USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth County, Wisconsin > Part 133
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S. W. Benson, settled on Section 25, on land formerly owned by W. O. Sleeper, who took up land early but moved away. Mr. Benson was born in Armenia, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Novem- ber 8, 1810. He married Miss Jeanette Hillard, and came to Bloomfield in the spring of 1845. In 1859 they moved to Genoa Junction, where Mrs. Benson died, August 29, 1877. Mr. Benson is still living in Dakota.
W. W. Byington, from Williston, Vt., came in May, 1845, and settled on Section 6. He served as Clerk of the town five successive years; from 1853 to 1858 inclusive. He has now retired from active business and resides in the town of Elkhorn.
Sidney Buell came in 1844 or 1845. He was a young man of some means, and brought in the first considerable flock (some two hundred) of merino sheep. He was the first to start sheep husbandry in the town. He Settled on Section 29. He married Miss Mary Maynard in September, 1847. She died many years ago. They had three sons, none of whom reside in the town. His second wife, a most estimable lady, was Miss Antonette Holcomb. They still live in the town. He is one of the leading farmers and citizens.
In 1845, Thomas Wilson and family, from the same State, settled on Section 36. He and his wife both died in town, where he has a daughter still living. A son resides in Richmond, and another is a Methodist clergyman in Appleton.
At a later, but comparatively early date, came Solon Reed and family, A. K. Hill, both now living in Geneva ; George W. Edwards, now living in the north part of the State; Silas Wright, still living in the town ; Thomas Beeden, now living in Richmond, Ill .; James Irwin and wife, deceased : one of his daughters, Mrs. Joseph Fuller, still living in town; Eli Manor, a prominent merchant, hotel proprietor etc., who lives in Genoa Junction.
EARLY EVENTS.
The first birth that occurred in the town of Bloomfield (Silas Wright Tupper) has already been noted in the mention of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Tupper.
The first marriage occurred in the month of February, 1841, William Williams, a resident of McHenry County, III., and Miss Adeline Buckland of Bloomfield, being the contracting parties. They were married by C. M. Baker Esq., at the residence of the bride's father.
The first marriage (both parties being residents of the town) was that of J. P. Chapin, son of Deacon John Chapin, to Miss Sarah Jerrod, at the residence of her father, Jeremiah Jerrod. The ceremony was performed on March 18, 1841, by C. M. Baker, Esq., of Geneva.
The first girl born in the town was Jane Eliza Trow, daughter of Benjamin and Aurelia Trow, October 8, 1839. She died a few years ago.
The first breaking was done on the southwest quarter of Section 18 (owned by William K. May) and the southwest quarter of Section 6 (owned by Harry Kimball) in 1837, the first crop consisting of corn, oats, wheat, potatoes, etc., being raised on the same ground in 1838.
The first school was a private school, taught in the summer of 1840 by Mrs. Electa Ward in a house built by W. D. Chapin, on the northwest quarter of Section 6.
The first church was the Methodist, organized in 1841, at the Center Schoolhouse, on Sec- tion 21, with about twelve members.
THE VILLAGE OF GENOA JUNCTION.
This village of about three hundred inhabitants is situated in the southeastern part of the town, near the northern State line of Illinois, and on the east side of Nippersink Creek. The Rockford & Kenosha Railroad passes through the village, and the Chicago & Northwestern along its eastern line. It is not incorporated. Genoa contains a post- office, one flour mill, a planing mill, lumber yard, two carriage shops, one general black-
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
smith and repairing establishment, a good hotel, three general stores, one drug and grocery store, one hardware store, one tailor, one shoemaker, and two saloon-keepers.
Genoa Flour Mills .- The original building was erected in 1851, by James F. Dick- erson. It then had two (2) run of stone; it now has four, with a capacity of 50 bbls. of flour and 350 bu. of feed per day. The main building is three-and-one-half stories, 60 x 80 ft., with three wings, and the property is valued at $15,000. J. A. Pierce, of Sugar Creek, is the owner, but the mill is operated by G. W. Pierce. The particular brands manufactured are : "Snow Bank " and "Cook's Delight." The mill is operated by water power, there being a fall of 16 ft. at this point.
W. J. Miller & Sons .- These flourishing wagon and carriage works were established by Mr. Miller in 1850. Besides manufacturing these articles he does a general repair- ing and blacksmithing business. The above partnership was formed in 1872, and addi- tions were made to his buildings three years ago. The " Miller Wagon," so called, is standard.
Planing Mill,-The planing mill was built in 1869, and since then has been owned and operated by Robert Wegg. The property is valued at about $4,000. Mr. Wegg employs from 5 to 8 hands.
A neat little hotel, the Manor House, was built in 1871, and is the only one in the village. It is owned by Eli Manor, and conducted by his son, F. A.
This little village, which contains so many germs of growth, was first platted by James F. Dickerson, May 9 and 10, 1850. Mr. Dickerson died in a few years, and Adolph Freeman married his widow. In 1855-6, two additions to the original plat were made by Mr. Freeman.
CHURCHES.
The Congregational Church was organized in the school house at the center of the township on April 15th, 1846, by Rev. M. L. Rodgers, assisted by Rev. L. Hall. On February 25, 1852, this church changed its place of worship to the Village of Genoa Junction. It was organized with thirteen members. Its present membership is forty-two. The total number who have held a mem- bership in the church since its organization, is one hundred and twenty-seven. This church has had four pastors, viz., Revs. M. L. Rodgers, J. V. Dowes, C. C. Caldwell and F. J. Douglass. The latter has lately moved to Iowa. During a part of the time it has been supplied temporarily by students from the Chicago Theological Sem. In 1865, a church edifice was erected at a cost of about $3,300, and in 1872 a.bell purchased at a cost of about $150.
Church of the Holy Communion, Bloomfield .- On the 20th of August, 1848, the Right Reverend Jackson Kemper, Bishop of the Northwest, at that time including Wisconsin. Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, held the morning service of the Episcopal Church at the house of Mr. William H. Whiting, in the town of Bloomfield, Wisconsin. He then bap- tized Esther Elizabeth Whiting, who was the first person baptized in the present parish of the Holy Communion, Bloomfield. He also administered the Holy Communion to John Sibley, Mrs. John Sibley, W. H. Whiting, Mary Jane Whiting and Mrs. Catharine Whiting. At this time, the Bishop advised that a parish should be organized, and that the church services should be kept up by lay readers until such time as the ministrations of a clergyman could be procured. On the 8th of October, 1848, the parish was for- mally organized under the title of the "Church of the Holy Communion, Bloomfield, Wisconsin." The following officers were elected: John Sibley, Wm. H. Whiting, war- dens ; Samuel Allen, Robert Moore, Chas. Sibley and Royal Sikes, as vestrymen. John Sibley and Wm. H. Whiting were appointed by the bishop as lay readers. On the 29th of September, 1849, the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, Rev. John McNamara arrived as rector of the parish, being sent out by the Church of the Holy Communion, New York City, of which the Rev. Dr. Wm. A. Muhlenberg (author of the hymn " I would not live
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
alway") was the rector. The Church of the Holy Communion, Bloomfield, was the second of that name in the United States. On the 10th of March, 1850, the Rev. Mr. McNamara preached his farewell sermon and went from this parish to found the Church of the Holy Communion in Geneva, being the third church of that name.
During this time were baptized : William Van Rensselaer High, Susan Christian, Llewellyn Christian, Charles Harris High, Nathaniel Rue High, now the Rev. Mr. High, of Toledo, Ohio. Thomas High, George R. Allen, Wm. H. Allen, Henry Donahue, Geo. H. Christian and Dr. Clarkson Miller.
The present church edifice was erected in 1849. It was intended only as a tem- porary structure, the vestry expecting aid from the New York parish to build at some future day a substantial church of brick. It is of wood, cruciform in shape, with a chancel and two transepts and tower. The length, including chancel, is 40 feet, the width 20 feet, with recess transepts north and south, 10x11 feet, in one of which is placed the organ.
The organ was placed in the church in December, 1849, and I think was the only pipe organ in the southern tier of counties, between the Rock River and the lake.
After the Rev. Mr. McNamara left, the Rev. Wm. S. Ludlam, of New York City came and took charge, on the 28th of December, 1851. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Peters, and then the Rev. Mr. Studley came in 1854.
After this there was no settled clergyman, but the services were kept up by Mr. Samuel Allen and Mr. John Christian as lay readers, until 1862 when arrangements were made with the Church of the Holy Communion in Geneva, by which the services of the clergymen officiating there were secured for the morning of one Sunday in every month. This was commenced October 19, 1862, by Rev. Wm. Dafter, the succession since he left being as follows : Rev. George N. James, December 25, 1864; Rev. Mr. Babcock, November 9, 1866 ; Rev. Wm. A. Armstrong, July 19, 1868; Rev. Robert B. Wolseley, February 1, 1874 ; Rev. R. T. Kerfoot, January 21, 1877.
Several members of the first Sunday-School have distinguished themselves as clergy- men, merchants, and in other vocations to which they applied themselves. Three are wealthy and prominent manufacturers, two are clergyman, one an officer in the navy, and one whose name is mentioned as an incentive to all poor boys. Bernard Donahue, the son of a poor widow, by his correct deportment, sobriety, and industry passed suc- cessfully through his apprenticeship to a manufacturer, became an expert in mining operations, and was recently mentioned favorably in the newspapers of New York as having acquired a fortune of two hundred thousand ($200,000) dollars. He is now residing with his family at the pleasant village of Yonkers, on the Hudson.
Another of the class of Sunday-School scholars of 1848, has recently been elected to represent this district in the State Legislature.
The church property consists of the church edifice and five acres of land used as a cemetery. There are no debts. The present number of communicants is about thirty.
TOWN ROSTER.
Roster of town officers of Bloomfield from the organization of the town to the year 1881, inclusive :
1844: Supervisors-Wm. K. May, chairman, John Chapin, Cyrus Rugg; Town clerk-Lyman Redington ; Treasurer-John Wood ; Justices of the Peace-Geo. Field, Samuel Allen and Dan Rowe.
1845: Supervisors-Cyrus Rugg, chairman, Amos Stafford, Dan Rowe ; Town. clerk-Jason Fobes ; Treasurer-John Wood; Justices of the Peace-Cyrus Rugg, Geo. Field, Samuel Allen and Dan Rowe.
1846: Supervisors-T. H. Fellows, chairman, Amos Stafford, E. B. Carter ; Town clerk-Geo. Field ; Treasurer-W. D. Chapin : Justices of the Peace-Samuel Allen, H. J. Sawyer, Geo. Field.
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
1847 : Supervisors-Cyrus Rugg, chairman, Thomas Beeden, E. B. Carter; Town clerk-Geo. Field; Treasurer-W. D. Chapin ; Justices of the Peace-Samuel Allen, H. J. Sawyer, Geo. Field.
1848: Supervisors-Samuel Allen, chairman, Seth L. Banks, William Irish; Town clerk-Robert Moores; Treasurer-W. D. Chapin ; Justices of the Peace-H. J. Sawyer, Seth L. Banks, O. B. Phillips.
1849: Supervisors -Cyrus Rugg, chairman, S. W. Benson, Thomas Beeden ; Town clerk, Samuel Allen ; Treasurer-W. D. Chapin ; Justices of the Peace-Robert Moores, Samuel Allen, T. H. Fellows.
1850. Supervisors-David W. Carey, chairman, H. C. Stewart, H. J. Sawyer; Town clerk-Wm. Yonlen ; Treasurer-D. C. Blakeman ; Justices of the Peace-H. J. Sawyer, E. B. Carter, T. H. Fellows.
1851: Supervisors-H. C. Stewart, chairman, S. W. Benson, E. B. Carter ; Town clerk-J. S. Stilson ; Treasurer-W. W. Byington ; Justices of the Peace-C. W. Sil- bey, H. C. Stewart, Sidney Buell.
1852: Supervisors-S. W. Benson, chairman, E. Jewett, E. B. Carter; Town clerk C. W. Silbey ; Treasurer-W. W. Byington; Justices of the Peace-H. J. Sawyer, Thomas Beeden, Samuel Allen.
1853: Supervisors-W. D. Chapin, chairman, D. C. Blakeman, L. Palmetier ; Town clerk-W. W. Byington ; Treasurer-Eddy Cole ; Justices of the Peace-John Walsh, Dan Rowe, D. C. Blakeman.
1854: Supervisors-W. D. Chapin, chairman, D. C. Blakeman, Joseph Fuller ; Town clerk-W. W. Byington ; Treasurer-Eddy Cole ; Justices of the Peace-Cyrus Rugg, Dan Rowe, D. C. Blakeman.
1855: Supervisors-W. D. Chapin, chairman, Ira Williams, Joseph Fuller; Town clerk-W. W. Byington ; Treasurer-John Chapin ; Justices of the Peace-Dan Rowe, D. C. Blakeman.
1856 : Supervisors-Cyrus Rugg, chairman, E. Walker, T. H. Fellows; Town clerk-W. W. Byington ; Treasurer-John Read ; Justices of the Peace-Cyrus Rugg, C. R. Foster.
1857 : Supervisors-Cyrus Rugg, chairman, E. Woodman, T. H. Fellows; Town clerk-W. W. Byington ; Treasurer-Joseph Fuller; Justices of the Peace-W. W. Belden, D. C. Blakeman, Dan. Rowe.
1858: Supervisors-Cyrus Rugg, chairman, E. Woodman, A. Stafford ; Town clerk -W. W. Belden ; Treasurer-Homer Field; Justices of the Peace-C. R. Foster, Joel Washburne.
1859: Supervisors-Amos Stafford, chairman, Wm. Forbes, Solon Reed ; Town clerk-G. C. Perry ; Treasurer-S. R. Darrow ; Justices of the Peace-Cyrus Rugg, D. C. Blakeman.
1860: Supervisors-W. D. Chapin, chairman, J. C. Meritt, E. B. Carter ; Town clerk-G. C. Perry; Treasurer-Solon Reed : Justice of the Peace-Joel Washburne. 1861: Supervisors-W. D. Chapin, chairman, Robert Cobb, A. Freeman ; Town clerk-G. C. Perry ; Treasurer-Solon Reed; Justices of the Peace-G. C. Perry, D. C. Blakeman.
1862: Supervisors-A. Freeman, chairman, Ira Williams, Robert Cobb ; Town clerk-I. A. Hart ; Treasurer-Solon Reed ; Justices of the Peace-I. A. Hart, Horace Johnson, J. S. Stilson.
1863: Supervisors-W. D. Chapin, chairman, A. Freeman, A. H. Abell ; Town clerk-C. W. Sibley ; Treasurer-Ira Williams ; Justices of the Peace-Amos Stafford, G. C. Perry.
1864: Supervisors-W. D. Chapin, chairman, O. Kimball, Amos Stafford ; Town clerk-Chas. A. Noyes, Jr .; Treasurer-Solon Reed; Justices of the Peace-D. C. Blakeman, C. R. Foster.
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
1865: Supervisors-Cyrus Rugg, chairman, I. H. Fellows, Robert Cobb; Town clerk-Charles Noyes, Jr. ; Treasurer-O. Kimball ; Justices of the Peace-Dan Rowe, D. C. Blakeman.
1866: Supervisors-Amos Stafford, chairman, Sidney Buell, Morris Read ; Town clerk-J. S. Stilson ; Treasurer-Chas. A. Noyes, Jr .; Justices of the Peace-C. R. Foster, Ira Williams.
1867 : Supervisors-Amos Stafford, chairman, Wm. I. Buell, Enos H. Olden ; Town clerk-Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer-Chas. A. Noyes, Jr., Justices of the Peace-Dan Kone, Cyrus Rugg, Chas. A. Noyes, Jr.
1868: Supervisors-T. H. Fellows, chairman, Wm. I. Buell, W. J. Miller; Town clerk-Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer-Chas. A. Noyes, Jr. ; Justices of the Peace-Na- than Harrison, C. R. Foster, Chas. A. Noyes.
1869 : Supervisors-Amos Stafford chairman, Wm. I. Buell, W. J. Miller; Town clerk-Frederick Fernald : Treasurer -- Abner Fuller ; Justices of the Peace-C. R. Fos- ter, Horace Johnson, Homer Field ; (vacancy).
1870 : Supervisors-Amos Stafford, chairman, Wm. I. Buell, E. B. Carter ; Town clerk-A. C. Fowler ; Treasurer-Abner Fuller ; Justices of the Peace-Homer Field, Nathan Harrison, (vacancy ) Amos Stafford.
1871 : Supervisors-Amos Stafford, chairman, Wm. I. Buell, E. B. Carter ; Town clerk-W. T. Beeden ; Treasurer-D. B. Maine; Justices of the Peace-C. R. Foster, W. T. Beeden.
1872: Supervisors-Amos Stafford, chairman, Wm. I. Buell, Solon Reed ; Town clerk-Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer-D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace-Nathan Harrison, Frederick Fernald.
1873: Supervisors --- T. H. Fellows, chairman, B. S. Benson, W. H. Allen ; Town clerk-Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer-D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace-C. R. Foster, John C. Becker.
1874 : Supervisors-S. W. Benson, chairman, Wm. Forbes, A. H. Abell ; Town clerk-Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer-D. B. Maine; Justices of the Peace -- Nathan Harrison, (vacancy) A. Kull, Jr., Sidney Buell.
1875 : Supervisors-S. W. Benson, chairman, Wm. Fobes, A. H. Abell ; Town clerk-Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer-D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace-Milton Carey, A. W. Foster.
1876 : Supervisors-A. H. Abell, chairman, S. J. Wilson, Sidney Kidder ; Town clerk-J. M. Carey ; Treasurer-D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace-A. Kull, Jr., Sid- ney Buell, Nathan Harrison, (vacancy).
1877 : Supervisors-A. H. Abell, chairman, W. H. Allen, Sidney Kidder ; Town clerk-J. M. Carey ; Treasurer-D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace-Nathan Harrison, D. B. Maine.
1878 : Supervisors-A. H. Abell, chairman, W. H. Allen, Sidney Kidder ; Town clerk-Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer-D. B. Maine; Justices of the Peace-Sidney Buell, Joseph Arnold.
1879: Supervisors-A. H. Abell, chairman, W. H. Allen, Sidney Kidder; Town clerk-Frederick Fernald ; Treasurer-D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace-D. B. Maine, Nathan Harrison.
1880: Supervisors-Andrew Kull, Jr., chairman, O. N. Harrison, W. H. Allen ; Town clerk-Andrew Foster ; Treasurer-D. B. Maine ; Juetices of the Peace-C. R. Foster, Amos W. Stafford.
1881 : Supervisors-W. D. Chapin, chairman, Sidney Buell, Daniel Forbes; Town clerk-A. W. Foster; Treasurer-D. B. Maine ; Justices of the Peace-Nathan Harri- son, D. B. Maine, John B. Buell.
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
OFFICIAL NOTES.
At a special town meeting held Nov. 8, 1844, Timothy H. Fellows was elected-to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Wm. K. May. Also on June 7, 1844, W. D. Chapin . was appointed Town clerk to fill vacancy caused by the removal of Lyman Redington from town.
March 29, 1853, Eddy Cole was appointed Town clerk to fill vacancy caused by the . absence of C. W. Sibley.
March 6, 1867, Frederick Fernald was appointed Town clerk to fill vacancy caused by absence of James S. Stilson.
June 28, 1852, W. D. Chapin was appointed Chairman of Board of Supervisors to fill vacancy caused by death of H. C. Stewart.
April 24, 1868, Wm. J. Buell was appointed Supervisor to fill vacancy caused by the failure of Amos Stafford to qualify.
April 8, 1871, A. C. Fowler was appointed Town clerk to fill vacancy caused by the failure of W. T. Beeden to qualify.
The following persons have been members of the Assembly: 1852 and 1853-T. H. Fellows; 1856-W. D. Chapin ; 1861-S. W. Benson ; 1872-Amos Stafford; 1877-A. H. Abell ; 1880-G. R. Allen.
WAR HISTORY.
With the other towns in the county Bloomfield, sent both men and money to the front. She furnished sixty-eight men, and $20,000 by tax and subscription. The record of this section of the county will be traced in the general war history.
BLOOMFIELD IN 1881.
The population of Bloomfield, as enumerated by the Federal census of 1880, was 1,097.
The principal farm products were : Wheat. 7,800 bu .; corn, 75,000 bu .; oats, 54,000 bu .; barley, 4,000 bu .; rye, 600 bu .; potatoes, 6,800 bn .; apples, 10,800 bu .; timothy seed, 1,467 bu .; flax seed, 28,000 bu .; hay, 2,843 tons; butter, 86,000 lbs .; cheese, 75,700 Ibs. There is one cheese factory in town-situated on Bloom Prairie and oper- ated by Chas. High.
There were, in 1881, 4,391 acres of growing grain, 159 acres of apple orchard, 2,437 acres of mowing and pasturage, and 2,411 acres of growing timber. The number of milch cows was 824, valued at $21,555.
In 1881, there were seven whole and five joint school districts. The number of scholars between the ages of four and twenty was 358, of which number, 231 attended school. There were seven schools, taught by eight teachers, at average monthly wages of $43.75 for male and $27.82 for female teachers. There were seven school houses, valued, including the sites, at $2,700. The annual expenditure for school purposes was $2,348.
WM. H. WHITING was born in Hudson, Columbia County, N. Y., Ang. 15, 1813. In early infancy his mother, who was then a widow, removed to Albany, where he re- ceived his education, with the exception of short intervals spent at the academies of Hudson and Kingston, N. Y. In 1829 he became a pupil of the engraving firm of Raw- don, Clark & Co., Albany, which, with Philadelphia, was at that time the headquarters of bank note engraving. New York City has since pretty much monopolized. His father was also an engraver ; a pupil of the celebrated Gideon Fairman, of Philadelphia. On the 18th of August, 1834, Mr. Whiting was married, in the city of Albany, to Mary Jane Christian, a native of that city. Messrs. Rawdon, Clark & Co., having taken in other partners, resolved to remove their establishment to the city of New York. The title of the new firm was Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, and in the Spring of 1836 he followed them, and continued with this firm until 1847. Several years before this he
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
had been admitted as a partner in the firm. Previous to this, that is in 1842, Dewitt C. Hay and Mr. Whiting bought 400 acres of land, part of the farm now occupied by him, of Clark W. Spaford, and in 1844 made his first visit to Wisconsin. Previous to this, that is in 1843, he erected a small house on said land, or caused it to be erected by John Easter, whom he sent out for that and other purposes connected with the farm. In the Spring of 1847, he, with his family, moved from the city of New York, on to this land and commenced building the brick house in which he now resides. His family at that time consisted of his wife, mother and four children. The first child born in the house was his daughter, Esther, in 1848, and in 1850 his son Robert. There they resided until August, 1851, when they returned to New York, and Mr. W. became a member of the bank note engraving house of Wellstood, Hanks, Hay & Whiting. He continued in this connection until the formation of the American Bank Note Company, which ab- sorbed all the old engraving firms. As Secretary of this company, he remained in the business until 1861, when he once more came to occupy his present farm. He was elected one of the trustees of the American Bank Note Company, and served in that capacity for several years. His daughter, Esther, died November 12, 1866, and his wife November 28, 1879.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
CHARLES ALLEN, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Genoa Junction ; son -of Samuel Allen, who was born in the city of Gloucester, England, and came to the United States with his parents when he was a boy. The family resided in New York for a time, and then removed to Albany. The family were engaged in keeping hotel for many years. Mr. Samuel Allen kept hotel at Lake George, and also in Washington County. He went to Michigan with his family in 1839, where he left his family and came to Walworth County and made a location on Sec. 20, in the town of Bloomfield. He returned to Michigan the same year, and did not settle here with his family until 1841. Charles was born in Washington County, N. Y., in 1829. He has been married twice. His first wife was Susan Christian, daughter of John Christian. She died in the spring of 1863. His present wife was Georgiana, daughter of Albert Baker. Mr. Allen has one son by first marriage, Charles Augustus, who resides at Minneapolis ; has three by present wife; Elizabeth, Samuel A. and Susan M. Mr. Allen's farm contains 165 acres.
SAMUEL ALLEN, deceased, was born in the city of Gloucester, England, on June 30, 1789, and moved with his parents to Albany, N. Y., about the year 1800. For thirty years of his life, while living in that State, he was engaged in keeping hotel in Albany, Saratoga Springs, Lansingburg, Lake George and Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y. In 1822, he was married to Maria High, daughter of Charles and Christine High, of Kingsbury, Washington Co., N. Y. In the spring of 1839, Mr. Allen sold his hotel property in Hartford, N. Y., and with his family, consisting of his wife and four children, started for the West. His destination was Geneva. A short time before making this move, he witnessed that
historic event, the launching of the Robert Fulton, on the Hudson. He finally embarked, with his family, on a canal boat, at Dunham's Basin, near the Upper Hudson River, for Troy, N. Y., from thence to Buffalo by the Erie Canal. They went from Buffalo to Toledo, on Lake Erie, and from Toledo to South Bend, Ind., by wagon-road. In October, 1839, he left his family in Michigan, and, in company with
Oliver High, came by land to Geneva. When at the hotel, the proprietor and guests had the small-pox, but as the country was new and promising, nobody knew of the existence of this disease. While at Geneva, Mr. Allen met the Warrens, Col. John Capron, Surveyor McKaig and other early pioneers, all of whom were enthusiastic and delighted with the country. Mr. McKaig told him that nearly all the desirable land was taken from the Government ; but he knew of a good quarter-section. Mr. Allen there- upon purchased land in the southeast quarter of Sec. 20, Town 1, Range 18 east. He moved on to his purchase April 24, 1841, and soon after built a frame house, a decided curiosity at that time. Here he continued to reside, all enjoying remarkable health for a quarter of a century. In 1868, however, then in his 78th year, Mr. Allen passed away, leaving a widow and four sons. Mrs. Allen died in 1879. Bloomfield has been the family home for over forty years.
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