Town of Metomen: Biographies, Page 4

A collection of printed biographies of early residents of Metomen. Many of these are taken from popular histories such as The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin (Western Historical Company, Chicago: 1880) which were based on personal communications and may not be entirely reliable. Viewers are cautioned, therefore, to verify the information presented.

AMOS POND, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Brandon; was born May 25, 1813, in Eden, Orleans Co., Vt.; has always been a farmer. Married, Dec. 5, 1827, Anna Duntley, of New Hampshire. they came to Wisconsin in 1837, and settled in Geneva, Walworth Co.; when he reached the place, he had a wife, four children and 50 cents, and was in debt $5 for drawing his household goods from Racine; that season he bought a house, cost, with land, $500, and paid for it in full by making oak shingles by hand, and also supported his family, paying $30 per barrel for flour and $40 for pork; his labor netted him $5 per day; he bought a farm and carried it on about six years in that county; in the spring of 1847, he came to Fond du Lac Co. and settled on Section 24, in Metomen Township; after exchanging farms twice, he located on his present homestead in 1864; there is now 220 acres in the farm. They have had nine children--Sarah J., Pamelia M., Cephas H., Robert R. (dead), Amanda E., George W., Charles M., Albert A., and Frank A.; they have twenty-six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In 1871, they sold the farm to their son George, with whom they make their home. Has been Assessor. Himself and wife are Methodists; he is a stalwart Democrat. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

WARREN REED (deceased) was a native of Ohio. Was married in Ohio, June 14, 1848, to Miss Augusta Day, of Ohio. He came to Wisconsin in 1854 and located 160 acres, where Mrs. Reed now resides; he died in August, 1874. They had four children, all living in this county. The railroad company secured a gift of the right of way through his farm on consideration of a written guarantee of the permanent location of a depot thereon; for some cause, the station was removed half a mile south and established at Metomen in 1873, and the post office was also transferred from Reed's Corners to the residence of E. Reynolds, near the new depot; the above transfer is viewed very differently by the different interested parties and their respective partisans. Reed's Station was named in honor of Mr. Reed. Mr. Reed and family were Methodists; he was a good citizen. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

EDWIN REYNOLDS, farmer, Sec. 10; P. 0. Metomen was born June 3,1815, in Chesterfield, Essex Co., N. Y., in 1821, he, with parents, moved to Addison Co., Vt., where be remained nineteen years. He was married, on the 24th of March, 1840, to Miss Dorcas H. Dame, of Vermont; they lived ten years in Chittenden Co., Vt. In 1850, he came to Wisconsin and located on his present farm in Metomen; has 160 acres, of which 150 are tillable; he is a mechanic, and built his own house; is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, particularly of sheep, and he also pays attention to fruit-raising; he has a commodious, nearly new barn., and his house is a few rods from the Metomen depot, and his wife is Postmistress. He is President of the Protective Association; has been Assessor twice, and Justice of the Peace thirteen years, and held other local offices; is a member of Brandon Grange, No. 52, and is also connected with the I. 0. 0. F. Himself and wife are members of the Congregational Church. They have five children--Lucy B. (married), Zilpha G., De Witt C. (married), Mary E. (married) and Washington I. Mr. Reynolds is an active Republican; he has been promised appointment as census enumerator for this township. He asserted that he has never been confined to the house by sickness, and his wife, who was present, promptly threw in the remark, " But you have done piles of grunting." Mrs. Reynolds is an energetic and capable woman; Mr. Reynolds is a well-known citizen. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

GEORGE A. RUSSELL, retired farmer, P. 0. Brandon; born in Cavendish, Windsor Co., Vt., Nov. 6, 1821; the year he attained his majority (1842), he came West; during the two following winters he taught school in Waukesha Co., Wis.; in 1844, he bought eighty acres of land, and partly improved it, but sold it in a year at an advance. He was married Nov. 1, 1844, in Milwaukee, to Miss Miranda Weatherbee, of Brant, Erie Co., N. Y.; they have had no issue; his parents were New England farmers in moderate circumstances, and the subject of this sketch, when be landed in Milwaukee in 1842, inventoried his cash assets at exactly $50; by teaching and farming, he soon added to his resources, and Providence has continued to favor him to the present time, as, according to his fellow-citizens, he is reported to the writer as a man surpassed in wealth by few, if any, in the township; for his success in life, he gives due credit to his worthy life-companion; he first, met her, by a happy combination of circumstances, very soon after she landed in Milwaukee with her brother from New York, in 1844; they began wedded life as pioneers on a Waukesha farm; in September, 1845, having disposed of his first real estate, and converted most of his personal property into cash, he entered and paid for 400 acres of prairie and timber land in the township of Alto; he expended all his money in the original purchase of the Alto farm, but fortune favored his efforts, and he was soon enabled to improve, build upon and stock the farm; he retained this old homestead until 1867, when be sold the land (which cost him $500), with its improvements, for $17,000 in 1868, he bought his present home in Brandon, and retired from active labor as a farmer; he owns several houses and lots within the corporation limits of Brandon, and also 325 acres outside the village; he has secured investments in different parts of the county. He has held several local offices. He became a Christian at the age of 18, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has continued an active member to the present date; he is an earnest advocate of the doctrine of sanctification, and, for several years, meetings for the promotion of holiness have been regularly held at his residence; he is a person of strong convictions, which find ready expression whenever occasion demands; he is in no sense a negative character, but is an enterprising, positive man. He is a Republican. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

From The History of
Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin,
Chicago: Western Historical
Company, 1880

SILVESTER W. SARGEANT, farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0. Brandon; was born June 26, 1823, in Washington Co., Vt.; he remained in Vermont until 1839, when he removed to Washington Co., N. Y.; in spring of 1845, he came to Metomen Township; be was without any money, but was "full of days, works;" that season he worked for and "bached" with E. F. Mansfield, who, in 1844, built the first cabin within the limits of Metomen Township; Mr. Sargeant preempted 160 acres in township of Alto, which he sold with his improvements in 1846, and the same year entered the farm which he now owns; he had 12 shillings, all told, when be landed in this township, and that he expended for an ax; he now has 160 acres--100 under cultivation; has commodious barns and good residence, with first-class farm conveniences; dairying is his leading interest. He was married, on the 13th of February, 1849, to Miss, Isabella Graves, formerly of England; they have had ten children--Zelia A. (dead), Emma (dead), Byron, W., Sarah (dead), Jacob, Julia, Elma, Katie, Willard P. and Matilda; the two oldest sons, Byron and Jacob, have followed the "Star of Empire," and, since 1878, have been founding new homes in Oakwood, Brookings Co., Dak. He is a member of Brandon Grange, No. 52; is a Republican. Mr. Sargeant's father died when S. W. was but 9 years of age, and since that time he has provided for himself; his early life was spent working out by the month, but his present comfortable surroundings betoken the success that comes from industry and economy, united with the aid of a capable and worthy helpmeet. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

ZENAS SCOTT, hardware merchant, Brandon; born on the 17th of June, 1818, in Berks Co., Penn; when be was quite young his parents removed to Canada, where they remained till the father died, in 1860. The subject of this sketch came to Wisconsin in l856, and spent the winter in Brandon; it was the season that the railroad was completed; for the next four years be was absent most of the time, but since 1860, he has been a continuous resident of Brandon; he has been in mercantile business from that date; at first he ran a general store, but gradually developed into his present exclusive hardware trade. He was married, April 11, 1870, to Miss Sarah Sherman, of Canada West; he has been two terms member of Village Board; also was a member of I. 0. 0. F., and is a member of Brandon Lodge, 144, of A. F. & A. M.; owns his store and another business block besides his residence. He is a Republican; himself and wife affiliate with the Congregational Church; he is a reliable citizen. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

LEANDER SHELDON, one of the representative and highly respected citizens of the town of Metomen, who is now engaged in farming on section 22, was born in Nova Scotia, on the 18^th of March, 1842, and is the youngest son of Matthew and Jane (Turner) Sheldon, who were also born in the same province. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Sheldon, was a Virginian farmer, but after marriage removed with his family to Nova Scotia, where he made his home for a number of years and then went to Ohio, where both he and his wife died at an advanced age. The maternal grandfather, John Turner, was a native of England, and left his country to take charge of a farm in Nova Scotia as foreman for an English landlord, who had extensive possessions there. He afterward married and engaged in farming, in which occupation he acquired considerable property, becoming quite wealthy.
When a young man, Matthew Sheldon left his native land and became a resident of Ohio, but subsequently returned to Nova Scotia, where he was joined in wedlock with Miss Turner. They became the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter, all of whom were born in Nova Scotia. Mr. Sheldon was a millwright by trade, and followed that business for many years. In 1850, he came to this county, purchasing the farm on which our subject now makes his home, and the following year was joined by his family, who had remained behind until arrangements for making a permanent location in this vicinity were completed. He lived to an advanced age, his death occurring at the age of eighty-seven, while his wife departed this life at the age of sixty-six years. In politics he was a Republican, and religiously, she was a member of the Congregational Church. Of their children only two are now living, George W., who resides in Canada; and Leander, of this sketch. Benjamin F., the other son, was one of the boys in blue who gave his life for the preservation of the Union.
Like so many thousands of others, our subject acquired his education in the district schools, and his early life was spent in the usual manner of farmer lads. Like a dutiful son, he worked for his parents until his marriage, after which he tenderly cared for them until they were called home. His union with Miss Amanda E. Ingalls was celebrated on the 20^th of February, 1868, since which time she has proved to him a true helpmate. She is a native of Sheboygan County, Wis., and by their union three children have been born--Ben F., George M., and Julia A.
Mr. Sheldon is characterized by a marked peculiarity, he never having cast his ballot for any officer, nor has he ever identified himself with any party or society except those to advance the cause of temperance. The cause of education finds in him a special friend, and he has taken a just pride in giving to his children every opportunity that he could. Neatness and regularity are everywhere evident about his farm, which he has greatly improved and beautified. He now owns 120 acres of good land, which pays a golden tribute to his care and cultivation, and is numbered among the representative farmers of the community. As an early settler, he has witnessed the greater part of the growth and development of the community, and has even done what he could for its advancement and progress. (Portrait and Biographical Album of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Acme Publishing Company, 1889)

MARTIN C. SHORT, Postmaster, Brandon, and editor of the Brandon Times; was born in Winnisink, Orange Co., N. Y., on the 4th of November, 1836; came West with his parents in 1851, and settled on a farm near Dartford, Green Lake Co., Wis.; he attended the district school afterward at Ripon, and was a freshman at Beloit College at the commencement of the rebellion. On the 10th of November, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the 31st W. V. I.; by honorable promotions he became Captain of the company in which he enlisted; he served until the close of the war; participated in the siege of Atlanta, and was with Sherman in his march to the sea. On returning from the army in 1865, he purchased the Green Lake Spectator at Dartford; the following year, he removed the paper to Waupun, and, in connection with J. W. Oliver, started the Waupun Leader; he came to Brandon in 1871, and, since that date, has been editor and proprietor of the Brandon Times. He was married at Dartford, in 1865, to Miss Sarah H. Churchill, by whom he had one daughter--Hattie. The mother died Jan.18, 1872. His present wife was Miss Clara A. Hogle, to whom he was wedded June 25, 1876; they have two children--Mary and Martin. For twenty-five years Mr. Short has been an active member of the Congregational Church; is Superintendent of the Sunday School; is Clerk of the School Board; is a public-spirited citizen and a radical hard-money Republican. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

W. 0. SLEEPER, farmer, Sec. 32; P. 0. Fairwater; born in Merrimack Co., N. H., in 1817; was brought up as a farmer; came West in 1842; he took up a farm, which he now owns, in 1846. He was married, in 1842, to Miss Lavitia Pierce, of Kenosha Co., Wis.; they have had no issue. Their farm consists of 200 acres, fully half of which is now under cultivation. They have brought up two nieces, one of whom is married to George Lyon, of this town. Himself and wife are members of the Congregational Church at Fairwater; he is a Republican. Mr. Sleeper's health has not been uniformly good, but he is a hard-working and highly respected man. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

N. A. STEVENS, jeweler, Brandon; born in 1847 in Ohio; came to Waushara Co., Wis., with his parents, in 1852, where they remained seven years, and then, for four years, took charge of the Temperance House in Berlin, Green Lake Co., Wis.; the family located in Brandon in l863; the subject of this sketch passed the next ten years at Brandon, mainly as salesman in some of the stores of the village; was also, for a year, an apprentice to the "art preservative of all arts," in the office of the Brandon Times. Mr. Stevens was married at Brandon, in August, 1875, to Miss Vina Councelman, of Columbus, Wis.; she died in May, 1876. He served full apprenticeship as jeweler in the establishment of J. H. Elkins, at Waupun; about four years ago, he started a small jewelry store at Brandon; this is more congenial to his tastes; the business has enlarged, and he now has a full assortment of well-selected jewelry; his repairing department has an extended patronage. Is a Good Templar, a member of I. 0. 0. F., a Republican and a Methodist. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

DEACON LONSON STILWELL, farmer, Secs. 9 and 4; P. 0. Ripon; was born Aug. 18, 1819, in Madison Co., N. Y.; he removed to Onandaga Co., N. Y., when 18 years of age, where he remained nearly eight years, engaged in farming. He was married, Sept. 29, 1842, to Miss Mary K. White, of Geneva, Ontario Co., N. Y.; they came West in May, 1846, and took up 280 acres, on which his present home is located; the next year after settling, he donated forty acres of land to the Rev. Marcellus Barnum, as an inducement for him to organize a church and preach to same. Elder Barnum was the first resident minister in the township of Metomen. The Deacon now owns 170 acres, of which five-sixths are under cultivation. He tells of going to Whitewater, eighty miles, to mill with an ox team. He smiles in in remembrance of visiting one cabin on a cold day, when blankets were hung around the stove and the "women folks" gathered within the warm circle, while the Deacon and other 'men folks" shivered in the cold outer circle. He, does not speak of these events as the sufferings and privations of pioneer life; in fact, he enjoyed these rude experiences, which all took part, in with hearty good will. He did not complain when, with a company in an unfinished cabin during a driving storm, the women folks gathered under umbrellas upon the bed, and the men folks braved the elements as best they could. He has, from the first, been interested in sheep-raising; has now 218 grade merinos. Have had eight children--Lucian W. (married), Celia B. (married), Annette E. (married), Kate E. (dead), Hannah R. (married), Warren, Mary E. and Edith M.; all, except the youngest, have been students at Ripon College, but Edith is still attending the People's College, in her father's home district. Himself and wife are Congregationalists, and he has been Deacon about ten years; he has held several local offices, and is a Republican. His house is the stranger's home, and the favorite resort of the many friends of the Deacon and his worthy wife. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

ALEXANDER TURNER, manufacturer of wagons and sleighs, also general blacksmithing, Brandon; born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Dec. 25, 1847; his parents came to America in 1849, and settled in Dodge Co., Wis., where his father died in 1850 ; young Alexander spent most of his time in Waukesha Co., until he was 23 years of age, and during that time learned his present trade of wagonmaker; he is called a natural machinist; he has carried on business for himself ever since his apprenticeship; was in business two years in Denver, Colo. Was married in Waukesha Co., Wis., Oct. 17, 1872, to Miss Agnes S. Rogers; their three children are George A., born 1873; James, born 1876; Alexander, Jr., born 1878; he had a shop two years in Merton, Waukesha Co.; in 1874, he bought a shop and home in Brandon; his business occupies seven men, and is enlarging annually; in the wagon department, about forty farm wagons are made yearly, besides sleighs, etc., etc. He has a large patronage in the repairing shop; horseshoeing is also a prominent feature; he is an ingenious, hard-working "boss" machinist. Himself and wife are members of the Congregational Church, of which he is a Deacon. He is a Republican, and a Temple of Honor man. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

DR. JAMES TURNER, Brandon; is a native of Scotland. His parents came to America and settled in Dodge Co., Wis., where his father died while the subject of this sketch was quite young; his home for twenty years after the death of his father, was Waukesha Co.; he attended the public schools, and afterward the State University, from which he graduated in 1866; after graduation, he served the M. E. Church as Pastor one year at Stoughton, his health failed, and he afterward prepared for the medical profession; spent one year in the Detroit Medical College, and his last course was taken at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which he received his medical diploma in 1871; while attending the Wisconsin State University, he served as a soldier in the 40th W. V. I. for 100 days. He was married in Lisbon, Waukesha Co., Wis., on the 27th of September, 1869, to Miss Susie S. Sims; they have three children--Nellie, Willie and Grace; he practiced his profession seven years in Oshkosh, and located in Brandon; he is in general partnership in a drug store and medical practice with J. E. Gee, M. D., at Brandon; they have an extensive practice in their profession, and a liberal patronage as druggists. Dr. Turner is President of the School Board; is identified with the order of Odd Fellows; is an active member of the M. E. Church; is a conservative Republican, and a thorough temperance man. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

NELSON VAN CAMP, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Metomen was born in New Jersey Aug 9, 1823; removed with parents, in 1825, to Wayne Co., Penn.; Mr. Van Camp spent twenty-one years of his life in railroading in Pennsylvania. He was married, Dec. 31, 1848, to Miss Hannah Colburn, of Pennsylvania; they have four children--Gilbert A., born in 1850; Aurella A., born in 1855; Carrie B., born in 1860, and Alice M., born in 1864; the three oldest are married. Mr. Van Camp came to Fond du Lac Co. in 1859, and, after living six years in the township of Ripon, he bought the present farm of 200 acres on Secs. 2, 12 and 15, in the township of Metomen; he rents about one-half his land; has good farm improvements. He belongs to the Protective Association, the Temple of Honor, and was formerly an Odd Follow. He is a temperance Democrat and a Methodist. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

J. WARNER, harness-maker and farmer; P. 0. Brandon; was born June 28, 1832, in Wittemburg, Germany; came to America in 1849; he worked at his trade one year in Coshocton Co., Ohio, and afterward lived five years in Lorain Co., Ohio, where he took out his naturalization papers; in 1855, he came West and started a harness-shop in Fairwater, and during the palmy days of that village, the shop gave employment to five workmen; he has been two years in business in Brandon, and is the leading shop in the village. He was married in May, 1856, to Miss M. B. Siegle, of his native place, Germany; have had three children--Francis H., born in 1857; Bertha, born in 1866, died in 1870; George L., born in 1872. Has a farm of 124 acres on Secs. 29 and 30, in the township of Metomen, near Fairwater; he is Side Supervisor, and has held other local offices; his oldest son carries on the farm; is interested in stockraising, particularly of Norman horses. Is Republican. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

SAMUEL WEINSTOCK, merchant, Brandon; born on the 30th of May, 1825, in Bavaria, Germany; came to America in 1845, and settled in New York City, where he remained till 1852, when lie came to Milwaukee and spent seven years in the mercantile business; he then went to Rubicon and was engaged seven years in the business of buying and shipping cattle. He was married in .New York, on the 22d of November, 1863, to Miss Fannie Bamberger, of Bavaria; have had four children--Millues (deceased), Gilbert, Selina and Theresa. In the autumn of 1866, he came to Brandon, Wis., and established a general merchandise store, under the firm name of Weinstock & Bro.; in 1870, he sold out to the brother, and in the fall of the same year he started a store for himself, which he has continued to the present date--keeps everything except hardware. Is a member of the Village Board; is a Master Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. Is of Democratic proclivities, but votes according to his best judgment at the time of election. He has been continuously in mercantile life in Brandon longer than any other merchant; has a good trade from both foreigners and Americans. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

HON. DAVlD WHITTON, Brandon; born in Dundee, Scotland, Aug. 4, 1836. His father was the youngest child in a family of twenty-five children; he is still strong, and for several years has resided in the city of Waupun; he landed in Boston, Mass., on the 4th day of July, 1842, with his family, consisting of his wife, his son Charles, and the subject of this sketch; the father was by trade a stonecutter and mason, and was employed four years as foreman in the construction of the new locks on the Welland Canal; in the fall of 1846, the family came to Wisconsin, and located in Ashippun, Dodge Co., where they remained ten years, engaged in farming; in 1856, the family moved to Waupun, WIS. Young David, now of age, spent three years as an apprentice to the carpenter and joiner's trade; this not proving congenial, he, in 1860, engaged in buying and shipping farm produce. On the 1st of January, 1862, he was married to Miss Mary B. Turner, of Waukesha Co., Wis.; they have seven children--Mary E., born in Waupun May 1, 1863; Charles B., born in Waupun March 23, 1865; David, Jr., born in Waupun Feb. 21, 1867 ; Gracie Bell, born in Brandon March 29, 1869; Nellie A, born in Brandon April 16, 1873; Alexander T., born in Brandon Sept. 13, 1875; Susie E., born in Brandon July 22, 1878. Mr. Whitton was admitted to the practice of law in April, 1877, and is established at Brandon, and practices in Fond du Lac and surrounding counties. He occupies his own residence in Brandon, and also owns a grain warehouse. He held the offices of Assessor and Supervisor while residing in Waupun. Since his removal to Brandon in 1866, he has several times been elected Justice of the Peace, but he qualified only once; in 1873, he was elected to the Legislature from the First Assembly District in Fond du Lac Co. Esquire Whitton, from boyhood, has been known as an active Democrat. Since 1863, he has been an efficient member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has represented the Grand Encampment of Wisconsin, in the Supreme Grand Lodge of the United States; he is also a Royal Arch Mason. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

FREDERICK G, WILKE, farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0. Metomen; born in Stettien, Prussia, on the 31st of December, 1831; from early boyhood he has "paddled his own canoe." After becoming of age, he served three years in the Prussian Army, and was stationed most of the time in Metz. In 1856, he came to America, under contract to his wealthy patron, to serve him two years for the passage money and board and clothing; the faithful service was performed in the Wolf River country. In 1858, he began working for himself, having $60, a stout hand and a brave heart. He served Almon Osborn two years, then worked the farm on shares for four years; he then bought a farm, which he worked till 1876, when he purchased the well-known "William Brunson Farm" of eighty acres, on Sec. 11. He was married, on the 7th of September, 1861, to Miss Mary Gonyo, of Waushara Co.; they have six children--Henry F., Emma, Jennie, Sarah, John and Flora. During the rebellion he was drafted. but paid the commutation; he also sent money for parents and brother and sister to come to Wisconsin from Prussia; his aged father now lives with him. He is a grain-raiser, but is fond of good live stock. Himself and family are Methodists; he is a cautious, hard-working man; is a Conservative Republican. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

REUBEN M. WILSIE, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 13, in the town of Metomen, has resided upon his present farm for thirty-five years, and is one of the leading citizens of the community. He is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in Cayahoga County, on the 4^th of April, 1822. In an early day, the family name was spelled Wilsey. The grandfather of our subject, Martin Wilsie engaged in tanning in New York, and at his death left a family of eight children. His son, Peter Wilsie, who was born in 1793, in Dutchess County, N. Y., became the father of our subject. When a lad, he removed with his parents to Schoharie County, where he was reared to manhood, and married Miss Phoebe Titus, who was also born in Dutchess County, in 1793, and went with her family to Schoharie County. After their marriage, the young couple determined to seek a home of Cayahoga County, Ohio, but subsequently returned to New York, where they resided until 1845, in which year they emigrated to the Territory of Wisconsin. Their first location was made in Racine County, whence, the following year, they came to Fond du Lac County, settling on a farm on section 14, Metomen Township. The family circle was completed by the birth of eight children, four of whom are yet living. The parents were members of the Society of Friends, and were consistent Christian people, whom all respected and honored. In political sentiment, Mr. Wilsie was a Republican, continuing to support that party from its organization until his death, which occurred in 1877. His wife survived for three years, dying in 1880.
Our subject was fifth in order of birth in his father's family. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent upon the farm, and in the common schools of the neighborhood he received his education. Remaining under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, he then left home and began life for himself. He obtained a position as an employe in an establishment where surgical instruments were manufactured, and there remained for four years, when he entered a sawmill, in which he was engaged for six years. His first purchase of land was made in 1850, when he became owner of forty acres. He had to borrow $12 with which to enter that amount, but with characteristic energy began the development of a farm, which has proved a paying investment. He has since extended the boundaries of his land until it now comprises 194 acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. He is industrious, energetic, and persevering, and by his own labors has acquired all that he now has.
Mr. Wilsie was joined in wedlock with Miss Bethia C. Hobbie, on the 5^th of December, 1854, and since that time they have traveled life's journey together. She was of English descent and is a daughter of Caleb K. Hobbie, who was born in New York City, Oct. 5^th, 1785. His parents were Caleb and Elizabeth (Knapp) Hobbie, and he was an only child. Having removed to Westchester County, N. Y., he there became acquainted with and married Miss Clarina Clark, a lady of Dutch extraction, who was one of a family of eleven children, born to Joseph and Hannah (Clock) Clark. The union of Mr. And Mrs. Hobbie was also blessed with a family of eleven children, of whom six are now living, three sons and three daughters. The family removed to Dutchess County, N. Y., and subsequently settled near Rochester, where the death of the father occurred at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife survived him for some time and died at the age of eighty-seven. He was a farmer by occupation and followed that business during the greater part of his life. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, and were ranked among the best citizens in the community in which they made their home.
Among the residents of Metomen Township, none are held higher in regard than Mr. Wilsie and his estimable wife. They are members of the Congregational Church, and by their upright lives have won the confidence and respect of all with whom they have come in contact. He takes an active part in political affairs, casting his ballot with the Republican party, but has never been an office seeker, preferring to devote his time and attention to his home and business interests. He has, however, held the office of Justice of the Peace and Supervisor for one year. Well informed on all the leading issues of the day he is an intelligent and valued citizen, and a worthy representative of the farming population of the county. Five children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wilsie--George H., the eldest, wedded May Grosse; Willis E., married Florence J. Stillwell, and unto them has been born one son, Wane Stillwell; Clara J. is at home; Titus wedded Mary A. Skinner; and Josephine A. completes the family circle. (Portrait and Biographical Album of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Acme Publishing Company, 1889)

STEPHEN T. WILSIE, farmer, Sec. 15; P. 0. Brandon; he was born Oct. 5, 1815, in Schoharie Co., N. Y.; from age of 5 to 20, he lived in Ohio; in 1835, he moved to Rochester, Monroe Co., N. Y., and that remained his home till 1856. He was married, May 18, 1843, to Miss Mary Banker, of Rochester, by whom he had five children, all now living--Edward, Hiram, Emma, John W., Ophelia C. Mrs. Wilsie died May 18, 1873, on the thirtieth anniversary of her wedding day. Mr. Wilsie worked several years at his trade of carpenter and joiner; he came to Wisconsin in 1856, and settled on his present farm; he has 110 acres under good cultivation; carries on "mixed" farming. Mr. Wilsie's father came to this State in 1844, and to this township in 1846, and the family endured the privations and experiences incident to the life of early pioneers; he died in 1877; the mother is now aged 87, and her home is with Mr. Wilsie; he has been Township Treasurer once and Side Supervisor four terms; is a member of Grange 52. Was married, Oct. 18, 1877, to Mrs. Lavina Butler, of Metomen, by whom he bas one child, named Luella. Himself and wife, are Methodists; his parents were Quakers. He bas been Class-Leader more than a quarter of a century, and a member of M. E. Church nearly half a century; he is social, benevolent and respected. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

JOHN WORMWOOD, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. Brandon; born in Caledonia Co., Vt., on the 3d of July, 1819; his parents were farmers, and his early life was spent on a farm in the Green Mountain State; at the age of 19, he, with his parents, removed to New Hampshire, where he remained until 1849; from the autumn of 1849, to the spring of 1855, he was in the furniture business in Boston, Mass. He was married in Boston, on the 13th of August, 1851, to Miss Sarah Sargeant, formerly of Waitsfield, Vt.; they have two children--Mary Ella and John. In the spring of 1855, they came West, and located on the farm they now occupy; they have 140 acres, of which all except about twenty acres is under cultivation. He was the first Master of Brandon Grange, No. 52; has been Chairmen [sic] of Metomen six times, and has held other local offices; has been Master of Brandon Lodge, No. 144, of A., F. & A. M., and is a Royal Arch Mason. Politically, he is a Republican, and defends his principles by argument and ballot. Himself and wife are consistent believers in the doctrine that the infinite love of God will ultimately gather all mankind to Himself in a realm of happiness. (The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

ANDREW J, YORTY, P. 0. Brandon; member of firm of Hillman & Yorty, wholesale lumber dealers and manufacturers, located at Winneconne, Winnebago Co., Wis.; he was born in Meadville, Penn., on the 4th of January, 1832; his father was a blacksmith, and in 1844 he came to Wisconsin with his family and located on Jefferson Prairie, Rock Co., where he started a shop and also took some land, which the sons carried on; in the spring of 1846, A. J., with his father, came to Round Prairie, Metomen Township, and took up 160 acres of land, and broke up a portion of the same; the family removed to the farm in 1847; the father died in 1874; young Andrew worked on the farm, and during the winters availed himself of the best educational advantages afforded by the county; at the age of 19, he began teaching winter schools; he taught one season in Ripon; in November, 1855, he went to California, and for five and a half years he was subject to the "ups and downs" incident to the life of a miner; he returned to Brandon in May, 1861, and for four years was a farmer in this township. He was married March 12, 1863, to Miss Maggie Patterson of Alto; they have three children: Lizzie, born June 4, 1864; Edith, born July 15, 1867; Andrew J., Jr., born Dec. 2, 1871; since 1866 he has been in the lumber trade; he commenced the retail business in Brandon, but since 1875 he has been engaged in manufacturing and wholesaling lumber, with headquarters at Winneconne, Wisconsin; Mr. Yorty was Superintendent of schools under the township system in 1855; he was Town Clerk two years, also Treasurer one year, when he collected the largest tax ever raised in this township, as it included the bounty tax; he has been Chairman twice, and in 1871 was elected a member of the Legislature from the First Assembly District of Fond du Lac Co.; has held other local offices; has been a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and also of the various temperance organizations; he is a Royal Arch Mason. Is a reliable Republican; himself and wife affiliate with the Methodist Church. Mr. Yorty and his partner are both residents of Brandon.(The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)