Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-01-17
Peter WoOdhOuse. Early Settler


ings and landmarks in the village Of
Potosi, l will begin with a frame
dwelling a. little north of the Angus
tine dwelling, that was built by Peter
Woodhouse in the early forties. Wood
house went to California at the out
break of the gold discovery, and the
building that he had built was later
occupied by a man named Joseph
Long, who came here with a family
from Missouri in the early fifties.
Nothing now remains to be seen to
mark this spot where this old building
stood Robert McNabb came from
Illinois with a wife and three daugh-
tiers, built frame residence north Of
the WOodhouse building Two daugh-
ters were born to Mr.. and Mrs. Nc
Nabb after settling in Potosi These
five daughters, all married in Potosi.
Eliza to Lafayette Caskey, Elizabeth
to Edwin r. Paul, editor of the Potosi
Republican, Susan to Joshua Bidwell,
Merida to Alfred Kinney, Melissa,
the youngest to Samuel MalIetta
childhood friends. Mr. McNabb fol-
lowed mining for a livelihood. He
would never work hard ground when
mining, always preferred open Gre
vices that he could have the pleasure
of timbering, and much Of that kind
of work he did in the Snake Hollow
mines The house that he had built
has long ago been removed.
They Called Him 'SSOre-face Jones"
A one-story frame dwelling was the
next building on this side OF the
street, it was built by John Hawkins
Jones, known generally as sore face
Jones. He had a face that was at
times somewhat sore and the miners
called hime sore face Jones to dis
tinguish him from others by the same
name, who lived in POtosi III early
days, for instance there was Red
Jones, Dog Jones and Pixies Peak
Jones. None of them were in any
mannererelated. Frank Doser in later
years became the owner of the house
built by John Hawkins Jones. He
remodeled it into a fine tWo-story
dwelling, which he now occupies.
Across the street there stood a
frame dwelling built by William
Bowles, this has long ago been re-
moved A small frame dwelling now
stands on the lot and is owned and
occupied by Louis Gable and family.
Mr.. Ross, Missouri, Freed His Slaves
Above this was frame dwelling
built by Samuel Wilson, an early
pioneer and prominent merchant IN
Potosi. He died at Detroit Mich,
while on a visit in 1856. He lies
buried in the Van Buren, cemetery.
His widow in the early sixties married
a MissOurian by the name OF Col.
Cobb, who had come to Potosi with
another Missourian named Ross Ill
1860 Ross brought several families
of negro slaves with them, gave them
their freedom after purchasing land
for them to begin farming. Descend
ants Of those negro families are yet
living in Grant county. Col Cobb re-
turned to Missouri with his wife,
where both have since died.
The Wilson residence passed into
hands Of different parties during its
many wears of existence. Robert H.
Durlev became the owner of the prop
erty a few years ago, and has since
converted the one-story building into
a handsome and modern tWo-story
residence that he now occupies with
his fsmily.
Above the Wilson house there stood
a 3ne-story brick dwelling house,
alolside of the creek then coursing
down the hollow There was a log
DWELLING adjoining the brick. Both
buildings were built by very early
pineers and have long since passed
OF, Of existence.
The "Jackie" Lyons Family
Across the street stood the John
tackle" Lyons cabin, one of the old
cit in Snake Hollow. John Lyons came
tt America from England in 1882,
leaving a wife and three little daugh-
tgs in Manchester. England. Another
Gaughter was born shortly after his
departure He landed in Philadelphia
where he worked for couple OF
wars. Being OF a wild and rowing
dlsposition he dritted westward and
landed in Galena, ILL.,, thence to the
Slak Hollow mines. where ne con-
thu {. to live to the time or his death
iii this early sixties. In 1885 ne sent
for his family who were then IN Phll-
adelp lia. He was not successful III
his n ming ventures, though the fam
iIk m wed along comfortably. JACKIE
villas ! great lover of the good ola
stuff" and it was no uncommon thing
ia sees him staggering homeward. A
son. John. who is yet Living near the
home Of his birth was born IN Snake
Hollow Jan. 1887, and is supposed to
he the first white male child born IN
what is now known as Potosi. Two
other sons, Edward and Jarvis, born
in the Hollow, died in young man
hood Two other children died IN IN
fancy. The four daughters, VINO came
from England with the parents were
all married at the old cabin nome III
Potosi Sarah became the wlte OF An
drew J. Greene, Jane was twice mar
riad first to a man named Smith VINO
lied shortly after marriage. linen Sne
was married to man named Mofelns
of Dubuque, who also LETT her WIDOW
T1izahath who afterward became ia
n,onsIv known as Aunt Lizzie, was
a,arried to Thomas Davies in 1857.
Rachel. the youngest, married Peter
Woodhouse in 1858. All have gone to
the better land.
Teaming With Yoke OF oxen