From the Portait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin; c.1889; pp.393-395
JAMES WHITEHEAD, who is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Rock County of 1845, and is a leading farmer, residing on section 32, Plymouth Township, was born in New Jersey on the 31st day of October, 1812. His parents, Henry and Sarah Whitehead, had a family of seven children, of which he was the youngest, only three of whom are now living. Mary, the eldest, died in 1865; Betsy departed this life in June, 1888; Sally died in New Jersey; Hannah is still living in New Jersey; Anna also makes her home in that State; Robert died in 1863, and James completes the family.
The education of our subject was received in the common schools of his natives State, but at an early age he began working in a woolen mill owned by his father, which was; built in 1812, and was owned by Mr. Whitehead for thirty-eight years. James received seventy-five cents per day, and at the age of eighteen years began learning the carpenter's trade. In 1836 he left the parental roof and started for the far West, locating in Milwaukee, Wis., which was then a little village containing about 500 inhabitants. After reaching his destination he secured employment with Solomon Juneau, who was engaged in farming on the greater part of the land now occupied by the city of Milwaukee. In a short time, however, he left Wisconsin, going to Jersey County. Ill., where he made his home for about eight years. While residing in that community he engaged in the construction of several buildings, and going to the woods hewed the timber which was required, as there were no lumber yards for miles around. The month of March, 1815, found Mr. Whitehead on the farm which he now owns in Rock County. The land was then in a wild and uncultivated condition; not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He entered a half section, and with characteristic energy began the development of the raw prairie, which was soon transformed into a fertile farm. He was dependent almost entirely upon his own resources, as the nearest neighbors were miles away and travel was very difficult. He made his own ox-yokes, broke his land, and also constructed a wagon from old logs. With this he would make a trip to Milwaukee, carrying provisions with him to last for nine days, the time usually consumed in making the journey. His little log cabin was fourteen feet square and was furnished in the primitive manner of frontier life. When the gold fever broke out Mr. Whitehead abandoned the occupation of farming and went to the Pacific slope by way of New York and the Isthmus of Panama, where he remained about eighteen months. His life in California proved an interesting experience, though many were the hardships and inconveniences to be endured. At one time the little cabin in which he lived was filled with water to the height of three feet. He was quite successful in his mining operations, for in one day a company of sixteen, of which he was a member, secured the precious metal to the value of $1,800.
After his return from the West Mr. Whitehead devoted his attention exclusively to farming and stock raising, and now has one of the best farms in the county. The little log cabin was replaced by a commodious residence in 1851, yet it stood until 1854, when it was destroyed by a cyclone. Many other useful and beautiful improvements have been made, the land is under a high state of cultivation, and the farm is slocked with a good grade of cattle, horses and hogs.
On the 11th day of June, 1842, by a marriage ceremony, the destinies of James Whitehead and Elizabeth Lincoln were united. The lady was born in North Carolina on the 7th day of November, 1817, and is a daughter of Henry and Sophia (Sanders) Lincoln, who were also natives of North Carolina. The death of the father occurred in 1864, and the mother departed this life in 1867. Their children were as follows: John, who was killed by the guerrillas in Arkansas during the late war; George, who died in childhood; Mathias, who also died in early life; Paul, whose death occurred March 22, 1885; Elias, who gave his life in defense of his country in a battle before Richmond; Henry Simon, whose death occurred in 1884, from injury received during his service in the Rebellion, and Elizabeth, wife of our subject.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead has been blessed with five children—Sanuiel, who was born Feb. 20, 1844. and served three years as a soldier in the late war, was twice married, his first union being with Fannie Barllett, his second wife being Harriet Wade. His death occurred iu August, 1882. Ransom H., who was born Jan. 10, 1847, and married Lizzie Johnson, is extensively engaged in farming in Umatilla County, Oregon, where he owns 480 acres of land; Sarah, who was born Dec. 14, 1848, and is now living in Brodhead, is the wife of Alfred H. Fitch, who is now in Nevada running a quartz-mill, but formerly resided on a ranch on Carson River for fourteen years, and to them was horn one child, Frank E.. now twenty-two years of age, who is with his father. Mr. Fitch is the owner of silver and gold min in Nevada. James, who was horn Oct. 19, 1851, and is foreman of the Thompson Plow Shops of Beloil, married Miss Carrie Munson. Marion, who was born March 9, 1857, and resides in Spring Valley, Wis., wedded Hannah Nitlle, and to them has been born one child.
For almost forty-five years Mr. Whitehead has been numbered among the residents of Rock County. At the lime of his arrival the Indians were encamped in the woods, wild game of all kinds, including deer, was found in abundance, and wolves were still numerous in the neighborhood. Mr. Whitehead has witnessed almost the entire development of the county, has seen the once wild and uncultivated prairies blossom like the rose, the pioneer cabins replaced by elegant residences, the lumbering ox-carts give way before the iron horse, towns and villages spring up almost as if by magic, with countless manufactories and industries, and the county populated with an intelligent and contented people. Mr. Whitehead has borne no inconsiderable part in the great and noble work of transformation, and is one of the leading citizens of the community in which he resides. In political sentiment he has always been a Democrat and a strong advocate of the principles of that party as taught by its eminent leaders. He has never sought or desired public office, preferring the quiet and retirement of private life. He, however, served as postmastcr and was elected to the office of justice of the peace, but would not accept the position.
On another page is a well-executed portrait of this old pioneer.
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