Bio: Oldham, Aaron (History - 1838)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: OLDHAM HARDMAN

----Source: "Biographical History of Clark & Jackson Counties, WI," Lewis pub. co., 1891 pg. 188:

AARON OLDHAM, an early settler of Clark County, Wisconsin, resides on a farm in section 10, Levis Township. He was born in Derbyshire, England, September 19, 1838 his parents had eight children, he being the only surviving one his father removed to Canada and engaged in farming, which occupation he followed his entire life.

At an early age Aaron began to show a spirit of independence by providing for himself. He came to the United States when a mere boy and obtained employment in a calico factory at Lowell, Massachusetts, where he remained nine years, and during that time became skilled in his trade his education was obtained in the night schools, which were provided by that institution for its employees he also availed himself of the use of the library, and thereby formed a taste for reading which has clung to him through life he has been somewhat of a student all his life, and keeps himself thoroughly posted on the current events of the day.

Mr. Oldham was married, in Massachusetts, at the age of twenty-three years, to Anna Hardman, a native of England. Their union has been blessed with six children, all now living he has taken great pains to educate them and fit them for honorable positions in life. Mr. Oldham came to Clark County the 26th of July, 1869, and took a homestead claim of 160 acres, located four miles and a half south of the present site of Neillsville. By hard work and with the assistance of his most estimable wife he has improved a good farm and made a comfortable home.

The early pioneers of Wisconsin, as well as those of other States, had their hardships and privations, together with many pleasing experiences. Mr. Oldham relates in a vivid manner incidents connected with his first settlement here. The first house they lived in was constructed by themselves, the roof being covered with split bark. Provisions were high in those days, and economy had to be practiced in many ways. Besides working on his farm Mr. Oldham has been employed in the woods and logging camps of the State more or less since his residence here. Politically he is a Republican.

OLDHAM HARDMAN