Biographical Sketch of

George Washington Waterman

Transcribed by Christy Janke
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 233 - 234



George Washington Waterman, one of the best known citizens of Friendship, Adams county, is a leading merchant of 

that city, and has been interested in many of the business enterprises of that region. He became a resident of 

Adams county as early as 1857, and has ever lent a helping hand for the better interests of his county and state.



Mr. Waterman was born in Baldwinsville, Onondaga county, New York, July 2, 1836, and was the son of Thomas and 

Susan E. (Norcross) Waterman. His father was a native of New York, and the son of Calvin Waterman, who was born 

in Connecticut, and removed to Onondaga county, New York, where he died at the age of eighty-five years. He was 

descended from an old New England family. Thomas Waterman went to Illinois when a young man, and about 1840 settled 

at LaGrange, Walworth county, Wisconsin, becoming one of the pioneers of that county, where he engaged in farming. 

A few years later he established a store which he carried on in a part of his house, and also worked some at his 

trade of shoemaking. Subsequently he erected a large building for a store and residence, which is still standing, 

and is a conspicuous landmark in that place. He removed to Adams county in the fall of 1857, and resided on a farm 

in Springville township, and upon the location of the county seat at Friendship he removed thither, serving as 

deputy register of deeds for a time and also operating a shoe shop until his death in 1860, aged fifty-eight years 

and six months. He was always an active member of the Methodist church and ofttimes filled the pulpit, and his home 

was ever opened with true hospitality to the visiting clergy. He was earnest and conscientious in all his dealings, 

and was respected by all who knew him.





Transcribed by Christy Janke


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