John Spear Biography - Grant County Wisconsin

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Submitted by David W. Taft, dtaft @ cowtown.net

History of Grant County Wisconsin
Western Historical Publishing, Chicago, July 1881
Town of Platteville, Biographical Sketches, Page 922

JOHN SPEAR, retired farmer, Platteville; was born Sept. 25, 1806, in Little 
Petherick, Cornwall, England; in early life he served an apprenticeship as a 
carpenter and joiner; going to London, he worked fourteen years at his trade. In 
this metropolis of the world, he also married Anne Roberts, who was of Probus 
Parish, Cornwall; both their children, John R. and Antiie R. were born in 
London. The family came to America and to Platteville in 1851; the journey from 
New York was a long and tedious one. via the Hudson River and great lakes to 
Milwaukee; they first located on the present farm of William Rundell; remained 
two years, then came to Platteville and spent a couple of years; then for six 
years they were on a farm in British Hollow, town of Potosi; afterward they 
resided and farmed in the towns of Lancaster and Benton; in March, 1876, the ill 
health of young Spear caused the final removal and settlement of the family in 
Platteville; they still own a considerable amount of land in this county. Mr. 
Spear, Sr., made a most enjoyable visit to his native land in the fall of 1880, 
and takes pleasure in describing the progress and power of Merry England, as 
well as the changes made in thirty years.