ried in 1871 to Electa I. Cass, born in Lorignal, Province of Ontario. They have had four children-Stell, Roscoe, Rocklin (who died in 1878), and Orpheus Blaine. Mr. Cade has been prominent in town affairs, and has filled offices of trust in the town. Ole Gauper, postmaster at Purdy, was born in Norway, Aug. 29, 1851. When he was but eleven years of age, his parents emigrated to his parents emigrated to America. They first stopped in Madison, Wis.. until the spring of 1863, then went to Black Earth town, in Dane county, where they remained until 1885, then came to Vernon county and located at Chaseburg. He made his home with his parents until he was fifteen years of age, then started in life for himself. He went to DeSoto and was there employed in a sawmill four years. After that he attended school two winters. He was married in 1872 to Amelia, daughter of Ove and Elizabeth Lind, a teacher in the public schools of this county. He purchased land on sections 10, 11 and 14, of town 12 north, of range 6 west. He built a house on section 10 and lived there until 1878, when he removed to section 12 and lived there until 1883, when he bought the old stand at Purdy, located on section 13, and now makes this his home. He was appointed postmaster in 1883. He is also justice of the peace. and Mrs. Gauper have three children-Robert Oscar, Elida and Alfred. Mr. Cyrus Hunt, one of the early settlers of Vernon county, was born in the village of Monroeville, Huron Co., Ohio, Oct. 12, 1830, and where he grew to manhood. He received his education in the district school, supplemented with six month study under the private tuition of A. H. S aw, at Milan, Erie Co., Ohio. In 1847 he went to Iowa and located in Linn county, and there engaged to learn the coopers' trade. He was also engaged in teaching. In 1854 he came to Wisconsin and entered land, as before stated. He returned to Linn county and there spent the winter of 1854-55. Returning to his land in the spring of 1856, he commenced making im provements, and also worked at his trade as cooper. In 1866 he traded his farm for another farm on section 17, of the same town, and lived there two years; then rented the farm and removed to DeSoto. He there worked at his trade some of the time. He also served as justice of the peace. He remained there until 1873, when he sold his farm and purchased land on section 2, of town 11 north, of range 6 west, in territory included in Sterling town. He has since bought adjoining land, built a frame house and now makes this his home. He has paid considerable attention to fruit and has enjoyed as good success as any one in this section. He now owns an orchard of about 300 trees. married in 1862 to Elizabeth Asbury, a native of Madison Co., Ark. They have eight children-Richard R., Joseph M., Cyrus, Carrie, Almon, Ida P., Bertha and Ella. been prominent in town affairs. pointed justice of the peace a few days after coming into the town, and has been elected to that office each succeeding year. He has also served as town clerk. He was Mr. Hunt has He was ap Thomas Minor was born in Monterey, Berkshire Co., Mass., Feb. 28, 1815. He was married in April, 1839, to Laura Brewer, also born in Monterey. In 1873 Mr. Minor came to Vernon county, purchasing land on section 14, town 11, range 6, Sterling town, and also on section 24, Freeman town, Crawford county. He settled on section 14, and still makes that his home. Mr. and Mr. Minor had nine children, five of whom are living-John H., William H., Watson W., Helen and Charles. Mrs. Minor died July 10, 1870. John H. Minor, eldest son of Thomas and Laura (Brewer) Minor, was born in Monterey, Berkshire Co., Mass., July 10, 1840. He received his early education in the district school, completing it at Williams Academy, in Stockbridge. After leaving school he engaged in farming and carpentering in Monterey. In 1872 he came to Wisconsin, and purchased the farm on section 14, town 11, range 6, formerly owned by Reuben Jordan, and which he still occupies. He was married in 1866, to Eliza beth Maine, born in Bark Hampstead, Conn. They have had six children-Edson, Mariana, Clarence, Bernice, Francis and Johnnie. Mr. Minor has taken a prominent part in town airs. He is a member of the town board. Watson W., the third son of Thomas and Laura (Brewer) Minor, was born Jan. 21, 1851, in Monterey, Mass. He was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the district school. He came to Sterling town, Vernon Co., Wis, in 1871, purchasing land on sections 13 and 14, town 11, range 6. In 1876 he bought an improved farmu of Clarence Bishop, situated o the southwest quarter of section 14. He makes this his home. He was married, Jan. 16, 1875, to Martha C. Engle. They have three children-Hattie, Wallace and Charlie. In 1879 he went into a blacksmith shop at Retreat, to learn the trade. In 1880 he built a shop at his home, where he now carries on the blacksmith trade in connection with farming. The other two sons, William H. and Charles, live in Berkshire Co., Mass. The only daughter, Helen, married Deacon Phelps, and resides in Stockbridge. Arnt Westrum, assessor of Sterling town, was born June 6, 1846, in Norway. He received his education in the common schools, and in the High school. When seventeen years of age he entered the agricultural school, which school he attended two years. In 1866 he emigrated to the United States. He first went to Minnesota, spending six months in Spring Grove. He then went to La Crosse, engaging there in teaming. In March, 1875, he came to Vernon Co., Wis., trading city property for a farm, situated on sections 26 and 35, town 12, range 6, Sterling town. He now makes this his home. In 1868 Mr. Westrum was married to Christina Ever son. They have four children-Tena, Ovedia, Clara and Adolph. Mr. Westrum is well fitted for the position which he occupies. He is now serving his fourth term as assessor, having been first elected in April, 1879. erson. Arne J. Bolstad settled in Sterling town in 1876. He first bought forty acres of land on section 27, town 12, range 6, and on this small piece of land commenced farming. By industry and good management he has prospered, and his farm now contains 180 acres. Mr. Bolstad is a native of Norway, born Dec. 17, 1846. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. In 1867 he came to the United States, first locating in Madison, Wis. After stopping there a short time, he came to Vernon county, being employed in farming in Franklin town until 1875. He then went to the Black river, following lumbering and farming one year, then came to Sterling, as before stated. He was married in 1875 to Bertha EvFour children have blessed this unionEllen Helena, Maria, John J. and Henry E. P. Melvin Peck, one of the proprietors of the Grand Forks flouring mill, was born in Wayne Co., Penn., July 24, 1844. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. In 1864 he came to Wisconsin and located in Crawford county, where he engaged with his brother-inlaw as a millwright. He worked in Wisccnsin eight or ten years, then went to Minnesota. He built the Peterson mill in Fillmore county, and worked on all the principal mills on the Root river. He remained in Minnesota five years. In 1879 he came to the Bad Ax valley, and in company with his brothers-inlaw, Mullikins and Morse, erected the Grand Forks flouring mill, which he is running at the present time. He was married, in 1875, to Henrietta Buckmaster, of Ohio. They have one child-Le Ross. Congressional township 13, range 1 west, is what is known as the town of Union. It is bounded on the north by the town of Forest, on the east by the town of Greenwood, on the south by Richland county and on the west by the town of Stark. The surface in some parts of the town is very rough and broken, while in others it is quite level. There is a large amount of timber distributed over the surface of this town, some of the best lands in the town had not been cleared up, even as late as 1884. The western part of the town is watered by Warner creek and its branches. The southern part by Bear and the south by Pine river, which takes its rise in the town. In 1884 this was strictly a rural town, which contained neither a postoffice or store. James Cooper kept a store on section 2, on the old State road, at a very early day; and William Dixon kept a stock of goods at his house on section 10, as did J. B. Eastman on section 12. In early times there was a large amount of ginseng root gathered and sold to distant markets, which brought from fifty cents to a dollar per pound, when dry. FIRST SETTLERS. James Cooper, who settled on section 2, in 1:49, was the first settler within the town of Union. He remained there until 1881, and moved to Hillsborough, where he died in 1883. The next to locate in the town was Hiram Heath, who came in sometime during 1854, and settled on section 31, where he remained four years and then removed to Black River Falls.. The first Bohemians which settled in the town, came in 1855, direct from their native country. Joseph Urban and Anton Slama, together with Albert Johnechick and J. Barta. Slama settled on section 36, where he died in 1883. Barta remained on section 25 a few years and removed to Dakota. Urban located on section 36, and Johnechick on section 25, where they lived in 1884. The following came in during 1855: Henry Widner, a native of Indiana, came early in the spring and located on section 7. A year later he sold to Wilson Thing, and settled in Forest town, where he remained a year, then returned to Union and settled on section 8. He enlisted in the Union army and died while in the service of his country. In 1880 his family were living in Iowa. Charles D. Holbrook came from Michigan in the summer of 1855 and purchased the north half of the northeast quarter of section 2, where he died five years later and was buried on his farm. His widow returned to Michigan three years after the death of her husband. Joseph Getty, a native of Maryland, came from Ohio in 1855, and settled on section 30, where he still lived in 1884. William Dixon, an Englishman, came from Oneida Co., N. Y., in the summer of 1855, and entered land on sections 2, 3, 4 and 9. In 1884, he resided on section 2. Settlers came in more rapidly in 1856 than they had in any previous year. Among the number who came in for actual settlement were: William Outland, Moses Marshall, John B. Eastman, George W. Lewis, Archibald Calaway, borough and engaged in trade alone, and a few John Searing, Ebenezer S. Eastman, George Jep-years later was burned out. He died previous son and Charles Alberson. to 1879. William Outland, came from Ohio, in the fall Robert Milligan was one of the early settlers of the year and settled on section 27, where he in the town of Union. He was a native of Beltilled the soil until the breaking out of the Re-mont Co., Ohio, born in 1800, and there grew bellion, when he responded to the call of his country, enlisted and served through the war. After his return from the service, he moved to Richland county and there built a saw mill on Mill creek. A few years later, he sold and moved to Nebraska, where he was engaged at herding cattle on the plains. He finally was found dead in his cabin. He was a man of good character, possessed a fair education and made many friends where ever he lived. Moses Marshall, came from Ohio in the fall of 1856, and located on section 28, but later, moved to section 29. John B. Eastman, a native of New Hampshire, settled on section 12, where he died in August, 1876, George W. Lewis, came from Ohio in the fall of 1856 and settled on section 35, where he was living in 1884. to manhood. He was married in 1856 to Mary Scott, who was born in Chester Co., Penn., in 1805. They remained in Belmont county until 1840, then removed to Missouri and settled in Platte county. Mr. Milligan there bought land and engaged in farming and also at worked at the carpenter's trade. He framed the court house at Platte City. In 1847 he returned to Belmont county and remained there until 1856, when he came to Wisconsin and settled in town 11 north, of range west, now known as the town of Union. He purchased land on section 31 and. commenced to clear a farm. He was a loyal man and watched with interest the struggle during the war of the Rebellion. During the dark days of 1864 he became so fired with zeal that he could no longer restrain himself and at the advanced age of sixty-four enlisted with the 100 days men and went to the front, serving Archibald Calaway, of Virginia, settled on until the expiration of his term, when he started section 30. John Searing, a native of New York, came in the spring of 1856, and settled on section 19, where he died after a few years of pioneer life. Ebenezer S. Eastman, a native of New Hampshire, came in the fall of 1856, and settled on section 1, where he remained a few years then moved over into the town of Forest, where he died in 1880. Charles Alberson, a native of England, moved from Whitestown, Conn., and entered the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 3, and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 10. He died in 1866, when his family moved to Fort Wayne, Ind. George Jepson, a native of England, bought the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 1. He afterward engaged in trade with James Cooper. In 1860 he went to Hills on his return home. He was taken sick on the way and died at the National Soldiers' Home in Milwaukee, Oct. 3, 1864. His widow survived him and occupied the homestead until the time her death, which occurred March 3, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Milligan were the parents of eight children, four of whom are now living-Eliza J., wife of Otho Douglass and residing in Belmont Co, Ohio; Sarah R., wife of Mathias Groves; Angeline S., wife of Hugh Kerr, and Mary A., wife of James C. Reeve, of Nuckolls, Neb. The following are among the settlers of a later date: Joseph McCoy, a native of Pennsylvania, came from Butler county in the spring of 1857, and settled on section 10. He was killed in the Union army in February, 1865. T. S. Jordan, of Indiana, settled on section 28 in August, 1858, where he was still living in 1884. The first settler was James Cooper, who settled on section 2. ORGANIC. The town of Union was organized at a meeting held April 10, 1856, at the house of Joseph Beans, when the following officers were elected: Jacob N. Poorman, a native of Pennsylvania, came from Indiana in 1861 and settled on section 22. The same year David Sabin, of the same Joseph Newburn, (chairman), Elliot Benson State, settled on section 28. James McKitrick, of Ohio, settled that year on section 17, but afterwards moved to section 18. Henry Obert came in 1860 and settled on section 5. He was a native of New York State. He died in 1875. Edward Harris, a colored man who had been a slave in Tennessee, came to the town of Union soon after the war and purchased half of the northwest quarter of section 2. It is related of this negro that he was very industrious and also quite ingenious. While a slave he earned money nights making bracelets, and at the earliest opportunity he left his master and came north. He was with the Union army as cook about two years. At the time of the election in 1868 he was getting ready to move to Canada as he expected, in case Seymour and Blair, democratic candidates for President and Vice-President, were elected, to be returned to slavery. Like others of his race he was very superstitious. He was an excellent farmer and had the respect of all his neighbors. His first wife and children were taken from him and sold, and a son of his second wife was living in 1884 on the homestead in this town, where his father died. EARLY EVENTS As early a death as there is any record of, was William Joseph, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Getty, who died Jan. 3, 1861. His was the first remains buried in the Newburn cemetery. Among the earliest births in the town were Adela, daughter of William and Rebecca Outland, in the winter of 1856-7, and Joseph F., son of Archibald and Harriet (Wear) Calaway, born Sept. 6, 1857. and Herman Heath, supervisors; Horace H. Ripley, clerk; Joshua W. Osgood, treasurer; Thomas De Jean, assessor; Richard Glenan, superintendent of schools; Hiram Heath, George Walts and Thomas De Jean, justices of the peace; William Shult, Adam Bryan and John H. Russel, constables. Officers of 1883: Samuel Bauman, (chairman), P. S. Steinman and Frank Johneschiek, supervisors; Robert Butcher, town clerk; Frank Crouse, treasurer; Jonathan Cry, assessor; Adam Crouse and J. N. Poorman, justices of the peace. SCHOOLS. The first school in the town of Union was taught in 1857, in a log building erected by the neighbors on section 30. This school was taught by Isaac Outland and was in what was afterward known as district No. 1. This building was used as a school house for about two years, when another was erected on another part of the same section, in which Charles Searing was the first teacher. In 1872 a neat frame house was built to take the place of the rude log houses which served in pioneer times. Mary S. West was the first teacher in this frame building. In what is now known as district No. 2, which was organized in 1859, a log school house was built on the southeast quarter of section 3. Miranda Markee was the first teacher in this district. In 1870 a new building was provided, which was located on the northwest quarter of section 12. Moses Brown was the first teacher. The first school in district No. 4 was taught in 1859 or 1860, in a log cabin on section 25. District No. 5 was organized in 1864 at a meeting held at the house of David Sabin, in November. A log school house was built in |