- THOMAS LAPPIN, the pioneer merchant of Janesville, was born
in County Mead, Ireland, on the
- 12th of May, 1812, and is a son of William and Ann (WELCH)
LAPPIN. His father was an only son, and his mother an only daughter,
consequently the list of cousins, and aunts and uncles which
our subject can boast, is necessarily limited. In 1825 the family
emigrated from Ireland to America, settling in the city of New
York, whence, after there spending two years, they removed to
Detroit, Mich., where Thomas learned the printer's trade. In
the Spring of 1838 he set sail for Milwaukee, Wis., taking a
small stock of general merchandise with him, in which J &
L WARD, of Detroit, were interested. The vessel in which he sailed
was wrecked on the reefs of Mackinaw, and but a small portion
of stock was saved. With his remnant of his goods, Mr. LAPPIN
loaded some small long boats used for coasting, known as Mackinaws,
and made for Green Bay, then the most important trading point
in Wisconsin Territory, where he hoped to effect a sale. Failing
in this, and being anxious to meet his partners in Milwaukee,
he stored the goods, and, out of patience waiting for an expected
boat, with some others started on foot over the Indian trail
for Milwaukee. On coming in sight of the Lake near the Old North
Point Light House, they had the pleasure of seeing the boat for
which they had waited, pass them, but as she did not touch at
Milwaukee it was just as well for them that they had not secured
passage. Arriving at his destination, Mr. LAPPIN there spent
the Summer and Fall, and in December of the same year came to
Janesville, where, in company with the WARDS, he opened the first
general store in the city, in June, 1839; in fact it was the
first store of any kind in the town. They occupied a one story
frame building which stood on Main street, where Bennett's building
now stands, and their stock involved $350, being composed of
a general assortment of merchandise. In 1840 the partnership
was dissolved and Mr. LAPPIN began business himself with a stock
valued at $150. He walked to Chicago to replenish his stock,
and having completed his purchase found that he had exceeded
the amount of his cash by $15, for which the house refused to
trust him, the recent panic in financial affairs having destroyed
commercial confidence. In 1840 he erected at two story frame
building on the present site of LAPPIN's block, and soon afterwards
W. H. H. BAILEY became a partner in the business, which connection
continued until 1842.
- On the 2nd day of November, 1847, Mr. LAPPIN was united in
marriage at Janesville with Miss
- Mary J. JACKMAN, a daughter of Timothy and Esther (COOPER)
JACKMAN. She was born near Saratoga, N.Y. Four children graced
their union. Emma A., the eldest, is the wife of Edwin F. CARPENTER,
an attorney of Janesville, whose sketch appears elsewhere in
this work; Ellen Josephine, who wedded Henry A. DOTY, died in
September, 1873; Mary Esther is the wife of Henry A. DOTY, a
former brother-in-law, who is a manufacturer of Janesville; Harriet
Maria wedded Edward M. HYZER, of the firm of WINANS & HYZER,
attorneys of Janesville.
- About the time of his marriage, Mr. LAPPIN purchased a farm
near the city, since included in the
- corporation, for which he paid $1,000 and $1,500 in notes,
taken in the way of business. He opened a brick-yard on his farm
and from a part of the products of his kilns built the large
three story block at the southwest corner of Main and Milwaukee
streets. The block is 114 feet front on Main street and extends
along Milwaukee street to the Rock River. He finally sold his
farm for $11,500 and returned to the city to live. He has ever
been one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of Rock
County, and is held in high regard by all.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 217-218.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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