- JAMES J. DENNETT, one of the pioneer settlers of Rock County,
residing on section 31, in the
- town of Milton, was born on the 18th day of July, 1836, in
Brompton, Lower Canada, and is a son of Jeremiah and Mary (JOHNSTON)
DENNETT, the father a native of Portsmouth, N.H., and the mother
of Scotland. They were married in the old Granite State, where
the husband worked at his trade of carpentering and building
until removing to Canada, when he established a hotel in Brompton.
Four children were born unto them, as follows: John S., now
deceased; James J., the subject of this sketch; Agnes E., who
became the wife of John ZOOK, a resident of Sioux Falls, Dak.;
and George, a farmer in the town of Milton. In 1844 the family
emigrated to Rock County, where two other children were born
- Mary, who is the wife of H. H. BLANCHARD, of Janesville; and
John S., who was the second of the family of that name, a farmer
in the town of Janesville. On his arrival in this county Mr.
DENNETT entered forty acres of land on section 31, town of Milton,
and after erecting small cabin, of which the family at once took
possession, began the development of a farm. At the time of
his purchase the land was in a wild, uncultivated condition with
no improvements, nor had a furrow been turned. Prosperity attended
his efforts, and as his financial resources increased, he extended
the boundaries of his farm until 260 acres paid a golden tribute
to his care and cultivation. After a residence in Rock County
of almost twenty years, during which time he won the respect
and confidence of all, he was called to his final rest, dying
in 1863. His wife survived him until April 11, 1889, when she
too was called to the reward prepared for the righteous. In
public affairs Mr. DENNETT took a deep interest, and was a true
friend to the causes of education and religion, doing all in
his power to aid in their promotion. At his death the county
lost a valued citizen, and his neighbors and friends a kind and
accommodating companion.
- Our subject is numbered among Rock County's earliest settlers.
In 1844 he left his native place
- and came with his parents to the Territory of Wisconsin.
His education was received in the common schools, and his boyhood
days were passed in much the same manner as those of other farmer
lads. He was joined in wedlock in this county, with Miss Fannie
BOND, in October, 1866. The lady is a daughter of Jonathan and
Polly (FRENCH) BOND, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and became
residents of this community in 1847. They have passed the remainder
of their lives, and left a large family to mourn their loss.
Mr. and Mrs. DENNETT have one child, a son, Carleton B., born
Aug. 14, 1867.
- Our subject is now engaged in general farming, and is the
owner of the old homestead of 160
- acres, which is under a high state of cultivation, and is
stocked with the best grades of cattle, horses, and hogs. A
handsome two-story frame residence marks the spot where once
stood the old log cabin, and is one of the most hospitable homes
in the town. Forty-five years have come and gone since Mr. DENNETT
became a resident of Rock County. Many great changes have taken
place since that time, and little could one imagine that, where
now are beautiful homes and farms, flourishing towns and thriving
cities, was but a few years ago a wild an uninhabited prairie,
neither did the early pioneer dream of the wonderful transformation
which was to take place - yet it is to his efforts that all credit
is due. Not only has Mr. DENNETT been a witness of the rapid
growth and progress, but has been an active participant in the
work. At the time of his coming, Janesville, the metropolis
of Southern Wisconsin, was but a mere hamlet; grain had to be
hauled to Milwaukee, and hogs and cattle were driven there to
market. What a contrast to the present time, when a perfect
network of railroads span the State, crossing and recrossing
each other, while with the telegraph and the telephone one may
send a message or communicate with a friend miles away. The
forest trees that then stood and were used as landmarks have
fallen and decayed, but in their stead are giant oaks, whose
towering branches seem to touch the blue sky above. The pioneers
are one by one being called from earth, and few now remain to
tell the story, and to them all honor is due.
- In his political sentiments, Mr. DENNETT is a firm and inflexible
adherent to the principles of the
- Republican party, and is a warm advocate of the temperance
cause, using every means in his power to banish the liquor traffic
from our land.
- A man of sterling integrity and fair dealing, Mr. DENNETT
has won the respect and confidence
- of all who know him. Both he and his wife are members of
the Seventh Day Baptist Church, and are ever ready to aid in
the advancement of the Master's cause.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 983-984.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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