- GEORGE G. LETTS, the subject of this sketch, will be found
upon section 34, Magnolia
- Township, where he is the owner of a fine farm. He is numbered
among the early settlers of 1848, and is a representative citizen
of the community. He was born in Shelby, Orleans Co., N.Y., on
the 31st day of August, 1826, and his parents, Simon and Margaret
(FORTNER) LETTS, were also natives of the Empire State. They
removed to Orleans County about the year 1816, passing the remainder
of their lives within its borders. The paternal grandfather,
John LETTS, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and the sword
which he carried during that struggle is still in possession
of the family. His death occurred in 1842. The father of our
subject died in 1853, and his wife departed this life in 1859.
Unto them was born a large family of children, of whom the following
are yet living, namely: Betsy, wife of the Rev. J. D. CHILDS,
of Shelby, N.Y.; Jane, who wedded Giles PHELPS, a wealthy farmer
of Orleans County, N.Y.; Cordelia, widow of Alonzo WEAVER, is
living in Magnolia Corners; Catherine is the wife of J. R. WHITNEY,
the postmaster at Magnolia; and Abraham, a very able minister
of the Christian Church, is the owner of the old homestead in
Orleans County, N.Y., which has been in the possession of the
family for seventy-five years. Those who have passed away are:
Minor, who died in Ralph, Iowa, about the year 1886; Mary A.,
deceased wife of William HUYKE; and Margaret, deceased wife of
Malcolm HARPER, a farmer of Magnolia Township.
- The early life of our subject was spent in attending the
schools of his native county during the winter
- time, and in assisting his father in the labors of the farm
in the summer months. He remained under the parental roof until
twenty-two years of age, when, in 1848, he came to Rock County
to visit his sister, who had previously located in Wisconsin.
This event proved an important one in his life, for being pleased
with the future prospects, and wishing to better his condition,
he decided to make his home in this county. In the winter of
1848 he purchased a claim of eighty acres on section 32, Magnolia
Township, together with a 20 acre tract of timber land. He began
splitting rails with which to fence his farm, and in the spring
of 1849 commenced the erection of a dwelling. During the following
summer he broke twenty acres of land, which he planted in fall
wheat. His first crop yielded a good harvest, and he sold his
wheat for fifty cents per bushel.
- On the 1st day of June, 1853, Mr. LETTS was united in marriage
with Miss Christina HARPER, a
- native of Scotland, and a daughter of Robert HARPER, one
of the early settlers of this county. After their marriage the
young people removed to the new home which Mr. LETTS had prepared,
and there was born unto them a family of four children: Susan
Emma, who is now the wife of Wallace ANDREWS, a resident of Magnolia
Township; Maggie, who on the 4th day of June, 1881, became the
wife of O. E. COTTON, a farmer of Dakota; Belle wedded Arba TOWNSEND,
a resident farmer of Magnolia Township; and Mary, wife of Baird
T. ANDREWS, also of Magnolia.
- On the 25th day of April, 1864, the mother was called to
her last rest. She was a devoted member
- of the Congregational Church, and one of its most active
workers. Mr. LETTS was a second time married, June 9, 1865, when
Miss Annie BAKER became his wife. She was born in Kent County,
England on the 30th day of September, 1842, and is a daughter
of Thomas and Sarah (LAST) BAKER, who were also natives of the
same county. Her father emigrated to America in 1851, and is
now a resident of Evansville. Mr. and Mrs. LETTS have been the
parents of four children, but three died in infancy, William,
who was born Feb. 27, 1871, being the only surviving one.
- Since becoming a resident of Rock County Mr. LETTS has done
much toward its development,
- and from the wild land has made one of the finest farms in
the county. He began life in limited circumstances, but by industry,
economy and good management has become one of the wealthy citizens.
He has made many fine improvements upon his land, his stock is
all of the best grades, and the barns and outbuildings are models
of convenience. Both Mr. LETTS and his wife are members of the
Congregational Church, and for many years were active workers
in the Independent Order of Good Templars, to which they belonged.
In early life he was an ardent supporter of the Republican party,
but being a man of strong temperance principles, and believing
that the only way to successfully abolish the liquor traffic
is by a national political organization, he has identified himself
with the Prohibition party, and devotes much of his time and
attention to the advancement of its interests. He is an honored
citizen of Rock County, and his upright life has gained the confidence
and respect of all who know him.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 408-409.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
-
- Photograph
of J. R. WHITNEY and son (Frank) courtesy of Joanne
Whitney
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