- JOHN COWAN HURD, who was born and still resides in the Town
of Fulton, making his home
- on section 15, is the son of Silas and Cynthia (COWAN) HURD,
honored pioneers of Rock County. They were natives of the Empire
State, and the father was a farmer by occupation, engaging in
agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. When a young
man of twenty-one years Silas HURD left New York to try his fortune
in the then far West, and became one of the early settlers of
Wisconsin, then a Territory. As the railroad had not yet spanned
the continent, he was compelled to use some other means of travel,
and made the entire journey by wagon. He halted for a little
while near the city of Beloit, planting a crop of corn, and then
continued on his way until reaching the town of Fulton, where
he purchased 160 acres of land from the Government. Erecting
a little log cabin on the banks of Rock River, he at once began
the development of the farm, breaking prairie, planting crops
and otherwise improving it, until that once wild region was transformed
into a tract of rich fertility.
- A family of seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. HURD,
as follows: Charles H., the eldest,
- who is now deceased; Clara M., the wife of Elijah P. WIXOM,
a resident farmer of the Town of Fulton; Sarah E., who wedded
George SCHOFIELD and also resides in the town of Fulton; Emma
L., who became the wife of G. A. PROCTOR, is living in La Prairie
Township; John C., the subject of this sketch, is the fifth in
order of birth; Malita and Lelia, two younger children, are deceased.
- Mr. HURD steadily carried forward the work of cultivating
and improving his land, and in the year
- 1848 replaced the little log cabin by a large commodious
residence, one of the finest in the neighborhood. He was truly
a self-made man. Starting out in life with no capital, he worked
at anything which he could find to do by which he might earn
an honest dollar, but by energy, perseverance, fair dealing and
good management he at length secured a comfortable competency
and became one of the well-to-do farmers of the county, his landed
possessions aggregating 1,200 acres. He bore no inconsiderable
part in the work of transforming the raw prairie into beautiful
homes and fertile farms, thereby increasing its value, and was
ever a liberal supporter of public enterprises. In politics he
was a Republican, and from the organization of that party cast
his ballot for the support of its principles. He won the respect
and confidence of all with whom business or pleasure brought
him in contact, by his honorable and upright career, and few
citizens were more widely known. His excellent wife, who bravely
shared in the hardships of frontier life and aided in the accumulation
of the property, was called to her final rest on the 12th day
of July, 1880, and was interred in Edgerton Cemetery. Seven years
longer Mr. HURD was permitted to remain, when, on the 7th day
of April, 1888, he too departed this life, and was laid to rest
by the side of the loved one gone before.
- John C. HURD was born July 24, 1852, and was reared to manhood
on his father's farm,
- continuing to make his home with his parents until they were
called away. On attaining to sufficient age he assumed the management
of the large farm, thus relieving his father of its care, and
is recognized as one of the leading farmers of the community.
He was married on the 6th day of September, 1887, to Miss Minnie
SEBELL, a native of Germany, and at once established his bride
as mistress of the home where his entire life has been spent.
They have a daughter named Wilma.
- On the death of his father Mr. HURD received the old homestead
as his share of the estate, which
- together with about 700 acres of land and some capital which
he himself accumulated makes him one of the wealthiest farmers
of Rock County. In connection with the cultivation of his land
he gives considerable attention to raising the best grades of
stock. His home, with its entire surroundings, indicates both
the thrift and enterprise of the owner; there may be found the
latest improved machinery, roomy and substantial outbuildings,
and all that goes to make up the model farm of the Nineteenth
Century. Each year he plants form twenty to twenty-five acres
in tobacco, which is one of the staple products of the county.
Practical and progressive, he manages his business interests
with system and ability. In politics he is a Republican. He is
a liberal supporter of all worthy objects for the advancement
and upbuilding of the community.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 688-689.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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