- HON. SETH FISHER, who resides on section 16, Center Township,
is practically one of the self-
- made men of this county. He was born in Columbiana County,
Ohio, in the year 1824, and is of English descent. His great-grandfather
on the paternal side was born in the north of England, but emigrated
to this country in the early days of its history. He was a weaver
by trade. The paternal grandparents, Joseph and Margaret (PIGEON)
FISHER, were both born in Virginia, but in early life emigrated
to Pennsylvania. Later they returned to their native state, but
afterward removed to Ohio, where they passed the remainder of
their lives. They were strict members of the Society of Friends,
and the husband was a wheelwright by trade. The maternal grandparents
were Samuel and Nancy (ROGERS) WALLAHAN. The former a native
of Ireland, the latter of England. During their younger years
they became residents of America, locating in Pennsylvania, but
later removed to the Buckeye State, where the death of both occurred.
- The parents of our subject were Sylvanus and Ann (WALLAHAN)
FISHER. The father was born
- in Lynchburg, Va., and when a mere lad emigrated with his
parents to Ohio. He was reared to manhood upon his father's farm
and received his literary education in the graded schools of
the Buckeye State. Desiring to make the practice of medicine
his profession for life, he entered a medical institution at
Lexington, Ky., from which he later graduated. In 1822, he was
united in marriage with Ann WALLAHAN, who was born in Ohio, and
in 1854, accompanied by his family, came to Rock County, first
settling in Janesville Township. Later he became a resident of
Monroe, Green County, Wis., and in 1857, removed to Center Township,
where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1860, at
the age of sixty-two years. He was reared in the faith of the
Society of Friends, and consequently never took an active part
in political affairs. His wife, who was a lady beloved by all,
departed this life in 1843, while residing in Ohio. They were
the parents of seven children, of who Seth was the eldest: Abel
who was a practicing physician of Galena, Ill.., died in that
city in 1845 from the effects of over-exertion; Samuel, who came
to Rock County single in 1849, but was afterward married, followed
the occupation of farming until 1882, when he was elected sheriff,
but his death occurred the following year in the fifty-seventh
year of his age; Charles, who located in this county in 1849,
and afterward married, is now engaged in farming in Center Township;
Laban, who was a twin brother of Urban, who is now deceased,
emigrated to Rock County in 1852, settling in Center Township,
and is now married and resides in Western Nebraska; Hanna Jane
is the wife of Dr. BRADEN, of Footville, Wis.
- The subject of this sketch spent the days of his boyhood
and youth upon the farm of his uncle,
- William FISHER, and in the graded schools of Ohio, received
a liberal education. In 1842, when eighteen years of age, he
emigrated to the West, locating in Galena, Ill., where he worked
in the mines for four years. At the expiration of that time he
first came to Rock County, locating in Center Township, where
he entered eighty acres of land. That farm now constitutes his
present home, and has been in his possession forty-three years.
It was in a wild, uncultivated state, and during the first year,
while he was breaking the land, Mr. FISHER boarded at the home
of a neighbor. In the fall of 1846 he erected a little log cabin
in which for several years he lived in true pioneer style. In
1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann CROW, and
in that primitive home they began their domestic life. The lady
was born in Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Sarah (HARTZELL)
CROW, who were also natives of the same state. Her grandparents
were natives of Pennsylvania, but at an early day emigrated to
Ohio, and were numbered among its pioneers. Her father has followed
the occupation of farming throughout his entire life. In 1846
he came to Rock County Wis., settling in Center Township, where
he entered and improved land, and now resides on section 23.
His wife departed this life in 1887, at the age of seventy years.
- Since his arrival in the county, Mr. FISHER has continuously
engaged in the occupation of farming.
- With his own hand he broke the land of his first claim, and
the work of cultivation and improvement then begun has been steadily
carried forward. The farming implements used in the pioneer days
were often of rude construction, but as time passed the latest
improved machinery was introduced. He owned the first threshing
machine in the township, and his first McCormick reaper he hauled
all the distance from Chicago. In 1857 the little log cabin was
replaced by his present substantial residence, and in 1862 good
barns were built, thus providing shelter for his stock and grain.
He extended the boundaries of his farm until at one time it comprised
600 acres of fine land, but portions of this he has since given
to his sons, yet now owns 300 acres, which is highly improved
and cultivated. Mr. FISHER is known throughout the state as a
successful and prominent breeder of short-horn cattle, and his
stock has taken many prizes at the various fairs held throughout
Wisconsin. He also makes a specialty of raising Southdown sheep
and Norman horses, and is the owner of a fine imported stallion,
which he keeps upon his farm.
- In political affairs he takes a prominent part, and is an
ardent supporter of the Republican party. He
- is now chairman of the Board of Supervisors which position
he has held for several years, and in 1869 was elected to the
Wisconsin Legislature, serving a term of one year. He has also
held other offices of public trust, and in the various official
positions has ever discharged his duties with promptness and
fidelity. For several years he was president of the Rock County
Agricultural Society, and is now vice-president of the State
Agricultural Society. He has also formerly been a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and although not a member of
any church, feels a deep interest in the advancement of the cause,
and aided materially in the erection of a house of worship built
by the Disciple Church, of which his wife is a member. He has
also been prominent in the promotion of educational interests,
and aided in the organization of the township in which he resides.
- Mr. & Mrs. FISHER are the parents of eight children,
five of whom are living; Abel, who is married
- and resides in this county; Harvey, who is married and lives
near the old homestead; Grant, a farmer of Center Township, is
also married; Anna and Jennie are at home; William died in 1874,
when about twenty-one years of age; John died in 1865, at the
age of three years; Sarah Ann died in 1858, when but eighteen
months old. Thus we have given a brief sketch of Mr. FISHER and
his family, who are numbered among Rock County's best citizens.
For the long period of forty-three years he has been a resident
of Center Township, and has witnessed almost the entire growth
and development of the southern part of this state. On his arrival
Janesville was but a small village, many of the smaller towns
had not yet been founded, and the broad prairies, which now comprise
beautiful homes and farms, were then covered only with a thick
growth of wild grass.
-
- Taken from "Portrait & Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis.," (c)1889, p. 909-911.
- Courtesy of Carol
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