- A. O. GIFFORD, an esteemed and representative citizen, residing
in Milton, Wis., is numbered
- among the pioneer settlers of Rock County, dating his residence
from 1843, when he settled in the town of Johnstown. His birth
occurred on the 21st day of March, 1820, in Chautauqua County,
N.Y., and he is the son of Benjamin and Sally (LEWIS) GIFFORD,
who were parents of a family of six children, four sons and two
daughters, as follows: Matthew L., Stephen V., Hannah Melvina,
Amy L., Oliver Perry, and A. O., who is the only one now living.
- Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his
native State, and on attaining the years
- of his manhood was united in marriage with Miss Margaret
H. PICKETT, their wedding being celebrated in 1844. They became
the parents of six children, but one is now deceased. Albert
Otto, the eldest, who was a student of Milton College, is now
residing in Milton; Lewis P. is still at home; Edward H. died
in Colorado; Alice V. is still with her parents; Minnie is now
a successful teacher of the county, and Frank, the youngest,
is still at home.
- When Mr. GIFFORD first came to Rock County, he turned his
attention to agricultural pursuits,
- and became quite an extensive land owner. He bought 520 acres
on section 29, in the town of Johnstown, and later purchased
a tract of 100 acres on section 28, but has since disposed of
all of it, and is now engaged in raising small fruits, in which
he has been quite successful. At the time of his arrival, more
than forty-five years ago, the present populous city of Janesville
contained but eighteen buildings all told, while on the west
side of the river not even a log cabin had been erected. In the
growth and development of the county Mr. GIFFORD has borne no
inconsiderable part, but has been prominently identified with
the great work of transformation which has placed Rock County
on a par with any of this great commonwealth. On his retirement
from farm life, in November, 1885, he removed to the town of
Milton, where he has since made his home. While living in Johnstown
for two years he served as treasurer, during which time the town
tax amounted to $14,000. He also served for one year as assessor.
He is a liberal supporter of any enterprise for the public welfare.
In early life, in political sentiment he was an old line Whig,
and cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison
in 1840, taking an active part in the exciting and stirring scenes
of that campaign. He was then residing in New York and was a
member of the Tippecanoe Glee Club. When the Whig party was disbanded
and the Republican party sprang into existence, Mr. GIFFORD joined
its forces and has since been a valiant supporter of that great
political organization.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 720.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|