- THOMAS B. FIFIELD, an early settler and an honored citizen
of Janesville, was born in
- Gilmanton, Belknap Co., N.H., on the 21st day of June, 1809.
His parents, Samuel and Abigail (LEAVITT) FIFIELD, were natives
of New England, and were people well connected and highly respected.
His father was a merchant of Gilmanton; and in 1820, removed
with his family to Chittenden County, Vt., where he made his
home on a new farm. Thomas B., then eleven years of age, attended
the district school in the winter time and at other seasons of
the year assisted his father in clearing and working the farm.
In this way he grew to manhood, inured to hard work and trained
to industrious and frugal habits. The moral teachings of his
parents and the wholesome influences of his New England home
developed a character that fitted our subject for an honorable
course in life and in his subsequent career he proved himself
worthy of the confidence and hopes of his parents. Having attained
his majority, he engaged in farming, and in the course of time
purchased a small farm in being, just across the river opposite
Montpelier and in the suburbs of that city, which he conducted
several years. The place was one of great beauty, and the farm
house, which had been the residence of Judge BUCKLEY, was one
of great elegance.
- Mr. FIFIELD sold that property about 1855, and came to Janesville,
Wis., where he joined his
- brothers in the lumber business. He was married in this
city on the 3rd day of January, 1865, to Miss Eliza Isabel WATERMAN,
a daughter of the Hon. Arunah and Mehitable (DODGE) WATERMAN.
Mrs. FIFIELD was born at Montpelier, Vt., and was reared and
educated in New England. Her father was born in Norwich, Conn.,
and was of English Puritan descent. The WATERMAN family originated
in America by the advent of two brothers of that name, who took
passage for America in the consort of the "Mayflower,"
which vessel, it will be remembered , got disabled and was obliged
to return to port. The following year, they again started from
England and this time landed safely at the Plymouth Colony.
They settled in Connecticut and one branch of the family, the
grandfather of Mrs. FIFIELD, subsequently located at Johnson,
Vt., near Montpelier. His cousin, Capt. HYDE, accompanied him
and located at Hyde Park. He was a man of prominence and for
him Hyde Park was named. The HYDEs were a distinguished family
both in England and in the New World. Mrs. FIFIELD's father
was a man of prominence in his day and held various official
positions of importance, serving in the State Senate of Vermont
and in the Lower House. He was also Probate Judge and held other
offices. His wife, Mrs. FIFIELD's mother, was born at New Boston,
N.H., and was descended from an old New England family.
- Three children, two sons and a daughter, were born to Mr.
and Mrs. FIFIELD. Charles L., the
- eldest, born at Janesville, Oct. 10, 1865, was educated in
the city schools, and in 1884, entered upon the study of law
in the office of Judge J. W. SALE, of Janesville, where he spent
two years. He then became a student of the law department of
the Wisconsin State University, from which he graduated in the
class of June, 1888, and was admitted to practice in the Circuit
and Supreme Courts at the same time. In August of that year,
he was admitted to membership in the law firm of FETHERS &
JEFFRIS, now FETHERS, JEFFRIS & FIFIELD, his partners being
the acknowledged peers of any in the legal profession in Southern
Wisconsin, while the junior member is a thorough student and
industrious lawyer, who with years and experience is sure to
win prominence in his chosen profession. The second child, Emily
May, a young lady of bright promise, died March 30, 1885, at
the age of seventeen years. George Waterman, the youngest, was
born at Janesville, March 12, 1872, and is now attending school
at Beloit, preparing for college. He is a young man of intelligence
and good moral principles, and promises to do justice to the
teachings and precepts of his parents.
- Mr. FIFIELD continued in the lumber business with his brothers
with slight interruptions until 1875,
- when he sold his interest to the other members of the firm
and retired from active business. A few years later his health
began to fail and his death occurred at his home in Janesville
on the 7th day of July, 1882. Mr. FIFIELD was a consistent member
of the Congregational Church, and a Republican in politics, but
was never in any sense a politician or office seeker. He preferred
the more quiet way of legitimate business in which he was quite
successful. In all the affairs of life he was even known to
be upright and honorable and lived in the enjoyment of the respect
and confidence of his fellow citizens. Mrs. FIFIELD survives
her husband and with her sons resides at the old home in Janesville.
She is an active member of the Congregational Church, and is
highly esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 809-810.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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