EZRA CHESEBRO, a farmer who resided on section 12, in La Prairie Township, was a native of Connecticut, having been born in Stonington, on the 16th of April, 1814. He was a son of Henry and Sarah (WILLIAMS) CHESEBRO. His mother was a daughter of Col. Isaac WILLIAMS, who served with distinction during the Revolutionary War. He was descended from an old New England family, whose founder, Williams CHESEBRO, came to America in 1620, locating in Stonington, Conn. His mother was of English descent, and was descended from a family who came to America in Colonial days.
Henry CHESEBRO, the father of our subject, followed the sea for many years, and was the owner of a vessel. He also engaged in agricultural pursuits, but when the War of 1812 broke out, he abandoned his business and entered into the service, holding the rank of Adjutant. He was a shrewd, enterprising, yet thoroughly honest business man, being quite successful in his various enterprises, and for many years bought produce which he transported by his ship to Charleston or other southern ports. In 1834 he removed with his family to New York, purchasing a farm near Syracuse, upon which he resided about two years. He then sold out and removed to Cayuga County, N.Y., where he purchased a large farm, making it his home until 1843. The fall of the following year he came to Rock County, Wis. and bought forty acres of land at Milton, where he remained a short time, but later came to La Prairie Township, settling on section 1. Pre-empting 400 acres of raw land, he continued to reside thereon until 1850, when he became a resident of Janesville. Only a short time had passed when he returned to the farm, but in 1854 he went to Columbus, Wis., where his death occurred in 1867, at the age of eighty-six years.
Mrs. CHESEBRO departed this life in 1878, when eighty-five years of age. They were members of the Congregational Church, took great interest in its advancement and were instrumental in the erection of a house of worship at Emerald Grove. Mr. CHESEBRO was ever a liberal contributor to public institutions, and was a man of prominence, receiving the respect of all. They were the parents of five children, of who Ezra was the eldest; Martha wedded Gilbert A. WOODS, and resides in Oswego County, N.Y.; Luke, who was a drayman in San Francisco, Cal. died in 1854; Henry J. died in childhood; Frances, who wedded Christ DEAN, died in Connecticut in 1887.
The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on a farm and received his primary education in the common schools, which was supplemented by a three-months' course at an academy. With the family he removed to New York in 1834, and the following year wedded Mary ELDREDGE, who was born in Connecticut in 1811. She is a daughter of Joshua and Bridget (SHORT) ELDREDGE, the former of English origin, the latter of Irish parentage. Five children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. CHESEBRO: Elizabeth, wife of David CUMMINGS, who is engaged in farming in Johnston Township; Frances, wife of Frank CHILDS, a resident farmer of La Prairie Township; William H., a traveling salesman residing in Chicago,; Esther, wife of Ira P. NYE, an attorney-at-law of Eureka, Kan.
After his marriage Mr. CHESEBRO rented a farm in New York, and engaged in its cultivation for two years, when he moved to this father's farm in Cayuga County, that State. The succeeding five years were spent in the dairy business, and he then went to Oswego County, N.Y., where for five years he made his home upon a rented farm. In 1848, resolving to cast his lot with the pioneers of the West, he emigrated to Rock County, Wis., settling section 12 ,La Prairie Township, where he purchased 160 acres of land, upon which he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in May 1889. At that time it was wild and uncultivated, but immediately beginning the work of development he soon had one of the finest farms in the vicinity. Many beautiful and useful improvements were made, including the residence now occupied by his widow, which he erected at a cost of $3,000.
Mr. CHESEBRO always took a deep interest in political affairs, and did all in his power to advance the party to which he gave his support. In early life he cast his ballot with the Whig party, and first voted for Henry Clay, later he cast his ballot for William Henry Harrison, and in 1888 voted for Benjamin Harrison, the illustrious grandson of the Tippecanoe hero. At the organization of the Republican party he enlisted in its ranks and valiantly defended its banner. A successful and enterprising business man, a worthy citizen and a leading farmer he has the respect of all who know him. Mrs. CHESEBRO, who is a most estimable lady, has been a member of the Congregational Church for half a century.
From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 264, 265