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, Pages 652 - 653

Dana Daniel Billings, deceased, who during his life was a prominent member of the farming community of Springville township, Adams county, was proprietor of a pleasant estate in that vicinity for more than thirty years, and had gained a competence which was sufficient to allow him to live in ease during his declining years and leave his family with all the comforts of life.

Mr. Billings was born in Barnard, Windsor county, Vermont, September 9, 1823, and was the son of Daniel Billings, a native of the same place, who was an agriculturist by occupation, and passed his life in his native state.

Our subject has made good use of the somewhat limited advantages of the times toward gaining an education, and became will educated. Until he reached is majority he worked with his father on the farm, and became a thorough husbandman. He went to Wisconsin from Vermont in 1851, and located in Springville township, Adams county, taking one hundred and sixty acres of government land. He worked hard to clear the land and support his family, and how well he succeeded the estate which is now in possession of the widow bears evidence. He had about fifty acres under a high state of cultivation, and had erected substantial buildings, and otherwise improved his property. He also ran a ferry across the Wisconsin river, the first one run in that vicinity, and the only one operated there for many years, and large numbers of immigrants crossing the river for points in Minnesota and the west took advantage of that means for crossing the stream.

Mr. Billings was married September 9, 1853, to Annette Teed, daughter of Nathaniel K. and Susan (Chamberlain) Teed, of Tompkins, Delaware county, New York. Mrs. Billings’ parents were of old English stock, and came west in 1851. After prospecting through Walworth, Sauk and Adams counties, they decided to locate in the latter, which they did about 1856, and remained there about seven years. They moved to Bear Creek, Waupaca county, remaining there during the remainder of heir lives. The father died in February, 1884, and his wife survived him five years, passing away April 3, 1889, and both were buried at Bear Creek.

Mr. and Mrs. Billings were the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living: Melvin N., born July 26, 1854, now residing on the old homestead; Dana A., born January 5, 1892, now residing in Springville; Edward E., born March 4, 1858, died November 11, 1892; Joseph D., born September 20, 1860, now in Kokomo, Colorado; Emma J., born December 24, 1862, now Mrs. C. Walker, of Plainville; Ora D., born January 16, 1867, now a resident of Wood county, Wisconsin; Charles L., born May 23, 1869, now employed as bridgeman on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad; Willie J., born December 12, 1871, now an agriculturist of Spalding, Minnesota; Lillian L., born January 29, 1875, now Mrs. L. Harris, of White Creek; and Homer E., born July 8, 1878, now residing at home. Mr. Billings passed from this life November 15, 1882, and is buried at Olin cemetery. He was a prominent man in his township, and served as treasurer of his township for a number of years, and in various other official positions, including school offices. He was an enthusiastic worker in educational matters, and did everything to advance the standard of education in his community. He was a republican in political sentiment, but did not take an active part in politics. He commanded the respect of his fellow men wherever he was known, and in his death the community lost a good citizen and stanch friend. His widow survives him, and resides on the old homestead. She is in the enjoyment of good health, and appreciates the competence which is hers to tide her through her declining years, and in the accumulation of which she is justly entitled to much credit, for her words of counsel and cheer through the struggles of the early life in the Wisconsin home.