- R. T. PEMBER, ex-sheriff of Rock County, and a leading farmer
residing on section 28,
- Johnstown Township, was born on the 15th day of August, 1826.
He was the third in order of birth in a family of six children,
whose parents were Joseph and Mary (THOMPSON) PEMBER. Three
of the family are still living - John B., who is engaged in farming
in Fayette County, Iowa, and is married and has three children;
Clarissa, who wedded John SCHOFIELD, a farmer of Johnstown Township,
by whom she had six children, two sons and four daughters, died
on the 3rd day of September, 1877; R. T. of this sketch, is
next in order of birth; Mary, who wedded Wesley STEVENS, a merchant
of Marysville, Cal., died in that city in 1858, leaving two children;
Lydia is the wife of Walter NEWBURY, a resident farmer of Butler
County, Kansas, and to them have been born eight children, all
of whom are living. In 1834, Joseph PEMBER, the father of this
family, died, and the mother was again married, her second union
being with Daniel P. FORNHAM. Unto them have been born three
children - Moses, for twelve yearsengaged in school-teaching,
is a local preacher of Colusa County, Cal., where he also operates
a farm; Sarah is the wife of Edward EVERETT, a resident of Sioux
City, Iowa, and unto them have been born six children, all of
whom are living; Melvina, wife of Robert TOMPKINS died at Iron
Mountain, Mo., in 1878, leaving three children, one son and two
daughters.
- The subject of this sketch spent his early life in Chautauqua
County, N. Y., receiving his education
- in the district schools, and in 1844, at the age of eighteen
years, he accompanied the family to Wisconsin. They traveled
by land, leaving New York on the 7th day of May, and on the 3d
day of June arrived at their destination, having traveled 600
miles. The first home of the family was in a log-house, which
now stands on the farm of Mr. Pickett, and its inmates numbered
thirty people. In the fall of the year, Mr. PEMBER's step-father
purchased what is known as part of the Belle Farm, and the family
removed to their new home.
- Two years after the arrival of our subject in Rock County,
he commenced working by the month
- for Shubal FARR, and continued at farm labor through the
summer of 1846. The following winter he attended school for
about two months, which completed his education. On the 18th
day of March, 1847, he led to the marriage alter Miss Deliluh,
a daughter of Stephen and Esther (TURNER) NEWBURY a former resident
of Chantauqua County, N. Y. In 1845, she emigrated with her
parents to RockCounty, Wis., where they passed the remainder
of their days, the father's death occurring Oct. 15, 1880, and
the mother departing this life in 1885. They were parents of
five children, three of whom are yet living---Walter, who is
engaged in farming in Butler County, Kan.; Soresta, widow of
Benjamin GIFFORD, is living in Chantauqua County, N. Y., and
has two children, both living; Delilah, wife of our subject,
is the next in order of birth; Sally A., wife of Joshua FLINT,
a resident of Green County, Wis., has become the mother of four
children; Franklin, who wedded Margaret PICKETT, died in 1872,
leaving his widow and two children, a daughter and son, who now
reside in the town of Milton, Rock County.
- After his marriage, Mr. PEMBER purchased the farm owned by
J. HADDEN on the "middle
- road", and for thirteen years continued its cultivation;
having in the meantime purchased 120 acres from his brother,
thus giving him a farm of 400 acres. Selling this farm in 1860,
he moved with his family to Johnstown Center, near his present
farm on section 28, where he resided until Jan. 1, 1863. In
the previous fall he had been elected sheriff of Rock County
on the Republic ticket, and on 1st day of January, entered upon
the duties of that office, serving a term of two years. He then
engaged in the livery business in Janesville, until 1870, when
he was re-elected to the position of Sheriff, serving another
term. In 1873, he returned to his farm, where he has since made
his home, with the exception of one year. He has dealt quite
extensively in real estate, having at different times owned 2500
acres of land besides considerable property in Janesville. His
farm now comprises 400 acres, which is under a fine state of
cultivation, and pays a golden tribute to the care and labor
which he bestows upon it. The improvements are many and are
all that are necessary to the model farm of the Nineteenth century.
His farm has been reduced in size by the gift of land to his
three sons, the total value of which is about $20,000.
- Five children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs.
PEMBER, and four of that number are
- yet living---Rosette, who was born Jan. 23, 1850, is the
wife of James FITZGIBBONS, a machinist of Janesville, and unto
them have been born three children--- Nellie, who is now deceased;
Frank and Lettie J. Frank, who was born Dec. 12, 1858, is a
leading physician of Janesville, whose sketch will be found elsewhere
in this work. He graduated from the Chicage Medical College
in the class of 1883, after which he spent one year in the hospital,
and later engaged in the practice of his profession at the Northern
Insane Asylum near Oskosh for two years, after which he spent
one year in Chicago, and then removed to Hinsdale, Minn., where
he was engaged as a physician for the Minnesota Granite Company
for one year, after which he located at Janesville. He married
Miss Ada HUMPHREY; Walter wedded Miss Julia MORSE, a resident
of Johnstown Center; William, who was born Dec. 5, 1860, is unmarried.
- During the dark days of the Rebellion Mr. PEMBER did much
for his country in the way of
- encouraging enlistments. Prevented from entering the service
himself on account of the loss of sight of his right eye, he
was one of two to put a man in the field. The old soldier always
found in him a true friend. Politically, he is an ardent Republican,
his first Presidential vote being cast for John C. Fremont, in
1856, and his last for Benjamin Harrison in 1888. Mr. PEMBER
is one of the leading citizens of Rock County. He is a man of
fine business ability, energetic and enterprising, and has made
his own way in the world. He has been identified with the leading
interests of the county for many years, and has witnessed almost
its entire growth from the days of its early history. In addition
to the office of Sheriff, he has served his fellow-citizens as
Supervisor for two years, and at different times he has been
a Member of the School Board. In all his offficial positions
he has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity, reflecting
credit upon himself and his constituents. He is now President
of the Rock County Agricultural Society, which position he has
held for eight years, and holds the same office in the Johnstown
Fire Insurance Company. The honorable and upright course which
he has pursued in both public and private life has won him the
respect and confidence of all with whom business or pleasure
have brought him in contact, and by his many friends he is held
in the highest regard.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 307-309.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
- Transcribed by Bill
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