Bio: Waterman, William I., 1878
Contact: Stan

----Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge, transcribed Tue, 13 Feb 2001

Surnames: WATERMAN, BORHAM, BABCOCK, SHOOP, LOVELESS, MARCH, KNOPP

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.

 

 


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