- HON. STILES SAMUEL NORTHROP, one of the early settlers and
an enterprising farmer of
- Rock County, residing on section 22, in the town of Clinton,
was born in Tully Valley, Onondaga Co., N.Y., August 26, 1824,
and is a son of Harson and Sally C. (ATWOOD) NORTHROP. On the
paternal side, the family is of English and Welsh descent, and
on the maternal side is descended from an old Connecticut family.
Samuel STRICKLAND, his great-grandfather, served his country
in the French and Indian War, and was present when the French
surrendered the city of Quebec to the British. He also served
his country with honor during the Revolutionary War for seven
long years. Atwood, an uncle of our subject, was also a soldier
in the War of the Revolution and was with Gen. Washington when
he was driven out of New York City.
- Mr. NORTHROP, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to
manhood in his native county,
- and the year of 1845 witnessed his arrival in Wisconsin,
which was then a territory. He first located on Jefferson Prairie,
Rock County, and in the fall of 1845 made a claim on section
22 of 160 acres, but not having money enough to pay for the whole
amount he relinquished forty acres. In those early days money
was scarce and times hard, and he was obliged to pay 30 per cent
for the money which he borrowed to pay for his claim. In the
course of time, however by economy and industry and the natural
increase in the value of property, he gained a comfortable competence
and is now numbered among the well-to-do citizens of the county.
- In the month of December, 1850, Mr. NORTHROP was joined in
wedlock with Miss Phoebe
- M. MAXWELL, a daughter of William and Hannah (SAMPSON) MAXWELL.
The lady is a native of New York, having been born in Cortland
County, July 25, 1824. The family circle of this worthy couple
was completed by the birth of four children, three of whom are
yet living: Jennie B., who pursued a two years' course in the
State University at Madison, is now engaged in teaching; Leonard,
who graduated with honor from the same institution is also engaged
in teaching; Winter H., the youngest, still resides on the farm.
- In 1867 Mr. NORTHROP sold the land which he entered on coming
to this county and
- purchased a farm adjoining, where he now has a beautiful
home surrounded by all that makes life worth living. On arriving
at mature years he cast his first Presidential vote for Zachary
Taylor and supported the Whig party until the Republican party
sprang into existence. He was among the first to espouse that
cause, being a great admirer of Gen. Fremont, and in 1860 he
voted for Abraham Lincoln. He was a member of the State Convention
of Wisconsin which nominated the delegates to the National convention
that placed Lincoln before the people as a Republican candidate
for the Presidency. The same year he was elected to the General
Assembly from his district and was an active worker in that body,
discharging his duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction
of his constituents. He has also served on the county Board
of Supervisors for nine years, acting as chairman for several
terms, and also filled the office of Justice of the Peace for
a number of years. He was one of the first tax collectors in
the town of Clinton, acting in that position when the taxes amounted
to only $600.
- Socially, Mr. NORTHROP is a member of the Pacific Lodge No.
58, I.O.O.F., in which he
- holds the position of Past Grand, and has represented the
local organization in the Grand Lodge. Mr. NORTHROP is a self-made
man. Beginning life in limited circumstances he has steadily
worked his way upward to a position of ease and affluence, and
his fair and honorable course in every walk of life has secured
him the confidence and good will of all. His fidelity to duty
in his various official positions won him the praise of even
his political opponents, and the high regard in which he is held
is well deserved.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 447-448.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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