- EMILUS W. BABCOCK, the leading merchant of Edgerton, is a
native of the Empire State,
- having been born in Brookfield, Madison County, on the 9th
of January, 1835. The grandfather of our subject, Charles BABCOCK
was one of the pioneer settlers of that portion of New York,
and his father, Henry C. BABCOCK, was there reared. The latter
married Miss Temperance BURDICK, a daughter of William BURDICK,
also an early settler of Madison County, and after residing in
New York for a number of years he left his Eastern home in 1856,
and accompanied by his family, settled in the town of Albion,
Dane Co., Wis., where he made his home until his death, which
occurred on the 8th day of January, 1884, at the age of seventy-eight
years. His wife yet resides on the old homestead in Dane County,
and is still in possession of good health, considering her advanced
years. That worthy couple were the parents of eight children,
six of whom grew to mature years, while four are still living,
Emilus W., the subject of this sketch, being the eldest of that
number; Delos is now a resident of Nortonville, Kan.; Mrs. Lorene
E. WINNEK is now living in San Diego, Cal.; Mrs. Etta KELLY is
living on the old homestead in Dane County; Tracy, Charles and
Cornelia died before reaching maturity, and Martha, who became
the wife of Matthew H. GIBSON is also deceased.
- Mr. BABOCK, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to manhood
upon his father's farm
- and received a good English education. He remained under
the parental roof until the age of nineteen years, when he started
out in life for himself. Going to the State of Indiana, he engaged
in the book agency business until his father emigrated to Wisconsin
two years afterward, when he also came to Rock County. He, however,
remained at home but a short time when he again decided to embark
in the book business, and engaged to represent the interests
of a Philadelphia publishing house in the South. His field of
labor was in South Carolina, the State which was foremost in
the act of secession, and where already the fires were kindling,
which were soon to disseminate throughout the entire South, the
spirit of rebellion. The feeling had become so intense that
in June, 1860, Mr. BABCOCK decided to return to the North, and
acting upon that resolution, found himself once more in Rock
County, where he engaged in farming.
- In the month of August, 1861, Mr. BABCOCK was united in marriage
with Miss Mary E.
- BROWN, and in the fall of the same year entered upon his
mercantile career at Edgerton, in the capacity of a clerk. In
December, 1864, he purchased the stock and business of Stiles
HAKES, one of the oldest merchants of the town, and several years
later became the owner of his present commodious store. In 1878,
however, he decided to make a change, and selling out his business
interests in Edgerton removed to Cedar Falls, Black Hawk Co.,
Iowa, where he engaged in the mercantile business, and in connection
also purchased a fine stock farm, situated in Union Township
that county, comprising 565 acres. After two years had passed
Mr. BABCOCK, in 1880, returned to Edgerton and resumed business
in the mercantile line.
- By the union of our subject and Miss BROWN seven children
have been born, five sons and a
- daughter, all living, as follows: William E., Clarence H.,
John L., Ernest B., Harold and Bertha. The daughter, who is
second in order of birth, is a successful teacher in the public
schools of Edgerton. They lost one son, Charles F., who died
at the age of four years.
- Mr. BABCOCK owns the fine block in which his store is situated.
The store consists of two
- commodious apartments, and his stock, comprising dry-goods,
clothing, boots and shoes, carpets, etc., is very complete in
its character Besides his valuable city property he has quite
extensive real estate interests elsewhere. He still owns his
fine stock farm in Black Hawk County, Iowa, together with a farm
of 280 acres in the town of Center, Rock County. Mr. BABOCK
is one of the oldest businessmen in Edgerton, in point of service,
and is one of its representative citizens. The success to which
he has attained in life is due to his energy and industry, and
he is numbered, socially and financially, with the leading men
of Rock County.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 718-719.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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