Marshall Village

Marshall Village

was in the service three years as a " high private;" was in the battle of Pittsburg Landing and Corinth, was then on detached service about eight months, was then disabled by sickness and spent the remainder of his term of service in the " invalid corps ;" when he returned from the army he resumed farming, and, in the spring of 1865, sold out in Dodge Co. and removed to his present location ; has had nine children, six of them now living - Mary L., born Dec. 21, 1843, now Mrs. Aaron Getman, of Monroe Co., Wis.; David W., May 13, 1852, living in Eau Claire Co., Wis. ; George, Deo. 22, 1858 ; Ernest, Sept. 24, 1866 ; and James, Jan. 2, 1857 ; the last four living at home ; Elias, born Aug. 13, 1845, died in 1863 ; Lizzie, Feb. 13, 1860, died same date; and Eugene, Deo. 13, 1861, died in 1863 ; Martha L., born Sept. 2, 1856. Mr. Elmer was Postmaster at Ashippun, Dodge Co., Wis., for three years, and now holds the office of Justice of the Peace in the town of York. Mrs. Elmer is a member of the M. E. Church. He is a Kepublican, and has 62 acres of land, worth about |40 per acre.

E. S. JOHNSON, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Columbus; born in Oneida Co., N. Y., July 12, 1819. Was married at his native place Feb. 5, 1845, to Mary A. Johnson, of the same county, born Nov. 6, 1821, daughter of Erastus Johnson, a native of Massachusetts ; her mother's maiden name was Betsy Foote. Mr. Johnson's father was Elias Johnson, and his mother's maiden name Polly Sherman ; came to Wisconsin in 1845, and settled in the town of York, where he now resides; his father came at the same time and settled in the same town, where he died July 28, 1865, at the age of 82. Mrs. Johnson is still living in the town at the age of 90. Mr. Johnson has but two children - Grove Spencer, born March 9, 1846, and Bertha Emaline, Dec. 8, 1863. Democrat, and has held the office of Town Treasurer one year. Has 83 acres of land, worth about $4,000. His son. Grove S. Johnson, is also a Democrat and the present Town Clerk of York ; both children single and living at home.

JOHN JOHNSON, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Waterloo; born Aug. 7, 1833, in Columbia Co., N. Y., town of Ancram ; son of Silas Johnson, who came to Wisconsin in 1847 ; lived two years in York, Dane Co., then removed to Portland, Dodge Co., where he lived about fourteen years; then went back to York and died there Feb. 1, 1879, at the age of 83. Mr. Johnson was married in December, 1858, to Miss Emily Dodge, who was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., daughter of Willis D. Dodge, who lives in the town of York on Sec. 23 ; bought his present farm in 1865, and has lived there since; has three children - John, Mary Ella and Algenia. Has been Town Clerk three years, and is the present Chairman of the town, on his seventh term; was elected to the Assembly in the fall of 1873, and served the following term. Republican, and has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1874. Has 160 acres of land, worth $40 per acre.

MILES NORTON, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Deansville; born Jan. 8, 1822, in Orleans Co., Vt.; son of Jeremiah Norton. Was married in his native place, Dec. 14, 1847, to Sarah King, daughter of Geo. W. King, who died of consumption when she was 15 years old ; she was born April 9, 1827, in same county as her husband. Mr. Norton came to Wisconsin in 1857, and located on the farm he now owns; first bought 1061 acres of land, with 30 acres broken, and paid $2,000 for it; he now has 197 acres in his home farm, worth about $40 per acre ; it is well fenced and has good buildings'; has one barn, 30x74, and is building another, 30x40, both with basements ; keeps about 400 head of sheep ; has, also, 293 acres in Freeborn Co., Minn. ; has four children - Elmer J.. George Edward, Henry Fred and Sarah Alice; last two at home; the two oldest married and living in Freeborn Co., Minn. ; his first child, Adolph M. was kicked by a colt and instantly killed, Aug. 7, 1859, when nearly 7 years old. In politics, Greenbacker; once held the office of Justice of the Peace one year ; has been a member of the Masonic fraternity about sixteen years ; belongs to Sun Prairie Lodge, No. 143.

JOHN PHILUPS, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Flintshire, England, fourteen miles from Liverpool, June 27, 1826 ; son of Thomas and Eleanor (Jenkins) Phillips. Was married in England in 1850, to Jane Jones, daughter of Thomas Jones ; soon after his marriage he emigrated to America, arriving in Columbus, Wis., in September, 1850 ; he followed farming in the town of Columbus till 1855, then sold out and removed to his present location ; has nine children living - Thomas H., Joseph J., Ada 4-1 "y A,, May H., Edward, Albert, Ruth and George, all at home except three ; Thomas H. is married and lives at Black River Falls, Wis. ; Joseph, married and living in Mower Co., Minn., and May H. IS the wife of Geo. A. Norton, and living in Freeborn Co., Minn. Mr. Phillips has been Side Supervisor ot the town of York, and was Chairman six or seven years. Democrat, and has 200 acres of land, worth viO per acre.

Porter removed to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., the next February after his marriage, and lived in the town of Perrysburg twenty years ; in May, 1844, he sold out aad removed to Mo Henry Co., 111., where he lived till March, 1845, then came to Wisconsin and settled on the farm he now occupies, in the town of York and where he has since resided ; was here previous to the organization of the town ; was the first Highway Commissioner in the town, and has held several offices since ; was a straight Jackson Democrat before the rebellion, and since that, Independent ; never belonged to any church till the fall of 1878, when he joined the Free Methodist Church, of which he is still a member. Mrs. Porter died Feb. 17, 1880, after a married life of about fifty-six years, leaving six children, five sons and one daughter ; the sons are James P., Philander E., Sylvester, Morris and Warren H., all living in the town of York, in sight of the homestead, except the youngest, Warren H., who is practicing law in Jefiisrson, Wis. ; the daughter, Aroxa J., is now the wife of G. A. Cane, of the town of York ; one daughter, Betsey, died May 6, 1840, 5 years of age ; has 260 acres of land, worth about $30 per acre.

P. E. PORTER, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Marshall ; born July 7, 1824, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. ; son of Garrett Porter, who came to Wisconsin with his family in March, 1845, and located on Sec. 35, where he still resides. P. E. Porter has lived in the town of York ever since his father settled there ; was married, in March, 1853, to Mary Jane Hinman, who was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., March 28, 1834, daughter of Gould Hinman, who came to Wisconsin in 1845, settled on Sec. 35, in the town of York, and died in 1869 or 1870. Mr. Porter has three children - Henry H., married to Eva Weeks, of Medina, and living on the homestead ; Carrie May and Hattie Ellen, both at home ; has been Assessor three terms ; is at present Supervisor, which office he has held three years. In politics, straight Jackson Democrat ; has 160 acres of land, worth $40 per acre, and his son has 40 acres, worth about the same. Mrs. Porter is a member of the Free Methodist Church.

WILLET RYDER, farmer. Sees. 21 and 22 ;. P. 0. Deansville; born in West Chester Co., N. Y., April 10, 1834 ; son of David Ryder; came to Wisconsin in 1855, and settled in the town of York. Was married there in 1858, to Maria Johnson, who was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., Dec. 22, 1839, daughter of Silas Johnson, who came to Wisconsin in 1847 (see biography of John Johnson, of York) ; soon after his marriage, Mr. Ryder went to Portland, Dodge Co., lived there three years, then returned to York and lived one year, then in Portland again one year, and since that time has resided in York in his present location ; has nine children - Fred, Jacob, Willis, Isabell, Adell, Almon, Clarence, Eda and Herbert, all at home. Greenbacker, and has 160 acres of land, worth about $5,000.

P. B. RICHIIOXD, farmer, Sees. 3 and 4 ; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., May 30, 1809 ; son of Brightman Richmond, a native of Massachusetts. Married Harriet Warner, of Lima, N. Y., in 1835 ; in 1836, he removed to Allegany Co., N. Y., town of Granger; lived there eleven years, and, in 1847, came to Wisconsin and settled on the farm he now owns, and lived there ever since; has had seven children, five of whom are living - Daniel B., died in Allegany Co., N. Y., at the age of 6 months ; Lucy B., is now Mrs. 0. A. Southmayd, of Columbus, Wis. ; Ezra W., is married and living in the town of Sun Prairie, Dane Co., Wis. ; Carrie M., married Chester S. Smith, of Portageville, N. Y., and died April 23, 1880, leaving two children - George B. and Edwin A., both married and Hving in Kansas ; and Freddie 0., also in Kansas. Mr. Richmond has been Supervisor one term. Republican, and has 280 acres of land, worth $40 per acre. Himself and wife both members of the Congregational Church.

PHILO RAIVNEY, farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. Deansville; born Oct. 13, 1818, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., town of Perrysburg ; son of Lyman Ranney, who died in February, 1879, aged 85 ; his grandfather, Abner Ranney, a native of Massachusetts, died in Oneida Co., N. Y., about 1865, at the age of 103. Mr. Ranney came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1842 ; located land in the town of York ; then went to Kane Co., 111., and lived two and a half years. Came back to Wisconsin and was married, Oct. 26, 1845, to Sally Ann Thompson, who was also a native of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. ; her father, William Thompson, came West and died in the town of York. Mr. and Mrs. Ranney were the first couple married in the town of York ; the ceremony was performed by Squire Peasley, of Sun Prairie; has nine children - Francis, Orcelia, Mary Ella, Sarahette, Oscar, Seymour, Clara, Adell and Adalena. Has been Town Treasurer two years and Supervisor one year. Republican, and has 160 acres of land, worth $40 per acre. Both members of the M. E. Church in which he has been a Class-leader over nineteen years, and has never missed but three class meetings during the time.

L,. G. SHEPARD, farmer. Sees. 19, 20, 30 and 31 ; P. 0. Deansville ; born in Berkshire Co., Mass., Sept. 9, 1823 ; when 7 years of age his father. Chandler Shepard, removed to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., town of Perrysburg, where he died and was buried on the 1st day of January, 1836. Mrs. Shep- arJ who38 maiden name was Lois Gribbs, a native of Hampden Co., Mass., died Oct. 15, 1836. Mr. Shep.ird came to Wisconsin in September, 18,45, and has lived in the town of York ever since. Was married, Jan. 1, 1850, to Mary Jane, daughter of Andrew and Betsy (Miller) Sherburn; she died Jan. 10, 1863, leaving one child - Curtis, who is married to Emma Hasey, and lives in the town of York. His second wife, to whom he was mirried, March 24, 1864, was Lydia, daughter of Zina L. Wright, of Ciittaraugus Co., N. Y.; has four children by the second marriage - Ida, Luthur Gr., May and Jessie D., all at home; lost one child of his first wife, Eliza Ann, died Sept. 28, 1854, aged 18 months. Republican ; has held the office of Chairman, Supervisor and Justice of the Peace. Owns 1,140 acres of land in the towa of York, 200 acres in Vernon Co., Wis,, and 400 acres iu Faribault Co., Minn., worth all together about $25,000 ; had only $200 when he came to Wisconsin and got $300 from his father's estate afterward; he is now and has been for some time the heaviest tax payer in the town ; his grandfather's name was Jonathan Shepard, of Hampden Co., Mass.

GrEOR<xE F. WEBER, farmer. Sees. 16 and 17 ; P. 0. Deansville ; was born May 2, 1816, in Bavaria, Germany ; when 14 years old his father, Christopher Weber, came to America and settled in Monroe Co., N. Y., near Rochester ; lived there three years, then went to Marion Co., Ohio, where he died in 1870 ; George P. was married iu that county, in April, 1847, to Rosina Lehner, who was born in Wurtemberg. Germany ; her father, Mathias Lehner, came to America in 1839, and died in Marion Co., Ohio, in 1870. Mr. Weber came to Wisconsin in May, 1847 ; set' led in the town of Portland, Dodge Co., on Sec. 29 ; lived there till the fall of 1854, then removed to his present location, in the town ci' York ; has ten children - Louisa, now Mrs. George Harrison, of Fayette Co., Iowa ; Clara, now Mrs. Jacob L. Edmunds, of Kossuth Co., Iowa; George, married to Mary E. Douglas, and living in Mower Co., Minn.; Caroline, Lewis, Agustus, Annie, Dora, Rosella and Leo, the last seven at home. In politics Eepublican, with strong Greenback tendencies; has 140 acres of land, worth $40 per acre.

(fEORGtE WEERI«», farmer. Sees. 11 and 14; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., town of Brownville, Dec. 1, 1836. His father, Holland Weeks, came to Wisconsin in 1850 ; settled in Jefferson, town of Concord ; lived there two years, then in 1S52 removed to the town of York, Dane Co., and lived there till his death, in 1870, at the age of 70. George remained at home till about 18 years old, then worked out by the month summers and attended school winters, till he prepared liim- Belf for teaching, then made that his business during the winter seasons ; Deo. 9, 1800, he married Miss Helen Mannings a native of Monmouth Co., N. J., born Oct. 14, 1841 ; her father, John M. Manning, came to Wisconsin in 1855, and died in York, March 20, 1873. Mr. Weeks has four children - Julia A., Georgia, Hallie and John Manning; has lived on his present farm ever since the spring of 1862 ; Aug. 14, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 29th W. V. T., as a private, and was elected and mustered in as a Second Lieutenant of that company ; promoted to First Lieutenant April 9, 1863 ; soon after the surrender ofVicksburg he resigned on account of ill health, and came home about the middle of July; recovering his health, the next February, he, with Col. C. E. Warner, of Windsor, Dai^e Co., Wis., enlisted a company of 130 men in seven days at Madison ; they were mustered in as Co. B, 36th W. V. I., and L'ft Madison for the front on the 10th day of May, 1864, he having been appointed First Lieutenant of the company ; was promoted to a captaincy the June following ; he served in all the engagements of the Army of the Potomac, in fhe " 2d Army Corps " from Spottsylvania, until the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865, and was mustered out of service on the 12ih of the following July. On the 1st day of June, 1864, he had sixty men in his company when they formed their line of battle at " Cold Harbor," or as it is called in some histories, the battle of "Turner's Farm," and in charging a rebel battery he lost forty of his men in fifteen minutes' time, twenty-two of them being killed and wounded, and eighteen taken prisoners. Mr. Weeks is a Republican in politics ; was elected one of the Supervisors of the town when 24 years old, and has held that ofiice several times since, and in 1871 was Chairman ; in 1870, he took the census in nine towns in Dane Co., viz. . York, Bristol, Windsor, Vienna, Medina, Sun Prairie (town and village), Burke, Westport and Deerfield ; was elected to the Assembly in 1877, and served the following term ; has 180 acres of land, worth $35 per acre.

JOSHUA WINTERBOTHAM, deceased; was a native of Manchester, England, born March 26, 1826. His father, Thomas Winterbotham, was a stonemason and marble-cutter, of Manchester. Was married in his native place in about 1847, to Miss Ann', daughter of John Speakman, a farmer ; was Drought up to the trade of his father, and after he attained his majority they worked together as contractors and builders; they came to America together in the fall of 1851, under the auspicies of the rotter Society," and located in Columbia Co., Wis., in the town of Ft. Winnebago, where they remained till the spring of 1852, when both went to Madison and worked at stone-cutting two years, then went to the town of York and settled on Sec. 23 ; in the fall of 1858 his father removed to the town of Medina and was killed April 14, 1859, at the age of 56, while plowing in the field, by a falling tree, which was blown down by the wind. He remained on Sec. 23 till his death, Nov. 30, 1864, of epilepsy, leaving a widow and an only son, Thomas, who was married, Nov. 29, 1871, in Madison, to Miss Lydia Sharp, who was born July 14, 1845, in London, England, daughter of Edward Sharp, who oame to America in 1849, and lived in St. Louis about one year, then came to Wisconsin and settled in Sun Prairie ; Uved there four or five years, then rented his farm and removed to Madison, where he still resides. Thomas, Jr., has had four children, three of whom are still living - Ada E., born June 1, 1873 ; Eddie J., born Feb. 3, 1874, and died on the 12th of the next October ; Frederick S., born Aug. 31, 1876, and E. Eose, born June 26, 1879. Republican, and both members of the Episcopal Church ; has 80 acres of land, worth $40 per acre. Joshua Winterbotham was a Eepublican ; held the ofl&ce of Town Clerk six years, and was enrolling officer during the war for about six months. Mrs. Winterbotham is still living in the village of Marshall, Dane Co., Wis.

JAMEIS D. WOOD, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Deansville; born Dec. 31, 1824, in Oneida Co., N. Y., son of Jonathan Wood, Jr. ; when 10 years of age his father removed to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., where James D. was married, April 30, 1853, to Elvira Harrington, who was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Aug. 13, 1833 ; her father, Barney Harrington, was a native of Vermont ; her mother, whose maiden name was Roxy Perkins, was a daughter of Elisha and Jemima (Johnson) Perkins. Mr. Wood came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1854, and settled in the town of York, where he has resided ever since ; has four children - Manly J., William B., Mary E. and James A., all at home except Manly J., who is married to Miss Rose Brown, a daughter of William Brown, Esq., of York (see his biography), and living in Calhoun Co., Iowa. Is a Republican ; has held the office of Supervisor one term, and has 198 acres of land, 158 acres of it in his farm, worth about $40 per acre, and 40 acres of marsh, worth about $10 per acre.

Town Of Blooming Grove

JACOB BARINCjtER, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Madison ; was born in Eastern Pennsylvania Feb. 21, 1834; son of John E. Baringer, who came to Wisconsin with his family in 1855 ; settled in Sauk Co., and died there June 11, 1875, in the 70th year of his age. Mrs. Baringer is still living in Baraboo at the age of 81. Jacob Baringer was married in 1860, to Caroline Wolf, a native of Lycoming Co., Penn. ; daughter of Johil (George) Wolf, who came to Wisconsin in 1848, and still lives in the town of Blooming Grove ; Mr. B. has five children - Emma, William, Louis, Allie and one not named; have lost four - Esther died at the age of 4 years, John aged 9 months, Alice 5 years old, and Lizzie 8 years old ; has been Town Treasurer two years. Is a Republican and member of the Evangelical Association. Has 160 acres in his farm, on which he has a valuable quarry of limestone, used for building purposes.

A. J. BARSANTEE, farmer. Sec. 21; P. 0. Madison; born March 23, 1827, in Portsmouth, N. H. ; son of John and Ezoa (Kinsman) Barsantee. Was married in his native place July 21, 1846, to Hannah Hayes, daughter of John and Susan (Ayers) Hayes ; she was born in Portsmouth April 9, 1830 ; he worked in a knitting factory before and after marriage till 1849, then, in October, went to California and was gone about sixteen months ; while there he helped do the iron work on the custom house, which was the first brick building ever erected in San Francisco ; after returning from California, he worked in a machine-shop in Lowell, Mass., a few months, and at Cohoes, N. Y., about a year, putting up and operating knitting machinery ; went to Canada in August, 1853, and lived about three years in Canada West, about seven miles from Hamilton ; came to Wisconsin in July, 1856 ; staid in Watertown till the next spring; then came to Madison, and has lived in Dane Co. ever since ; came to his present location in May, 1868 ; has four children - Frank H., (!!larfnce A., William Wallace and Harry, all at home but Frank, and he is in Scotland. Mr. B. is a Republican, and has 30 acres of land.

DAIVIEL BECHTEL, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Madison; born Aug. 31, 1845, in Lycoming Co., Penn. ; his father, John Bechtel, a native of Berks Co., Penn., came to Wisconsin in 1850, and located in Pleasant Springs, Dane Co., and died Feb. C, 1876, in his 74th year. Mrs. Bechtel, whose maiden name was Catharine Eyer, is still living on the homestead with her son Daniel, at the age of 62. Mr. Bechtel removed from Pleasant Springs to Blooming Grove in 1853, and remained there till his death; he left five children - Peter, living in Howard Co., Iowa; Daniel, single and living on the homestead; Mary Ann, now Mrs. Fred Lohff, of Franklin Co., Neb.; John, in Howard Co., Iowa; and Albert, on the homestead with his brother. Daniel Bechtel (the subject of this sketch) is the present Chairman of the town, and has held that ofiice eight years in succession ; was Town Clerk three years ; prior to that was Secretary of the Town Insurance Company three years, and Director ever since it was organized. Is a Democrat, and has 260 acres of land in his farm.

PETER M. BORI§»T, deceased, was a native of Schoharie Co., N. Y. His first wife was Maria Shears ; she died in New York ; he then married Mrs. Cordelia Morris (nee Ti.den), who had two children, Mary, now Mrs. Isaac Garinger, of Rock Co., Wis., and Olive, now Mrs. E. Hood, of the town of Bristol, Dane Co. Mr. Borst came to Wisconsin in 1851 ; lived one year in Rock Co. ; came to Dane Co. and settled in Blooming Grove in 1852 ; lived one year on H. Ward's farm, in Sec. 35 ; then bought on southeast quarter Sec. 35, where he resided till his death. May 19, 1880, at the age of 73 years and 3 months. Mrs. Borst died Jan. 9, 1879, aged 53. She had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal thurch since she was 14 years old. Mr. Borst had one child by his first marriage, Nancy, who married S. Hurd, and died in 1875 ; by the second marriage he had four children - Milton, born" Aug. 2, 1851, married in 1876 to Libbie Kline and has one child. Glen Marcus ; Nelson, born Nov. 12, 1852 ; John, born Sept. 30, 1855, and Ella, born Feb. 21, 1858, all living on the homestead, which consists of 190 acres 01 land.

of Meshach Weare. Her great-grandfather, Meshack Weave, was the first Governor of Massachusetts ; she was born Jan. 26, 1822, in. the same town as her husband. Mr. Brown was brought up on a farm till he was 20 years of age ; he then went to Boston, Mass., and was engaged in the West India trade from 1842 till 1855, except one year spent in California in 1849 ; was engaged in merchandising while in California ; in 1857 he came to Wisconsin and located on his present farm. Has two children - George Edward and Preston Weare ; George Edward was a graduate of the State University, of the class of 1874, and is now in Government employ on the geodetic survey of Wisconsin. Mr. Brown has held the office iif Town Superintendent of Schools and Town Clerk ; is a Republican, and has 124 acres of land in his i'arm.

AliEXAlVDER CAMPBELL, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. O. Madison; born Feb. 29, 1822, in Tolland Co., Conn. ; son of Alexander and Charlotte Campbell ; came to Wisconsin in May, 1847, on the first boat up the lakes ; lived in the town of Windsor, three miles north of Token Creek, one summer ; then came to Madison and manufactured brick for twenty-three years in that city ; furnished 200,000 brick for the first university building, on contract with Ezra Varney ; came on his present farm in June, 1871, but has owned the farm since 1860. His first wife, whose maiden name was Amanda Nichols, died in 1857, leaving no children ; he mirried his second wife (Emily Dickenson) in 1859, and has four children - Marian, now Mrs. Walter Lighthizer, of Iowa, Victor, Ella and Adella at home. Once held the office of Justice of the Peace ; is a Republican, and has 240 acres of land, worth $50 per acre.

E. H. CHAPIIS, carpenter and farmer, Sec. 3 ; P. O. Madison ; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 12, 1836 ; his father, Harvey Chapin, came to Wisconsin in 1845 or 1846 ; settled near Watertown, Jeiferson Co., and died in March, 1868, aged 56 ; Mrs. Chapin died in April, 1849. Mr. Chapin was married in November, 1860, to Anna Burdick, of Watertown, Wis., and has three children - Clara, Edith and Charles, all at home. He learned the carpenter's trade when 18 years old ; has 80 acres of land, worth $4,000. Is a Republican.

D. F. COXLIN, farmer ; resides with his father on Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Madison ; born Aug. 14, 1851, in Massachusetts ; when .2 years old, his parents, Mathew and Mary (Coyn) Conlin, came to Wisconsin in 1853 ; lived in Madison four years ; then removed to the town of Blooming Grove, where D. F. was brought up and has resided since, except three years at Mineral Point, Wis., in 1876-77-78. He is the present Town Treasurer of Blooming Grove, elected in the spring of 1880. Owns no land in Dane Co., but has an 80-acre farm in Iowa Co., Wis.

JOHN S. DAILY, M.D., oflSce and residence on Sec. 9, in Blooming Grove ; P. 0. Madison ; was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Jan. 3, 1826 ; when 12 years of age, his father, Lawrence Daily, removed to Madison Co., N. Y., and in 1846 came to Wisconsin, and located in the town of Pleasant Springs (then called Rome Precinct). John S. came with his father, and built the first frame house in the town, in the winter of 1846-47, on oast half southwest quarter Sec. 5 ; he read medicine with Dr. J. B. Bowen, of Madison, attended lectures in Cleveland, Ohio, and commenced practice in Pleasant Springs in 1854, where he remained about three years, then removed to Cottage Grove and practiced there till 1878, except three years, 1863 to 1865 : he practiced in Hammondsport, Steuben Co., N. Y. ; came to his present location in 1878. He was married, Sept. 6, 1846, in Madison Co., N. Y., just before starting for the West, to Elizabeth H. Burman, and has six children - Mary Jane, Josephine, Amelia, Clara, Clarence and Frederick A. ; lost one, Lawrence, died in 1864, asied 4 years. The Doctor held the office of Justice of the Peace, Constable and Highway Commissioner in Pleasant Springs, and helped to lay out nearly all the roads in the town ; while Justice of the Peace issued a summons in but two 'cases, both of which were settled before coming to trial, and he received no costs. His father lived in Pleasant Springs ten years, and in Cottage Grove two years, then returned to New York, where he died, in Yates Co., in 1867; his mother died in Cottage Grove, in 1859. He is a Republican, and both are, members of the Presbyterian Church ; has an 80-acre farm.

R. D. FROST, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Madison ; was born in the town of Schaghticoke, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. ; when about 19 years old went to the city of Troy, N. Y., and went into business with Benjamin Marshall, of that place, manufacturing ginghams ; continued in that till 1850, then came to Wisconsin, settled in his present location, and has followed farming since. Was married m Troy, in 1841, to Miss S. M. Van Anden, a native of that county, born in 1820 ; has two children, Lewis D., now ot Winona, Minn,, and Emma E., now Mrs. Moses E. Flesh, of Pickaway Co., Ohio ; one daughter, Sarah JN., died June 4, 1865, at the age of 16 ; his son, Lewis D., enlisted, in 1862, in Co. I, 23d W, V. 1., as a private ; was in the service till the close of the war, and mustered out a first Lieutenant in command ot his company, wlioh had only twenty-seven men left out of a full company ; he was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Carrion Crow Bayou, La., but released two days after ; soon after his regiment was discharcjed he went to Little Rock, Ark., and took charge of Government wagon trains for about two years, then returned to Wisconsin, and went into the post office at Madison till elected Clerk of Court, which office he held four years ; is now engaged in manufacturing cigars in Winona, Minn. Mr. Frost, Sr., held the office of Chairman of his town ten or twelve terms in succession, and is the present Assessor ; is a Republican, and has 140 acres of land in his farm.

GEN. CHARLES R. GILL, was born August 17, 1830, in the town of Winfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y. His father, David Gill, was born in Pittsfield, Mass. ; and his mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Clark, was born in Hartford, Conn. ; from 1832 to 1843 he lived with his parents in the town of Frankfort, Herkimer Co., on the Mohawk River ; in the latter year, his father, who had up to that time been engaged in milling, removed to a farm in Genesee Co., N. Y., where he died a year later ; for the next five years Charles attended school, working on the farm during the vacation to enable him to defray current expenses ; the next two years he spent in teaching and traveling in the South and West, with a view of finding a permanent situation as a teacher ; arriving at majority, he determined to study law, and at once entered the law office of Messers. Wakeman & Bryan, at Batavia, N. Y., as a student; with some assistance from his mother and older brothers and sisters, he was enabled to pursue his studies till the 4th day of September, 1854, on which day he was examined and admitted to practice in all the courts of the State. On the 17th of September, 1854, having completed his course of preparatory study and been admitted to the bar, Charles R. Gill was united in marriage to Martha A. Lanckton, of an adjoining town, and with her, less than three weeks thereafter, started for Watertown, Wis., where he immediately opened an office for the practice of his profession. Young in years, with little experience in the practical affairs of life, wholly untried in his chosen profession, among entire strangers, with but little ready money, borrowed from trusting relatives and friends, and likewise burdened with a debt for his library and household effects, the future must at times have looked gloomy enough to thg youthful counselor, and to his more youthful, though not less hopeful, companion. During these dark hours of the first few months of his early settlement in the West, Gen. Gill has told the writer of this sketch that he frequently envied the stage-driver, and would gladly have exchanged places with him had it not been for his pride, and his determination to win success in a higher calling. Many weeks did not pass, however, before the young attorney had an opportunity to display his talents, and a few months were .sufficient to establish him in the confidence of the people ; and in three years he was enabled to visit his old home with several hundred dollars in his pocket, saved from the earnings of his practice, after having paid all his debts. He had reaped the first fruits in the field of his chosen profession, and was advancing to a more abundant harvest.

When Gen. Gill settled in Watertown, it was with the intention of making that his permanent home ; and, being of an active mind, he naturally took a lively interest in the public affairs of the little city. He was at once identified with its interests, and soon became a recognized leader in the community. A ghort time after his location in Watertown he was elected Superintendent of the city schools, and was twice re-elected. During his first term he antagonized a certain faction which chanced to be in a majority in the Common Council, and an attempt was made by that body to control the action of the Board of Education in school matters. The Superintendent was a member of the School Board, and with the majority of thg board resisted the authority attempted to be exercised by the Council. Charges were thereupon preferred against him and other members of the board, and they were notified to appear before the Common Council and show cause why they should not be removed from office for alleged misconduct. The answer of Gen. (jill was a complete refutation of the charges, but without hearing any testimony the Council removed him from office, claiming that this body had absolute discretion in the premises. Gen. Gill took the position in opposition to the city authorities and their legal advisers, that the Common Council could only remove tor cause, and not for personal or partisan considerations. He took the matter at once to the Supreme Court,' where the action of the Council was condemned, and that body was required to rescind its action and reinstate Charles R. Gill in his position as Superintendent of Schools. At the expiration of his second term he was again re-elected to this position, but soon after resigned, as professional duties required his whole time and attention. We have referred to this old controversy, not to revive the bitter feelings that were then engendered, but as showing the character of the man, his willingness to assume responsibilities wlien occasion demanded, and his ability and firmness in a most trying emergency. His professional reputation, as well as his personal standing in the community, was at state, and his signal triumph must "ave inspired the confidence of his friends, as it gave him a wide celebrity as a lawyer throughout the

State. Gill vs. The Common Council of Watertown, reported in the 9th of Wisconsin, p. 254, at once became a leading case on the subject of mandamus as a remedy for illegal removal from office, and, during the twenty years that have elapsed since that decision was rendered, its correctness as authority has never been questioned.

In 1856, Gen. Gill was nominated by acclamation for District Attorney by' the Democratic Convention for Jefferson County, but was defeated at the polls by a faction in his own party. Two years later he was the nominee of the same party for the Assembly, but was defeated in the same manner. In 1857, he was elected Police Justice of the City of Watertown, an office at that time of considerable importance, but as the discharge of its duties interfered with the practice of his profession, and was likely to impair his standing at the bar, he resigned the position after serving about nine months. In 1859, the Democratic Senatorial Convention having nominated one of the bolting factions for the Senate, Geo. Gill announced himself an independent candidate for that office. The Kepublicans also placed a candidate in the field. In the triangular contest he was triumphantly elected, receiving within a few votes as many as both his competitors combined, and took his seat in the State Senate less than six years after he came to the State, and before he was thirty years of age. Though the youngest member in that body, he at once took a front rank as a debater, and during the last year of his term was the recognized leader of the war party.

In January, 1861, on the third day of the session of the Senate, he introduced a resolution for the appointment of " a committee to inquire into the expediency of immediately putting the State upon a war footing," and ably advocated its passage. The resolution was adopted, and Senator Gill appointed Chairman of the committee. This is believed to have been the first war measure adopted by any free State. In a few days, the committee reported a bill to the Senate which provided that Wisconsin should raise and equip at once six regiments of infantry and two batteries of artillery. Congress was then engaged in the attempt to patch up another compromise, and the people were not yet prepared for a resort to arms. The bill was therefore laid upon the table. Seward had just made his great compromise. Union-saving speech in the United States Senate, and the country still believed there was to be no war. Ex-President Tyler's Virginia Peace Convention was soon after called, and most of the States sent Commissioners there. The proposition to send Commissioners came before the Wisconsin Legislature, and Senator Gill, believing that the time for saving the Union by compromise had passed, vigorously opposed the measure, and succeeded in securing its defeat. When, toward the close of the session. Port Sumter was fired on, and the Government beat the long roll for soldiers. Senator Gill's bill was taken from the table, and, after some immaterial amendments, was passed. Thus were the wisdom and foresight and courage of the young legislator fully vindicated. Fortunate would it have been for the whole country if every Northern State had followed Gen. Gill's intrepid leadership, and, abandoning all attempts at compromise, had, at the very outset, commenced vigorous preparations for war. The Union might have been saved without compromise and with little bloodshed.

At the extra session of the Legislature in the same year. Senator Gill was 'made Chairman of the joint select cotnmittee appointed to consider and report upon all measures for raising men and money to carry on the war, a position of great responsibility and surpassing importance. He took the lead in the Senate upon all such measures, advocating, however, more extensive preparations than the Legislature was then willing to adopt, but securing such action as enabled the State authorities to fill its quota of soldiers promptly when called for by the general Government.

The important part borne by Senator Gill in originating and advocating measures for a vigorous prosecution of the war, somewhat obscured the otherwise brilliant record made by him during his term in the Senate upon other subjects of vital concern to the commonwealth. In the discussion of all questions relating to finance, taxation, railroads, insurance and banking, hg participated, and showed not only a thorough knowledge of such affairs, but also a warm sympathy with the people. Indeed, his exposure of the rotten system of wild-cat banking, contributed much toward driving such irresponsible institutions out of existence, and compelling other banks of issue to protect their bill-holders by depositing with the Bank Comptroller securities for that purpose. Though young in years and in legislative experience, it is not too much to say that at the close of his legislative career Senator Gill was the foremost member of that body, and had acquired a reputation throughout the State as an able and safe legislator, as a fearless, progressive and brilliant popular leader.

The war was upon us, and armed rebellion was not to be suppressed by legislative enactment. The Government was calling for men, and Senator Gill conceived it to be his duty at the close of the extra session to go to the front. After a few weeks devoted to arranging his private affairs, he accepted a recruiting commission, enlisted as a private, was elected Captain of a company, and in the organization of the regiment, was commissioned as Colonel thereof.

Town Of Blooming Gkove

The State Journal, oi An^. 30, 1862, announces the appointment of Hon. Charles R. Gill, of Watertown, as Colonel of the 29th Wisconsin, and makes the following mention of the man ;

Col. Gill is well known in the State, having represented his county in the Senate for two years. A lawyer by profession, he is a gentleman of superior talents, possessing that quickness and sagacity of apprehension, combined with indomitable energy and activity, which will render him, when united with military experience, a first-class officer.

While he does not pretend to any considerable knowledge or experience in military affairs, he at least stands on a par in this respect with most, if not all the new officers appointed since the War Department refused to permit appointments from the army in the field, and we know of no man in the State who, in oiir opinion, will more rapidly acquire the necessary familiarity with the duties of his new position than Col. Gill.

The manner in which he entered the service is worth relating. Finding that Watertown had done comparatively little toward furnishing volunteers, when the recent calls for more men were issued, Col. Gill procured a general recruiting commission, and called a war meeting in that city. Quite a large audience came together, which the Colonel proceeded to address with his usual earnestness and vehemence. Pretty soon some one in the audience called out in substance that it was a very fine thing no doubt for him to urge others to enlist, when he had a commission, and expected to get large pay and have comfortable fare himself.

Mr. Gill at once drew his commission from his pocket, tore it up, and declaring he was ready to go as a private, swore in for three years as a common soldier, and then went on with his address. His example was contagious, and between forty and fifty came forward and enlisted at once. Subsequently the company elected him Captain, and next, with several other Jefferson County companies, recommended him for Colonel of a regiment. Thus in the course of two or three weeks Col. Gill has risen from a private in the ranks to the position of Colonel. We doubt if another case of equally rapid promotion can be found, while it is well merited.

No Colonel was ever more devoted to his men. and in the field he proved an untiring, brave and faithful officer. He served through the long and arduous campaign against Vioksburg, under Gen. Grant, and took a prominent part in the battles of Port Gibson and Champion Hills, and other engagements, in all of which he distinguished himself by his courage and gallantry. The Daily Telegraph, of Corry, Penn., edited by Sergt. Maj. Tompkins, who was an officer of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Regiment, contains an account of the battle of Champion Hills, in its edition of Nov. 23, 1865, which we here reproduce. It is as follows :

The battle of Champion Hills, Miss., was fought on the 16th of May, 1862. It commenced early in the morning, and when It ended the light was fast fading down the hills. The Union forces engaged numbered about 17,000, opposed to which were Pemberton's grand army, which afterward made a stubborn and protracted defense of Vioksburg. The right center of the Federal line bore the brunt of the battle, as was too sadly attested by its decimated ranks after the engagemeut, which showed a loss of 40 per cent in killed and wounded. "When the battle-line was formed, a Wisconsin regiment occupied the post of honor, and was given the task of capturing a battery on the uppermost heights of the hill in its immediate front. The Colonel of this regiment was a young man unknown tu fame, although he was looked upon at home as possessing more than ordinary ability and courage. When the order to advance was given, he led his regiment forward to the foot of the hill, where there was - and the ball of blood and carnage was opened. Onward through the storm of lead and fire pressed the valiant Colonel and his Badger regiment, until the battery was reached, captured, and the rebel infantry supporting it were either taken prisoners or put to fiight. During this exploit, the gallant Colonel had been a conspicuous mark for the enemy, and his horse had been shot under him. But the rattle of musketry and roar of artillery fired his heart with courage, and the soldiery were inspired to daring deeds by his cheering voice, which was heard all along the lines, and his noble conduct, which was observed by the whole command. The " carrying" of the battery left him master of the situation, and from this time forward his regiment was the " directing " phalanx of the Union column, and by its noble behavior and skillfully executed movements, contributed more to the victory which crowned our arms on that day than any other command.

Our army had steadily pushed the enemy back for hours, and had nearly won the day, when the rebel center received heavy re-enforcements and opened upon our troops a terrific fire, under which our line wavered, and, with the exception of this Wisconsin regiment, broke and fell back in disorder. It was a critical position, but the plucky Wisconsin Colonel saw at a glance that to abandon it was certain defeat, a disgraceful rout, and would, in all human probability, involve the destruction of the whole army, and he resolved to hold it at all hazards. Cheered by the valor of their impetuous little Colonel, the Badger boys fought with desperation, and held the rebels in check until the supporting colunjn, which was far in the rear when the breach in the Union line occurred, had formed and was marching to their relief, and thus saved the day at Champion Hills.

Had this regiment retired sooner, inevitable disaster would have followed. That it did not, is owing to the pluck, patriotism and sagacity of its leader, who was highly complimented by his superiors for his personal bravery 'no the heroic part he so nobly acted. From that day hence his star shone with greater luster, and has been in the Mcendancy. He will go into history as the hero of Champion Hills, and his deeds will adorn its brightest page. His name - Col. Charles R. Gill - we read in the papers to-day as the name of the successful candidate for Attorney General of the State of Wisconsin.

At the close of the Vicksburg campai2ti,he was completely prostrated from exposure and fatigue, and be was compelled to resign and return to his home, on the verge of the grave. The Watertown Democrat, of July 9, 1863, contains the following personal item :

Col. C. R. Gill, of the 29tli Wisconsin regiment, arrived at his home in this city last Saturday, seriously prostrated by sickness, having been compelled to resign his commission as the only chance of saving his life ; he is now, we are glad to assure hi<i many friends here and elsewhere, in a condition (hat promises fair for a full recovery from the diseases incurred during hia arduous services in the field ; Col. Gill's military career, though short, has been brilliant and successful ; no commander of a regiment has exhibited greater energy and efficiency, and more gallantly and bravely led his men into the fierce storm of battle ; where duty called, he has gone without hesitation or thought of himself ; in the hard-fought engagements at Port Gibson and Champion Hills he took n prominent part, and received the acknowledgments of his superior officers for the courage and skill he displayed on those occasions ; from the moment he assumed the responsibilities of his position in the army, he has devoted himself to their faithful discharge, and has always been a favorite with his noble regiment, and none more sincerely regret his unavoidable withdrawal than the companions who have fearlessly served their country with him, for all have been tried with fire, and not found wanting in any of the virtues that constitute the patriotic soldier and true officer; we hope soon to have the pleasure of anilounoing his complete restoration to health and society.

Excellent care and treatment and a change of climate, partially restored him to bealth, and be soon after again actively engaged in the practice of his chosen professinn ; his resignation was deeply regretted by the officers and men of his regiment, who expressed their sorrow in resolutions of the most flattering character ; the history of the war does not recall a more brilliant career in tbe whole volunteer service, than that of Col. Gill; he was only 31 years of age when he enlisted; was in the service less than a year, and was raised from the ranks to tbe command of a regiment, and in that responsible position won renown for heroism on the bloody battle-fields of the rebellion.

At the Union Republican State Conveniion of Wisconsin in 1865, Col. Gill was nominated for Attorney General, in a contest with older lawyers of prominence for that place upon the ticket. In accepting the nomination, he boldly defined his position upon questions of national politics, and, notwithstanding the protest of his friends, took issue with Senator Doolittle, who was then in the zenith of his power in that party and in the State, and sustained by such influential papers as the Wisconsin State Journal and the Chicago Triune. As Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, Senator DooUttle reported a platform which was adopted by the Convention, sustaining President Johnson's reconstruction policy, and opposed negro sufirage. At the very next session of the Legislature, the Republican members thereof, who had been elected upon that platform, unanimously adopted a resolution requesting Mr. Doolittle to resign his seat in the United States Senate, on the ground that he was not truly representing the party that had placed him in that high position. Never was the fall of a great leader more sudden and irretrievable, and never was the wisdom and sagacity of a minority standing for the right as against expediency more promptly and fully vindicated. It required moral courage of a high order for a young man just entering the political arena to stake his political life and future upon principles apparently unpopular and certainly obnoxious to the most influential faction in his own party. Tbe triumph of a just cause is the highest reward for such heroism.

In this connection, it may not be out of place to refer briefly to Col. Gill's course politically. He was raised in the Democratic faith, and, when he became a voter, continued to act with that party. He was, however, always opposed to slavery, and never failei to condemn.it in all public discussions relating to that subject. He supported the Dougia^ doctrine of non-intervention, as a compromise between the North and the South, and because he believed that under its operation the cause of freedom was quite as safe as in the hands of Congress. In 1860, at the opening of the Presidential campaign, he supported Senator Douglas; but, as the eleotiou drew nearer, and it became apparent that the country must make choice between Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Breckenridge, between Congressional interference against slavery and Congressional interference in its favor, he acted with characteristic decision and firmness, and took his stand on the side of liberty and justice. At that time he resided in a Democratic city, county, Assembly, Senatorial and Congressional District, and stood high in the Democratic party. He was Chairman of the Democratic County Committee, and President of the Douglas Club at Watertown. He was a member of the State Senate, and on the high road to political preferment in his own party. Notwithstanding all these considerations of a personal character, he abandoned the Democratic party and came out openly for Mr. Lincoln, and, in a number of public speeches, advocated his election upon the ground already stated. Ue has since continued to act with the Republican party, and has been recognized as one of its most able, independent and progressive leaders in Wisconsin and the Northwest. .

Col. Gill was elected Attorney General in 1865, and re-elected in 1867. He discharged the duties ot the office with marked ability and success for four years. At the expiration of his term, he purchased a fine farm in tbe town of Blooming Grove, near the city, and fitted it up for his home and opened a law office at Madison. He still suflFered from the disease contracted in the army, and could not devote to his profession the same zealous and untiring labor that characterized his early practice. He worked at a disadvantage, but he achieved a success in his profession that would have excited pride in the breast of any man of less brilliant talents.

In 1875, he was appointed Attorney for the United States Government upon the Pox and Wisconsin Rivers improvement, a position he held till January, 1876, when he was appointed by President Grant Commissioner of Pensions. Owing to the condition of his health, ho was not able to discharge the arduous and exacting duties of this office, and, in a few months, he was compelled to resign and retire to his home. His official conduct in both of these positions was characterized by integrity, fidelity and ability, and met the highest approval of the Government.

On receipt of Gen. Gill's r3ji.;nation. Secretary Chandler addressed him the following kind and appreciative letter, requesting him to continue in the public service :

Sib : I am in receipt of your communication of the 8th instant, inclosing your resignation of the office of Commissioner of Pensions, for the reason that your health will not admit of the proper discharge of its duties.

Permit me to say, in reply, that [ have observed, with great satisfaction, the faithful, conscientious and able maaaer in which the arduous duties of your office have been performed during the brief period since your appointment.

I am exceedingly unwilling to lose the services of so efficient an officer as you have proved yourself, and I therefore have the honor to request that you will re-consider your determination and recall your resignation, with the hope that, by devoting yourself less assiduously to your official labor for a time, your health may become restored.

The New York Times, of March 20, 1876, contained a special dispatch from Washington announcing Gen. Gill's resignation, which shows the reputation he had acquired at the national capital during the few weeks he was there employed in the public service. It is as follows :

It is announced that Mr. Gill, the Commissioner of Pensions recently appointed from Wisconsin, is about to resign. He finds the work of the bureau such as to require very great and continuous labor on the part of the Commissioner, and his health is not eq^ual to the task of making straight, and conducting with sufficient thoroughness, the business of the bureau. This seems to be unfortunate for the service, as Mr. Gill is showing that he comprehends the situation of affairs in the^burfeau, which no recent Commissioner has given signs of understanding, and if he were able to work ten or twelve hours a day, instead of the time usually spent in Government offices, he would probably be able to put the bureau in excellent condition.

The law was the chosen field of Gen. Gill's life work, and here his labors have been rewarded with its honors and its more substantial rewards. He is a man of quick perception, of strong reasoning faculties, of excellent judgment, and possessing remarkable oratorical powers and a deep sense of justice that is the surest guide to truth ; in a word, he is a natural lawyer. To his native talents were added years of profound study ; he thoroughly mastered the science of the law before he engaged in the practice. He was not, however, overwhelmed with his attainments, but employed his learning as a skillful artisan his tool - as a means to accomplish an end. As an advocate, he is always brilliant and effective ; as a jurist, profound and logical. Hon. Carl Schurz, who for a time resided at Watertown, pronounced one of Col. Gill's speeches, in a criminal defense, the finest forensic effort he ever heard ; and the late Hon. J. C. Hopkins, Judge of the United States District Court, said to the writer of this sketch, that the ablest and most effective argument he ever heard in a courtroom was made by Col. Gill before the Supreme Court of Wisconsin. The estimate placed upon his ability by these distinguished gentlemen sufficiently attests his high standing at the bar, and that, too, acquired before he had reached the full maturity of his powers.

As a popular stump Speaker, Col. Gill soon acquired a wide reputation, and his services have been in demand in everjr political campaign since 1856. In the discussion of public questions he is always origi, nal, forcible, eloquent. He possesses in a remarkable degree the power to reach the understanding and to arouse the feelings of his audience; to uproot opposition, to remove doubt, to strengthen conviction and to awaken enthusiasm. He never loses sight of the fact that the true object of oratory is to persuade to action.

The style and effect of his stump speeches may be judged froin the following notice of a meeting held at La Crosse, in October, 1872, from the La Crosse Republican :

Gen. Charles R. Gill was the closing speaker, and he made it " red hot." It is as impossible to report one L ,, .' ^P^^ches as to photograph the fragrance of a flower or imprison a gleam of lightning. Humorous, satirical, half impudent^ and wholly eloquent by turns, he makes an audience " pay attention" when he has business with them. His expose of the weak, illogical, untrustworthy character of the Liberal party, was absolutely terrific at times Md convulsive at others. He designated it as the "grub-worm party," because the grub was " biggest when it was born." He dissected the Greeley doctrine of reconciliation - an oblivion of all that could remind the rebels of their disgrace and defeat - with a vigor and irony which called out a tumult of applause. Gill " filled the bill," and the meeting closed with an enthusiastic vote of thanks to the speakers and rousing cheers for the Republican ticket.

It may safely be asserted that no young man in Wisconsin ever entered upon a more brilliant careerr either in war, in politics, or in his chosen profession, and naught but the withering hand of disease could have blasted the highest expectation of future honor and distinction. His constitution, naturally strong was badly shattered by hardships and exposure in the army, and he has never since fully recovered bis former health and strength. And thus in the contest with the talented and ambitious who are to be found in every profession, has Col. Gill been weighed down with infirmities and disease, and that, too, before his vigorous powers had reached , their full maturity. If, however, he has not realized the brightest hopes of youth in the distinction of the highest public station, he has enjoyed in an unusual degree the honors and rewards of his chosen profession, and the purer and more enduring pleasures that center around a happy home. There have been born to Charles R. and Martha A. Gill the following children : Evelyn Louise born July 29, 1856 ; Eugene D., May 23, 1858 ; Clark L., May 27, 1861 ; Ralph 0., March 27, 1864 - Hiram C, Aug. 23, 1866 ; Alice M., Aug. 24, 1868 ; Olive E., Oct. 19, 1870 ; and Martha A., Dee. 11,' 1874. All the above-named children are still living, and at home with their parents, except Eugene D., who departed this life on Nov. 10, 1858.

HAIiVER HALiVERSOW (Kalstad), farmer. Sec. 23; P. 0. Madison; was born in the town of Blooming Grove, April 22, 1853 ; son of E. Halverson, a native of Norway, who came to America in 1847 or 1848, and is now living on Sec. 23 at the age of 72, and his wife, whose maiden name was Anna Oleson, is now living at the age of 60 ; they have six children - Carrie, Halver, Ole, Anna, Kanudt and Sarah, all married but Halver and Kanudt, who are single and living with their parents. They are members of the Lutheran Church. They have 110 acres of land. Halver Halverson is a Democrat, and was Town Treasurer of Blooming Grove two years.

WIIiLIAIfl HARN1>E]¥, gardener, Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Madison ; was born in Wilmington, Middlesex Co., Mass. May 13, 1817 ; son of Jonathan Harnden. His wife, to whom he was married iu 1840, was Hannah, daughter of Jesse Harnden. Mr. Harnden worked at bridge-building in Massachusetts, and was for twenty years engaged on the bridges of the Boston & Lowell R. R.; he came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1859 with his family, though he had been in the State winters for several years previous to that, and bought a farm of 340 acres in the town of Sullivan, JeflFerson Co., in 1852 or 1853; when the war broke out, his three sons went into the army, and, in 1863, he sold his farm and bought one of 228 acres in the town of Hebron, same county, as soon as his boys got home from the army ; he kept that till 1869, then sold out and bought 18 acres on Sec. 6, Blooming Grove, Dane Co., on the lake shore, just outside the city limits of Madison, where he is engaged in gardening and small fruit culture, in company with his oldest son, William Henry ; he has only three children, all sons, and all of whom were in the army. William Henry enlisted in 1861, in Co. A, 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, and was in the service three years. He was married in 1866, to Miss Sarah Starnes, of JeflFerson Co., and is now in business with his father; he has an adopted daughter, Myrtie, but no children of his own. Edward enlisted in July, 1864, in the same regiment and companyas his brother William Henry, and remained in the service till the close of the war; he is married, and living in Palmyra, Jefferson Co., on a farm, and has one son, Frank. The youngest son, William, enlisted in 1861, in the 1st W. V. C, under his uncle, Capt. (now General) Henry Harnden, and was in the service till the close of the war ; he is now married, and has four children, and is farming in Chippewa Co., Wis. Mr. H. and his sons are all Republicans. His first wife died Aug. 23, 1869, aged 55 ; he was married to his present wife in August, 1880 ; she was Permelia Henry, of Cold Spring, Jefferson Co., Wis.

J. R. HIESTAXD, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Madison ; has been a resident of Blooming Grove since 1864, and of Dane Co., since 1852 ; has been engaged in farming ever since he came to this State; has been several terms Chairman and one year Superintendent of Schools ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jan. 7, 1823. Was married in Dayton, Ohio, in 1847, to Mary Ann Stutsman ; she was born in Dayton, Dec. 10, 1829 ; has six children - Lizzie, now Mrs. William M. Gay, of Blooming Grove; Johtt E., Fannie, Harry, Willie and Carrie, the last five at home ; Mr. Heisfand, father of John Heistand, was a native of Lancaster Co., Penn., and Mrs. Hiestand's father, Jacob Stutsman, was a native of Hagerstown, Md. Is a Republican, and has 80 acres of land worth $50 per acre ; he was in the dry goods business in Dayton, Ohio, for five or six years previous to his coming to Wisconsin ; he brought some tobaccoseed with him from Ohio, and, in 1852, in company with Ralph Pomeroy (now of Rock Co., Wis.), raised ten acres of tobacco just south of Madison, which was the first tobacco raised for market in this

State ; he has dealt largely in that article since, and has carried on the manufacture of tobacco and cigars about four years since he came to this county.

FRED C. HORSTMEIER, farmer Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Madison ; born May 8, 1856, in Prussia ; his father, Fred W. Horstmeier, came to America in 1857 ; settled in Blooming Grove, and lived there about three years, and in Cottage Grove two years, and since that time in the town of Sun Prairie. Fred C. was married, Nov. 6, 1879, to Mrs. Minnie Pepper, daughter of Casper Starck, and widow of Fred Pepper ; she had four children by her first husband - Mary, Sophie, Henry and Freddie ; and one by her second marriage - John, born Aug. 6, 1880. Mr. H. is a Democrat, and member of the Lutheran Church. Has 120 acres of land, worth $50 per acre. Mrs. H. was born April 1, 1855, in Blooming Grove.

P. HURD, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P. 0. McFarland ; came to Dane Co. and settled on his present farm in October, 1847 ; he was born May 5, 1822, in the town of Ira, Cayuga Co., N. Y. ; lived in his native county till June, 1845 ; then came to Wisconsin and settled in Rock Co., where he resided till he came to Dane Co. He was married, June 28, 1851, to Malvina C. Sawyer, who was born in Windsor Co., Vt., Aug. 29, 1826, daughter of Thomas Sawyer, who came to Wisconsin in October, 1847, and died May 20, 1848. Mr. Hurd has two children, both daughters ; the oldest one, Isadore, is now Mrs. Lawrence Eighmy, of the town of Dunn, and the youngest, Eloise, is at home. Republican, and has been Town Treasurer several terms ; has 860 acres of land, 320 in his home farm on Seed. 34 and 35, ,and balance on Sees. 21 and 28.

NIELS JOHIVi^OlV ELLiSTAD, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. Madison ;_ born Aug. 9, 1841, in Norway; his father, John Nielson EUstad, came to America in 1847, and settled in Blooming Grove, where he still lives, at the age of 74. The subject of this sketch was married April 17, 1862, to Mary, Anna Thompson, a native of Norway, daughter of Thomas Nelson, who came to America in about 1855, and now lives in Crawford Co., Wis. ; Mr. Johnson has eight children, as follows : Julia, Mary, Anna, John, Thomas, Niels, Peter and Martin, all at home. He is one of the present Supervisors of the town, and has held the office three terms previous to this ; was Treasurer two years. Is a Democrat, and member of the Lutheran Church ; has 173 acres of land, worth S30 per acre.

S. D. LIBBY, farmer. Sec, 32; P. 0. Madison; came to Madison May 25, 1851 ; worked there at the carpenter's trade for ten or twelve years ; was born Nov. 26, 1827, in Buxton, Me., ; learned the carpenter's trade of George W. Cobb, of Portland, Me.; worked there two years, then in Saco, Me., two years, and came to Wisconsin in 1850, arriving in Milwaukee on the 26th day of October ; he immediately went to work at his trade for Benjamin Judkins, and continued with him till he came to Madison; in 1860, went to California, starting April 16, and returned the next September. Was married, in 1861, Dec. 25, to Mary B. Hall, who was born March 30, 1836, in Hardwick, Vt. ; her father, John Hall, was a native of Oxford, N. H., and died in Vermont, in October, 1848; Mrs. Hall came West and died Jan. 17, 1873, in Evansville, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Libby have four children, all boys - Charles, born Nov. 28, 1862 ; John, Oct. 29, 1864 ; Edward, March 9, 1867, and Benjamin, born Sept. 9, 1874. Mr. L. held the office of Assessor one term ; was formerly a Republican, now Greenbacker, and has 120 acres of land in his farm, worth about $5,000. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

GEORGE W. McDOUGAL, farmer, Sec. 32; P. 0._ Madison; born July 9, 1823, in -Franklin, Vt. ; lived there till 18 years of age, and lived about a year in Massachusetts, and came to Wisconsin in 1843 ; first lived in Milton, Rock Co., four years, then removed to Albion, Dane Co., and farmed it four years ; then lived in the city of Janesville two years, and returned to his farm in Albion ; in 1858 he came to Madison as Deputy Sheriff and Jailer, in which capacity he acted till 1862, then Under Sheriflf and Jailer till 1864; was then elected Sheriff of Dane Co., and held that office two years, after which he acted as Under Sheriff and Jailer another term of two years, and Deputy U. S. Marshal two years, under Gen. Hamilton ; in 1874, removed to his present farm, which he had purchased in 1873. Was married, in 1844, in Milton, Wis., to Hannah Green, aged 37, leaving three children - Abbie. Clara and Charles. His present wife, to whom he was married March 2, 1868, was Mary E. Lake, of Madison; has five children by the second marriage - Elk E., Emma, Arthur, Georgie May and Albert. Republican, and has 143 acres of land, worth about $8,000

REV. MATVOAH D. MILLER, retired Baptist clergyman ; was born Feb. 15, 1811, in iissex Co., N. Y. ; son of Manoah and Elizabeth Miller. He received a common-school education in his Dative county ; was educated for the ministry at Madison University, Hamilton, N. Y.,and became Pastor TO- . P*''*' Churches in the following places in Vermont: iMonkton, Springfield, Danville, Windham, wilminstnn and Addison: in Jari'iarv, IS.')!"!, he (;imo from Addison to Wisconsin and settled as Pastor of the Baptist t'hurcli at Madison ; here he immediately commenced the work of raising means to erect a suitable church edifice ; in this he succeeded, his untiring energy and zeal siirmounting all obstacles, but the incessant labor in raising the necessary funds, and personally superintending the work, together with his pastoral duties, so impaired his health that he was obliged to retire from the pulpit in 1856 ; partially regaining his health, he rendered efficient services in the erection of Wayland University, at Beaver Dam; in 186Y, he engaged in the business of banking, in the city of Madison, continuing that business in connection with life and fire insurance till 1870; he then retired from business to a small farm, just outside the city limits, in the town of Blooming Grove, where he is spending the evening of his busy life in ease and quietness. His wife, to whom he was married in November, 1831, was Miss Phoebe, daughter of Deacon John Ensign, of Essex Co., N. Y. ; she was a faithful wife and mother, and emphatically a helpmeet in all the varied daties of life, both public and private ; her death occurred in August, 1879, at the age of 68. Mr. Miller has two sons ; the eldest, Charles B., is married to Lucy McConnell, has four children and lives on the homestead ; Carleton E. is married to Lottie E. Rice, and is doing business in Madison.

ABRAHA9I MORTON, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Madison ; was born in the Connecticut Valley, town of Whately, Franklin Co., Mass., July 4, 1804; went to Pittsfield, Mass., at 15 years of age; attended school there, and remained fourteen years. Was married there at 25 years of age ; in 1833, removed to the town and county of Medina, Ohio. Having in boyhood been brought up to the brick business, he engaged there in making brick, and continued in the business fourteen years, holding at the same time various official positions, civil and militia; at one time held the offices of Constable, Deputy Sherifi', Marshal of the village. Secretary of an agricultural society, and Colonel of a military regiment ; in the meantime studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1844, but, being County Treasurer at the time, he devoted but little time to the practice of his profession. Moved to Wisconsin in 1847 ; lived a short time in Sheboygan, then one year in Milwaukee in the wholesale and retail grocery business ; sold out, went to Pardeeville and clerked for Pardee awhile, and then engaged in law practice and farming till 1852 ; went to California in November of that year and returned, in 1854, to Wisconsin, and carried on the brick business in Madison till 1875 ; then, in consequence of an injury by which he lost in part the use of his right arm, he retired from all business except a small farm and garden ; has had many narrow escapes from injury and death ; received two revolver-shots from a ruffian, one lodged in a book under his arm, and the other passed through both vest pockets and through the right arm ; on a train of cars was thrown off the track amid five cars in a pile ; was on the steamer Charles Townsend on Lake Erie, in 1836, when she burst her boiler in a race with the steamer North America ; was a passenger on the steamer Georgia, crossing the Gulf Stream in a storm, but landed before she was wrecked ; was on the steamer Yankee Blade, the trip previous to the one in which she was wrecked on the Pacific ; at one time, crossing the Vernon hills in Ohio, by stage, was thrown with the stage body off the road, down among the trees below ; went through all this and escaped with only a bullet through his right arm at one time, and a dislocated elbow joint at another, and now, at 76 years of age, retains considerable vigr.r, and is active about his little farm and garden ; has devoted much time to reading and is still a vigorous writer. Ho has had an eventful life ; he was married, to Miss Lavinia Doolittle, of Pittsfield, Mass., 21 years of age, well educated, and employed as a teacher ; they have two children , a son and a daughter, both educated with great care ; the son, Charles Carroll Morton, a prosperous commission merchant in Oswego, N. Y. ; the daughter, Kate Courtland Morton, lives single, a studious scholar and writer. Col. Morton, like all Massachusetts young men, was a teacher for four winters ; his theory has ever been that farmers and mechanics should be, and had the chance to be, as well educated as lawyers or men in any profession ; unassuming in his manners and appearance, his great distinctions of men and women consists in their intelligence and moral worth, and he holds dishonesty in utter contempt ; he has always been successful in business, but unfortunate in speculation ; active in building up places where he has lived ; always punctual to fulfill his engagements and to meet his obligations ; kind to his employes and to the poor; sincerely devoted to his family, his home is his kingdom ; he_ devotes much time now, in his advanced age, to reading and writing ; keeps up a constant correspondence with the friends of early life, now widely separated ; he is the most appreciated by those in his confidence who know him best. His mother-in-law, Mrs. Cynthia Chapman, was born in Pittsfield, Mass., May 14, 1783 ; married at 16 years of age to a man named Doolittle ; was the mother of seven children, three sons, four daughters ; left a widow at 32 years of age ; afterward married William Francis ; left a widow again at 60 years of age, since which she has lived with her son-in-law. Col. Morton ; in her 98th year she retains her faculties, particularly her sight and memory ; reads much, constantly employed, is cheerful, well informed in the history of the country, its incidents and events, from its settlement to the present time ; converses freely and fluently on all subjects, and walks out in the yard daily. Such is a brief sketch of the life of Mrs. Cynthia Francis ; still living.

GrEORGE M. NICHOLS, farilier, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Madison ; has been a resident of Dane Co. since October, 1 842 ; he was born in the town of Nassau, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., June 1, 1806 ; when 2 years old, his father, John Nichols, removed to Cayuga Co., N. Y. George M. went to the city of Rochester when about 19 years of age, and, soon after, was married to Mary Cressy, of Phelpstown, Ontario Co. In 1829, removed to Michigan, and lived in Oakland Co., near where Pontiac now stands; cast his vote there for Michigan 'to become a State, and, in 1842, came to Wisconsin, and, in 1848, had the privilege of doing the same thing for this State ; he first settled on Sec. 30, in the town of Burke ; lived there nine years; then removed to Blooming Grove, and lived on Sec. 17 till 1878, when he sold out and came to his present location ; his first wife died in Michigan in 1837, aged 24, leaving one son (William), who died at 19 years of age, in November, 1853. His second wife, to whom he was married in 1837, was Phiantha Rowley, of Monroe Co., N. Y. ; have had three children by the second marriage, the eldest of whom - George - enlisted, in August, 1862, in the 23d W. V. I., and died in the hospital at Mound City, 111., the next February, of lung fever ; Louis and Marion are both at home. Politics, Republican. Has 200 acres in his farm on the southeast shore of Lake Monona, where he has a full view of the lake and the city of Madison.

GEORGE V. OTT, farmer, Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Madison ; has resided in Dane Co. since 1856 ; he was bora in Baden, Germany, July 15, 1826 ; came to America in 1848 ; located in Holmes Co., Ohio, where he followed the tanning business, which he had learned in Germany, till he came to Wisconsin, in 1856. Was married in Richland Co., Ohio, in 1852, to Miss Sophia Blaser, who died in 1855, leaving one son, George T. S. Ott, now telegraph operator at Evansville, Dane Co., Wis. When he came to Wiscon- Bin, he settled in Madison ; erected a tannery, which he operated, and also opened a leather store, harness and shoe shop, employing some of the time as high as thirteen harness-makers and half a dozen shoemakers in addition to his other business ; he also erected, in 1858, one of the best dwelling houses on Third Lake, and, in 1861, built a large store on Pinckney street, adjoining the State Bank, which he still owns ; in 1872, he closed out his business and rented his store ; in 1877, he purchased a farm of 92 acres on the southeast shore of Lake Monona, about three miles from the city of Madison, where he has since resided. His second wife was a sister of his first wife ; she was a physician, and practiced several years in Madison. Mr. 0. is a Republican.

HENRY PETERS, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Cottage Grove; born Aug. 4, 1832, in the city of Schwerin, Germany ; son of John Peters, who came to America in 1853, arriving in New York on the 20th of September ; he came direct to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Cottage Grove, on Sec. 32, and is now living with his son, the subject of this sketch, who was married Oct. 19, 1854, to Charlotte Winkler, and has four children - Arthur, Lucie, Hugo, and Henry, all at home ; one son (Henry) died in 1865, aged 3 years. Was Town Treasurer once in Cottage Grove, and one term in Blooming Grove. In politics, votes for the best man. Has 120 acres of land in his farm, worth $50 per acre; raises grain principally, but this year has 10 acres of Spanish tobacco.

C. N. RICE, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Madison ; is a native of Addison Co., Vt. ; born Dec. 22, 1823 ; his father, Joel Rice, was a prominent physician of Bridgeport, Vt. ; Mr. Rice left home in 1841 ; went to Knox Co., III., and lived there between four and five years ; he then returned Bast, and remained about two years. Was married in 1849, in Bridgeport, to Flora Benjamin, of that place, and, in the fall of 1850, came to Wisconsin ; lived in Walworth Co. till the fall of 1854; then came to his present location, where he has since resided. His first wife died in November, 1854, leaving two children, having lost one before her death - Erwin, who died in infancy ; the two lefl were Ella (who died in 1856, 3 years old) and Martin G. (now in Rushville 111.) He received a military education at Sing Sing, N. Y., at what was known as " Capt. Patridge's School," then conducted by Capt. Wallace Benjamin ; he is now railroading on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in Illinois. Mr. Rice was married the second time July 6, 1865, to Theresa Helms, who was born April 16, 1841, in La Porte, Ind. ; her father, Charles Helms, came to Wisconsin when she was 3 years old, and died in Iowa in 1875 ; have one child by the second marriage - Flora C, born Aui;. 30, 1867. He has been Town Clerk and Supervisor. Is a Republican. Has 78 acres of land, three miles from Madison ; his father. Dr. Rice, came to Wisconsin and died Aug. 19, 1860, aged 68 ; Mrs. Rice is still livjng in Madison, at the age of 80.

H. 51. SAWYER, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. 0. McFarland ; has been a resident of the town of Blooming Grove since September, 1847 ; he was born in Windsor Co., Vt., July 1, 1833 ; his mother, whose maiden name was Clarissa Bigelow, died when he was 2 years old ; and his father, Thomas Sawyer, came to Wiscoosin with his family of one son and two daughters in 1847, and died in Blooming Grove May 20, 1848 ; he was buried on the farm of his son, J. P. Sawyer, who had come to Dane Co. some time previous. H. M. Sawyer was married, May 18, 1859, to Rosanna Holden, a native of Canada East, born Sept. 13, 1842 ; daughter of John and Rhoda Holden ; has three children - Lillian A., born Nov. 14, 1860 ; Ida R., Feb. 1, 1869 ; and Alta G., Dec. 19, 1873, all at home. He went to California in the spring of 1856 ; left New York on the 9th of March and spent ten years there, most of the time in the mines. Was married while in California and returned to Wisconsin in 1866. Is a Republican, and has 80 acres of land. Mr. Holden diffd in Canada April 29, 1857, aged 64; and Mrs. Holden Jan. 24, 1846, aged 47.

JAMES P. SAWYER, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P. 0. McFarland; was one of the first settlers in the south part of the town of Blooming Grove; he was born Dec. 3, 1823, in Windsor Co., Vt. ; came to Wisconsin in September, 1845, and lived in Walworth Co. till the 1st of January, 1846 ; then came to Dane Co. and located on his present farm, where he has since resided ; his father, Thomas Sawyer, came in October, 1847, and died May 20, 1848. Mr. Sawyer was married, in 1856, to Margaret J. Evans; she was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Feb. 11, 1848; daughter of Sidney Evans, who came to Wisconsin in the summer of 1846. Mr. Sawyer has no children of his own, but has an adopted daughter, Daisy Myrtle. Mr. S. is a Republican, and has 172 acres of land.

JOHN H. SIGGELKOW, farmer. Sec. 36; P. 0. McFarland; born Dec. 23, 1841, in Mecklenburg, Germany ; his father, Adolph Siggelkow, came to America in 1851 ; settled first in Blooming Grove, and now lives in Madison at the age of 84. Mrs. S. died about 1868. John H. was married in February, 1872, to Alice McFarland, and has three children - Jennie, Minnie and Herbert. Is the present Town Clerk, whish office he has held four years previous to this, and was Treasurer one year. Democrat, and has 114 acres of land, worth $40 per acre.

EKNEST SOMMERS, gardener. Sec. 6 ; born in Dec. 7, 1822, in Saxony, Prussia; came to America in 1846 ; lived in Milwaukee four years ; then, in 1850, came to Madison with Gov. Farwell; helped lay out all the streets in East Madison ; superintended the work for two years, and set out all the shade trees in that part of the city; put out about three thousand cottonwood and soft maple trees between Bast Madison Depot and the Catfish, and put out hundreds of trees in the park and other parts of the city; in 1853, he purchased of Gov. Farwell the land he now occupies; erected a dwelling and has followed gardening there ever since ; has 9 acres .of land, most of it inside the city limits. Was married in 1851, to Maria Eva Fuchs, a native of Germany ; has had twelve children, only seven of whom are living - Leo, Max, Otto, Julius, Frank, Josephine and Anna. Josephine is now the wife of Conrad Hoffman, of Madison ; was two years Supervisor, when the village and town of Madison were all one ; was four years Treasurer in Blooming Grove during the war ; and has held at diiferent times nearly all the offices in the -town ; and was one of the founders of the Madison Horticultural Society. Is a Democrat.

HENRY WACKMAIV, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Madison ; came to Dane Co. in October, 1849; settled in Madison and worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade in that city for nineteen years, except one year in the grocery business and one year in a harness shop ; he helped build the east and west wings of the capitol, and worked one winter on the north wing; in September, 1868, came to his present location ; he was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., Aug. 15, 1823; son of Gamaliel Wackman, who came West and died at Madison at the age of 58. Mrs. Wackman is still living in Dayton, Green Co., Wis., at the age of 73. Mr. Wackman was married in his native county Dec. 9, 1847, to Margaret Hoffman, a native of the same county, and has three children - Josephine, now Mrs. William H. Davis, of the town of Madison, Dane Co. ; Eugene, now Mrs. Demier, of Oregon, Dane Co. ; and Charles H., in the carriage business in Dayton, Green Co., Wis. Mr. W^is a Republican, and has 40 acres of land, worth $2,500.

HIRAM C. WILLiSOSf, farmer. Sec. 5 ; has been a resident of Dane Co. since 1864, when he came to his present location; he was born Aug. 18, 1836, in Hampshire Co., Mass., and was married in that county Sept. 27, 1859, to Ruth Sophia Blackmer, who was born in the same county Nov. 25, 1839 ; he was engaged in farming in Massachusetts ; came to Wisconsin in April, 1864, and has followed the same business since ; they have lost two children, all they ever had: the oldest, Lillian Sophia, was born Aug: 15, 1860, and died Aug. 5. 1873, in AVisconsin ; Rosalind Olivia was born March 26, 1841, and died the 25th of August following; they have an adopted daughter, Ruth Elmina, born May 10, 1875. Mr. Willson formerly owned a part of the Simeon Mills farm, where he now resides, but disposed of it some time ago to A. C. McKnight. He is a Republican. Mrs. Willson is a member of the Congregational Church.