- WILLIAM SPAULDING, was, for almost half a century, one of
the most prominent and
- widely-known citizens of Rock County. He was a native of
Pennsylvania, born in Athens, Bradford County, Aug. 1, 1807.
His father, Capt. John Spaulding, was a native of Connecticut,
born in Plainfield in 1773. His mother, Elizabeth (PRENTICE)
SPAULDING, was also a native of that State, born in 1783. She
was a daughter of Dr. Amos PRENTICE, of Stonington, Conn., and
was a descendant of "Old Capt. Thomas" Prentice, who
was born in England in 1620, and who died in Cambridge, Mass.,
May 26, 1710, aged ninety years. They had a family of ten children,
of whom our subject was fourth in order of birth. The Hon. Jesse
SPAULDING, of Chicago, who served as United States Internal Revenue
Collector under President Arthur, is one of the surviving members
of the family.
- The boyhood and youth of William SPAULDING was spent upon
his father's farm in Pennsylvania.
- In the public schools of his native State he received a good
common-school education, which in after years was supplemented
by reading and reflection, making him a thoroughly posted man
upon all practical subjects. He chose as his vocation the life
of a farmer, which was more suited to his taste and disposition.
In the fall of 1834 he left his native State and took up his
abode in La Porte, Ind., where he remained two years, and then,
accompanied by his brother Joseph and his friend, G. WIILLISTON,
he emigrated to Rock County. The journey was made with teams,
the little party of travelers arriving at their destination on
the 23d of April, 1837. They spent their first Sabbath in the
only house in that section of the country, kept by H. F. JONES
as an hotel. In the fall of 1837 he pre-empted 160 acres of land,
and in 1842, when the land came into market, purchased, in connection
with his brother Joseph, 1040 acres in the township of Harmony.
They subsequently divided their land, the division being made
in 1848, Joseph taking 480 acres, while our subject received
the remaining 560 acres.
- In 1838 Mr. SPAULDING returned to Bradford County, Pa., and
was there united in marriage to
- Miss Alma H. WRIGHT, a native of Connecticut, born in 1809.
Shortly after their marriage he returned with his young bride
to his Rock County farm, when they lived in happiness until September,
1860, when Mrs. SPAULDING died, leaving her husband and three
children to mourn the loss of an affectionate wife and kind mother.
Five children had been born to them, but two of them had passed
away. Julia Elizabeth, born Aug. 23, 1839, died May 22, 1853;
Charles, born Nov. 16, 1840, died March 25, 1845; Owen, born
May 2, 1844, is now a thrifty farmer of Milton Town; William
W., born Feb. 12, 1847, died June 9, 1877; Harriet, born on the
20th of July, 1851, is the wife of Charles E. KINNIE, and is
now living in Winona, Minn. About two years after the death of
his first wife, Mr. SPAULDING wedded Mrs. Lucy M. RICHARDSON,
their union being celebrated Jan. 28, 1862. The lady was the
widow of Alanson RICHARDSON, and a daughter of Erastus and Hannah
(JUDD) BENEDICT. She was born in Marshall, N.Y., April 29, 1825.
The other members of the family were: Eunice Jane, who is now
the wife of Reuben AUSTIN, a resident of Minnesota; Mary A. and
John B., deceased; James E., who makes his home in Evanston,
Ill.; and Lydia M., deceased. One child was born of the second
union, Edward Eugene, born July 25, 1865. He is living at home
with his mother, and has charge of the home farm. He is a young
man of good intellect and business tact, and will, no doubt,
handle the large property creditably, having inherited from his
father, not only a large estate, but a natural business ability
and energetic disposition that will mark his path with success.
- In connection with Enos J. HAZZARD and William S. MURRAY,
Mr. SPAULDING formed the
- first board of County Commissioners, then known as the County
Principal. He sought neither personal nor political preferment,
but nevertheless, served as County Commissioner, and also as
Town and County Supervisor. He was also one of the founders of
the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Harmony Township,
and, from the time of its organization until his death, served
as Treasurer of the company, which now includes the townships
of Milton, Fulton, Harmony and Janesville. Mr. SPAULDING was
quite an extensive stock-raiser, usually keeping about two hundred
head of sheep, one hundred hogs, from thirty to fifty head of
cattle, and many well-bred horses. In his political sentiments
he was an ardent supporter of the principles advocated by the
Republican party, while all church, educational, or other interests
for the public benefit received his hearty support. His death
occurred, at his home in Harmony Township, Feb. 26, 1885, caused
from diphtheria. On Sunday afternoon following, at 2 o'clock,
his many friends assembled to pay the last tribute of respect
to the man whom they had honored in life, and who will ever be
held in loving remembrance. It had been long since so many of
the old settlers of Rock County had assembled together, but,
by this act, they showed their esteem and appreciation of him
who had borne with them the trials and hardships of pioneer life,
and who often spoke a cheering word to those who became discouraged
with the hard labor which had to be performed and the difficulties
which were encountered. The Rev. Dr. HODGE was to have officiated
at the services, but, owing to personal accident, was unable
to be present. His place was supplied by the Rev. W. F. BROWN,
of the Presbyterian Church, who made a brief address, in which
he spoke feelingly of the many virtues of the deceased. Obituary
notices appeared in all the papers in the surrounding country,
and the Chicago Journal gave a touching notice of this man, whose
memory will long be enshrined in the hearts of the good people
of Rock County.
- William SPAULDING, in many respects, was a remarkable man.
Quiet and unobtrusive in his
- ways, he was yet firm and self-reliant. He had a remarkable
cheerful temperament, and was always the same genial, warm-hearted,
cheerful companion. A loving husband, a kind and indulgent father,
a steadfast friend, he was dearly beloved by those who knew him
best. The poor in him found a friend indeed, and there are many
who owe their start in life to his generous aid. Cool, calm and
deliberate in his manner, he yet never hesitated to act at the
right moment. He was always on the side of right and justice,
and his integrity was without question. Not a member of any church,
his life was yet more consistent than that of many who made the
profession. The golden rule he faithfully and conscientiously
observed - "As ye would that men should do unto you, do
ye even so unto them."
-
- Taken from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock
County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 235-236.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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