- D. D. SOWLES, residing on section 27, Milton Township, is
numbered among the honored
- pioneers of the county, dating his residence in this community
from 1842. He was born on the 3d day of November, 1807, in Chenango
County, N.Y., and is a son of James and Abigail (DILLINGHAM)
SOWLES. His father was born in Dutchess County, N.Y., and his
grandfather was also a native of that State. The mother died
when our subject was a lad of fifteen, her death occurring in
1822, from starvation, caused by ulcers in the throat, which
prevented her from taking food. The children of the family were
James, who died in Michigan, in March, 1887; David D. of this
sketch; W. W., who is living in the old homestead, in Michigan;
Rebecca wedded Smith BLAISDELL, and they now reside in Hardscrabble.
After the death of his first wife, Mr. SOWLES was again married,
and by the second union were born three children. Mary, wife
of George BURRIS, who is living at St. Louis; Fannie, who married
Newton BENEDICT, and resides in, Oakland, Cal., and Clara, who
is now the wife of Leander HALOCK, a Methodist minister.
- In 1832, when twenty-five years of age, our subject left
this native State on a Friday in the month
- of March, and in a sleigh containing seventeen people, came
to the West, reaching Michigan after several days. Locating in
Washtenaw County, he built a mill, and engaged in its operation
for some time. The best winter wheat could then be bought for
three shillings a bushel. He also engaged in farming in Michigan,
and followed milling until 1842, when he came to Wisconsin, locating
in this county. Driving ox and horse teams, he reached his destination
after three weeks travel, arriving in Milton when that town contained
but one store, which was owned by Joseph GOODRICH. He removed
a little log cabin to the site of the present city, but not long
afterwards the house was again removed to the farm on which he
yet resides. The dimensions of that pioneer home were 14 x 16-1/2
feet, and one night, during the early days of his settlement
in this county it sheltered thirty-two people.
- Before leaving Michigan, Mr. SOWLES was united in marriage,
July 9, 1840, with Miss Adeline
- J. ATHERTON, their union being celebrated in Sowlesville,
a town which was named in honor of his father. Mrs. SOWLES is
a daughter of Simon and Roxie ATHERTON, who were natives of Connecticut,
and had a family of seven children. Four children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. SOWLES, three of whom are living. Cornelia, born
April 24, 1841, died in 1887. She was the wife of Rev. James
RICHARDSON, who died in January, 1885; Isaac, born Nov. 1, 1844,
who is engaged in operating the home farm, is the husband of
Maty MOLTON; William E., who was born June 26, 1849, and resides
in Milton, married Miss Lillie PARMETER in 1874, her death occurring
in 1876, after which he was again married on the 2nd day of August,
1879, to Ida M. TRACY, who died April 22, 1888, leaving one child,
Ethel, who way born on the 3d day of July, 1882; Josie R., born
Aug. 9, 1853, was united in marriage Sept. 30, 1882, with Rev.
Perry MILLER, a Methodist minister of Waupaca, Wis., and to them
has been born one child, Junia M., born July 11, 1884.
- Since becoming a resident of this county, Mr. SOWLES has
been engaged in farming, and is one
- of the leading citizens of the community. Financially he
is a self-made man, beginning life without capital, he has steadily
worked on until becoming well-to-do. For nine years he continued
to make his home in the little log cabin, when he erected his
present residence. His farm now comprises 200 acres of valuable
land, and is one of the best in the county, with all the latest
improved machinery, good grades of stock, and all that is necessary
to a well regulated farm. In political sentiment Mr. SOWLES is
a staunch supporter of the Republican party, a warm advocate
of the principles of that great organization, and has voted for
both William Henry Harrison and the present executive. His wife
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been an
active worker in that society. This worthy couple are numbered
among the highly esteemed residents of Milton Township, and have
many warm friends throughout the county, where they have made
their home for the long period of forty-seven years.
- Isaac SOWLES, who is now managing the farm, was joined in
wedlock at Union, Minn., June 29,
- 1876, with Miss Maty MOLTON, a daughter of Powers MOLTON,
a native of New York. Two children have been born to their union.
Earl, who was born Jan. 15, 1880, and Joseph Leslie, Nov. 5,
1883. In 1865 Mr. SOWLES enlisted for the late war, as a member
of Company C, 49th Wisconsin Infantry, and from Madison was ordered
to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, the journey from Chicago being
made in cattle cars. On the 13th day of March, they arrived at
Rollo, Mo., where they were engaged in guarding trains until
Aug. 17, when they returned to St. Louis, remaining in that city
until Nov. 1, when they were ordered to Madison, Wis., and discharged
Nov. 8, 1865. Mr. SOWLES then remained on the farm until 1869,
when he began working for the American Express Company at Winona,
where he remained until 1880, at which time he entered the employ
of the Northwestern Railroad Company as fireman. After two years
spent in that line, he was placed in charge of an engine, and
continued to run on the road as engineer until 1885, when he
returned home and took charge of his father's farm, which he
has operated continuously since. Socially he is a member of the
G.A.R. Post, and in December, 1885, joined Du Lac Lodge, I.O.O.F.
of Milton, his wife becoming a member of the Order of Rebecca,
on the 12th day of May, 1887.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 864-865.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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