educational privileges having been those afforded by the pioneer schools. He assisted in reclaiming and otherwise improving the homestead, and in 1875 he purchased the same from his parents, the old homestead now comprising 130 acres, to which he has added 150 acres, in sections 19 and 20. He has made excellent improvements on his farm and has been successful as a general agriculturist and stock-grower, the major portion of his landed estate being available for cultivation. He has well upheld the prestige of the honored name which he bears and is one of the substantial and popular citizens of Henrietta township. He is a Republican in his political proclivities and has served as a member of the town board and also the school board. He and his wife are members of the First Adventist church. Nov. 28, 1875, Mr. Norman was united in marriage to Miss Delia Ann Brown, who was born in Walworth county, this state, being a daughter of Perry and Sophronia (Blodgett) Brown, the former of whom was born in Oswego county, N. Y., and the latter was born in Wayne county, N. Y. The father was born July 21, 1824, and at the age of nineteen years he came to Wisconsin, first locating in Walworth county and later in Waushara county, whence he returned to Walworth, where he remained until 1857, when he came to Richland county, where he improved a farm, in section 18, town of Henrietta. He now resides in Richland Center, his wife having died in Henrietta township in 1891. They became the parents of four children; of whom Mrs. Norman is the eldest; Perry, Jr., is a successful farmer of Vernon county; Edward died in infancy; and Warren F., who was a farmer in Dunn county, died in I890. Mr. and Mrs. Norman have three children,-- Josie, Elmer J., and Ida May, the last mentioned being now the wife of Mathew L. Poorman, of Vernon county. All of the children received good educational advantages, and all have been successful teachers in the public schools of this section of the state, the elder daughter having been a popular teacher for the past decade. The family home is a center of gracious hospitality and both parents and children have a host of friends in this and adjoining counties.
    ELIJAH NOURSE (deceased), a pioneer of Richland county, was a native of New Hampshire, born in Bedford, Hillsborough county of that state, in 1797, and there he was reared upon a farm. His wife was Mehitable Towns, who was also born in Hillsborough county, Nov. 24, 1798. Soon after their marriage they migrated to Orange county, Vt., and settled in the town of Topsham, where they remained until 1836, and then moved to Washington county of the same state, locating in Moretown, where Mr. Nourse purchased a farm, improved the same, and they lived upon it until 1839. He then sold out and they started for the territory of Wisconsin, traveling with teams to Buffalo, where he put the teams and wagon on board a steamboat for Detroit, and at the latter place they embarked and completed the journey to Kenosha (then Southport). There their eldest son, William, was taken sick and died. The family remained there one year only and then went to Ohio, making the trip overland, and after remaining in the Buckeye State one year they returned to Wisconsin, passing through Chicago on the way, the Windy City being at that time but a mere hamlet. Mr. Nourse located in Rock county, where he purchased a tract of land, now in the city limits of Janesville, on Rock river, there being a slight improvement on the land, including a log cabin, the first ever built on Rock river in that county. The location proved to be very unhealthy, and four of the children sickened and died. In 1852 Mr. Nourse sold his farm and came to Richland county, where he purchased the south half of the northeast quarter and the north half of the southeast quarter of section 6, town 9 north, range 2 east, now included in the town of Buena Vista, and he there improved a farm and erected a good frame house. Mr. Nourse was an industrious man, a good farmer, and was in comfortable circumstances at the time of his death, which occurred on Apr. 3, 1877, his wife having died on February 23, of the same year. They were the parents of six children--William had studied to be a surveyor and .died at Kenosha, Wis., when a young man; and Daniel, John, Levi, and Mary, all died at Janesville, as above stated. Franklin Nourse is the only one of the children that lived to mature years, and after the death of his parents he occupied the old homestead and carried on the farm, making it one of the best improved in the county. Franklin Nourse was born at Topsham, Orange county, Vt., Mar. 12, 1830, and was never separted from his parents for any length of time. He preceded them to Richland county, coming here in 1851 for the purpose of selecting a location. He tried to get to Loyd, but there were no roads extending in that direction further than Neptune, and beyond that point nothing but mud and marsh greeted the traveler's eye. There were no houses beyond what is now known as the Grover place, and the occupant of the cabin there was an Indian. There were many red men in the locality at that time, and the woods were full of deer and other game, especially prairie chickens. Mr. Nourse was considered the best wing shot in the county in those days, and whenever he went out with a hunting party it was always safe to wager that he would get his portion of the game. The land which his father purchased was mostly open prairie. In 1856 Franklin Nourse visited his native town in Vermont, and there, on February 25 of that year, he was married to Miss. Hannah Fellows, who was born and reared at Topsham. To this union there have been born five children, of whom the following facts are pertinent to this review: Ella married Albert Ghastin, who is given a more extended mention in another part of this volume and resides in the town of Orion; Dora married Charles Howard and resides at Superior, Wis.; Lillie married Nathan Waddell and is deceased, and her husband now resides at Sextonville; Frank is given subsequent mention in this sketch; and Lula married Dock C. McCollum and is deceased. Franklin Nourse cast his first vote in 1852 and has ever since affiliated with the Republican party, but he has never sought or accepted office, preferring rather to devote his time and talents to his general farming and dairy interests, which have been and are quite extensive. He and his good wife celebrated the golden anniversary of their marriage on Feb. 25, 1906, and in their advanced years they are living in the quiet enjoyment of the fruits of a well-spent life. Their only son, Frank T. Nourse, was born, on the place where he now resides, Feb. 25, 1864, and there he was reared, receiving his education in the excellent public schools of the vicinity. Farming and stock-raising has always been his occupation, and at the present time he is quite extensively engaged in the breeding, of shorthorn, Durham poll cattle, also giving a good deal of attention to the dairy business. He owns 164 acres of land and his father has 140 acres, adjoining. Frank T. Nourse was married on Sept. 18, 1888, to Miss Eunice M. Butler, a daughter of S. S. Butler, of Richland Center, and to this union two children have been born--Glenn and Norma. Mr. Nourse is a Republican in his political affiliations, and fraternally he has membership in the I. O. O. F.
    SHERIDAN M. OGDEN is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Richland county and is the owner of one of the fine farms of Sylvan township, where his entire life has been passed, his father having been one of the first settlers of this township. Mr. Ogden was born on his present homestead farm, Dec. 29, 1871, and is a son of William and Abigail (Briggs) Ogden. His father was born in the state of New York, Mar. 10, 1822, and was reared in the home of one of his uncles. As a young man he immigrated to the west, first locating in Michigan, where he remained for a time, when he married Miss Minerva Lion, then removing to Rock county, Wis. In 1851 he came with his family to Richland county and took up 160 acres of government land, a portion of the homestead now owned by the subject of this sketch. He later added ninety acres to the farm, and he developed the fine estate of 250 acres, the entire tract having been heavily timbered. He was practically the first permanent settler in Sylvan township and he endured the full tension of the pioneer days, encountering many deprivations and finding constant and indefatigable labor his portion during the days he was reclaiming his land from the virgin forest. He was a man of strong character, and indubitable probity, commanding the confidence and esteem of the entire community. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Company I, Twelfth Wisconsin volunteer infantry; but before the expiration of the first year he was honorably discharged, on account of physical disability. Feb. 14, 1865, he again entered the service, becoming a :member of Company H. Forty-sixth Wisconsin volunteer infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, having been a sergeant of his company. On account of disabilities resulting from his army service he was accorded a pension of twelve dollars a month and the amount was later increased to twenty-four dollars. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, was originally a Whig in politics and later a Republican, and he was a consistent member of the Baptist church, of which his widow also is a devoted member. This honored pioneer was summoned to the life eternal Mar. 7, 1905. His first wife died in 1862, having borne two sons, both of whom are deceased, and one daughter, who is now Mrs. Cassandra Miller. Dec. 20, 1862, William Ogden was married to Miss Abigail Briggs, who was born in the state of New York, being a daughter of David and Abigail (Johnson) Briggs, who came from that state to Wisconsin in 1855, numbering themselves among the pioneers of Sylvan township, this county, where they passed the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of nine children, of whom six are living. William and Abigail Ogden became the parents of ten children, concerning whom the following data are entered: William, who was born Sept. 20, 1864, is a successful farmer of Sylvan township; Louis M. and Naomi are deceased; the subject of this sketch was the next in order of birth: Mary A., born Apr. 9, 1873, remains at the old homestead; Charlotte R., born Sept. 23, 1875, is the wife of James B. Hoke, of Sylvan township; Helen A., born Oct. 14, 1877, is the wife of Nicholas Hoke, of Ithaca township; Minerva M., born Nov. 23, 1879, is the wife of Loren Nicks of Sylvan township; and Jessie E. and Homer are deceased. The cherished and devoted mother still remains on the old homestead. Sheridan M. Ogden was reared on the farm which is now his home and his educational advantages were those of the public schools of the county. He assisted his father in the work and management of the farm until he had attained to the age of twenty-one years, when he rented the property, continuing to operate the farm under these conditions until the death of his honored father, by the provisions of whose will the property was devised to the subject of this sketch. He devotes his attention to diversified agriculture and stock-growing and is known as one of the reliable, enterprising and loyal farmers of the county. He is a bachelor, and his mother and sister preside over the domestic affairs of the home. In politics Mr. Ogden pays allegiance to the Republican party, and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with the lodge of the Mystic Workers of the World at Soldiers' Grove.
Transcribed Aug 11, 2002 Jeannette Sauntry
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