- OSCAR F. NOWLAN is one of the prominent contractors and builders
of Rock County, Wis.,
- his business being located at No. 7, Court street, Janesville.
He is a native of the Empire State, having been born near Binghampton,
Broome Co., N.Y., Jan. 24, 1843. The family was originally from
Vermont and descended from Irish ancestry. Thomas NOWLAND, the
father of our subject was one of the four brothers who, during
the early history of Broome County, N.Y., became residents of
that county. Mr. NOWLAN and his wife there continued to reside
until death. They were the parents of eight children, all of
whom are yet living in 1889, with the exception of one daughter,
while all are residents of Broome County, with the exception
of Oscar and a brother in Tioga County, N.Y.
- When eighteen years of age, our subject began serving an
apprenticeship to the trade of a carpenter
- and joiner in Binghampton. In 1864, he first came West, locating
in Rock County, Wis., and for sometime attended the Milton Academy
as a student. In 1866, he came to Janesville and entered upon
his present business. Mr. NOWLAN has been prominently identified
with the building interests of Rock County for many years. Among
the most noted buildings that he has erected in Janesville are
the Central School building, the annex to the Congregational
Church, Davies Block, the Upper Cotton Factory, and in 1888,
the Second Ward School building. But his work has by no means
been confined to the city of Janesville. He erected by contract
the Green County Poor Home at Monroe, in 1876, the Court House
and Jail at Black River Falls in Jackson County, Wis., in 1877;
the Jail at Elkhorn, Walworth County, the same year; the Court
House at Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County, in 1882; the Deaf and
Dumb Asylum at Delavan, in 1880; and the addition to the State
Capitol in 1884. But by far the most extensive building enterprise
with which Mr. NOWLAN has been connected was the construction
of the Northern Asylum of Michigan at Traverse City. In that
enterprise he was associated with John BENTLEY & Son of Milwaukee.
The cost of the building was nearly half a million dollars and
it was erected in 1883-4-5.
- In 1866, Mr. NOWLAN wedded Miss Jennie MARLETTE, a daughter
of Garrett MARLETTE,
- one of the early settlers of Rock County, but who died when
Mrs. NOWLAN was a child. Seven children have been born of their
union, two sons and five daughters - Minnie, Burton F., Maud,
Harry O., Eloise; Jennie and Nellie, who died in infancy.
- Mr. NOWLAN is regarded as one of the enterprising and progressive
citizens of Janesville. For
- four years he was a member of the Board of Aldermen in this
city, and is at present a member of the County Board of Rock
County, a position that he has held for fourteen years. He was
twice a candidate for Representative to the General Assembly
and made a strong run, but the district being Democratic, he
was not elected. Mr. NOWLAN has affiliated with the Republican
party since he has attained his majority.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 418.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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