Wisconsin, and visited Vernon county. In the winter he engaged in lumbering in the Kickapoo pineries, and in the summer in rafting lumber down the river, being thus occupied for three successive summers, after which he engaged in breaking prairie. In October, 1861, he enlisted in company I, 12th Wisconsin Volunteers, and went south. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea; also, participated in the many battles and skirmishes in that memorable campaign. He was discharged in August, 1865, and returning to Vernon county, purchased wild land on section 3, Stark town, and engaged in farming. He has since built the frame house in which he lives, and a frame barn 30x40 feet. In 1878 he purchased eighty acres of land on section 33, Whitestown town, and has since improved a part of that. Mr. McVey was married, in 1867, to Caroline Bryan, by whom he has had four children-Sherman, Agnes, Ella and William. Chauncey W. Lawton came to Vernon county in 1854, and entered land on section 1, town 11, range 3 west, Kickapoo town. He built a log cabin and cleared about twelve acres of land. In 1858 he traded that for a place in town 13, range 3. He then came to Stark town and rented a farm on section 29, for one year. He then traded his farm in Kickapoo town for one on section 20, Stark town, and built a house on the north bank of the river, which he moved, in 1860, to the south bank. In 1865 he built the large frame house in which he now lives. In 1867 he platted the village of Star Mr. Lawton was born June 27, 1825, in Great Valley, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., where he grew to manhood, receiving a liberal education in the district and high school. When nineteen years of age, he entered the office of Angel & Fox with whom he studied law two years. In 1846 he came to Wisconsin, locating in Waukesha, where he remained one year, then returned to New York State, remaining until 1854, at which time he came to Vernon county, as before stated. He continued his study of law in this county, and, in 1859, was admitted to the bar at Viroqua. Mr. Lawton has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married Sept. 2, 185', was Mirian F. Dyer. Three children blessed this unionClarence, Alice and Ulysses. Mrs. Lawton died March 21, 1871. He again married, Aug. 3, 1872, Jemima Dowell, a native of Scotland. They have, three children-Caroline, William and Alexander. Mr. Lawton was appointed postmaster of the Star office, in 1861, and holds the office at the present time. He has been prominent in county and town affairs. He has served as county commissioner, and for several years has held the office of justice of the peace. Mr. Lawton was a soldier in the Union army during the late war, and was with Sherman dur- Kickapoo valley, and a pioneer settler of Stark ing that memorable march to the sea. Eli McVey, an early explorer of the Kickapoo valley, was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, Dec. 7, 1832, and there he spent his younger days, in school, and on the farm. In 1854 he came to Hiram, son of Jesse and Mary (Gheen) Orrison, pioneer of Vernon county, was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, April 18, 1834. When he was quite young, his parents removed to Perry county, where he grew to manhood. He was but twenty years of age when his parents came to Bad Ax county. He made his home with them in Stark, and went to Franklin in 1858, and there bought a tract of land. He made some improvements on the land and lived there two years; then sold. He was married in 1863, to Mary Parr, and bought a farm in the town of Webster, and lived there until 1866, when he came to Stark and bought the farm he now occupies on section 7. They have four children-Sarah Almeda, John A., Minnie C. and Francis W. John H. Anderson, an early explorer of the town, is a native of Scotland, born in Glasgow, Nov. 14, 1826. When fourteen years of age he left home and went to sea; sailed two years before the mast and then came to the United States, stopping first in Maine and spending some time in Portland; thence to Biddeford and other places. In Saco he was employed for one year in a brick yard. He then visited New Haven, New York and Philadelphia, and spent a winter in Lancaster, Penn., where he was employed teaming. From there he went to Washington county, where he remained till the fall of 1849, then went to Adams Co., Ill., spending the winter near Quincy, being employed in chopping wood. In the spring of 1850 he came to Wisconsin, spending the summer at Spring Green Prairie, Sauk county. In the fall he visited Richland county, and was employed in getting out lumber to build the Hazelton saw mill, the first one in that county. Late that fall he went to work in the pineries, and from that time until 1855 was employed in getting out lumber and rafting it down the Kickapoo river. While so doing he became acquainted with the localities and also with the few settlers along the river. He settled in 1855 on section 20, town 13, range 2 west, now known as Stark town, Vernon county. He built a cabin on the west bank of the east fork of the Kickapoo river, and there lived a single man for five years. Mr. Anderson was married Feb. 7, 1860, to Lucy McHenry. One child blessed this unionNancy Elizabeth. At the time of his marriage he owned a farm house on the brow of the hill, which he now makes his home. For the past few years his health has not been good, and not being able to farm has turned his attention to bees and has started an apiary. His wife was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Wallace) McHenry, born in Ohio. Her parents settled in Webster in 1857. Her father died in 1865; her mother in 1882. Philip Aumock was born in Perry Co., Ohio, June 17, 1827, and was reared on a farm till fifteen years of age. He then learned the carpenter trade, and was married on the 29th day of January, 1846, to Eleanor Dusenberry, also a native of Perry Co., Ohio. Soon after marriage Mr. Aumock engaged in the cabinet business, which he followed until the fall of 1855: then He with a team of two horses and wagon, loaded up his family and started for the west, and after thirty-two day's travel landed in Bad Ax (now Vernon) Co., Wis., and pre-empted the north one-half of the northwest quarter of section 17, town 13 north, of range 2 west. built a log cabin in which he lived until 1867, then erected a frame house, in which he now lives. He also built a good frame barn in 1870, and has cleared up quite a large farm. He has worked a good deal of his time at his trade, and is now the owner of 160 acres of land, don't owe one cent in the world, and is well and comfortably situated. At the time of Rebellion he enlisted in the 43d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served his country until the war closed. He then returned home. His first wife died shortly after his arrival home, of nervous prostration brought on by his absence. About the 1st of February, 1866, he went back to Ohio, and on the 4th day of March was married to Mrs. Mary Ann Essington, and brought her home with him, and they are now living happily together. He had a family of nine childred, all of which are dead except four. Two. of them are married and two are single. Mary E. married Perry A. Brown; John Wesley married Mary A. Thomas; George Washington and Hannah R. are still single. The boys own a good farm each and are out of debt. Adam Bryan, one of the early settlers of Stark town, was born in Forks, Lycoming Co., Penn., June 11, 1817. His father was a clothier by trade, and was also engaged in the lumber business and in farming. Adam's early days were spent in school, in assisting his father on the farm and in the saw mill. The first school which he attended, was nine miles distant from his home. When twenty-one years of age, he entered a woolen mill and there learned to manufacture woolen goods. He was married March 2, 1843, to Mary Barge, born in Lycoming county, Aug. 3, 1825. He continued to work in the woolen factory until 1848, when he engaged in the lumber business, which he shop and plow factory. In 1855 he sold out there and came to Vernon county, settling on section 29, town 13, range 2, now known as Stark town. Two years later, he built a saw mill, in 1873 a grist mill, and also engaged in farming. He erected a large frame house and made this his home until his death, which occurred February, 1877. He was very enterprising and took a prominent part in town affairs. He was elected town assessor in 1856, and later, held other offices. Mr. De Jean married Polly Butterfield, also a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. She is still living on the old homestead. There were three children, two of whom are now living-Anson W., the eldest, is now living near, and owns an interest in the flouring mill; Alfred H., is also living near, on a farm; Ann C., who became the wife of William Sanbers, in the year 1861, and resided in this and an adjoining county, until 1879, removed with her husband and four children, to Roseburg, Oregon, where she died the year following. followed until 1851, when he started west to seek a home. He located in Illinois, purchasing a farm in Jo Daviess county. In May, 1854, he came to Wisconsin. Taking the cars to Warren, he there procured a team, took the overland route to Vernon county. He stopped but a short time then returned to Illinois, remaining until May, 1855. He then came to Vernon county, entering land on section 3, town 13, range 2, now known as Stark town, then returned to Illinois for his family. In June, the family started for their new home, George Walsh and family accompanying them. After taking the cars to Warren, Ill., they started with ox teams. In many places they had to cut a road. Arriving on his land, he moved into a lumberman's log cabin and lived there three years, then built a hewed log house, to which he has since made a frame addition and in which he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan have had six children-Caroline, born March 16, 1848, was married to Eli McVey, and died Jan. 1, 1876; Alexander J., now in Sioux Falls, Dak., engaged in farming; George H., a grain Anson W. De Jean was born in Maumee dealer at Viroqua; Albert T., a physician in City, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1838. His younger days Eagan, Dak.; Aaron R., an attorney at law, in were spent in school and assisting his father in Sioux City; and Henrietta. Mr. Bryan united the mill and on the farm. He was employed with the Methodist Episcopal Church, when a for a while as teacher in the public schools of young man, but failing in his efforts to organ- Vernon county. He was married in 1862 to ize a class in Stark, he united with the German Juliet Potter, born in Collin's Center, Erie Co., Evangelical and later with the United Brethren. N. Y. He then settled on section 29, on land Thomas De Jean, one of the pioneers of Stark which his father had entered for him in 1855. town, was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., In 1863 he erected a building on section 29, in 1806, and there grew to manhood. He was and engaged in mercantile business, which he a natural mechanic, and when a young man, he has followed ever since. In 1864 he bought an went to Pennsylvania and there worked in a interest in his father's saw-mill, and in 1873 saw mill for nine years. He then moved to was associated with him in the building of a Ohio, locating in Maumee City, where he was flour mill, which Anson W. now operates. He an early settler. While there he took contracts has been engaged for some years in farming, for building warehouses and docks on the canal, and at one time owned 1,100 acres of land in and later, engaged in farming. In 1841 he came this county. He now owns but 320 acres in to Wisconsin, locating at New Berlin, Wauk- Vernon county, and a quarter section in Muresha county. After remaining there one year ray Co., Minn. Mr. and Mrs. De Jean had but he went to Genesee, same county, bought land one child-Charles, who clerks in his father's and built a saw mill, also running a blacksmith | store. Mr. De Jean has taken a prominent part in town and county affairs, and has filled offices of trust the greater part of his time since he attained the age of twenty-one years. His first, and all his voting has been done in the town in which he now lives. John Barge settled in Vernon county, in 1856. He is a native of Germany, born in Wurtemburg, Oct. 15, 1819. He was but eighteen months old when his parents left their native land for America. They first settled in Mifflinsberg, Penn., where they lived eight years, then moved to Cherrytown, Lycoming county, where John grow to manhood. He was there married, in 1849, to Elizabeth Melhine, born in Brier Creek, Penn. They resided in that part of Lycoming, now known as Sullivan county, until 1856, at which time they came to Vernon county, making a settlement on Jug creek. Mr. Barge entered the northwest quarter of section 12, and immediately commenced the cultivation of a farm. He built a log house in which he lived several years, then erected a frame residence, which was burned, Feb. 8, 1881, with about half its contents. He then erected another frame house. Mr. and Mrs. Barge were blessed with seven children-Mary C., Francis E., George W., Adlett, Caroline E. and John F. The youngest child, Hardwell Lincoln, died when nine years and four months old. Mrs. Barge died Sept. 27, 1871. Mr and Mrs. Barge are both members of the Church, and took active steps to secure a Church organization, which was effected soon after their settlement here. Joseph O. Parker, one of the pioneers of Stark town, is a native of Kentucky. He was born in that part of Franklin, now embraced in Anderson county, March 11, 1811. When he was nineteen years of age, he removed with his parents to Illinois, and settled in Edgar county. He made his home with his parents there until 1832. He was married the 3d of November, of that year, to Permelia Clark, who was born in Pulaski Co., Ky., in December, 1814. He bought a farm in Edgar county and remained there until 1856, when he sold out and started for Wisconsin with two oxen and one horse team. They were twenty-four days on the road; bringing their cooking utensils they camped out on the way. Arriving at Bad Ax (now Vernon) county, he entered land on section 35, of town 13 north, of range 2 west, now known as Stark, and lived in a log cabin until after the war, when he built the frame house in which he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Parker were the parents of ten children, nine of which are now living-Archibald, Harriet, James F., Jemima, Rebecca, Mary, David, Sarah and Stephen. Their oldest daughter, Mahala, died in Illinois, at the age of sixteen. E. Potter, one of the early settlers of Stark town, is a native of the Empire State, born in Washington county, Sept 10, 1811, where he grew to manhood. When twenty-one years of age he started west, locating in Erie Co., N. Y., where he was married, in 1840, to Mary A. Stone. He bought a tract of timber land in Erie county, built a frame house and cleared a farm, remaining there until 1855. In the fall of that year he started for Wisconsin, locating in Grant county and remaining one year, when not being satisfied with the location, he came with a team to Vernon county, bringing a year's provisions with him. He bought land on section 24, town 13, range 2 west, and erected a log cabin. Mrs. Potter painted the door red, and it was known as the house with the red door, and was the stopping place, for many years, of travelers No one hungry and tired was ever turned away from their door. The family lived in this cabin until 1871, when Mr. Potter built the frame house in which they now live. Mrs. Potter was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., in December, 1819. When she was very young her parents moved to the western part of that State, in Erie county. It was here that Mrs. Potter began her pioneer life. Mr. and Mrs. Potter have four children-James, Jubette, Allison and Mary. Samuel Gray, an early settler of Stark town, is a native of New York State, born in Erie county, Feb. 1, 1830. When twelve years of age he engaged on the New York and Erie canal, which occupation he followed until twenty-one years of age. He was married in the fall of 1850 to Elizabeth Stone, born in Chenango Co., N. Y. He engaged in farming, for one season, in Cattaraugus county, and, in 1852, started west to seek a home, settling in Grant Co., Wis. He there entered land, built a log house, and made other improvements. In 1857 he sold out and came to Vernon county, buying land on section 26, town 13, range 2 west. Here he built a hewed log house, and has since made it his home. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have had six children-Emertt, Leroy, Lucy, James, Frank and Elva. Timothy McGrath was one of the early settlers of Stark town. He came here from Madison, in 1857, making the journey with an ox team, and being eight days on the road, locating the west half of section 16, which he had bought two years previous, built a log house and immediately commenced to make improvements, and made this his home until his death which occurred in 1868. He was a native of Ireland. His wife, whose maiden name was Ellen Quinn, was also a native of Ireland. They emigrated to America in 1847, settling in Milwaukee, and living there until 1855, when they moved to Madison, remaining until 1857, when, as before stated, they came to Stark. Mrs. McGrath died on the old homestead, Feb. 25, 1883. They left two children-John and Timothy W. John McGrath was born in Milwaukee, Feb. 27, 1849. He was married in January, 1874, to Annie Gallagher, daughter of John and Bridget Gallagher, who settled in Clinton in 1855. Two children have blessed this union-John E. and Ellen. Mr. McGrath now occupies the homestead. He has built a neat frame house, and is engaged in stock and grain raising. Timothy W. McGrath was born July 3, 1853. His early education was received in the district school supplemented by two years at the normal school at Whitewater. He taught several terms of school in this county, and is now studying law in an office in Minneapolis. John Small, Sr., a settler of 1858, was born in the District of Columbia, July 31, 1786, and grew to manhood in the Nation's capital. In 1812 he enlisted in the 14th regiment, United States Volunteers, and served under Gen. Scott through that war, after which he located in Turkey Foot township, Somerset Co., Penn He was there married March 16, 1817, to Olivet Skinner, who was born in that township, April 3, 1794. Remaining there until 1820 they removed to Perry Co., Ohio, and a short time after he purchased timber land and partly cleared a farm. In 1828 he sold out there and moved to Athens Co., Ohio, and bought a farm, which he sold three years later, returning to Perry county and buying land in Salt Lick township where he remained until 1858. He then came to Vernon county, settling on land that he had entered in 1856, situated on section 18, town 13, range 2 west. He cleared a farm and lived here until his death, in 1873. His wife died April 19, 1867. John Small, Jr., son of John and Olivet (Skinner) Small, was born in Monroe township, July 22,1824. He was married in 1853 to Mary Paxton, also born in Salt Lick township. After receiving a fair education, he engaged in teaching in Perry county. In 1855 he started west to seek a home, settling in Rossville, Allamakee Co., Iowa. He bought town property and engaged in teaching and later clerked in a store and also ran an engine in a saw and grist mill. He remained there until 1859, when he sold out and came to Stark town, settling on land that he had previously entered on sections 10 and 15. He built a log house on section 10, living there until 1872, when he built the frame house in which he now lives. He has also built a large log stable, granary, etc. Since living here Mr. Small has not devoted all his time to his farm, having taught school and also worked |