Bio: Willis, Z. C. (1881)
Contact: Janet Schwarze
Email: Posted4u@Charter.net

---Source: 1881 History of Northern Wisconsin, pg. 226-227.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF Z. C. WILLIS

Z. C. WILLIS, farmer, P.O. Cook's Valley, was born in Bennington, N.Y., Dec. 12, 1831, and came with his father to Wisconsin in 1844, settling in Delevan, where he lived five years, when they removed to Marquette County. Mr. Willis, with Mr. Jacob Cook, came into what was subsequently called Cook's Valley, in Chippewa County, in 1858, and the next year moved into the Valley, entering 160 acres of land where he has since resided—himself and Mr. Cook being the first settlers there. He was married in Bloomer, Oct. 26, 1862, to Miss Sarah S. Storrs, of that place. Mrs. Willis is a native of Trenton, N.Y., born Oct. 29, 1834, and came to Wisconsin in 1847. Her parents, Calvin and Mary G. (Wells) Storrs, soon following. Mrs. Willis, on the maternal side, is a relative of Hon. Gideon Wells, as seen by the "History of the Wells Family." Mr. Willis' parents, Robert V. and Eliza Willis, at an advanced age, live on a small farm near their son. Mr. Willis has two children—Eugene Wells and Frederick Storrs, both born in Cook's Valley. Mr. Willis has 200 acres of land in his home farm, mostly under a good state of cultivation, and excellent buildings; also a farm near by, containing 200 acres, all fenced, and half of it improved; and another farm of 160 acres, well improved, besides sixty acres of timber. Mr. and Mrs. Willis are charter members of Auburn Grange, No. 270, and the entire family are charter members of Cook's Valley Good Templar Lodge, No. 339.