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- JAMES WHITEHEAD, who is numbered among the pioneer
- settlers of Rock County of 1845, and is a leading farmer,
residing on section 32, Plymouth Township, was born in New Jersey
on the 31st day of October, 1812. His parents, Henry and Sarah
Whitehead, had a family of seven children, of which he was the
youngest, only three of whom are now living. Mary, the eldest,
died in 1865; Betsey departed this life in June, 1888; Sally
died in New Jersey; Hannah is still living in New Jersey; Anna
also makes her home in that State; Robert died in 1863, and James
completes the family.
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- The education of our subject was received in the common schools
of his native State, but at an
- early age he began working in a woolen mill owned by his
father, which was built in 1812, and was owned by Mr. WHITEHEAD
for thirty-eight years. James received seventy-five cents per
day, and at the age of eighteen years began learning the carpenter's
trade. In 1836 he left the parental roof and started for the
far West, locating in Milwaukee, Wis., which was then a little
village containing about 500 habitants. After reaching his destination
he secured employment with Solomon JUNEAU, who was engaged in
farming on the greater part of the land now occupied by the city
of Milwaukee. In a short time, however, he left Wisconsin, going
to Jersey County, Ill., where he made his home for about eight
years. While residing in that community he engaged in the construction
of several buildings, and going to the woods hewed the timber
which was required, as there were no lumber yards for miles around.
The month of March, 1845, found Mr. WHITEHEAD on the farm which
he now owns in Rock County. The land was then in a wild and uncultivated
condition; not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made.
He entered a half section, and with characteristic energy began
the development of the raw prairie, which was soon transformed
into a fertile farm. He was dependent almost entirely upon his
own resources, as the nearest neighbors were miles away and travel
was very difficult. He made his own ox-yokes, broke his land,
and also constructed a wagon from old logs. With this he would
make a trip to Milwaukee, carrying provisions with him to last
for nine days, the time usually consumed in making the journey.
His little log cabin was fourteen feet square and was furnished
in the primitive manner of frontier life. When the gold fever
broke out Mr. WHITEHEAD abandoned the occupation of farming and
went to the Pacific slope by way of New York and the Isthmus
of Panama, where he remained about eighteen months. His life
in California proved an interesting experience, though many were
the hardships and inconveniences to be endured. At one time the
little cabin in which he lived was filled with water to the height
of three feet. He was quite successful in his mining operations,
for in one day a company of sixteen, of which he was a member,
secured the precious metal to the value of $1,800.
- After his return from the west Mr. WHITEHEAD devoted his
attention exclusively to farming
- and stock raising, and now has one of the best farms in the
county. The little log cabin was replaced by a commodious residence
in 1851, yet it stood until 1854, when it was destroyed by a
cyclone. Many other useful and beautiful improvements have been
made, the land is under a high state of cultivation, and the
farm is stocked with a good grade of cattle, horses and hogs.
- On the 11th day of June, 1842, by a marriage ceremony, the
destinies of James WHITEHEAD
- and Elizabeth LINCOLN were united. The lady was born in North
Carolina on the 7th day of November, 1817, and is a daughter
of Henry and Sophia (SANDERS) LINCOLN, who were also natives
of North Carolina. The death of the father occurred in 1861,
and the mother departed this life in 1867. Their children were
as follows: John, who was killed by the guerrillas in Arkansas
during the late war; George, who died in childhood; Mathias,
who also died in early life; Paul, whose death occurred March
22, 1885; Elias, who gave his life in defense of his country
in a battle before Richmond; Henry Simon, whose death occurred
in 1884, from injury received during his service in the Rebellion,
and Elizabeth, wife of our subject.
- The union of Mr. and Mrs. WHITEHEAD has been blessed with
five children - Samuel, who
- was born Feb. 20, 1844, and served three years as a soldier
in the late war, was twice married, his first union being with
Fannie BARTLETT, his second wife being Harriet WADE. His death
occurred in August, 1882. Ransom H., who was born Jan. 10, 1847,
and married Lizzie JOHNSON, is extensively engaged in farming
in Umatilla County, Oregon, where he owns 480 acres of land;
Sarah, who was born Dec. 14, 1848, and is now living in Brodhead,
is the wife of Alfred B. FITCH, who is now in Nevada running
a quartz-mill, but formerly resided on a ranch on Carson River
for fourteen years, and to them was born one child, Frank E.,
now twenty-two years of age, who is with his father. Mr. FITCH
is the owner of a silver and gold mine in Nevada. James, who
was born Oct. 19, 1854, and is foreman of the Thompson Plow Shops
of Beloit, married Miss Carrie MUNSON. Marion, who was born March
9, 1857, and resides in Spring Valley, Wis., wedded Hannah NIFFLE,
and to them has been born one child.
- For almost forty-five years Mr. WHITEHEAD has been numbered
among the residents of Rock
- County. At the time of his arrival the Indians were encamped
in the woods, wild game of all kinds, including deer, was found
in abundance, and wolves were still numerous in the neighborhood.
Mr. WHITEHEAD has witnessed almost the entire development of
the county, has seen the once wild and uncultivated prairies
blossom like the rose, the pioneer cabins replaced by elegant
residences, the lumbering ox-carts give way before the iron horse,
towns and villages spring up almost as if by magic, with countless
manufactories and industries, and the county populated with an
intelligent and contented people. Mr. WHITEHEAD has borne no
inconsideration, and is one of the leading citizens of the community
in which he resides. In political sentiment he has always been
a democrat and a strong advocate of the principles of that party
as taught by its eminent leaders. He has never sought or desired
public office, preferring the quiet and retirement of private
life. He, however, served as pathmaster and was elected to the
office of justice of the peace, but would not accept that position.
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-
- Taken from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock
County Wis." (c)1889, p. 393-395; lithograph from same book.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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