William H. Lockwood

Regions: Saratoga, NY - Walworth Co., WI

From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, Publ. 1912 - Page 832-833 WILLIAM LOCKWOOD. A worthy representative of that type of American character and of that progressive spirit which promote public good in advancing individual prosperity and conserving popular interests, was the late William H. LOCKWOOD, for many years one of the leading farmers of the southeastern part of Walworth county, operating successfully a fine farm just east of Lake Geneva. The study of such a life never fails to offer much of pleasing interest and valuable instruction. His character was exemplary and he enjoyed the good will and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. LOCKWOOD was born at Saratoga, New York, October 23, 1836. He was the son of Zephaniah LOCKWOOD, who lived to be ninety-one years old, and he had a brother, Jonathan, who lived to one hundred years of age and another brother, Leonard, died of an accident when ninety-nine years old, both his legs having been cut off by a train. A fourth brother, James, died at the age of one hundred and one years. This is, indeed, a remarkable record for one family. When William H. LOCKWOOD was four years old, the family came to Walworth county, and his father, Zepheniah, entered land from the government, lying about a mile east from the postoffice in Lake Geneva. Here William H. grew to manhood amid pioneer conditions and in 1861 he went to California, later to Nevada, where he engaged in mining and other enterprises for thirty years, with a varying degree of success. He had as business partner for over twenty years Thomas REILLEY, formerly of Linn, this county, now of Chicago. While at Eureka, Nevada, Mr. LOCKWOOD became a charter member of the Masonic lodge at that place. In 1890 Mr. LOCKWOOD returned to Lake Geneva to take charge of his father's affairs, and after the death of the elder LOCKWOOD he remained on the old homestead, which he converted into a model farm. In September 1885, Mr. LOCKWOOD was united in marriage with Mrs. Janet VAN BARRY, deceased. She has a son John A. BARRY, Jr., who is now in business in Milwaukee. Mrs. LOCKWOOD is the daughter of Philander K. VAN VELZER and wife, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this work. The death of Mr. LOCKWOOD occurred at home on November 20, 1910, after several years of ill health. He was held in high regard by all who knew him and was respected everywhere for his many sterling qualities. His home was known for its hospitality and he and his wife helped many poor families of Lake Geneva. Mrs. LOCKWOOD, who is a woman of many sterling qualities of both head and heart, still lives on the home place which she operates in an able manner. This valuable place has been the home of the LOCKWOODs ever since it was taken from the government. The active work of the farm is done by Mr. LOCKWOOD's nephew, William E. LAWTON. He was born November 16, 1873, on the LOCKWOOD farm, and is the son of G. G. LAWTON and Martha E. (LOCKWOOD) LAWTON. His father was a farmer and contractor. William G. LAWTON's parents are both deceased. He grew upon the farm with his grandfather, succeeding him at his death in the management of the place, and he has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. Four of Mr. LOCKWOOD's brothers survive: Ulysses, of Williams Bay; Tepheniah, of Oregon; Franklin of Washington; and Jonathan, of California. Submitted by Carol