Mahew V. Loudon
Surnames: Bliss, Frarey, Moore, Parker
From Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin, publ. 1889 - page 467
MAHEW V. LOUDON, of Janesville, is a native of Vermont, born April 8, 1837. When in his tenth year, he came with his parents to this city,where he has resided continuously since, a period of forty-three years. Here he received his education, and in early life learned the trade of boot and shoe making with his father. On the 6th day of February, 1861, he led to the marriage altar Miss Wealthy M. PARKER, who was born in Oneida County, N.Y., Dec. 19, 1836, and was a daughter of Lewis PARKER, one of the early settlers and a prominent and representative citizen of that county, who removed from the Empire State to Harlem, Winnebago County, Ill., and there passed the remainder of his life.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. LOUDON continued to reside in Janesville until May 27, 1879, when the wife was called to her final rest. They were the parents of four children, but only one is now living. Fred J., the oldest, born Dec. 12, 1861, died Aug. 15, 1865; Susie M., born May 21, 1863, died Jan. 13, 1878; Fannie H., born Aug. 12, 1867, is still with her father; Jessie M., born Oct. 28, 1869, died Sept. 30, 1870. After the death of his first wife, Mr. LOUDON was again married, his second union which was celebrated Sept. 1, 1881, being with Miss Amelia L. MOORE, a daughter of Hastings A. MOORE. Her father was born in 1814, in Montgomery, Mass. where he was reared to manhood and married Miss Dorcas FRAREY, a native of Southampton, Mass. In 1857, Mr. MOORE came to Rock County, and returning to Massachusetts the following year brought his family to the West and located permanently in Janesville, in May, 1858. His former life had been spent in farming, but after his arrival in this city he followed painting until his death, which occurred in 1862. His wife still resides in Janesville. They were the parents of three children, of whom Mrs. LOUDON, who was born in Massachusetts, in 1844, is the eldest; Ophelia, who was the wife of Horance R. BLISS, died in February, 1873; and Katie, wife of James MOORE, died Dec. 27, 1888. By the second union of Mr. LOUDON, two children have been born - Genevieve F. and Harry V.
When the late war broke out Mr. LOUDON was among the first to respond to the country's call for troops, and in May, 1861 enlisted in the 5th Wisconsin Infantry, as one of the musicians of the regimental band. His brother James also enlisted in the same regiment. He served under General McClellan, but after fourteen months was discharged in August, 1862, at the time when regimental bands were abolished. He is now residing in Janesville, and is the owner of about three-fourths of the land located by his father, which is situated on block 178.