BIOGRAPHIES: William P. AVERILL, Lima Township, Pepin Co., WI

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Submitted by:  oldstufn@hotmail.com  on  26 May 2005
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William P. Averill, proprietor of the old Averill homestead in section 
31, Lima township, Pepin county, was born in this township Sept. 13, 
1862, son of Harvey Putnam and Frances (Keenan) Averill. The father, 
a native of New York state, when a young man, learned the carpenter's 
trade, which he followed for a while as a journeyman. His wife was a 
native of Ireland. Harvey P. Averill came to Pepin county in 1855, 
locating on the land that now constitutes the farm of his son, William 
P. At that time, of course, it was wild, and he was the first settler 
in the locality. One of his first acts was to build a log house, in 
which he resided with his brother. Later, at the time of his marriage, 
he built one for himself. He became the owner of 120 acres of land and 
resided on the place until his death, which occurred in May, 1874. His 
wife survived him but a short time, passing away in August of the same 
year. During the Civil War Mr. Averill served in the quartermaster's 
department with a Wisconsin regiment. William P. Averill, who was the 
eldest of six children, attended district school in Lima township. He 
resided at home until he was about 12 years of age, and after his 
parents' death, went to live with his uncle. At the age of 22 he began 
operating the home farm, where he has since remained. He now owns the 
original 120 acres, on which he has made all the most important 
improvements, and is carrying on general farming successfully. He is 
also a stockholder and vice president of the Inter-County Telephone 
Company. He has held various township offices and has served as school 
director. Mr. Averill was united in marriage Nov. 17, 1889, to Lillian 
Dorwin, who was born in the town of Durand, daughter of Vivus W. and 
Helen M. (Van Hoesen) Dorwin, who came to Durand, Pepin county, from 
Adams county, Wisconsin, in 1856. He and his wife are the parents of 
four children: Harvey Putnam, Lillian May, Ella Cora, and William 
Phillip. Mr. Averill belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, including both the lodge and 
encampment.

-Transcribed from the "History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin, 
1919," page 634

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