Biographical sketch of William WILLARD, 1879 Transcribed from "The History of Jefferson County" and contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives March 1, 1999 by Leslie Harper < leslieharper@hotmail.com > ======================================================== USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ======================================================== surnames: WILLARD CROUCH KNAPP WHITTAKER page 678; WILLIAM WILLARD, farmer, Sec. 16; PO Concord; born in Sussex Co., England June 4, 1808; spent his early life in England and came to America about 1832; resided 11 years in the state of New York and settled in Concord in October, 1843; he began on 40 acres in 1855; has bought some land and sold more; now has 36 acres and a good home. Married Miss Mary Crouch June 13, 1827, who died Oct 11, 1872, leaving 6 children - Alice, Serena, James, Sarah J., Elizabeth A. and Mary E. Mr. Willard is a stanch Republican in politics and is well known and respected. He married Mrs. Eliza J. Knapp Feb. 25, 1873. Mrs. Willard was born in Hampshire, England July 9, 1826; came to America with her parents in 1831 and settled in Jefferson County, New York; she left New York with her parents for Milwaukee at 17; here she married John Whittaker June 19, 1843; with him she began pioneer life in Concord on 80 acres of heavily timbered land; they had a good house fairly begun when Mr. W. died in November, 1848, leaving 2 children - Lettice and Mary J. On the 30th of March, 1851, Mrs. W. married H.L. Knapp, who died Jan. 7, 1852, leaving one son - Henry J., born on the day of his father's death. Mrs. Knapp married, March 19, 1853, Bartholomew Knapp, and resided with him on their Concord farm until his death, April 10, 1865; he left four children - Levina, Edith, Jasper, and Jason. Mrs. Knapp continued to reside in Wisconsin and married Mr. Willard. They are quietly spending their days on his pleasant farm in Concord. Mrs. W. united with the M.E. Church at 25 and has since been an active worker in the cause of Christianity; her children are all residents of Wisconsin and Minnesota.