- AUSTIN B. FESSENDEN, a practical and representative farmer
and raiser of tobacco, residing
- on section 24, Porter Township, was born in Chatauqua County,
N.Y., on the 6th day of February, 1840. His parents, Horace and
Salome (BEEBE) FESSENDEN, were natives of the Empire State, and
there resided for many years. Horace FESSENDEN was a lumber dealer,
following that business in Hanoon, N.Y. until 1830, when he purchased
a farm in Chatauqua County, and turned his attentions to agricultural
pursuits. After operating his land for ten years, he sold out
and in 1846, following the course of emigration which was steadily
drifting westward, landed in Rock County, Wis. Immediately after
his arrival, he purchased a farm of 160 acres on section 26,
Porter Township, the land then being in a primitive condition.
He built a little log cabin into which the family moved and immediately
began clearing the land. Mr. FESSENDEN was one of the earliest
settlers of Rock County and was an important factor in the upbuilding
and development of the township. He added to his original purchase
until his farm comprised 430 acres, which he placed under a high
state of cultivation and greatly improved. As a citizen, he was
public spirited, enterprising and progressive and filled various
offices of trust, serving for three or four years as town Treasurer,
and for a number of years was a member of the Town Board. All
moral and social interests received his ready support and he
was a true friend to the cause of education. In political sentiment,
he affiliated with the Democratic party, and as every true American
citizen should do, took an active interest in politics, but was
never an office-seeker. Through the community in which he lived,
he was held in high regard and won the confidence and respect
of all with whom business or pleasure brought him in contact.
His excellent wife died on the 23d day of August, 1859, and was
laid to rest in Taylor cemetery in Porter Township. A year had
not yet passed when the husband followed her to the grave, his
death occurring at the old homestead July 12, 1860. He was then
placed by the side of a loving wife with whom he had traveled
life's journey for so many years.
- Horace and Salome FESSENDEN were the parents of eleven children
- Nelson, who is now
- deceased; Austin B., of this sketch; Helen, who has passed
away; Adelbert, who makes his home in Fulton, Rock County; Leroy,
who is living at the old homestead in the town of Porter; Albert,
a resident of Evansville, Rock County; Helen, who is also living
in Evansville; Dean, who resides in Clinton, Wis.; and Frank,
the youngest, now deceased.
- Austin B. FESSENDEN, who[se] name heads this sketch, has
passed almost his entire life in this
- county and has witnessed almost its entire growth. At the
time his parents settled in this community, the smoke of the
Indian wigwam had scarcely cleared away, the deer and other wild
game were still found in abundance and the settlements were few
and far between. In those days they lived in the true pioneer
style of frontier settlers, and endured many hardships and trials.
Austin began his education in a little log school-house in such
as many of our most eminent men learned the rudimentary branches.
He resided with his parents until their death when he took charge
of the home farm, operating it for two years, when he purchased
the share of one of the heirs and began business for himself.
His life has been one of industry and hard work, but his labors
have at length brought their reward and he is now the owner of
one of the finest farms in Rock County. It now comprises 180
acres of arable land under a high state of cultivation, many
beautiful improvements have been made and everything necessary
to a model farm can be found thereon. The little log cabin, his
home in early years, was replaced in 1867, by a commodious and
handsome two-story brick dwelling, which shelters one of the
most hospitable and pleasant families of the county. In connection
with general farming, Mr. FESSENDEN engages in the cultivation
of tobacco, having raised that product for nineteen years.
- On the 6th day of September, 1860, Mr. FESSENDEN led to the
marriage altar Miss Emily
- VAUGHN, a native of New York. By their union seven children
have been born - Orpha A., who was born March 26, 1862, is living
in the town of Porter; Forrest G., born April 13, 1865, is still
under the parental roof; Fred C., born Feb. 15, 1867, is now
deceased; Luella M., born Aug. 15, 1869, is at home; Frank W.,
born July 19, 1871, is now dead; Elma S., born April 12, 1877,
and Lloyd B., born Sept. 8, 1882, yet reside with their parents.
The children have all received good educational advantages, thereby
fitting them for the practical duties of life.
- Possessing progressive ideas, Mr. FESSENDEN has always taken
an interest in all public
- measures and has been prominently identified with many of
the leading enterprises of the community. He has served his fellow-citizens
as a member of the Town Board, has filled the office of Treasurer,
and at different times has served as Side Supervisor, discharging
his various duties with promptness and fidelity. In political
life, he has followed in the footsteps of his father, being a
warm supporter of Democratic principles. Mr. and Mrs. FESSENDEN
hold an enviable place in the hearts of their many friends and
the respect which is rendered them is well merited.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 980-981.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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