Adams County Wisconsin Genealogy

Transcribed by Robert Schieber

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Page 457

Oscar Atcherson, an influential and well-to-do member of the farming community of Plainville township, where his homestead is located on sections 5 and 8, is one of the early settlers of Adams county. He is from a long-lived family, who were without exception prominent citizens in the community in which they resided, and from whom he inherited the excellent characteristics which have influenced him throughout his career to the betterment of his fellow men.

Mr. Atcherson was born in Rockingham, Vermont, September 10, 1822, and was the son of Thomas and Charlotte (Johnson) Atcherson. The father's family had resided in that vicinity since the Revolutionary war, and the mother of our subject was from Petersham, Massachusetts, where the family was well known. Our subject's father followed farming as an occupation, and came to Adams county, Wisconsin, in 1856, where he purchased land, but on account of his advanced age did not actively engage in farming, but lived in retirement until his death. He passed away at Plainville, February 3, 1873, aged ninety years, and his wife in Plainville August 2, 1869, aged seventy-nine years and both were laid to rest in Plainville cemetery.

Our subject until twenty years of age attended school and worked on the farm with his father. He then went to work in the woolen factories at Cambridgeport, Vermont, where he learned the trade, and afterward worked in various other mills in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He gave up the work at the age of thirty-three years, and having two brothers, Walter and Warren, located at Plainville, Wisconsin, decided to purchase land and live near them. He bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 5 and 8, and which form his present homestead. His son, John, now engages in farming the land.

Mr. Atcherson enlisted March 7, 1865, at Kilbourn, Wisconsin, in the Fifty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was detailed as guard on the Pacific Railroad, which was then building from St. Louis to Kansas City. He was discharged from the service August 5, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kansas.

Our subject was married at Brattleboro, Vermont, January 13, 1848, to Mary A. Mixer, daughter of John M. and Olive (Richardson) Mixer, of Brattleboro, Vermont. Mrs. Atcherson's parents were early settlers of that vicinity, and passed away there. To Mr. and Mrs. Atcherson three children were born, as follows: Flora E., born January 29, 1852, now Mrs. J. Fogerty, of Tomahawk, Wisconsin; Ada A., born September 22, 1858, now3 Mrs. C. Miner, of Guilford, Vermont; John M., born May 29,1860, now residing on the farm. The son was married October 24, 1883, to Abbie F. Billings, of Springville.

Our subject is a member of John Gillispie Post, No. 50, G.A.R. He has held numerous township offices, and has been assessor, supervisor, and as an interested worker for education has served as clerk and school director for a number of years. He takes an active interest in local affairs, and is among the foremost men of his township. Although seventy-eight years of age, he enjoys the best of health, is active and possessed of all his faculties. During the winter of 1898 he paid a visit to his daughter in Guilford, Vermont, and spent some time visiting the scenes of his boyhood.