Lorenzo Rasey

From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 758, 759

LORENZO RASEY, a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Beloit Township, living on section 17, is a native of New York, born in Utica, Oneida County, Nov. 27, 1835. His parents, Salathiel and Ermina E. (HALE) RASEY were natives of Rhode Island. The maternal great-grandfather of our subject, whose name was Brewer, emigrated from Holland to New York during the colonial days of this country, and claimed the land in New York City where Trinity Church now stands. The HALE family, which was of English origin, was also numbered among the early settlers of Eastern New York, to which they removed from Rhode Island, making the journey with ox teams. They there became prominent and influential farmers. Mr. RASEY Sr. passed the greater part of his life in the Empire State, but in 1848 came to Wisconsin and purchased eighty acres of land. He then returned to Clinton County, N.Y., where his death occurred in 1852. His wife is still living and makes her home with her daughter, Sarah E., widow of Frank BURCH, of Grandville, Washington Co., N.Y. She is now seventy-five years of age, having been born July 4, 1813, and for this past five years she has suffered the entire loss of sight. Mr. and Mrs. RASEY were the parents of ten children, all of whom are living, with the exception of Charles W., who died about 1872, at the age of thirty-one years, in Fond du Lac, Wis. He wedded Mary NEWTON, who is also deceased, leaving two children at her death; Frederick who makes his home with our subject, and Carrie, who is living with a cousin, Samuel RASEY. Edward B., the second child, born Dec. 20, 1833, is engaged in farming in Marion, Waupaca Co., Wis.; Mary E., widow of F. D. WRAY, resides in Washington County, N.Y.; Clark O., who, at the early age of seventeen years, enlisted in the late war in a cavalry company under Gen. Kilpatrick, was for many years a resident of Beloit, but is now living in Pasadena, Cal.; Delia E. became the wife of Albert WILLIAMS, a farmer in West Pauleth, Vt.; Henry L. is living in Washington. Harland M. makes his home in Hebron, Washington Co., N.Y.; Samuel S. is also located in Washington. In the common schools of his native county, our subject received his education. Throughout his entire life he has followed the occupation of farming. At the age of thirteen years he began life as a farm hand, giving his earnings to his mother, and followed that pursuit for several years. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Emily L. VAIL, who was born in Rutland County, Vt., and is a daughter of Edwin and Margaret V. (STAPLES) VAIL. Her parents were natives of Vermont, but in 1852 removed to Washington County, N.Y., where the union of Mr. and Mrs. RASEY was celebrated. Her father died upon the farm in that county in 1858, and her mother departed this life in 1883. Their family numbered five children, Emily L., who was born Dec. 13, 1839, being the eldest; Harris E., born June 19, 1841, is a farmer of Middlebury, Vt.; Marcus J. born Oct. 1, 1844, is proprietor of a hotel in Washington County, N.Y.; Ellen S., born April 6, 1849, is the wife of Solon C. MASON, a grocer and flour and feed dealer of Washington County, N.Y.; Herbert I., born May 14, 1854, is a resident of Boston, Mass. The ancestors of Mrs. RASEY, the VAILS and STAPLES were originally from England, and were Quakers. The VAIL family was founded in America by three brothers who came over in the Mayflower, and the STAPLES family, by ancestors who came at that time or soon after. In 1867 Mr. and Mrs. RASEY decided to cast their lot with the citizens of Rock County, and consequently the husband purchased 213 acres of land on section 17, Beloit Township, which was improved, fenced, and on which a small barn and his present dwelling had been built. His landed possessions have since been increased to 431 acres, 391 of which is situated in Beloit Township, the remaining 40 being located in Newark Township. The many improvements which Mr. RASEY has made has transformed his land into one of the finest farms in Rock County. He has an elegant residence, while his barns are among the largest, and most convenient in Southern Wisconsin. The dimensions of the main barn are 50x96 feet, with 24 foot posts, with a 9 foot basement under the entire building. His main barn will shelter sixty-four head of stock, while in connection with this he has stabling room for one hundred head. He also has storage room for two hundred tons of feed. He milks sixty cows and successfully operates a dairy. Though very quiet and unassuming, he is recognized as one of the leading farmers of Rock County, is an honored and esteemed citizen, and has been identified with the social and educational interests of the community for many years. Politically he is a Republican. By his own industry and energy, his possessions have been accumulated, and he is now a wealthy farmer. Mr. and Mrs. RASEY are the parents of one son, Edwin L., who was born July 6, 1869, and is now attending school in Beloit

Submitted By Carol