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ITEM: William Henry Dakin SOURCE: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, Chicago: Acme Publishing Co., 1890.
Mr. Dakin's first shelter when he came to this county was a tent, in one corner of which he made bed of hay, blankets and a buffalo robe furnishing the covering. He has often been heard to remark that those were the happiest days of his life. The independence and freedom exactly suited him. He afterward built a log house, living in one end of it, while his horse was stabled in the other until better arrangements could be made. Subsequently he hauled lumber from Portage and erected a frame dwelling. The nearest mill in those early days was at Watertown, and mail was received but once a month. Mr. Dakin has never been a politician or an office seeker, but has held some important trusts. He was one of three Commissioners appointed to conduct the county affairs under the old regime, and when the county got involved with the railroad company over some bonds, was chosen Chairman of the town of Brooklyn, it then becoming his duty to assist in making satisfactory arrangements between the two parties. He assisted in saving the county some $13,000. He retained his position until the county was free from indebtedness and placed on a solid financial basis, when he resigned. In 1874 he was elected to the State Legislature and served in the session of 1875, with satisfaction to his constituents. Before the county was divided, Mr. Dakin served as Treasurer of Marquette County for three years. He was Chairman of Brooklyn for several years while the lawsuit with the railroad company was in the courts. He supported the Democratic party previous to the war, since which time he has been an ardent advocate of the Republican party. He has never married but still lives in single blessedness. Numbered among the leading and respected citizens of the community, we find William H. Dakin, and are pleased to record his sketch in this volume. His history is inseparably connected with that of the county which owes not a little of her progress, upbuilding and advancement to his untiring labors in her behalf. He was never known to shirk any duty of citizenship imposed upon him, but is ever faithful to a trust.
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HON. WILLIAM
HENRY DAKIN, the earliest settler of the town of Brooklyn. Green Lake
County, yet living, is now engaged in farming on section 36. He was born
in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Aug. 8, 1816, and is a son of Ebenezer
K. and Clarissa (Wilson) Dakin, who were also natives of the Empire State,
where they made their home until emigrating to this county some years
after the arrival of our subject. William was educated in the public and
private schools of his native county, completing his school life in Poughkeepsie
Academy. When seventeen years of age he went to live with a brother-in-law,
and upon reaching his majority sailed for South America, visiting several
of the countries on that continent. Returning to his home, he then resided
in New York until 1843, when he decided to cast his lot with the pioneer
settlers of Wisconsin, and became a resident of Green Lake County. Soon
afterward he selected a tract of land--his present farm--but did not long
remain in the west at that time. After his second arrival, he went to
Illinois where he purchased five yoke of oxen and then began the improvement
and cultivation of his land. His first crop of wheat yielded eighty bushels
in all, and was the first wheat raised in this locality. Believing that
land would rapidly increase in value, he made several judicious investments
and branched out as a real-estate dealer, at the same time helping others
to secure homes, and also enter claims. While assisting others to make
permanent settlements, he was mindful of his own interests and at different
times made purchases until his possessions aggregated between 3,000 to
4,000 acres. He has, however, since disposed of a part of that amount
but is yet an extensive land owner.