Milton M. Mayhew

Regions: Oneida Co., NY; Walworth Co., WI

From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, Publ. 1912 - Page 842-844 MILTON M. MAYHEW. For more than a half century the honored and venerable pioneer and substantial agriculturist whose name appears above has been a resident of Walworth county and a prominent factor in its material growth, playing well his part in the material, civic and moral upbuilding of the same. Few have been here longer than he and none have been more active during the past fifty-six years in making Spring Prairie township one of the most enterprising and progressive sections of southeastern Wisconsin. He has noted many wonderful changes since he made his advent into the wilderness here and he talks interestingly of the early days when the great northern woods were still the homes of Indians and the haunts of many varieties of wild beasts. Originally the MAYHEWs were natives of the old Empire state, where the family was widely and favorably known during the ante-Civil-war period. In their veins flows the blood of English nationality, and the descendants of the present day exhibit many of the sterling qualities of that strong and virile people. Milton M. MAYHEW was born in Oneida county, near Utica, New York, on December 24, 1834. He is the son of William and Annie (COOK) MAYHEW, the father a native of England and the mother of New York. The father emigrated to the United States when young in years and located in the state of New York, where he met and married Annie COOK and there they spent most of their lives on a farm, finally coming to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1876, and here the death of the father occurred in June, 1887, at the advanced age of ninety-two years, his wife dying in January 1866. They were the parents of five children, Milton M., of this sketch, being the only surviving member. Politically, the elder MAYEHW was a Democrat, and was a member of the Baptist church. He led a quiet, retired life and was known for his sterling honesty and old-time hospitality. Milton M. MAYHEW was reared on the home farm, where he began assisting with the general work when but a small lad. He received such education as the early schools of his locality in New York state furnished, and when a young man took up farming for a livelihood. Seeking a newer country, he came to Walworth county in 1856 and bought one hundred acres of good land in Spring Prairie township, and in 1857 settled on the same, began clearing and improving it, and by hard work and wise management had a good farm and a comfortable home in due course of time. Here he prospered and added to his original purchase until he owned one of the best farms in the eastern part of the county, consisting of two hundred and forty acres. For many years he engaged in general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, during which he accumulated a competency, and, as age advanced, not caring to be burdened with too much to look after, he gave his farm to his children until he now has but ninety acres and lives practically retired from the active duties of life, having laid away enough of his world's goods to insure freedom from want the rest of his days. He is also the owner of two cottages at Mill lake, and he was one of the first to be attracted by the beauties of that now, favorite resort and one of the earliest to live there. Politically, Mr. MAYHEW is a Democrat and has kept well posted on political and current topics. He has served on the town board for two terms. In religious matters he belongs to the Baptist church and has long been a liberal supporter of the same. Mr. MAYHEW was married on March 10, 1857, to Eliza PADEN, who was born in Oneida county, New York, August 10, 1838. She is the daughter of George and Elizabeth (BOLTON) PADEN, the father a native of Scotland and the mother of the state of New York. Mr. PADEN was but a child, seven years old, when he emigrated to New York, and there he grew to manhood and married, finally coming to Walworth county, Wisconsin, locating in Spring Prairie township, buying forty acres of land here, on which he made his permanent home and on which he and his wife spent the balance of their lives. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. PADEN, two of whom are living at this writing. To Mr. and Mrs. MAYHEW five children have been born, named in order of birth as follows: Emma, Anna (deceased), Earnest, Eddie and Chester. Submitted by Carol