Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1922-12-13

These old buildings have long since
been removed and on most Of the lots
handsome new frame dwellings adOrn
the street North of Portefs house
there yet stands a one-story frame
house, that was built in about the
year 1912 by a man named Lear, who
occupied it with his wife and one
child, Mary. Mr.. Lear died in this
house when the child was very young,
and following the death Of her fathei
and re-marriage Of her mother she
was taken by her aunt. Mrs. Mary
White, who was childless and was
raised to Womanlood by her. Mary
Lear became a cultured woman, and
for many years taught school in va
rioUs parts of the county. She mar
ried Henry Larned in Cassville, who
died many years ago She then mar
Iied John Travis, and few years ago
became a widow. She is yet living
and resides in Nebraska at an adj
vanced age. Mrs. Lear married q man
named John Lees, an English miner.
They occupied the Lear house for q
few years, or until it was sold. Mr.
Lees then built q One-stOry frame
dwelling across the street, where he
and wife died many years ago This
dwelling is now owned and occupied
w Mrs Frank Giesen. Mrs. Lees was
a sister Of Mrs. Mary White and Of
Hiram Wells, who established the first
ferry across the Mississippi rive" at
this point, that subsequently b2caIne,
and is yet known as Specht's Ferry,
though the ferry has been abandoned
for some years. Specht's Ferry is a.
station on the c. NJ. & ST. Paul rail-
way three miles south of Potosi
A one-story brick dwelling adjoin-
irg the Lear house was built in very
early years by a man named Johnson.
This building is yet standing, and is
owned and occupied by Mrs. Fritz
Koeller The foundation Of another
building adjoining the Goron's house
on the north is yet visible. George
Kinney in early days, built large
frame barn on the east side OF the
street, that was used by different par
ties for MANY. years. 1t was eventual
Iy torn down and removed Henry
Schumacher purchased the lot and
built handsome two-story frame
dwelling thereon that he still owns
and occupies. Going back south Oh
Main street, there were a number of
old time buildings north OF Maderla's
store building that have long ago
heen removed. Substantial and hand
some frame residences have since
been erected on the lots. First among
these is a two-stOry residence bull
nv Henry Walter, since deceased. u Is
vet owned and occupied by the widow,
Mrs Ida Walter.
North of this is a handsome two
story modern frame dwelling erecteu
a few wears ago by the Potosi Lumber
company. in which P. E. Rettwlsch,
manager for the company, and family
dweIt prior to about a year ago When
ne removed TO Lansing, Iowa. 4ne
huilding is now owned by the Meuser
Lumber company, and is occupied by
their manager here. Several vacant
lots stands between this and a" two
story frame dwelling erected by MATT
Elskaup few years ago Nj. Ills
sa50n 6isnose1 Of this property aad II
is now owned
Next Il his building stands Q ans
LOOKING two~story frame 0"eN'G"
tuilt a few years ago by Ralph ta*
r0W. who sold it to Walter a ocAu'
macher. the present owner and Q"c}f-
MN. Adjoining this is the John lees
building, mention Of which mas mere
,oforc been made in this charter.
Now comes historical, laise On /
story frame Dwelling that was uulIt
IN very easly days Dy a maa nalhed
Whiting, wh0 died III the late ioAtie6;
His wiQoW, Mrs. Whiting cohtit$1e0
tc live IN this house until she l0St nef
life In the big food OF June, 1891. one
was spending the evening WAN MI
and Mrs. Fleaser BROKER, butia ie"
wards distant from / Eomet the
heavy down pour Of rain, or rather
cloudburst soon flooded the street. III
fact the hollow in which Van buteh 10
situated. Mrs. Whiting became aAat M
ed about her house, that Site 'ueVeI-
mined to go to her home though al
vised and begged 10 not attempts the
venture, as the water was rlSinS 1noSt
rapidly and was then more than Two
feet deep on the street, but 50 She
would. and on her way she was sweep
from her feet by the roaring water
and carried away. Her body was
found the next morning far beto" nef
home
A small log school house, the first
in Van Buren,. stood near this mouse
and long ago removed. Following the
death of Mrs Whiting, George Kinney
became the owner OF her dwelling,
and dwet here with his family Tor
some years This building, afterWard
became the property of LATE Caskey'
who with his family occupied it for
many years. He was member OF the
wisconsin legislative assembly in
1875. He died in the eighties. The
widow continued to live until she met
with a tragic death April 9Th, 1904
She was in the act of burning rubbish
that had gathered around her place
few days previous to her death, when
her clothes, in some manner, caught
fire. Neighbors hearing her screams
rushed to her assistance. She was
severely burned and fingered in agony
for few days until death relieved
her sufferings April 5, 1904. This
made the second fatality to occupants
of the house. This historical building
vet stands and is owned and occupied
by Frank Bode.
Standing between the Whiting and
Lees dwellings, is neat two-story