- NELSON P. BUMP, of Janesville, is one of the honored pioneers
of Rock County, and for many
- years has been prominently identified with its history. He
was born in the town of Pompey, Onondago Co., N.Y., on the 14th
day of April, 1810. His parents, William and Charlotte (POTTER)
BUMP, were also natives of the Empire State, and his father gallantly
served his country during the War of 1812. When Nelson was a
child, his parents removed to Darien, Genesee County, where they
resided for many years, his mother departing this life in that
community. After the death of his wife, William BUMP became a
resident of Wisconsin, and died at the residence of his son,
William H., in Magnolia. Of the family of eleven children born
to these worthy people, but four are now living; two sons and
two daughters - Nelson P. and Hiram are residents of Janesville;
William H. died March 23, 1889, in Magnolia; and the two daughters,
Betsy and Parmelia, are residing in New York.
- The subject of this sketch remained at home with his parents
until 1831, when, having attained his
- majority, he began the battle of life for himself. Going
to Buffalo, N.Y., he became clerk in the hotel known as the Mansion
House, of which Phineas Barton was proprietor, and there passed
several years of his life. He was next engaged on a steamboat
on Lake Erie for several seasons, after which he went to Huron,
Ohio, where he was employed in the hotel business. For two years
he remained in that city, but spent part of the time on the Lake,
after which he became a resident of Lower Sandusky, now called
Fremont. He was engaged in conducting a hotel, and was also agent
for Neal, Moore & Co., in the stage business, until 1842,
when he determined to cast his lot with the pioneers of the west,
and following the tide of human emigration, reached Racine, Wis.
For four years he remained in that city. During the earlier part
of that time he conducted the hotel known as the Farmer's House.
Later he assisted Capt. Mapes in fitting out a new hotel called
the Congress Hotel, and subsequently became proprietor of the
Racine House. After his arrival in Janesville in 1846, he again
engaged in the same line of business, having charge of the hotel
known as the Stage House, which stood upon the site of the present
Myers Hotel. After four years spent as its proprietor, he turned
his attention to agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm on
the Madison road, situated within the present limits of the city
of Janesville. Since that time he has engaged in farming, and
has owned several extensive farms. He at one time was the owner
of several fine farms on the Madison road, which he subsequently
disposed of, but is the possessor of considerable valuable land
in Freeborn County, Minn. For fifteen years he was postmaster
at Leyden, this county.
- Mr. BUMP came to Rock County as a single man, but here was
united in marriage with Miss
- Mary A. THOMAS, a native of New York. To them has been born
a family of eight children, four of whom are now living - Franklin
Pierce, who is residing in Bridgeport, Conn.; Lewis Cass, who
is engaged in the drug business in Chicago; Minnie and Fayette
Darling, who are at home.
- Thus have we given a brief sketch of one of Rock County's
oldest and most esteemed citizens,
- who for over forty years has been numbered among its leading
business men. He has witnessed almost its entire growth and development,
has aided in its progress, and has nobly borne his part in the
work of transformation which has changed it from its primitive
state to the present advanced condition. Rapidly are the old
settlers disappearing, and soon the last of those who laid the
foundation for this great county will have passed away. The story
of their lives will then be read with pleasure by those who will
see them no more. Not only as a pioneer settler, but as a friend,
a companion and a worthy citizen, is Mr. BUMP held in high regard.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 537-538.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|