Introduction to a 5 part series on Mr. James Dow Sperry

INTRODUCTION: James Dow Sperry was an enigma to historians and genealogists alike here in Menomonie. He has a marker at Evergreen Cemetery up on the hill but he is not buried here and there is barely any record of him being here! So the questions came and people searched to find an answer with none coming forth. The mystery was presented on television and in articles by John Russell among others. I took to the task of portraying him because of my dear friend Jo Keller and to solve this mystery for once and for all. I set about my task and traveled hither and yon. I found the answers and solved this enduring mystery with my fellow sleuth Jo Keller. I had my man discovered and knew him well enough to do a passable first-person portrayal. At least enough to make my friends Jo Keller and Chuck Backus proud of me. It was such an interesting story and such an unusual man, I had to write his story to be shared. 9 years after writing it, here it comes. 5 chapters long,filled with facts and timelines. Please bear with, it wraps up with James in the last chapter but this is a story about his family, their history and how he came to be here. I'll do them one chapter at a time so you can go through as you please.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pepin Murder! Part I

  A true tale of murder, denial, blame, arrest, conviction and escape less than 40 miles south of Menomonie, Wisconsin in 1866 Pepin. This story is short in the span of time but long and deep in interesting details spreading to Missouri and beyond. A history I have longed to relate, researched in depth, found answers, questions, and will bring to you as best I am able. This is such an expansive story that I find it difficult to narrow my scope to the details but I will try my utmost to keep it on track. Those interested in more details of the case are welcome to share that interest with me. There are few complete answers and the absolute truth never will be secured. Our journey begins in the early days of Pepin, Wisconsin on the incredible stretch of the Mississippi River known as Lake Pepin. Ira 'Brad' Wheeler moved there with his mother and siblings, settling a large plot of land on the Chippewa River just upstream from the lake. Margaret 'Mag' Emeline Fuller also mov...
Read more

Galloway Creek Part 2 of 2

The Galloway Creek watershed begins in the marshy valley just southeast of the city of Menomonie. The lower bluffs of the area provide run-off and ground compression enough to create a fairly deep, continuous ravine with running water year-round. The 2.6 miles of waterway have been worthy of note throughout the history of the area. From the farmland drained by the watershed, the houses, parks, businesses, bridges, scenic falls and overlook of the Red Cedar River at the brewery picnic grounds, Galloway Creek has seen the growth of Menomonie. In 1853, James Galloway, his wife Mary and the two surviving of four children (George and William) left England for the United States. They stayed two months in Ohio, then to Michigan, then to Dubuque, Iowa where James happened to meet Henry Stout. Mr. Stout convinced James to come to Menomonie as a place to settle. James arrived on July 2, 1854, and started working for the Knapp, Stout and Company mills for $1.50 a day. He later recalled the diffic...
Read more

James at last!! Mystery Man of Evergreen Cemetery. Chapter Five

James Dow Sperry, our man of many mysteries has come to the light of understanding as to who he was and how his mystery will be forever. Born to a strict puritan family and a father who struggled to maintain a proper household for his family, James left home at the age of sixteen for the Adirondack Mountains to work as a lumberman. He joined an Indian tribe while there and remained until 1853. James’ younger brother Daniel, also disenchanted with is home life, left home at the age of twenty three or twenty four and followed James to the Adirondacks to pursue the life of a lumberman. Not long after his arrival and working career began, Daniel was killed by a falling tree. His body was shipped home to be buried in the family plot. I would like to believe that upon Daniel’s death, James accompanied his body home and although the relationship between he and his father was strained, I see no lack of love for his mother or siblings. It would therefore seem due and reasonable for his return t...
Read more