- FRANCIS WILLIAM LOUDON, a representative of one of the pioneer
families of Rock County,
- whose several sons are now leading business men of Janesville,
has gained distinction as a nurseryman and horticulturist. He
is a son of James LOUDON, a native of New Hampshire, and a grandson
of William LOUDON, who was born in Scotland. The latter remained
in his native land until eighteen years of age, when he emigrated
from Edinburg to America. He served his adopted country in its
struggle for independence, and at the close of the war settled
in New Hampshire, where his death occurred in 1798.
- James LOUDON, the father of our subject, was the only son
of William LOUDON, though there
- were several daughters in the family, all of whom have now
passed away. He was born in Lebanon, N.H., Oct. 1, 1792, and
when but six years old his father died. He was reared in his
native State, and attaining to mature years married Sally MOSHIER,
who was born April 24, 1800, in Strafford, Vt., her parents,
however, being natives of Connecticut. After his marriage James
LOUDON settled at Strafford, where he made his home until 1819,
when he removed to East Topsham, Vt., and in 1846 emigrated to
Wisconsin, locating in Janesville. He took up his residence near
the present site of the passenger depots of the Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul, and the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Companies.
There he lived until his death, which occurred in his eighty-third
year, on the 17th day of May, 1875. His first wife departed this
life September, 1854, and he afterward married Mrs. Martha SMITH,
who survived her husband about two years.
- James LOUDON was a man of deep religious convictions. In
early life he was a member of the
- Methodist Episcopal Church, but later adopted the doctrines
of the Seventh Day Adventists. Few men were better informed on
scriptural subjects, and his daily endeavor was to live in accordance
with the teachings of the Bible. By his first marriage Mr. LOUDON
had a family of eleven children, seven of whom are yet living;
Francis W., Mrs. Amanda L. CHAPMAN, Philo, James, Almarin M.
(now wife of C. E. CHURCH), Mahew Vincent (who owns the old homestead),
and Anson S. The deceased were Azro James, Sally Ann, Adelaide,
and one child who died in infancy.
- Francis William LOUDON, whose name heads this sketch, is
the eldest of the family, and was the
- first to come to Rock County, Wis. He was born in Strafford,
Orange Co, Vt., on the 17th of December, 1818, and was there
reared to manhood. He learned the trade of a tanner and currier,
and also that of shoemaking, learning both with his father, who
carried on those branches of business. He was married, in Troy,
N. Y., to Miss Clarissa HUNTER, and in September, 1845, removed
with his family to Janesville, and engaged in the boot and shoe
trade. He was the first manufacturer of boots and shoes in this
city, and can truly be called the pioneer in that line. He conducted
the business on an extensive scale, his trade rapidly increasing,
so that for a number of years he furnished employment to from
twenty-five to forty men. In 1852 Mr. LOUDON retired from the
manufacture of boots and shoes, and turned his attention to the
nursery business and to horticultural pursuits. It is by the
reputation attained in the latter branches that he is best known,
for he has gained a national reputation as an originator of fruits.
The famous Jessie strawberry, which he named in honor of his
daughter, is one of his first productions. For thirty-five years
he has now been engaged in his present line. He has devoted much
time and attention to his favorite work, and crossing the various
fruits to produce a progeny of a superior character, and has
met with a success and acquired a reputation in that direction
second to none in the country. He seems especially adapted to
this work, and has done much toward the advancement and originating
of various fruits.
- To Mr. and Mrs. LOUDON were born a family of three children,
daughters: Martha Jane, Maria
- R. and Florence May. Mr. LOUDON was a second time married,
Miss Elizabeth McDONALD becoming his wife. She was born at Sturgis,
Mich., and three children grace their union, namely: Jessie L.,
James Garfield and Mary Elizabeth. In his political sentiments
Mr. LOUDON is a supporter of the Republican party, and religiously,
is a member of the Episcopal Church. He is a worthy and respected
citizen, and is held in high regard by the people of Rock County,
of which he became a resident over forty-four years ago.
- The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. LOUDON are given upon another
page.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c)1901, p. 403-404.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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