- ALFRED HOSKINS, farmer, Secs. 29 and 31; P.O. Janesville;
born in Scipio Township,
- Cayuga Co., N.Y., February, 1807; born and raised on a farm.
He received an extra good common school education. At the age
of 21 he began life for himself; worked at farming in summer-time
and teaching in the winter; taught school seven winters and one
summer term. He was a very successful school teacher. Married
in Scipio Township, January, 1834, Phoebe Ann TOMPKINS, who was
born April , 1814. They had ten children; six are living - Lucinda,
unmarried; Elizabeth, married Dr. Wm. C. BUTLER, who is living
and practicing medicine in the city of Janesville; Joshua, was
born in 1849, married Miss Carrie VANVALEN, who was born in Cortland
Co., N.Y., and has one child, Frederick; Robert W., is engaged
in raising sheep in McCulloch Co., Texas; he is a member of the
firm owning and herding 4,000 head of sheep; Mary, unmarried,
teaching school in the city of Janesville; Anna, unmarried, is
a graduate of Janesville High School. In 1834 Mr. HOSKINS and
his wife moved to Hopewell Township, Ontario Co., N.Y., where
he farmed it until the spring of 1836, at which time he removed
to Mt. Morris Township, Livingston Co., N.Y., where he farmed
it successfully and lived until the fall of 1841, then removed
to Avon township, same county, where he farmed and flourished
until 1846. In October of that year, he and family came to Wisconsin,
by the way of the Lakes, to the city of Racine; then to Janesville.
In 1844, he first came to Wisconsin, Racine,[and] Rock Co., prospecting,
looking for a location; returned to his home in New York State;
came again to Rock Co. in the spring of 1845, at which time he
bought 550 acres of land, 480 of which is in Sec. 16, La Prairie
Township, and seventy in Harmony Township. In 1846, he removed
his family to Wisconsin, and located and lived on his farm in
La Prairie, on which he made all necessary and some handsome
improvements. A few years afterward he sold off 120 acres, and
has remaining 360 acres. At divers times, he has made additional
purchases, consisting of 130 acres, till he now owns 200 acres
in Harmony. This farm is most handsomely improved, barn, granary,
dwelling-house, etc. His son Joshua is working this farm. Mr.
HOSKINS owns 520 acres, in two farms. In 1867, Mr. HOSKINS retired,
and moved to the city of Janesville, where he bought a large
comfortable brick house of Bluff street, where he is now residing
in retirement. He has led a very active, industrious life, and
by his industry and shrewd management his efforts are crowned
with good success. Mr. H. has always voted the Republican ticket,
and has at various times been honored with the following offices:
In 1853, and 1854, he was elected and served as Chairman of the
Board of Supervisors of La Prairie Township; in the fall of 1854,
he was elected Sheriff of Rock Co., being the first Sheriff ever
elected on the Republican ticket in Rock. Co., and served one
term satisfactorily; member of the Board of County Supervisors
three terms, and he gave the best of satisfaction.
-
- Taken from "The History of Rock County, Wis."
(c)1879, p. 893.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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