- JOSEPH DOCKSTADER, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, residing
on section 34, La
- Prairie Township, was born in Montgomery County, N.Y., on
the 24th day of June, 1825, and is a son of Jacob F. and Cornelia
(BALCH) DOCKSTADER. Thinking that advantages of the West were
better than those afforded by the older states of the East, in
1845 Jacob DOCKSTADER, accompanied by his family, emigrated to
Rock County, Wis., locating in Shopiere, then the village of
Waterloo. His first purchase of land consisted of 200 acres of
timber, but to this by subsequent purchase he added 440 acres,
making a total of 640 acres, situated in Turtle and La Prairie
Townships. He became one of the leading business men of Shopiere,
and was one of the original owners and builders of the first
flouring and grist mills erected in that place. He was a recognized
leader in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community,
including the religious, educational and social interests in
which he bore a prominent part. He was a faithful and consistent
member of the Congregational Church, to which his wife also belonged.
The death of Mrs. DOCKSTADER occurred in January, 1863, and Mr.
DOCKSTADER departed this life on the 22d day of November, 1867.
Both were interred in the beautiful cemetery at Shopiere. Mr.
DOCKSTADER, however, was again married after the death of his
first wife, his second union being with Mrs. Mary WELLS, who
is also deceased.
- By the first union the following children were born, all
of whom are living with the exception of
- Jacob V., who died at the age of eighty years and eight months.
Maria, the eldest, wedded Jacob DUNN, a resident of Iowa Falls,
Iowa; Sarah A., became the wife of Alonzo TURNER of Iowa; Joseph
is the third in order of birth; Cornelia, wife of Jonathan DOLE,
is living on the old homestead in La Prairie Township/ Catherine
became the wife of Dennis JACOBS, and emigrated to Dakota, where
they still make their home; Caroline married William GARDNER,
a retired farmer now residing in Janesville; Jacob made his home
in Chatfield, Minn., and Frederick is living in or near Superior
City, Wis.
- Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and youth upon
his father's farm, assisting in the
- cultivation of the land during the summer months, while during
the winter he attended the district schools. He remained under
the parental roof until 1863, when he was united in marriage
with Miss Sarah J. CHAMBERLAIN, the wedding being celebrated
on the 12th day of July. The lady is a native of Connecticut,
born in Hartford, July 15, 1835, and is a daughter of James and
Maria (JACKSON) CHAMBERLAIN, whose sketch appears in that of
James A. CHAMBERLAIN on another page of this work. By the union
of Mr. and Mrs. DOCKSTADER four children have been born: Jessie,
who died in infancy; Cora, George and Addie, all of whom have
received good educational advantages, well qualifying them for
useful and responsible positions in life.
- After their marriage, our subject and his young bride took
possession of the farm on which they
- still continue to reside. At that time it was a wild and
unbroken prairie, but Mr. DOCKSTADER at once turned his attention
to the cultivation and improvement of his land, from which, by
industry, enterprise and skill, he has evolved loveliness, beauty
and order, his farm being one of the finest in the township.
He is now operating 175 acres, which he has placed under a high
state of cultivation. His stock consisting of horses, cattle,
sheep and hogs, is of the best grades, and the barns and outbuildings
for their protection are models of convenience. The surroundings
of his home are most pleasant indicating the thrift and refinement
of the lady who presides as mistress. Among the representative
farmers and respected citizens of Rock County, none stand higher
in the esteem of all than does Mr. DOCKSTADER, and we are pleased
to record the sketch of so prominent a gentleman.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 284-285.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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