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- HARRISON STEBBINS, deceased, was for many years a leading
- citizen of Porter Township, and was a son of Jairus and Sarah
(CROWELL) STEBBINS, and was born June 20, 1820, in Westfield,
Vt. He was reared on a farm, assisting his father in its cultivation.
His primary education was received in the common schools, and
at the age of twenty he entered Norwich University, at Norwich,
Vt., where he spent two years in finishing his education. He
then engaged in teaching school, in which occupation he continued
principally until 1841, when he came west, arriving in Janesville
July 3d, of that year, where he secured a position as a teacher,
and where he remained until the following year. He then engaged
as County Surveyor, and followed the business of surveying until
1844, when he came to Porter Township and purchased 240 acres
of land in its natural state. On this land
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- he erected a small house, which is still standing, and is
used as a granary. Going to work he soon transformed the wild
land into a well-cultivated farm, and toiling early and late
he was enabled, in 1860, to add 240 acres more to his farm. Previous
to this, in 1850, the little 12x18 building was replaced by a
large and commodious stone house. At the time Mr. STEBBINS located
on this farm many Indians were yet to be seen in the neighborhood,
and often they would call at the little cabin and beg for bread
and meat. Wolves abounded in that early day, and often on returning
from Janesville in the evening they would be followed by the
howling animals.
- Harrison STEBBINS and Mary A. BASSETT were united in marriage
June 15, 1841. Three
- children were born unto them: Shapley P., born May 14, 1842,
resides at home, and has charge of the farm; Minnie T., now the
wife of E. P. SAVAGE, resides in Dane County, Wis., where Mr.
SAVAGE is engaged in farming; Flora A. first married Henry WOOD,
who died April 15, 1882, when she subsequently married William
GILLEY, and now resides in Stebbinsville, Rock Co., Wis., where
he is engaged in farming. All the children were given good educational
advantages.
- For many years Harrison STEBBINS was well known to almost
every citizen of Rock County.
- He was active in all county affairs, and was liberal with
his means in its support of the schools and every public enterprise.
He took great pride in the count in which he had chosen to make
his home. In the fall of 1852 he was elected a member of the
Legislature, and served one term with credit to himself and universal
satisfaction to his constituents. He was also chairman of the
Town Board for several terms, and served a number of years as
Town Clerk, and in fact filled about all the town offices. In
an early day he was one of the commissioners for the location
of territorial roads, many of which he surveyed. Politically,
he was a supporter of the Republican party, was an active worker,
and used his every energy for its success.
- During the Civil War he took an active interest in raising
the town's quota. Like many others Mr.
- STEBBINS started in life a poor boy, but by hard work, honesty
and fair dealing he steadily worked his way upward until success
crowned his efforts.
- At one time he was the possessor of over 1,000 acres of land
in Iowa and Wisconsin. In 1867
- he erected a grist mill at Stebbinsville, a village named
in his honor. He was what might well be termed a progressive
farmer, ever keeping abreast with the times. At the time of his
death, which occurred Sept. 7, 1882, he was the possessor of
about 600 acres of land, together with the mill property at Stebbinsville.
He left his family in good circumstances, surrounded with everything
intended to make life comfortable. His body was interred in Waucoma
cemetery, where a fine Quincy granite monument was erected to
his memory.
- Mrs. STEBBINS, who yet remains upon the old farm, was born
Nov. 15, 1819, at East
- Montpelier, Vt. She is well and favorably known in the community,
and is beloved by all who know her. On another page will be found
the portrait of Mr. STEBBINS, which was taken a number of years
before his death.
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-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 715-716; lithograph from
same book.
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- Courtesy of Carol
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