- WILLIAM HUTSON, who is engaged in general farming on section
27, in the town of Fulton, is
- a native of Lincolnshire, England, born Sept. 7, 1831. His
parents, John and Mary (ROBERTS) HUTSON, were also natives of
the same country, where the father engaged in farming until 1840.
Wishing to try his fortune in the New World, accompanied by his
family, he then set sail for America. Reaching Michigan, he purchased
a farm and made his home there until 1845. In that year he came
to Rock County and looked about him for a desirable location,
at length purchasing 160 acres of land in the town of Fulton.
It had been partially improved, and into the little log cabin
previously built, he moved his family. After one year, however,
he sold out and purchasing property in Indian Ford, removed to
that town and embarked in the grocery business. He also conducted
a hotel for two years, later purchasing what is now known as
the United States House at Edgerton. He carried on business in
that line until his death, which occurred Aug. 14, 1867. The
hotel was conducted in an able manner and gained great favor
with the traveling public. He also owned a good farm, which in
connection with the hotel property, is now in possession of his
wife, who makes her home in Edgerton with the youngest daughter.
Though beginning life in limited circumstances, with no capital
save a strong right arm and the determination to succeed. John
HUTSON steadily worked his way upward and when called from this
earth left his family in comfortable circumstances. He was a
member of the Church of England (the Episcopal,) to which his
wife also belonged. He gave freely of his time and money to the
support of all public enterprises, was prominently identified
with the leading interests of the community and was numbered
among Rock County's best citizens. Politically, he was a Democrat
and supported that party from the time when he became a naturalized
citizen.
- The family of Mr. and Mrs. HUTSON numbered nine children,
as follows: Benjamin, William,
- Hulett, Mary Ann, Deborah, Julia Ann, Thomas, James S., and
Ellen.
- William HUTSON passed his early boyhood days in his native
land, and when a lad of nine years
- came with his parents to America. In the common schools of
Michigan and Wisconsin, he received his education, and when twenty
years of age began earning his own livelihood. During the summer
of 1851 he engaged in harvesting, and when the season was over
secured employment in a saw mill at Indian Ford, where he worked
until the following winter, when he again attended school, that
term completing his school life. He next operated a farm on shares
for two years, and though making his home with his father, paid
his board. Mr. HUTSON, Sr., then removing to Edgerton, our subject
worked for him in that city and while there residing was united
in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Laney C. WALRATH, by
whom he has two children - Mary A., the elder, born Oct. 23,
1855, is the wife of Spencer GOVE, a resident of Edgerton; Clark
H., born Dec. 3, 1862, is now living in Minnesota. In 1877, Mr.
HUTSON was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died
on the 18th day of August, of that year and was interred in the
cemetery at Edgerton. He was again married July 3, 1881, the
lady of his choice being Jane COWING, a daughter of John and
Mary (WAGGONER) COWING. Her mother still resides in Stoughton,
Wis., but her father is now deceased.
- In the spring of 1854, Mr. HUTSON removed to a farm in Fulton
Township, which he operated
- on shares. Later he purchased eighty acres of his father,
and after building a house thereon, devoted his entire attention
to its cultivation until 1862. His father re-buying the property
at that time, he loaded his household effects on wagons, and
accompanied by his family, started for California. The journey
cross the plains was a long and tedious one, but after three
months the party reached their destination. For some time Mr.
HUTSON engaged in various labors, but at length forming a partnership
with some gentlemen, he operated a ranch in that far western
State for two years. Returning at the end of that time to Wisconsin,
he again engaged in the cultivation of a farm on shares for the
succeeding two years, when he purchased the eighty acre farm
on which he now resides. Although it was then in its primitive
condition, he has converted it into a tract of the richest fertility,
has made many fine improvements, erected a large house and good
barns and stocked it with a good grade of cattle, horses and
hogs. Mr. HUTSON has contributed freely to the support of all
public enterprises and is recognized as one of the leading and
substantial farmers of the community. He is a supporter of the
Democratic party, and as every American citizen should do, feels
an interest in political affairs, but has never sought or desired
public preferment. We are pleased to record this brief sketch
of the life of William HUTSON, one of Rock County's honored pioneers,
whose residence dates from 1845.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 686-687.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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