- EDMOND FELLOWS, a leading farmer of Rock County, residing
on section 19, Union
- Township, was born in Monroe County, N.Y., on the 30th day
of December, 1827, and is a son of Frederick and Emily (HUBBARD)
FELLOWS, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter
of Vermont. The FELLOWS family is of German ancestry and for
several generations has engaged in agricultural pursuits. Our
subject is one of a family of seven children, all of whom are
now living. George is a prominent farmer of Center Township;
Edmond is the second in order of birth; Maria became the wife
of George LEE, a farmer of the town of Magnolia; Mary wedded
Martin CASE, who is engaged in farming near Belmont, Iowa; Sarah
is the wife of Ray GILMAN, a clothier of Evansville; Henry is
a resident of Evansville, and Frances is the wife of Clinton
SCOFIELD, a resident farmer of the town of Union. The family
resided in New York until 1851, when they became residents of
Lorraine County, Ohio, where Mr. FELLOWS purchased a farm of
140 acres. He engaged in the operation of that land until 1856,
when he came with his wife and children to Rock County and again
resumed farming. He purchased 240 acres of land, which he placed
under a high state of cultivation, and his farm became one of
the most valuable in the township. Mr. FELLOWS was one of the
leading citizens of Rock County, and was especially interested
in political affairs. He supported the Whig party until its dissolution,
when he joined the new Republican party and remained one of its
inflexible adherents and stanch supporters until his death. He
never aspired to political honors, but was ever an active worker
for the success of his party, using every honorable means in
his power to advance its interests. He was a man who had many
friends, and was loved and respected by all who knew him. Strong
and robust, he was a lover of field sports and took great delight
in hunting. He was always well informed on the public issues
of the day, could converse well and intelligently on all subjects,
and was a favorite in the social world. His kind and benevolent
acts have enshrined him in the hearts of many, and by the poor
and oppressed he is held in loving remembrance as a benefactor.
No needy one was every turned from his door, and the downtrodden
were always sure of a word of encouragement. On the 17th day
of May, 1872, he passed away, and thus another life of usefulness
ended. His excellent wife survived her husband until 1888, when
she, too, departed this life. She was a devoted member of the
Episcopal Church, and her life was in harmony with her professions.
- The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood days in his
native State, and received his education
- in the common schools. He remained under the parental roof
until the age of twenty-six years, when, in 1853, he began working
on the Cleveland & Toledo Railroad. He was employed on the
construction of a bridge at Toledo during that year, and in 1854
went to Lorraine County, Ohio, where he made his home until 1858.
In the latter year he came to Rock County and rented a farm,
which he operated for two years, when, in 1860, he purchased
forty acres of land. Since becoming a resident of Rock County
he had bought and sold lands to the amount of 1,253 acres, and
was also proprietor of a hotel in Evansville, which he conducted
for a short time. He became the owner of a farm in Dunkirk, Dane
Co., Wis., and in 1885 purchased his present farm of eighty acres,
on the northwest quarter of section 19, Union Township, where
he has made his home since. No land is better cultivated or more
highly improved than that owned by our subject, and he is regarded
as one of the prominent farmers of the community.
- In 1851 Mr. FELLOWS led to the marriage altar Miss Jane ELLIOTT,
a native of Monroe
- County, N.Y., and a daughter of German and Lydia ELLIOTT,
who resided until death in Monroe County. Their union has been
blessed with two children. Edgar G., who is engaged in farming
in connection with his father, is an energetic and enterprising
young man, possessed of good business ability, and is an honor
to the family name. He is one of the most stalwart supporters
of the Republican party, and during the campaign of 1888 made
a trip to Indianapolis, calling upon the President-elect, Gen.
Harrison. Katie, the younger child, is now the wife of Frank
GIBBS, a farmer of Union Township.
- Mr. FELLOWS is one of the representative men of Rock County,
is an indefatigable worker and
- an enterprising citizen. He has been very successful in his
business career, but in 1887 suffered con- siderable loss by
fire, a splendid barn, 76x96 feet, being burned to the ground.
Three head of cows were in the building at the time, together
with many valuable farm implements. Whatever he undertakes Mr.
FELLOWS carries through successfully. Like his father, he joined
the ranks of the Republican party at the time of the first election
of Lincoln, and was a warm advocate of the President's policy
during the trying scenes of the late war. He takes a deep interest
in the success of the party, and feels that though the work it
has accomplished is immeasurable, its mission is not yet fulfilled.
Mr. FELLOWS commands the respect and esteem of all, and has won
the confidence of those with whom business or pleasure have brought
him in contact.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 975-976.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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