Person:Lucius Bingham (1)

The following is from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 711-713; Posted at http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~wirockbios/Bios/bios0524.html

LUCIUS BINGHAM, a retired farmer and honored pioneer of Rock County, now residing in Milton, is a native of Connecticut, having been born in that State on the 13th day of May, 1814. His parents, Elisha and Tryphena (OLNEY) BINGHAM, had a family of six children, but only two are now living - Louisa, who makes her home in Cortland County, N.Y., and Lucius, who is fourth in order of birth. Those deceased are George J. John, James and Sally Ann.

When our subject was but two years of age his parents removed to Susquehanna County, Pa., where they resided for eight years, when they became residents of Cortland, County, N.Y. The father there purchased a farm, and Lucius remained at home under the parental roof until seventeen years of age, when he began working for an older brother in Tioga County, N.Y. After remaining in his employ for a short time, he became a traveling salesman, selling a patent self-acting head block, but later was employed by a New York firm in the same capacity. He was next employed as foreman of a saw-mill for about one year, when he went to Syracuse, N.Y., and in 1837 started for Michigan, his destination being Kalamazoo. While en route for that city he was taken sick, and for some time was unable to do any work. Making his home in Michigan until 1839, Mr. BINGHAM then went to Rockford, Ill., and continued his journey until reaching Janesville, Wis. He made a contract with a man for building a barn, and as compensation for his services received a tract of land near Emerald Grove, which comprises a part of his present farm. He carried on carpentering and building for several years, when in 1843 he commenced the improvement of his land, and from that time engaged principally in agricultural pursuits. Building a little house, he made it his home until 1862, when it was replaced by the present substantial residence. In connection with general faring, he engaged quite extensively in stock raising, and to him is due the credit of introducing the first Durham cattle in this part of the country. Several times he took the first premiums at the Rock County Fair on his cattle, to which his other stock was in no wise inferior, his horses especially being of the best grades. He began life in this county in true pioneer style, enduring the hardships and difficulties which come to all who make homes on the frontier, but his arduous labors of former years have at length received their reward. Beginning life in limited circumstances, he has by good management, enterprise, industry and business-like habits become one of the well-to-do citizens of the county.

On the 13th day of April, 1842, Mr. BINGHAM was joined in wedlock with Miss Jane E. JANES, a daughter of Hiram JANES, one of the early settlers of Rock County. Three children were born of their union, two of whom are living: Augustine J., the eldest, born Oct. 6, 1843, enlisted in the service of his country during the Civil War, there contracting disease from which he died in 1864; Ann Eliza, who was born April 28, 1845, and resides in Milton, married Eben BACON, who is now deceased, and for her second husband, wedded Hiram BULLOCK; Jane, born Feb. 22, 1847, and residing at West Union, Iowa, is the wife of Herman LOVELACE. In October, 1847, Mr. BINGHAM was again married, his second union being with Harriet J. LEONARD, a daughter of Jarvis LEONARD, who was a native of Massachusetts, and became a resident of Johnstown during the early days of its settlement. Mrs. BINGHAM was born Nov. 5, 1821, in Oneida County, N.Y., and removed to Michigan, where she resided until becoming a resident of Johnstown. She has one brother living, Charles B., who was born Nov. 15, 1822, and is engaged in the real estate business in Iowa County, Iowa. Seven children have graced the second union of Mr. BINGHAM, but four have now passed away - Loyal, who was born June 18, 1848, and resides in Ames, Iowa, where he is engaged in the hardware business, married Ellen ADAMS of Evansville, Rock County, and to them has been born one daughter, Beulah; Lucius, born June 19, 1850, died Sept. 26, 1852; Mary F., born May 14, 1852, died on the 11th day of October following; Hattie E., born Jan. 15, 1854, died Feb. 7, 1857; Charles F., born July 21, 1856, has gained the reputation of being one of the best cornet playersin the United States, and is now filling an engagement in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Cora May, born Aug. 16, 1860, died Feb. 9, 1861; Elmer L., born Sept. 7, 1862, is residing on a farm of 160 acres on section 12, Harmony Township, and on the 13th day of October, 1887, was united in marriage with Daisy M. LOARD [descendant: HOWARD], by whom he has one child, Ernestine Lorena.

After engaging in farming for many years, in November, 1887, Mr. Bingham retired from active life and removed to Milton, where he erected one of the handsomest homes in the village. He has ever been a leading citizen of the community, taking an active interest in the public welfare, and has served in various official positions. For one year he filled the office of Assessor of Harmony Township, for four years was Justice of the Peace, and for a number of years was a member of the School Board. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, with which he has affiliated since its organization, and is a member of the Du Lac Grange. For several years he has filled the office of Deacon of the Free Baptist Church at North Johnstown, and still holds membership in that denomination. For the long period of half a century Mr. BINGHAM has been a resident of Rock County, has witnessed almost its entire growth, has participated in its development, and has borne no inconsiderable part in the promotion of its enterprises. He is a worthy and valued citizen, respected by all who know him, and is well known throughout the community.  

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state and of the presidents of the United States. (Chicago [Illinois]: Chicago [Illinois] : Acme Pub., 1889, 1889).
2. ↑ Bingham, Theodore A. The Bingham Family in the United States, Especially of the State of Connecticut: including notes on the Binghams of Philadelphia and of Irish descent; medieval records; armorial bearings; etc. (Easton, Pennsylvania: Bingham Association, 1927-1930).