- N. N. PALMER, one of the progressive and enterprising farmers
of Spring Valley Township,
- residing on sections 3 and 4, is a native of Vermont, his
birth having occurred in that State Dec. 20, 1832. His parents,
John N. and Ann (SNOW) PALMER, were numbered among the pioneer
settlers of this county, having arrived in Janesville on the
4th day of July, 1845. Locating in Johnstown Township, his father
pre-empted 160 acres of land on section 18, where he made his
home for about two and a half years, when, in the winter of 1848,
he removed with his family to Magnolia Township, settling on
section 34. For many years he made his home on that farm, when,
in 1870, he became a resident in the home where our subject now
lives. His death occurred in September, 1873. He took an active
interest in the affairs of the county, was a leading member of
the Baptist Church, in which he held the office of deacon for
many years, and was everywhere known as Deacon PALMER. His wife
died on the 22d of September, 1886. The following obituary was
written by Elder GIBB, who officiated at the funeral services:
- "At the residence of William ALCOTT, Spring Valley Township,
on Wednesday morning, Sept.
- 22, 1886, Mrs. J. N. PALMER died, at the age of seventy-eight
years. Deceased was a daughter of Moses and Anna SNOW, of Lime,
N.H.; born April 10, 1808, and married to John N. PALMER at Orford,
N.H., Feb. 22, 1832. Together they came to Wisconsin in 1845,
first locating at Johnstown, and after a brief residence moved
to Magnolia, thence about fifteen years ago to the new home they
erected near the dwelling of their son, near Spring Valley Corners,
where Deacon PALMER died Sept. 4, 1873. Since that time Mrs.
PALMER has divided her time between the homes of her son and
daughter - N. N. PALMER and the late Mrs. William ALCOTT - where
her visits have been anticipated with delight and where her widowhood
and declining years have been the subject of dutiful and loving
attention. Her presence was nothing less than a benediction in
gentle, orderly, reverent and pleasing influence alike over the
young and the more mature in years. Her character was that of
a quiet, unassuming Christian, and while not demonstrative she
shared deeply in the joys, sorrows and necessities of others,
and never failed to manifest her real interest and concern for
kindred, friends or strangers by acts of self-denying helpfulness.
- "Since the decease, in April last, of her daughter,
Mrs. William ALCOTT, and as soon as possible
- after rising from a bed of sickness herself, she returned
to that bereaved home to assuage its grief and share its burdens
as far as in her lay. Such a life can only be best appreciated
by those who felt its daily influence - an influence that will
abide and continue to speak in its gentleness, goodness and constancy
as the combined results of Christian faith and a calm and affectionate
nature. Her loss is deeply felt by the bereaved families, and
more deeply since her decease has occurred so soon after that
of her daughter, in whom the character of this excellent woman
was so nearly reproduced. Her funeral services were held at the
Baptist Church in Brodhead, and conducted by Elders GIBB and
DICKINSON, the writer preaching the sermon from Job 19:25, 'For
I know that my Redeemer liveth.' A large assembly gathered, expressive
of regard for the life now closed. The grave, by kindly hands,
was beautifully clothed with evergreens and floral tributes,
and the choral services at the church and grave were excellent
and impressive."
- The subject of this sketch is the eldest of three children
and the only one yet living. Olive, who was
- born April 12, 1838, became the wife of William ALCOTT, a
resident of Spring Valley Township, and to them were born two
children - Minnie O. and Anna M. The death of Mrs. ALCOTT occurred
in April, 1886. D. Webster, who was born Sept. 27, 1840, died
April 28, 1868, leaving a widow to mourn his loss, whose maiden
name was Silvia M. SPRAGUE.
- When our subject was a young lad he came with his parents
to Rock County, where the greater
- part of his life has since been passed. At the age of twenty
years he began business for himself. In the spring of 1853, having
a desire to see the new country, he started with a party of twenty
men for California. They hired John HALL to convey them to their
destination, which they reached after about six months travel.
The journey was made with two-horse teams and several ox teams,
and they drove from ten to twenty-five miles per day. On the
31st day of March, they left Spring Valley, then a little hamlet
containing a store, a hotel, four shops and a postoffice, and
crossed the Mississippi River at Dubuque. Arriving at Council
Bluffs, they there halted for several days, during which time
a man was killed. The following day the assassin was tried by
a vigilance committee and hanged. On the 17th day of May they
left Council Bluffs, crossing the Missouri River at that place.
On the 12th day of July they encamped at night by the side of
a snow drift. During the latter part of the month they arrived
in Salt Lake City, and spent about a week about three miles from
the city. While there they attended a Mormon dance, the ladies
participating being principally the wives of the man at whose
house the exercises took place. A Mormon elder informed them
that it was usually their custom to open the dance with prayer,
but that they might proceed without.
- About half of the party remained in Salt Lake City until
the following spring, but Mr. PALMER,
- with the remainder of the company, continued on his way until
reaching Lawson's Meadow, on the Humboldt River, where he concluded
to go in a different direction, and with three others left the
party and set out on foot. After two days they reach Rabbit Hole
Springs, where they found water, the last they had until they
crossed the desert. Mr. PALMER suffered very much during this
time. While en route they came to a camp of emigrants who had
stopped on the way to give their cattle rest. There were some
ladies in the party who volunteered to cook for them their last
provisions, consisting of a pint of rice. The ladies added venison,
soft bread and coffee to their repast. This was the first square
meal the party had had for days. After breakfast Mr. PALMER hired
out at $50 per month. Arriving in California, he went to Shasta
City, where he prospected for some time, purchased a shanty,
and later hired out to a man for $75 per month. In June, 1854,
he went to Deadwood, prospecting in the deep diggings. For some
time his labors proved useless. He got in debt, had no money
to pay, and was almost giving up in despair when he found a piece
of gold weighing eight ounces. With renewed hope and energy he
resumed his task, and in the fall went to work for a company
on McAdams Creek, receiving $78 per month. He subsequently purchased
the claim for $1,000, running in debt for the same, but success
attended his efforts, and in the fall of 1857 he returned to
his home with about $4,000 and much valuable experience. In returning,
he went nine miles on foot to Eureka, then by stage forty miles
to Callahan's ranch, at the foot of Scott's Mountain, where he
took a mule train the same day. Proceeding to San Francisco,
he left that city June 5, going by way of the Isthmus of Panama,
for home, and on the 3d day of July, 1857, he arrived in Rock
County.
- Soon after his return Mr. PALMER purchased the mortgage on
a farm in Harmony Township at
- a reduced rate, the owner desiring the money for speculative
purposes, this being the time of the panic of 1857. When he left
home wheat was selling at twenty cents per bushel, but on his
return it brought $2 per bushel. In 1857 he purchased a little
store in Janesville, but not liking the business sold out the
same year and engaged in speculating in real estate in a small
way for some time. In the spring of 1858 he purchased the store
of Dr. ABBOTT in Spring Valley, but the following October sold
out to Burr SPRAGUE and went on a visit to the East. In the fall
of 1859 he purchased a farm in Green County, which, after about
a year, he traded for the home where he now resides.
- On the 24th day of September, 1861, Mr. PALMER was united
in marriage with Miss Nellie A.
- SPRAGUE, a daughter of Almeron and Asenath (NOYES) SPRAGUE,
who were natives of New York, and who came to Rock County in
1846. They had a family of seven children, four of whom are living.
Melvina died in childhood, while the family were yet residents
of New York; Edwin R., who is a Justice of the Peace, of Brodhead,
has been thrice married; his first wife, whose maiden name was
Laura BAKER, lived but a year, after which he married Julia A.
RICE, and to them were born four children, whose mother died
in 1873, and Edwin became the husband of May MURPHY; Clarinda
became the wife of Edwin HARRINGTON, by whom she had four children,
three of whom died in childhood, and she afterwards became the
wife of H. B. STEWART, and has only one child by that marriage,
Gerald; Hon. Burr SPRAGUE, who is living in Brodhead, married
Miss Levina ABBOTT, an adopted daughter of S. W. ABBOTT of Monroe,
and by their union three children have been born, a daughter
and two sons, the elder of whom is the editor of the Brodhead
Register; Mrs. PALMER, next in order of birth, was born
Feb. 17, 1840; Albert N., when twenty-one years of age, was thrown
from a horse and supposed to be instantly killed; Sylva M., who
became the wife of D. Webster PALMER, now deceased, is now the
wife of Lewis B. BEEBE of Evansville.
- By the union of Mr. and Mrs. PALMER four children have been
born, three of whom are living:
- Maud E., born July 15, 1862, is a graduate of the Evansville
Seminary, was a student of the State University, and is now pursuing
a musical course under Mrs. BINTLIFF of Janesville; Albert W.,
born Feb. 7, 1864, married Annie M. ALCOTT, whose home was on
the farm near his father's, and to them has been born one child,
Glenn, born Dec. 19, 1888; Ralph Newton, who was born May 27,
1873, and died July 12, 1879, was an invalid from birth, and
but one night during his entire life was the light extinguished,
while for six years a watch was kept hour after hour at his bedside,
until at last the little sufferer was called home; Bernice Clare,
the youngest, was born on the 6th day of June, 1879.
- Since 1861 Mr. PALMER has resided upon the farm where he
yet makes his home. In 1871 he
- embarked in the nursery business, and at one time was the
owner of the largest orchard in the town, but of late years he
has gradually diminished his nursery stock and devoted his attention
to the raising of thoroughbred Jersey cattle. In the spring of
1874 he purchased the first one of those animals, but now owns
about fifty head of thoroughbreds, included the best Jersey sire
in the State of Wisconsin. He is a member of the American Jersey
Cattle Club and President of the Wisconsin State Jersey Breeders'
Association, in which he has held that office for three years.
He is also engaged in raising Berkshire hogs and Plymouth Rock
chickens. Mr PALMER is the owner of one of the most beautiful
homes in Rock County, known as the "Evergreen farm."
The improvements have all been made since he took up his residence
thereon, and the entire surroundings indicate thrift and refinement.
- In political sentiment Mr. PALMER has ever been a supporter
of the Republican party. He has
- served his fellow citizens as a member of the Town Board,
has acted on the School Board, and has always taken great interest
in the advancement of education. Public spirited and progressive,
he is a valued citizen, and is held in the highest regard by
all with whom business or pleasure has brought him in contact.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 933-936.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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