John Dwyer, 1856

stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Sat, 10 Feb 2001

Surname: DWYER, MURRY

----Source: History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918), by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

JOHN DWYER, a popular citizen of Neillsville and formerly sheriff of Clark County, was born at Wolf River, Waupaca County, Wis., Sept. 21, 1856, son of John H. and Catherine (Murry) Dwyer. Both parents were natives of Ireland, the father being born in Tipperary County. The latter came to America with his parents when a year old, they settling in Canada. He became a farmer and lumberman and was married in Canada, to which country his wife came when ten years old with her parents. Subsequently, With three children, they came to the United States, locating first in Michigan on a farmland later removing to Waupaca County, Wis., where two more children were born. After farming there awhile, John H. Dwyer in 1859, brought his family to Clark County, locating at Etack River Falls and Weston Rapids, two miles above Neillsville, where he engaged in lumbering. He then removed to Greenwood, where he continued in the same business and subsequently spent two winters in Township 29. At the end of that time he located on a farm in Section 6, Grant Township, it Consisting of 240 acres of wild land where he lived for a while the life of a pioneer farmer, building a log house and using an ox team. He had at starting, a yoke of cattle, one cow, a dog and $720 in money, so was better off than many of the pioneer settlers in the county. A track or trail, known as the Stevens Point Road, led to his farm. While clearing up his farm he still at times
engaged in lumbering. The old log house was later replaced by a good frame building and a barn was erected which at that time was the largest in Clark County.

John H. Dwyer died in 1882, at the age of 61 years and 5 months. His wife survived him until 1890, when she passed away at the age of 67. John Dwyer acquired his education in the log schoolhouse of his district and was brought up on his parents' farm. When he became industrially active he followed lumbering for some time and then bought 160 acres of Wild land in Section 31, York Township, of which 100 acres was cleared. Good buildings were also standing on the place. This farm he operated until about fifteen years ago, when he sold it. His lumbering operations were carried on at Black River and its tributaries and on Yellow River. During these years he made many acquaintances, with whom he became popular and when he ran for the office of sheriff in 1886 he was triumphantly elected.

In 1904 he was again elected to the same office on the Republican ticket. While living in York Township he was a member of the county board and has served on the same board representing the city of Neillsville. He also at one time held the position of school officer. About four years ago he entered into road making as a contractor, first doing concrete culvert work in Clark. County and has since gained an excellent reputation as a good road builder.

Mr. Dwyer was married to Jane Parrett, a native of Pennsylvania. He and his wife have two children: John, who is married and has three children; and Jennie Francis, who has taught school in Clark County. Mr. Dwyer is a member of Lodge No. 163, A. F. & A. M. of Neillsville. His life has been contemporaneous with the growth and development of this county, as when a boy the Indians used to come to his parents' farm to beg for food. They often frightened his mother but she always gave them something, and they did not otherwise molest the family. As a citizen who has the public interest at heart there is doubtless more useful work yet for him to do.