- SAMUEL S. OBOURN, Postmaster of Milton, is a native of Lycoming
County, Pa., his birth
- occurring on the 31st of October, 1837. His parents, Charles
R. and Ruth (SAXTON) OBOURN, were the parents of seven children,
five of whom are yet living: Thomas has been engaged in farming
in Marquette County, Wis., since 1857; Samuel S., of this sketch,
is the next in order of birth; Elizabeth is the wife of Isaac
WILSON, a native of Pennsylvania, now engaged in farming in Adams
County, Wis., and to them have been born five children, as follows:
Ruth is the wife of Merrick RICHMOND, who is engaged in farming
and resides in Eagle River, Wis.; Jane, who wedded W. J. OLLSON,
is a resident of Stephens Point, Portage Co., Wis.; Louis and
Merrick, the two youngest children, died in childhood. In 1855
Charles R. OBOURN accompanied by his family migrated to Adams
County, Wis., where he engaged in farming, continuing to make
his home in that county until his death, which occurred in the
spring of 1881. His wife, who was a most estimable lady, died
in 1879.
- The educational advantages which our subject received were
very limited, for at the age of nine
- years he entered his father's blacksmith shop, and from that
time on until the breaking out of the Civil War was engaged at
the hardest labor. When the President called for troops to put
down the rebellion, stirred with patriotic impulses he at once
enlisted in the country's service, becoming a member of Company
K, 13th Wisconsin Infantry, commanded by Capt. Pliny NORCROSS.
After drilling for about one month the regiment went into camp
at Camp treadway, there spending the following winter, when in
February, 1862, it was ordered to Kansas. Leaving Kansas in June
of 1862, after marching about 500 miles in that State, the regiment
was ordered to Columbus, Ky., where it did garrison duty for
about thirty days, then proceeded to Union City, whence it continued
on to Moscow, Tenn. They were later stationed at Ft. Henry, which
had previously been captured, where they experienced a great
deal of trouble with guerrillas.
- About that time Mr. OBOURN was attacked with typhoid fever
and laid in the hospital for about
- two months, but nearly six months elapsed before he could
resume duty. One day while walking on a wharf boat he accidentally
fell off and sustained injuries from which he has never fully
recovered. That fall disabled him from service for about a year,
when he rejoined his command and engaged in the skirmish at Hopkins,
Ky., and then did duty at Forts Donelson and Henry for about
a year. Proceeding to Huntsville, Ala., he participated in the
engagement at that place, after which he went to Stephenson,
Ala., remaining for about a month, when he went to Nashville.
Three years had elapsed since he entered the service, and he
was then discharged but immediately re-enlisted and came home
on a veteran furlough. At the expiration of thirty days he went
to Nashville, there joining the regiment, whence he was sent
to Stephenson, Ala., where he remained for about a month and
was then ordered on guard duty on the Tennessee River. After
five months spent in this way the command returned to Nashville
where they were detached from the main army and sent on a trip
of 1,000 miles. His regiment formed a part of the 4th Army Corps,
which was returned to Nashville and then ordered to Texas, where
they remained about six months, during which time a great many
of the men died. From San Antonio, Tex., they returned to Madison
in the fall of 1865, and were mustered out of service in November
of that year.
- After receiving his discharge Mr. OBOURN returned to his
home in Rock County, and in 1867
- was united in marriage with Miss M. J. DAVIDSON. He engaged
at his trade of blacksmithing in connection with Oliver A. FRIDDELL
for fourteen consecutive years, when the partnership was dissolved.
They gained a reputation for excellent work, and horses were
brought to them from all the surrounding country, some even from
Milwaukee, a distance of sixty-two miles. They have shod some
of the finest trotting horses in the State, and the praise which
they received was richly merited. In 1882 Mr. OBOURN abandoned
his trade and entered the store of Mr. WILLIAMS as a salesman,
remaining in that position for a year. In 1886 he succeeded John
A. SPAULDING as Postmaster of Milton, which office he still fills.
For eight years he served as Justice of the peace of Milton,
proving an efficient and faithful officer. In politics he is
an ardent supporter of the Democratic party. For a number of
years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and socially, is a member of the G.A.R. Post at Milton, in which
he is Commander at the present time. He is well known throughout
the county, and is a highly respected citizen.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 349-350.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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