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 593 - 594 - 595

Alonzo W. Colburn, deceased, who for many years was a leading representative of the farming interests of Wisconsin, was born in Erie county, New York, and died in this state, September 26, 1883. He was a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit until his removal to the west in 1845. For a year he engaged in carpentering in Milwaukee, but in 1846 took up his abode in Waukesha county and there turned his attention to farming in connection with building. In 1855 he removed to the town of Newport, Columbia county, and entered eighty acres of land, to which he added an additional eighty acres by purchase. That farm he cultivated and improved until 1881, when he sold his property and removed to a farm near White Creek, in Adams county, Wisconsin, where his last days were passed. He was a public-spirited citizen and was an active factor in the management of affairs of general interest affecting the welfare of the community. The present highway between Lewiston and Kilbourn was established through his efforts, and district No. 4, in the town of Newport, Columbia county, was organized by him.

Mr. Colburn was married in January, 1839, to Miss Mary Parker, in the state of New York, and they became the parents of six children, who became highly respected citizens of the communities in which they reside. Jay P. whose sketch appears below. Helen P., born January 28, 1841, is now living in Quincy, Adams county. James H., of Bryant, South Dakota, was born August 7, 1842, and has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Anice Pierce, while Nellie Harvy became his second wife. Alonzo F., born November 17, 1843, married Ella Noyes, and is now living in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Eunice A., born April 9, 1848, married Frank Vanampwert, a resident of Rockland, Wisconsin. Julia M., born October 29, 1857, is a resident of Waupun, Wisconsin, and is the widow of Duncan Kennedy, who died in 1882.

Jay P. Colburn, who is the eldest of the family, was born October 24, 1839, in Pembroke, New York, and when seven years of age came with his parents to the west. He remained at home until seventeen years of age, during which time he acquired a common-school education that fitted him for the practical duties of life. On starting out in life for himself he became connected with the lumber industry, floating lumber down the Wisconsin river. He afterward learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked for fourteen years in Prairie du Chein, North McGregor, Iowa, and in Portage, Wisconsin. During the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting on the 1st day of February, 1864, in Company C, Twenty-third Wisconsin Infantry, and on the 1st of July, 1865, was transferred to Company A, of the Thirty-fifth Wisconsin Regiment, and promoted to the rank of corporal October 14, 1865. He continued a member of the army until March 15, 1866, when he was mustered out at Brownsville, Texas, and paid off at Madison on the 15th of April, following. He took part in the Red River expedition under General Banks, was in the rout at Sabine Cross Roads and the engagements at Pleasant Hill, Cane River, Bayou Sara, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley. He was never absent from his regiment except on special service, and was always a loyal defender of the starry banner and the cause it represented.

After his return from the war Mr. Colburn, in 1866, purchased a farm on section 2, in the town of Lewiston, Columbia county, and after cultivating that place for some time, he sold out and purchased a tract of land on section 27, Newport township, where he lived until 1877, when he came to his present farm, comprising one hundred and forty-seven acres, of which seventy acres are under a high state of cultivation. He has engaged in general farming and a creditable and gratifying success has attended his efforts.

On the 26th of August, 1868, Mr. Colburn was united in marriage to Miss Lucy E. Jacobs and to them have been born eight children: Frank L., born December 15, 1869, married Grace Stowe, and is living in Endeavor, Wisconsin; Eddie L., born September 9, 1871, died in infancy; Eva M., born November 8, 1872, is the wife of William Hudson, of Moundville, Wisconsin; Lester J., who was born May 4, 1875, was drowned at Kilbourn, July 13, 1893; Lucy M., born February 8, 1879, attended business college, and for three years has been a teacher in the public schools; Royal O., born February 18, 1882; Clarence E., born September 7, 1885, and Arthur W., born October 27, 1891, are at home. The father of this family is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has held every office in the local post. He has also filled many civic positions, and is ever true to the confidence and trust reposed in him.