- DAVID WALSH, a retired farmer, residing in Milton, Wis.,
is a native of the Emerald Isle, where
- his birth occurred on the 22d day of December, 1822. He is
a son of John and Rebecca WALSH, who were also natives of Ireland,
and unto them was born a family of nine children, only three
of whom are now living, namely: James, who resides in Winnipeg,
Canada, where he is engaged in the commission business; Richard,
a veterinary surgeon, residing in Port Perry, Ontario; and David,
the subject of this sketch. The members of the family now deceased
are William, John, Mary, George, Charles and Mary.
- Our subject was but four years of age when with his parents
he left his native land and emigrated
- to Canada. He, however, remembers many things about his birthplace.
The family located near Montreal, Canada, where for some time
the father engaged in farming and the dairy business, but later
removed to Cavan Township, Durham Co., Ontario, he bought a farm
and engaged in its cultivation. He added to his original purchase
until his landed possessions aggregated 800 acres. David was
reared to manhood upon that farm in Canada, and while there residing
became acquainted with Miss Lueretia BARNHARDT, a native of Canada,
who afterward became his wife. She was born on the 15th day of
June, 1838, and has two brothers, John, who is living in St.
Cloud, Minn., and Zachariah, who resides in Milbrook, Canada.
Mr. and Mrs. WALSH have no children of their own, but have adopted
a niece and nephew, upon whom they lavish all the care and attention
of fond parents.
- Mr. WALSH is numbered among the early settlers of Rock County,
dating his residence from
- 1855, when he left his Canadian home and came to Wisconsin.
At that time he purchased 135 acres of land on section 12, in
the town of Harmony, and for about thirty years there made his
home. He has placed the entire farm under a high state of cultivation,
has made many fine improvements, and otherwise increased the
value of his land. For some time he engaged in the dairy business,
in which he was quite successful, turning out an article of butter
which gained an excellent reputation. In connection with general
farming, he also devoted considerable attention to the raising
of fine stock, and made a specialty of Jersey cattle. Possessed
of an energetic nature and good ability, he was quite successful
in the line of his business, and by his own efforts has accumulated
a comfortable competence which enables him to pass his declining
years in retirement. In 1884 he erected a nice residence in Milton
at a cost of $3,000, and has there since made his home. Religiously,
Mr. WALSH is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is
a leading and representative citizen of the community. For some
time he served his fellow citizens as Pathmaster, and for one
year filled the office of Supervisor. The cause of education
finds in him a true and constant friend, one who takes a prominent
part in the advancement of that interest, believing it to be
a necessary qualification to good citizenship. For years he served
as Treasurer of the School Board, and also filled the position
of School Director. Politically, he is a Republican, having supported
that party since its organization. While living in Harmony he
served as Justice of the Peace.
- In the many years of his residence in Rock County, Mr. WALSH
has not only witnessed the great
- transformation which has taken place, but has been a participant
in its progress and development and has aided in the advancement
of its enterprises. Many and great are the changes which have
taken place during the past forty years, and the most far-sighted
could scarcely imagine the prominent position to which Rock County
has attained. To the early settlers it owns a debt of gratitude
which can never be repaid, but we can perpetuate their names
and lives by a written history which will last for ages.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 748-749.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|