- CLARK NYE, deceased, who for forty-three years was a resident
and leading citizen of this
- county, and resided on section 21, Beloit Township, was born
in Oswego, N.Y., June 5, 1803, and was a son of Joseph and Sally
Ann (CLARK) NYE, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. They
were married in Bridgewater, N.Y., about the year 1800, where
eight children were born to them. Clark, of this sketch, is the
eldest; Sally became the wife of Martin JOHNSON, and both died
in Herkimer County, leaving two children, Henry and Albert, who
are prominent and wealthy residents of Minneapolis, Minn.; Abel,
now deceased; Austin, who is engaged in farming in Minnesota;
Nelson, a farmer, residing near Hudson, Mich.; Horace, who is
living in Bridgewater, N.Y.; Albert, now deceased; Elmira, whose
home is in Nebraska, and Maria. The father of this family died
in Herkimer County in 1853, and the mother, who was a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, departed this life in 1860.
They were both highly respected citizens in the community where
they resided, and their death was mourned by many friends. In
an early day Joseph NYE went with a surveying party to Ohio,
and during his journeys through that State saw but two white
settlers.
- Our subject received a limited education in the schools of
his native county, and at the age of fif-
- teen left the parental roof to make his own way in the world.
He was first employed at farm labor by the month, and from the
small wages which he received he saved enough to purchase a small
tract of land in 1824. Since that time his enterprises have been
generally successful, he being able to add to his possessions
by his industry and economy. In 1828 he was united in marriage
with Abigail MORGAN, a native of Herkimer County, N.Y., and in
the spring of that year the young couple began their domestic
life upon a rented farm in that county. They there continued
to reside until 1830, when Mr. NYE purchased a tract of timber
land, which he began to clear and where they resided for two
years, then sold out, purchasing another farm in that county,
which they continued to make their home until 1846. Previous
to this time he had made a journey to Wisconsin, and having a
chance to sell this farm to advantage, he resolved to cast his
lot with the early settlers of Rock County, and emigrating to
the West, located near Beloit. Lands were cheaper further from
the city, but Mr. NYE desired to provide his children with good
educational advantages and selected that farm. He bought 120
acres of land, entering another tract of forty acres, and at
the time of his death, which occurred March 21, 1889, resided
upon his original purchase, which continued to be his home with
the exception of six years spent at Beloit. Feeling that the
loss of an education had been a detriment to him through life,
he determined that his children should receive liberal advantages,
and to that end removed to that city.
- Seven children were born of this union - William
N., who is now a prominent farmer of Beloit
- Township; Caroline, widow of John V. HUGUNIN, who was a leading
farmer of La Prairie Township, still resides on the farm; Ira
P., a prominent attorney and real estate agent of Eureka, Kan.;
Sarah, widow of Lyons BENTLEY, is now living on the old homestead;
Charles is a well-to-do farmer of Beloit Township; Joseph C.,
a banker and prominent citizen of Eureka, Kan., is also an extensive
ranch-man in Greenwood County; Mary, wife of Henry ALBERTSON,
who is a leading citizen of Des Moines, Iowa. In 1878 the mother
of these children passed to her reward. For fifty years Mr. and
Mrs. NYE traveled life's journey together, sharing with each
other its joys and sorrows, its pleasures and its pain. The lady
was an earnest, devoted Christian, and for many years was a devoted
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her children received
the kindest care and attention, and it was her daily endeavor
to teach them the true way of life. She was permitted to live
to see them honored and useful members of society, of which any
mother might be proud, and when death called her she was ready
to respond to the Master's summons. Although her absence makes
a void in the family circle which nothing can fill, her family
can look forward to a happy reunion when the toils and trials
of this life are over.
- For about forty-three years Mr. NYE was identified with the
history of Rock County. On his
- arrival in this community the country was in a wild, uncultivated
state, settlements were few, and wild game was seen in abundance.
From his own land he dug the stone which was used in building
his house, and from Milwaukee, which is distant eighty-seven
miles, he hauled the lumber. He immediately began the cultivation
and improvement of the land, clearing it of brush, planting crops,
erecting barns, and continuing the work of transformation until
he became the owner of one of the best farms in this section.
He was truly one of the self-made men of the community. Starting
out in life when only fifteen years of age, his capital consisted
of only a strong determination to succeed, combined with a young
man's bright hope of the future, but by enterprise, hard labor
and ability he gained a comfortable competency, and became one
of the well-to-do farmers of the township. His home was the abode
of hospitality, and kindness and charity were extended to all.
The poor had no truer friend than Mr. NYE, and to many he rendered
most kindly assistance. In early life he was a supporter of the
Whig party, and cast his ballot for William Henry Harrison, the
hero of Tippecanoe, but on the dissolution of that party he joined
the new Republican party, which he has since supported, and in
1888 voted for Gen. Benjamin Harrison, the illustrious grandson
of the Whig President. For sixty years he was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and as time passed his faith continually
grew stronger in the Bible and its promises. He has given liberally
in support of educational and religious institutions, and no
citizen of Rock County is held in higher respect.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 971-973.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|