BIOGRAPHIES: SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "C"
(To enlarge a Biography, highlight, cut & paste to a document form. Highlight and select font setting)


CAHOON, Joseph W. was born in Ohio, March 16, 1814 and came to Appleton November 3, 1855. Satira Cahoon was born in Camden, Oneida, New York, September 20, 1815. Taken from The Outagamie County Pioneer Record.

CANAVAN, J. V. was born in the town of Ellington, Outagamie county. January 22, 1860; married October 17, 1883 to Nora E. O'Brien. Children, Genevieve E., born Nov. 19, 1886; Florence K., born in December, 1889; Walter J., born in August, 1892; Helen N., born in April, 1895; Cathleen B., born Feb. 13, 1898. Is a physician and surgeon residing at 475 Walnut street. Taken from The Outagamie County Pioneer Record.

CANAVAN, Patrick was born in the town of Ellington, Outagamie county, September 7, 1857. He is a son of John Canavan, who settled on Section 15 in the town of Ellington, August 15, 1855. Father and mother now reside on the homestead where they first settled in the town of Ellington. Taken from The Outagamie County Pioneer Record.

CAREY, John B. was born in 1836 and came to Outagamie county January 7, 1852. Mrs. J. B. Carey was born in Monmouth, England, June 3, 1847 and came to Outagamie county in 1861. Orrin B. Carey was born in 1860 in Outagamie County. Taken from The Outagamie County Pioneer Record.

CASHMAN, James is a native of the "Emerald Isle," born in 1833 in County Cork, son of Thomas and Mary (Martin) Cashman, farming people, who were in comfortable circumstances. They had a family of eight children-five sons and three daughters of whom James was the third youngest. The parents both died in Ireland. James Cashman commenced to assist with the farm work as soon as he was old enough, and as a consequence his schooling was neglected. He remained under the parental roof up to the age of twenty years, when, being no longer needed at home, he resolved to cross the Atlantic and see what opportunities were offered in America. In the spring of 1853 he left Cork for Liverpool, where he took passage for New York, landing after a comparatively short voyage of four weeks' duration. The following summer he worked for a farmer near Niagara Falls, N. Y., and in the fall came farther west, by rail to Chicago, Ill., and thence by boat and stage to Appleton, Outagamie Co., Wis., where he found employment on the buildings of Lawrence University, then in course of construction. With the money he managed to save by frugality and persistent industry he bought eighty acres of land in Section 24, Greenville township, Outagamie county, paying about two hundred dollars for the tract, and gave all his spare time to clearing the land, adding improvements when possible, but he never made a permanent home there until his marriage. For several winters he engaged in lumbering, a vocation in which all the early settlers had more or less experience. In September, 1857, he vas married, in Appleton, to Annie Corbett, who was born about 1833 in County Clare, Ireland, and came to America with her brother Patrick. The young couple took up their residence at once on the farm, whereon he had built a rude dwelling, and at this time had ten acres sowed to wheat and several more cleared. He owned a yoke of oxen, but no wagon, or modern implements, but by persevering in his work and buying machinery, as he could afford it, he saw the forest gradually give place to a well- cultivated farm, which yields him a comfortable income; he also owns five acres in Grand Chute township. The struggles and hardships he experienced during those early years of toil were the same as those endured by all pioneers in a newly opened country, and his success in the face of all obstacles is all the more creditable. All his business dealings are characterized by straightforward honesty, and all who know him esteem him as a substantial, loyal citizen. To Mr. and Mrs. James Cashman were born children as follows: Mary, who lives at home and keeps house for her father; Thomas, a carpenter; Edward and William, farmers, who live at home; and three sons and one daughter, all deceased in infancy. The mother was called from earth in January, 1876, and sleeps her last sleep in the cemetery at Appleton. Mr. Cashman has always been a staunch Democrat, but is no aspirant for political honors, though he has held offices in his school district. The family are Catholics in religious belief, belonging to St. Mary's Church, of Appleton. Commemorative Biographical Record of the Fox River Valley Counties of Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago, J.H. Beers & Co, 1895.

CAVANAUGH, Bernard was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1835; came to Outagamie county in 1849 and was married to Margaret Lahey in 1862. She was born in 1839. Their children are: Jerome, born in 1863; Frank, born in 1854; John, born in 1866; Lizzie, born in 1868; James, born in 1874; Edward, born in 1877 and Joseph, born in 1881. Occupation, farmer, located on sw 1/4 of Section 34, T. 21, R. 17. Residence, 1561 Carver street, Appleton. Taken from The Outagamie County Pioneer Record.

CHAMBERLAIN, George, L., Dr., specialist, of this city, has received the appointment as successor to Dr. Wm. Polglase, medical director of the Home for the Febble Minded and Epileptics at Lapeer. The appointment was made at a special meeting of the board of control held at Detroit and goes into effect on Dr. Polglase's retirement January 1. The board has been considering numerous applications since November 1 and has spent much time at investigating the qualifications of the various applicants. Dr. Chamberlain said today that while he had not yet been officially notified of his appointment is was not entirely unexpected that he had received it. Dr. Chamberlain was born at Eureka, Wis., July 14, 1869, and was graduated from Rush Medical College in 1891. After taking post graduate course [sic] he was appointed assistant superintendent of the hospital for the Insane at Newbury, and three years later as superintendent where he served until three years ago when his health compelled him to resign and he spent a year in the mountain country of northern California. He then established himself as a specialist. He was the youngest known superintendent of state asylums for the insane while serving in that capacity. He is a member of the American Medical association, also of the state and Upper Peninsula Medical society and a prominent member of several Masonic orders. Kaukauna Times, Kaukauna, WI, Nov. 30, 1906

CHUBBUCK, Thomas E. The subject of this sketch was born in Oneida county, New York in 1830, and came to Outagamie county in 1852. He was married to Fanny Sedgwick in 1858. She was born in 1838. Their children are: Frank, born in 1859; Lettie, born in 1861; Fanny, born in 1875; Thomas S., born in 1880. Mr. Chubbuck has been supervisor of Seymour city for three years and justice of the peace seven years. He has also been city marshal of Seymour for five years and now resides on Robbins street in the city of Seymour. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

CLARK, Norman B. was born May 11, 1831, came to Outagamie county, Jan 5, 1860 and was married to Delia Taylor, August 12, 1860. She was born January 3, 1845, in Oneida county, N. Y. Their children are: Elmer E., born May 9, 1864; Reno NY., born June 21, 1866; Roscoe C., born Jan. 13, 1868; Vinnee, born Nov. 24, 1870. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

CLARK, Orlando E. was born in Genesee county, N.Y. December 5, 1883, he was married to Leda Ballard, daughter of Anson Ballard. She was born in Appleton, October 6, 1854. Tilden Ballard Clark, born Dec. 31, 1885. Residence, 327 Cherry street, Appleton, Wis. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

CLARK, William A.
was born December 29, 1845, at Drummondville, Canada; came to Outagamie county in 1840 and was married to Helen Hannah Bishop, October 19, 1875. Their children are: Percy M., born January 11, 1877; Bessie C., born June 11, 1880; Dorothy W., born May 4, 1883. Occupation, agent for New York Life Insurance company, residing at 690 Lawrence street, Appleton. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

CLOOS, Frank was born in Ellington, 1877, his father, Adam Cloos, came to this county in 1867. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

CLOSE, Alexander was born in Ohio in 1843 and three years later came to Outagamie county. His occupation is that of shoemaker. Mary Jane Young Close was born in Ohio in 1843 and came to Outagamie county in April, 1863. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

CORCORAN, Sarah, Mrs. (Obituary) wife of J. H. Corcoran, died at her home on the south side last Monday afternoon, aged 32 years. The deceased has been a sufferer from Bright's disease for several years and had been very low for several months previous to her death. She leaves a husband and three small sons to mourn the loss of a loving wife and fond mother. The funeral was held from the Holy Cross church Wednesday morning, and was largely attended the concourse being the largest that has been seen in this city for a long time. Quite a number from Appleton and other surrounding places were present. The following relatives from out of town were in attendance at the funeral: Mr. and Mrs. M. Corcoran, Fond du Lac, WI; Mr. and Mrs. Kickhafer, Milwaukee; Mrs.Herman Hass, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gahagan and Michael Heehan, Fond du Lac. September 7, 1894

CORDES, Carl (Civil War), formerly of the Northwestern House of this city, was buried at the Wisconsin Veterans' Home cemetery at Waupaca last week. Mr. Cordes purchased an acre of ground from the McCorossen farm adjoining the soldiers' home grounds and built him a comfortable house and set out the land to fruit before he died. He was stricken with paralysis, suffering three strokes which followed each other closely, causing his death. Carl Cordes served in the Union army during the civil war, being a corporal in Co. I Thirty-Second Wisconsin Infantry. His second wife, formerly Mrs. Sager, survives, also several children. The funeral was attended from here by his step sons, Edward and Albert Sager and their wives, who returned Monday. Appleton Evening Crescent, Appleton, WI, December 15, 1905.

COFFEY, Mrs. N, one of the oldest and best known settlers in Outagamie County died at her home in Freedom Saturday. The funeral was held Monday. She is survived by seven sons. Kaukauna Times, Kaukauna, WI, November 3, 1905

COLWITZ, Charles residing on a finely-cultivated farm of 120 acres, located in Sections 28 and 30, Bovina township, was the first settler of this section, and during the seventeen years that he has lived here has watched the country develop from a wild, uncultivated swamp land to some of the finest farming country in the county. Mr. Colwitz was born August 4, 1852, in Germany, a son of Charles and Ricca (Marks) Colwitz, who came to this country when he was four years old. The parents of Mr. Colwitz settled in Calument county, Wisconsin, where the father purchased 100 acres of wild land, the country then being in a wild state and peopled with Indians, who, however, were not troublesome. He spent forty years on this farm, during which time he cleared fifty acres, and in spite of many disheartening misfortunes managed to become the prossessor of a good, valuable farm. The first log house built by him was destroyed by fire, but this was replaced by a better one made of frame, and other substantial buildings were also erected. At another time all of his cattle died from some strange disease, but he did not let himself become discouraged, setting about to procure a new herd, and when he died at the age of sixty-six years, at Brothertown, he was in comfortable circumstances and had the respect and esteem of all who knew him. Mrs. Colwitz also passed away at Brothertown, when seventy years of age, and both were buried in Calumet Cemetery. Charles Colwitz was the oldest of his parents' six children, and he was twenty-four years of age when he started farming for himself on rented property. One year later he bought eighty acres in Calumet county, but after eight years here and one year on the eighty acres adjoining, he went to Brillion, Calumet county, where he established himself in the livery business. Three or four years later he removed his business to Kaukauna, Outagamie county, and he carried on a flourishing business at the latter place for four years, when a disastrous fire destroyed his harness, buggies, wagons, household goods, and in fact all of his other possessions, which were totally without insurance. Thus stripped of his worldly goods, Mr. Colwitz decided to make a new start, and in 1894 came to Bovina township and bought his present farm, at that time all swamp land on which no improvements whatever had been made. He erected buildings, drained the land, cleared the timber and brush, and started in to break the land for planting, and he now has 100 acres under cultivation, most of which is fenced with barbed wire. He is now engaged in general farming and stock raising, and gives special attention to dairying. he is a Reupublican in politics, and is a member of the Lutheran Church, his wife being of the Congregational faith. In 1876, Mr. Colwitz was married to Miss Clara Pillsbury, born November 8, 1859, the eldest of the four children of Granville and Harriet (Parker) Pillsbury, natives of Illinois, Granville Pillsbury enlisted for service in the Civil War, and at the battle of Gettysburg he was captured and confined in Libby Prison, where he died. He was captured in a deep railway cut while engaged in tearing up ties in order to cut off rebel supplies. While thus employed the detachment of which he was a member was captured by a superior force of the enemy and were almost all starved to death in the notorious Andersonville prison. Mrs. Pillsbury was married (second) to Stephen Hibbard, and now lives at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, having reached the age of sixty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Colwitz have four children: Mabell, who married Walter Bruse and lives at Shiocton; Peter, who married Annie Clasen, and lives with his parents; Laura, who married Clarence Butler, who died in 1910, and she is now living in New London; and Francis, who died at the age of seventeen years. History of Outagamie County, Wisconsin, 1911.

COMERFORD, William M. D. Among the native-born physicians of northern Wisconsin stands prominent this gentleman, who though yet in the ranks of the younger members of the profession has already placed himself well in the van. The Doctor was born in Appleton, Outagamie Co., Wis., April 2, 1869, a son of William H. Comerford, a native of Ireland, whence, in 1850, he emigrated to this country, settling on a farm in or near the city of Milwaukee, Wis., where he remained some fifteen years, when he moved to Appleton, Outagamie county, his present place of residence. The subject of this sketch received his primary education at the schools of Appleton, graduating at the Ryan High School in 1885. He then commenced a course of study in medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. A. H. Levings, Appleton, now president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Milwaukee, and at the end of two years entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, graduating there on March 25, 1890, with high honors. Having now completed his course in medicine, Dr. Comerford opened his first office in Rice Lake, Barron Co., Wis., but at the end of about eighteen months, desiring a wider field, he in September, 1891, returned to Appleton, where he has since continued in the successful practice of medicine. Politically the Doctor is a Democrat, but takes no active part in the affairs of his party, his entire time being devoted to his profession, in which he is more interested. Socially he is a member of the Modern Woodmen; in religious faith he is a Catholic. Commemorative Biographical Record of the Fox River Valley Counties of Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago, J.H. Beers & Co.1895

CONKEY, Col. Theodore was born Dec. 11, 1818 and died in Appleton. He was married to Cinthia Foot, Jan. 28, 1848. They settled in Appleton in 1849. They have had four children, Alice Conkey Reid, born May 21, 1852, and died Nov. 21, 1892. Edward Conkey was born in 1854 and died in 1882. Their only surviving child, Helen Conkey Barnes, was married to Mr. Lyman E. Barnes. Their children are: Theodore Conkey, born in 1882; Allie Alexandra, born in 1885; Thomas Hart, born in 1888; Edward Talcott, born in 1889; Lyman Eddy, born in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes now reside on her father's homestead on Prospect street in Appleton. Her mother now resides with them. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

CONKLIN, Nathan S. was born in Schoharie county, N.Y., Aug. 15, 1815; he came to Wisconsin in 1849, and to the town of Osborn, October, 1864; settled near the corner of sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, T. 23, R. 18, where he now resides. He was married to Catharine J. Ballard Oct. 12, 1836; they have had seven children. First child, born August, 1837, died May 15, 1852. Second child, Louis A., born October 7, 1840, married Betsy A. Knowlton; she died in 1883. His second wife was Mary A. Ruston, by whom he had five children. Louis A. died Sept. 14, 1894; he lived on a farm in Seymour. Third child, Mary E., married C. E. McIntosh; they have six children. Fourth child, Oscar J., born in May, 1845; he is now in Salt Lake City. Fifth child, Margaret E., born April, 1848; married W. M. E. Bloomfield in 1893; they live in Chicago. Sixth child, Harry O., born in 1857; married Anna L. Collins in 1890; they live in Chicago. Seventh child, Ivan N., born June 17, 1860; married Nov. 30, 1893, to Mary Evans; they live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

CONWAY, John was born in Outagamie county in 1862; built the Sherman House in 1888 and has since been landlord of the same. He graduated from Ryan High School in 1882. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

COTTER, James W. was born in Ohio in 1846 and came to Outagamie county in 1850. He is a son of James Cotter. Occupation, dealer in coal, wood, lime, mortar, brick, etc. Residence 759 State street. Patrick Cotter, was born in Ohio in 1837 and came to Outagamie county in 1850, being a son of James Cotter, who settled on Section 14, town of Center in 1850 and died in 1886; married to Sarah Rogers in 1868. Children, M. E., born in 1870; John, born in 1872; Maggie, born in 1874; Thomas born in 1876; Anna, born in 1878; Katie, born in 1880; Allie, born in 1882. Occupation, farmer, on Section 13, town of Center. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

COUGH, Jere W. was born in Pleasant Valley, Jefferson county, N.Y. January 16, 1845, and came to Outagamie county in 1867 and resides on a farm in the Fourth Ward, city of Appleton. Mrs. Mary E. Cough was born in Point Peninsula, 1841, and came to Outagamie county in 1850. Their children are Jennie, wife of J. B. Mills, born in Outagamie county in 1870; Henry Guy, born in 1873; Roy M., born in 1876; Floyd E., born in 1880; Wayne, born in 1883; Elinor May, born in 1888. All born in Outagamie county. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

CULBERTSON, Matthew. About the beginning of the eighteenth century, there lived near Campbelltown, Scotland, one James Culbertson, who took for a wife, Jean Campbell; whose son Robert married Nannie Harvey; whose son James and his wife Jenet White Culbertson had six sons and three daughters, Jean Agnes, Robert, Janet, William, John, James, Samuel and David. For many years the family rented and lived on the Skerbolin farm, five miles north of Campbelltown; but when all the children had reached maturity they emigrated to America between the years 1818 and 1822, locating in southern Indiana, where the first settlers were making their pioneer start. John, who was born in May 1796, was the last to emigrate. Soon after reaching America, but before his journey was completed, he was married September 11, 1822, to Margaret Reid, a member of the same emigrant party and a resident of his native land. They located in Shelby township, Jefferson county, Indiana, where John's people had preceded him. Here he took a quarter section of unimproved very heavily timbered land and subdued it into a modern farm of that date and here their family was born: James, Matthew, John, Janet, Margaret, Alexander and Nancy. At the time the boys had reached manhood and wished to establish homes for themselves, Wisconsin territory was in the boom, and March 22, 1848, John, accompanied by his son Matthew, started on a land seeking expedition. They went by an Ohio river boat to Cincinnatti, from there by canal boat to Toledo, then by railroad sixty-five miles to the terminus, then by stage to St. Joseph, Mich., from there by boat to Sheboygan, Wisconsin territory, where they arrived at the earliest possible moment, which was April 4, and from here they proceeded on foot, finally holding up at Green Bay where, April 14, they bought in the Government land office three hundred and eighty acres of land, being that upon which members of the family now reside in the town of Greenville. Matthew at once built a cabin and was the first settler in Greenville. His father, after remaining with him several weeks, returned to his home in Indiana, where Matthew joined the family in November. The next spring, accompanied by his brother James, moved with team and wagon to the pioneer home, where they were joined by John Jr. in 1850 and Alexander in 1855. In 1854 their mother, Margaret, died, and their father, selling his farm, moved to Wisconsin in 1858, accompanied by Margaret and Nancy. March 6, 1851, Matthew took for a partner in life Hannah, daughter of Enos Otis. John was married Dec. 8, 1852, to Miss Esther Prentice; James March 18, 1860, to Abbey Wickwire, and Alexander to Sylvina Perry, April 15, 1869. Their father, John, died Dec. 7, 1877, and was buried in the Greenville town cemetery. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

CURTIS, Moses (Civil War) was born in Maine, January 4, 1835; came to Outagamie county in 1868, settling on Sec. 3, town of Maine. He was married in 1871 to Hannah S. Spaulding, who was born in the state of Maine in 1852. they have no children. Mr. Curtis served his country in Company E, 14th Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, from which company he was discharged in July, 1865. Occupation, farmer, on section 11, town of Maine, Outagamie county. Taken from The Outagamie Pioneer Record.

 

NEXT ("C" - page two)


HOME