A. O. Gifford

From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 720

A. O. GIFFORD, an esteemed and representative citizen, residing in Milton, Wis., is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Rock County, dating his residence from 1843, when he settled in the town of Johnstown. His birth occurred on the 21st day of March, 1820, in Chautauqua County, N.Y., and he is the son of Benjamin and Sally (LEWIS) GIFFORD, who were parents of a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, as follows: Matthew L., Stephen V., Hannah Melvina, Amy L., Oliver Perry, and A. O., who is the only one now living. Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native State, and on attaining the years of his manhood was united in marriage with Miss Margaret H. PICKETT, their wedding being celebrated in 1844. They became the parents of six children, but one is now deceased. Albert Otto, the eldest, who was a student of Milton College, is now residing in Milton; Lewis P. is still at home; Edward H. died in Colorado; Alice V. is still with her parents; Minnie is now a successful teacher of the county, and Frank, the youngest, is still at home. When Mr. GIFFORD first came to Rock County, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and became quite an extensive land owner. He bought 520 acres on section 29, in the town of Johnstown, and later purchased a tract of 100 acres on section 28, but has since disposed of all of it, and is now engaged in raising small fruits, in which he has been quite successful. At the time of his arrival, more than forty-five years ago, the present populous city of Janesville contained but eighteen buildings all told, while on the west side of the river not even a log cabin had been erected. In the growth and development of the county Mr. GIFFORD has borne no inconsiderable part, but has been prominently identified with the great work of transformation which has placed Rock County on a par with any of this great commonwealth. On his retirement from farm life, in November, 1885, he removed to the town of Milton, where he has since made his home. While living in Johnstown for two years he served as treasurer, during which time the town tax amounted to $14,000. He also served for one year as assessor. He is a liberal supporter of any enterprise for the public welfare. In early life, in political sentiment he was an old line Whig, and cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840, taking an active part in the exciting and stirring scenes of that campaign. He was then residing in New York and was a member of the Tippecanoe Glee Club. When the Whig party was disbanded and the Republican party sprang into existence, Mr. GIFFORD joined its forces and has since been a valiant supporter of that great political organization.

Submitted By Carol