JOSEPH DOCKSTADER, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 34, La Prairie Township, was born in Montgomery County, N.Y., on the 24th day of June, 1825, and is a son of Jacob F. and Cornelia (BALCH) DOCKSTADER. Thinking that advantages of the West were better than those afforded by the older states of the East, in 1845 Jacob DOCKSTADER, accompanied by his family, emigrated to Rock County, Wis., locating in Shopiere, then the village of Waterloo. His first purchase of land consisted of 200 acres of timber, but to this by subsequent purchase he added 440 acres, making a total of 640 acres, situated in Turtle and La Prairie Townships. He became one of the leading business men of Shopiere, and was one of the original owners and builders of the first flouring and grist mills erected in that place. He was a recognized leader in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community, including the religious, educational and social interests in which he bore a prominent part. He was a faithful and consistent member of the Congregational Church, to which his wife also belonged. The death of Mrs. DOCKSTADER occurred in January, 1863, and Mr. DOCKSTADER departed this life on the 22d day of November, 1867. Both were interred in the beautiful cemetery at Shopiere. Mr. DOCKSTADER, however, was again married after the death of his first wife, his second union being with Mrs. Mary WELLS, who is also deceased.
By the first union the following children were born, all of whom are living with the exception of Jacob V., who died at the age of eighty years and eight months. Maria, the eldest, wedded Jacob DUNN, a resident of Iowa Falls, Iowa; Sarah A., became the wife of Alonzo TURNER of Iowa; Joseph is the third in order of birth; Cornelia, wife of Jonathan DOLE, is living on the old homestead in La Prairie Township/ Catherine became the wife of Dennis JACOBS, and emigrated to Dakota, where they still make their home; Caroline married William GARDNER, a retired farmer now residing in Janesville; Jacob made his home in Chatfield, Minn., and Frederick is living in or near Superior City, Wis.
Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm, assisting in the cultivation of the land during the summer months, while during the winter he attended the district schools. He remained under the parental roof until 1863, when he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. CHAMBERLAIN, the wedding being celebrated on the 12th day of July. The lady is a native of Connecticut, born in Hartford, July 15, 1835, and is a daughter of James and Maria (JACKSON) CHAMBERLAIN, whose sketch appears in that of James A. CHAMBERLAIN on another page of this work. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. DOCKSTADER four children have been born: Jessie, who died in infancy; Cora, George and Addie, all of whom have received good educational advantages, well qualifying them for useful and responsible positions in life.
After their marriage, our subject and his young bride took possession of the farm on which they still continue to reside. At that time it was a wild and unbroken prairie, but Mr. DOCKSTADER at once turned his attention to the cultivation and improvement of his land, from which, by industry, enterprise and skill, he has evolved loveliness, beauty and order, his farm being one of the finest in the township. He is now operating 175 acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. His stock consisting of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, is of the best grades, and the barns and outbuildings for their protection are models of convenience. The surroundings of his home are most pleasant indicating the thrift and refinement of the lady who presides as mistress. Among the representative farmers and respected citizens of Rock County, none stand higher in the esteem of all than does Mr. DOCKSTADER, and we are pleased to record the sketch of so prominent a gentleman.
From Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin, publ. 1889 - page 284-285