- MARSHALL R. COON, who for a continuous period of almost half
a century has been identified
- with the best interests of Rock County, is now engaged in
farming on section 9, in the town of Milton. He was born in Alfred
Centre, Allegheny County, N.Y., May 22, 1838, and is the son
of George N. and Eusebia (BURDICK) COON. His parents were also
natives of the Empire State, and their family consisted of but
two children - Marshall R. of this sketch and Luanna, wife of
Anson L. ROSE, a farmer of Milton Township. In early life, the
father learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for
a livelihood in his native State, and also engaged in the occupation
after becoming a resident of Wisconsin. Accompanied by his family,
he emigrated to Rock County in 1840, and took up a claim near
Lake Koshkonong in Milton Township. He entered 160 acres of government
land and erected a large log cabin, 18x36 feet, which was the
first home of the family style, and many were the happy days
there spent, when the country was new and unsettled. In some
directions the eye could look out upon what seemed to be unbounded
prairie, while in others, it rested upon regions of heavy timber,
the haunt of many kinds of wild game, and where wolves were also
frequently seen. Mr. COON afterward erected this first frame
building on the river road between Stoughton and Milwaukee, and
on the banks of the little lake established a small store, where
he traded with the Indians and the few white settlers of the
community. His stock was hauled from Milwaukee, and in exchange
for his goods, he received all kinds of produce, furs and numerous
other articles. Money was scarce and wheat which was hauled to
Milwaukee by ox teams only brought twenty-five cents per bushel,
while corn sold at ten cents. In connection with his other business
interests Mr. COON also engaged in blacksmithing. He resided
upon the claim which he first entered until 1853, when he bought
the farm adjoining his original purchase on the west, and in
the course of time extended its boundaries until it comprises
300 acres. Probably no man has done more toward the development
of the wild land than George N. COON. He placed the entire tract
which he owned under a high state of cultivation, made many beautiful
and useful improvements and otherwise increased its value until
he became one of the well-to-do citizens of the county.
- Wishing to retire from active life, in 1881, he left the
farm where he had made his home for so
- many years and removed to Milton Junction, where he continued
to reside until his death, which occurred in 1886, at the ripe
old age of seventy-two years. He died from the bursting of a
blood vessel in his side. Although an old man, he retained his
mental and physical faculties to an unusual degree up to the
last. His wife departed this life in 1868, at the age of fifty-two
years. They were members of the Seventh Day Baptist Church and
were instrumental in the organization of the society to which
they belonged. In his early life Mr. COON had been a singing
teacher and for twenty-five years acted as chorister for the
church. He identified himself with all public enterprises, contributed
liberally to the upbuilding of the community, and felt a deep
interest in all public affairs. The first school in district
No. 2, was taught in his house by Miss Esther COON, who afterward
became the wife of Dr. ALLEN.
- Since the age of two years, our subject has passed his entire
life in this county. He received his
- education in the primitive log house with its puncheon floor,
seats made of rude slabs, and an immense fireplace crowned by
a mud and stick chimney, and the rod above the teacher's desk
- a terror to all evil-doers. In his early youth he began learning
the blacksmith's trade with his father, and for five years followed
that occupation. Those were days of almost ceaseless toil, no
idlers were wanted in the community, but men of worth were always
welcome. Abandoning the blacksmith's trade, Mr. COON at once
turned his attention to farming and now has one of the best homes
in the township. On the 27th day of October, 1859, he was joined
in wedlock with Miss Matilda J. HUFFMAN, a native of Clarke County,
Ohio, born Dec. 21, 1843. Her parents, Michael and Mary (LIVINGSTON)
HUFFMAN, were both born in Virginia, but in early life removed
to Ohio, where they were married in 1831. They are now residents
of Milton Junction, and are numbered among its esteemed and respected
citizens. For the past few years Mr. HUFFMAN has suffered a terrible
affliction in the loss of his eyesight, being totally blind.
By the union of the young couple one child has been born, Eusebia
M., born Sept. 22, 1872. They have spared neither pains nor money
in the education of their daughter, who is an accomplished young
lady. She has been thoroughly instructed both in literary studies
and music, and is now preparing herself for a teacher.
- The family to which Mrs. COON belongs numbered ten children,
six of whom are yet living -
- George. W., who is now engaged in farming in the town of
Lima; Amanda, wife of Deacon ALLEN; John, a minister of the Seventh
Day Baptist Church, now residing in West Virginia; Elizabeth,
wife of Cyrus C. FRINK, of Milton Junction; Matilda, honored
wife of our subject; and Charity who wedded S. W. BAKER, a resident
of Milton Junction.
- Mr. and Mrs. COON are representatives of two of the pioneer
families of this county. They have
- shared in the trials and hardships incident to life on the
frontier, and to them is due no little credit for their assistance
in the work of development and progress which has made Rock,
the banner county of this great commonwealth. In religious associations,
they are members of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, at Milton
Junction, and have devoted their lives to the work of the Master,
while the moral and religious institutions of the community have
found in them warm and true friends. At the early age of thirteen
years, Mr. COON united with the church and has been identified
with its interest for more than a third of a century. For thirty
years he has been one of the office holders, and from the time,
when as a lad, his voice was heard mingling with the more mature
tones of the older members of the choir, he has thus assisted
in the services. His wife has also been a devoted member for
thirty-two years and is beloved by all for her many excellencies
of character. They have one of the most pleasant homes in the
county, surrounded by all that makes life worth the living and
their friends are sure of a kindly welcome and loving reception.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 740-741.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|