BIOGRAPHIES: Abraham PITTENGER, Trempealeau, Trempealeau Co., WI

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Nance Sampson, Trempealeau Co. WIGenWeb Coordinator,  2 June 2001      
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Abraham Pittenger, a pioneer, was born near Mansfield, in Richland County, 
Ohio, May 24, 1802, descended from sturdy Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry.  He 
was reared to farm pursuits and as a young man learned the blacksmith trade, 
to which two occupations he devoted his time in his native state until 1854.   
In that year he came west to Wisconsin and located at Onalaska, in La Crosse 
County.  For a while he did various work at his trade, including the 
installing of the machinery in the historic Nicholas mill at the mouth of 
the Black River.  In 1857 he settled on a homestead on Brice's Prairie, on 
the Black River, and began its improvement by erecting a seven-room house, 
consisting of an upright and a wing, a very good house for those days.  By 
pre-empting an adjoining tract, and purchasing other land, he added to his 
holdings until he owned 420 acres.  He sold 120 of this, and of the 
remainder developed 220 acres, leaving 80 acres in timber.  In 1875 he came 
to Trempealeau County and purchased a farm two miles north of Trempealeau 
village.  There he lived in peace and contentment until his death Sept. 1, 
1888.  He will long be remembered for his activity in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church.  He was a class leader and a member of the official board, 
gave land from his La Crosse County farm for a church and a cemetery, and 
was liberal in its support.  He was also prominent in the affairs of the 
church at Trempealeau.  Mr. Pittenger was married at Mansfield, Ohio, in 
1821, to Eleanor Ferguson, who died in 1845, leaving ten children.  He was 
married April 24, 1849, to Lucy Rand Barnes of Mansfield, Ohio, who died 
March 13, 1906, and to this union were born five children.  Three were born 
in Mansfield, Ohio, Thomas J., July 27, 1850; Joseph Benson, April 18, 1852, 
and Lucy E., Sept. 3, 1853.  Benjamin F. was born Nov. 16, 1855, at 
Onalaska, Wis.; Luther M. was born March 7, 1859, on Brice's Prairie, La 
Crosse County, Wis.  Luther M. is the only one living, the others, except 
Thomas J., having died in childhood.

--From the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," page 495.