BIOGRAPHIES:  William CATURA, Waterville Township, Pepin Co., WI

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Submitted by:  oldstufn@hotmail.com  on  11 May 2005
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William Catura, proprietor of a farm in Waterville township, Pepin
county, where he is giving special attention to the breeding and
training of fast horses, was born in Franklin county, New York, Oct.
15, 1855, son of Frank and Martha Brown Catura. The parents were
natives of Canada, the father's occupation being that of a farmer and
real estate dealer. From Canada Frank Catura moved to New York State,
and from there, about 1867, to Wisconsin, locating in Big Cooley,
Pepin County. After remaining there one year he removed to Dead Lake
Prairie, he and his family making their home in a small log house
while he cleared and improved his land. After a while the log house
gave way to a better dwelling, and in time he developed a good farm
with all necessary buildings and equipment. When at last he retired
he took up his residence in Arkansaw, where he died December, 1912,
between Christmas day and New Year's day following. He was a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the Civil War he served three
years as a private in a New York regiment, and sustained injuries
while engaged in constructing breastworks.  The death of Mrs. Frank
Catura occured about seven years before that of her husband.  They
had six children of whom William was the fifth in order of birth. The
latter was educated in the district schools of Waterville township,
and resided at home until 20 years of age. A year later he bought 40
acres of land, subsequently raised the size of his farm to 80 acres,
but having recently sold 40 acres has thus reduced his farm to its
original dimensions. At the age of 18 he began handling fast horses,
and has since been engaged to a large extent in that kind of work,
his farm being equipped with suitable builldings, including stables
and a barn 50 by 26 feet in size. He also has a private track for
training horses, and has followed the racing circuit since he was 21
years old. This work, in fact, constitutes the greater part of his
business, and in it he has made a gratifying success. In politics he
is practically independent, though with a leaning to Republican
priciples.

Mr. Catura was married in October, 1892, to Addie Pruner, who was
born in the state of New York, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ecker Pruner.
Her parents were also natives of that state. The parents on coming
west settled first in Minnesota, from which state they came to Pepin
county, Wisconisn, arriving a few years later than the Caturas, and
locating near Plum City. Mrs. Catura's mother is now living at
Tacoma, Wash.

-Transcribed from the "History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties
Wisconsin, 1919", page 829

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