- WILLIAM ALVERSON, who is numbered among the prominent pioneers
of Rock County, was
- born in Delaware County, N.Y., Nov. 27, 1811. His parents
were John and Jennette (FRAZIER) ALVERSON, and their union was
celebrated in 1806. The father was born in Nova Scotia, May 21,
1779, and served as a soldier during the War of 1812, while his
wife was a native of Scotland, born March 22, 1788. Nine children
graced the union of the worthy couple, the record of whom is
as follows: Mary, born July 27, 1807, married Luther GOULD, and
both are now deceased, her death occurring in Delaware County,
April 16, 1863, leaving two children; Abigail, born June 27,
1809, wedded Abel BEERS, and both departed this life in Delaware
County, Mrs. BEERS dying Aug. 9, 1864, leaving two children to
mourn her loss, William and Mary; William, born Nov. 27, 1811,
is our subject; John, born April 19, 1814, died in Rock Township,
this county, Oct. 3, 1886; Daniel, born March 18, 1818, is married
and resides in Delaware County, N.Y., and has a family of three
children, Charles, Delva and Mary; Jane, born Oct. 30, 1821,
is the wife of Sherman GREGORY, of Delaware County, and to them
two children have been born, one now living, DeWitt; Harriet,
born Oct. 10, 1826, wedded Richard LOVE and died Sept. 11, 1885,
leaving eleven children: Mary, William, Sarah, John, George,
Burr, Daniel, Wesley, Richard, Hattie and Samuel; Esther, born
May 12, 1826, is the wife of Jeremiah GREGORY, and had two children,
one living, Delos; Eliza, born Dec. 6, 1826, is the widow of
Hiram FULLER, by whom she had three children, two of them are
living, Smith and Daisy.
- The father of these children was a Democrat in politics and
a supporter of the Jeffersonian
- principles. His death occurred May 28, 1859, and Mrs. ALVERSON,
who was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, departed this
life Dec. 1, 1868.
- The early years of our subject were spent in the uneventful
routine of farm life, he assisting his father
- in the development and cultivation of the farm until attaining
man's estate. His opportunities for procuring an education were
limited, the advantages he received being such as were afforded
by the district schools of that early day. In 1837, he made a
trip to the West, visiting Chicago, Milwaukee and various places
in Michigan with a view to making a location. The country at
that time was one vast wilderness and he returned to New York
without having accomplished the object of his visit. Locating
in Chautauqua County, N.Y., after his return to the East, he
there formed the acquaintance of Miss Rhoda SNOW, and on the
31st day of May, 1841, they were united in marriage. The lady
was born in Chautauqua County, May 13, 1820, and is a daughter
of Seth SNOW, who was one of the leading citizens of that community.
- The young couple began their domestic life in New York, where
they resided until 1844, when Mr. ALVERSON again came to the
West, locating in Rock County. He settled on a farm on section
19, Beloit Township, and the following fall sent for his family
to come to the home which he had prepared. They made the journey
by water to South Port and from thence proceeded in lumber wagons
to Rock County. For a short time they resided with a neighbor,
Mr. BLY, who kindly shared with them his home until Mr. ALVERSON
could erect a house for his family. His first purchase of land
in this county consisted of eighty acres on section 19, which
he had to develop from its primitive condition. Not a furrow
had been turned, a fence built or an improvement made, but with
characteristic energy, he began transforming his land into a
fine farm to which he added as the years passed by until he now
owns 240 acres. He has borne a prominent part in the affairs
of the township and has been honored by his fellow-citizens with
several local offices of trust. For a period of three years he
served as Supervisor of this township, and for thirty years was
a member of the School Board, during which time he hired over
forty teachers. He has given much of his time and attention to
educational interests, believing education to be a necessary
qualification for good citizenship.
- Five children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. ALVERSON,
namely: William H. C., born
- Jan. 12, 1843, in Sheridan, Chautauqua Co., N.Y., is one
of the prominent business men of Des Moines, Iowa, and is the
husband of Miss Mary E. NYE, by whom one child has been born,
Jessie N.; George M., born May 13, 1847, died Oct. 14, 1876;
James M., born Jan. 27, 1850, died at the age of six years; Carrie
M., born May 4, 1859, is the wife of Dr. L. R. FARR, of Beloit;
Jennie G., born Feb. 14, 1866, is the youngest. The mother of
these children departed this life June 12, 1888, at the age of
sixty-eight years. She was a true and consistent Christian, and
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Beloit, which in
her death lost one of its most active workers and one who cheerfully
did what she could for the Master's cause.
- Mr. ALVERSON's first introduction to Wisconsin occurred in
1837, and since 1844, he has been
- a permanent resident of Rock County. During the early days
of its history, he shared the trials and privations incident
to pioneer life, such as come to those in every community who
lay the foundation for a new county. He has not only witnessed
but has also been an active participant in the great changes
that have taken place, nobly bearing his part in the arduous
labors of developing the land from its primitive condition. During
all these years, his honorable, upright course of life has won
him the confidence and respect of many friends, by whom he is
held in the highest regard.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 448-449.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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