- LUCIUS BINGHAM, a retired farmer and honored pioneer of Rock
County, now residing in
- Milton, is a native of Connecticut, having been born in that
State on the 13th day of May, 1814. His parents, Elisha and Tryphena
(OLNEY) BINGHAM, had a family of six children, but only two are
now living - Louisa, who makes her home in Cortland County, N.Y.,
and Lucius, who is fourth in order of birth. Those deceased are
George J. John, James and Sally Ann.
- When our subject was but two years of age his parents removed
to Susquehanna County, Pa.,
- where they resided for eight years, when they became residents
of Cortland, County, N.Y. The father there purchased a farm,
and Lucius remained at home under the parental roof until seventeen
years of age, when he began working for an older brother in Tioga
County, N.Y. After remaining in his employ for a short time,
he became a traveling salesman, selling a patent self-acting
head block, but later was employed by a New York firm in the
same capacity. He was next employed as foreman of a saw-mill
for about one year, when he went to Syracuse, N.Y., and in 1837
started for Michigan, his destination being Kalamazoo. While
en route for that city he was taken sick, and for some time was
unable to do any work. Making his home in Michigan until 1839,
Mr. BINGHAM then went to Rockford, Ill., and continued his journey
until reaching Janesville, Wis. He made a contract with a man
for building a barn, and as compensation for his services received
a tract of land near Emerald Grove, which comprises a part of
his present farm. He carried on carpentering and building for
several years, when in 1843 he commenced the improvement of his
land, and from that time engaged principally in agricultural
pursuits. Building a little house, he made it his home until
1862, when it was replaced by the present substantial residence.
In connection with general faring, he engaged quite extensively
in stock raising, and to him is due the credit of introducing
the first Durham cattle in this part of the country. Several
times he took the first premiums at the Rock County Fair on his
cattle, to which his other stock was in no wise inferior, his
horses especially being of the best grades. He began life in
this county in true pioneer style, enduring the hardships and
difficulties which come to all who make homes on the frontier,
but his arduous labors of former years have at length received
their reward. Beginning life in limited circumstances, he has
by good management, enterprise, industry and business-like habits
become one of the well-to-do citizens of the county.
- On the 13th day of April, 1842, Mr. BINGHAM was joined in
wedlock with Miss Jane E.
- JANES, a daughter of Hiram JANES, one of the early settlers
of Rock County. Three children were born of their union, two
of whom are living: Augustine J., the eldest, born Oct. 6, 1843,
enlisted in the service of his country during the Civil War,
there contracting disease from which he died in 1864; Ann Eliza,
who was born April 28, 1845, and resides in Milton, married Eben
BACON, who is now deceased, and for her second husband, wedded
Hiram BULLOCK; Jane, born Feb. 22, 1847, and residing at West
Union, Iowa, is the wife of Herman LOVELACE. In October, 1847,
Mr. BINGHAM was again married, his second union being with Harriet
J. LEONARD, a daughter of Jarvis LEONARD, who was a native of
Massachusetts, and became a resident of Johnstown during the
early days of its settlement. Mrs. BINGHAM was born Nov. 5, 1821,
in Oneida County, N.Y., and removed to Michigan, where she resided
until becoming a resident of Johnstown. She has one brother living,
Charles B., who was born Nov. 15, 1822, and is engaged in the
real estate business in Iowa County, Iowa. Seven children have
graced the second union of Mr. BINGHAM, but four have now passed
away - Loyal, who was born June 18, 1848, and resides in Ames,
Iowa, where he is engaged in the hardware business, married Ellen
ADAMS of Evansville, Rock County, and to them has been born one
daughter, Beulah; Lucius, born June 19, 1850, died Sept. 26,
1852; Mary F., born May 14, 1852, died on the 11th day of October
following; Hattie E., born Jan. 15, 1854, died Feb. 7, 1857;
Charles F., born July 21, 1856, has gained the reputation of
being one of the best cornet players in the United States, and
is now filling an engagement in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Cora May, born
Aug. 16, 1860, died Feb. 9, 1861; Elmer L., born Sept. 7, 1862,
is residing on a farm of 160 acres on section 12, Harmony Township,
and on the 13th day of October, 1887, was united in marriage
with Daisy M. LOARD [HOWARD], by whom he has one child, Ernestine
Lorena.
- After engaging in farming for many years, in November, 1887,
Mr. Bingham retired from active life
- and removed to Milton, where he erected one of the handsomest
homes in the village. He has ever been a leading citizen of the
community, taking an active interest in the public welfare, and
has served in various official positions. For one year he filled
the office of Assessor of Harmony Township, for four years was
Justice of the Peace, and for a number of years was a member
of the School Board. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican
party, with which he has affiliated since its organization, and
is a member of the Du Lac Grange. For several years he has filled
the office of Deacon of the Free Baptist Church at North Johnstown,
and still holds membership in that denomination. For the long
period of half a century Mr. BINGHAM has been a resident of Rock
County, has witnessed almost its entire growth, has participated
in its development, and has borne no inconsiderable part in the
promotion of its enterprises. He is a worthy and valued citizen,
respected by all who know him, and is well known throughout the
community.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 711-713.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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