Greenwood, Clark Co., Wisconsin

William E. Cornick was born in Schenango, New York, June 4, 1852 and at the age of nine, moved to Iowa with his parents who were farmers and taught him the skills of good farming.

In 1878, at the age of twenty-six, William became one of the early pioneers of Clark County, Wisconsin where he operated a sawmill.  In mid February of 1880, he was nearly killed in a logging accident near Humbird.  He was thrown from a load of logs when the he was driving hit a tree standing at the side of the road.  He was thrown under the horses feet and in front of the sled and rendered unconscious.  Had the team jolted, he'd have been crushed beneath their hooves.  Instead, he survived, severely bruised and with the blackest pair of eyes many had ever seen.

January 19, 1881, he married Matilda Turnball who was born in Churubusco, Indiana, in 1856.  Their daughter, Hazel, died when she was just three and a half years old and they later adopted their son, Harry.

In 1892, the family moved to Hayward, Wisconsin where they opened a successful summer fishing resort until it was sold when William retired.  William was active in local politics and in any enterprise which benefited the community.  He also served as a member of the Sawyer County Fair Association.

He and Matilda are both buried in the Greenwood City Cemetery.

Census Records-provided by Deb Sanger.

1900 Wisconsin Federal-Sawyer-Hayward-ED 162- page 28A, July 6-7, 1900
Cornick, William, head, white, male, born June 1853, age 46, married for 19 years, born in New York, farmer.
Wife Matilda was born Aug 1856, age 43, born in Indiana, 3 children with 0 living, (adopted son Harry was born Dec 1890 in Wisconsin).

1910 Wisconsin Federal-Sawyer-Hayward-ED 213, page 2B, May 23-25-27, 1910
Cornick, William E, head, male, white, age 57, married once for 29 years, born in New York, proprietor of fishing and hunting resort.
Wife Matilda and Foster son Harry living with him as well as father-in-law James Turnbull who was 83, widower, born in Ohio.
 

1920 Wisconsin Federal-Sawyer-Round Lake, ED 200, page 2A, March-13, 1920
Cornick, William, head, male, white, age 67, married, born in New York, farmer.
Matilda is 63.

Military Service

We have no evidence that William served any military service.  If you do, please contact us.