BioA: Warner, Mr./Mrs. Don (45th – 1972)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Warner, Jackson, Telford, Larson, Ossman, Richardson, Hammel

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Loyal, Wis.) 04 May 1972

Warner, Don/Lillian (45th - 23 SEP 1972)

Not too long ago, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Warner, lifelong residents, celebrated 45 years of married life.

A biographical sketch taken from the book "A Biographical History of Clark and Jackson Counties" was published in 1891 and donated to the Greenwood Library by the Warner family tells that Don's grandparents and parents were pioneer founder's of the city and community of Greenwood. Another edition of this book can be found in the public library at Eau Claire. Such high value is place on the book, that it cannot be taken from the library and is kept locked with the library's most valuable records.

Mark B. Warner, grandfather of Don, was a pioneer lumberman of the Black River Valley. Warner Township and the Town Warner were named after him. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and came to Black River Falls in 1855, where he went into the lumber business for himself. At this time there were no roads except an occasion "tote road" on the river banks. He often met Indians in the deep woods, but was never molested. The sketch also told that Mark Warner was an exceptionally good hunter and always had more game than any other man, and thus his men in camp were always supplied with food. In the fall of 1871, Mark Warner settled on a farm near Greenwood. It was located in the dense woods with no roads except one "tote road" to Greenwood. Mr. Warner built up this farm in a fine farm of 320 acres, with 130 which he cleared. This farm is presently occupied by Don Ossman and family. It is located four miles north of Greenwood. Mark Warner built the present house which is on the farm.

In addition to farming, he successfully engaged in raising graded shorthorn cattle, graded Morgan and Black Hawk horses, and Poland China and Berkshire hogs. He was chairman of the town board, the County Board and also a member of the School Board. Politically hew was a Democrat. In 1856 he was married to Levina Richardson and five children, David, George, Gertrude, Henry and Leroy were born to this union. Leroy, Don Warner's father, was married to Mary Hammel and also settled in Greenwood in about 1880. They built and lived in the house presently located down by Black River Bridge. Four children were born to this union, Bessie, Maud, Harold and Donald. Leroy spent some time in Alaska during the Gold Ruth days, but returned to Greenwood when Don was about 14 years old.

On Sept. 23, 1927, Don was married to Lillian Jackson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Jackson of Longwood. Four children, Harold of Chetek, Norma (Mrs. Don Telford) of Eau Claire, Ann (Mrs. Tom Larson) of San Antonio, Texas, and Kenneth, who died in infancy, were born to them. They have thirteen grandchildren.

Don Warner worked as a mail carrier for forty years. He has served on the City Council for ten years and has been Mayor of the City of Greenwood for 2 1/2 terms. Both Lillian and Don have been active in church service, and Dona has also served on the Church Council. Lillian has given piano lessons and has served as church organist for many year. Mr. and Mrs. Warner have always given generously of their time to help Greenwood live up to its "Gleaner" title for many years, as being "The Biggest Little City in the State – inhabited by the best people living."