Bio: Beardsley, Sanford D. (History - 1839)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: BEARDSLEY SMITH MOTT

----Source: 1891 Biographical History of Clark and Jackson Counties pg. 134

SANFORD D. BEARDSLEY, of section 26, Range 2, Weston Township, Clark County, was born in Franklin County, Vermont, November 10, 1839, the son of Lewis (deceased) and Amelia (Smith) Beardsley. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom still survive: Elias, Hiram, Charles, Harriet, Theron, Sanford, George and Jasper.

Sanford D., our subject, came with his parents to Kane County, Illinois in 1846, settling on wild prairie land. They afterward removed to Sauk County, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1852, where he remained until the fall of 1861. In that year he enlisted in the late war, Company K, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving eight months, when he was discharged on account of sickness. He re-enlisted January 4, 1864, in Company H, Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Shiloh, the taking of Atlanta, and in all of Sherman's campaigns to and from the sea. He was disabled, and now draws a pension. After the war, Mr. Beardsley returned to Sauk County, and subsequently went to Monroe County, Wisconsin, where he remained two years. In 1863 he returned to Sauk County, and in the spring of 1873 again went to Monroe County and remained until December, 1885, when he came to this county, settling on his present farm. He lived two years in Neillsville, but the remainder of the time has been spent on his present place, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Beardsley was married December 13, 1863, to Mary Lovisa Mott, daughter of John and Esther (Barnard) Mott, both now deceased. They were the parents of three children, all of whom are deceased except Mrs. Beardsley. Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley have three children: Rolla L., Blanche A. and Adda M. Rolla is now a barber at LaCrosse. Mr. Beardsley held the office of Township Supervisor in Monroe County, and has also been Clerk and Director of the School Board of the town of Lincoln, in Monroe County. Socially he is a member of the G.A.R. and politically a Republican.