Thank you so much Wayne for an absolutely wonderful answer to my question. 1840-1890 was pretty turbulent in this area. With the influx of people during that time and the widespread diseases of cholera, malaria, and smallpox, not to mention the dangers of mining, I can see why only 3 made it to their 20's. During the early 1800's towns were little more than a cabin or two surrounded by a stockade, hence the Fort in front of a lot of names around here. Because of the annual flooding of the Mississippi and it's feeder streams, malaria was a real problem...even causing them to move the location of Fort Crawford in Prairie du Chien. The lead mines, which are fairly common in this area and just south of here were originally mined by the indian women. The indian men felt that such work was below them. There is a mining museum in Platteville, WI where they have collected much information on the area mines and miners. You might find some interesting information there. (Platteville being one of the larger towns in the area). Thank you again, Bev