suc lakes in a schooner to Chicago, then a city of England-"on whose dominion the sun never about 9,000 inhabitants. In the spring of 1845 sets"-in 1835, and when nine years of age he went to live in Prescott, Canada, where he came over to this country. He was one of the remained until 1848, when he went to Syracuse, first to settle in Dane Co., Wis., and in 1857 N. Y., and was clerk in the dry goods house of came to Whitestown. He purchased fifty acres Arnold Woodward. When the news of the of land on section 3, which he still owns. He discovery of gold in California reached the has been very attentive to his landed interests, east, he was seized with the "California fever" and now possesses 1,756 acres of land in Verand started with two others, (the first to leave non county, making him probably the second that city for California) on the 8th day of largest landholder in the county. He also January, 1849, reaching San Francisco on the owns two houses and three lots in the village 8th day of August, after a tedious voyage around of Ontario, a store building and other village Cape Horn, of 185 days from New York. He property, and a large stock of dry goods, groce worked in the mines in parts of the mountains ries, boots and shoes, clothing, crockery and and returned home to New York in the sum- hardware. He enjoys a fine trade, and his mer of 1851. The same year he started for St. many years of residence have given him the Paul, Minn., intending to make that now famous confidence of all his acquaintances. Mr. Sancity his home but only went as far as Freeport, Ill. don taught the first school in the village of He there engaged in the book trade, but sold his Ontario, and in 1858 was elected clerk of the stock in January, 1852, and started again for town, holding the position for sixteen years. California. This second trip was more He was also justice of the peace for ten or cessful than the preceding one, for he managed twelve years. Mr. Sandon was united in marto secure about $2,000 in six months. riage, in 1857, soon after he came into Whitestraversed the entire mining region, but mined town, to Ellen L., daughter of M. W. and principally on the middle fork of the American Maria Steadman. They have two daughters river, and at Agua Frio, in Mariposa county.-Nettie M. and Hattie E. Mrs. Sandon was In 1857 Mr. Millard came to Whitestown, and born in 1837. entered eighty acres on section 3. He now owns 680 acres in the town and five blocks in the village of Ontario. This latter place was named in honor of Mr. Millards birth place, Ontario Co., N. Y. Mr. Millard was the first postmaster in the village. Was chairman of the town board one year, town treasurer two years. He carries on a large business in a general stock of goods, and has lately platted in town lots eighty acres of land in Monroe county, which is known as Millard's addition to the village of Ontario. Mr. Millard was married, in 1854, to Mary S., daughter of Jason and Johanna Canfield, of West Bloomfield, N. Y. They have two children-Henry C. who married Retta J. Carpenter, and Mittie J. He Robert Sandon, one of the most prominent business men of Ontario village, was born in Johann Breidung came in 1861. He was born in Germany in 1825, and took passage in a sailing vessel for America in 1854. He first settled at Manistee, Mich., and there engaged in the lumber business for eight years. He then removed to Milwaukee and lived there two years. Leaving Milwaukee, he went to Waukesha county and farmed it for one year. In 1861 he came to Whitestown and purchased 160 acres of land on section 24. He now owns 150 acres and resides on section 34. Mr. Breidung was married in 1860 to Mrs. Martha Breidenstein. They have three children -Albert, Augusta and Matilda. Samuel Walker, who located in 1862, was born in Indiana Co., Penn., April 20, 1805. In 1812 his parents removed to Washington county in his native State, and in 1814 to Jefferson Co., Ohio. Mr. Walker subsequently resided in both Athens and Meigs counties, in Ohio, and in 1856 settled in Wellington town, Monroe Co., Wis. He there sowed the first wheat ever sowed in the town, and remained until 1861. In the latter year he enlisted as fifer in company I, in the 6th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, but was discharged in 1862 on account of disability. That same year he removed to Whitestown and entered 160 acres of land on section 1. He now owns 120 acres on the same section, all well improved. Mr. Walker was married, March 28, 1834, to Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Eleanor Sloan. Eight children were born to this union, six of whom are living-L. H., who married Miss C. Buckner, Whitestown; T. R., who married a Miss Curtis; Ellen, wife of Ezra Tuttle; Anna, wife of Thomas Sloan; Leslie and Lindley, deceased; Perry, who married Katie Dains; Joseph Adam, married Mary Adeline Lester; she having died, he afterward married De Ette L. Palmeter. Mr. Samuel Walker served an apprenticeship of six years as a blacksmith, following the business thirty-five years. He has always been a hard working man, and is at the advanced age of seventy-seven past, an able bodied man and the grand-father of twenty-one children. Perry Walker, son of Samuel and Sarah (Sloan) Walker, was born in Meigs Co., Ohio, in 1841. He there lived until 1854, when he accompanied his parents to Hamilton, Ind., and one year later removed to the town of Wellington, Monroe Co., Wis., the family having the honor of being the first white settlers in the town. In 1862 they removed to the town of Whitestown and Mr. Walker bought forty acres of land on section 1, which he still owns. In 1865 he enlisted in the 50th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged in 1866. Mr. Walker was married in 1872 to Catharine, daughter of Hartley and Elizabeth Danes. They have two childrenMarlow and Maggie. Hiram Timerman, who is one of the most prominent business men of Ontario village, was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1825. He was there reared and educated. In 1841, when quite young, he learned the wagon and carriage maker's trade and was engaged in manufacturing those vehicles until 1864. In this latter year he returned to Ontario village and opened the first wagon shop in the town of Whitestown. He carried on a successful business until 1882, when he disposed of his stock and custom to his two sons, who now operate the business. Mr. Timerman subsequently engaged in the furnituge business, owns a good stock and is enjoying a fine trade. He also owns a residence and two village lots and forty acres of land on section 2. He was married, in 1850, to Harriet Luther. They have three children-Mertin, Herman, who married Lucy Hart, and Dell, who married Jennie McFee. Mrs. Timermanwas born in 1820. Hon. Van S. Bennett is the leading business man of the village of Rockton and one of the prominent citizens of Vernon county. He was born in Medina Co., Ohio, in 1836. His grandfather was a native of the Old Dominion and a prominent planter and slave-holder and departed this life in 1820. One son, J. V., the father of our subject, was born in Jefferson Co., Va., in 1801 and at the death of his father, came into possession of one-ninth of the estate. This interest was paid him in slaves. From the death of his father until 1828, a period of eight years, he was also overseer of the plantation and was paid in slaves for his services. In the latter year, when twenty-seven years of age, he left the old plantation for New York, taking with him all the property he then possessed-a large number of slaves. Upon arriving at his destination he gave freedom to all his dusky chattels and by so doing became in one hour a He commenced life again by penniless man. hiring to work on a farm at ten dollars per month. He came to Rockton in 1868 and died at the residence of his son in 1870. His wife, Eliza Bennett, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1812, and became the wife of Mr. Bennett in 1834. They were the parents of five children-Van S., William H., who was captain of company B, 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and died in 1864; Isaac, who died in 1847; Virginia, who departed this life in Whitestown, in 1867, and I. J., a practicing physician of Lansing, Iowa. Van S. Bennett, the eldest child, remained in his native county until ten years of age and then accompanied his parents to Dane Co., Wis. Six years later they removed to Jefferson county and in 1854 to Kickapoo Center, Vernon county. At this latter place Mr. Bennett assisted in erecting the first saw mill in the town of Kickapoo. In 1855 he went to Richland county and for six years worked in the lumbering camps. In 1861 he enlisted in the 12th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned a 1st lieutenant and in 1862 was promoted as captain and discharged in 1864. He returned to Richland county and was elected superintendent of the schools, which position he held for two years. In 1856 he came to Whitestown and purchased the grist mill owned by Laughton Bros. In 1867 he erected the first saw mill in the village, which he still owns and operates. In 1873 he platted the village of Rockton and in 1879, in connection with C. B. Weldon, purchased a general stock of goods. In 1881 the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Weldon retiring from the firm, and Mrs. Bennett has since assisted in the store duties. Mr. Bennett is the largest landed proprietor in Vernon county, owning about 2,300 acres. He was married, in 1858, to Jennie, daughter of Alfred and Rebecca Lovelace. They have one daughterOnie. Mrs. Bennett was born in 1837. Mr. Bennett was justice of the peace thirteen years; chairman of town board four years; chairman of county board two years; represented his district in the Assembly two terms. He is the present representative to the State Senate from this district, receiving a plurality vote of 447 over both democratic and greenback candidates. Elbert W. Sandon is the senior member of the firm of Sandon & White, dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and clothing. He was born in Dane Co., Wis., in 1849, and in 1866, when seventeen years of age, came to the town of Whitestown, where he has since resided. During the first three or four years of his residence here, he traveled during the summer months, and resided in Ontario in the winter seasons. In 1869 he formed a copartnership with his brother Robert, and the firm commenced the mercantile trade. Mr. Sandon remained in the firm until 1874, when he disposed of his interest to his brother, and established himself in his present business a little later in the same year. In 1880 he sold one half interest in the business to Cassius White, and purchased a half interest in the saw and grist mill in the village. The flouring mill contains three run of stones and has a capacity of about 700 bushels per day. The saw mill is furnished with a circular saw, and has a capacity of 8,000 feet of lumber per day. Mr. Sandon is one of the enterprising and successful business men of Vernon county, and enjoys the esteem of the whole community. He was married in 1874 to Angie, daughter of Giles and Caroline White, the first settlers in this town. Mrs. Sandon was born in 1846. Ole Arntzen, a native of Norway, was born in 1821, and emigrated to the United States in 1865. He first settled in La Crosse, Wis., in 1866, where he remained till the fall of 1867, when he came to Whitestown and entered 160 acres of land on sections 21 and 28, which he now owns, with about 30 acres improved. Mr. Arntzen was married, in 1853, to Johanna M. Sternberg. They have six children—August M., Henry, Peter O., Rudolph, John and Arendine. August is now married to Mary Vance. Heinrich Heinrich, a justice of the peace of the town of Whitestown, was born in Germany in 1831. He left his native land in a steam ves for about nine years. He was subsequently in charge of two Baptist congregations at Dodgeville, Iowa Co., Wis., for three years, and was then called to the Church at Spring Green, Sauk Co., Wis., where he ministered to the spiritual wants of three congregations until 1870. In the latter year, he came to Ontario, and has since officiated as their pastor. A glance at the foregoing will abundantly serve to show that Rev. Phillips has spent a long and useful life in the service of his Lord and Master. He is now nearing the end of this mortal life, but the years that have whitened his locks and enfeebled his steps have also added strength to his soul and a determination to die in the harness. He was united in marriage, in 1831, to Ann Jones, and seven children have been born to them, five living-Frank M. (Daniel), sel in the spring of 1869, and when near England, the vessel broke a propelling screw, and had to put into London for repairs. After leaving England, and when fully in mid ocean, terrific storms drove the vessel hither and thither. Their provisions almost gave out, and their coal was entirely consumed. They found it necessary to use bedsteads, benches, stools, etc., for fuel, and with great difficulty and many misgivings, reached New York harbor. Mr. Heinrich came directly to Vernon county, and purchased eighty acres of land in Whitestown town, on sections 34 and 27, where he has since resided. In 1880 he was appointed justice of the peace, and is now serving in that capacity. Mr. Heinrich was married, in 1852, to Alh Zaeger, born in 1832, and a grand-child of a native of Germany, who came to America at an early day, and fought under Washington in the Rev-Jennie (Davis), William C., Lucinda (Green) olutionary war, but afterward returned to Germany, and there died. Six children were born to this union, one dying in Germany, and five now living-Carl D., born in 1853, studied theology for three years at the Northwestern College, Naperville, Ill.; Louise M., born in 1856, and wife of August Krugel; L. Emielie, born in 1859, and resides in New York city; A. Auguste, born in 1861, and wife of Carl Krugel, and Eliese Adelia, born in 1866, and wife of George Thomas. Rev. W. F. Phillips, the present. pastor of the Baptist Church, of the village of Ontario, Vernon Co., Wis., was born in Wales, in 1801. When quite young he became imbued with the idea of becoming a minister of the gospel and at the age of fifteen years commenced to talk on religious matters. In 1818 he entered Brecon College, in the south of Wales, to prepare for the ministry. He was graduated in 1822, and in 1842 came to these United States. His first charge was the Welsh Baptist Church, at Utica, N. Y., where he remained four years. He then removed to Freedom, in the same State, where he officiated as pastor to both the English and Welsh Baptist Churches and Catherine (Fox). Mrs. Phillips crossed over the dark river in 1869, and Jan. 12, 1875, Rev. Phillips married Lydia Beecher, a native of Hinesburg, Vt. Christian Fransen is a native of Norway, where he was born in 1844, and emigrated to the United States in 1872, and first located on Coon Prairie, where he lived until 1875, when he moved to Whitestown, and purchased sixty acres of land on section 7, where he now resides. He has increased his farm to one hundred acres. Mr. Fransen was united in marriage in 1872 to Mary Christianson, by whom he has six children-Clara, Laura, Carrie, Jenette, Zena and a twin sister not yet named. Mr. Fransen has about twenty-five acres of land under cultivation. Steen Steenson was born in Norway in 1850. His father, John Steenson, was born in Norway, in 1823, and came to the United States in 1865. He now resides in this town, on section 5. Steen Steenson came to America in 1868, and first settled on Coon Prairie, in this county, where he lived five years. In 1873 he removed to Whitestown, and purchased eighty acres of land, on section 5, which he now owns. Mr. Steenson married Johanna Ericson, daughter of Ericson Thompson. They have two children-Albert and Amel. V. A. Stoddard, a native of the "Badger State," was born in Dodge Co., Wis, in 1854. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Sheldon, in Monroe county, where he remained until 1875, receiving a good common school education. In the latter year, he purchased fifty acres of land on section 6, Whitestown town, and moved on to his farm the same year. Mr. Stoddard was elected clerk of Whitestown in 1882, and has been clerk of his school district for six years. He was married in 1874 to Anna E., daughter of Michael and Mary J. Dunn. They have four children-Charles D., William P., Rettie A. and Bessie A. Mr. Stoddard's father was born in New York, in 1828, and his mother in Maine, in 1833. Hans Hanson is a native of Norway, and was born in 1928. He emigrated to the United States in 1853, in the month of August. He first settled on Coon Prairie, in Vernon county, where he remained until 1877, when he removed to Whitestown and purchased 140 acres of land from Christian Thompson on section 6, which he still owns. Mr. Hanson was married to Anna Evenson in 1860, by whom he had one child-Caroline, who died in 1866. Mr. Hanson was unfortunate in losing his wife in 1865. He again married, in 1866, Mary Larson. They have five children-Anna, Henry, Laura, Clara and Ida, all single and living at home. Neither of Mr. Hanson's parents came to the United States. Ora Winsor, cabinet and wagon-maker, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., where he remained until 1827, and then removed to Chautauqua county, in the same State. He there learned the carpenter trade, and in 1831 went to Canada, and worked at his trade for two years. Returning to New York, he there remained until 1847, when he came west and located in York town Green Co., Wis. In 1851, he was removed to Madison, and there lived until 1855. He traveled extensively over the States of Wisconsin, Iowa and Colorado, and in 1881 located He now carries in the town of Whitestown. on a cabinet and wagon-shop, and enjoys a good run of custom. Mr. Winsor was married, in 1835, to Polly Ann Brown, who the mother of four children-Chauncey A., who married Frank Ten Eyck, Lucy M., wife of E. Groer, Jirah R., who married Cordelia A. Bishop, and Jason C., who selected for his wife Anna Piper. Mrs. Winsor died in 1861, and Mr. Winsor was again married, in 1863, to Jane A. Wilcox, who departed this life in 1875. Arnold Widmer, junior member of the firm of Bennett & Widmer, proprietors of Rockton flouring mills, was born in Switzerland, in 1848. He received a thorough collegiate education in the mother country, and subsequently He came to these learned the milling trade. United States in 1868, and first located in Buffalo Co., Wis. He there worked on a farm for some time, and since then has been constantly employed at his trade. In 1874 he came to Rockton, and worked in the grist mill. In January, 1883, he purchased a half interest in the flouring mill, and the business has since been conducted by the firm of Bennett & Widmer. Mr. Widmer also owns a residence and three village lots in Rockton, and eighty acres of land in the town of Stark. Mr. Widmer was married, in 1870, to Viola, daughter of David and Jutita Kellicut. They have five children-Franklin A., Bertha, Elmer L., Nettie C. and Hattie L. (twins). A. Burlingame, a physician by profession and a farmer by occupation, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1819. In 1828 he accompanied his parents to Putnam Co., Ind, and in 1836, to Milwaukee, Wis. His mother was the first married white woman in that city. Mr. Burlingame attended the public schools, and in 1847 returned to Putnam Co., Ind, where he studied medicine for four years. He first locat |