Bio:
Waterman, William I.,
1878
Contact: Stan
----Source: 1918 History of
Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge,
transcribed Tue, 13 Feb
2001
Surnames:
William I. Waterman,
1878
WILLIAM I. WATERMAN, proprietor of the old Waterman homestead in section
29, Grant Township, was born on his present farm, June 6, 1878, son of William
and Paulina (Borham) Waterman. The father was a native of England and came to
the United States with his parents, they settling in New York State, where
they lived for about three years. They then moved to Virginia, in the vicinity
of Richmond, where William Waterman was employed on the construction of the
150-mile plank roadway which was built before the war. When the war broke out,
influenced by his surroundings and the people with whom he associated, he
joined the Confederate army and was twice shot in the left arm, which had to
be amputated. It was while he was home on a furlough on account of his
injuries that he married Paulina Borham, this being just before the end of the
war. After their marriage they resided in Virginia for three years, and
then, about 1868, came to Clark County, where they rented a farm for eight
years. In 1876 Mr. Waterman bought the tract of eighty acres in section 29,
Grant Township, which now constitutes the homestead of his son and namesake.
Although handicapped by having only one arm, he built a log house, 16 by 24
feet, and a log barn, 16 by 18, and in time succeeded in clearing thirty
acres. Although he had fought for the Southern cause, he was popular with big
neighbors, who admired his courage determination and were glad to see him
succeed. His wife, Paulina, was a native of Virgina, her people being farmers.
Of the children of William Waterman and wife, two were born in that state,
Edward and John, the latter of whom resides in Minneapolis. Edward married
Angie Babcock and lives on a farm in Shortville, Wis. He and his wife have
three children: Mabel, Gladys and Eunice. The children of Mr. and Mrs.
Waterman, who were born in Clark County, are as follows: William I., of Grant
township; Henry, who lives in Dodson, Mont.; Della, now Mrs. George Vine of
Clark County; Nelson, who married Cora Shoop, and now in Aimery, Wis.; and
Maine, now Mrs. Arthur Lovless, of Crandon, Wis., William I. Waterman has
always resided on the home farm on which he was born and to the ownership of
which he succeeded. He has operated the place successfully, raising Holstein
cattle and Poland-China hogs, and is a member of the Farmers Co-operative
Elevator Company and of the creamery at Neillsville. His residence is now a
good substantial eight-room dwelling and he has also improved the farm by the
erection of a new barn, 36 by 60 feet. He is a member of the Odd Fellows'
Lodge at Neillsville, and of the Beaver colony at the same place. For three
years he served as school clerk of District No. 1, Grant Township. Mr.
Waterman was married Sept. 21, 1904, to Richie March, daughter of Mills March,
her mother, then a widow, being proprietor of a boarding-house in Madison,
Wis. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Waterman are: Elva, born Oct. 5, 1905,
and Victor, born Mar. 26, 1907. Mills March, father of Mrs. Waterman, was born
at Saddleworth, Yorkshire, England, July 6, 1824, son of Samuel and Mary
(Mills) March. His paternal grandfather was Ralph March, who died Aug. 7,
1820, at the age of 52 years. Samuel March was born Mar. 14, 1795, and died
Mar. 22, 1868. His wife, Mary, was born Oct. 4, 1792, and died Jan. 8, 1874.
Mills March came from England to New York and for fourteen years a foreman in
the Brooklyn navy yard. Thence he went to Canada, where for ten years he had
charge of government work. He subsequently removed to Iowa and died at
Decorah, that state, Oct. 9, 1899. He married Ruth Knopp, who was born in East
Canada, Mar. 6, 1845, and who now resides with her daughter and son-in-law,
Mr. and Mrs. Waterman. © Every submission is protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
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