- OSCAR F. NOWLAN. The NOWLAN family originated in Ireland,
whence John NOWLAN,
- the grandfather of Oscar F., emigrated to America, settling
in Vermont, and dying in his new home while yet in middle life.
Four daughters and three sons were born to him, but this narrative
is concerned with only one, Thomas, the father of the distinguished
and influential citizen of Janesville, Rock county, whose name
is identified with so much of that city's growth and development.
- Thomas NOWLAN was born in Vermont, became a farmer of Broome
county, N.Y., and died
- there in 1868, aged about fifty-eight years. His widow,
whose maiden name was Sophia ENDERS, survived several years,
dying at the age of sixty-four. Both were earnest and consistent
members of the Methodist Church, and he was in politics an outspoken
abolitionist. To Thomas NOWLAN and his wife five sons and two
daughters were born, four of whom are yet living: Oscar F., who
is the eldest; Edward of Newark Valley, N.Y.; Sidney, whose home
is at Windsor, in that State; and Mary, who is now Mr. S. GUYON,
of Binghamton. Mrs. Thomas NOWLAN was a daughter of John ENDERS,
a farmer in New York, who died in early life.
- Oscar F. NOWLAN was born in Broome county, N.Y., Jan. 24,
1841. His boyhood was
- uneventful, his life alternating between work upon his father's
farm and attendance at the district schools, and in 1863 he came
to Wisconsin. His first year's residence in the State was spent
at Milton College, and thereafter he embarked in business as
a building contractor. Among the first structures which he erected
were the "Central Hotel," the Methodist church, and
several private residences at Waterloo, Iowa. Returning to Wisconsin
in 1865, he carried on the same line of enterprise until 1897,
when he received the appointment of postmaster at Janesville,
which office he yet holds, and the duties of which he has discharged
to the entire satisfaction of the community by reason of his
ready tract, his scrupulous fidelity, and his keen, experiential
insight into the needs of a growing business community. Among
the many buildings in the city which he has erected under contract,
and which stand as abiding monuments of his skill, may be mentioned
the Rock County Insane Asylum, the Davis and Frendendall blocks,
the Central and Second Ward school houses, and the Hanson Furniture
Co.'s buildings. He was also a contractor for the erection of
the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Delavan, the poor house of Walworth
county, the court house and jail at Black River Falls, the Fond
du Lac court house, an addition to the State Capital at Madison,
the insane asylum at Traverse City, Mich., and the county buildings
at Monroe, Wis. He also did much work in the city of Milwaukee.
Since 1894, however, he has done little in the way of undertaking
new business of this description.
- Mr. NOWLAN is a man of broad, enlightened public spirit,
and his fellow citizens have repeatedly
- honored him and themselves by elevating him to public posts
of trust. For seventeen years he was a member of the board of
supervisors, and for four years he represented the Second ward
of Janesville in the city council. In 1891 he was the Republican
nominee of the Legislature, receiving the unanimous vote of his
party in convention, but was buried in the political landslide
which followed. In private life he is genial and generous, charitable
in his estimate of his fellows, and quick to respond to deserving
calls upon his purse. His naturally social temperament has led
him to connect himself with several fraternal orders, and he
is a member of Janesville Lodge, No. 55, F. & A.M.; Janesville
Chapter, No. 5, R.A.M.; Janesville Commandery, No. 2, K.T.; and
Oriental Lodge, No. 5, K. of P.
- On March 22, 1866, Mr. NOWLAN married Jennie MARLETT, daughter
of Garrett MARLETT
- and Eliza (BLOOD). She is a devout member of the Congregational
Church. Seven children have blessed their union - Minnie, Burton
F., Maud, Harry and Eloise, living; and Jennie and Nellie, deceased.
Minnie is a widow, and makes her home with her parents. Burton
F. married Jessie E. MERRILL, and has two children. Louise M.
and Hiram M. The three younger children are unmarried, and live
at home. The family residence is at No. 53 Cornelia street,
where Mr. NOWLAN built a fine residence in 1868.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c)1901, pp. 835-836.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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