- WILLIAM OLIVER, a general farmer and stock-raiser residing
on section 8, Spring Valley
- Township, has been a resident of Rock County since 1844,
and has endured the trials and hardships incident to life on
the frontier. He was born in Rocksburg, Parish of Morebattle,
Scotland, on the 4th day of June, 1816, and is a son of James
and Elizabeth (SCOTT) OLIVER. The days of his boyhood were passed
in his native land, where he received a liberal education. In
the year 1830, in company with his parents, he crossed the broad
ocean to America and became a resident of Otsego County, N.Y.,
where his parents passed the remainder of their lives and were
there laid to rest. Remaining a resident of the Empire State
until 1844, Mr. OLIVER decided to try his fortune in the West,
and acting upon that decision came to Wisconsin. He was employed
through the following winter and summer by Messrs. EASTERLY and
BANTIE, and in the Fall of 1845 purchased 160 acres of land on
section 8, in the town of Spring Valley his present home. He
at once began to clear the land, cutting rails for the fences
and preparing the logs with which he erected a little cabin in
the spring of 1847. In that pioneer home he resided for more
than twenty years and there passed many happy days. His early
life was one of industry. He cleared 200 acres of land, which
he cultivated with scarcely any assistance for about twenty years,
since which time the boys have taken part in the improvement
of the farm. During those early days when the country was unsettled
and the land uncultivated, Mr. OLIVER would load his wheat and
pork into wagons and take it to market at Milwaukee. The grist
was usually ground at Beloit, where was located the only mill
for miles around with the exception of a small mill at Sugar
River Diggings, now called Exeter. The crop first raised upon
his farm was about seven acres of wheat which had been planted
by a Mr. COCHRANE, who was at that time employed in one of the
mills at Beloit, and from whom Mr. OLIVER purchased the claim.
He afterwards engaged in quite extensively in raising wheat which
he hauled to Janesville, where it was ground into flour, when
he took it to Stevens Point, selling it to the "loggers."
His payment was part in cash and part in shingles, which he used
in building his house. The distance between his home and the
Point was about 150 miles, and driving an ox team about three
weeks were consumed in making the journey. The enterprise was
however a profitable one, and he also found a good market for
flour at Mineral Point, after the discovery of the lead mines
at that place.
- On the 22d day of June, 1841, Mr. OLIVER led to the marriage
altar Miss Elizabeth
- ALEXANDER, who was also born in Rocksburg, Scotland, and
in 1836, came with her parents to America. Unto them have been
born seven children, two of whom died in infancy - James, the
eldest of the family, who was born April 6, 1842, married Miss
Elizabeth OLIVER, a cousin, when on a visit to central New York.
They now reside on a farm on section 9, Spring Valley Township
adjoining the home of his father, and one child has blessed their
union. Helen, who was born Dec. 21, 1843, became the wife of
William LANG, a native of New York, born of English descent,
and they have now two sons. Elizabeth, born Jan. 25, 1849, married
John ARMSTRONG, a native of Ohio of Scotch origin, and to them
has been born a daughter, who is residing with her parents in
Des Moines, Iowa, where Mr. ARMSTRONG was for some years foreman
in the Leader office. Thomas A., was born April 4, 1852, married
Miss Sarah BAUGHMAN, a native of Iowa, by whom he has two children,
and they now reside on a farm in Kansas, where they have made
their home for about eight years. William J., who was born on
the 10th day of June, 1854, was joined in wedlock with Miss Jennie
CLELAND, of Center Township, a daughter of Samuel CLELAND, whose
sketch appears on another page of this work, and of their union
one child has been born, a son.
- Mr. OLIVER is now engaged in farming and stock-raising on
his fine farm on section 8, Spring
- Valley Township, where he has one of the most pleasant homes
in the community. Since becoming a resident of the county, he
has been prominently identified with the promotion of social,
moral and religious interests and is a warm friend of education.
His children have all received good advantages, such as would
fit them for the practical duties of life and all with the exception
of the eldest have supplemented the course in the district school
by terms of study in higher departments. In political sentiment,
Mr. OLIVER is a Republican, and strongly favors prohibition principles.
He and his wife, who is a most estimable lady, are members of
the Scotch United Presbyterian Church, and are highly respected
people, who hold an enviable place in the hearts of their many
friends throughout the county.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 274-275.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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