Person Page - 1116

     At Richland, Wisconsin, John A Carswell is the son of George J Carswell, and was born at the homestead in this town Nov. 29, 1854. He resides on section 26. Forty acres of his farm was entered by E M Sexton and purchased by G J Carswell. He purchased eighty acres of his farm from N Carswell, and 100 acres from Harry Pier, having, altogether, 220 acres. Like a number of successful farmers of Bear river valley, Mr. Carswell is giving his attention to dairying, and like his father, possesses a fine herd of Devon cows. He is a practical dairyman, having learned thoroughly the business of cheese manufacture. He was educated at the high school at Lone Rock, which, for a number of years, was an institution of high merit. After leaving school he had charge of his father's farm for five years. He settled on his present place in 1878. He was married to Abigail, daughter of V Brainard. She was born in Virginia. Her father formerly resided on section 26 of this town, but has returned to Virginia.

     Circa 1935 Lenn and Louise Ochsner Brainard.

     1st Sgt Battery A 6th Wis Regt - World War I. On 5 June 1917 at World War I Draft Registration, Richland, Wisconsin.

     Josheph and Mary Ann Ochsner and family. In 1880 JOSEPH OCHSNER, proprietor of Bear Valley Flouring Mills, Sec 31; P. O. Bear Valley. Mr. Ochsner was born in Baden, Germany, May 5, 1817. He came to this country in 1844; married in Utica, Miss Mary Rothmund; they came to Wisconsin in 1856; located at Saxonville, Richland Co., where they resided until 1865, in which year they moved to their present home in Bear Creek. Their children are Edward, William H., Joseph, Charlie, Benjamin, Arthur, Maggie, Mary, Louisa and Fannie. The first named (Edward), married Carrie Schontz; they live in Richland Co., the second, named William H., married Kittie Schontz; Joseph, the third named, is in Colorado; the rest reside at home. Mr. Ochsner owns 220 acres of valuable land. He erected his flouring-mill in 1871; it is substantially built; contains three run of buhrs. His son William H. now manages it, and the flour of his make is well-known for its superior quality. In April, of the present year, the saw-mill on Mr. Ochsner’s farm was converted into a cheese factory, and is run by William H. Ochsner and the Beckwith Brothers. Mr. Ochsner is a member of the Board of Directors in the Franklin Mutual Farmers’ Fire Insurance Co. He has filled various town offices and is a leading and energetic citizen.

     Josheph and Mary Ann Ochsner and family.

     George J Carswell has been a resident of the town of Buena Vista since 1853. In March of that year he bought of E M Sexton 160 acres of land on section 26, town 9, range 2 east, where he settled with his family the following September. Mr. Carswell was born in the town of Exeter, Otsego Co., NY, Dec. 5, 1823. He was a resident of the State of New York until he came to Richland county. His father, Benjamin Carswell, was a native of Massachusetts and died when his son was four years of age. Mr. Carswell married Louisa Matteson, born in Otsego Co., NY. She is a sister of Delos Matteson, one of the well known pioneers of Richland county. He settled in the town of Buena Vista in 1848 and died in 1857. His widow now lives at Lone Rock. Few among the pioneers of Richland county have been more successful than Mr. Carswell. He began life poor, and by energy and industry has secured a competence. His farm contains 400 acres of excellent land, and his improvements are not excelled in the town of Buena Vista. Socially he is a genial, intelligent gentleman; he has an excellent memory and is well informed on the early and later history of Richland county. Mr. Carswell was elected town supervisor in the spring of 1855; he assessed the town at an early day; was chairman of the board for the years 1866-7 and again in 1879. For a number of years Mr. Carswell has given much attention to the subject of draining. For the past twenty years he has been engaged in raising the Devon breed of cattle. He has now a herd of 100 cows, sixty of which are thoroughbred Devons. Probably a finer herd of cows cannot be found in the State than is possessed by Mr. Carswell. Mr. and Mrs. Carswell have three children, all of who were born in this town --- John A, born Oct. 29, 1854, Fred E, born February, 1861, and George A, born March, 1867.