William Oliver

From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 274, 275

WILLIAM OLIVER, a general farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 8, Spring Valley Township, has been a resident of Rock County since 1844, and has endured the trials and hardships incident to life on the frontier. He was born in Rocksburg, Parish of Morebattle, Scotland, on the 4th day of June, 1816, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (SCOTT) OLIVER. The days of his boyhood were passed in his native land, where he received a liberal education. In the year 1830, in company with his parents, he crossed the broad ocean to America and became a resident of Otsego County, N.Y., where his parents passed the remainder of their lives and were there laid to rest. Remaining a resident of the Empire State until 1844, Mr. OLIVER decided to try his fortune in the West, and acting upon that decision came to Wisconsin. He was employed through the following winter and summer by Messrs. EASTERLY and BANTIE, and in the Fall of 1845 purchased 160 acres of land on section 8, in the town of Spring Valley his present home. He at once began to clear the land, cutting rails for the fences and preparing the logs with which he erected a little cabin in the spring of 1847. In that pioneer home he resided for more than twenty years and there passed many happy days. His early life was one of industry. He cleared 200 acres of land, which he cultivated with scarcely any assistance for about twenty years, since which time the boys have taken part in the improvement of the farm. During those early days when the country was unsettled and the land uncultivated, Mr. OLIVER would load his wheat and pork into wagons and take it to market at Milwaukee. The grist was usually ground at Beloit, where was located the only mill for miles around with the exception of a small mill at Sugar River Diggings, now called Exeter. The crop first raised upon his farm was about seven acres of wheat which had been planted by a Mr. COCHRANE, who was at that time employed in one of the mills at Beloit, and from whom Mr. OLIVER purchased the claim. He afterwards engaged in quite extensively in raising wheat which he hauled to Janesville, where it was ground into flour, when he took it to Stevens Point, selling it to the "loggers." His payment was part in cash and part in shingles, which he used in building his house. The distance between his home and the Point was about 150 miles, and driving an ox team about three weeks were consumed in making the journey. The enterprise was however a profitable one, and he also found a good market for flour at Mineral Point, after the discovery of the lead mines at that place. On the 22d day of June, 1841, Mr. OLIVER led to the marriage altar Miss Elizabeth ALEXANDER, who was also born in Rocksburg, Scotland, and in 1836, came with her parents to America. Unto them have been born seven children, two of whom died in infancy - James, the eldest of the family, who was born April 6, 1842, married Miss Elizabeth OLIVER, a cousin, when on a visit to central New York. They now reside on a farm on section 9, Spring Valley Township adjoining the home of his father, and one child has blessed their union. Helen, who was born Dec. 21, 1843, became the wife of William LANG, a native of New York, born of English descent, and they have now two sons. Elizabeth, born Jan. 25, 1849, married John ARMSTRONG, a native of Ohio of Scotch origin, and to them has been born a daughter, who is residing with her parents in Des Moines, Iowa, where Mr. ARMSTRONG was for some years foreman in the Leader office. Thomas A., was born April 4, 1852, married Miss Sarah BAUGHMAN, a native of Iowa, by whom he has two children, and they now reside on a farm in Kansas, where they have made their home for about eight years. William J., who was born on the 10th day of June, 1854, was joined in wedlock with Miss Jennie CLELAND, of Center Township, a daughter of Samuel CLELAND, whose sketch appears on another page of this work, and of their union one child has been born, a son. Mr. OLIVER is now engaged in farming and stock-raising on his fine farm on section 8, Spring Valley Township, where he has one of the most pleasant homes in the community. Since becoming a resident of the county, he has been prominently identified with the promotion of social, moral and religious interests and is a warm friend of education. His children have all received good advantages, such as would fit them for the practical duties of life and all with the exception of the eldest have supplemented the course in the district school by terms of study in higher departments. In political sentiment, Mr. OLIVER is a Republican, and strongly favors prohibition principles. He and his wife, who is a most estimable lady, are members of the Scotch United Presbyterian Church, and are highly respected people, who hold an enviable place in the hearts of their many friends throughout the county.

Submitted By Carol