- WILLIAM PAUL, deceased. The pleasant recollections which
cluster around the names of those
- who during their life time were accorded a proud place among
men, are to be perpetuated only in history. To preserve the memory
of the gentleman above named, and to give him and his family
a place in the history of the county in which they have lived
long and worthily, is both the duty and pleasure of the historian.
Our subject was born near the city of Elgin, Murray Co., Scotland,
on the 12th day of October, 1812, and is a son of William and
Janet (SKEIN) PAUL. He was educated in his native land and on
looking about him for some trade or occupation which he should
make a life work, chose that of farming, which he followed in
Scotland until 1838. In that year he bade goodbye to home, friends
and native land, and sailed across the broad Atlantic with the
purpose in view of carving out a fortune for himself in the New
World, of whose advantages and prospects he had heard much. On
reaching America, he first located in the Empire State, where
he was employed in a distillery for about two years, and from
New York removed to Licking County, Ohio. On leaving the latter
place, he received a recommendation from his employer commending
him to a firm in Newark, Ohio, where he next made his home. While
residing there, he became acquainted with Miss Harriet E. NICOL,
a native of Madison County, Va., born Jan. 8, 1819. The friendship
of the young couple ripening into love, they were united in marriage
in Newark, on the 25th day of February, 1843. The lady is a daughter
of George and Esther (HAINES) NICOL, the former a native of Hagerstown,
Md., the latter of the Old Dominion.
- Two years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. PAUL left the
Buckeye State, and in the spring of
- 1845, came to Milton, Wis. During the following autumn, in
connection with his brother, he purchased 160 acres of land in
the town of Milton, which constitutes the present home of his
wife. That fall he broke forty acres of land and with his family
moved into a little log cabin which had previously been erected,
and which yet stands as a landmark of pioneer days, one of the
few relics of frontier life that has withstood the ravages of
time. His family comfortably settled, he turned his attention
to the development of the wild prairie, yet in its primitive
condition, and in the course of time had transformed it into
one of the finest farms in the community. He purchased his brother's
interest in the land and subsequently added to the original tract
until 228 broad acres paid tribute to the care and labor which
he bestowed upon them.
- Unto Mr. and Mrs. PAUL were born ten children, all of whom
are yet living - Ellen J., is the wife
- of William RICHARDSON, a farmer of Chickasaw County, Iowa;
Wallace is engaged in farming in the town of Milton; Mary A.,
wedded Ira FLAGLER, who lives in Eau Claire, Wis.; Horace is
a farmer of the town of Milton; Hattie is the wife of Hugh BLACK,
a farmer residing near Algona, Iowa; George and Georgiana, twins,
are living in Milton Township, the former engaged in farming,
while the latter is the wife of Wilbur CROSS, a farmer; Bessie
makes her home with her mother; Eliza married William HODGE,
who died July 8, 1886 and resides on the old homestead; and William
B., the youngest, now has the management of the home farm.
- William PAUL came to this country resolved to make his own
way in the world and became one
- of the prosperous farmers of Rock County. His children were
all carefully educated and reared to lives of usefulness. As
the years flew by, he and his good wife saw their possessions
increase, and their toil was rendered lighter by the joys of
a happy wedded life. Of a determined nature and possessed of
unbounded energy and perseverance, no difficulty was so great
that it deterred him from accomplishing the end which he was
striving for, but with dauntless courage he pressed steadily
forward until his efforts were crowned with success. In early
life he affiliated with the Whig party, but afterward became
an enthusiastic admirer and advocate of the Republican party.
The death of that honored gentleman occurred May 11, 1878, and
his memory is fondly cherished by the loving wife and the sons
and daughters left to mourn his loss. He was one of Rock County's
most valued citizens, a kind and accommodating neighbor and friend,
a tender husband, and an indulgent parent. About twenty years
prior to his death, he embraced religion and joined the United
Brethren in Christ. He became an earnest helper in all church
and Sunday-school work and his labors were productive of much
good. Mrs. PAUL, who is a most estimable lady, still presides
over her hospitable home, and is beloved by all who know her.
She has now attained the allotted three score years and ten,
and her numerous friends sincerely wish that her life may be
extended through many years to come, and that peace and happiness
will always accompany her.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 730-731.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|