- SAMUEL W. HART, who has been a life-long farmer, resides
on section 17, Turtle Township.
- He is a native of the Empire State, born in Cortland County,
N.Y., Feb.. 9, 1844, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah S. (POTTER)
HART. On the paternal side, the family is of Welsh descent, the
ancestors having come from Wales when it was an independent country,
and located in the United States during the early days of our
history. The father, Samuel HART, Sr., was born in Oneida County,
N.Y., Dec. 14, 1807, and on the 17th day of January, 1832, was
united in marriage with Sarah S. POTTER, who was born in the
city of New Haven, Conn., May 3, 1813, and was of Puritan descent.
Her father departed this life in New Haven, after which the mother
removed with her family to Cortland County, where the union of
Mr. and Mrs. HART was celebrated. He engaged in general merchandising
in that county, but was a farmer by occupation and engaged in
agricultural pursuits until 1871, when he retired from active
life. In 1853, accompanied by his family he followed the course
of human emigration westward and became a resident of Rock County,
Wis. He purchased 440 acres of comparatively new land on sections
15 and 17, Turtle Township, and began the development of a farm,
in the course of time transforming his land into one of the most
fertile tracts in the township. Many improvements were added
to the farm, along with the fine brick residence, which was built
in 1841, then the finest dwelling in the county. While residing
in New York, he had taken a prominent part in political affairs,
but after coming to this county gave most of his attention to
his farming interests. He cast his ballot with the Republican
party. In 1888 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife,
who was summoned from this earth. She was a kind and affectionate
wife and mother, whose love for her home and family seemed unbounded.
For several years prior to her death, she was an invalid but
she bore her sufferings with true patience and Christian fortitude.
She was a lady of rare intelligence, making companions of her
books, with which she beguiled many weary hours.
- Mr. and Mrs. HART were the parents of nine children, eight
of whom were born in Cortland
- County, N.Y. James P., the eldest, who was born Feb. 24,
1833, is a resident of Chicago; Edwin, born Feb. 20, 1835, was
a member of the 6th Iowa Cavalry, during the late war, and is
now engaged in fruit farming in Riverside, Cal.; William H.,
born April 30, 1837, died March 11, 1888, in Elnser Springs,
Cal.; Mary E., born Feb.. 10, 1839, became the wife of Garrie
NETTLETON, and died in Janesville, May 24, 1871; Esther C., born
June 17, 1841, is the wife of Cyrus MINER, a boot and shoe dealer
and prominent citizen of Janesville, now representing his district
in the state Legislature; Samuel W., is the sixth in order of
birth; Josiah F., born April 2, 1848, died in California, March
24, 1887; Fred L., born Sept. 19, 1850, died Sept. 25, 1852;
Sarah L., Jan. 5, 1855, makes her home with her father who is
now living a retire life in Janesville.
- Our subject entered upon his school life in Cortland County,
N.Y., and after becoming a resident
- of Turtle Township, pursued his studies in the district school,
completing his education in the High school of Beloit. Since
attaining to man's estate, he has been engaged in farming in
which occupation he has been quite successful. He led to the
marriage altar Miss Frankie YOST, the wedding being celebrated
in this county on the 18th day of October, 1871. The lady is
a native of Rock County, born Jan. 27, 1850, and is a daughter
of William S. and Harriet P. (SADLIERE) YOST, (whose sketch is
given on another page of this work.) Four children graced the
union of this worthy couple, three of whom are yet living - Fred
Y., born Dec. 28, 1875; Roy P., Jan. 1, 1881; and Eddie C., Feb.
16, 1884. The second child, Frank W., who was born Oct. 12, 1878,
died April 22, 1880.
- Since 1871, Mr. HART has been operating 330 acres of land,
and is an enterprising and
- progressive farmer. He owns a fine grade of all kinds of
stock and everything about the place indicates thrift and neatness.
For the past year he has acted as salesman for the Rock County
Co-operative Creamery. He has filled the position of Township
Supervisor and has held various other local offices. He is a
worthy citizen and receives the respect of all who know him.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 530-531.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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