- WILLIAM A. MAYHEW, a leading and enterprising citizen of
Clinton, Wis., who served as
- door-keeper of the House of Representatives during the session
of 1885, is a native of the Empire State, having been born in
Jefferson County Sept. 23, 1844. His parents were St. Valeire
and Calists (WHEELOCK) MAYHEW, the former a native of Vermont,
and the latter of Jefferson County, N.Y., where they were married,
and where six children were born unto them. Alfred D., who was
the first in order of birth, died in California in 1854; Edward
Bruce is now a resident of Brownville, Jefferson Co., N.Y.; Albert
V. makes his home in Watertown, Jefferson Co., N.Y.; Lucy H.,
who became the wife of William LONSDALE, died in Jefferson County,
N.Y., in 1882; Adelaid wedded Charles LOOMIS, a resident of Clinton;
William A., of this sketch, completes the family. Mr. MAYHEW
was a highly respected citizen, and was a prominent and influential
citizen of both Jefferson County, N.Y., and Rock County, Wis.
In early life he was a supporter of the Whig party, and a believer
in the policy advocated by Wendell Phillips. While residing in
New York, he purchased some of the first Government bonds ever
sold in Jefferson County, which were then supposed to be worthless.
In the spring of 1869 he came to Rock County, where he made his
home until his death, which occurred in 1882. He was an honorable
Christian gentleman, a great Bible student, and was a charitable
and benevolent man. His wife is still living, and makes her home
with her children.
- Our subject received a liberal education in his youth, pursuing
his rudimentary studies in the com-
- mon school, after which he pursued a course at the Union
Academy, at Belleville, graduating from that institution in the
class of '86. When the late Civil War broke out and the President
issued his call for troops to put down the rebellion, he enlisted,
on the 2d of June, 1862, as a member of the 10th New York Heavy
Artillery, and was mustered in at Madison Barracks, Jefferson
County, on the 11th day of September following. With the regiment
he was then sent to Washington, where he served until 1864, when
he joined the Army the Potomac during the last day of the battle
of the Wilderness. He then participated in the engagements at
Cold Harbor and White House Landing, and on the 1st of July,
1864, was stationed with the army in defense of Petersburg, where
he remained until September, when Early made his attack on Washington,
and the company joined Sheridan's army, under whose command they
engaged in the battle at Cedar Creek. Mr. MAYHEW was a witness
of Gen. Sheridan's famous ride. On the 1st day of January, 1685,
he was transferred to the Army of the Potomac, and after a time
was stationed at Petersburg. He then served on detached duty,
acting as a detective until receiving his discharge on the7th
day of July, 1865, after three years of continuous service. After
being mustered out, he returned to his home, and took a course
in Mead's Commercial Business College, and then engaged in teaching
school for four winters in the East, and four in the West. Deciding
to make his future home in the West, in 1868, he emigrated to
Wisconsin and purchased a farm on sections 2 and 11, Clinton
Township, Rock County, which he still owns.
- On the 19th day of October, 1870, Mr. MAYHEW was joined in
wedlock with Miss Rissa
- MAYHEW, who was born in Jefferson County, N.Y., Jan. 15,
1851. They became the parents of three children, only one of
whom is now living, William A., Jr., who was born Jan. 16, 1883.
Politically, Mr. MAYHEW is a Republican, having affiliated with
that party since attaining his majority. In 1886 he was a delegate
to the convention which nominated Gov. Rusk and in 1885 was made
Doorkeeper of the Lower House of the Wisconsin General Assembly.
He is a member of several civic societies, is a Master Mason,
and was Secretary of the local lodge; holds membership in the
I.O.O.F., and has filled every position in the subordinate lodge;
and is a member of the G.A.R. Post, having held the office of
Adjutant and delegate in the grand encampment at Milwaukee in
1889. Although many have longer been residents of Rock County
than Mr. MAYHEW, none are held in higher esteem by their acquaintances
or are more deserving of the respect and confidence of their
fellow-citizens.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 893-894.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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