- WILLARD BOWLES, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section
10, Spring Valley Township,
- is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Rock County, dating
his residence from 1846. He was born in Vermont on the 9th day
of June, 1812, and is a son of John BOWLES. His father was a
soldier in the War of 1812.
- The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in the Green
Mountain State, there receiving his
- education, and in 1836 was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary
SEELEY. They became the parents of nine children, seven of whom
lived to mature years: Azro, the eldest, who served in the ranks
of the 13th Wisconsin Infantry during the late war from the time
of its organization until the close of hostilities and is now
engaged in the furniture business at Parker, Dak., married Miss
WILSON, by whom he has two children, both yet living; Lewis N.,
who wedded Abbie FULLER, and has two children living, was also
a private of the 13th Wisconsin regiment, and was wounded by
a ball passing through the right hand, necessitating the removal
of the middle finger; he now resides with his father on the old
homestead. Mary is the wife of John EMMONS, a practicing physician
of Forrester, Iowa; Almira wedded Charles GIBSON, a native of
Scotland, now engaged in farming in Harmony Township, and has
four children by her marriage; Willard, who is engaged in farming
in the town of Spring Valley, is the husband of Libby BENSCOOTER,
by whom he has three children; George M., who is also engaged
in agricultural pursuits, and resides in Spring Valley Township,
wedded Miss Emma WILLIAMS, and two children have blessed their
union; Nellie, the youngest child, is now the wife of Joseph
FULLER, a resident farmer of Magnolia Township, and their family
numbers two children.
- In 1846 Mr. BOWLES made his first purchase of land, consisting
of a 40-acre tract, which had
- been bought by Amos REMINGTON. Ten acres had been broken
and was enclosed by a rail fence, and a rude log house had been
built. He subsequently extended the boundaries of his farm by
entering eighty acres, until it comprised 120 acres, but having
since disposed of twenty acres of woodland. It is now 100 acres
in extent. Many fine improvements have been made, and the work
of development has transformed the wild land into one of the
fine farms of the county. The old log cabin was torn down and
replaced by the present comfortable home. In the early days of
his settlement, Milwaukee was the nearest market-place, and,
loading his produce into wagons drawn by ox teams, Mr. BOWLES
drove to that city, where he received only about fifty cents
per bushel for his wheat. While he has not made a specialty of
fancy stock, there can always be found upon his farm a good grade
of horses, cattle and hogs.
- Mr. BOWLES and his wife, the companion of his joys and sorrows,
trials and triumphs, have now
- reached a ripe old age. They are enjoying fair health, and
in their declining years are resting from active duties provided
with a good competency, the result of their thrift, industry,
frugality and perseverance in former years. In poetical sentiment
the husband has supported the Republican party since its organization,
and his sons are also adherents of the same political faith.
The family is one held in high respect throughout the community,
and all delight to do honor to the parents, who are numbered
among the early pioneers.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 642-643.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|