"The BIOGRAPHICAL History of Clark County, Wisconsin"

Compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, Chicago and Winona, H. C. Cooper Jr., & Co. in 1918

L. EDGAR STOWE, a well-to-do farmer of section 12, Beaver Township, was born in Wooster County, Mass., June 3, 1845, the son of Sumner E. and Nancy (Faye) Stowe. Both parents were natives of Massachusetts and were reared and married there, where Sumner was engaged in farming on his parents' farm until after their marriage. After that he farmed on his own account, remaining in Massachusetts about seventeen years. At the end of that time he sold out and removed to New York State, where he bought a farm in Monroe Township, Saratoga County. There they stayed four years, by which time they had six children: Sam, Jim, John and Edgar, who were born in Massachusetts, and Charles and William, born in New York State.

The family then moved to Marquette County, Wis., where Sumner bought a partly improved farm of 160 acres. He was taken sick there, however, and three years later died. His widow, with their sons, Charles and William, then returned to New York State. Sam, Jim and John enlisted in the army, the Civil War being then in progress. Sam was captured and Spent eleven months in Andersonville prison, returning home a skeleton. Jim was wounded in battle and John died of disease in the service. L. Edgar Stowe, after his mother and two brothers returned East, was left alone in Marquette County, where he worked on a farm for about six months. Then he, too, returned to New York State and worked for others for about four years, subsequently coming back to Marquette County, where he bought an improved farm of 120 acres. There his mother and two youngest brothers joined him and the mother subsequently died there.

His residence on that farm lasted for nine years, and there he was married, Nov. 23, to Lillian Thwing, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Rufus Thwing, a doctor, who had removed from that state to Iowa and then to Wisconsin. In 1875, L. Edgar Stowe bought 160 acres of wild land in Beaver Township, Clark County. There was no road in the vicinity, but a small log shack stood on the place and in that he took up his abode with his wife and one child, George H., who had been born in Marquette County. For several years he had to walk to Unity, Wis., for supplies, carrying them home on his back. He had no oxen at first but later purchased a team. During one winter he worked in the woods, afterwards spending two winters in the mill. He then went to logging on his own account, clearing his farm whenever he found opportunity. After ten years he built an 18-room frame house, and a barn, 36 by 112 feet, also a machine shed, 16 by 32 feet. He has now cleared 130 acres of his land and is raising Durham cattle and Chester-White hogs with profitable results. For many years Mr. Stowe has served as supervisor and postmaster, and has also held the office of school director. He held stock in the Greenwood creamery at its organization and also helped to build the Beaver Methodist Church.

He and his wife are the parents of eight children-George H., Sam D., Elbert J., Earl L., Eltha, John, and Rufus. George H., who lives in Beaver Township, married Nettie Cordel, and has four children, Morris, Owen, Forest and Sam D. married Emma Lewis and lives in Michigan. Elbert J. married Mary Guisler, and resides in the state of Washington. His children are Leland, James and Leah. Earl L, who married Anna Litke, lives in Beaver Township, and has one child, Howard. Eltha, now Mrs. Pyatt, resides in Beaver Township, and has three children, Bernice, Clarence and Myrtle. Jane is the wife of Ned Cook of White Creek, Wis., and has two children, Francis and Raymond. John lives on the home and has one child, Josephine.