Cylon Township History

Cylon is one of the northern tier of the St. Croix county townships, bounded by Polk county and Stanton, Erin, Emerald and Forest townships. It is drained by the Willow river and also in part by the Button creek, upon which the village of Cylon is located. The Omaha road passes through the northern part and the Wisconsin Central through the southern part. It includes township 31, range 16, and has three villages Deer Park, Cylon and Inlet.

The first settlement of the township was made in 1855, the early settlers being Otto Natges, J. Smith, H. Fouks, E. Johnson, George Goodrich, S. W. Beel and J. Tomlinson.

The township was organized in 1859. The supervisors were C. A. Hall, chairman, John Sweet and John Gibson. A postoffice was established in 1861, Mrs. John B. Gibson being the postmistress. It is a rich and populous township and was originally timber and prairie land.

The township contains 23,186 acres, having an average value of $23.23 an acre. There are 425 horses valued at $25,500; 1,600 neat cattle, valued at $22,400; 600 sheep and lambs, valued at $1,800, and 200 swine, valued at $1,000; total value of real estate is $588,400, of personal property $109,- 300, making a total of $697,700. Following is the acreage devoted to various crops in Cylon township in 1908: Wheat, 71; corn, 411; oats, 2,101; barley, 535; rye, 82; flaxseed, 115; potatoes, 44; cultivated hay, 1,401.

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Biographies

L. J. Adgate
L. J. Adgate is a native of this county, born at Troy, Wis., December 12, 1863, son of L. A. and Sarah (Lapham) Adgate. The mother was born in England and the father in Ohio. When the Civil war broke out the father was drafted by the Confederates, but being of union tendencies, he escaped and joined the federal army, serving in Company A, Fourth Kansas Cavalry. After a short time in the service, during which time he showed marked courage and bravery, he was stricken with a fever and died in a hospital. The mother, after having been burned out by the Confederates, reached the Ohio river and escaped, coming north to her home in Troy, Wis. She lived successively in Troy, Hudson and Boardman until 1873, when she was married to the Rev. J. W. Chariton, a Methodist clergyman, riding on the Cylon circuit. He died in 1903, and the widow now makes her home in River Falls, Wis.

L. J. Adgate received a good education in the public schools and then entered the normal school at River Falls, Wis.

For five years he taught school and in 1884 came to Cylon and clerked for the firm of Beebe Brothers & Co., dealers in general merchandise. In 1886 he and F. M. Beebe bought out this firm and conducted the store under the name of F. M. Beebe & Co. In 1889 F. M. Beebe sold his interest to S. S. Beebe and the firm became Beebe & Adgate. In 1891 the store burned, entailing a loss of $5,000, only half of which was insured. Later Mr. Adgate started business for himself and continued same until 1893, when he sold out to R. S. Beebe. He then went to New Richmond and bought the New Richmond Voice, a weekly newspaper. Under his management the paper increased its circulation and doubled its influence. In 1894 he sold the paper to E. J. Scott and returned to Cylon, again purchasing his old stand of R. S. Beebe. Since that time he has continued to manage the business and has made of it a pronounced success, his goods having a reputation for their quality for many miles around. In 1900 Mr. Adgate received the appointment as postmaster of the village of Cylon, which position he still retains greatly to the pleasure of the patrons of the office who have been so well served during his regime.

In November, 1888, L. J. Adgate was united in matrimony with Nora McNamara, of Cylon, daughter of Michael and Katherine (Hagerty) McNamara, natives of Ireland, who came to this country and became prominent farmers of Cylon.

Mr. and Mrs. Adgate have no children, but have made a home for Mrs. Adgate s brother s children, Myrtle and Margaret McNamara, to whom they have given a parent s love and care.

Mr. Adgate is a staunch Republican and an active advocate of the platform of that party. He also fraternizes with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to Cylon Lodge, No. 6,569. He is a public spirited gentleman and an ardent friend of the public school system. He is a clever business man, but always tempers his business dealings with the milk of human kindness, and his liberal handedness has made many poor people happy. He is also a loyal friend, loving husband and a good citizen a true gentleman in everything that the word implies.

George A. Fouks
George A. Fouks, now one of the well-to-do men of Cylon township, owner of over 1,200 acres of land and numerous other holdings, was born in Pennsylvania, March 22, 1847, a son of Henry and Barbara (Peterman) Fouks, who came from Germany in the early days and settled first in Pennsylvania, afterward coming to St. Croix county in 1856. In Pennsylvania the father was a coal miner, but upon coming to Cylon township he took up government land and continued farming until his death in 1901. He had the distinction of being the first man to cross the south fork of the Willow river with a team of oxen. The mother passed away in 1887.

George A. was educated in the common schools and then worked with his father, afterward starting for himself. Upon his broad and rich possessions he does general farming and stock raising. He keeps about 100 head of cattle and raises and purchases fine horses. He has made nearly all the improvements on the place, and his beautiful house, surrounded by a well-kept lawn, would be an honor to the residence sections of any large city. The barns are also large and well looked after. Aside from his farming interests, he owns stock in the Deer Park Bank, and is vice-president of that institution.

Mr. Fouks was married in 1874 to Christina Mathews, daughter of Gotlieb Mathews. This union has been a most happy one and has been blessed with eight children Millie, born June 1, 1876; Anna, September 11, 1877; Henry, June 9, 1879; Stella, August 18, 1881; Nellie, January 7, 1885; Lavina, May 7, 1888; Walter, June 26, 1890, and Alma, March 24, 1897. Millie married Chester Thatcher, a sawmill man; Anna married Andrew Becker, and Lavina is a school teacher. All are well thought of by their associates.

Mr. Fouks is a Republican in politics, but has never sought public office, preferring rather to devote his time to his own interests. He is nevertheless actively interested in public affairs and his judgment on matters of township progress is always sound. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is noted for his sagacity and honesty, and well deserves the success that has fallen to his lot.

S. V. Humphrey
S. V. Humphrey is one of those men who are always alive to every possibility for the advancement and progress of the community. He was born in Emerald township, this county, May 30, 1868, a son of Thomas and Mary A. (Flemming) Humphrey. The father came to Emerald in the early days and worked in a sawmill until 1878, when he came to Cylon township and settled on the farm where S. V. has since continued to reside. The father died in 1904 and the mother passed away in 1901.

S. V. was brought up on the farm and attended the public schools, afterward going to work with his father. He later took entire control of the place and now owns it. The farm consists of 360 acres of good land, 300 acres of which is under the plow. He makes a specialty of raising hogs and cattle. The farm is situated not far from the village of Cylon, and the house and barns and grounds are the admiration of all strangers who drive out that way.

In 1902 Mr. Humphrey was married to Nettie Wood, who came of old pioneer stock, her parents being early settlers of Polk county, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey have three children Mary, Richard and Walter.

Mr. Humphrey is a Republican in politics and has served as assessor three years. He affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Clear Lake, in Polk county. He was one of the ardent advocates of the farmers telephone in this section and has always done all in his power to promote its interests. He has made all that he owns by his own hard work, and his honor, integrity and straightforwardness are beyond question.

E. S. Jones

E. S. Jones is a native of New Portland, Me., born in 1854, a son of S. C. and Julia A. Jones, old timers of Maine who came to this county in 1853. They settled first at Hudson on what are now the fair grounds, and after two years there moved to the city of Hudson and remained for three years. They then went to Hudson Prairie, where the father lumbered and worked in the woods. In 1868 he came to Cylon township and followed farming in the western part of the township until 1903, when he died, greatly mourned by all who knew him. The mother still lives with her sons. The father was chairman of the town twelve years and also a member of the school board for some time. The improvements on the place were largely made by the father and his sons. There were four children in the family E. S., Charles, Nettie and Frank. E. S. lives with his brother, Charles, who owns a good farm and is one of the most popular mail carriers in this locality. Nettie married E. C. Goodrich, one of the representative men of Cylon township. A sketch of Frank is found elsewhere in this history.

E. S. received a good education in the public schools and then started farming. Everything was looking bright and prosperous when a fall from a building incapacitated him from work and rendered him a cripple, unable to get about without the aid of crutches. Mr. Jones was town clerk seven years and chairman of Cylon township several terms. He is a public spirited man, and before his accident was one of the most successful and energetic men in the township.
Mr. Jones was married in 1876 to Flora Goodrich, who died in 1903. He has three children Edith, Warren and Clyde.

Mr. Jones is highly thought of by all who know him. He is a man of sterling character and unsullied honor and stands very high throughout the community.

Frank D. Jones

Frank D. Jones was born in Hudson, Wis., May 15, 1866, his parents being Simeon C. and Julia A. Jones, old timers of Maine, of whom a sketch will be found in this history in connection with that of Edwin S. Jones.

Frank D. was raised on the farm and attended the public schools, afterward taking up farming for himself.

In 1890 he was married to Ethel Boardman, daughter of N. C. Boardman, one of the old settlers of this county, having come here in the early fifties. He was one of the most prosperous men in the county and, although now retired, still owns considerable property in this part of the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones have six children Frank, Elsie, Ward, Lee, Dorris and Coit, all of whom are still at home. Mr. Jones owns 270 acres of rich land in Cylon township, nearly all under the plow; about thirty acres is heavy timber land. Upon this farm he carries on a general farming business, making a specialty of Red Poll cattle and Poland-China hogs. His place is only a short distance from the old Jones homestead. The improvements on the farm were made largely by Mr. Jones himself and everything about the place land, house, barns and live stock show the best of care.

Mr. Jones votes the Republican ticket, but has never asked for public office, although it has been intimated to him that such asking would not be in vain. He is a self-made man, honest to the core, a hard worker and a successful farmer. He is preeminently a family man, and his greatest pleasures are received at his own fireside among his own people. Mrs. Jones is said to be one of the best cooks in this vicinity, and the children are a bright, happy bunch of youngsters who are a great credit to their parents.

Ernest Matthews
Ernest Matthews was born in Germany, May 31, 1848. His father, Gotlieb Matthews, came to the United States in 1856, locating first at Milwaukee, Wis. Two years later he came to St. Croix county and located in Cylon township. He took up a piece of land, which he continued to work until his death. Four of his eight children are now alive, all being honored and respected people in every respect.

Ernest worked on the farm with his father and attended the public schools in his native land and in this state. He later took up work for himself. He now owns 160 acres of good land in Cylon township and carries on a general farming, raising the usual crops and breeding some live stock.

Mr. Matthews was married in 1876 to Hannah Hammann, by whom he has four children Millie, Eddie, Henry and Theo, all of whom are at home.

Mr. Matthews is a Republican in politics and attends the Methodist church. He is one of those quiet men who go about their own business without mixing much in public affairs. He is well liked, and there is not a person in the township who does not honor him. His fine farm shows the results of his hard work. He is always willing to make personal sacrifices if necessary that his children may obtain an education if they so desire. His special aim has been and still is to manage his affairs in such a manner that when death compels him to sever the bonds which so long have bound him to his family circle, he may take enjoyment in feeling that he has left a home which his children may call their own.

Oluf O. Olson
Oluf O. Olson is a native of Norway, born September 22, 1849, a son of Ole and Betsy (Larson) Olson, who came to this country in 1858. The parents are still alive on the old homestead, the father being upwards of eighty-three years of age. There are only two children in the family, Oluf and Anna.

Oluf received a good education in the common schools of the county and then started farming. He has lived on his present place thirty-one years. He owns 120 acres of good land in Cylon township, upon which he has made most of the improvements. He does a general mixed farming. In his farming ventures he has been successful, and his industry and business sagacity have been well rewarded. He has been a grain purchaser for Wells & Maroney, Ed Sakrison and the Wisconsin Elevator Company.

In 1877 he was married to Anna Finke, daughter of Henry and Anna Finke, natives of Germany, who settled in this county in 1858 and followed farming for the remainder of their lives.

Mr. and Mrs. Olson have been blessed with six children Clara, William, Arthur, Ralph, Edwin and Agnes. Clara married Charles Christopherson and is living in Hudson, Wis.; Agnes married Leroy Beehe and they have rented the Maple Grove farm.

Mr. Olson is one of those men to whom the term "good citizen" may well be applied, and he is one of the solid and substantial men of the township.

John A. Smith
John A. Smith was born in Sweden in 1842 and came to the United States with his father in 1849, the mother having died on the steamer en route. The father settled first in Illinois, where he remained three years, after which he located in Cylon township in 1855, taking up government land. Upon this place he spent the remainder of his days.

John A. received a good education in the public schools and worked on the farm with his father. In his early days he also ran a thresher ten seasons and worked in the woods several winters. In the month of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Thirtieth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war in the fall of 1865, his regiment being a part of the great army of the West. He then returned to his father's farm, which he now owns. It consists of 200 acres of good land, 120 acres being under cultivation. He has made all the improvements on the place and at the present time is engaged in finishing a handsome twelve-room residence, which will rank with the best in this section of the valley. Upon his rich acres he does general farming business, raising the usual crops and breeding Shorthorn cattle, Berkshire hogs, some fowls and other live stock. He also owns several fine swarms of bees.

In 1867, Mr. Smith married Sophia Ellefsen. This union has been blessed with eight children: Nettie, August T., Annie S., Loren, Edna F. and Grace L. August, the oldest son, died three years ago, while two of the children died in infancy. Two of the daughters are married and the other three children remain at home.

Mr. Smith is a Republican, and has enjoyed many years of honorable and efficient office holding. During the four years that he was country treasurer he and his wife and daughters lived in Hudson, Wis., leaving his sons to run the farm. He was town treasurer twelve years, a director of the school board fifteen years, an assessor and member of the side board for a long time. He is a member of the Old Settlers' Association. As one of the older residents, Mr. Smith stands high in the community. He is looked up to by the younger generations and respected by the people of his own age.

Christian Torgerson
Christian Torgerson is a native of Norway, born March 4, 1840, a son of Torger Christenson, who came to this section of the country August 4, 1858. The family stopped for two weeks at Hudson, Wis., and then settled upon the present place in Cylon township. The father followed the trade of blacksmithing and died in 1863. Christian was the oldest of three children. A sketch of Louis, the other brother, will be found elsewhere in this history. Annie, the sister, is now deceased.

Christian received a common school education and spent his early life much as other boys do. He worked on the farm with his father and was industrious and saving of his money.
In 1878 he married Jettie Thompson. This union has been blessed with seven children Helen, deceased; Nettie, Theodore, Anna, Harry, Hattie and Jessie.

Mr. Torgerson owns 120 acres of good land, about half of which is under the plow. He carries on a diversified farming, raising the usual crops and breeding Shorthorn cattle, Chester White hogs and other live stock. The location of the farm, in Cylon township, just out of Deer Park, is an ideal one for such a place.

Mr. Torgerson votes the Republican ticket and has served on the school board several years. For two years he was assessor. He attends the Methodist church. He is an honest, upright man, a considerate husband and loving father, a true friend and good neighbor. Mrs. Torgerson is noted for her motherly qualities and housekeeping ability.

Louis Torgerson
Louis Torgerson was born in Norway, February 16, 1841, a son of Torger Christenson, one of the early settlers of St. Croix county. He learned the trade of blacksmithing with his father and with this combined the trade of carpenter. Later he became an expert in the farming business. He now owns 120 acres of good land, nearly all of which is under the plow. He does a general farming and breeds some cattle, hogs, fowls and other live stock. He built his own house, and its stability and comfortable arrangement testify to his abilities as a carpenter. On the inside Mrs. Torgerson's excellence as a housekeeper is clearly shown. The barns are commodious and well kept and the stock shows good feeding and careful attention.

Mr. Torgerson is a Republican in politics. He has served with much credit as overseer of roads and as road foreman. He is regarded as a successful man, and all his undertakings have proven profitable. He attends the Methodist church and is highly thought of by all who know him.

He was married in 1875 to Anna Hansina Tronson, daughter of Andrew Tronson. Her people came from Norway in the early days and settled in this country. The father was a stone mason in the old country, but upon coming here he took up farming.

Mr. and Mrs. Torgerson have ten children Lena, born February 26, 1876; Adolph, February 14, 1878; Christ, August 27, 1880; Mabel, August 14, 1883; Alice was born December 31, 1886; Lillian was born April 20, 1889; Erne was born November 1, 1891; Hazel was born July 28, 1894; Lizzie was born October 29, 1896, and Alpha, born March 5, 1902.

Deer Park Village
Deer Park has a population of 294. It has German Lutheran and Norwegian Methodist churches, a creamery, a meat market, a livery barn, a blacksmith who deals in agricultural implements and another who does not, one furniture dealer who is an undertaker and also sells agricultural implements, one dealer in hardware who sells fuel and feed, four general stores, in one of which is sold meat; a branch of the New Richmond roller mills, and the Interstate Lumber Company, a branch of the Stillwater Company.

The State Bank of Deer Park, Wis., was incorporated June 5, 1905, with a paid up capital of $10,000. The incorporators were: W. E. Webster, George A. Fouks, John Sakrison and Ed Sakrison, which comprise the present officers and board of directors. The officers are: W. E. Webster, president; George A. Fouks, vice-president; John Sakrison, cashier, and Ed Sakrison, assistant cashier. Their statement July 15, 1908, shows in surplus and undivided profits $5,131.18.