Bio: Warner, Mark B. (History - 1819)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: WARNER MOREY RICHARDSON HOMMEL BOWERMAN AUSTIN

----Source: "Biographical History of Clark Jackson Counties, WI," Lewis pub. co., 1891, pg. 323 - 333:

MARK B. WARNER, for whom the town of Warner was named, and one of the pioneer lumbermen of Black River Valley, section 15, Warner Township, was born in Wyoming, Genesee County, New York, August 6, 1819, the son of William H. and Abigal (Morey) Warner the former, a native of Connecticut, and a farmer by occupation, filled several county offices in his time, and was also a soldier in the war of 1812. They were the parents of three children: Dr. Henry, who died at the age of fifty-nine years in Medina County, Ohio, where he had practiced medicine for thirty-seven years Mark B., the subject of this sketch, and Cynthia Deimock, who now resides in Medina County, Ohio.

Mark D. Warner was reared to farm life, and received his education in the common schools of Medina County, where his parents had settled when he was a small boy. He came to Black River Falls in 1855, and first worked in the woods two years, and then, in company with others, began business for himself, which he continued twenty-six years. At that time the Indians were numerous, but never molested him except to steal. He explored the country during the summers, locating, estimating and entering pine lands for other parties. There were no roads then except there was a tote road on river banks, and farther back in the country there were only a few Indian trails. He often met Indians in the deep woods, but was never molested. A half-breed Indian, by the name of Joseph Eaton, worked for Mr. Warner four years, and the latter often took him on exploring expeditions to carry provisions, blankets, etc. Mr. Warner has killed more game than any other man, and always had venison for his men in camp. He often killed bear for sport, letting them remain where he had shot them. He has explored to near Lake Superior, and in the country saw tracks of caribou and moose, and also saw some of the latter that had been killed by other parties near the head waters of the Chippewa River. These pine lands have now all been bought by the Mississippi Logging Boom Company. Mr. Warner settled on his present farm in the fall of 1871, which was then dense woods, with no roads from this place to Greenwood, except a tote road. He now owns a fine farm of 320 acres, 130 of which is cleared. Prior to purchasing this place, Mr. Warner owned an interest in 200 acres in township 29, range 2 west, this county, which he helped to improve. In addition to his general farming, he is successfully engaged in raising graded short-horn cattle, graded Morgan and Black Hawk horses, and Poland-China and Berkshire hogs. He has been chairman of the Town Board chairman of the County Board a member of the School Board several years and was elected Justice of the Peace several times, but never served. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, and politically a Democrat.

Mr. Warner was married in July 1856, to Levina Richardson, who was born near Dix, Illinois, the daughter of David Richardson, deceased. Of their six children, five still survive, namely: Leroy R., David, George, Gertrude and Henry. Leroy married Mary Hommel, lives in Greenwood and has two children: Bessie and Maud. David married Melissa Bowerman, lives on his father's farm, and has tow children: Mark and Clement. George married Jeanie Austin, lives at Hemlock, and also has two children.

Story Of Mark Bronson Warner
 
Many have asked if Mark Bronson Warner was in Civil War and he was not.  We have several histories or obits.  He was born in Genesee Co. NY (& his father William Henry Warner was born in Conn. & served in War of 1812...I did get those records from Natl. Archives.)  They moved to Ohio when William rec. bounty land from govt. for having been in War of 1812.  Mark was married there & left a family there (which inc. a son who became a doctor) & came to Black River Falls.  He married Lavina Richardson there & my grandfather Leroy Ramsey Warner was born there.  At one point he came to Eau Claire & had one of  first post offices here on Half Moon Lake & a store.  Sold that & returned to Black River & then moved to Greenwood.  He built the farm north of town when there only a tote road into Greenwood.  He & son Dave built the store in Greenwood.  The land n. of town was still a part of Tn. of Eaton, & my brother Dick reminded me Mark was chair of tn. of  Eaton when they divided & started tn. of Warner.  Mark was quite a wander and according to records quite involved in logging w/Spaulding & w/a "half breed Indian named Joseph Eaton" went thru much of area north & killed many bear & deer just for sport (!) & for logging camp food.  Our cabin is on Bear Lake in lower Ashland County & since he followed Chippewa River we like to think maybe sometimes he camped where our cabin is!!
 
Mark served on county board in 1890's & my Dad always told how they tried to get the county seat moved from Neillsville to Greenwood.  Now we find he was on co. bd. right at that time, so no doubt very involved.  They built the "new   courthouse & jail" at that time & he died not long after.  Norma Telford