- JONAS INMAN, a representative and progressive farmer of the
town of Plymouth, residing on
- section 27, is a native of Pennsylvania, born Sept. 7, 1827.
His parents were Caleb and Elizabeth INMAN, and they had a family
of eight children, five of whom are now living: Harrison C.,
the eldest, is residing in Plymouth Township; Thomas H. died
in California in 1864, but his remains were brought back to Plymouth
Township for interment; Hannah died in 1823, when quite young;
Jonas is the next in order of birth; Margaret is the wife of
N. W. TRIPP, a resident farmer of Rock Township; Edward, who
wedded Catherine MUNSON, is now living in Janesville; Mary became
the wife of Fayette PEPPER, who is now deceased, and her death
occurred June 1, 1855.
- The subject of this sketch is numbered among the pioneer
settlers of Rock County, of which he
- became a resident in 1842. With his parents he settled on
Rock River, but in January, 1843, the family removed to the farm
which is now his home. A little log cabin had been partially
built, which, when completed, was the home of the family for
two years, when the father erected a frame dwelling. Caleb INMAN
was the owner of the first horse team ever in Plymouth Township.
He lived in true pioneer style, and with the aid of his children
developed from the wild prairie a good farm. Our subject broke
every foot of land, and often made trips to Milwaukee, the nearest
shipping point, hauling the grain to that city, for which he
received from sixty-five to seventy cents per bushel for his
wheat. It took about six days to make the trip, a fair sample
of the rate of travel in those days.
- Mr. INMAN was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Augusta
WITHINGTON, their wedding
- being celebrated on the 10th day of May, 1864. The lady is
a daughter of Daniel and Temperance (GRAY) WITHINGTON, and is
the fourth in their family of eleven children, ten of which number
are yet living: Elizabeth, who married James SUTHERLAND, a resident
of Janesville; Charles B., who married Charlotte BRANDT, also
of Janesville; John A., who resides on the WITHINGTON homestead,
in Rock Township; Mrs. INMAN is the next in order of birth; Sarah
A. is now the wife of B. L. TRIPP, whose home is in Genesee County,
N.Y.; P.S., who is living in Washington, married Jane GRIFFIN,
and to them were born four children, three of whom are living;
Nettie died when eleven years of age; Emma A. resides on the
old homestead with her brother; George A. is also living on the
old homestead; J. Agnes is now the wife of James SCOTT, who is
residing in Bradford; Flora B. wedded A. L. BEMIS, an insurance
agent for the Northwestern Mutual Aid Insurance Company, now
located in Dakota.
- By the union of Mr. and Mrs. INMAN an interesting family
of four children have been born:
- Clarence E. W., born March 5, 1865, was a student in the
High School of Janesville for one year, after which he took a
commercial course at the college in that city; he is now at home
with his parents. Minnette F. W., born Feb. 6, 1868, completed
her studies under Miss Eva STEELE, of Janesville, and is still
with her parents; Orrion D. W., born June 22, 1872, and Wilbur
C. W., born June 30, 1876, are also with their parents.
- After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. INMAN they began their
domestic life upon the old home-
- stead, on section 27, Plymouth Township, where they have
since continued to reside. In 1871 he built his present beautiful
residence, and has also added many other good improvements. The
evening of May 9, 1883, proved disastrous to him, however, as
his farm laid in the path of a cyclone, which passed from the
southwest corner across it, demolishing nearly all the buildings
and fences, shaking the plastering off the house and blowing
down the chimneys. A large barn, 30x58 feet, was left a total
wreck, and another barn was moved thirty feet. There were six
horses in the latter, but none received even a scratch. In extent,
Mr. INMAN's farm is 252-1/2 acres, 200 of which are under cultivation.
He possesses progressive ideas, and is acknowledged to be one
of the best farmers in the township. In political sentiment he
has always supported the Republican party, both by his ballot
and influence, and at the last election, in 1888, he voted for
Hon. Benjamin Harrison. He is a friend to education, and while
serving on the School Board for several years did his utmost
to advance its interests.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 358-359.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|