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Rock County, Wisconsin

Biographies

"James E. Gleave, Jr."

JAMES E. GLEAVE, Jr., of section 28, Porter Township, was born July 19, 1841, in
Chestershire, England, and is a son of James and Alice (HOUGHTON) GLEAVE, both of whom were natives of England. In 1846, James GLEAVE, Sr., came to Wisconsin. Sometime previous he formed one of a company who sent an agent to this country for the purpose of securing some land. On his arrival he located upon the land which was said to have been purchased by the agent for himself, and at once commenced its improvement. In a short time he found that he had been swindled out of his money and that the land was not deeded to him. He then made arrangements to return to England, and hired a teamster to take himself and family to Milwaukee, intending to go by lake to Buffalo, N.Y., and from New York City to take passage for his native land. On arriving at what was known as Ball's Tavern, in Porter Township, the teamster was taken sick, and as they could not go farther they rented one room and resided there one year. A few days after moving into this house, Mr. GLEAVE was taken sick and remained in ill health for year. After he had regained his health, he worked by the day for about two years and then purchased forty acres of land which he at once commenced to improve, and to which he added 120 acres more. Erecting a house on the last tract, which was located near Little Lake he moved into it and there resided until his death, which occurred April 5, 1882. His body was buried in Porter Cemetery. Religiously, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which body his wife was also a member. In the old country he was a member of the Odd Fellows Society. He was a man that enjoyed the respect of his fellow men to an unlimited degree. His good wife, who shared with him all the hardships of pioneer life, is still living, and resides with her son on the old homestead. Five children were born to this worthy couple, namely: Philip, residing in Jackson County, Ore.; Thomas, who resides in the town of Union; Martha, who died in infancy; James E., the subject of this sketch; Lois, now the wife of James H. BLISS, who resides in the town of Rock, where he is engaged in farming.
The subject of this sketch came to this country with his parents and received his education in the
common schools of this country. He remained with his parents until 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, 13th Wisconsin Infantry, and was sent to the front. After a few weeks service he was taken sick and was discharged in 1862 for disability. Returning home he remained until the summer of 1864, when he again enlisted, becoming a member of Battery L, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. He served until about three months after the close of the war when he was discharged and returned to his home.
On the 16th day of February, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. STEWART, a
native of New York, born April 25, 1845. Four children have been born unto them - Frances, born Dec. 30, 1866; Lewis, Feb. 13, 1869; Margaret, Nov. 24, 1871; Ivan, Dec. 7, 1877. All the children yet remain at home.
After his marriage, Mr. GLEAVE took charge of his father's farm, which he operated until his
father's death. He then bought the homestead of the heirs and has since operated the farm for himself. He has 160 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, together with a valuable residence in Evansville, where he resided two years for the special purpose of educating his children. Politically, Mr. GLEAVE is a Republican, and an earnest worker and believer in the principles of that party. He has served several terms as Township Assessor, and has filled other local offices. On his farm may be found a good grade of stock and all the latest improved machinery. He is a member of T. L. Sutphen Post, No. 41, G.A.R.
 
Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 887-888.
 
Courtesy of Carol

This page last updated May 28, 2002
 
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