BIOGRAPHIES:  Willard F. HOLBROOK, Arkansaw, Pepin Co., WI

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Submitted by Nance Sampson, Pepin Co. Archives File Manager on 19 November 2004
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**Posted for informational purposes only - submitter is not related to the
subject of this biography and has no further information.

WILLARD F. HOLBROOK, manufacturer of furniture and hardwood lumber.
Came to Wisconsin in August, 1852, and lived about three years not far
from the Eau Galle Mills. In 1854, he selected the site of his present
mill property on the Arkansaw Creek, and commenced to build a dwelling,
and in 1855, built the saw-mill, and commenced sawing in February,
1856. He also began in a small way the manufacture of furniture, in one
corner of the mill, employing at first only two hands, increasing the
number from time to time as needed. In 1866, he built a separate
factory, employing from eight to ten hands, and in 1871, a large
factory, which burned in 1872. In 1873, he rebuilt, and at present
employs from thirty to thirty-five hands, and the sales of furniture
amount to $25,000 to $30,000 per year. For many years he has had a
store also in addition to his other business. He was born, April 27,
1827, at Wrentham, Mass., afterward resided in Mansfield, Mass. He
commenced at the age of eighteen to run a cotton factory, employing
twenty-two hands, making cotton cloth, afterward he engaged in the
manufacture of straw goods. He was married, March 15, 1848, to Miss
Sarah Jane Dunham, of Mansfield, Mass.; she died June 5, 1852. In
August of the same year he came to Wisconsin. He married Miss Mary
Ames, of Waubeek, Wis., formerly of Mansfield, Mass., Nov. 30, 1857.
They have eight children living-Alla F., Willard A., now at school at
West Point Military Academy, Merigen (now Mrs. W. B. York), Martha
Jane, Benjamin Franklin, Mary Lilian, John Snell and Roy.

-Transcribed from the "History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881," page 705


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