Biographical Sketch of

James W. Trumbull

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 664 - 665





Among the progressive and modern agriculturists of Adams county, James W. Trumbull is recognized as one of 

the foremost. His estate, situated in Quincy township, is a standing testimonial to his ability as a 

husbandman and to his attention to details in the management of his farming operations.



James W. Trumbull was born in Horicon, Dodge county, Wisconsin, November 25, 1850. His father, Simeon Trumbull, 

a native of Vermont, born in Burlington, was a plasterer by trade in his early manhood, and came to Wisconsin in 

1845, and located in Dodge county. He took up land there, which he occupied about twelve years. He then disposed

of his property and removed to Adams county, Wisconsin, and took up eighty acres of land near Quincy. He after-

wards purchased about one hundred and thirty acres in section eighteen, which is still owned by his son James, 

the subject of this article. Simeon Trumbull was a stanch Republican in political sentiment, but never sought 

office. He was a hard worker and a thoroughly honest man, and had the respect and esteem of every one who knew 

him. He died March 4, 1899, aged seventy-nine years. Our subject's mother, Helen (Anderson) Trumbull, died 

January 7, 1873, at the age of forty-seven years. Both parents rest in the cemetery at Quincy. To this worthy 

couple four children were born: Josephine, now Mrs. A. Faxon, of Salem, Oregon; James W., our present subject: 

Sealy, now in California; Grant, now in Lassen county, California.



James W. Trumbull attended school until he was fifteen years old. At the age of sixteen years he went into the 

pineries in Clark, Wood and Marathon counties. For about twenty-five years he followed this calling, working at 

rafting during the summer months on the Wisconsin river. He made several trips as far as Hannibal, Missouri, on 

the Mississippi. In 1882 he took possession of the farm, which is his present homestead, and since that time has 

been conducting a general farming business. He is the owner of one hundred and fifty acres, about one hundred of 

which he cultivates and the balance being timber and pasture. He devotes considerable attention to stock raising, 

of which he has made a success.



Mr. Trumbull was married, December I, 1874, to Emma Wood, a native of Michigan. Mrs. Trumbull's parents, Benjamin 

and Abigail (Knowland) Wood, reside in Quincy, Adams county, Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Trumbull five children 

have been born, of whom four are living, named in the order of birth as follows: Roy, born November 28, 1875; 

Allen, born November 7, 1878; Helen, born October 6, 1882; Sybil, born May 12, 1885. These children are all at 

home and form a pleasant and intelligent family circle. Mr. Trumbull is a Republican in politics, and uses his 

franchise in the interest of that party. He is much interested in matters of a public nature, and is an earnest 

adherent of the principles of good government. He is not an office seeker, and his influence is therefore every 

effective with his friends and acquaintances. His honesty and integrity have won for him the esteem of all, and 

these, combined with his industry and able management, have made him the possessor of a valuable property.





Transcribed by Robert Schieber


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