- JAMES LILBUM [LILBURN], deceased, was a well known pioneer
of Rock County, and
- numbered among the settlers of 1844. He was a native of Scotland,
born in Kinrosshire, Nov. 30, 1804, and there grew to manhood
and received a liberal education. The occupation of a farmer
he followed in his native land, and he there wooed and won Margaret
LAURIE, with whom he was united in marriage. Possessed of a spirit
of enterprise, and believing the New World better adapted to
its development than the Old, he determined upon removal. But
that he might not be too hasty, and do an act for which he might
afterward repent, he resolved first to make the trip across the
ocean, leaving his loved ones behind. If the country met his
expectations he would return for them. Accordingly, in the spring
of 1844, he embarked in a sailing vessel, and after a long and
tedious voyage landed at New York in the month of July. Coming
directly to Rock County, in the new territory of Wisconsin, and
being much pleased with the country, he purchased 640 acres of
land in the towns of Bradford and Johnstown. Remaining here until
fall, he returned to Scotland, and in the spring of 1845, brought
his family, then consisting of a wife and one son, Robert, to
his far western home. At that time the greater part of this,
the banner county of Wisconsin, was but little better than a
wilderness. The land that he purchased was wild prairie and in
its virgin state, but, with characteristic energy, he at once
went to work, and in due time had one of the best farms in Southern
Wisconsin. The improvements which he made were of a substantial
character. A frame house he at once erected, and it is still
used as a residence. His barns and other outbuildings were built
principally of stone, including large granaries and his root
cellar.
- Unlike the great majority of pioneers, Mr. LILBURN was in
comfortable circumstances on his
- arrival in this county, and therefore did not experience
many of the hardships endured by those not so comfortably fixed,
but he was not content to merely hold his own, and so used all
his God-given powers for his advancement in this life, and added
to his possessions until he was numbered among the wealthiest
farmers in Rock County. But wealth did not spoil him or lessen
the esteem in which he was held by his neighbors and the community
at large.
- The loved companion of Mr. LILBURN lived but two short years
after her arrival in this country,
- her death occurring March 17, 1846. But when the summons
came she was ready to go, having from early life been a member
of the Presbyterian Church, and a sincere believer in the Christian
religion. Her husband survived her many years, his death occurring
Oct. 29, 1879. Like his wife, he was a believer in the religion
of Christ, and also a member of the Presbyterian Church. In the
thirty-five years of his residence in Rock County he surrounded
himself with many friends, who sincerely mourned his death. As
a citizen he was loyal, and as a Christian true and faithful.
Death to him had no terrors, and when the call was made to come
up higher, like Samuel of old, he could bravely say, "Lord,
here am I." The memory of such a man should ever be held
dear.
-
- [Transcriber's note: The writer spelled Lilburn also as
Lilbum throughout the sketch.]
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 398-399.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|