- EZEKIEL GAVEY, deceased, was born on the Island of Guernsey,
France, in the year 1826.
- He received a liberal education in his native land, where
he remained until sixteen years of age, when in 1842, he bade
good-by to home and friends and crossed the Atlantic to America.
Locating in the city of New York, he learned the cabinet-maker's
trade with his brother, Frederick GAVEY, who was engaged in the
manufacture of furniture in the eastern metropolis. After three
years spent in that line our subject came to Janesville, and
the same year of his arrival, 1845, purchased eighty acres of
land, a claim which had been located by J. P. DICKSON. In the
spring of 1846 he engaged in the work of developing his farm,
and also was employed at anything which his willing hands could
find to do in order to gain a livelihood. He worked in that manner
until the spring of 1850, when, in company with his brother Alfred,
and a number of other young men of the neighborhood, he left
Wisconsin for the gold field of California. After five months
of weary travel over the broad and barren plains, where danger
threatened on every hand, and hardships were many, they arrived
at their destination, and Mr. GAVEY at once began working in
the mines, at which occupation he was reasonably successful.
He made the return trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New
York City, arriving at his home in Rock County in the fall of
1853.
- In the spring of the following year Mr. GAVEY erected a frame
house upon his farm on section
- 11, Spring Valley Township, and on the 6th day of July, 1854,
was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary A. CLOSSETT, who resided
in that township. Mrs. GAVEY emigrated from her native land (France)
in company with her parents, in the year 1837, locating in Lewis
County, N.Y., where her father engaged in farming until his death.
After the death of her husband Mrs. CLOSSETT was united in marriage
the second time, becoming the wife of Jacob BECK, and in 1846
the family came West, locating in Spring Valley Township, Rock
County. The family of Mr. and Mrs. CLOSSETT numbered three children,
as follows: Catherine, who was born Feb. 14, 1834, and became
the wife of James MORRELL, a native of Canada, who died in the
hospital at Memphis, Tenn., while defending the Union in the
late war, has two children by her marriage, and now resides in
Claremont, Mo.; Mary A., wife of our subject, was the second
in order of birth; John P., who was born Aug. 17, 1839, enlisted
in Company E, 22d Wisconsin Regiment, and died in the hospital
at Danville, Ky.
- Mr. and Mrs. GAVEY began their domestic life upon the farm
which he purchased upon his
- arrival in the county, and under the roof of that home their
five children were born: Daniel, the first in order of birth,
born April 16, 1855, wedded Miss Flora BROWN, of Magnolia Township,
June 24, 1887, and unto them have been born two children, Harry
and an infant. The second child of the family, born in 1837,
died in infancy; John E., born Feb. 1, 1839, resides in Orfordville,
where he is engaged as salesman in the general merchandise store
of G. HANSON; Walter F., born Oct. 10, 1861, is a carpenter by
trade, and makes his home with his mother on the old home farm;
Katie L., the youngest of the family, born Sept. 28, 1867, married
Daniel MOWE, Jr., Jan. 26, 1886, and her death occurred in March,
1888.
- When Mr. GAVEY first came to Rock County he was in limited
circumstances. He used to make
- hickory whip-stocks, and with a load upon his shoulder walked
to Janesville, where he sold them in order to buy provisions
to keep him while he devoted his time to the improvement of his
farm. Notwithstanding his early disadvantages he labored on,
and his efforts of industry, economy, perseverance and untiring
energy at length received their reward. His land became fruitful,
and at the time of his death he was a well-to-do farmer. Politically,
he was a supporter of the Republican party, and for many long
years was a consistent member of the Free Will Baptist Church.
He took an active interest in the welfare of the community where
he resided, was prominent in the promotion of social, educational
and moral interests, and at his death the county lost a valued
citizen, one who stood high in the respect and esteem of all,
and who will long be remembered by his many friends.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 836-837.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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